The first place Catherine and Miller decided to check was the School Garden. They both knew Emily liked that place a lot.
Miller felt awkward. He wasn't a bit comfortable moving with Catherine. His eyes and her's would meet from time to time. Yet they didn't speak to each other and there was an awkward silence.
As they approached the garden, Miller could feel the tension between them growing thicker with every step. He didn't know what to say to break the silence, and he didn't want to be the first to speak. The air felt heavy and charged, as if something were about to happen.
Finally, Catherine turned to face him, and he saw that her eyes were filled with curiosity.
"What's it like?" she asked. "Being different from the rest of us?"
Miller swallowed hard. He knew what she was asking about. He pretended like he didn't hear her trying to evade the question.
'He is really different from humans; that's why he doesn't want to answer me.' Catherine thought.
Miller pretended not to hear Catherine's question, turning his gaze to the other students. But he could feel her eyes on him, probing, waiting for an answer.
The school garden was alive with activity. Students laughed and played, oblivious to the tension between Miller and Catherine. They saw couples walking hand in hand, and groups of friends lounging on the grass. The warm sunshine and the sound of birdsong made the garden seem like a peaceful oasis, but Miller couldn't relax. He knew that Catherine would not let the matter drop.
[HP: -500]
[HP: 2,820/256,000]
Those words popped on Miller's retina with a very dark red colour indicating that his Killer Mode was getting nearer and nearer and he has to make a Kill very soon.
'Why does it have to be like this?' Miller thought, his frustration growing. 'I don't want to kill anyone, I just want to be a normal student. But I can't even control my own body, let alone my future. It's all out of my hands. I feel so powerless.'
His gaze fell to the ground, his thoughts in turmoil. He had never felt so hopeless and helpless before.
Catherine noticed the change in Miller's demeanor, and her brow furrowed with concern. She could see the despair in his eyes, and she wondered what was going on in his head. What could possibly be troubling him to make him feel this way?
They had examined every part of the garden and then decided to head to the classrooms.
DING!
A message had entered both of their Watch. It was from Lillian and Watson, informing the two that they couldn't find Emily and now it was left to them to continue the search.
"So i guess it's now left for the both of us to continue then." Catherine said.
"I guess so," Miller replied, his tone heavy. "But I don't know where to look. We've already checked the most likely places, and we've come up empty. I'm starting to lose hope."
Catherine placed a hand on Miller's shoulder. "Don't give up yet. We'll keep looking until we find her. I know it's difficult, but we can't give up. We have to try."
Miller took a deep breath, trying to quell the panic rising inside him. He nodded at Catherine, trying to summon a measure of hope.
After those words Catherine came with a bombing question that Miller wasn't ready for.
"How did you know my real surname was Nightshade." She said. "Are you one of them." She said those last words with her right eyebrow raised a little.
"No....I am not what you think....I am not a Dhampir like you....." Miller couldn't complete his sentence.
THUD!
Miller was now on the floor, Catherine was on top of him. The finger on her index finger had increased and was now sharp and was directly pointed at Miller's neck.
"How did you know who i am."
"Did they send you here."
"Are you a spy." Catherine asked these three questions instantly and her claws were increasing in terms of length and were getting sharper and it was almost going to pierce Miller's neck. If she doesn't stop it from growing, it would pierce in a matter of second.
"What?!" Miller exclaimed in disbelief. "I'm not a spy! I don't even know what you're talking about. Please, you have to believe me. I'm just a student here, just like you."
He could feel the sweat beading on his forehead as he looked up at Catherine, pleading with her to believe him. He didn't want to be seen as a threat, he just wanted to be left alone. But he could see the doubt in her eyes, and he knew that it would be hard to convince her otherwise.
Catherine then got off Miller's body. Miller stood up instantly. "It seems like you don't want me here." He said and was about to leave.
WHOOSH!
Catherine was now in front of him. She used the super speed, she had as a Dhampir. She was even way faster than Miller and what he could presume. It was like a blur. If they both get in combat. Miller was clearly going to lose.
"Let me guess." Catherine said, her face still looking serious. "Did you find out that day in the Library."
Miller remembered what she did to him in the library and instantly he clenched his fists.
"Hey, Cowboy. Humans are here. We don't want to create a scene." She said to Miller.
Miller looked at all corner truly people where looking at them. Catherine didn't want people to think otherwise that a fight would soon break out or draw their attention. She immediately gave Miller a hug. Miller for an unknown reason felt his body relaxed a bit.
She then Whispered into Miller's ears. "I know what you are. I'm not going to hurt you."
"But if you try anything funny or tell the others that i am a Dhampir." Catherine Whispered again said each words slowly so that Miller could feel it's weight. "I would kill you."
*******
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