Chapter 6: The unholy transfer
941 Words
The parking lot was still buzzing an hour after the black sports car arrived.
I sat at my desk in the back of the classroom, staring at the window. Leon was gone. He was heading north toward the ruins, and I was stuck here, waiting for a monster to make his move. But the school didn't care about monsters. The school only cared about the new boy.
"Did you see the car?" Sarah whispered to the girl next to her. She didn't bother hiding her excitement. "My brother works in the lot. He said it’s a limited edition. Only five in the world. He has to be a billionaire’s son."
"He’s gorgeous," the other girl giggled. "Did you see his coat? That’s genuine cashmere. I bet he’s a transfer from that private academy in the city."
The room was full of whispers. Boys were grumbling about the car, but they were also watching the door, curious. Everyone wanted to see him. I didn't. I just wanted Leon to call. I checked my phone for the tenth time. No signal. The Academy wards were up again.
I leaned my head on my hand. I felt tired. The black lines were gone from my arm, but the cold weight was still there. I was thinking about the First Hunger. I was thinking about the ruins. I was not thinking about some rich kid with a fast car.
The bell rang. The classroom door opened, and our teacher, Professor Miller, stepped in. He looked nervous. He smoothed his tie, which he never did.
"Class, settle down," Miller said. He cleared his throat. "We have a new student joining us today. Please, be welcoming. He has traveled a long way."
The door opened wider.
Silas walked in.
He looked exactly like he did in the parking lot. He wore the black wool coat, even though it was warm inside. His hair was neat. He held a leather bag in one hand. He didn't look like a killer. He looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.
He stopped at the front of the room. He didn't look shy. He looked like he owned the building.
"Hello," Silas said. His voice was smooth. "My name is Silas. I’m looking forward to finishing my studies here."
He smiled at Professor Miller. It was a polite, calm smile. He turned to the class, scanned the room, and gave a small, friendly nod. No one was laughing. No one was whispering now. Everyone was just staring. He looked perfectly normal. He looked like every other rich transfer student we had ever had.
"Take the empty seat in the back, Silas," Professor Miller said, pointing toward the row near the windows.
Silas walked down the aisle. He didn't rush. He walked with a relaxed, easy stride. As he passed Sarah, she actually blushed and looked away. Silas didn't even notice. He just sat down in the seat next to mine.
He put his bag on the floor. He took out a notebook and a pen. He started listening to the lecture. He was just a student.
During the lunch break, the school cafeteria was chaos. Usually, people sat with their own groups. Today, it was different. Everyone was trying to get a look at the transfer student. I stayed in the back corner, eating a piece of dry toast. I didn't want to be part of the crowd.
"Hey, Silas! Over here!"
It was Tiffany, the head cheerleader. She was sitting at the center table with her friends. She was waving at him.
Silas looked up from his tray. He didn't look surprised. He just stood up, grabbed his food, and walked over to her. He sat down like he had known her his whole life.
Tiffany started talking, laughing at everything he said. Silas just sat there, nodding, playing the part. He looked like a spoiled kid who was used to getting whatever he wanted. He even cracked a joke that made the whole table laugh.
I watched him from across the room. He was so good at it. He acted like he was just a regular guy who happened to have a lot of money.
*He’s just a boy,* I told myself. *Maybe I’m just letting fear turn every stranger into a monster.*
I finished my toast and left the cafeteria without looking back. I needed to be outside. I walked toward the main hall. It was the busiest part of the school. Students were everywhere, rushing to get to their next class. I kept my head down, pushing through the crowd. I was thinking about the ruins. I was thinking about the First Hunger.
I turned the corner near the gym. It was crowded. I stepped to the side, and then I saw him.
Silas was walking toward me, heading toward the parking lot. He was surrounded by people, but he looked like he was in his own world.
We grew closer. The space between us shrank.
He didn't see me until we were right on top of each other. Our shoulders almost brushed.
The moment I passed him, the air between us snapped.
Silas took one more step.
Then he stopped.
Completely.
His breathing caught.
The lazy smile vanished from his face as if it had been wiped away.
His head tilted back, his nose catching the air. His eyes flashed crimson—a violent, burning red. For the first time since arriving at Ashthorne, something broke through the perfect mask.
Students flowed around him as though he were a stone in a river. He didn't turn around. He didn't breathe. His throat worked once.
"Elise...?"
- Writer
