Blair
Yesterday was very satisfying for me. I was so excited about how I stood up to Sonya that I dreamt about it.
I was turning around in bed, smiling in my sleep, when I felt something poke me.
I was still tangled in the warmth of my blankets when my mother's soft voice stirred me awake. "Blair, wake up! Come watch the news. There's something important you need to see."
"Ugh…mom. Today's saturday."
"I think it's for your own good." My mother sharply replied.
I blinked sleep from my eyes and sat up, rubbing my face.
I followed her down the stairs to the living room, where the television was alive.
The news anchor's face was serious, almost grim. "Good morning, citizens. Recent events have forced Exotikkal Academy to make a critical announcement. Due to a recent surge in alien abductions targeting young super powered individuals, the academy is instituting mandatory boarding for all students aged fourteen to twenty-two. To accommodate this, mega hostels are being constructed to house and protect the students during their training."
What?!! I was aware my academy was building a hostel but why were we moving in so fast?
My mother's hand tightened around mine. "Another attack happened last night."
"A girl with teleportation powers was taken. They say she was abducted by aliens. Her parents are devastated."
I swallowed hard, the image of that girl flashing in my mind. The thought of being snatched away like that sent a cold shiver down my spine.
Fear rose in my chest. "What does this mean for me?" I asked my mother but I got no reply.
My father entered the room, his face drawn and serious. "This will delay the marriage negotiations with Blake's family," he muttered, clearly displeased. "But it might help us to rethink this whole situation."
He paced the room, running a hand through his hair. "Blake's family is stalling on the marriage talks. This might buy us some time."
My mother nodded, already pulling out clothes from my wardrobe and packing them into a suitcase. "You have to go, Blair. For your safety."
I bit my lip, trying to hold back tears. "I'm scared."
She hugged me tightly. "I know, baby. But the Moon Goddess watches over you."
My mother was moving to pack a suitcase with my clothes. "You have to go, Blair. It's for your safety."
"Your little sister is still very young and has no clue what the world is facing. We should focus ourselves on her."
I bit my lip, feeling a knot of anxiety and uncertainty knotting in my chest.
I took a quick shower, wore my uniform and confirmed the things my mom packed into my suitcases.
Makeup…check.
Lounge wear…check.
Pyjamas…check.
I also confirmed other things.
I walked down to the front porch, where the bus was supposed to come pick me up.
I was too anxious to have breakfast.
My father stood outside, arms ajsr and eyes wide. It seemed he was waiting to confront any danger that would come.
Outside the porch, my parents handed me a small device. It was a pinger.
"Keep this hidden between your clothes," my father instructed. "If you ever find your wolf, it will alert us immediately even if you're in the deep forest."
Tears welled up in my mother's eyes as she pulled me into a tight embrace. "May the Moon Goddess protect you, my daughter."
My little sister Emilia clung to me, "Be safe, Blair. I'll miss you. I'll bring lots of goodies when we come to visit."
I squeezed her hand, trying to be strong. "I will. I promise."
Finally, the school's government appointed matrons and patrons came.
Officials clad in what looked like Protection energy waited by a sleek, magical bus. Their presence was both imposing and oddly comforting.
I pulled my box in one hand, suitcase in another as I walked towards the bus.
One of the officials stepped forward. He held a clipboard in his hand. "State your ability."
I hesitated, then said quietly, "I'm a werewolf, but I haven't turned yet." It was a thing of Shane that I had not turned at my age.
He nodded and handed me a wristband, separate from the one I already wore. "Level zero. Power dormant."
I climbed aboard the bus, noticing the interior was graded by power levels. The most powerful students lounged in plush seats up front; I was directed to a modest spot near the back.
Nearby, a group of girls whispered about me. I could hear them with my extra hearing gifted to me by my siren system. "Did you see her box? So plain."
"Yeah, but her hair's amazing for someone from an average family."
Sia spoke to me in my head. "Ignore them. Sirens don't store dark energy like hatred. It would weaken you."
When I fully adjusted in the bus, the doors were shot close and the bus hummed softly, whisking us away to Exotikkal.
Upon arrival, we formed lines. We arrived directly at where the hostels were located and there were nine in total.
Four hostel belonged to boys, the middle hostel belonged to staff and the remaining four were for the girls.
Boys formed their lines and girls formed theirs too.
Girls were to be sorted into four hostels, each representing an element or theme.
The first hostel gleamed with icy blues and shimmering water motifs-Water and Ice Hostel. Its walls sparkled like frozen lakes.
The second, adorned with feathered wings and animal carvings, was the Secret of the Wings and Animal Hostel. It felt wild and free.
The third radiated warmth, with fiery reds and molten patterns. This was the Fire and Heat Hostel.
The fourth was a serene garden of earth tones and blooming flowers. It was named the Earth and Flower Hostel.
I closed my eyes, whispering a prayer to be placed in the Earth and Flower Hostel. It felt like home.
I was a wolf, so I'd naturally want to be around earth.
As I opened them, I caught sight of Sonya at the back of the line.
She was surrounded by countless boxes, barking orders to the officials with an imperious tone.
Did this girl think she was being shipped off to live in mars? Why did she carry more than ten luggages and why was she swearing like a mountain goat?
Her eyes met mine briefly, a cruel smile twisting her lips.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
The system appeared in its holographic screen form.
Name: Sonya Dave
Race: Human and Vulkyrie
Level: Level five
What?!! Sonya had grown to a level five? I'm pretty sure she was stealing people's essence and zapping people's powers because there was no way!!
Last time I confronted her in the gym during cheerleading she was still in level three.
I had to be careful.
The officials continued sorting students.
"Blair Williams, Earth and Flower Hostel."
Relief flooded me as I stepped forward. A card was given to me.
"Room 206. Congratulations!!"
I was blushing. I could wait to walk into my hostel, claim my bed and I hoped I took the down side of the bunk.
I glanced back at Sonya, who was still busy directing the movement of her many boxes, her expression cold, icy and filled with control.
I wondered how she was allowed to turn the staff into servants.
The moment I stepped through the grand entrance of the Earth and Flower Hostel, I felt like I had walked into a dream.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a mix of jasmine, lavender, and something exotic I couldn't quite name.
I stopped for a moment, just standing there with wide eyes.
Real flowers which were vibrant, colorful, and alive-were growing along the walls and in hanging baskets.
Some areas looked like a carefully tended garden, while others felt wild and untamed, like stepping into a rainforest. Soft moss carpeted parts of the floor, and tiny streams trickled quietly nearby. It was breathtaking.
I sighed, the tension in my shoulders easing for the first time all day. "This… this is amazing."
I dragged my suitcases a little further inside, then stopped again, unable to resist exploring.
Down one hallway, a room's door stood slightly ajar. Inside, a girl was conjuring flowers from thin air, petals bloomed in her hands like magic.
I guess she was part of the rainmakers. Rain making was her ability.
She glanced up, her eyes were sharp. "You're not supposed to be here," she said coolly and motioned for another girl to close the door.
I raised my hands, smiling gently. "Sorry, I'm just looking around. I'm new."
She hesitated, nodded curtly and then the door was closed. I felt a little embarrassed but kept moving.
The hostel was alive with quiet energy-birds chirped softly.
Every corner seemed to hold a secret garden.
Finally, I reached my room, room 206. The door was plain, unassuming. I pushed it open and stepped inside.
The room was empty, but that was perfect.
I needed some alone time before roommates started pouring in. There were a total of four bunk beds. Meaning we would be eight in the room.
I set down my suitcases and walked over to the window. Outside, I could see a small courtyard filled with wildflowers.
I dropped onto the bed, the mattress was quite soft and the bunk bed was large.
I picked up my phone to inform my parents that I had been assigned a room.
When I was done, I began to unpack my suitcase.