Clara
I shoved open the cafeteria doors hard enough that the metal hinges cried out behind me.
After scanning the crowded room—trays clattered, someone laughed too loud, and the nauseating smell of reheated pizza filled the air—my eyes landed on Simon. Sitting alone at a corner table, trying to read and clearly not wanting to be noticed.
I start towards him, but right on cue, two boys swagger over and flop into the seats on either side of him. One snatched the book out of his hands, and the other leaned in with an obnoxiously loud laugh.
Simon offered a weak smile, the kind you give when you're pretending everything's fine so nobody asks questions. But I saw it—the way his shoulders stiffened, the way his eyes flicked toward the clock like he was counting the seconds until they'd leave.
I reached the table and slammed my palm down hard enough to rattle their drinks. All three of them flinched.
I smiled politely. "Hi. I need to talk to Simon. Can you give us a minute?"
They blinked. One of them, tall with too much gel in his hair, turned to Simon. "You know her?"
He cleared his throat. "Yeah, she's a…friend."
The other one, clearly the ignorant one of the duo, snorts. "And what does she—"
"Did you two not hear me the first time?" I say coldly, not bothering with a smile anymore. "Am I supposed to repeat myself?"
That wiped the smirk off his face. They exchanged wary glances, then stood up, mumbling something under their breath as they slunk away.
"You didn't have to do that." Simon muttered, already reaching for his book.
"Are you being bullied?" I ask, keeping my voice low. "Getting the old high school treatment? Zach could take care of them if you want."
Simon blinks, startled by the bluntness. He must know that Zach doing it is better than getting Steph and Alister involved. One would send them to the hospital, while the other, their graves. I'd have them expelled and reputations ruined but that too will weigh on his conscience. Zach would definitely be the safest nonviolent choice. "No—no. They're just… chatty people."
I raised a brow, uncertain but don't press the issue. "Anyways, is what I heard true?" I ask next.
He hesitated. "Yes. Alister ordered it."
Ordered.
I didn't like the way he said that. As if Alister had the authority to dictate what goes on around here. Like he ran this place, and everyone else just danced to his tune.
I narrowed my eyes. "Where is he?"
Simon's lips twitched with something close to amusement. "Out back. Looking for Birdman." He gave a light shrug. "Lev's really hitting it off with Stephanie. And since Zach's busy with soccer practice, Alister's well...stuck taking care of them."
I sighed, rolling my eyes and standing up. "Come on."
His face twists in confusion. "Where?"
"I know a place," I said. "Quiet. No one to disturb you. No idiots. No noise. A cafeteria is the last place you'd want to be in if you're seeking solitude."
That got a smile out of him. He picked up his book and his green drink and followed as I led the way out of the cafeteria.
When we get to the back of our campus building, I spot Stephanie. Arms crossed, eyes sparkling with amusement as she stands beside human Lev. A small group of girls circles them.
Now that he's washed up and dressed like he belongs in a high-fashion magazine—printed shirt fitted to his figure, thin black blazer with silver embroidery on shoulders, black pants that cover the device at his ankle, and his impossibly long hair tied into a thick braid—he looks unfairly handsome. And, of course, the second he opened his mouth, he became the gravitational center of attention.
Much to Alister's distaste for keeping a low profile.
I have no idea what they talked about in the car ride back home since I fell asleep in the back seat, occasionally being woken up from my nightmares. But somehow, between then and now, they've reached an uneasy truce. Tolerant—that's the word. Alister seems tolerant of him. And Lev seems to be behaving well.
He told me he made a deal with Alister to come to our university. Said it was his first time in a human institution, and it showed. He clung to Alister like a lost intern on his first day at a soul-sucking corporation. But slowly got the hang of it. He wanted to sit with me and talk, but Alister kept him close, practically glued to his side.
I point Simon toward a tree near the wall line, shaded and out of the way. "No one comes there. Perfect spot for pretending the world doesn't exist."
He tilts his head. "Is that where you used to hide and smoke?"
I shoot him a glare. "You really hate it when I'm nice to you, don't you?"
"No, no," he says with a nervous chuckle, waving his hands as he walks backward. "Not what I meant!"
I turn my attention back to the building. That's when I see Alister, leaning against the wall, one shoe crossed over the other, scrolling through his phone. But he's actually watching Lev and Steph.
I storm toward him, heels punching the grass with every step.
His sharp eyes meet mine, and he sighs. Long and deep, like he knew this confrontation was coming.
"No, don't you dare make that stupid face!" I order as I stand infront of him, arms crossed. "Explain yourself!"
"I already said everything. You're not coming with me today."
"Why!?" I yell out. My glare boring into him.
Alister's expression, however, remains neutral. He doesn't flinch. Doesn't blink. Doesn't react. "This isn't some kind of adventure, Clara. You don't need to make your household matters worse by coming." He explains. "I investigated with Simon, and the blood mirror is in a simple house owned by a veteran. It'll be pretty easy. I already told Zach and Steph the same thing. It's only going to be me and Lev."
"My household matters are fine and are not, and never were, your concern." I assert. I looked behind him, and I could see my car pull up at the campus gates.
He leans in a little "Didn't you get chained up last night because you ran away for something?" He whispers.
"I see Lily filled you in on everything." I lean forward, refusing to back down.
He smirks. "Along with the fact that you have tutoring classes and a charity event to attend tonight. And also, if you're planning on asking her not to tell me anything related to you, then she's going to demand more money."
That little snitch.
"I could cancel it." I insist, but my eyes slowly drift to the scene behind him.
He shakes his head as he straightens up. "Your folks won't be happy. Look, I can handle—"
"Lev's taking off his clothes again," I interrupt flatly. "And Steph's charging for photos."
"Dammit!" Alister snaps, his composure instantly cracking like thin ice under a steel boot. He whirls around.
There, at the center of a small admiring crowd, Lev is shrugging off his embroidered blazer with a sheepish smile, scratching at his neck like the fabric's actively trying to strangle him. Which, knowing him, he probably believes. He's not used to clothes—being a crow most of the time, apparently fabric is some grand betrayal of comfort. But we can't have a six-foot-tall man strutting around campus naked, no matter how confused he is about societal norms.
Alister and Zach had to keep an eye on that all day and it was very entertaining. Until Alister ruined it for me.
"LEV!" he shouts, voice booming like a war horn. Several heads turn, but only two matter. Lev, who jolts like he's been tased, and Steph, who dramatically rolls her eyes and starts handing money back to the group of disappointed girls.
"And would you stop staring like a creep?" Alister grunts at me, making me turn back at him.
I roll my eyes, biting my cheek to stop myself from asking if he'd rather I stare at him instead. And if he was acting the way Lev was, I think I'd stare all day.
Lev spots me standing beside Alister, and his eyes go wide with delight. He throws his blazer back on like it's a cape and practically skips toward us.
"So, as I was saying, I'll handle everything. Try not to get into trouble again." Alister continues with infuriating calmness that makes one feel like they're the ones overreacting.
"There you are!" Lev exclaims. I don't even have time to brace before his hands grab my waist, and suddenly, I'm in the air, spun around in a dizzying circle.
"Lev!" I gasp and let out a startled laugh, gripping his shoulders for balance. The sudden lift stole my breath—and okay, yeah, maybe it's a little fun—but I'm mostly watching Alister.
His expression is murderous. He looks like he might actually combust. His wide eyes stare in shock, jaw tight, and fists clenched.
Oh, that face is delicious.
And then, just as Lev lowers me, his head snaps backward like he's been hooked by an invisible leash. He yelps, arms flailing as he drops me in surprise.
"OW—what gives?" he chokes.
I turn, catching my balance and the briefest flicker of silver glow in Alister's eyes before they dim into that familiar earthy brown. His one hand holds Lev's long braid as a leash.
"We're leaving," he growls, already turning, tugging Lev behind him like a misbehaving dog.
Lev stumbles after him. "I didn't do anything! Why are you so mad?!" He says but I see the smirk forming on his lips, clearly satisfied with whatever he wanted to achieve.
Once they are gone, I kick the building wall in frustration with my red heel, wincing and regretting later at the stinging pain. Although it's nothing compared to the pain Alister's causing me. Mentally. And emotionally.
I'm still quite shaken by that nightmare I had, in which I was poisoned again. Attempts at lucid dreaming so far have just resulted in reducing the pain I feel a little before waking up in a cold sweat.
I gave up on trying to sleep then.
I stomp towards my car, still feeling cranky from the lack of sleep and Alister's words, refusing to even look in his direction.
Then laughter drifts across the lot. I turn, almost against my will, and there they are. My 'friends'. Once inseparable, now just a cluster of faces moving together, sharing jokes I'll never hear again. Things have soured between us, cracks spreading wider with my every refusal. No more dinners at overpriced restaurants, no more gifts just to keep them entertained. And then there's me getting close to Stephanie.
It used to be us against her. The barbarian, as they liked to call her. But...they never saw her that night in the hotel, when I woke clawing at sheets, choking on a nightmare. How she held and calmed me. For all her rough edges, Steph carries herself like the older sister she sometimes decides to be—brusque, teasing, but there when it counts.
The group's laughter fades when they see me. Then, without a word, they turn away, choosing another path as though I were nothing but a stranger on the curb.
Maybe it's time I start pulling away. No drama. Just distance. I've got new people in my life now. And they've somehow become... very dear to me.
♡.......💙.......♡
I run upto my room, checking the clock while caressing my stinging hand.
I couldn't focus on anything Mrs. Rachel was teaching, so I got hit a lot. I just wanted all of it to be over so I could get on with the plan.
I realize I'm starting to become more...tolerant of everything that goes on here. And rebelling. Not caring much about what they think and how they treat me. I guess a part of me has started to realize that no matter how much I push myself, no matter what I do, I won't get the acceptance and validation I'm looking for.
Which just makes me want to be around Alister and the others so badly, it aches. To feel...seen. Loved and tolerated. To laugh and not wonder if I'm being too loud or too weird or too much. I am a bit much, I know that, but they still care.
I quickly pack my bag and get dressed in a black satin shirt dress, cinching it at the waist with a leather belt. His favorite color, check. Lip shade that draws the attention, check. Small things to create distractions while I win my argument.
After driling Simon until he was practically sweating, I got him to spill everything about Alister's plan. I may have threatened him a little—nothing serious, just enough to make him crack. He's too soft for secrets.
When, where, and what. All of it.
I bet Leora heard it all and told Alister about it. I don't like how simple his plan seems. And I don't like how I'm not needed. I know I can be stubborn, but I wanted us to work as a team. Just like before when it was just the two of us, regardless of our petty fights.
Well, if he won't let me in, I'll break my way through. Just like always.
Plus, something about last night's interaction doesn't sit right with me. Who was this mistress Crystal kept mentioning? She"s the reason we haven't been caught yet. She's putting herself into alot of trouble for us. Why? It feels like she might personally know us. And then there's the favor thing. We don't know anything about it. What it might be or how we're supposed to fulfill it, but it's obvious we have no other choice but to accept it if we want her to keep us out of their radar.
I sigh. What have we gotten ourselves into?
"Now, How'd you manage to convince your mom to let you take the car without the driver?" I glance at the door and see James leaning against the doorway, staring at me. "And after you just ran away with it last night?" While Uncle and Aunt left yesterday, he insisted on staying here for few more days, as always. For whatever reason.
"Why do you wanna know?" I frown, resisting the urge to tell him that orange flannel looks hideous on him as I tuck the bag out of view so he doesn't see the gun inside.
Honestly, I didn't expect it to work. I told her going with a driver seems abit pretentious. And about how I've never said this, but I heard people talk about how I come to these events with my wealth fully on display. That people are starting notice how we do these things just to appear generous. She was quite suspicious at first, but a little smooth talking worked like a charm. She did tell me to come home at 8pm sharp. Or face the 'consequences'.
"I just want some helpful tips from my sweet and honest older cousin." He grins and I can't help but smile too as I roll my eyes.
"I'm not giving you tips to go out on your own to get into brawls." I grab my bag, slip into my boots, and walk away from him. "Tell my mom I'm leaving."
Him shouting goodbye is the last thing I hear before I leave the house. While I'm driving, I replay the the call I recorded while talking to Simon.
Alexander, the veteran who owns the house where the mirror is hidden, lives alone. Has for a while. His wife died seven years ago, and from what Alister managed to dig up by talking to the locals, the man's never been the same. The war left scars deeper than anything you could see. Memories that clawed at him refused to let go, leading to his PTSD. It's said Alexander walks like he's still carrying a rifle, eyes always scanning like ghosts might rise from behind the couch.
He tried to adjust, sure. To find rhythm in civilian life. But they say he looks like a stranger in his own home. The death of his wife, Elizabeth, ripped the last thread holding him together. She'd been his anchor, his peace. Without her, he just...drifts.
What a depressing story.
When I finally reach the given location, I kill the engine and step out. The dusky atmosphere surrounds me like a shawl. There's a breeze that carries the scent of something faintly sweet—honeysuckle, maybe.
The neighborhood is charming. The kind of place that feels safe. Each house is a little different, some with wide porches and swinging benches, others with picket fences and carefully shaped hedges. But together, they look like they were designed by the same warm-hearted soul. The paint is fresh. The lawns manicured. Flowerbeds burst in chaotic riots of tulips and daisies.
I inhale deeply as I walk, letting the scent fill my chest.
For a moment, I let myself imagine what it'd be like to call this place home. Sipping coffee on the porch, barefoot, watching the sun rise, feeling the warm breeze on my face. Maybe there'd be someone beside me too.
But my daydreaming is cut short as I feel a strong pull on my arm, and before I know it, I'm dragged into an alleyway and pinned to the wall.