Chereads / WILMER ACADEMY / Chapter 3 - The chosen one

Chapter 3 - The chosen one

The grand double doors of Wilmer Academy creaked open, revealing a tall man in a fitted charcoal suit. Principal Wilmer's kind yet imposing presence commanded attention, his warm smile a stark contrast to the cold, stately hallway behind him.

"Welcome to Wilmer Academy," he said, his voice calm yet laced with authority.

"Good day, Principal Wilmer," the group of five kids replied in unison, their voices varying in confidence as they bowed their heads slightly in respect.

Principal Wilmer's gaze swept across the group before landing on Daisy, his smile widening slightly. "Well done, Miss Willow."

His expression shifted, serious now, as his piercing eyes found Tracy. "Follow me, Miss Kendall."

Confusion flickered across Tracy's face, and she hesitated for a moment before reluctantly following him. Frustration gnawed at her as her boots clacked against the polished marble floor, the sound echoing down the seemingly endless hallway. She felt his sharp gaze on her, but she said nothing, masking her emotions behind a stoic facade.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Principal Wilmer said quietly as they walked, his tone soft but measured.

Tracy's throat tightened. She bit her lip, refusing to let the tears that pricked her eyes spill over. Her silence spoke volumes, the sadness etched into the slump of her shoulders and the tremor in her clenched fists.

They reached a large, ornate door. Principal Wilmer stopped and uttered a single word, "Open."

To Tracy's astonishment, the door creaked apart of its own accord. Her jaw dropped as she stared, wide-eyed, at the enchanted entrance. The realization hit her—this was no ordinary school. She felt like she had just walked into the pages of a fantasy novel.

"Come in," he said, gesturing her forward.

Tracy stepped into the room, her boots sinking into the plush, deep-red carpet. The office was vast, with towering bookshelves stretching to the ceiling and the air heavy with the scent of aged parchment and wood polish. At the center sat a grand desk that gleamed like a diamond in the sunlight pouring through the arched window.

"Have a seat," Principal Wilmer offered, motioning to one of the chairs facing his desk.

Reluctantly, Tracy eased into the chair, her posture rigid as her wary eyes scanned her surroundings.

"At Wilmer Academy, we train individuals with extraordinary abilities to realize their potential," Principal Wilmer began, his voice steady and deliberate.

"But... I don't have any abilities," Tracy interrupted, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. "I'm just a normal human, okay? I don't belong here. I just want to go back to my mom."

Her voice broke on the last word, and a tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, her frustration mounting.

Principal Wilmer leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with conviction. "Miss Kendall, you are far more special than you think. You are peculiar, unique, and destined for greatness." He pointed a finger at her, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Here at Wilmer Academy, you will discover your true self."

"But... what if I don't want to?" Tracy asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I don't even *have* powers?"

Principal Wilmer chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You will discover them, in time," he assured her. "For now, fill out this form." He slid a file and pen across the desk toward her.

Though confused, Tracy filled in the paperwork, her hand shaking slightly as she wrote. When she finished, she handed it back to him.

"Daisy Willow!" Principal Wilmer called out, and a moment later, the girl who had brought Tracy through the portal appeared. Daisy offered a warm smile, bowing her head slightly.

"Miss Kendall," Principal Wilmer said, gesturing toward Daisy. "Miss Willow will be your guide. She'll help you get acquainted with your new environment."

"Hi, I'm Daisy," she said brightly, extending a hand. Her smile was radiant, dimples deepening on her smooth, dark skin.

Tracy hesitated but finally took her hand, offering a faint, shaky smile in return. "Tracy Kendall."

"Let's get started, shall we?" Daisy said cheerfully as they left the office.

Tracy followed Daisy through the halls, her amazement growing as she took in the grandeur of the school—the classrooms buzzing with whispered spells, the training grounds alive with students displaying otherworldly abilities, and even the eerie witchery class where candles flickered in unnatural colors.

By the time they reached the dormitory, Tracy was overwhelmed. The towering blue and white building loomed above them, and she caught sight of the sign above the entrance: "GIRLS' DORMITORY – NO BOYS ALLOWED."

Daisy led her to Room 104B. When the door swung open on its own, Tracy flinched but stepped inside. She noticed the two beds positioned on opposite sides of the room and the study desks tucked neatly against the walls. The large glass window and balcony drew her attention.

"This is... my room?" Tracy asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yep," Daisy said with a grin. "And I'm your roommate!"

The two girls exchanged smiles—one tentative, one warm—as they stood in the threshold of what was to be Tracy's new reality. But even as she tried to take it all in, a nagging sense of unease settled in her chest. Her journey at Wilmer Academy was just beginning, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it would lead her to places far darker—and far more wondrous—than she could ever imagine.

The day passed uneventfully, much to Tracy's relief, but as night descended, dread coiled in her chest like a lurking serpent. The nightmares were inevitable, each one feeling sharper and more vivid than reality itself. Despite her best efforts to stay awake—squeezing her eyes shut against the encroaching sleep and fiddling with her phone—the weight of exhaustion won. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and she slipped into unconsciousness as the clock ticked past one.

***

"Tracy... Tracy... Tracy..."

The whisper echoed around her, soft yet insistent, tugging her from her dreams into something far more sinister. Her surroundings sharpened into focus—she was back in the woods, but this time the Hades-like darkness that usually accompanied her nightmares was absent. The voice called out again.

"Who's there?" she shouted, spinning around, her breath misting in the cool air. Her voice trembled as her pulse quickened. The forest seemed alive, shadows shifting and rustling, yet there was no figure in sight.

"Tracy!" The voice grew louder, more urgent.

"Where are you?" Frustration laced her tone as she stumbled over roots and brambles, chasing the sound.

A cold hand gripped her shoulder.

She spun around with a gasp, heart lurching in her chest, to find a woman standing before her. The figure was ethereal yet eerie—draped in a once-white gown now stained with streaks of blood, her black hair pinned into vintage victory rolls.

"Who... who are you?" Tracy stammered, backing away.

"I am Alicia Leonard," the woman said, her voice steady but burdened with urgency.

Tracy's brows knitted together. "What? I don't understand."

"The world is in danger," Alicia said, gripping Tracy's hand with icy fingers. Her gaze bore into Tracy's as though she could see her soul. "Lives are at stake, and you must awaken before it's too late."

"Awaken? What does that even mean?" Tracy's voice rose, frustration building. "Who am I? What are you talking about?"

"You are the chaos they need, yet the peace we must protect. You are the key," Alicia whispered. Her voice faltered, and she looked over her shoulder, her expression morphing into terror.

Before Tracy could demand answers, Alicia vanished.

A guttural roar tore through the air, shaking the ground beneath Tracy's feet. She froze, her blood running cold as a massive, many-headed creature slithered into view. The Hydra. Its scaled body glistened under the pale moonlight, and its heads twisted and writhed as if competing for dominance.

"Oh my God," Tracy breathed, her feet already moving. She bolted, adrenaline surging through her veins. The Hydra gave chase, its thunderous steps shaking the earth.

Out of nowhere, two Griffins descended from the skies. One swooped down, grabbing her by the shoulders with its talons.

"Aaaah!" Tracy screamed, thrashing as it lifted her into the air.

"Don't struggle. You're safe now," came a calm voice.

She craned her neck to see a girl riding the other Griffin, her expression serene yet determined. The creatures soared higher before descending to a lush pasture, where they landed with surprising grace.

"Who are you? What are these things? And what was *that*?" Tracy demanded, her voice high and shaky.

The girl dismounted, her movements fluid. "I'm Natalia, protector of this realm. These are Griffins. And what chased you was a Hydra."

Tracy's head spun. "Realm? What are you even talking about? Where am I, and how did I get here?"

"This is the Dream Realm, though your kind knows it as the land of dreams. But understand this: your world is the illusion. This realm is the truth," Natalia explained, stepping closer. Her green eyes glimmered with intensity. "What happens here will happen in your world—eventually."

Tracy stared, her breath hitching. "I don't... I don't get it. I just want to go back to my room."

Natalia extended her hand. "Let me see something first."

Tracy hesitated but placed her hand in Natalia's. The girl chanted softly, her voice a melody of ancient words. Suddenly, she recoiled as though burned, her face a mask of shock.

"You are... the Chosen One," Natalia whispered.

Tracy groaned. "Not this again. What does that even mean?"

"You're the key," Natalia began, but before she could elaborate, her figure dissolved like mist, leaving Tracy alone once more.

"Natalia!" Tracy yelled, but the world around her blurred and dissolved.

She jolted awake with a sharp gasp, her chest heaving.

"Tracy, are you okay?" Daisy's voice pulled her back to reality. Her roommate hovered by her bedside, concern etched on her face.

"I'm fine," Tracy lied, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "I just need some air."

"Want me to come with you?" Daisy offered.

"No, I'll be fine."

Slipping into her flip-flops, Tracy left the room and wandered outside. The cool night air bit at her skin, but the silver moonlight soothed her frayed nerves. Wrapping her arms around herself, she gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.

"I miss you, Mom," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her grief.

A warm jacket settled over her shoulders. Startled, she turned to find Shadely standing beside her, his smile soft but teasing.

"Hey, newbie," he greeted, sliding his hands into his pockets.

Tracy blinked. She couldn't deny he looked ridiculously handsome, especially under the moonlight. "What are you doing here?"

"Escaping my own thoughts," he admitted with a shrug. "Lame, right?"

"Not at all." Her lips curved into a small smile before her voice softened. "I get nightmares too."

Shadely's brow lifted in surprise. "Oh? What do you see?"

She hesitated, debating whether to confide in him. Finally, she said, "Creatures. Ones I don't even know exist. And... sometimes, the injuries I get in my dreams show up when I wake up."

Shadely stared at her, his shock evident. "That's insane," he muttered, then grinned. "Come on. There's something I want to show you."

Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her heart pounding—not just from running but from the warmth of his hand around hers.

"You'll see," he said with a mysterious smile.

They stopped in front of the library.

"The library? Seriously?" Tracy raised a skeptical brow.

"Trust me," Shadely replied, leading her inside.

As the doors creaked open, Tracy gasped. Shelves stretched endlessly, filled with ancient tomes. Shadely guided her to a specific section labeled *Mythical Creatures*.

"Watch this," he said, tapping a book. "Open to Basilisk."

The book flipped its pages furiously until it stopped, revealing intricate drawings and detailed descriptions.

Tracy's jaw dropped. "That's... incredible."

"Your turn," Shadely encouraged.

"Open to Hydra," she commanded.

The book obeyed, revealing the Hydra's terrifying details.

Tracy's face paled as she read. "This is what I saw in my nightmare. We have a big problem."