by Serena Rose
From a distance, lightning streaked across the sky, and she wondered how she was going to reach the college campus unscathed. She had forgotten her umbrella yesterday at the shop, of all the things to forget. Sighing, she rummaged around for a raincoat- anything, actually, to keep her shielded from the rain. There was none, and she was going to be late.
Grabbing an extra sweater, she made her way to the school campus, a good fifteen-minute walk away from her apartment block. Large drops of rain began to fall to the ground, and she found herself running, not wanting to get sick, not wanting to shiver from the torrent. Just as she was about to cross a walkway, a car sped past her, splashing mud and water all over her.
“Oh my-!” and she spewed a litany of curses at the insensitive driver of that car. She didn’t car that the car looked expensive, and for a split second, she wanted to hurl a rock or two at it, until it disappeared from view.
Taking a deep breath, Kelsey ran for the shop, shivering and wet from head to toe, her bag miraculously intact, and not that soaked. Her manager had just gotten in, and she stopped in place, seeing her student worker looking like a little puppy lost in the rain.
“Goodness, what in the hell happened to you?” Sally Mulroney said to her.
“Some douchebag ran past me, way above the speed limit,” Kelsey growled.
“Well, I can’t have you looking like that,” Sally told her. “Why don’t you head on over to the washroom? Make use of the washing machine that’s free, for now.”
“I have a spare sweater,” Kelsey reasoned.
“I’m guessing you don’t have spare jeans, or underwear? Go.”
Kelsey sighed, walking for the employee exit, which led to another hall inside the three-story building, a mixture of gothic and Tudor style, with wooden floors and decorative columns gracing the façade.
She was getting into faculty territory, but she was lucky no one was there, yet. She quickly stripped of her clothing, glad that her sweater was oversized, and she dumped them all in, hoping to finish laundry in fifteen minutes, or less.
She grabbed a book from her bag, and she began to read to pass the time. It was how she stayed at the top of her game. If she couldn’t find herself doing anything else, she would read and read, and read some more. She read while doing chores, even. It was a miracle that her eyes didn’t gather too many problems yet, apart from her astigmatism.
The washing machine hummed as her clothes spun inside, and it soothed her to some extent, as she sat on a bench, history book in hand. History had so many interesting things to learn about, and no matter how silly or mundane some accounts were, Kelsey knew it still altered the course of history.
There was a legend about St. George and the Dragon, something she enjoyed, in all its variations. She preferred the dragon terrorizing the town, and how a gallant man of the faith rode in to save the day. It could have been a serious show, a sitcom, even.
After sixteen minutes, her clothes were completely dry, and she quickly put these on, briskly walking back to the college’s shop, where her manager had started dusting of the counter. Kelsey grabbed a mop from the cleaning closet and began to mop the floors.
“How are your classes so far?” Sally asked her.
“I’m doing okay,” Kelsey replied, knowing she had much to live up to. “I guess.”
Sally smiled an all-knowing smile. The lass, who was probably as young as her own daughter, was an achiever, a straight-A student, respectful and genuinely kind, something she rarely saw amongst the college students, and that was saying a lot. She had been working at the small, private college for more than fifteen years now, seeing her fair share of the students and the college’s ups and downs, and Kelsey Long handled herself fine.
The young girl had this air of mystery surrounding her, adding to it was her lustrous long, dark brown hair, and those piercing hazel colored eyes. It didn’t help that she was a shy one. Always on time, rarely absent, and she still had the highest grades in the last two years that she had gone back to college. Kelsey wasn’t popular, thankfully, Sally thought. It should stay that way, a quiet achiever, making her parents proud.
“You’re until 11:30 today?”
“Or 12 if it still rains,” Kelsey replied.
“Feels like it’s going to be a slow morning,” Sally sighed. “Why don’t you read or something.”
Kelsey smiled at her. “Thanks. I have an exam at 1:30.”
Sally watched as Kelsey tucked herself behind the corner, wrapping her sweater tightly around her, whipping out her book and zoning out into the world of text.
CHAPTER TWO
William had just wanted to see the ground of the college that their family had privately funded since 1867. It was on a whim. Not many people would be out that early in the morning, anyway. And he enjoyed cold, rainy mornings, knowing how his life had been devoid of lower temperatures. Rain meant lesser chances of shifting into something that the normal humans wouldn’t imagine seeing in their lifetime. Rain meant a stronger chance of keeping their ‘condition’ secret.
It had been a torrent that morning, and he had awoken earlier than expected, refreshed from a long sleep, recuperated from his injuries the previous day. His father had fallen into a deep slumber once more, and he called Natalia and Emilia, to tell them all was well again. His stepmother told him she’d need a few more days away from Ashborne Manor, just in case.
He knew what Natalia meant. The senior Drake could still revert to an uncontrollable creature, a creature that would take hours to subdue. The shifting had become frequent as of late, and it worried him. Was he going to end up just like his father in the long run? Was he going to lose his mind, lose it to the beast that lurked deep inside them?
William’s rainy day or night drives were a source of peace for him, listening to the rain, smelling the wet earth. It filled his senses with a quiet kind of peace, a peace achieved when alone, and he liked being alone. He had gone through years and years of solitude, and he worked through it fine.
He drove past one building that they had donated back in the 1940s, still retaining its gothic spires and stained-glass windows. It used to be one of the Drake family’s offices, when visibility hadn’t been considered a threat. The rise of modern technology made the whole lot of them more careful, but William knew he wouldn’t shy away from enjoying the long life he had been bestowed with.
He decided he would enroll in a few courses, learn something new. He hadn’t done a classroom setting in years, and while he would remain as quiet and as unassuming as possible. The board of the college had already been informed of the special circumstances the Drake family had. Any relative was to be admitted at any moment, no matter the improbability of the courses they planned to take.
The board didn’t know of course, but they were paid well to not ask questions. Money ruled the world, and William would use this factor until he died. What good was all that money for? But to enjoy life? To spend on things and experiences?
The rain wouldn’t let down, he thought, unable to slow down as he drove past a young woman, whose face was covered by soaking wet hair. He didn’t give much thought to the collegiate student, continuing east to the Faculty building, a two-story edifice, done in Tudor architecture. It housed the elderly chairman, a man indebted to the Drake family, like the whole lot of the board had been, and still was.
A middle-aged housemaid opened the door for him, greeting him quickly and letting him in. “This way, sir.”
Walking up the oak staircase, William could smell the chairman’s medications already. He was sick, was he not? Dying of some cancer, at the tender age of 80. William was older than the chairman, and yet looked to be the same age as his great grandson.
“Ah, Mr. Drake,” Chancellor Hoffman greeted him. “You are looking fine, as always.”
“Haven’t seen you in a few, Hoffman,” William said, eyeing the gentleman, seated on a leather chair, drinking Irish coffee in the early hours of the day. The man was balding, with sunspots a
ll over his face and arms. He was wearing striped pajamas, and thick bedroom slippers.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I’d like to attend a few classes.”
“Alleviate boredom?” Hoffman teased him in a hoarse voice.
“Add to learning,” William corrected with a smile. He rarely smiled at the normal humans, let alone his own family, but Hoffman had been a pleasure in all his years of service.
“Learning. What interests you?”
“Minors, perhaps.”
“Grab my letterhead. You know how to use a computer?”
William shook his head and smiled. “Of course, I do.”
“My secretary had put the format there already. Look for it, if you will.”
It was right on the computer desktop, William saw. He printed two copies out, for Hoffman to sign, placing these on the wooden rectangular table. There was a tiffany lamp beside the old man. He sat across him, eyeing the old photographs on bronze finish frames. He saw a small photograph, dated 1953. Hoffman was still young; his human uncle had been chancellor back then. And there he was, standing to the rightmost, his eyes gazing far away. He didn’t like looking at the camera, knowing everyone in it would die, and he would still be alive. He looked younger, of course, way younger, perhaps, like a teenager at present time.
“Time flies, does it not?”
“You were 22 or 23, taking up Philosophy,” William recalled.
“Ah, the good old days,” the chancellor said, wistfully. “I’d hoped I’d reach the age of 70, at least, and yet- here I am, at the ripe old age of 88.”
“The age suits you, you look like fine wine.”
“Or a prune.”
William found himself laughing aloud.
“Who are you this time?” Hoffman asked him.
“Some great, grand-nephew of sorts.”
“Didn’t you use that twenty years ago?” Hoffman said with a gruff laugh.
“Are the faculty still here?” William replied. “I could be the son, you know. Or someone else who looks similar.”
“Carrying the Drake name?”
“I changed it, of course. It’s not a good idea to have a hall named after your grandfather, father, and one’s self.”
Hoffman shook his hand. “Welcome to Langley College, Mr. Ashborne.”
“Thank you, Hoffman.”
William took the letters from the table. “I hope to see you again in a few,” he told the chancellor.
Hoffman nodded. “If I’m still alive, huh?”
“Of course, you will stay alive for a while. I still need to work with you.”
“You mean I’m working for you, like my predecessors have always had.”
“This is something that needs teamwork,” William said, walking towards the door.
“What’s it like?” Hoffman interrupted him.
“What’s what like?” William paused, holding the door knob.
“Living that long, having that gift.”
“It’s a curse, Hoffman. And I find it too prolonged. Good day, chancellor.”
“Mr. Drake,” the man wheezed out, waving two fingers in the air as goodbye.
William walked down the dimly lit hall, the rain hadn’t stopped just yet. He felt his core temperature drop, knowing he, and the rest of the shifters had calmed down considerably. It would take a lot of provoking and willpower to shift once more. Winter was their best friend of sorts, the lowest chance to shift. Tis the season, he thought, counting the days till the place froze over.
*
Two days later
“Hey, Kelsey,” someone said to her.
Kelsey looked up and gave a smile. “Hello, Klaus.”
Klaus Ulrich was a schoolmate, in his third year of college. Kelsey knew certain things about him, because he liked to talk a lot. She knew that Klaus had taken a gap year, spending most of it in Asia, knew his parents were grocery business millionaires, and she had been hearing everyone tease that Jose was in love with her. She didn’t pay attention to it. Klaus was friendly and respectful, at least.
“Need anything?” Kelsey asked him.
“Well, I was wondering if that book I ordered is here,” he said, sheepishly.
Kelsey nodded. “Right. Let me check the stock room. Hold on.”
“The book you ordered?” Sally stepped up to the counter. “Puh-lease. I told you you’d get a text from the store system if it’s already here. Besides, how many days has it been since you ordered it. Two?”
Klaus frowned a little. “I’m just excited to have my book, that’s all.”
“Young man, I’ve seen you ogle at Kelsey Long for a year now,” Sally told him, “It’s rude, but you’re lucky she doesn’t notice it, or she doesn’t care.”
“Harsh,” Klaus said. “I’m her friend.”
“You’re her customer.”
“Customer and friend. The best of both worlds.”
“You don’t seem like the type to be best for her,” Sally said, teasing him. She found herself overprotective of Kelsey, even if Kelsey didn’t seem to need the protection.
“Come on, Sally,” Klaus sighed. “I’m just doing my best as a human being here.”
Sally laughed. “You really want your heart broken, huh?”
Klaus was about to open his mouth when Kelsey walked out. “Well, your book is en route. ETA is in two days,” she told him.
“Oh, great. I’ll see you in two days,” Klaus mumbled. Then he forced a smile, waved at Kelsey, and left.
“You know,” Sally began, as soon as Klaus exited the store, “That boy likes you.”
Kelsey shook her head and gave a soft smile. “I’m not interested, really. Whatever it is he feels. I guess I should be thankful? It’s pretty rare for someone to even notice me,” Kelsey replied, feeling awkward about it. She felt like a grade schooler at it.
“Dear, you have no idea. Well, either you’re dumb at this aspect of life, or you’re dating someone else, or you just don’t like him at all. The boy’s 24, 25 years old? And he can’t even ask you out for coffee,” Sally laughed.
“I guess I’m not the only shy one, then,” Kelsey said with a sigh.
“So, you do like him?” Sally said, placing down a stack of books on the counter for a price check.
“Yeah, I do, but not in a romantic way, or anything like that.”
“I told him he’d have his heart broken,” Sally said, almost laughing.
Kelsey shook her head. “I don’t want to break anyone’s heart, let alone mine.”
“Is that why you’ve never dated? Well, I think you haven’t. Seeing how on time you are with work, seeing how dedicated you are with studies.”
“You’re right, Sally,” Kelsey said. “I’m not ready for dating.”
“How so?”
“Is this going to be some early morning interview special?”
“I’m buying you lunch if you tell me something personal about yourself.”
“That’s tantamount to blackmail.” Kelsey laughed.
“It’s tantamount to ‘getting to know my assistant.’”
“Why are you so curious all of a sudden?” Kelsey asked her manager.
“That boy’s persistence grabbed my own interests as well.”
Kelsey gave a quick laugh. “Maybe some other time. I’ll tell my story when we’re not busy.”
“We aren’t busy.”
Kelsey sighed, feeling tired and a little bit annoyed. Sure, her manager had been persistent and all, but she hadn’t been this curious about her love life until today. Maybe Sally’s patience for keeping quiet despite the curiosity ceased by this time. It had been a year, and Kelsey had never shared anything about her life, apart from the school records that Sally had most probably seen.
“My life is boring,” Kelsey began, wanting to get it over with as quick as possible. She disliked it when people pried.
“How boring?”
Sally wanted to be indulged. She should have called in si
ck, she thought. “Well, my dad’s from China; my mom’s from Connecticut. I’m an only child. My dad died when I was in high school, just about the time I was going to graduate. As soon as I could make it on my own, I did, so my mom could be happy. She’s in China now, teaching at a University. She was a history teacher, wrote a lot of books.”
“Your dad?”
“This really is an in-depth morning interview,” Kelsey sighed. “Well, my dad is- was, he was a professor in Eastern Antiquities and Lore, but he had expertise with Western as well. It was how he met my mom. An exchange program.”
“Sounds romantic.”
“He was a great guy…” Kelsey said, her voice trailing off. “Yeah, so there goes my boring life story.”
“Have you ever dated anyone?”
“I hope you aren’t setting me up with anyone.”
“I’m not,” Sally laughed.
“I’m not dating anyone. I’m happy where I am.”
“Studies first,” Sally gave a sigh. “I should’ve listened to my mother. Good for you, then.”
“It’s a legacy I can give to my father’s name,” she told Sally quickly.
*
Kelsey had dated a long time ago. He had even attempted to propose, but she stopped him. They were too young, and vastly different, except for that burning desire to learn. He tried to outlearn her, she realized in the end. He dated her because he had thought she was his intellectual equal. Totally wrong.
They were only nineteen. She had refused to date since, wanting to concentrate only on giving herself the best that education could offer via scholarship. Her mother was no longer around, and while she could have called for reinforcements, she preferred to do things her way. It showed resilience, independence, and it made her use her brain.
A few had asked her out, she all turned them down, giving study as the reason. It wasn’t an excuse, it was a fact. It was her life, and to entertain someone else would mean disrupting the plans she had concocted since childhood. Some of them had been attractive, some of them had been the smart man she had once wanted to date, but that was it. She didn’t want to feel empty after a breakup, didn’t want to feel the heartache of losing someone, even though that person was still alive. To be ignored by someone she loved… the idea sent shivers down her spine.