- CHAPTER TWO - 

 

 

 

 

 

Drizzles. Delicate shower of raindrops danced on the car’s window. The sharp pillar-like silver gates automatically opened, granting access to the miniscule red rusty rental car as its shadow still towering over them. A beautifully clean-cut row of trees presented to them as the car gently rushes past them. The more closer they got towards the main academic building, the more ominous it looked. They’ve finally arrived. As both of them got out of the car, they couldn’t help but to look up the building. It’s incredibly massive. Towering like castles over them, and at the very top stood the gargoyles. Rows of these menacingly life-like statues stood with wings resting and staring down furiously at them as if they’re invading a holy place. If you looked from the above, that in itself would be just as jaw-dropping. ‘This is some Hogwarts level type shit here’, as old pop pulled out another cigarette. 

 

‘Hey, I thought I told you to stop’.

 

‘I didn’t accept the promise, remember?’

 

‘What will it be to make you accept it then?’

 

The old pop pondered and thought carefully. His face scrunched up and squeezed his eyes. Taelyn sighed, looked back towards the main door and realized there were two large bodyguards in completely black suits and glasses guarding by the door. Even the door itself seems extra. The door is at least 3 meters tall. It has resemblance to the traditional catholic church’s door, but this one is in all black. For an international academy that preaches individuality, cultures, and races, it sure looked darkly depressing to be at. The entire academy gave off a depressingly historical vibe. Although we live in the modern world, the place kind of forces you to go back in time. When all was darkness, knowledge and power. There’s something ancient yet something new about it. Taelyn couldn’t help to put his finger on it. To be honest, ever since we passed through those gates, everything feels slower here. Maybe he’s acting up again. ‘Where’s that capsules again?’ as he patted down on his academy’s coat. 

 

‘I got it!’

 

‘Jeez, what is it pop?’ 

 

‘Promise me that you’ll come back to me’.

 

Silence. Although words have ceased, the world continues. Wind gently blew across their faces as they locked eye contact with each other. 

 

‘Rule number 20..no sentimental bull crap, remember?’

 

‘That what the old me would say..you’re looking at a new man here boy! So what do you say? Do we have a deal?’

 

Taelyn couldn’t help but think back to the first time the old man made a deal with him when they first met. ‘What a full circle moment bull crap this is,’ he thought to himself. However, he couldn’t help but to feel a tint of sadness washed over him. He walked over to the old pop, stared at him nonchalantly, and said ‘don’t take this the wrong way, but sure’. He hugged him.

 

One last hug.

 

Winds suddenly rushed over them. ‘Alright, alright. Even that felt a little much for me. But hey! I’ll quit smoking now ya see? Make me proud, boy.’

 

‘Sure, old man.’

 

‘Ah..you never bother to learn my name, do you?’

 

‘Hmph. Maybe tell me about it when I come back to get you? After that, Hawaii?’

 

The old man looked stunned, nodded his head and lightly snickered. 

 

‘I’ll help ya unload.’

 

Taelyn believes today is the day of peculiars, because as they arrived at his dormitory, the sun is suddenly nowhere to be seen and the sky is full of white and grey clouds now. The weather today is unpredictable - a little too unpredictable honestly. 

 

‘What a hassle,’ he muttered as he carried his large suitcase and bags. The guards told them that they must go on the right side of the academy’s building. By foot. Find the lady who takes care of all the student’s room keys, and from there you get your assigned room. 

 

‘You doing alright there old man?’ he shouted so the old man could hear him from behind.

 

Just wheezes and sighs. 

 

‘I’ll take that as a yes’.

 

The main office that handles dormitory care is pretty rigid as well, but this one seems much newer. A young pale woman, in her 20’s, brown hazel eyes with surprisingly pink lips and cheeks, greeted them in her black and white outfit. 

 

‘Good morning, and welcome to Scitus Academy’s Office of Dormitory Care. How can I help you?’ 

 

She may look youthful, but she seems dead. Taelyn hesitated, but the old man just pushed past him and bluntly asked,’he’s new here. The boy’s name is Taelyn A. Jackson. You got his name in that book of yours?’ as he eyed towards the big opened book on the desk. 

 

‘Give me a moment pleas-.’

 

‘Ya stuttering? Hurry up, it’s in the T section.’

 

‘We coordinate by last names.’

 

‘Then it's in the J section.’

 

‘Taelyn Jackson. Yes, you’re here. Your room number is 399. Third floor. On your right,’ she handed the old man the key and stood still. Emotionless.’

 

‘Hm. Aight, let’s go.’

 

‘Whatever. Everything about this place is weird, creepy, and peculiar,’ he thought to himself. 

She seems sweet, but he can tell she hates her job. Someone must have been forced to do this. She’s not even in the right outfit. The name tag said Barbara. She doesn’t look like Barbara for sure. But hey, what are the coincidences. 

 

Taelyn used the key to scan the door. *Clicked* Unlocked. They entered and went up by the elevator. The dormitory looked like a traditionally normal dormitory. Black, white, and grey. Cement. Honestly, boring. But the inside is a different story though. Like in the elevator they’re in right now. It’s completely made of glass. The floor, walls, and ceiling are all made of glass. Definitely felt like one of those ethereal planes in another dimension for sure. The old man has been quiet lately. He wonders if he’s alright. He slightly glanced back to peep at him and sure enough he thought, 'he looked exhausted.’ But he really needs his help for the suitcase. Maybe he will buy him a drink or something. But then again he needs to save up. ‘Ah damn it, whatever. Don’t be so stingy right now,’ he muttered to himself as the elevator dinged on the third floor with the number 3 displayed over top of the glass door. 

 

‘Wow. This is honestly the best room for a student I’ve ever seen.’

 

Sarcastic like always. Taelyn’s room is shared with three other boys. Bunk-bed style. He has to get the top one. The floor is made of murky brown carpet with white wallpapers plastered on the walls and ceiling. One big window with black curtains at the end of the room. There’s only two wooden desks by the window. ‘Great, how can he actually study?’ But then something caught his eyes. Someone is already here. The right side of the room, top bunk. His clothes and suitcase sat atop, but the boy is clearly nowhere to be seen. 

 

‘Well, I guess I should take my leave’ as he shook hands with Taelyn. ‘Do good, boy. Keep the promise and make me proud. Make your paren-’

 

‘I’ll make you proud. Only you, old man’ as he firmly shook his hands back. 

 

The old man nodded, and walked out. 

 

‘Time to get settled and obliterate everything.’

 

But before he could unpacked his belongings, a student walked in.

.

 

.

.

 

‘You’re not supposed to be here, Taelyn.’