Second period wasn’t that great or should I say it was more boring than I expected. With the Mitochondria and the Endocrine Reticulum, I somehow managed to zone out. Into my world, into a world that was all my own. I wrote down notes and did the questions but my mind was side tracked by the way Ryan was acting. Maybe he really wants me to leave. I thought.
Just like that, break came and I found myself sitting at my usual table, with my usual group of friends. “So . . . Cecelia, have you seen your new school?” asked Cassandra, her blond hair fell in blinds down to her shoulders. Her skin as pale as mine, only made her green eyes larger and all the more noticeable.
“Not exactly.” I said. Leon regarded Cassandra with a confused expression, his brown hair and brown eyes stood calmly upon his pale skin.
“What about that brochure you said your parents showed you.” Leon asked, this surprised me a bit, especially, at how good his memory was.
“That, well it showed a large looking old castle on a huge block of land. Nothing much other than that.” I casually said and silence filled our table. I picked up my juice box, raspberry, my favourite and began to drink. I didn’t use the cafeteria here like the others. Instead my mother preferred to pack my lunch with healthy yet delicious homemade snacks and meals. I even had mom’s brownies from this morning.
“Wow! No way! Your new school is in a castle?” exclaimed Cassandra and stood, her hands seemed to slam on the table as she didn’t notice the other students around us staring at her bizarre reaction. “And you’re going to board there?”
“I think she already told us that?” commented Marcus. His short blond hair stood out against his pale skin but calmly against his chocolate coloured eyes, that were warm and welcoming. Hidden behind his small framed glasses that suited him very well. “Or do you have a short term memory?” he asked and I fought back a giggle but I was certain potentially escaped as Cassandra shot a threatening look my way. I straightened my face and continued to devour my lunch, purposely avoiding her menacing gaze.
“Leave her alone Marcus,” barked Julie. Her brown hair like Leon’s was the only thing that presented them as siblings. “So this school is like at the opposite end of the country . . . right?” she asked turning her head to me, the only difference between the twins was their eye colour. Julie had pale blue eyes while Leon had chocolate brown eyes that were as vibrate and warm as his personality. That and the fact that one was male and the other was female.
“Not exactly, it’s five hundred kilometres north east.” I recalled, reflecting back to what my mother had said yesterday, being a brain surgeon, she would know. There was nothing I thought that woman didn’t know. “And what are you talking about in a castle, our school is an old cathedral.” I added pointedly. That caught Cassandra off guard. Only for a moment or two, before she smiled and prepared her next line of argument.
“But a church is so boring compared to a castle. I bet there’s secret passageways and everything.” Cassandra itemised, as she continued to stand while I had noticed everyone around us, returned their attention to their friends once again, something which caused me to sigh in relief. But my relief was soon hindered when I perceived this strange day dream look complementing Cassandra’s appearance almost as if she were in a daze. This warranted everyone’s fainthearted expressions. I noticed every person at our table regarded her with concern and an understandable slight amount of fear.
“Can you stop daydreaming?” snapped Julie. Cassandra sat back down and crossed her arms purposely, turning away from Julie.
“You’re just jealous that I have an imagination and you don’t.” she muttered with a pout-like-expression that caused everyone to sigh or exasperate, in annoyance or renunciation at her words. I don’t think she’s jealous. I thought with a tired sigh of my own.
“This has nothing to do with imagination. Cecelia is going to a new school.” growled Julie—the moment she had said that, was the exact same moment the bell rang. Julie and Cassandra continued to argue, while the boys commented on how strange women were. I however, kept my mouth shut. It was true we could be weird but wasn’t that the same with men or males. After all, my father was a perfect example.
As I followed my friends, I noticed how oddly cold the air was. Automatically, my body froze. Mimicking the chill, I felt ripple against my trembling skin. I wrapped my arms around myself attempting to secure any form of warmth I may have lost so suddenly in the end-of-winter breeze. I squeezed my eyes shut and that was when I heard it. “I’m quite thirsty . . . my dear.” A familiar voice ominously whispered.
“Cecelia?” I opened my eyes to find my confused friends staring at me. I looked around rapidly and everything remained the same, even though I thought everything had changed within that excoriating moment, something which I believed I may have been imagining. Hearing voices and seeing things was never a good sign. As the cold lingered, against my skin, my blood continued to circulate around my system in frozen droplets a reminder of the daunting truth I faced. The pain ripped through every muscle, in every way possible and I was without a doubt, certain, my pain moulded my features as Marcus walked forward.
“You’re shaking.” he gently noted. I glanced down and saw the goose bumps gracing my arms and the pestering shuddering my body was undergoing. I felt something warm wrap around me and I glanced down at my shoulders to see Marcus wrap his jacket around me. “Here. Give it back at the end of the day,” he offered. His brown leather jacket was warm and I eagerly nodded.
Julie was immediately by my side. “I’ll walk you to class.”
“There’s no need. I’ll be fine.”
“Honey, you’re actually paler than normal,” Julie identified, in a concerning tone. My hand automatically touched the soft contours of my features. My fingers felt awfully cold as they grazed against my skin, a reminder of the contentious cold wind. “Maybe you shouldn’t have come today.”
“Maybe.”
ONE WEEK LATER,
The day mother and father had said “goodbye”. I didn’t realise would be the last time I would ever see them again, the same way as I once did. With my mind wandering. I absently watched the wind dance, in a heavenly way. From the east to the west, as it glazed through the monopoly estate. The iron gates, stood tall and intimidating as ever while the driveway remained covered in small glazes of ice, untouched by the gardeners.
An eerie sense cloaked the land and I would be the first, of many, to greet this daunting mansion on a hill. I peered out of the black tinted car window and stared at the ash black mansion’s roves which scraped the grey dull sunless sky, in the most elegant and sinister ways. “You’ll like the place Miss. The school is an amazing place, top of the country and with an International Baccalaureate standard. You will be well equipped once you’ve finished this school.”
I could only nod, in response to my driver’s encouraging words. I had no idea why he was so willing for me to enter such a prestigious academy—even if I wanted to stop the car and walk back home—which wouldn’t be wise. Butterflies danced in my stomach and I possessed no choice but to keep it under control as every fibre of my being told me to run.
Up the hill and through the gates we went. The trees remained more stagnant more sinister than before. At the end of the driveway, there stood a man, dressed in black. The car pulled around the circular driveway slowly before the ignition ceased and the roar of the engine was no more. I waited as the man moved to the car and opened the car door like a gentleman while he smiled down at me, even though, for some unknown reason that smile clouded something much, much darker. “Welcome to Mortem Academy,” he greeted. “Miss Cecelia Rusakova.”
I stepped out of the car and waited for the man to close the door. His smile was warm. Even though I may have considered it to be my imagination once more, there was something dangerous and cold behind his dark eyes that caused a shiver to ripple down my spine as he seemed to glance briefly behind me. As quick as it happened it vanished as his attention rested on me.
“Good luck miss!” called the driver, I turned over my shoulder and waved. Soon after, he sped down the driveway and disappeared down the hill and out of sight. The sound of my luggage filled briefcases being picked up was what pulled my attention back to the stranger.
“I’ll show you to your room.” he said and I hesitated to follow him but my eyes remained glued to his back. I followed the man inside the large doors, down the empty halls lined in vases, paintings and passed the old couches and expensive antiques. Is this really a school? I wondered as I regarded the interior of this old expensive castle. “The male dorms are on the far east wing. The females on the far west wing,” the man motioned, he was tall in stature and appeared taller as he climbed the large wooden stairs that spiralled around in an elegant fashion. Paintings lined the dark oak wooden panels and the floorboards beneath the dark blue Persian carpet. “The cafeteria is below the theory classes which is building C4. The teacher’s lounge is opposite the cafeteria, who like the students live on the grounds with the nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist and councillor.”
“Shouldn’t there be one not three?” I asked, wondering if we needed three. He stopped at the end of the corridor.
“Normally there would be if this was a regular school but last I checked, it’s one of the best. I trust you won’t forget that.” he declared in an indifferent manner before he turned his heel and continued on his journey.
I continued to trail after him, as he gave me a rundown of the available facilities and buildings along with where the extracurricular activities were based and that every student in the school was required to undergo two. That included languages. I was mostly certain; my mother had told me about that but I didn’t think I was paying attention at the time. “Someone will come by your room later to escort you around and help you to supply for class. Your uniforms and textbooks will be available at the school shop.”
“But I don’t have any money.” I lied. Recently, I said that so often to my friends back at home believed it to be convincing.
“Your tuition pays for all the excursions, boards, food and anything else you may require,” he avowed from over his shoulder. “Or if you still feel that you should have your own money there is a small town nearby where some of our students’ work who I was sure will be happy to have a helping hand.”
“Really? Thanks!” I beamed.
Before I knew it I found my way to my room. The man that guided me previously, had introduced himself as Professor Long, someone who had escorted me in place of the assistant principle. I stumbled into my room and towards my bed, there was another one on the side that was empty but already made. I began to wonder who my roommate was and if we would clash. Just thinking about it made me worry. What happens if we don’t get along then how am I supposed to study? I thought with utter sadness and fear.
Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours. The once silent halls of Mortem Academy soon began to fill with students dressed in their uniforms while I still stood in my skinny jeans, boots, jacket and scarf. I never thought to change but I had no idea where the school shop was, I had a strong feeling, I would be lost should I try and hunt it down. Not that I blamed myself but I did prefer to try and keep my name’s sake, after all, first impressions were crucial.
The sun began to set and I heard the sound of tattering footsteps and eager voices more strongly than before. I slowly walked to my door and yanked it open. The first thing I noticed, was how the hall was filled with tons of students, all pale and absolutely beautiful. The girls were slender, perfect and radiant regardless of their lack of colour. The guys were even more so and I found myself blushing at the sight. I was quick to pull myself out of my trance before stepping out into the busy hall. I didn’t understand why the males were here, this was the female dorms was it not? Shouldn’t the guys be in their own dorms? I wondered as I walked through the throng of students and past those that eagerly talked about this year with such impatience.
I stepped through the crowd and down the stairs, the glossy golden handrail was cool under my touch and in the foyer were more students dressed in the same uniform. Black, red and silver uniforms. The girls wore black stockings, shoes, mid-thigh skirts, black blazers with silver lined through it and a blood red tie. The boys were the same but instead of skirts they wore black trousers. There was a rosebud pinned on the left side of all jackets with a silver band across it just under the crucifixes. I was too far to see what it had etched under the bud on a small silver plate instead I turned my gaze away.
As I wandered down the stairs, I realised I didn’t need to go too far until I heard a soft voice call from the landing. “Miss Cecelia Rusakova?” I turned to the sound and there stood a girl with black short hair that cupped her small round face and high cheekbones, her black eyes were warm and alluring as her red lips pulled themselves into a welcoming smile.
TWO
NEW ESTABLISHMENTS
“That’s me.” I announced. The girl walked over to me and held out her hand.
“I’m Isabella Semenov but you can call me Bella everyone does.” she greeted as we shook hands, “Professor Long informed you that someone would escort you around the premises?”
I nodded whilst adding, “And helping me with my uniform.”
“Da. I remember. This way,” she motioned with that same smile, a smile that helped to ease my nerves a little more even though I noticed her strong grip.
We promenaded down a pavement of the rather extravagant interior gardens which only revealed; the amazement and the complexity of this place. The central design and layout was absolutely beautifully affianced together in a delicate form of roman art. Currently, I had no other reason to believe that this place was going to be bad at all.
Bella strolled before me as she pointed out the different paths which led off into different directions. There were four main paths and four minor paths which were narrower. At the centre of the connected paths within the garden we currently occupied, there was a large fountain harbouring an angel, a cross stood tall behind her as she peered up into the evening sky.
“That’s a pretty statue.”
“It is,”
“Does it mean something?” I asked, curious about the nature of this place and what laid within.
“Apparently, she’s a fallen angel who long ago was cast from heaven with her sister and forced into the Underworld. As a traitor to the Lord her white wings were tainted in dark scales.”
“Why?” I asked noticing the scales from her neck and down. I suddenly became curious.
“She always wanted a child and was never given one. Not without the means of sorcery.” I glanced at the statue and wondered if this was a religious school. I wanted to ask but Bella had beat me to it. “No our school is not religious in any sense we just have a lot of statues, artefacts and scriptures of many different religions because it’s a subject here.” I stared at her, surprised.
“Religion is a subject!” I exclaimed and she merely nodded.
“Just like science people should know about what could have happened or for some to believe did happen.”
“Did it really happen?” I asked as I turned back to the statue. “I mean is there a way to know.”
“There is,” she offered and I regarded her surprised but utterly shocked at the same time. “Time travel.” I sighed, it was as if the wariness of the day had finally gotten the better of me. I laughed realising the joke that shifted between us.
“Lookie here,” purred a male voice. I spun around to spy, three male boys looking at us with mischievous gazes. The three of them gave off the impression of seniors and I didn’t mean freshmen seniors, either. “Fresh meat,” taunted a red-haired boy. His green eyes raked my body and I felt slightly uncomfortable. Bella stepped between us—her hands flared apart guarding her firm shoulders.
“Leave her alone David!” she growled. I glanced between Bella and David. David looked annoyed and sighed in defeat. The boy next to him; caught my attention as his eyes were
fixed on me. Black as the night they were which complemented his pale skin and ash black hair like mine. Beside him was a brunette boy with light blue eyes. “No need to scare the new kid!”
“I’m not scaring anyone,” he innocently mused. Bella placed her hands firmly on her hips. Similar to what I did when I spoke to my father, last week.
“Don’t even try and lie to me!” she growled and I was astounded by her strength.
“Now, that’s enough you two,” soothed a deep commanding male voice. We all turned to the origin of that voice and there was a man. He was taller and more attractive than the three boys. His dark brown eyes and hair were streaked in a lighter brown, making it almost a warm honey colour. “No need to carry on like two year olds.” I felt Bella relax and heard David mutter a curse.
“What was that?” he asked dangerously, glaring at David.
I glanced back at David who stood straight, “Nothing,” he quickly added and I felt my lips turn up into a smile, at his sudden fear, of the older looking male.
“That’s what I thought. I suggest you leave the new girl alone David.” There was a tone in his voice that sent shivers down my spine and when I turned back to thank the mysterious man I noticed he vanished.
“Are you okay? I really hope David didn’t scare you,” Bella warmly sung.
“No he didn’t. I’m fine,” I said wondering how quickly those boys disappeared, “So . . . where’s the shop?”
“This way,” Bella motioned. I smiled and followed after her, it was long after until I found myself being fitted by two women.
“My, aren’t you small,” one had said. I felt my face heat at the comment.
Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0) Page 2