7. P
7
P
T he coach lurches to a stop and anxious whispers seem to slither through the small space, chased by an undeniable sense of excitement, but I don't get the sense of thrill that others seem to be basking in right now. If I give myself a moment to think about it, I’d consider myself in a state of fight or flight, torn between what to do.
Run or stay.
It's a weird feeling. I’ve never really acknowledged the option to run before, to fight for myself, but in a place like this, I don’t see my chances of escape being any greater than compared to Florentine’s.
I can accept the fact that I’ve spent so long trapped in the ‘mental freeze zone,’ that when things come my way, I accept them, but now, sitting here in a state of uncertainty, I feel like there’s something I should be doing. I think.
A sudden sensation ripples through my body, tingling down my spine. I don’t know how I came to know it, but I immediately sense the relief flooding through my veins and I know I can stand. Jumping to my feet, S is right beside me, eyes wide and staring deep into mine as we hear the sound of the door opening at the front of the bus.
Without a word, everyone is escorted off one by one. When it gets to our row, I let S lead the way, but I hold back. My feet seem rooted to the spot, my mind swirling with ideas, but it’s as if she senses my uncertainty, and before she even takes a single step, she reaches for my hand and tugs me along behind her.
It looks like there's no choice but to face it head on, even if I don't want to. It seems I spend a lot of time doing things I don't want to do. I can't assume being at this place is going to be any different.
S’s hold on me tightens as she rushes down the steps, pulling me along with her, and I feel like I'm choking on my breath as unfamiliar asphalt comes into view. I run my tongue over my bottom lip as I stare down at my feet. A shiver runs down my spine as an eeriness whispers in the gentle breeze around me. It’s strange to feel stronger sensations than I would at Florentine’s. I’ve lived my life on repeat inside that glorified cardboard box, and now I feel triggered even more than usual. I thought it didn’t get worse than that. Was I wrong?
Taking a deep breath, I lift my gaze, gaping at my new surroundings. I can see for miles from here. Hills after hills after hills, in every direction. They all roll into one another. The grass is as green as emeralds. The sky is as blue as sapphires. And the asphalt beneath my Florentine-issued school shoes is as deep as onyx.
It's a far cry from the playground we’re all familiar with.
Taking in my fellow Florentine students, it’s clear I’m not the only one gaping in wonder. I feel a burst of…something, in my gut, burning bright for the briefest moment before reality washes over me and trepidation claims me. Now I’m balanced on bated breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop and a dark truth to spring itself on me.
As if sensing the rolling questions swirling in my brain, the creak of a door rings in my ears, drawing my attention to the entrance of what I can only presume is Trinity Falls Academy, as the sign stated. A man steps out in a fitted suit. The navy matches the color of his eyes, while his black hair is peppered with speckles of gray. The smile on his face is wide, pride etched into every feature on his face as another bubble of excitement swirls among my peers.
I can’t decide if I want to feel it with them. Was that the sensation I quickly squashed only moments ago? Excitement is something I’ve seen in others many times, but it’s such a foreign feeling I don’t think I could even identify it if I tried.
Bringing my attention back to the man approaching, I watch as he comes to a stop in front of us and everyone grows quiet, waiting for him to speak.
“Good morning, children of Florentine. It is so wonderful to have you joining us today. My name is Professor Whitmore, and I am the headmaster of this fine establishment. I'm aware that, as many have before you, you will have questions today, questions that will take more time to answer than we have sunlight remaining, but I promise you, by the end of the week, you will be more than familiar with how we operate here.”
Clearing his throat, his eyes meet mine as he laces his fingers together in front of him. “You are, quite politely, the runts of the litter,” he states, his eyes moving on to the rest of the group as I gape at him, shocked at his choice of words. Any attempt at a response is lost as I reel in the turmoil of his description of us. “But you're here now, and that is what matters. We are Trinity Falls Academy, home to wolves, witches, vampires and humans alike. I'm sure Mrs. Stephens filled you in on the possibilities your futures now hold, so our goal today is to get you familiar with who you truly are and set you on the path to make the most of this new and exciting life you’ve been given.”
His words are filled with possibility, sending a ripple of glee through our small group. I don’t feel any glee, though, all I feel is a sense of horror.
If what he’s saying is true, then Mrs. Stephens was telling the truth. If that wasn’t shock enough, the words being spoken send me over the edge.
Supernatural? Wolves? Witches? Vampires.
How? Why? What?
I shake my head, disbelief clawing at my insides as I struggle to breathe.
I don’t want any of this. Whatever this sick, twisted joke is about, I don’t want any of it.
On top of all that, the reality is clear. This man is aware of what has been happening to us. He stands before us unashamed in the fact that nothing was done to help us. It’s not even a thought to him, I can sense it.
Orphaned, ripped to nothing, drained of our memories, and he wants me to jump for joy at the news he's providing. Apparently, I should be ecstatic, but in all actuality, I'm in absolute disbelief. This isn't exciting.
This is a new path that is sure to be riddled with new hurdles. A new school and new rules inside a new set of walls whose sole purpose is to contain me. I’m going from one prison to the next.
S squeezes my arm, bouncing on the balls of her feet, her eyes shining bright as they meet mine. This is one time in our lives that she is one hundred percent not going to receive any positivity from me. I’m too stuck wondering what this all means.
I may have hated it, but at least I was familiar with how Florentine worked. From the lessons to the hierarchy, it all made sense. Not only is all of this unknown, but what do they want from us? Our lives? Haven’t they already taken enough?
“At Trinity Falls Academy your eyes will be opened to a much broader spectrum. For my witches, you will learn how to become one with your magic, hopefully finding a coven for yourselves along the way. Our wolves fall into packs, running free in the night when the full moon shines, finding a true part of yourself that you hadn't found before. Vampires, the friendships, abilities, and new skills that will be available to you are nothing that you will have experienced before. For those that are actually humans here, do not stress that you are one of the fatal few humans that are unfortunately a descendant of the blood kin curse along with my supernaturals. The rest of the human world lives without knowledge of our existence, and as such, it will be a blessing for you to gain such knowledge. It is with tremendous pride that I assure you it is my responsibility, as the law states, to ensure that an equal platform is provided for everybody. It is our utmost intention to give you a level playing field. There are many things that await you on the other side of those doors. So please, take a moment, take a deep breath, and be prepared to say goodbye to the old version of yourselves, because once we enter, there is no turning back. There is no yesterday. There is only hope that over the next twelve months you can grasp the opportunities we put in front of you and give yourself a chance to survive the blood curse.”
“What's the point in any of this? If people paid for us to be hidden away and protected, they can surely just pay to ensure we fail here,” V shouts from the back of the group, gaining everyone’s attention as I too turn to her with wide eyes, silently applauding her.
Professor Whitmore chuckles, the sound grating at my brain. “Of course, I understand your concerns, but the law dictates equal rights, and the law is bound into the very being of our existence.” He tilts his head at V before glancing around the entire group. “It is believed that any family who interferes over the course of the next two years of your life may find the blood curse runs deeper than they know, for their fate may take a dark turn come their child’s twenty-second birthday if they don't follow the rules.”
I bite back a scoff. He seems confident in what he's saying, but it sounds like a lot of what ifs and assumptions to me, when what we really need right now is plain black and white. We’re being ripped from one home and stuffed into another. Again. Only this time, we might be privileged enough to remember the transition and what we’re leaving behind.
Silence greets us when no one else raises any cause for concern, but I’m internally thankful that V seems to be on the same wavelength as me.
Professor Whitmore throws his arms out wide as his smile grows further, although it doesn't seem to quite meet his eyes. “Please, Florentine students, follow me, and explore the adventures your future now holds.”
It feels like a well practiced line, but it seems to do the trick as everyone starts to move, including V, who does stutter for a moment, but eventually falls into line. I watch as they all move. S is now curled under B’s arm, and I don’t even remember when she let go of me. I’m left with my feet rooted to the ground. My heart racing wildly in my chest.
“I’m assuming you're going to follow, Miss?” Whitmore’s words are polite, but the tone is clear. Meeting his gaze, I realize he’s already by the door.
I rub my lips together, summoning the courage to open my mouth. “What is all of this for?” I ask. So few words for such a big question, but I can't seem to move without a little more understanding. A simple question, yet endless possible responses. My fear of the unknown holds me in place as something deep inside me screams for an answer.
When the professor smiles this time, it meets his eyes, the gleam genuine as he nods in my direction. “This is your chance to survive. The question is, are you going to take it?”