Kane felt his feet hitting the smooth stone pavement hard as he looked around for Charlie, his eyes darting left and right with his heartbeat rapidly rising. The last thing Kane wanted to see was Charlie's frail body laying on the cold floor of the hallway or in an empty room, and the thought of him painfully gasping for air stumbling around while students stared pathetically confused only made Kane more desperate. As he turned a corner and walked past one of the small gardens, he felt relief seeing Charlie slowly making his way into an archway entrance of another hallway. Kane ran to him and called out his name in a hushed manner, he watched as Charlie began to stop moving as he caught up to him.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Kane asked.
"I don't know anymore, I just need to sit down" Charlie began, his voice weak and raspy, "somewhere no one can see me".
Kane lifted his arm and placed it around his shoulder as he held his body up, they walked towards an empty room as Kane turned the door handle and helped him inside. The room was large, had clear white lines drawn on the wooden floor and grey thin mattresses in each secluded space. As they entered Kane realised this room was for Duel and Defence, he shut the door behind him and helped him lie down on a soft mattress that lay towards the back of the classroom.
"I remember Duel and Defence, we had it together in third year" Charlie chuckled in between a groan, as he lay his tired body down on the mattress and let out a sigh.
Kane rolled his eyes, "Yea I remember Mrs Swopple was not impressed when you hit that kid Henry right in the jaw". He laughed as Charlie let out a small chortle.
Kane looked around and admired the room. It's wooden floors, the cold stone walls that would ease your heated skin after practice, the dark brown desk in the front of the room that often had small candy for the first years who were sensitive to aggressive tactics during class. As he glanced over at Charlie he noticed his eyes were slowly drooping shut as he lay on the thin mattress, his chest rising and falling gently as he began to fall asleep.
"Don't worry Charlie, I'll be here when you wake up" He mumbled to himself as the large warm room kept them shielded from the eyes of other students wandering the halls.
⤜⤛
It had been almost two weeks since Kane had attacked Zach and everyone knew, people glanced away from him in fear as he walked throughout the hallways. Although this usually would make him feel powerful he felt nothing but constant worry, as his mind feared for the worse in regard to Charlie's condition. The students in almost every house were whispering about him, as being seen practically carrying around Charlie had made almost everyone curious. He could hear the hushed voices of students turn silent when he arrived, he felt like a lion trapped in a zoo as the whispers that seemed to never really fade made him more agitated than ever. He entered the refectory and kept his head down as he walked over to the table where Elios and Spiddle sat, they were scuffing down their food like pigs but Kane sat beside them unbothered. He knew that even they were curious about Charlie and why he had become so close with him but for the first time in his life, since fourth year, he was glad that his supposed friends feared him too much to get involved in his personal matters. Kane sat beside them and listened to their idiotic conversation, but even while he laughed at their vulgar jokes he couldn't get Charlie out of his mind as he sat silently trying to figure out what was happening to him.
Audrey didn't want to see Charlie or Kane, she was somewhat glad that for the past couple of weeks he had been like a wandering ghost. Having to carry an injured Zach with Bella's help to the medical centre, only to be told that he needed to self-heal on his own, was a horrible end to what seemed like such a lively day. She sat in the refectory, by Bella and Zach's side, feeling dismal as she played with her food. As Nora entered the refectory and walked towards them, she couldn't help but feel a slight surge of anger rise within her. Nora hadn't spoken to Kane about what he had done, she barely even talked to Zach and so Audrey struggled to hide her irritation towards her.
"Hey, you guys have Introduction to Proelium later today right?" Nora asked, as she sat down and looked at them.
Nora felt off, ever since Ms Tarvins had that talk with her in Hodinby almost two weeks ago. She tried to push it out of her mind, but couldn't and so she avoided addressing it by focusing her mind on other things she had no involvement in.
"Yea, last week all Harkness made us do was read! Hopefully this class we actually get to do something" Bella said, she looked at Audrey who seemed lost in thought and gave her a small nudge.
"I heard what happened in your first proelium class with Harkness, I guess it would be fair to say I know exactly how you must have felt!" Zach joked, he tried to change Audrey's sad expression as he struggled to understand what was bothering her.
"I'm gonna go get some more tea" Bella said awkwardly, she stood up and was about to walk away when she heard Nora call out.
"Hold on!" Nora quickly left the table and began to walk towards the boiling water kettle and tea station with Bella.
Audrey sat alone with Zach as he looked at her confused, he didn't want to push her into opening up to him but also couldn't stand what the past few weeks had been like. The frequent silence, strange tension and how she barely would smile anymore. He could sense that something was going on between Audrey and Charlie but didn't know how to talk about it, this being with Kane keeping a close eye on Charlie at all times. He hated Kane, and a strange dark part of him wanted to give into the urge of just attacking him now that he could use his powers, but he held back. The intelligent part of him reminded him constantly that fighting Kane would only make things worse, and if he really wanted to get back at him the only way that would work successfully would be to outsmart him.
Bella stood by Nora's side as they walked over to the kettle and grabbed a small cup each, she couldn't keep her eyes off Kane and felt uneasy around him. He had hurt Zach, and for whatever reason he didn't trust her enough to say why. Bella couldn't hide the frown she wore on her face as she slowly took her eyes off Kane, watching Elios and Spiddle leave him alone at the table where he sat. She had always thought that things were different with him as usually she could see straight though his head, and for some reason he'd let her. But ever since he attacked Zach, he seemed lost to her with his mind a foggy pandora's box that she could no longer open and inspect.
"Hey, can I talk to you about something?" Nora said, her voice penetrating through Bella's thoughts.
Bella looked at her and nodded, she watched her stepped closer to her as she spoke slowly, "I don't trust Zach".
It took a moment for Bella to process what Nora had just said, she looked deep into her eyes before responding, "Okay, why?".
Nora gave a small shrug and turned to pour the hot water into her cup, "It's not just him, you see his sister is a new teacher here" she began as her voice becoming more hushed and stuttering slightly, "I see her most of the time because her job is tutor me specifically, but the other day I bumped into her at Hodinby and..." Nora's voice was soon cut off as Audrey's staggered towards them.
"Hey Bella, class starts soon" Audrey said as she stood a little too close to them. Her shoulder brushed against Nora's and it was almost like she was trying to hide herself between them, as Bella looked over to the table where they sat she saw a pale and weary eyed Charlie talking to Zach. She soon understood Audrey's quick and desperate desire to leave the refectory, and so she placed an arm around her almost like it was a shield.
"Yea it's okay, I'll bring the cup with me, let's go get our books" Bella said, her eyes urged Nora to look over at the table. As Nora turned her head to see Charlie, she quickly looked back at Bella giving her a small nod.
"I'll see you guys later then okay?" Nora said, her voice still hushed but sympathetic as she looked at Audrey who gave her a comforting smile.
Zach tried to ignore how feeble Charlie appeared, as he listened to him speak with a croaky but gentle voice. "I'm sorry about what happened between you and Kane, he didn't mean to be that aggressive" Charlie began, as he placed a hand on a chair that was tucked into the table where Zach sat bouncing his knee in an anxious manner.
"If he's so sorry, why isn't he telling me this himself?" Zach asked, his voice sounding more hostile than he intended.
"Look, you're a fifth year right?" Charlie asked, his voice borderline harsh and serious although it tried to remain warm hearted, "Kane won't be seen apologising to someone he views as inferior because of the age gap, I know how stupid it sounds but..." Charlie began until Zach cut him off abruptly.
"Since when has age mattered to him, to either of you?" Zach spat, he tried to keep his voice low as he glared at Charlie.
"If you two can seem to flirt with your inferiors, then I expect you'd be able to apologise to one of them" Zach continued as he stood up facing Charlie. Although they would both match each others height normally, Charlie's weakened position as he leaned on the chair led to Zach towering over him. He gave him a final glare before storming off, joining Bella and Audrey who had managed to quietly begin to leave the refectory.
As Charlie lifted his hand off the chair, he felt defeated and hopeless. He had stopped defending Kane since their fourth year, when he attacked a third year boy who bumped into him without apologising. He couldn't help but feel that what Zach had just said was right, as he wondered himself why couldn't Kane apologise to him despite his inflated ego. As Charlie began to walk further into the refectory, searching for Kane, he saw Nora starting to walk towards him.
"Hey Charlie, where the hell have you been?" She chuckled as she tried to pretend that she hadn't just seen the exchange between Zach and him seconds ago.
"Yea I've been feeling sick, so um...hey do you know where Will is?" Charlie stuttered, his voice wavering as he avoided eye contact with her. She could sense he was hiding something, and wanted to know exactly what.
"Charlie, since when have you started calling my brother Will?" She asked, she walked in front of him blocking his path while giving him a firm and demanding look.
"Nora, it's complicated I..." Charlie began, he still wasn't looking at her. His eyes desperately looked around her for Kane, hoping he'd interrupt soon enough before she could find out anything about his condition.
The refectory was almost empty now, classes were scheduled to start in ten minutes and so students were rushing to their rooms to gather their books and equipment. Nora crossed her arms, getting more infuriated by the second as she watched Charlie's eyes look down at the floor.
She felt her cheeks reddening and her blood boiling, Charlie had never hidden anything from her before. She knew how he felt about Audrey before he told her she had even received her letter to Dostira, and whenever he had an issue she was usually the first person he would go to. Seeing him try his best to avoid her gaze and push her away, while replacing his trust in her for her brothers instead, made a devious idea form in her mind.
She reached out a hand and held Charlie's chin, lifting his head up to meet her gaze as she looked deep into his eyes and spoke slowly, "Audite".
As the words left her lips she watched Charlie's eyes widen as he looked deep into hers without blinking, she felt a sting of guilt within her as she watched him slowly become compliant to words that would soon spill from her mouth.
"What you are hiding from me Charles Binko?" She asked, her voice slightly ringing in his and her ears as he stared at her with wide eyes and began to speak.
"The moving pendant" Charlie began, his voice sounding monotonous. He parted his lips to continue until Nora felt a hot hand grab her by the shoulder and push her out of the way, her gaze with Charlie broke as the connection between them ceased. Every bit of guilt she had suppressed within those few seconds overflowed within her as she looked up to see Charlie resting his hand on Kane's shoulder while struggling to breathe.
"I'm sorry I..." Nora began, her voice weak and anguished, but she was cut off by a look in Charlie's eyes that terrified her.
"You said I would be the exception!" Charlie growled, rage building within him as Nora jumped at the intensity of his voice.
She felt her throat tightening as she struggled to swallow the lump in her throat, "If you think I can ever trust you again, you're just as insane as everyone else thinks you are!" He hissed at her.
Kane tried to hold him back as Charlie forced his way over to her, he struggled to stop him as for the first time in weeks he saw Charlie having the power and strength to move on his own. Charlie walked over to Nora, his finger pointed in her face as she could see the betrayal in his eyes and feel the hot wrath radiating off his skin.
"I was the only one" Charlie began, his voice breaking as his eyes burned with outrage, "The only one who thought you weren't the manipulative bitch everyone said you were! They were right weren't they?".
Kane stood shocked at what he was hearing, he had never heard Charlie speak this way to anyone let alone his sister who he thought was Charlie's best friend. He watched unsure of what to do, and what side he would have to comfort. However, a part of Kane understood Charlie's fury. Nora seemed to value her determination for the truth more than their years of friendship, and he knew that Nora could go to Bella and Audrey for solace while it was clear now more than ever that Charlie had no one but him.
"Don't you ever come near me again" Charlie said, he walked away out of the refectory as Kane stood frozen in place.
"Nora..." Kane said gently, trying to break the tension and comfort her while he could.
"No, no I'm okay. I shouldn't have done that, I know" Nora said, she fixed her posture and held her head high as she tucked her hair behind her ears. The few students and kitchen staff in the refectory stared bewildered, it was so silent that the slight breeze moving throughout the room made more noise than their own breathing.
Kane watched her for a moment, seeing straight through her tough skin and knowing how broken she was inside, he then turned his back and rushed out of the refectory looking for Charlie.
Nora felt the eyes of at least ten people staring at her, she felt like that gurgling urge to violently throw up but at the same time wanted to scream. She hated herself for breaking Charlie's trust, and felt her eyes beginning to gloss over with salty tears. She took a deep breath and began walking out of the rectory calmly, she held her head high but as soon as she was out of sight and alone she began sobbing into her grey school jumper.
Kane hurried out of the refectory trying to catch up with Charlie as he watched his rage fuelled power slowly fade, he started to stumble ahead of him and slow down. Tears ran down his cheeks but he wiped them away aggressively with his hands, sniffling as he winced every now and then. He thought to himself that things have gotten worse, but this time it wasn't directly caused by the voice or physical pain at all, it was secrecy and resentment that controlled him like a puppet as the people around him suffered. Although he knew that hiding this was only making things worse, something deep within him transformed every self-doubt he had into anger.
His thoughts shifted as he mumbled to himself, "Why does everyone want to get involved!"
"Because they want to slow you down, they want to take advantage of your weakness" the voice hissed gently in his head, echoing throughout his mind and making him flinch.
He shook his head muttering, "No, no, you've made me weak".
Kane stood by his side and watched Charlie's lips whispering things to himself that he couldn't understand. He stretched out a hand to place it on Charlie's back, but pulled away when he saw him grimace and twist his body as he struggled to walk.
"No, Charles Binko it is them that have made you soft. Only now you see how they can fear you, power is yours if you are strong and fearless enough to take it" the voice spoke, each word slithering throughout his ears and twisting his mind.
"Stop fighting it, let me help you reach the apex of caeli strength that you deserve" the voice taunted, slowly Charlie found himself listening attentively to the voice and no longer fighting it. He slowly started to stand to his feet, no longer hunched over, as he turned his head to see Kane.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Kane asked, his voice stern as he looked at Charlie confused.
Charlie nodded, positioning his posture upright as he took a deep breathe, "Yea, sorry. What class do you have?". His mind was fighting the ideas that the voice was putting forward, debating whether or not a part of him actually enjoyed seeing Nora crumble from fear of him.
"Well, we have Dostirian Creatures." Kane said, as he placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder before walking off with him down the hallway.
As Charlie walked with Kane by his side, the strongest part of him was arguing that the voice was wrong and he never meant to hurt Nora by saying all those horrid things. However, Charlie couldn't ignore the small whisper within him that professed how she deserved every harsh word and that it felt good to see a feared vox prodigy weaken under his gaze and fierce words.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading my story so far. I am trying my best to write chapters as fast as I can while uploading to my tiktok account for visuals. There's a lot to come in the story, and the characters become more complex so I'm sorry if you feel that the story is going quite slow so far. Again, thank you to everyone who is reading!
- Jane xx