Chapter 2
He peeled off the heavy, dark coat, revealing a lean, almost wiry frame beneath. The tinted goggles, however, remained stubbornly in place, obscuring his eyes, yet I felt their weight, an intense scrutiny that made the hairs on my arms prickle. He moved to the desk beside mine, the silence around him a thick, almost tangible thing. Midora, seated directly behind me, tapped my shoulder with surprising force, her nails digging in slightly. "Did Andra see him?" she whispered, her voice a low, conspiratorial rumble. "If she did, she's probably calculating the fastest route to his bank account."
I stifled a nervous giggle. "Probably."
Ring, ring. The bell's shrill tone sliced through the air.
"Lunchtime," Midora announced, pushing back her chair. "Deli down the street, or are you sticking with the cafeteria today?"
"Cafeteria," I replied, a hint of stubbornness in my voice.
"Suit yourself," she said, shaking her head with mock pity. "Don't come crying to me when you're doubled over with food poisoning."
As Midora disappeared, I turned to the new student. "Hi," I said, extending my hand. "I'm Mio Perry. I hope we get along."
He simply stared at me, the black lenses reflecting the fluorescent lights above. Then, he rose, his movements fluid and almost predatory. "Where do they sell meat?" His voice was low, almost a growl, a sound that resonated deep within my chest.
"They're serving…mystery meat in the cafeteria," I said, suppressing a grimace. "I'm heading there now. I can show you."
"Okay."
The cafeteria was a chaotic symphony of clattering trays and chattering voices. Andra, perched precariously on the edge of the math teacher's desk, her posture deliberately provocative, spotted David. Her eyes lit up, a predatory gleam in their depths, and she launched herself towards us, her movements exaggerated, her chest thrust forward, her skirt riding dangerously high.
"Hello," she purred, her voice dripping with practiced charm. "I'm Andra. We're in the same class. I'd love to show you around." She brushed past me, her shoulder intentionally bumping mine, a clear display of dominance.
I ignored her and headed for the counter, the cloying scent of greasy fries filling my nostrils. While I waited, I watched Andra work her magic. She talked incessantly, her voice a high-pitched drone, her hands fluttering like trapped butterflies. David stood impassively, his gaze fixed somewhere over her shoulder, his expression unreadable. After ten minutes of Andra's relentless monologue, he turned and walked towards me, his movements deliberate.
"I would like some meat," he stated, his voice flat.
I ordered two plates of the "mystery meat" from the lunch lady, who gave us a knowing, almost pitying look. We found an empty table in the corner and began to eat. Andra, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and humiliation, watched us from across the room, her eyes narrowed. It was the first time a guy had ever walked away from her, and she was clearly not taking it well. I had to bite my lip to keep from bursting into laughter.
She couldn't let it go. With a determined stride, her heels clicking sharply against the tile floor, she marched over and plopped down beside David, her smile strained, her eyes flashing. She began to talk again, her voice a desperate attempt to regain control, her words a frantic stream of self-promotion.
Later, as the last rays of the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, I walked home, the air crisp and cool. A dark shape darted from the trees, a dog, I thought, but it moved with an unnatural swiftness, its limbs blurring, and a trail of blood stained the asphalt, a dark, glistening ribbon. Curiosity gnawed at me, a primal urge to investigate. I ventured into the thick undergrowth, the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filling my nostrils, following the crimson trail.
The forest was eerily silent, the air heavy and still, the only sound the rustle of leaves beneath my feet. A low growl echoed through the trees, a guttural sound that sent a shiver down my spine, a primal warning. I followed the blood deeper into the forest, the trees growing denser, the shadows lengthening, then suddenly I heard a much louder growl behind me, a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through the ground. I turned slowly, my heart pounding against my ribs, my breath catching in my throat…
To be continued