MINE

The Fallen Wolves

VIELLA'S POV

Outside was cold. School was quiet.

I looked around the cafeteria but I didn't see Kaelan, Kiesha or Malcox, even Ruka. The air felt like it shifted, just slightly, but it was noticeable.

Something hovered. Something dangerous and gloomy.

Kaelan didn't come back last night. I waited for hours, till finally the hour of four clocked, and all hope of him walking through my door left me.

I had sat on my swinging chair for hours, and hours, my chest robust with hope of him coming back, but after 4am had come, I crawled dejectedly to my bed.

A few tears later, and I dwelled reluctantly in the arms of sleep.

But now, not seeing him around, the heat in my blood from last night dissipated, and worry filled me instead.

After that night at the bonfire, I’d see Ruka hovering around, not to close, but not too far either. But now, nothing.

Malcox and Kiesha always arrived at the cafeteria before me, her loud calling would be the thing that'd lure me to them. And even that too, nothing.

“All students please head to the auditorium” The stern voice of our school director, Gylde West, rang loudly through the overhead speakers.

I shoved the last piece of my apple pie in my mouth, trashed the plastic tray and rushed out of the large building alongsides fifty to hundred other students.

The walk to the auditorium was agonizingly slow. The hallway that was usually scanty was now packed with students, most having the same presence as Kaelan– dangerous and immovable.

The auditorium was a large room with bright red curtains that reached the ceilings, and overhead speakers, demarcated by a raised stage.

Usually, the room would be outlined with chairs, but now all a thousand of those chairs were stacked at the corner.

I had never been in here since freshers’ week, and that was when they told us we'd get pregnant from just looking at a guy. We had Mrs. Dexton to thank for that misleading information.

Hushed and rowdy whispers filled the room immediately the shuffling of feet ended. The creaking and dragging sound of the door closing silenced everyone.

“Now, all of you are gathered” Mr. West spoke through the wireless microphone and immediately, with almost a rehearsed slide of the foot, the whole room divided in two.

I stood still, as I stood in the open hallway, in the middle of both groups, staring directly at my director who seemed to drain of blood.

“Miss Dale, please join your group” I looked on my left and right, wondering what ‘group’ he was talking about.

I motioned to my left, but the heightened whispers made me halt. My skin crawled with an eerie feeling as different set of eyes stared at me.

“Wrong group!” A shiver ran through my skin as the steel voice sounded off the speakers, as I took one more step. I raised my head to look at the man beside Mr. West, and my blood ran cold.

Even from miles away, I had the chills. From just looking at him, my skin shivered and I felt a cold trail of sweat run down my spine.

His presence was formidable. Worst than Kaelan's, and Ian's.

“Yessir” I squeaked inaudibly, and gravitated to the right. The room was in a tense silence, as the microphone ran static.

“So, now that we've gotten that out of the way, we've come with an announcement. Now, let's call the assistant director to the stage. A round of applause for Rycan Martian”

A loud howl and haphazard round of applause sounded off the perforated walls of the auditorium.

I stared around, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Seemed the ice man was famous.

“That's okay, students” He flashed a smile. I gawked at the bright smiling who looked different from the man with a rock hard expression from minutes ago.

I would've sworn his cheekbones didn't move.

“Now, this isn't the time to celebrate. I've come bearing two news. Both sad” He paused and looked around. I did the same.

I squinted my eyes when I saw Kaelan at the end of the stairs leading to the stage. His face held a deep frown, but also a gloomy look.

Beside him stood a shivering Malcox.

“We've lost two of our students. Most of you might have known, and most mightn't. Today, I've come to announce the death of Kiesha Makns, and Ruka Lyord”

I turned my neck to face the stage, but the image was blurry, almost hazy.

Every whisper and murmuring sounded distant. I felt like I was looking at the entire room in 3D dimension.

My heart squeezed so tight, I gasped for air, as tears fell from my eyes.

I shook my head in disbelief, as my knees gave way below me, landing me to the floor on my knees.

My head fell and my sobs broke free.

Kiesha was the second best friend I had in this school, after Louisa. She showed me around school.

I laughed a little when I remembered what she said when I told her about Jalyc.

‘Get drunk and cry’

My tears flowed freely, and I began hitting my chest to subside the pain springing from within my ribcage.

It didn't help.

“...so, the school would be on a week's vacation. To mourn them rightfully, and when we resume, we'll hold a candle night procession for them. Keep them in your heart, and their families too”

I still knelt on the floor, with a tear stained face and fallen shoulders, as students began exiting the hall.

I stared on into space, as hesitant footsteps neared me. A presence knelt next to me, and pulled me into an embrace.

My lips quivered as my tears flowed afresh. I shivered in the strong arms holding me, and buried my head in his chest.

From the scent of him, I knew it wasn't Kaelan.

“If you cry like this, what do you expect me to do?” I sniffed, and looked up at Malcox. His grey eyes were now red rimmed, and dull.

The sadness in them was palpable.

“How did she die? She wasn't–” I swallowed to ease my throat that strained against its dry self. “She wasn't sick, Malcox. We planned a trip together, a girls trip and she didn't sound dying or…”

He embraced me again, hushing me. His fingers ran through my hair, as I heard stifled sobs.

“She–” A sharp breath fell from Malcox’s lips, and I knew he was barely holding it in. “She was injured. She died”

I shook my head, and raised my gaze to meet his sad ones. “I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine what you'd be going through”

He let out a forced smile, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, “I hope you never will. You're a good person”

I let out another shuddered breath. Malcox cold hands held my face and brought my forehead to his lips, where he placed a small kiss right at the top of my head.

It almost felt like he was praying that it'd never be me.

He joined our foreheads together and held my hands tightly. “She loved you. I, sometimes, laugh at how she'd rant on and on about how you drive her crazy with Jalyc’s complaints”

We both let out a bitter laugh, and looked at each other once more.

“I hope you heal, Malcox”

“Me too, Viella”