Caught in Between

by Alison L. Perry

  As if she could read my thoughts, she smiled gently at me, which was uncharacteristic, and linked her arm with mine. We headed toward the front doors, Molly gliding along smoothly with me trudging along beside her.

  Chapter 2 - Who Needs Rules?

  The air inside the building was cool and dry and I was thankful I’d worn a long-sleeved shirt. Molly, like most other vampires, didn’t notice the temperature. She had pulled a small map out of her purse and was studying it closely. I assumed she was looking for the Great Hall and I waited patiently at her side for her to point us in the right direction.

  “C’mon, it’s this way,” she said, walking down the hall toward the south end of the building. I dragged my feet behind her and looked at the pictures hanging on the tall, elegantly decorated walls. Faces of both young and old vampire alumni looked back at me from their dark wooden frames. Their eyes seemed to follow me as I walked down the corridor, and the hairs on the back of my neck prickled as I sensed their silent judgment. Sufficiently freaked out, I quickened my pace to catch up to Molly.

  We took a left turn and two tall white French doors stared back at us. Without hesitation, Molly turned the handle and we stepped inside. The room was huge. Twelve-foot ceilings made me feel as small as an ant. One wall was all windows, tall and thin, made of stained glass panes. The moon glow filtering through the various colors gave the whole room an eerie, dreamlike feeling.

  At the sound of the door opening, all eyes turned on us. A stern-looking woman stood at the front of the room. Her hair was in a severe bun that seemed to pull the skin of her face toward the back of her head. She was tall with a commanding posture and aimed a level gaze at us. I shrunk a bit behind Molly.

  “The session began ten minutes ago, ladies. You are late.”

  I shrank a bit more, but Molly gave her a blinding smile. “I’m so sorry, Ms.…”

  “Madame Kringsly,” the woman replied, though her expression had softened somewhat. That was the way with Molly. She could charm a wall if she tried.

  “Madame Kringsly,” Molly repeated. “We mean no disrespect. Sadie and I had a little bit of an accident that held us up a few minutes. It won’t happen again.”

  At my name, everyone looked at me. Heat crept up my cheeks as a sea of unknown faces stared at me, some with curiosity and others with clear amusement. As their inspection continued, I wished the floor would open up and swallow me, but to my great disappointment, it didn’t.

  Madame Kringsly broke the silence. “Find a seat, ladies. I was just reviewing the overarching rules and regulations of the University. Each class will, of course, have its own set of guidelines, but pay close attention to what I’m telling you. It won’t be repeated, and breaking one of these could end in dire results.” Her eyes focused on me.

  With that ominous statement ringing in my ears, we searched for somewhere to sit. A quick look around confirmed the only two available seats were near the front of the room. I hesitated and looked pleadingly at Molly, but she just shook her head. Heaving a sigh and praying nobody would notice the back of my pants, I shuffled down the aisle. As I walked, I could hear muffled snickering. My face flamed and I gratefully sank down into the first chair I came to. Molly slid in next to me.

  Kringsly started speaking again, and I noticed everyone furiously taking notes. I pulled a notebook out of my bag and prepared to do the same.

  “Now, I realize most of you are from other parts of the state and will be taking advantage of the room-and-board features of the University. But, there is a small percentage of locals here, as well. No matter which category you fall into, these rules apply to everyone while on the grounds.”

  I tried to keep up with what she was saying, but her monotone voice was making me sleepy. To stay awake, I started glancing at the other kids in the room. These were my classmates. They were all perfectly dressed, not a hair out of place, and markedly beautiful. But more than that, there was a sameness about them—a common aura of confidence and danger that almost seemed to ooze from their pores. I’d always noticed it in Molly, and even in my brother, but in a group this size, it was downright creepy.

  My eyes landed on a boy sitting on the far side of the room toward the back. He was slouched in his chair, idly tapping the toe of his shoe against the empty desk in front of him. Something about the way the light reflected off his blond hair caught my attention, and without realizing, I stared. He was dressed like the others, but there was a definite uniqueness that set him apart. While I pondered what it could be, he turned his head toward me and gave me a slow wink. To my horror, I flushed and giggled under my breath. What the hell is wrong with me?

  “Ms. Sadie Criswel.”

  At the sound of my name, I jerked my head back to the front of the room. Madame Kringsly had stopped her lecture and was staring me down. If eyes were lasers, I’d be dead right now.

  “Ms. Criswel, do you have something more important to be thinking about than what I’m saying? Must I remind you I’m giving you some very pertinent information that may be valuable to your time on campus?”

  By now, the majority of the other students had swiveled around to look at me. Many were smirking, and I caught sight of a group of girls whispering together and shooting condescending looks my way. Flames seemed to lick at my cheeks as embarrassment washed over me. I looked at Molly and she gave me a look of sympathy mixed with exasperation.

  “No ma’am,” I replied in a near whisper, wishing to God I was anywhere else. “I’m listening.”

  Madame Kringsly sniffed with disapproval but finally turned her attention back to the class. I sighed with relief. As I reached for my pencil, it glanced off my fingers and fell to the floor, rolling a few feet away. Silently cursing myself, I leaned over to retrieve it and as I rose back up, noticed the boy I’d been staring at looking straight at me. We locked eyes for a second and I swear a flash of a smile ghosted his lips before he looked away.

  The sound of scraping chairs and notebooks slamming shut caught my attention. Everyone was making their way to the front of the room to get their schedules. Was orientation over? Had I missed the whole thing? Before I could ask, Molly stood up and gave me a frown.

  “I know you don’t think you belong here, Sadie, but if you’re not even going to try to pay attention, you don’t stand a chance. Did you hear any of what Kringsly said?”

  Irritated that she was chastising me like a child, I snapped back, “Of course I heard what she said. I…” Trailing off at the sight of Molly’s raised eyebrow, I relented. “Okay, no, I didn’t hear what she said. I was distracted.”

  “Distracted by what?” I flushed again, and noticing, she changed her tone. “Or should I say distracted by whom?”

  “Shhhh!” I hissed, unsure if he was still in the room waiting for his schedule. Vampire hearing is pretty on point, and knowing my luck, he was listening to every word. “Just forget it. Let’s go get our schedules. I have no idea where anything is. Good thing you’re an expert in navigation,” I muttered. But then a terrible thought struck me. “Wait, what if we’re not in the same classes?”

  By this time, we were almost to Kringsly’s desk. Fear gripped me at the thought of not being with Molly all day. I watched as the kids in front of us took their slips of paper until it was our turn.

  Kringsly handed me a piece of paper and gave me a serious look. My hand shook a little as I took it, but I didn’t give any other indication she’d intimidated me. Molly took hers and we started back up the aisle toward the doors.

  Once we were in the hall, we found a corner to huddle in. One by one we went down our schedules.

  First Period – Maneuvers

  Second Period – Persuasion

  Lunch

  Third Period – Free Elective

  Fourth Period – Moderation

  Fifth Period – Camouflage

  I was screwed. Molly’s was in almost the exact opposite order. I would see her at lunch and during our elective block if we happened to choose the same
thing. A glance at my watch told me first period would start in ten minutes.

  Molly gave me a squeeze. “It’ll be okay. I mean, it can’t kill you, right?”

  “Kill me? I can only hope it does.”

  Resigned, I pulled myself from Molly’s embrace, gave her a quick wave good-bye, and dragged myself toward the torment gleefully waiting for me.

  Chapter 3 - Kade

  As soon as I made it outside, I realized I had no idea where I was supposed to be going. I looked at the schedule again to see if there were any building numbers, but it was a no go. I fought down a wave of panic. Okay, deep breaths, Sadie. You can do this. You got this. It’s a mantra I use when I feel a full-fledged anxiety attack creeping in. And there was definitely a doozy of one brewing inside.

  I spotted a pretty girl with flaming red hair a few feet away. She was studying a small map held in her hand. Before I could talk myself out of it, I walked over to her.

  “Um, hi,” I said, trying my best to look casual. I was still super aware that my backside was covered in mud, and I could only hope Molly had hidden the worst of it.

  She looked up, and a brief scowl crossed her face. I wondered if that was her normal reaction to strangers saying hi, or if it was just in response to me in particular.

  “Oh, it’s you.”

  Well, that answers that.

  “Yeah, it’s me. Sadie. Sadie Criswel. Um, I was hoping maybe you could tell me where the Maneuvers class is held? I seem to have lost my map.” The little white lie slipped out easily. There was no way I was going to admit to “Red Hair Ranger” here that I was the only one who apparently never received a map.

  She huffed as if I’d asked her to give me a kidney but held out the paper and pointed to a spot behind the main building.

  “Thanks, do you—”

  “Listen, Sadie, is it? I have my own schedule to keep, and I’m not looking for any new friends or anything, so… why don’t you just not?” And with that, she turned around and walked off.

  I blinked. I mean, I hadn’t been hoping for the next big friendship or anything, but that was just rude! Wishing for Molly, or even Nathan at this point, I took a few deep breaths. I glanced at my watch and saw that I’d wasted five precious minutes being insulted. Something told me I’d better not be late, so I gripped my bag and started running.

  Sprinting across the grass, I kept a sharp eye out for muddy patches and other sneaky obstacles. As I rounded the corner of the building, I saw several more massive structures and inwardly groaned. Which one is it? Crap! Why am I the only one without a map? Several students who looked like they might have been in orientation with me were walking into the smallest building. Praying for a miracle, I followed. When I came closer, I could see a sign hanging above the doors that read Gymnasium. Thanking my lucky stars, I flew through the doors and into a short hallway. Three more doors faced my direction, and without thinking I opened the first one I came to and hurried inside.

  Wait a minute… something’s not right. As soon as the thought flew through my head, I heard a loud yell.

  “Hey! What are you doing in the boys’ locker room? Get out!”

  It took my brain a second to register the words. When it did, humiliation flooded through my body and rooted my feet to the ground. No, no, no, no, no! This was not happening to me. I was not standing in the boys’ locker room. More shouting echoed in my ears, but my feet refused to move. I threw one arm over my eyes while the other flailed around for the doorknob behind me. A loud buzzing started up, drowning out the shouting, and my knees wobbled. Oh dear God, no. Don’t faint. Don’t faint! But, just as my hand touched the cold metal standing between me and freedom, I felt myself start going down. My sweaty palms slipped on the knob, and the last thing I heard was a low, appealing voice in my ear.

  “I got you, Sadie.”

  ***

  When my eyes opened next, I found myself looking at a bare white ceiling with a fan circling lazily. I stared at it a moment, trying to remember what happened. Memories flashed through my mind. A rude redhead, running into the gym, and then a room. The way wrong room. Suddenly, it all came rushing back and I sat straight up.

  “Oh my God!” I exclaimed loudly.

  A sound to my left caught my attention, and I looked over. There, sitting in a chair next to the bed, was the blond guy from orientation. He was slumped low, his long legs crossed at the ankles. His black dress shirt was untucked; the first two buttons were undone, revealing the smoothness of his throat and neck. He looked casually rumpled and I swooned a little inside. His hands moved and I saw that he was holding my bag and fiddling with one of the metal buckles. When he realized I’d noticed him, he gave me a slow smile.

  “Well, she’s awake.” His voice was low and held a rich timbre that sent shivers sliding down my spine. When I didn’t respond, he set the bag on the floor and stood up. “Oh my God, what, Sadie?” Hearing him say my name only stunned me further, and we waited there in silence while my brain tried to make my mouth work.

  “H… How do you know my name?” I finally managed to squeak.

  He laughed. “I think everyone in our class knows your name by now.”

  I just stared. He had the most beautiful eyes. They were a hypnotic mixture of green and blue that reminded me of pictures I’d seen of the Caribbean ocean. And as it had earlier, the light bounced off his hair in a dizzying array of golden hues. The only thing I could compare him to was an angel.

  When I didn’t say anything, a concerned look slid across his face. “Sadie? Are you okay? I was only joking. I remembered your name from orientation. I think it’s beautiful.”

  Beautiful?

  I started laughing. This gorgeous blond angel was using the word beautiful in relation to me. I laughed harder. And then harder. And before I knew it, I was bent over in tears of hysteria, wishing with all my heart I’d either pass out again or the earth would open up and swallow me whole.

  He must have thought I’d gone crazy because he took a few steps back, his rigid posture displaying a new wariness. A door opened and a tall woman dressed totally in white walked in. Her dark hair was pulled into an intricate long braid that fell down her back. Serenity radiated from her presence and I immediately began to calm down. She locked eyes with mine, and slowly, my laughter faded until I was breathing deeply in time with her.

  I’d been so preoccupied with the tall, blond stranger, that I hadn’t thought about where I was until now. I looked again at my surroundings. White, sterile walls. Three beds separated by sliding curtains. Visitor chairs. Along the far wall was a counter area with a sink, tissues, and various medical tools.

  He’d brought me to what must have been the school clinic. Why does a vampire school have a clinic?

  “Now then, Ms. Criswel, how are you feeling?” Taking my wrist, she felt my pulse and made a murmuring sound. Vampires typically have such a slow heartbeat that it sounds like we don’t even have one. But I could feel mine thumping at a brisk pace from the fit I’d just had.

  “I’m okay, I think. I don’t. I don’t know what came over me.” I hiccuped. “Why is there a clinic on campus? It’s not like we get sick or truly injured. This is strange.”

  She gave me a reassuring pat on the arm. “I’m here for instances just like this.” Her eyes traveled over my body from head to toe, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I think you had a little anxiety attack. We just need to get some blood into you to give you a little pep, and you’ll be right as rain.” She turned and gave the boy a look. “Kade, if you’re going to insist on staying here, make yourself useful and go grab a Feeder out of the back room.”

  “No!” I shouted, nausea swelling in my stomach at the thought.

  Kade jumped at my vehemence, but the nurse simply stared at me with narrowed eyes. I was afraid if she kept looking at me like that she would figure out my secret. My fingers fumbled together nervously.

  “I mean, I’m not hungry right now. I really don’t think blood is going to help. Y
ou know, it’s just… first day jitters… and stuff…” My voice petered out underneath the nurse’s pointed gaze. I wasn’t fooling her.

  “First period is almost over, Kade. You’d better head back to class. I’m going to keep Ms. Criswel here for observation just a bit longer.” Her dismissal was final and he had no choice but to give me a last glance and a little wave before heading out the door.

  I didn’t know what to expect, but if she wasn’t letting me go, too, it was not a good sign. She probably thought I was a freak and wanted to examine me. Or do experiments on me. Okay, calm down, Sadie. Get a grip. You’re overreacting. Geez, she probably just wants to make sure you don’t pass out again on her watch. I took some deep breaths and waited to see what she was going to do.

  After what seemed like an eternity, but was, in fact, more like just a few seconds, she broke eye contact. Walking over to the small counter built into the wall, she opened a door underneath and withdrew a small tube of red liquid from the tiny refrigerator inside. My stomach started churning, but I couldn’t keep from staring at the crimson-stained glass.

  “Sadie. I’ve been the school nurse here for fifty years, and I’ve seen hundreds of vampires pass through this campus. I remember all of them, but a small handful stand out. Do you know what all of them had in common?”

  “N… no,” I lied. I had a very good idea what they all had in common.

  “I think you do.” And she waved the tube toward me.

  All I could think about was escaping the rapidly shrinking room. I leaped off the bed and made for the exit, but she was too quick. Standing in the doorway with arms crossed, she blocked my path. With nowhere to go, I stood there, shaking and fighting tears, while I waited for her to force it down my throat.