The Afterlife Academy Saga

Chapter 29

29

Now that the forest wasn’t safe anymore, I didn’t have many options of where to go. There were only so many empty classrooms in the Academy and I could only go without eating for so long.

Hunger drove me to the dining hall and I prepared myself for the torture. Most students had already forgotten everything and left me alone, as long a I kept my head down. But there was no escaping from Ryoko’s hurt eyes or Flavia’s accusing glare. Between them and the escalating bullying from the Reapers, eating was torture.

But I didn’t have any other ways of getting food. The kitchens wouldn’t give me anything, not even when I tried to explain.

With my head down, I joined the queue for food. This way I couldn’t see who was and wasn’t here. It was better that way.

Not really caring about what I ate, I scooped some potatoes and vegetables on my plate. It didn’t matter. I just wanted to scoff it down and disappear again. Before the Reapers saw me.

With my tray in hand, I searched for an empty table. It was just unavoidable.

The head table was occupied by Flavia and her squad, who all looked like they were having a great time despite the loss of their friend.

Aellyn sat on our usual table, but no longer by herself. I recognised some of the other first-year Valkyries from class. They probably bonded over how much they disliked me.

I swerved past all the Valkyrie tables to the neutral zone. The tables here were usually always free, but for god reason. Anyone sitting here was fair game.

With a sigh, I took a seat at an empty table and looked across, to the Shinigami corner.

Ryoko sat with her usual group of Dragons. She looked me right in the eye, but there was nothing in there. No anger, no emotion, not even recognition. I just didn’t exist. That stung the most.

I had no one and I couldn’t even blame anyone else but me. This was all my fault.

“Valkyrie scum!” A female voice trumpeted in my ear.

Right on time…

A scythe slammed into the wood and the Reaper clique surrounded me on the table. It was just the girls this time, but they were the worst. Especially when egged on by Brianna.

“What are you eating?” The leader of the clique grabbed my plate and tipped it onto my lap. “Oops. I’m so clumsy.”

They all squealed in pleasure, their laughs like hyenas. There were so many things I could say back, but I was just too tired for that. It was so much easier to let them have their fun.

She jabbed her finger into my arm and pinched hard. It stung, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. They could try their hardest to hurt me, but I was protected by a layer of numbness. Nothing could penetrate through it.

“Your hair is getting really long.” Brianna brushed her greasy fingers through it. “I think you need a haircut. What do you think? Hmm?”

I shot her a bored look. Was this the worst she could come up with?

Her scythe cut through the air, barely missing my nose. “I think I’ll give you a little haircut.”

One of the other Reaper girls tapped Brianna on her shoulder. “Do you think that’s not going a bit too far? I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“Too far? Noooo.” The leader wrapped an arm around me. “I’m giving her a make-over because we’re such good friends.”

The scythe sung as she cut of a lock and teasingly waved it in front of my eyes. “Hahahaha! Look!”

If I had more energy, I’d have fought it. Her. I’d have cared. I just didn’t. What was a little hair in the grand scheme of a rotten core?

“Teacher incoming!” one of the girls hissed. The Reapers scrambled to their usual table, laughing and howling in amusement. Brianna waved the piece of my hair like she just got a trophy.

How sad.

“Ylva. Are you okay?” Brynhild appeared on the other end of the table and shot me a worried look. “I’m concerned about you.”

I drew a fake-smile to my lips. “I’m fine.”

“I don’t think so. I’ve written to your mother and suggested a temporary break. Maybe you can take your exams a bit later?”

“I wouldn’t count on it. Mamma won’t allow it.”

“Mmmm… I hope she’ll think about it. You need help.”

“I’m fine,” I said again. It had become my catch phrase. If I said it enough, I might trick myself into believing it.

“Hmmm… Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No, Professor.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it… But I want to help.”

I gave her an annoyed look. “I think you’ve done quite enough.”

If she hadn’t forbidden me from telling others, I might’ve told Flavia. Things might’ve turned out different. Might. There was no real way of knowing. Even so, I didn’t need her help, or anyone else, for that matter. I was beyond help.