Belladonna

Unfamiliar Faces

Chapter 1: Unfamiliar Faces. 

Writer's note: I made this through Google Docs, and I literally copy pasted it. It's already 11:05 pm and im tireddddd. Anyways enjoy the first chapter :D.

The air was frigid as I suddenly woke up in bed. My eyes betrayed the thought of looking around. The place was quite peculiar as I observed my surroundings. 

As I slowly looked down, I felt a long, solid, and somewhat metallic structure down at my very stomach. He then realized he was already impaled by a keen knife. 

It appears to have been there for a while. My hands quiver the moment I hold onto the knife, as I lunge it outwards, removing it from my body. I woke up... Again... This time, a more familiar environment. My alarm buzzed its way to my mind, reminding me of how much time I had lost. 

I groan in a sense of annoyance as I try to cover myself with my sheets on a cold morning. A loud, consecutive thump came down crashing on my door. A voice pierced through the thick walls, "Rex, wake up. It's 3 a.m., and you still have a long way to the Academy." The sun hasn't climbed up to the sky, yet I can feel the heat of my mom's cooking. I continued my way towards the living room, where darkness engulfed the barely lit kitchen. A small clang of pots and cans on the stove as a warm, rich aroma filled the air.

"Morning, Mom." 

She turned around with a face full of glee as she approached with a plate full of pancakes. "I can't believe this day would come, you're going to an Academy!" she exclaimed as if she were an avian ready to release her one and only dove. 

"I think I'm not yet ready for this. Time really goes by like... I feel like it was just yesterday." 

She puts the pancakes down at the table as she replies, "I know time goes by... That's why we have to move with it. Nothing lasts forever, right? Besides, once you finish, you might find a nice job, make a family, and make your parents proud!" 

She grabs a fork while she's at it. "Of course, I'm proud of you right now, but I'll be more proud if you become successful in life." She sits down contemplating my image as she looks me up and down, as I continue to swallow down a large piece of the pancake. 

"You look like you're father, Rex."

 She swirls her tiny spoon in her coffee as she continues, "It's tragic for him to not be with you in this precious time of your life." 

"What was he like?" 

She replied. "He was... One of a kind..." She takes a sip of her warm coffee as memories start to flash in. "He was very curious and quite an interesting man to say the least." 

She adds. "Although he enjoyed living in a life full of danger, he would risk everything just for his family." It was rare for me to see her in this kind of condition. I see her as a resilient and strong-willed mother who is ready to face everything in her way. 

But that mask slipped as her emotions and memories started to unveil. "I'll get the car ready. Take a bath and get your things ready," she stands her instincts as a mother quickly kick in. I quickly finished the pancakes she made me as I followed what my mom told me to do. Be a good son and... Avoid trouble. 

The car left the house, and the sun was just in time, rising. A new morning for people who have already woken up. 

The car glides through the road as it approaches the highway. The figures that quickly passed by as my eyes struggled to catch up with the immense speed. Skylines, Towers, and Buildings slowly vanish into thin air as we approach a somewhat semi-rural area. 

The sun flashes through the thick trees as the highway slowly transforms into a simple rural road where shops line up.

The town of Stagcross, an Academy, slowly emerges around the tainted mountains. The town is merely a dot compared to how large this prestigious institution is. The car enters the entrance as a long pillar emerges near the entrance. Its presence gives off a chilling feeling of being detained inside a cage with no escape. My mind swirls, wondering why my mother exclaims as she finally enters the place where she graduated. She lets out a long sigh as she gets out of the car and admires the view. Her senses are familiar with the air, the view, and especially...

"Welcome back to WillowHill Academy, Ms. Metia!" She turns around at the familiar voice that trails. A feeling that made her gears move into motion as it trails down memory lane. "Doctor Secilion! I'm surprised that you still managed to keep your degree after those accidents!"

"Don't worry! The past is the past. I presume that your son is enrolled in this prestigious school." 

 Rex steps out of the car as I continue to swallow the view of this so-called Academy. 

It looks like a prison rather than a prestigious school. She then gestured to me for a simple meet and greet with one of the professors of the school. 

"Oh, there's my son!" 

She grabs me by the arm as if I were a doll to play with. 

At first, my mind hesitated on introducing myself first, but my mom's glare insisted I do. I reach my hand for a handshake as my mind betrayed my own will. 

"What a pleasant morning to meet you, Doctor Secilion. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Rex, Rex McGurby". 

He pauses as he observes me as if I were a fine specimen that he would be ready to experiment on. "Welcome to Willowhollow Academy, Rex. And I'm sure your school year will be downright enjoyable and exciting. I expect you to attend my classes this semester, and you might also see me around the campus," he adds, "Let's not be strangers, hm? Might as well be a complete anarchist, if you know what I mean." 

I let out a nervous chuckle as I didn't understand what Doctor Secilion said. Nevertheless, a warm welcome means a pleasant embrace from the institution. The professor continued on with the small talk as I picked my stuff up from the trunk. The moment I closed the trunk, they were already heading to the large entrance. 

I quickly closed it as I slowly struggled to catch up to them. As I entered the campus, a rush of excitement and dread mixed up as a steady flow of students appeared in mass. The air was vibrant and full of life. Social Hierarchies aren't my thing, but the students here are built differently. 

As my eyes scoured the vibrant scenery, there was one student who stood out from all. Like a field of Poppies surrounding a single white rose. She was inconspicuous, unlike the others. She gazes at me like a Predator that has finally found its prey. But then... She vanished. Like a ghost. No signs of a figure standing on that very brick. 

The crowd covers the hallways as I snap my head back to reality. 

"Rex, here's the card for your room. I'll see you soon this weekend, honey! I'll be sending you letters, and I hope you have the time to reply to me." 

She runs towards me as she quickly embraces me with her wide arms.

 Warmth fills my body as she continues to squeeze the life out of me. "I'll miss you. Don't hesitate to contact me," she looks at me with her oaked eyes. 

"I'll be here for you. No matter how far you are." 

"Please. Take care of my brother for me while I'm far," I replied. She nods in approval. Her hand slips off mine as she walks towards the exit. 

She occasionally glances at the back as if she were constantly checking if I was still there. The scenery again... Wild and lively. I walked down the hallway as Rex continued to find the room. "Ah... Finally," As my hand landed on the doorknob, the door flinched open as if it was already open or left unlocked.

Writer's note: Comments and criticisms are welcome. :D