The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER SEVEN

He didn't argue but let Madame Jessica lead him back to the bathroom and sat still as she washed him, washed his hair, and rinsed the soap off his body. She also picked a different towel to wipe him because the one he had used was soaked to the brim.

She wrapped a towel around his waist as he tried to dry his hair. It wasn't an easy task and she soon gave up but proceeded to wrap his dreads with the towel. "Nobody is here," she started to say. "Someone could have dried up the water for you."

His eyes widened and he turned around to look at her excitedly, "They can do that?"

She laughed at his excitement. "Yes, they can! What kind of magic do you use?" He looked down, his excitement dwindling. He had absolutely no idea what she meant.

"You don't know?" She seemed a little shocked. "Don't worry about it, you'll find out soon. I mean that's why you're here." She finished her sentence with a dry laugh that didn't sound even the least bit happy.

They finished the rest of the shower in silence, the only time they spoke again was when she asked if he could wear his clothes himself. He wanted to say yes but knew he couldn't.

She dressed him up and helped him onto the bed. "Get some rest," she muttered, ``You'll need it."

He nodded but he knew there was no way he would fall asleep. He wanted to run around but still, he just wanted to stay by himself in bed. "When you hear the bell," she started to say at the door. "It means it is time for dinner, you can come out then."

"Okay," he replied but she didn't hear him because she was already gone.

He folded himself on the bed as he hugged his knees. He bit his lower lip as he thought of his mother, the urge to cry was very strong but he didn't want to. His mother had whispered just as he was pulled from her grasp to be strong and he wanted to be so for her.

He knew she was worried and he wished he could go home but he knew he couldn't. Nevil wasn't back yet, this thought reminded him of his once best friend, and wondered if he was here. His thoughts dragged on and soon enough, he fell asleep. He didn't even realize until the dinner bell woke him up.

He jerked up to find himself surrounded by boys who looked to be around his age staring at him and his movement must have been so unexpected because one let out a shrill scream and Vernon reacted accordingly but letting out a scream of his own.

"Stop shouting!" He heard a voice say and almost immediately the noise ceased. "What's your name?" The voice asked. It was a boy with bright blue eyes.

"Vernon," he replied, folding into himself some more. This was the first time he had ever seen that amount of boys his age.

"Well, Vernon we don't have much time so you have to get out of bed so we can go for dinner. My name is Devant but you can call me Dev, I'm the leader here."

"The what?" "Who made you the leader?" Different voices rang out.

"Captain Robbin said I was the leader," Dev said but his voice didn't have as much confidence as usual.

"No, he didn't." Rang out from everyone. An argument ensued and all Vernon could do was stare at them as they argued.

He looked around and noticed a few had not joined the group that had gathered in front of him, rather they stood back staring. He looked from one person to the other and soon enough his gaze settled onto someone in the opposite corner of the room who was studying him.

He didn't need long to figure who that was. "Nevil!" He screamed jumping out of his bed, breaking up the group as he ran to Nevil.

Fear flashed on Nevil's face and it looked like he sank deeper into his bed. Vernon stopped in his tracks, noticing that Nevil wasn't showing any form of excitement.

"You know each other," Dev said, closing in.

Before anyone could reply Madame Rachel pushed open the door and yelled, "What are you doing here?"

Their reaction was instantaneous, they screamed and fled out of the room."

Vernon bowed his head and went out with the troop, following closely behind feeling a little dejected. No one paid him any mind as they rushed to the cafeteria. He got to the bright room that for some reason didn't look as bright as usual.

The boys trooped to the counter where they were each served. When it got to Vernon's turn, Florence recognized him and yelled out loudly for everyone to hear. "Vernon!"

"Hello Florence," he replied with a forced smile, bending his head and praying that no one heard.

All the boys rushed to different seats as soon as they got their meals as if each person was assigned to one, he stood for a few minutes with his tray unsure of where to seat until he heard Dev call for him. "Vernon, come sit with us."

He groggily headed in the direction. He sat at the table, not saying anything as he ate his meal. He looked up once to find Nevil staring at him, he had not even realized they were at the same table. Nevil quickly looked away and so did he.

"So where are you from?" Dev said initiating a conversation but Vernon wasn't interested.

"The same place as Nevil," he answered.

"Seriously?" Rang from all sides of the table, attention was immediately shifted to Nevil. "You guys lived together," Dev added.

Nevil barely nodded, but Vernon wasn't done, he was angry. He couldn't comprehend why Nevil was being mean to him and acting like he was a stranger when they used to be best friends.

"Neighbors, in fact, his house was directly beside mine." He added with a menacing smile.

"Really?" The crew immediately turned to Nevil while Vernon ate his meal happily, glad that the pressure was off him.