"A vampire on the loose? There's no way that's possible," Nate said, walking into the cafeteria on Monday morning. "Rumor has it...," Mia said, interrupted by Evelyn the next minute. "Rumor, rumor, rumor—can you please let me think? It can't be possible for vampires to exist, definitely not now," Evelyn said, sitting with her hands on her head. "I'm so scared; I seriously peed on myself while watching the news," Mia said. "Same here," Ted added.
"Rumor has it that Damian is responsible for Mr. Lewis's death," a girl seated next to them at the cafeteria said bluntly. Evelyn got fed up and had to talk. "And how sure are you that he's responsible? I mean, rumors don't define someone's character. So, if you prefer to accuse someone, could you please leave?" "Ahrrrg, what a joke. If he comes for you, don't blame me," she concluded and left with her friends.
Damian walked into the cafeteria, rather disturbed. "But he doesn't look like a vampire to me...," rumors went as he passed by. "If he's truly a vampire, I want a taste of him. I heard they're really good in... Shhhh, he's coming." Mr. Dave and pretty much the whole staff, the police, and some detectives came downstairs, ushering him upstairs. "...even if he's what they think he is, he would be smart enough to avoid suspicions... The guy doesn't even have fangs...," Evelyn thought to herself.
It didn't take too long, and he was back in class, free to roam the halls as he pleased with no one to stop him. "...They obviously didn't find anything... Smart kid...," those who hated him said exactly that. Those who wanted him showed themselves. Those who were once his friends stayed completely off him.
The school bell rang. Evelyn was rather focused on the novel she was reading and didn't hear the bell. Everyone left for their classes while Evelyn remained trapped in the book. "It's time to go for your next class, ma'am," Ted said in a whispered tone from behind. Evelyn jumped from her seat and sighed after seeing Ted. "Must you constantly remind me how much of an asshole you are?" she asked in a serious tone. Ted, however, seemed unconcerned and rolled his eyes. "I'm off to my next class, scardy cat," he said, moving quickly to the door.
She hurriedly started packing her books but immediately stopped when she felt a chill move up her spine. She turned immediately, only to see nothing. She hissed in frustration and continued packing. She was interrupted again when the doors slammed shut. This time, she was worried. The lights flickered, and the windows kept squeaking. She quivered in fear, unable to speak. "Who's there?" she said ever so quietly in fear.
The door knob shook relentlessly as someone was trying to get in. She moved quickly, grabbing the only object in the class that could do enough damage—an iron rod from a broken window placed at the upper end of the class to avoid students causing harm to themselves. The lights finally gave out, and the sunny atmosphere changed quickly. "What the actual fuck is going on?" she whispered to herself, tightening her grip on the iron rod, fear written all over her face.
As the atmosphere darkened, everything became silent. There were no noises in the halls, and the windows stopped banging. A squeak from behind her made her move; the marker moved as if being held by a person she couldn't see. She stood still, watching with the iron rod ready to attack whatever she couldn't see. The door knob shook but more violently this time. She watched the door and the board at the same time, trying to understand what was happening. "Run"... written in bold letters on the board.
She moved closer, with every step feeling like a mountain to climb. As she got close enough to the board, a chill went up her spine, and almost as immediately as she turned, a figure in a white dress screamed, hands stretched out while coming at her. She screamed, dropped the rod, and used her two hands to cover her ears. The door swung open, and just like that, everything went back to normal.
She stood there, eyes closed, quivering, unable to move. She felt a cold yet comforting presence and opened her eyes. She sighed when she saw his face—that structured, god-like being standing there in front of her. She stared at him for what felt like an eternity. "You're not safe here," Damian finally spoke to her. That voice ringing in her ears calmed her heart, and she could finally breathe.
His dark hair gleamed as the sun shone into the class, illuminating the room.
"What do you mean?" she said after an almost endless silence. "You saw what happened?" she asked in confusion. "I did, and you're probably thinking you're dreaming, but you're not," he said, moving closer to her. His scent filled her nostrils, and she unconsciously closed her eyes, inhaling his scent. She snapped back, "I don't understand," she said with a confused look on her face.
"Ask Mia... She'll tell you, but you're not safe here," Damian said, taking the rod from her. His hands brushed against hers, and their eyes met, but he looked away quickly for reasons she couldn't understand. She questioned everything in her mind. "What exactly is this school about? First, a teacher murdered, now this. What's happening?" "It's something beyond you. You're one of us now, and you need to know," he said, setting the rod down on the teacher's table.
"How'd you..." "...read your mind?" He asked her, completing her question. Evelyn stood wide-eyed. "This is Martin's college; you'll find out. I'll watch you and help you, but all you need to know is that they want you dead," he said, emotionless. "Who's they?" she asked, staring at him, her eyes searching for answers. "Mia will explain everything you need to know," he said, locking eyes with hers, and in that moment, she could tell that he's someone she could trust.
"Good luck with staying alive," he said and walked out of the classroom. She stood there longer than she thought she would, lost in thoughts.
"I didn't see you in class," Mia said, walking into the library. "When were you going to tell me?" Evelyn asked bluntly, dropping the book she had been flipping through with no intention of reading. The gleam in Mia's eyes died off really quickly, as if she had been caught red-handed committing a crime. "What do you mean?" she asked quietly.
"What's happening with this school? You're telling me you didn't feel what happened today?" Evelyn asked in a hushed tone but in rage. "The sky, the light of the school suddenly turned eerie and gloomy. What the actual fuck is going on?" "I'm sorry," Mia replied quickly. "I was going to tell you."