Ch. 4

   Of course my wish was not granted and I woke up from my past that still left me shaking and having a cold sweat. Which was exactly what I deserved. It’s been this way for 3 years now. My nightmares were reminders of the unforgivable things that I have done, and even if it left me all shaken up I felt like I dissevered it and so much more pain. Like usual I had to run to the bathroom and puke my brains out. As I clung to the toilet seat panting I couldn’t help but notice that there was a wall that was basically a large mirror right in front of me. Perfect just what I wanted to see, my pale gaunt body. Truthfully how skinny I was even disgusted me and I had to turn away from of the sight of me in the mirror, because it was just pitiful the way I looked. Feeling more disgusted now I faced the toilet for round two. I even got a surprise blood. Grabbing a tissue from the counter I started to cough up blood. Unfortunately I looked back at the mirror to see that my tattoo on my back was slowly fading away, not a good sign. It was one of the things I kept. Secret from even Reina. A 3 year old vamp was supposed to be healthy, and their tattoo which was a symbol of them surviving the change should not be fading away. Which is why I’ve kept my morning “Routine” hidden. Suffering alone I could handle, it’s what I’ve been doing for awhile now, it’s having people suffer for me that I just couldn’t bare. Looking at the time I couldn’t help but curse. I had a mere 30 minutes to get ready and unless I sprint it takes 15 just to get to my first class. After cleaning the bathroom taking one of the shortest showers of my live, and brushing the living daylights out of my teeth to get the smell of blood off, considering walking around with the smell of blood in a vampire school isn’t the smartest idea, I was finally ready to roll. Looking at my schedule I was pleased to find out I had history first period, it was for me the my favorite subject.

Thinking it was going to be easy to find the room was a different story. Everyone was doing their own thing and when I asked them where it was one look at my uniform and they had me looking for hallways that didn’t exist, or the nice ones simply walked away saying

“Look for it yourself freak.” aren’t people kind these days? I think not. I was annoyed as hell until I realized I was next to the office, and I seriously questioned is everyone here a b***h? Even the secretary who took one long look at my uniform and the “best” she claimed she could do was tell me that my class wasn’t even in this building but the one next door. So I ended up running like a mad women just to crash into a guy. As we collided into each other I felt a sharp pinch go across my face. I looked up to see just who the hell I collided into, and it couldn’t get better. Why when my day gets worse must I always confront a stupid hunter. The guy like all the hunters were tall, it makes you wonder if they have something against short people or if its just a requirement. His hair looked exactly like the color of sand, and his eyes like Shige’s were shielded from the world with glasses. Yet you could clearly tell they were a hazel color. As he adjusted his glasses he said.

“God I’m sorry!”, and” S**t I’m late!” well this was amusing was he bipolar? He quickly collected the items that had fallen out of his bag. What caught my attention the most though was his computer. It was an expensive model like mine and it proved to be very useful when it came to hacking. Keeping my thoughts to myself as my suspicion rose, out of desperation I asked him where on earth was my stupid social studies class was. He paused briefly thinking of an answer.

“I’m pretty sure your looking for the Zero building which as luck would have it is this one.” he says pointing to the two story brick building behind him.

“Thanks!” and I truly meant it. With one more quick apology he had dashed off leaving me to fend for myself in the long hallways. Finally I managed to find it. The room was flooded with skylights giving us a breathtaking view of the stars and constellations.

“Glad you could join us.” a warm voice spoke. ”I presume that you would be our new student Abel?”, I looked around the room dread slowly creeping up. While the class was noticeably small I didn’t exactly feel great at having 12 pairs of eyes glued at me. Correction 13 pairs, with the 13^th actually being covered by a mask, as he silently was turned my way in a dark corner. I then turned to see the teacher. He was talll and definitely on the very thin side bordering unhealthy, but like I was one to talk about weight. His long platinum blond hair was tied back tightly in a ponytail only leaving his extremely long side bangs to border his face. Along with having creamy caramel colored eyes, overall all he had a kind face. One that I knew actually displayed genuine kindness.

‘Hmmmmm, I suppose you could sit behind Tanya.” he said while show casing a big warm grin. He really reminded me of Black Jack in that sense. He then had Tanya a very tall girl raise her hand, and I quietly sat next to her. Now being able to take in all her features the girl was truly gorgeous. Besides having at least a foot on me her thick flawless dark brown hair reached her waist and she had the darkest brown eyes that almost looked black. I guess she caught me looking because I received a big glare on her part.

“Ok class, for Abel’s sake I should probably introduce myself. I’m Professor Drake, but of course you can call me Drake, and I’ll be talking to you about midterms that will be taking place tomorrow.” he said with a smile. Wait what? Now I was confused , and it took all day until I finally figured out just what the “Midterms” actually were.

Most of my classes were actually good. I soon found out that all of the Below Zero dorm members were the ones in my classes so we had a variety when it came to age. Not to mention our classes were completely separated from the rest of the school. After going through a “wonderful” sparing match in my Kendo class that left me panting, though I made sure no one saw, and having almost fallen asleep in English and math which were just not my strong point, I managed to make it through the day with only two classes to bare. First was equestrian studies, which had us learning how to maintain horse , but on the side we got to feed and chases other farm animals too. Last was my environmental class where the teacher took us into the woods to further learn about our midterm.

“Alright class.”, Mr., Burst, our 5’9 fiery haired environmental teacher spoke while pacing in front of our small group along with Mr. Mask who was like always standing in a corner. Kaname, would you like to join us from that overly dark corner that you seem to be hiding in? I believe that this discussion involves you just as much as everyone else. Mr. Mask, then stepped out of the shadows. I didn’t have to see his cat mask covered face to know he was annoyed.

“The rules are as followed, grades 10 through the second year of collage students will be mixed and placed into teams. All of you.” he than paused as he looked around, I briefly caught a glimpse of worry. Obviously not the greatest sign. “ Will enter Rune Labyrinth, in the assigned teams/” everyone broke out into silent whispers and worried grins, that is everyone except except Tanya and Mr. Mask a.k.a Kaname , who seem to instead give a quick laugh. Shocker there. Drake then continued as everyone quieted to here what he was about to say next. “ As some of you may know this test is only chosen once every 25 years, because it is the most dangerous. I will not lie it is in there where you will face unimaginable challenges that could end your life. Vampires have died in this place, in the process of facing their worst possible fears. Yu as well as your team mates who ever they will be will have to learn to trust and rely on each other. Secrets are your enemy here, group separation you wan to avoid, and to those stupid selfish people out there because I know there are some of you out there, I suggest you clean up your act because you attitude could be your downfall.” Everything else will be explained tomorrow.” his serious face then turned into a gently smile.” I wish you all the best of luck.” ,and with that said class was dismissed.

Instead of going t=directly to the dorm, I took a detour. Drake’s announcement had me thinking of exactly what I was supposed to do. It was hilarious how on my 5^th day at a new school I was already going to be thrown into a situation where I had my worthless life on the line.

“Just like old times.” I muttered to myself ironically. I truly questioned why the past I wanted so much to forget, but couldn’t would never stop coming back to bite me in the butt. While walking on a dirt path I realized that Tanya was but 15 feet away from me. To my surprise I could feel a sad vibe coming from her. She was all alone under what appeared to be a cherry blossom tree. I studied to tree for an instant that it still let out a flowery smell, despite it not having petals and being covered with a thin layer of ice. I then studied Tanya to see what she was doing hugging the tree. Suddenly tears stated o form in her eyes leaving me dumbstruck there. Unfortunately she caught me peeping, I mean I wasn’t exactly thinking when I was staring at her on a open path that was covered with about an inch of powdery snow. Tanya vigorously wiped the tears in her eyes and then glared. Considering I never learn I walked up to her instead of running.

“Are you ok.” I said taking out a tissue from a small plastic packet. As I went to hand it to her she slapped it out on my hand. I watched as the tissue gently floated down until it landed camouflaging with the slow.

I looked up to find Tanya’s face twisted in anger, but her eyes still displayed sorrow.

“What the hell do you think your doing.?” he voice shook as she spoke, and her dark, tanned skin, flushed red.

“Sorry thought you could use a tissue is all, but I suppose I should have minded my own business. By the way can I ask by were you crying?”

“Didn’t you just say you should mind you own business? Just leave me a, one and get the hell out of my sight.” she shouted. I nodded and walked away, well I guess you could consider it more of power walking. I noticed I was close to Reina’s dorm so I thought I’d pay a surprise visit. Walking into the ginormous place I couldn’t help but gawk like some peasant. I mean hey I came from a normal middle class family in a rural area, so when putting a country bumpkin like me into a dorm where there’s gold chandeliers and the curtains, table’s and even the furniture are the finest could you blame from gawking. While looking for Reina’s room I encountered some upper classmen, so I decided to ask for some directions, bad mistake.

One look at my uniform and they all glared.

“What do you think your doing here?” I hated I she emphasized the you in such a nasty manner.

“Yeah psycho trash like you don’t belong here.” the other one sneered.

“Sorry Barbie wanna be I was just looking for my friend who dorms here so if you’ll excuse me.”, of course Barbie blocked my way.

‘What did you just say? Trash like you shouldn’t talk.” she said shoving me down.” Then again you shouldn’t deserve to live either.” she said laughing.

“I’m quite aware that I shouldn’t live.”, I whispered biting my lip.

“What did you say Zero?”. she then kicked me in the stomach, hard. I gave her an emotionless look. There was no point in arguing because I knew it wouldn’t get me anywhere. With a humph and a large giggle session from them they turned their backs and walked away. I quickly swiped a drop of blood that was hanging from the corner of my mouth. I finally found Reina’s room, yet no one was there to answer so I ripped a sheet of paper, and wrote her a note which I slipped under her door. I spent .no time enjoying the scenery , I ran back to the Zero Dorm fast. And in getting to my room I collapsed on the floor panting hard. Unfortunately I had no time to relax because I felt one of my “sessions” about to start. I ran to the bathroom to puke out the remainder of today’s meal that I didn’t get to get rid of between my kendo class and environmental studies. It felt good to get it all out of my system. Somehow I felt like at the same time I was getting rid of all the bad that had happened and that me comforted, even as I started to cough up blood. I know I had problems and if the rumors were true , well hey this might be why I’m at the Zero dorm in the first place because there was no way they could have figured anything else from my past that I kept hidden within the depths of my mind. Somehow though the bathroom became my heaven as weird as it sounds and it seems my heaven had just been found out as I turn to she Kaname staring at me from his doorway. There was nothing I could read off of him because there was absolutely nothing to read. The only thing besides that though was that I had been found out, caught, by the one person that I didn’t want to find out. I quickly dumped the handful of bloody tissues into the toilet and flushed it along with my dinner. I stood up quickly, at first I was wobbly, but at last I managed to stand up right or so I thought until I tripped over a stupid roll of toilet paper bringing Kaname onto the floor with me. My head crashed into his.

“What the Hell.” he growled. He then rubbed his mask. And sat upright. All I could do was shout,

“Sorry Mr. Mask” he then tilted his head to the side , and I blabbered,

“I’m so sorry Mr. Mask!”, oh god I feel stupid. I could feel my cheeks burn bright red. Of all the things to say I had to say that.

“Mr. what?” he asked angrily. I tilted my head down to hide my face.

“ Sorry didn’t know what to call you so I though since you always wore a mask, I’d call you mister mask.”, it felt like the time would drag on and on as I waited a response . But I could suddenly feel an amused ibe coming from him and I looked up as he got up I quickly grabbed his wrist.

“Please don’t tell anyone about this I’m begging you.” there was another long pause until he grabbed a sponge from under the sink and filled up a bucket of soapy water.

“Help me clean this mess up. And afterwards take a bath you reek.”, he said. Then suddenly,” And call me Kaname.” ,and that was all he said.

“Thanks” I then took the sponge and started to clean my mess. He grunted as an answer and went back to work. I was truly surprised at is behavior but at the same time grateful to Mr., Mas- I mean Kaname ( This was going to get some getting used to.), he asked no questions, while we worked together , which made me relieved, and while I worked alongside him silently, for the first time in 3 years I felt both somewhat happy and…..calm. Of course there was always tomorrow to ruin a good mood, because honestly who likes tests? And with the one I’m about to face things were only about to get worse.