Born Between Two Worlds

Who's There

Chapter Four

By the time sports was over, I was exhausted.

My legs felt heavier than they had that morning, and I was beginning to understand why Nina had laughed when I said I didn't know we had sports.

"You survived," Nina said as we walked back toward the classroom.

"Barely."

She laughed.

Adrian walked beside us, looking far less tired than either of us.

"You're exaggerating."

I looked at him.

"You weren't the one getting hit by dodgeballs."

"I dodged most of them."

"Exactly. Most."

Nina laughed again.

"She's right."

Adrian shook his head.

"You two are impossible."

I smiled.

Despite everything that had happened earlier, I was beginning to feel more comfortable around them.

When we reached the classroom, everyone took their seats.

A few minutes later, another teacher walked in.

She placed several books on the desk and turned toward us.

"Good afternoon, class."

"Good afternoon, ma."

She smiled.

"Today, we're going to discuss something important."

I sat up slightly.

"Supernatural abilities."

My attention immediately sharpened.

The teacher walked toward the board.

"Every supernatural species has characteristics and abilities that make them different from one another. However, abilities can also vary from individual to individual."

She wrote two words on the board.

VAMPIRES.

WEREWOLVES.

I stared at them.

For some reason, seeing the two words written side by side made me feel strangely curious.

The teacher began with werewolves.

"Werewolves possess enhanced physical strength, speed, hearing, smell, reflexes, and endurance. Their bodies are naturally stronger than those of ordinary humans."

She paused.

"Some werewolves also possess specialized abilities. These can include healing, heightened senses, enhanced strength, exceptional tracking abilities, and in rare bloodlines, other unique gifts."

I immediately thought about the boy from sports.

The healing wolf.

The teacher continued.

"Most werewolves also possess a wolf form, which allows them to become significantly stronger and faster."

I listened carefully.

Then she moved toward the other side of the board.

"Vampires are different."

I sat a little straighter.

"Vampires are naturally fast and physically powerful. They have enhanced senses, allowing them to hear and see things humans cannot. Their reflexes are also considerably faster."

I looked down at my hands.

Some of those things sounded strangely familiar.

The teacher continued.

"Vampires also possess rapid healing abilities. Depending on their bloodline, some may have additional abilities such as heightened mental influence, extraordinary speed, heightened perception, or other inherited gifts."

Nina leaned slightly toward me.

I whispered, "What's mental influence?"

She whispered back, "Some vampires can influence another person's mind. Not everyone can do it."

I nodded and turned my attention back to the teacher.

"Another major difference," the teacher continued, "is that vampires do not possess a wolf form."

A few students laughed quietly.

The teacher gave them a warning look before continuing.

"Werewolves draw much of their supernatural strength from their wolf nature and pack connection. Vampires, on the other hand, rely on their vampiric bloodline."

I found myself listening more carefully than I expected.

For some reason, the lesson felt personal.

Maybe because I was a vampire.

At least, that was what I had always believed.

I had never questioned it.

My mother was a vampire, and so was I.

Simple.

The teacher went on to explain that some abilities could be inherited through powerful bloodlines.

"Not every vampire will possess every ability," she said. "Likewise, not every werewolf will possess the same specialized gifts. Bloodline, ancestry, and individual development can all influence supernatural abilities."

I glanced at Nina.

"So everyone is different?"

She nodded.

"Pretty much."

The teacher closed her book.

"Remember that supernatural abilities are not something to use carelessly. Strength without discipline can become dangerous."

The bell rang before she could continue.

Everyone immediately began packing their things.

I smiled.

School was finally over.

I didn't realize how tired I was until I stood up.

Nina stretched her arms.

"Finally."

Adrian picked up his bag.

"You're acting like you worked harder than everyone else."

"I did."

"You played dodgeball."

"And?"

He laughed.

We left the classroom together.

The hallway was much quieter now.

Most students were already heading toward the school gate, while others stopped by their lockers.

I looked around.

"Wait."

Nina stopped.

"What?"

"My locker."

She stared at me.

"You don't know where your locker is?"

I shook my head.

"I haven't even seen it."

Adrian laughed.

"How did you survive the entire day?"

"Very carefully."

Nina shook her head and pulled out a small paper from her bag.

"Here. What's your locker number?"

I checked.

"Twenty-seven."

She looked down the hallway.

"It's over there."

We walked toward it.

As I opened the locker, Nina started talking about the lesson.

"I still think werewolf healing is one of the coolest abilities."

Adrian nodded.

"It is useful."

I turned toward him.

"Do you have a special ability?"

He shrugged.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

Nina laughed.

"He's not telling you."

"Why?"

"Because Adrian likes acting mysterious."

Adrian rolled his eyes.

"I don't."

"You do."

I smiled.

"Okay, now I'm curious."

"You'll find out eventually."

I closed my locker.

"Fine."

We continued walking down the hallway.

Then I heard footsteps behind us.

I turned.

Valeria was walking past with Bianca and Tessa.

She glanced at me.

Her lips curved into a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"You really made yourself comfortable quickly."

I stopped.

Nina's expression immediately changed.

Valeria continued walking.

Then she looked back.

"Let's see how long that lasts."

My stomach tightened.

It wasn't exactly a threat.

At least, not one she said openly.

But there was something about the way she'd said it that made me uncomfortable.

Tessa followed behind her quietly.

Bianca gave me one last look before they disappeared around the corner.

I turned to Nina.

"What was that supposed to mean?"

Nina sighed.

"Don't worry about it."

"Easy for you to say."

Adrian looked toward the direction they'd gone.

"Just ignore her."

I nodded, even though I wasn't sure I could.

We eventually reached the school gate.

Outside, the afternoon sun had begun to soften.

Nina turned toward the opposite direction.

"This is where I go."

Adrian nodded.

"Same."

I looked at both of them.

"See you tomorrow."

Nina smiled.

"See you."

Adrian lifted a hand.

"Tomorrow."

I watched them walk away together before turning toward my own path.

Home wasn't too far.

I had walked the route earlier that morning, so I knew where I was going.

The road was quiet.

Too quiet.

I walked for several minutes before I noticed something strange.

I stopped.

I listened.

Nothing.

I turned around.

The path behind me was empty.

I frowned.

Maybe I was imagining things.

I continued walking.

A few minutes later, I heard it again.

A faint sound.

Like a footstep.

I stopped.

My heart began beating faster.

I slowly turned around.

Nobody.

There was only the road behind me and the trees surrounding it.

I swallowed.

"Hello?"

No answer.

I stared into the trees.

Nothing moved.

I shook my head.

"Okay, Liora. You're imagining things."

I turned around and continued walking.

The path became narrower as I approached the wooded area.

The trees grew thicker around the road, blocking some of the sunlight.

I walked faster.

Then my foot caught on something.

I stumbled.

Before I could regain my balance, I fell.

"Ah!"

My hands hit the ground.

Pain shot through my knee.

I sat up and looked down.

There was a small cut on my knee.

I touched it carefully.

It hurt.

I frowned.

I'd never been this clumsy before.

Then I heard something.

A rustle.

Behind me.

I froze.

Slowly, I lifted my head.

The trees stood silently around me.

I pushed myself up.

My heart was pounding now.

I looked around.

Nothing.

But

I knew I'd heard something.

I took a step backward.

"Who's there?"

Silence.

I looked toward the trees.

Nothing moved.

I waited.

Still nothing.

My breathing became faster.

I didn't know why, but every instinct inside me was telling me to leave.

So I did.

I turned and ran.

I didn't care about the pain in my knee anymore.

I didn't look back.

I just ran toward home.

Because whatever had been following me...

I wasn't sure it had left.