When we reached the nurses office I stopped at the door and Tristen looked at me with questioning eyes. “The nurse knows everything. I don’t know how she knows but the point is you don’t have to hide who you are...” I smiled and opened the door for him to enter. Tristen looked a little nervous and then entered through the door. I laughed a little and then followed in behind him. A women with curly red hair sat behind a single desk looking over a file. She looked up at us when the door closed, “Ah. Mr. Matthews, I was expecting you.” I looked over at Tristen whose eyes seemed shocked, “Excuse me?” his voice filled the air with confusion. I stepped forward a little but stopped in my tracks when she switched her gaze to me. Her eyes blazed like fire as she stared at me which sent a shiver down my spine, “Lucy? Is that you?” I smiled a nervous smile. “Of course it’s me Miss. Johnson. Who did you think it was?” My voice again seemed to have an echo like two different people were speaking. She continued to look at me with fiery eyes and then smiled “Of course it’s you. You just seem different thats all. Now Mr. Matthews, please explain what happened or what you remember happening.” She looked back down at the file in front of her. I looked over at Tristen who looked uncertain what to do. I nodded to him to speak.
“Well, I was sitting in class drawing in my notebook like always and...” he was interrupted by the sound of Miss Johnson gasping. We both looked at each other and then back at her desk. She looked up with wide eyes, “Mr. Matthews, You’re not being honest with people about who you really are. It’s a dangerous game you’re playing Mr. Matthews. You can only pretend for so long before people figure out the truth...” I looked over at him too with shock written on my face. His face went completely smooth, “I’m not pretending anything...What are you talking about?” His eyes seemed to sparkle I looked back at Miss Johnson her face too went completely smooth they stared at each other as if they were fighting each other through their thoughts. I stood their silently watching them. Finally, I watched as a small smirk began to slide across Miss Johnson’s face and small sweat drop rolled down Tristen’s face. “Your very strong Mr. Matthews, but I am more agile. There are no secrets in my presence.” She said to him as she gracefully stood up out of her seat and walked around the front of her desk stopping directly in front of us.
She continued to smile and then moved her gaze to me, “Poor Lucy, your memories were so clouded in darkness. The pain of not knowing who you were, or where you came from must have been unbearable. I can release you from your inner darkness, ease that terrible heartache...” I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise as Miss. Johnson moved toward me. I looked over at Tristen who was still staring head long at her desk like she was still standing there. I took a step away from her, “What are you talking about Miss Johnson?” I looked into her eyes once more and then turned and ran for the door. I tried to open it but it wouldn’t budge. I heard a little laugh rise from her throat, “Silly child, did you not also think that I would be expecting you too?” I looked back at Tristen not sure what was happening, “Tristen, I need you. Help me! Why won’t you look at me?” Another laugh rose from her throat. She moved closer to me with each step. I closed my eyes and braced myself for whatever would come. “Lucy, I am going to take you away from all of this don’t worry about a thing darling.” I felt myself tremble all over, I squeezed my eyes together tightly, “What did you do to Tristen?”
Her voice floated into my ear she must have been nearly and inch from me. “I did nothing to the boy that he hadn’t already done to himself. He was just a pawn in the game. We used him so that I could get to you. See, the other day when you were brought to me I noticed a strange mark on your hand. I knew what that mark would mean for us. My mistress needs to know your power but that power is hidden even from you. It is my duty to retrieve it for her and if possible rid her of you completely...” I felt my heart beat in my head. I felt a sharp pain as she grabbed the sides of my head between her hands it caused me to yell out in pain. Her laugh cackled out in the silence. “Open your eyes!” I squeezed them tighter and then another jolt of pain coursed through my body more painful then the last. My scream was louder and more agonizing. “Open your eyes and I’ll make the pain stop but if you don’t I will make you wish for death.” I heard the echo in my head through the next painful jolt. Open your eyes. I did what the voice told me and I looked straight into her fiery eyes. I felt sudden pressure in my head like someone was pushing on it.
“Sorry my dear about all of this. You really are a great girl, it’s just you should have never been born...” I felt a tear fall from my eye I was going to die here. It became apparent she was right the world wanted me dead and it had tried unsuccessfully to kill me several times already. Redimio Lux Lucis. The voice in my head uttered some kind of gibberish but whatever it was the pain was starting to fade. I felt suddenly like I was pushing against a brick wall so I pushed harder. “What are you doing?Are you actually trying to block me out? You are very stubborn like Damon mentioned...” A smile spread across her face. I clenched my teeth, “You know, I don’t know what you guys want but death isn’t an option right now. Sorry, you’ll have to find yourself someone else a little more willing...” I pushed harder against the invisible wall sweat breaking out across my forehead. Miss Johnson let out a cackle, “You cannot fight off your fate...” I let out a tiny laugh, my breathing becoming more intense, “Yeah, but I can sure give it a good show...” With that I slammed my mind into the invisible wall with all the power within me. Miss Johnson grabbed her head with her hands and let out a painful piercing cry falling to her knees on the ground before me. Slowly the pressure in my head faded and I looked down at Miss Johnson and a voice from within seemed to take control of me completely, “I’m sorry but I cannot allow you to live, Fade.” I felt like I was watching myself as I seemed to kill the women with a look alone she cried out in pain until finally she went limp on the floor.
I stared down at her shocked feeling as if it had all been a dream and then I turned to Tristen who finally blinked and looked toward me in confusion. My mind was lost in confusion but my body reacted quickly to the opportunity by quickly grabbing Tristen’s hand and pulling him out of the office. We race from the school and to the outside to the green field. I could feel my heart racing and hear my breaths coming in quickly. Tristen looked exactly the same way I did.
The echo in my head spoke again, It’s time to start remembering who you were. I got my breathing under control and then scanned the area. I looked back at Tristen his eyes were focused on me, “What happened in there Lucy?” I stood staring at him my chest pushing in and out quickly. I couldn’t bring myself to speak before he popped out another question “How did you get us out of there? That was a Fade. A very powerful demon and I don’t understand how you got us out of there alive...” I couldn’t respond for some reason I couldn’t seem to find my voice. I could only stare at him. His eyes sparkled and then looked away from me, “Sorry I’m asking so many questions. You must have been so afraid. I should have protected you. I mean you’re only a human. I should have been stronger. If anything had happened to you...” I continued to stare at Tristen watching as the light in his eyes faded away into anger. I moved toward him a step reaching out for him like a helpless child. His eyes softened at my helpless state, his head dropped as he released a sigh “I can’t do this to you...”. I felt hurt and confused. I felt a tear roll down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away in shock. I couldn’t understand what was happening to me. I stood there staring at Tristen watching the sunlight play on his hair. Another tear rolled down my cheek and then another. I felt like my mind and body were detached. My body began to shake but no sound came out.
Tristen lifted his face and looked at me his eyes grew tender when he saw me in my lowly state. He slowly crossed to where I stood and then carefully wrapped his arms around me. I continued to look into his eyes and then he pulled me tighter to his body so that I could rest my head on his chest. I felt my heart beat pick up. Suddenly my mouth opened in a sharp in take of air. Tristen held me tenderly, and part of me wanted to stay like that forever but I knew it wasn’t right. I pulled slowly out of his hold and he released me still looking at me tenderly. I wiped away the last of the odd tears and then smiled at him. “thank you.” I said softly. He nodded and took a step back from me, “I’ll tell Evan what happened today. Don’t worry about the Fade, she’s dead. She can’t hurt you anymore.” His hand trailed down my cheek tenderly and then he pulled it away closing it in a fist. I nodded in response still smiling at him. Tristen’s face went smooth again, “I wanted to say one more thing. I didn’t mean to kiss you... I don’t want you to think...” I didn’t want to hear anymore of his explanation. I flung my hand up to stop him from finishing his thought a little angry that he had ruined the moment we had just had, “I already told you, I understand. If it gives you any comfort I wouldn’t let you kiss me again. It wouldn’t be a good idea for us to get involved. I’m a human and you’re a vampire there’s only one way that could end and thats badly.” I watched as his face grew a little annoyed by my statement which made me laugh inside. “Well at least we know we agree about our situation.” He dusted off his shirt a little and then looked down at me. I raised an eyebrow nodded and then started walking toward the main house which is where the head master lived. I heard Tristens voice call out behind me, “Be careful please.” I didn’t turn around I only threw my hand up in the air letting a smile spread across my face. If only he knew part of me couldn’t wait until I saw him again. That thought made my smile fade into an angry scowl at my own feelings which I needed to learn to keep under control around Tristen.
The headmaster was sitting at his desk looking over some papers when I entered his office. His gentle eyes looked up and smiled at me, “I’m glad to see that Tegan was able to take time out of her busy schedule to visit you this morning. I hope this means she took out the trash as well...” I knew that he was not too happy to see me walking about. “ Yeah, sorry I guess I’m a pretty bad influence on her. I needed to come see you something happened today. Miss Johnson freaked out and she put Tristen in some kind of trance and then she tried to kill me. She was talking about knowing what I was and a Mistress...” I watched as his eyes gravitated back down to the paper the light fading from them. He neatly placed the paper back into a folder and the stood up gracefully behind his desk walking to the nearby window and looking out it toward the campus. “Lucy, do you know why I started this school?” He looked back to me with his gray eyed wisdom. I looked down at the ground to look at my feet wiggle, “Yes. But I don’t see how thats important right now…” I looked up to see him smiling at me and then he turned his face away toward the window.
“There are a lot of things you do not yet understand. You only see what is on the surface. All you see is an illusion for what truly exists is a world of angels and demons. Humans are only pawns they use in their on going battle for power...” I stared at him looking out the window not completely sure what he was trying to tell me or how it related to what had happened. He aged a lot of years the weight of such a task was etched on his face. I released a sigh into the quietness which made the head master fix his gaze on me. His eyes searched mine with an urgency. He moved back to his desk and sat back down in his chair folding his arms and looking down on his aged hands, “I see that the time has come. You will soon see through unclouded eyes at what is around you. For the time being, I want you to know everything is under control. you’re safe. Now, I need you to head back to your room, I have an appointment with Mr. Matthews this afternoon.” I felt my heart stop.
It seemed that the headmaster caught my reaction, his eyes light up with curiosity, “You know Mr. Matthews?” His voice rang out like a statement more then a question. “Oh I know him alright. He’s arrogant and impossible...” The headmaster raised an eyebrow at me like he could hear my heart beating, “I mean he is always getting me into trouble and he thinks he’s irresistible...” he smiled at my rambling still not seeming to be satisfied with my answers but I looked down at my feet. I heard him release a little chuckle, “I’d say all your frustration is really a mask for how you really feel about the poor boy. You seemed to have judged him rather quickly maybe you should get to know him better before you pass your judgement on his character...” I knew his wise eyes were looking on me with a fatherly rebuke for what I had said. “I don’t want to get to know...” My voice was broken by a knock on the door. My head shot up and looked at the headmaster, who looked sadly on me and then called out to the knock, “Come on in Tristen...” I watched him turn his back to me and walk to the window again. I looked at him and on the back of his neck I thought I saw what looked like markings. He cleared his throat and I took that as my cue to leave. I didn’t say a word but turned and found Tristen standing behind me his green eyes trying to avoid eye contact with me. I released a frustrated sigh and then slammed the door shut behind me leaving Tristen and the headmaster to their business.
I felt so lost. What’s wrong with me? I could see the fiery eyes staring into mine which sent a shiver down my spine. I began to pick up my pace down the hallway toward the front door. I felt the darkness pulling me again. I began to lose balance. I could hear the echo again, this time is was the little girl from before. I put my hand out to try and make my way out of the hallway. I felt my body slowly slipping away, until everything went dark.
“Run!” I heard the womens voice call out to a young boy in terror. “What about Lucy?” he called to her as an older man ran to him grabbing him quickly looking back sadly to the woman as if it was the last time he would see her. The little boy looked back, “Mother!” He yelled. Her eyes clouded with tears and she stretched out her hand to the two who ran away into the darkness as a quiet sob overtook her body. “Mommy?” A little voice called out softly crawling in front of the woman who was kneeling on the ground. I watched the woman pick up her head and look down with tear stained cheeks at the little girls violet eyes. “I’m sorry darling we have to leave you. I love you.” She lean down and kissed her on the forehead and then stood up. “Mommy? don’t leave me. I’m scared...I’m scared.” The woman took a few steps away from the little violet eyed child then turned with sad eyes to her, “Don’t worry. I will protect you the best way I know how...” A tear ran down her cheek, “I love you...” She stretched her hand out in front of her. The little girl called out one last time, “Mother!”
I felt a heat on my neck and slowly opened my eyes to see a pair of bright eyes looking down into mine. I looked around me and realized that I had passed out in the hallway of the headmasters house. Evan must have been coming to speak with the headmaster and found me on the floor. “Lucy, are you alright?” I let out a sigh and then slowly pulled myself up, the room spinning slightly. “Yeah, I just had a really hard day. Plus, I’m still getting over being sick. I must have tried to do to much in one setting.” I smiled a little and then pulled myself up all the way leaning slightly on the wall. Evan stood up from his kneeling position and looked down at me with examining eyes. I looked away from him to my feet. He let out a sigh and then put out his hand for mine, “let me help you back to your dorm, at least.” I knew even though I’d rather go alone right now I wouldn’t make it on my own strength. I slowly placed my hand in his. When his hand met mine I felt a strong pressure on my head. I released myself from his touch and grabbed my head. His hands grabbed my shoulders to keep me standing. “Lucy?” His voice brought back into mind the young boy with eyes the color of sapphires. I opened my eyes suddenly and looked into Evans tender and concerned gaze.
I blinked again and again, trying to wake myself, because the young boy was standing in front of me. His eyes grew more confused by the second, “Lucy? are you sure you’re ok? you look a little pale.” The voice in my mind echoed in my response, “I’m fine, just a headache.” Evan’s eyes grew wide with surprise as if he too had heard the other voice. He released me and backed away slowly in a state of shock. I looked at him and saw the frightened boy from my mind. I couldn’t take it another moment. I ran out of there as quickly as my weak body could carry me. I made it to the dorms safely, and when I reach our room I remembered Tegan was not there which made me relax a little. If Tegan had been there I would have had to explain everything and I didn’t know what to say. I was having visions more frequently and I had no idea what to make of them. I threw myself onto my bed and fell into a fit of tears. Eventually the tears stopped running, and the darkness took me again.
“Don’t touch her!” The woman screamed in anger. I saw the little girl quaking under the table. A deep distorted voice spoke, “Where is she woman? I am growing impatient need I remind you who I work for.” I heard a loud smack and the woman let out a yelp. Her body fell to the ground, her eyes locked with those of her child hidden under the table. She smiled and then with all her might pried herself up from the ground. “I will die before I allow you to lay a hand on her.” Her voice was weak, and shaky. The distorted voice let out a low chuckle, “You cannot withstand another blow, you will die and then I shall have the child. Either way you lose, what a sad ending to such a glorious beginning.” I could see the child trembling under the table, not understanding what was happening. The womans voice spoke with a striking power, “Your wrong, it has been over for a long time. It has only now just begun, you will never find her.” The voice spoke with a frustrated confusion, “I do not understand your foolish riddles.” She let out a little laugh, “I’ve taken her and locked her away. She has been purified.” There was a cry of anger and then a loud scream and the darkness crumbled in around me.
My body jolted in my bed and I sprung quickly to my feet grabbing the closest object next to me aiming it at the door and finding a pair of frightened eyes staring back at me. I realized what I had just done and I released the lamp sending it crashing to the ground. I felt my body grow weak and fall onto my bed. Breathing in sharp and short watching in a paralyzed state as everything went black consuming the picture of the headmaster standing with his hand on a frightened Tegan’s shoulder, her eyes wide and glassy.
I felt my arm being touched I opened my eyes slowly to find the headmaster standing over me his hand gently touching my arm. I looked around me and found that I was laying in my bed, which let me relax a little. “I’m sorry for what I did. Its just that...” He held his finger to my lips to signal that I should stop talking. I did but with a little confusion. “I think you shouldn’t have left your bed this morning, can’t you see that your very sick?” I had to look away from his piercing gaze. “I’m sorry, headmaster...” He let go of my arm and walked toward the end of my bed leaving his back to me. “It would seem Lucy that you’re fighting hard to get out. It will not be long before they find out, this place will no longer be safe for the other students. I can only keep them safe for so long before they come in too great of numbers. Soon the game will begin, all the pieces are in place. Oh dear God, let us not fail.” I could not understand what he was saying, but it seemed that he feared for the place he had built for peace. He turned a little and peered back a me, in his eyes I saw a subtle sadness. “Don’t worry, Evan has sent a Scarlet to watch over you. Trust me, she will keep you safe. Now get some rest, don’t worry about anything I have said here they were just the ramblings of a silly old man.” With that he walked out of the doors and took with him the only peace I had left.