The walk from the refectory to the Charlie's room felt like a never-ending journey of complete silence. It was so quiet that Audrey often found herself becoming startled from the simple sounds of castle doors closing and echoed chatter, she tried to control her hurried breathing as she constantly wiped her sweaty palms onto the bottom of her sweater.
She would occasionally look over at Kane who had a stern but menacing expression on his face, and noticed the small container under his arm but she didn't have the courage to ask him about it and so the silence between them endured. They soon arrived at the entrance of the Caeli house room and a large spiralled stair case, that was much similar to the one leading to Audrey's room, was only a few steps ahead. She noticed the carvings on the stone walls that lay on either side of the staircase, a strange creature with large wings and the face of an eagle but a long lion-like tail that curved upwards was carved deep into the stone. She admired the creature for only a moment as Kane began to walk up the stairs and she hastily followed him, desperate to stay by his side but also nervous to see what would lie at the top of the stairs.
Her mind whirled with memories of Charlie, the freckles that ran over his nose and under his forest green eyes, his blonde wavy hair that always looked soft to the touch, his endless supply of pine coloured t-shirts, his kind grin that made her feel safe, and his laugh that always seemed to tickle a smile onto her face. As she walked with Kane, remembering Charlie as he once was, they soon were walking down a long corridor with numbered wooden doors on either sides.
"Now listen," Kane began, his voice low but strict, "Try not to mention his appearance".
Audrey nodded as she looked at Kane, they stopped outside a wooden door with the number twenty-two in silver hammered into it. She took a deep breath and placed her hair behind her ears, the strands of her hair almost sticking to her sweaty fingertips.
"Oh and one more thing," Kane said with his voice playful and a small smile on his face.
Audrey looked up at him waiting for him to continue, his smile suddenly dropped and he leaned close to her with a threatening look in his dark eyes, "Don't do anything to irritate him". His playful tone vanishing as he lifted a hand and knocked on the door twice.
Audrey swallowed hard, she was sure that her heart might burst out of her chest as it was beating at a rate so fast that the skin on her face began to uncontrollably redden.
The door creaked open and Kane gestured for Audrey to enter, she slowly lifted the heels of her feet and walked into the room that was lit by a single lamp near a bed. Her eyes rapidly darted all around the room looking for Charlie, and taking in the details of his room.
He had a single but reasonably large bed with beige coloured sheets and a dark mint coloured blanket to the left of the room against the wall, a side table where a small lamp stood with a small dark coloured glass bottle beside it and a wooden desk in the corner of the room where a gathered mess of books lay splayed out across it.
She jumped as she heard the loud shut of the door behind her, and she snapped her head around to see Kane leaning against it with the small box in his hand. She heard a tap running water and her attention quickly shifted to the door that was against the wall near the end of the bed, she took her time walking towards it as with each step she grew more anxious. The sound of running water suddenly ceased and Audrey took a quick step back, almost as if it was a natural reflex.
The door opened with a creak and out stepped Charlie, wearing a white shirt with damp hair and a towel over his shoulder. He looked sickly and pale, yet Audrey's stomach flipped at the sight of him as she couldn't help but smile. His eyes met hers and a smile grew on his too as she quickly looked away to the floor, Charlie quickly covered his right hand with the towel as he made his way to Kane.
Kane's eyes were examining the towel covering Charlie's hand and as he held out the small box towards him he quickly snatched the towel out of his hand to reveal a bloody and cut wound across Charlie's knuckles. Kane frowned and looked up at Charlie who rolled his eyes and took the towel out of Kane's hands to cover up his hand again, while taking the box he gave Kane a smile.
"Don't worry about it" Charlie said in a hushed voice, but this didn't ease the frown and look of concern blatant on Kane's face.
"Oh and thanks" he began as he slightly held up the box, "a lot, thank you Will".
Charlie walked back towards Audrey, brushing past her shoulder as he sat on his bed looking up at her. She stood at the end of his bed, paralysed and in disbelief that she was seeing him, he looked like a ghost but one that didn't frighten her or make her uncomfortable. Every simple comfort that can be described, sitting in front of a warm fire during a cold snow covered day or laying on soft bright green grass under the shade of a large tree on a warm day, Audrey felt just by looking at him.
"Well, I'll see you later Charlie" Kane said, breaking the silence and the tension all at once.
Charlie gave him a nod and a kind smile as Audrey kept her eyes fixed on him, her gaze didn't falter even when she heard the sudden sound of the door slamming shut behind her. She made her way very slowly over to him, taking each step as if she was afraid, and as she did Charlie stood to his feet watching her.
She was close enough to see his chest rising and falling, her head tilted upwards as they stood facing each other, "Hey" she said in a quiet voice.
Charlie gave a small smile that began to grow at the sound of her voice, "Hey" he replied.
She sat on his bed beside him, the side of her thigh touching his as they both sat in silence for a moment. She felt warm, and although she should have been writhing from the awkwardness, she felt at ease.
"What's in the box Binko?" She asked in a lively tone, and it rang like an enchanting melody in Charlie's ears.
"Oh it's just some food" Charlie replied, he turned to face her and admired her soft and warm cheeks that were slightly tinted a shade of pink.
"But anyway, how have classes been going?" Charlie asked, eager to change the subject before she would ask any more questions.
Audrey shuffled in her seat and turned to face him, "Well I'm not doing so well in Introductions to Proelium and Dostirian Creatures, and I'm finding Dostira Historia and Curative Brewery kind of confusing but I'm actually pretty good at Telum Training".
Charlie listened intently, every word that left her lips like an antidote to the aching hisses he would often hear as he struggled to stop himself from smiling while looking at her. Every now and then his eyes would fall to her lips, his thoughts showing her in adoration as he found himself leaning closer towards her as if the light crimson lipstick was some sort of attraction magnet.
"Telum Training huh? I never would have imagined Audrey Larson wielding a flaming sword" He chuckled.
"Well, I'm not using a flaming sword" Audrey replied, she turned to face him even more and as she did she began to notice the yellow colouring of his skin and the red veins that decorated the whites of his eyes.
"Oh?" Charlie replied.
"Yea you see Nora's been teaching me how to throw blades, and I'm pretty good!" She said, watching his smile begin to waver and fade at the mention of her name. He turned away from her and faced the stone wall a head of him, trying to hide any emotion that may have leaked onto his face.
Audrey frowned, a confused but intrigued look upon her face, "She said to tell you that she's sorry".
Charlie quickly stood to his feet, standing up and walking away from his bed where Audrey sat, "So you still have my beanie?" He replied with a small laugh but his back to her.
Audrey didn't reply, she just watched his back and waited for him face her again. The room grew silent as they both waited for the other to speak, Charlie growing increasingly agitated as the low humming of the muted voice in his head began to throb.
"I know something's up Charlie," Audrey began, her voice serious but concerned, "people hardly see you and all of a sudden Kane's your guard dog". Charlie still had his back faced to her, as the tone of her voice quickly became pleading and desperate while she continued.
"Nora seems distraught when I mention you, and Kane attacked Zach out of nowhere for being friends with me..." she continued until Charlie cut her off.
"Oh friends, so that's what it is" his voice mocking and harsh which surprised Audrey but only furthered her confusion.
She quickly stood up with a huff, "Yes that is all we are Charlie, Zach and I are friends!".
Charlie still didn't turn around to face her, and so Audrey's heart beat began to quicken in anger and irritation. She turned her head to see the small dark coloured bottle near the lamp that sat on his beside table, she quickly took a hold of it and gave it a gentle shake. As she heard an orchestra of pills moving around within it, she confusion only grew.
"What are these Charlie?"
As the words left her mouth, Charlie quickly turned to face her. His eyes widening as he took a step towards her, "Put them down".
His voice was demanding and intimidating, yet Audrey snapped back, "I will if you tell me what is going on? Don't you trust me, why are you pushing me away!".
Charlie soon took the pills out of her hand swiftly but aggressively, slightly pushing her body back as he did. She stumbled onto his bed, and looked at him in shock while he stood towering over her.
"Can't you see I'm doing this for you?" He exclaimed almost yelling, his eyes began to soften as he saw Audrey move away from him slowly with a startled expression on her face.
He took steadied his breathing and seeing her bewildered eyes made him fall to his knees, his head dropping as his aching body crumpled against the floor. He was kneeling on the floor with his head down, he took a deep breath as he lifted his head up ever so slightly to look at her.
Audrey's eyes were glossed over and she didn't move, she barely even blinked.
"I don't understand" she mumbled, her voice brittle and on the verge of breaking as she fought back the pressure banging on her chest and making her want to sob.
Charlie swallowed the lump in his throat and placed a hand on her knee, his palm facing upwards and gesturing for her to place a hand in his. She was hesitant but placed her warm hand in his, feeling a part of her spring to life at the touch of his skin. He held onto her hand, his thumb stroking hers as he spoke.
"Please, just trust me" he began, "It's complicated, but I'm doing this for you".
A shaky sigh exited her mouth, "If it's for me then why can't I know".
"I'll explain it all in a couple of days, please just give me a couple of days" Charlie pleaded, his mind screaming passionate words of hatred and self loathing as he watched a single tear fall from her eye and onto her cheek. Audrey nodded, her fingers making themselves comfortable in Charlie's hand as she watched him force a small smile onto his face.
She didn't understand the secrecy, the strange relationship he now had with Kane, the small bottle that was now clasped firm in his hand or the feelings she felt for him; but she agreed to give him a couple more days. She reminisced on her oldest memories with Charlie, that one time he spilled apple juice all over her favourite pink glitter t-shirt when they were ten and so he rode home in it while she wore his blue zip up hoodie, the one who made funny faces outside her window after they fought over ice cream flavours when she was eleven.
"Can you promise me something" Audrey asked, intruding on the comfortable silence they were surrounded by.
Charlie nodded, picking himself up off the ground and placing himself beside her. He let go of her hand as she quickly lifted it to wipe the tear off her cheek, she didn't face him as she continued yet he kept his eyes locked on her.
"I have my Introduction to Proelium class tomorrow morning at 9am," she began, "I want to see your powers Binko". She gave him a small chuckle as she sniffled and began fiddling with her fingers.
Charlie smiled for a moment, his mouth quick to respond, "Of course" without thinking it through. As he looked at the small bottle gripped in his hand, he realised the mistake he had made. He glanced back at Audrey who met his eyes with a sincere and warm smile, she moved closer to him and tilted her head to rest it on his shoulder letting out a small indistinct sigh. Charlie's mind was racing with the possible consequences of what would happen if he didn't take his medicine tonight, but feeling Audrey's body head radiating against his and her warm breath against his neck faded his fears. He didn't want to risk letting her down and her just being by his side soothed what had felt like an eternity of agony, he bit down hard on his lip to stop himself from grinning as colour began to flood his pale cheeks.
⤜⤛
Kane sat in the caeli lounge, his legs obnoxiously spread out as he glared at the caeli prodigies who gave him strange glances as he sat on their couch. He kept glancing over at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room, silently groaning as time passed at a rate that vexed his patience.
"Umm, it's William Kane right?" A voice spoke.
Kane snapped his head to face the boy that sat at the other end of the couch staring at him, the boy had smooth dark chocolate skin and wide brooding eyes. His hair obsidian and curly as he wore a collared white long sleeve shirt and dark blue jeans, he had an expression that many would find intimidating yet Kane eyed the boy with a nonchalant stare.
The boy waited for a response yet Kane didn't move, he just stared at the boy tight lipped and with an arrogant manner.
"I'm a seventh year" he began, "and well, you're not supposed be here without a caeli prodigy inviting you".
Kane gave a menacing smirk as he held his head high looking at the boy, he leaned closer towards him, "Are you pulling rank?".
The boy let out a small chuckle, "The name's Edison and yes I guess I am".
"Well, Edison," Kane sneered, "piss off?".
Kane's smirk dropped and he looked away from the boy, peering over at the clock and hoping Charlie would appear soon. Edison stood up off the couch and walked towards Kane, towering over him with a displeased expression on his face.
"Time for you to go Kane" he said, his voice demanding and aggressive as he looked down at him.
Kane didn't frown, he looked unbothered as he stood up facing Edison. The other caeli prodigies started to look over at the two with interest as hissing whispers began to fill the room, surrounding them like a cloud that spurred for them for clash.
Two more boys approached Edison, standing behind him in support as they frowned at Kane, doing their best to frighten him. Kane watched them approach and let out a small chuckle, he looked down at his feet and clutched his hands into tight fists by his side.
"If I were you Edison," he began, "I'd think at least thrice before doing anything stupid". He looked up at the boys, his jaw clenched and his eyes burning a bright lime green with glowing speckles of crimson as his dragon eyes stared at him.
For a moment, at the sight of Kane's luminescent dragon eyes and fierce manner, Edison stumbled back in distress. However, he straightened his posture and took a step towards Kane with a smile growing on his face.
"You're in our territory ignis prodigy," he began, "I'm curious to see just how long you'll last".
The tension swelled around them, as students slowly gathered around the boys in curiosity with their chatter buzzing throughout the room. Kane and the boys stood only a step away from each other, the three caeli prodigies preparing themselves against Kane who had a pretentious look imprinted on his face.
Charlie stumbled down the stairs, Audrey following behind, his eyes widening and his brows furrowed as he pushed past the bundle of students. He made his way to the centre of the coliseum-like structure of students to see Kane facing Edison and two other boys, the four of them in a strange standoff. Charlie stood still for a moment, his breathing escalating as he tried to make sense of scene that stood still in front of his eyes.
Within the blink of an eye, Kane soon shoved Edison back with a vigorous push. Charlie watched Edison fall back, blundering into his friends who stood behind him, as he rushed over with his hands extended out. He stood in front of Kane, facing Edison with pleading eyes and stammering nebulous words.
"He's with me Edison!", Charlie exclaimed, "He's with me".
Kane smirked at Edison who gave an aggressive but defeated look, his eyes scowling Kane before looking back at Charlie.
"Next time, make sure he's actually with you okay Charlie?" Edison said, his voice tender but strict as Charlie gave a quick nod.
"I understand, I'm sorry" Charlie said giving an apologetic and obliging nod.
Audrey watched relived as she tilted her head at Kane, raising her eyebrows and glaring at him. Kane glanced over at her, shrugging his shoulders with a pleased look on his face, she rolled her eyes and watched the three seventh-year caeli prodigies leave with a disgruntled look on their faces.
"Show's over" Charlie said to the onlooking caeli prodigies, who quickly went back to their own business while whispering to each other.
Kane looked at Charlie, his smirk dropping as he met Charlie's disappointment gaze. Charlie shook his head and placed a hand on his forehead, "I leave you alone for fifteen minutes, and you almost get in a fight that could have you expelled".
Audrey slowly made her way over to the two of them, standing besides Charlie with her mind urging her hand to hold onto Charlie's in an attempt to calm his nerves. Yet she stood with her arms crossed, as her shoulder lingered near Charlie's arm.
"Look I'm sorry," Kane began as he placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder, "but he came up to me and told me to get out".
Charlie gave a small chuckle, "Yea like you would be able to take on Edison and his crew" he replied in a relieved but anxious voice.
Kane frowned, "I'd be able to!" He declared.
Audrey nudged Charlie, "What's so scary about seventh years?" She asked as Charlie leaned his ear towards her.
"They're the strongest in the school, seventh years are trained in the most hostile levels of combat," he began turning to face her, "they focus on training as apprentices in whatever profession they choose."
Charlie hushed his voice as he continued, "For Edison and his friends, that's guarding Musolar Prison or being Ultors".
"What are Ultors?" Audrey asked in a whisper, her eyes looking up at Charlie's.
Kane scoffed, "They're basically glorified agents that work for the Overseers, they go after criminals with capture or kill-on-sight orders". She shifted her eyes to look at Kane, a concerned but captivated look on her face as they stood together in silence for a moment.
"Well, we need to talk Will" Charlie said, as Kane gave him a nod.
Audrey turned to face Charlie giving him a smile, as she struggled to find the right words to say, "Well, See you around Binko" she stammered.
Charlie looked at her longingly, a smile growing on his face as his fingers moved towards her to hold onto her hand giving it a small squeeze. As his hand touched hers, Audrey felt warmth crawl like an invisible creature up from her fingertips and along her arm. She let out a sigh as her hand rest in his for a moment, she looked away to hide the blush that had exploded onto her cheeks as he let go of her hand.
"See you around Audrey" he replied, watching her walk away from him and towards the spiralled stair case. He kept his eyes on her, watching the way she walked and how her hair swayed as she did, until she disappeared down the stairs and out of his sight.
Kane cleared his throat, "Well that was nice, can we go now?" He said in a sarcastic tone.
⤜⤛
Charlie sat on his bed and opened the small box Kane had given him, he began eating away at the food inside it with the small dark coloured roll going into his mouth first. Kane pulled out the chair from Charlie's desk and sat on it facing him, "Well, did you tell her?".
Charlie's mouth was full, he shook his head and spoke with a muffled voice, "No but I'm seeing her tomorrow morning in her Introduction to Proelium class"
"Uh why?" Kane asked, leaning forward with a frown on his face.
Charlie swallowed hard, "She wants to see my powers" he replied.
"No, Charlie you can't. The pills suppress your powers until at least second period" Kane blurted out, his eyes locked on Charlie.
"Look, I promised her Will," he began, "I'll be fine!". Charlie continued eating, ignoring the obvious look of disapproval on Kane's face as he stuttered.
"Are you sure?" He asked, his voice low and somewhat soft as leaned back in the chair.
Charlie nodded, filling his mouth with the food like he hadn't eaten in days as he occasionally glanced at Kane with kind eyes. Kane couldn't help but feel an uncomfortable feeling of worry in his stomach, the uneasy sensation of impending agony and regret flooding his thoughts as he looked at Charlie unable to hide the expression on his face. A premonition that this wouldn't end well for Charlie, if he didn't take his pills, filled his thoughts as he realised the voice would have full freedom to overflow Charlie's mind and torment him with nightmares. A part of him hoped that Charlie would get better as by morning the energy in the pendant would have expired, but his stomach twisted and contorted as if he already knew that this hope was foolish to believe in. He watched Charlie, forcing a weak smile of his face, as his insides warped with fear and wild panic.