Faint sunlight fought against impeding dark curtains to tunnel into a luxurious bedroom, lighting up colonies of otherwise invisible dust particles.A half-naked figure lay sprawled on a king-sized bed in a luxurious well-furnished room.Specks of blood stained the pristine white sheets, drawn in chaotic patterns by blood-dried hands.
Thomas strode into the room after a simple knock, his steps silent and soft. His crisp black suit nearly blended with the dark room save for the white shirt visible beneath. Standing beside the huge bed, his eyes inevitably shifted to the eyesore on the snow white sheets.
He shook his head and let out a low sigh ringing with exasperation. Who knew just how many times, in vain, he had lectured his young master on the matters of decency. Adjusting his black tie, he let out a forced cough and then another seeing no response.
"Master Daniel!". Thomas said in a low voice.
Daniel's eyes twitched beneath the lids for a moment but nothing else happened. His breath remained even, synchronized and his body hardly moved a muscle. It would have been enough to fool anyone but Thomas wasn't just anyone.
"It would be best if you didn't dawdle master Daniel, it would be unbecoming for a Wayne to arrive anywhere late." Thomas said, his voice low and his eyes expressing a hint of helplessness.
Daniel let out a groan, his eyes slowly twitching open. His eyes, hazy and unfocused, glanced around before settling on a pair of black trousers standing by his bed. Letting out another groan, one echoing in exasperation, he adjusted his vision and shot Thomas a glare.
"Now now don't give me that look, it wasn't my suggestion, entirely, to experience human school." Thomas said with a slight curl of his lips.
Daniel let out a snort but made no retort. It might not have been entirely his idea, but he didn't disregard it then so he was suffering it now. He was about getting up when Thomas spoke, his voice evidently displeased.
"And it would be much appreciated master Daniel if you washed before and after you… go out." Thomas said with an indifferent expression on his face. His eyes moved from the crimson sheet to Daniel's bloodied hands, driving his point home.
Daniel raised a confused eyebrow before following Thomas's line of gaze and noticing the stains himself.
"Oh! My bad, I'll keep that in mind." He said slowly, gingerly rubbing the back of his head. He slowly got up and proceeded towards the bathroom.
"Breakfast would be ready in a few minutes and I'll have Zoe wash the sheets." Thomas said as he left the room, slowly closing the door behind him.
"Thanks, Thomas!." Daniel yelled from the bathroom. He took a deep breath as he gazed at himself in the mirror. His gaze shifted to his bloodied hands, his eyes unfocused and lost in thought.
His eyes slowly turned yellow, a memory full of blood invading his vision. All he saw was red, a lot of red and the blurred image of several humanoid figures.
He let out a gasp as the memory faded and his eyes regained clarity. Tiny beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, reminding him it was more than an illusion. Taking in deep breaths, he turned on the faucet and washed the blood off his hands. Turning to a large bathtub already filled with water, he submerged himself in completely. His glowing yellow eye peered from beneath the water for several moments before his lids lowered to shield them.
#
"So you gonna ask her out this time." Collin whispered, his face uncomfortably close.
"What?" Daniel said, raising an eyebrow at Collin.
"You know what I'm talking about so quit playing dumb!" Collin said in a slightly loud voice. "I'm talking about the cute girl a few lockers away beside you." He whispered with a mischievous grin on his face.
Daniel turned his head to glance at the beautiful figure of Amelia dressed in tight blue jeans, a white top, and a black jacket. Invisible wind seemed to lightly tug at her hair as he rummaged through her locker.
"You have got to be kidding me." Daniel said slowly turning back towards Collin, a weird expression on his face.
"Oh come on, I know you think she's cute and she's single too. She would be the best person to put you out of your single misery," Collin said enthusiastically. "I mean considering you're the one among us who's still single." He finished smugly, suddenly admiring his nails like they weren't his.
"What do you mean by that." Daniel said, his eyes narrowing.
"Well while you were busy wallowing in sorrow, loneliness, and whatever it is you've got going on during the holidays, I was getting together with Sharon and now we're now officially a thing." Collin said, a satisfied smirk on his face. He gazed with pity at Daniel, but beneath that guise was distinct disdain of looking at an inferior being.
"..." Daniel's face froze, trying to process what he just heard.
"That's right I knew that would leave you speechless, but don't worry buddy I won't let you die a loner." Collin said while patting Daniel's shoulder enthusiastically, suddenly exuding an air of righteousness.
"I'm surprised indeed, I thought she had higher standards." Daniel said as he slammed his locker shut and walked away, slowly shaking his head.
"Hmph! I guess I just ranked up in standards you jerk!" Collin retorted. He hurried to catch up to Daniel.
They both argued on the topic as they headed to class with, Collin doing most of the arguing and Daniel adding fuel to the fire for mirth.
"What a weird combo, one who hardly talks and the other who wouldn't shut up." Ian said with a laugh as he approached Amelia. His outfit similar to hers, with the only distinction being his grey top.
"They're better than you any day." Amelia said rolling her eyes.
"Aww you're not falling for the stoic Daniel Wayne are you?" Ian teased with a grin on his face, his arms crossed as he leaned on the locker beside her.
Amelia slammed her locker shut and shot him a glare.
"Go eat shit Ian!" She retorted.
Ian let out another grin. His eyes took in his surroundings, his smile fading from his face.
"Sam called, he said the others would be arriving in a few hours and the gear is all set. We'll be moving out tonight as planned." Ian said in a low voice, his eyes on hers.
"I see, anything new on intel?" Amelia asked.
"We'll discuss that in detail at the briefing, so for now we just have to get through the accursed school day." Ian said, a bored expression on his face.
"Okay then. Though unlike you I actually enjoy school, it's one of the beautiful moments when I can watch you suffer." Amelia said with a smile on her face as she walked away.
"Hmph typical of you to take joy in my pain, why didn't I have a brother instead." Ian mumbled as he followed after her.
The bell rang a few moments later, various students hurrying toward their various classes.
"Shut the shit up Collin, I don't want to listen to your crap anymore." Daniel said, shooting Collin a deadly glare. He adjusted himself into his seat, relaxed his shoulder and closed his eyes.
Amelia walked in a while later and sat a few seats in front of Daniel, with her brother, Ian, sitting beside her.
Collin cast a short glance at Amelia then at Daniel, then Amelia, and then Daniel again, before a devilish smile spread across his face.
"Mr. Garfield! Please wipe that disgusting grin off your face and remind us what you learned last class last semester."
"Shit!"