I shot up, smacking my head on the brick above me.
"Why did I let you choose where we slept again?!" Jamie didn't respond. 'I swear to God if she's pretending to sleep again...' I tapped her shoulder. She made no noises. "Alright, get up. I know you're awake."
"How'd you figure it out this time Sherlock?"
"Your shoulder twitched. Not to mention, when I tapped you, your breathing stopped for a second." She stretched, and put on the jacket she was using as a cushion, "So you're sure you were told a mile out of town?" I nodded, "West, if I remember correctly."
"Well yeah, if we were to go a mile east out of town we'd be in the ocean." I glared at her, and began walking toward the downtown area.
Eaststeel City, a town on the edge of the United States, in a bi-state area between New York and Pennsylvania. Average summer temperature of 86º F, and humidity of 64%. A population of
approximately 60,000 by the end of 2017, but it's estimated to be closer to 61,000 by the end of this year. The most popular reasons for being here are it's odd draw to the supernatural, the absolute unit of a shopping district downtown, the Topaz Mining Company Headquarters, and the reason Jamie and I are going out of the city, Trost Academy, a school for the Paranormally gifted. We both had received acceptance letters, without filling out any applications or having an address to mail the letters to, around a month ago, and decided we would try. What's the worst that could happen?
I pulled out my letter,
"Mr. Walker,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Trost Academy for the Unusual and Paranormally Gifted. We have been observing you, and are astounded by your potential, as you have only managed to tap the surface of your abilities. We wish to see you on August 27th, when orientation and registry will begin.
Signed,
Professor Chasan."
About the part where it talks about my abilities. I forgot to mention, I'm a devil. Well, that's what I call it at least. Jamie prefers to call my a demon, and if she's feeling like being an asshole, El Diablo. She's an Angel. Not like, in the grandparent, 'Oh, she's just a little Angel. Such a sweetheart.' kind of Angel, like, an actual Angel, wings and all. Well, I guess she doesn't have a Halo or anything like that, kind of like how I don't have horns or a tail.
"Bill." I looked behind me, "What?" Jamie picked up a wallet from the ground, "Are we going to do the right thing or the smart thing?"
"Depends. I'd say the right thing seeing that I could've gotten a concussion an hour ago because of your choice of sleeping arrangements."
"Well sorry, I like under the bridge. It's like I have a room again." I sighed, "Just, take what you think we'll need. I don't want any trouble with the police." She lowered her face, "Fine." She took some money from the wallet, and we continued on our way. This was the norm for us, due to the fact the city has no orphanage, despite having a multi-national mining company and funding from two states, we have to steal to survive.
After around three hours of scavenging and walking, we managed to reach the school. The gates had an inscription arching over it, '3 billion dead. 2 million missing. 50 billion injured. Never Again.'
"Well, that's ominous." I looked around some more. There looked to be hundreds of buildings scattered around the campus, it was almost like it's own city. Noticeably, there was a clock tower looking to be around 50 meters tall, a stadium that would put any NFL complex to shame, and a statue of an Angelic being with the words 'Murderer' inscribed on the base.
"What is with this school and it's ominous messages?" Jamie looked at me, "You mean those scribbles?"
"No, it's writing," I traced my finger over it, "Murderer." She sighed, "I knew you shouldn't have gotten that 'free sample pizza'. Probably had acid in it or something."
"I-" I bumped into someone. "Oh! Sorry. I'll get out of your way." She picked up her books, and walked off. Jamie watched her until she walked off, "What was that about?" I shrugged, "Whatever. We'd best get to Orientation before it's too late." Jamie nodded in agreement, and we left.