The bus rumbled to a stop in front of the academy gates, and students began piling out in a hurry, eager to escape the confined space.
Skander stepped down from the bus with Hana at his side, her small hand grabbing his sleeve as they walked toward the academy building.
The academy loomed ahead, a stark structure made of gray stone with high windows that let in little light.
It was a cold, imposing place, much like the society it was built to serve. Students shuffled through the entrance, their chatter blending into a dull hum.
Skander and Hana made their way to their first class, navigating the crowded hallways. Hana stuck close to him, her quiet presence a comfort as always.
They reached the classroom, a narrow room with long wooden desks arranged in neat rows. The air was already heavy with the scent of old wood and faint chemicals.
Skander slid into his usual seat near the back, Hana taking the spot beside him. The teacher, a wiry man with sunken cheeks and unnaturally wide eyes, stood at the front of the room, scribbling something on the chalkboard.
His movements were sharp and deliberate, almost insect-like, as if every action were an extension of his simmering irritation.
This was Mr. Grimsley, the academy's poison instructor.
His job was to teach the students how to create toxins potent enough to incapacitate or kill the beasts that prowled the woods. In theory, it was vital knowledge for survival in Tamemire.
In practice, it often felt like another reminder of how little the leaders cared about truly protecting their people.
As the lesson began, Mr. Grimsley launched into a lecture on the properties of venomous plants. His tone was clipped, his frustration barely concealed as he paced back and forth.
Skander half-listened, his mind drifting to the events of the previous night. The growls, the terror, the narrow escape—it all played back in his mind like a bad dream.
Beside him, Hana tapped her notepad, glancing at him occasionally, but he shook his head slightly. Later, he mouthed.
The tension in the room broke suddenly with an unexpected sound—a loud, unmistakable fart.
For a moment, there was silence. Then snickers erupted, spreading like wildfire through the class. Hana pressed her hand to her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried to stifle her laughter.
Mr. Grimsley froze, his thin fingers curling into fists. His wide eyes scanned the room, narrowing in barely contained fury.
"Which one of you imbeciles thought it would be amusing to disrupt my lesson?" he snapped, his voice venomous.
No one answered, but the laughter persisted, some students barely able to contain themselves.
The smell hit next, pungent and vile, and the laughter turned into groans as students covered their noses.
"That's it!" Mr. Grimsley barked, slamming his chalk onto the desk. "I refuse to teach in a barnyard! Class dismissed!"
He stormed out, leaving the students in chaos. Chairs scraped as everyone rushed for the door, eager to escape the stench now permeating the room.
Skander grabbed Hana's arm as they stepped into the hallway, steering her toward a quiet corner while the rest of their classmates scattered.
The air was cleaner here, and the noise from the crowd faded to a low murmur.
"What happened last night?" Hana asked softly, her voice barely audible over the distant chatter.
Skander hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby. Then he leaned in, his voice low and serious. "I saw one of them."
Hana's eyes widened, her fingers tightening around the edge of her notepad. "A beast?" she whispered.
He nodded. "It was in the woods. I—I don't know how I got away. It just… left. Something distracted it, I think."
Hana frowned, her brow furrowed in concern. "You shouldn't have been out there," she said, writing quickly on her notepad. What if it hadn't left?
"I know," Skander muttered, running a hand through his hair. "But I didn't have a choice. I needed to clear my head. My father… he…" He trailed off, not wanting to get into the details.
Hana placed a comforting hand on his arm, her eyes soft with understanding.
"I can't do this forever," Skander admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "The beasts, the government, my father—it's all too much. Sometimes I feel like I'm trapped, like there's no way out."
Hana scribbled something else on her notepad, then held it up for him to read: You're not trapped. You're strong. We'll figure this out together.
Her words, simple as they were, brought a small smile to Skander's face. "Thanks, Hana," he said softly.
She nodded, her expression resolute. Whatever challenges lay ahead, Skander knew he wouldn't face them alone.
Hana only forgot to add that the government is stronger. No matter how strong they were, the government is supported.