From today on, you will address me as "you" (formal form of address). And if you don't come to dinner tonight at this address, consider yourself one foot in the grave. Is there something unclear to you in what I just said?
I understood everything... - Foris almost cried, looking at the piece of paper with the address written on it.
Great. - the brunette said satisfactorily and turned around.
Suddenly, the brunette covered my eyes. I shivered and was surprised, but I didn't resist or try to fight it. From the side, it looked quite different.
It's better not to look now. She's using the Gaze of Mortals. - the boy said. After a couple of seconds, something loudly landed and Grace withdrew her hand. I saw Luke and all my classmates lying on the floor. They were all asleep... as if. My mouth fell open. What's happening to them? What if they're not really asleep? What if... they're dead?
Don't worry, they just fell asleep. - Mort said, watching my reaction. - Although it's not clear yet.
I turned around abruptly and looked at the brunette.
What do you mean? - I asked.
The Gaze of Mortals affects everyone differently. The initial impressions can be painful. This includes headaches, limb paralysis, it can even create phobias. You won't be able to look people in the eyes or you'll fear the color red. It can induce illness. But that rarely happens. The Gaze of Mortals this time wasn't strong, you didn't fall asleep or anything. - Grace explained with a knowledgeable tone. - Besides, you didn't fall asleep.
You covered my eyes! - I reminded him.
That might not have helped. - the brunette giggled. He just approached one of my classmates and nodded. - Look. - I came closer and recognized Josephine. Her hands were trembling severely, and they turned pale. I was horrified.
What's wrong with her? - the redhead's legs were twitching and shaking.
If we don't wake her up right now, she'll bid farewell to her hands. - Mort shrugged, his face was calm, unlike mine. I rushed to the girl and started shaking her, trying to wake her up. - That won't help.
I almost choked with despair. I started moving from one person to another. And each had their own consequences.
We need to do something! - I panicked.
Grace, don't torture him. - a cold voice lazily sounded, a voice I had already remembered.
Suddenly, Grace said something in an incomprehensible language, similar to a snake's hissing. I had only seen something like that in movies.
It will take effect now. - he said contentedly. I approached Josephine and saw her face turning red. I sighed with relief.
Did you really kill his friend? - I asked the mafia girl sitting with her arms crossed. She rolled her eyes and mumbled something.
The situation was tense, and my mind was racing. What had I gotten myself into? The power and strangeness of the events unfolding around me were overwhelming. I looked around at my classmates, still asleep or in some kind of trance, and felt a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Nah, I don't think so," her brother replied. "She didn't leave the house yesterday. She's probably tied up somewhere, and that's it. Unless he was unfortunate enough for Deimy to spill the beans to her friends."
"You're right," the brunette agreed. "Tino wanted to blow off some steam, have a little fun after a tough day. This was just a good opportunity."
"And where did they dispose of the body?" Mort inquired, intrigued.
"At home," his sister answered slyly.
"What?!" I exclaimed.
And then everyone started waking up.
"Why am I on the floor?" Karen gasped. "Oh God! My skirt!"
"Feels like I've slept a century ahead," Charlie yawned and stretched with a satisfying crack.
"Same here," Lisa grinned at her brother.
"How are your hands?" I asked the redhead cautiously.
"Oh, you know, it was like they went all tingly, then they hurt so bad I thought they might fall off or something horrible was about to happen. But now they're fine," she chirped.
The lesson began, and Forsyth was glaring at me angrily, while Grace occasionally turned towards me to borrow something.
"Julian, do you have an grey pencil?" he asked, turning to me once more. The brunette gazed at the ring the brunette had given me in the morning. "Who gave you this?"
I nodded towards the mafia girl and saw how surprised Grace was.
"Are you... kidding?" he asked, taking the pencil.
"No, she didn't want to wear it, so she gave it to me. Said it matched my charm."
"A charm, huh?" the guy chuckled and turned back. I was taken aback by such a response. Did I say something wrong? Or was it the tone? Although after the pencil tricks, he smiled again.
Throughout the lesson, we were writing, and my hand was starting to ache, while Mort's pen ran out of ink. Finally, it was over. I let out a relieved sigh and pushed the pen away from me. My hands were stained with ink, and blisters had formed on my middle and index fingers, red and tender.
"So, are we going to the cafeteria?" the brunette slapped my shoulder. Just the mention of the word "cafeteria" sent shivers down my spine. Anything but that dreaded place, please.
"Maybe we could go somewhere else instead?" I suggested. Anything but that cursed place, please.
"Oh, come on, I'm starving, let's go," Grace grabbed my arm. The last thing I saw before leaving the classroom was the inquisitive gaze of the mafia girl fixed on me.
We descended the stairs, passing by the large clock whose ticking I used to enjoy so much. Other students' eyes turned towards Mort and me. As soon as they saw the mafia boss's son, they hushed or chatted excitedly. Girls pulled out their phones and snapped pictures. I have to admit, I wasn't used to this kind of attention. Nor to this many compliments and gazes.
"Come on, relax, why are you so uptight? I'm introducing you to the world of the rich," Grace cheerfully winked at me. I was slowly getting used to it. We entered the enormous cafeteria. The aroma in there was delightful.
"Did your mouth water too?" the guy laughed. "Don't we need to try something here?"
I just nodded, but my excitement vanished as soon as I saw the predatory glances of students and Luke's friends who were already here and probably knew everything.
"Let's go," I pulled the brunette to the first table with food.
"M-m-m, chicken wings, bacon, oh God, is that pigs in a blanket? I want it all!" he eagerly exclaimed. I laughed and replied,
"You won't be able to finish all of it." As we strolled through the cafeteria, examining the food and picking what we wanted, I discreetly dodged the resentful looks from the basketball players and other students. This was a bad idea to come here.
"And doughnuts for the finale," Mort added finally and approached an empty table with two chairs. I sat down across from him. - "I'm as hungry as a wolf, honestly," he started devouring his burger with fries and I followed suit.
Indeed, the food here was incredibly delicious. I would come here every day if it weren't for my tormentors. During lunch, Grace kept talking, either about the "idiotic device" that exploded at his house or about the windows he'd like to jump out of. I laughed and recalled some similar moments.
Suddenly, a guy with black sunglasses approached us. Mort immediately tensed, and I read the phrase he wanted to say on his lips. It wasn't too polite, but that didn't matter at the moment.