Fred stared at the red-haired girl once more, trying to determine whether what he had seen was real or just a trick of light. Human eyes weren't supposed to glow like that. Maybe it had been a reflection of the sunlight catching her gaze at just the right angle. But something about the moment had felt unnatural. The green shimmer hadn't seemed to bounce off her eyes. It had looked like it came from within them. He kept replaying the moment in his mind, hoping it would make more sense than it did.
Green eyes at Greenlight. The thought sent a chill down his spine, subtle but persistent, like a warning that didn't know how to speak clearly.
"You alright, Fred?" Tamir asked, noticing the way Fred kept glancing across the cafeteria. His tone held casual concern, the kind someone used when something looked a little off but not alarming yet.
"I'm good," Fred replied quickly, brushing it off. "Just spaced out for a second." He tried to sound relaxed, though even he could hear the stiffness under his voice.
Before the conversation could continue, the bell rang, signaling the end of break. The soft hum of conversation shifted instantly into movement as students dressed in Greenlight's sharp red-and-white-striped uniforms gathered their things and began filing out of the canteen. Chairs scraped, trays clattered, and the overhead fans whirred, carrying the faint scent of cafeteria food with them. As Fred and his new friends stood to leave, Clara and the red-haired girl approached them with calm, unhurried steps.
"Hello again, Fred," Clara said, her tone soft and inviting. All three boys halted. Tamir gave Jerry a pointed look, mouthing, It's true. Jerry nodded like he couldn't believe his luck witnessing this in real time.
"Hi Clara," Fred said politely. "How are you doing?"
"I'm well. I wanted you to meet my sister, Ájé," Clara replied, stepping aside as her sister extended a hand.
Fred took it. "Hello, Ájé. I'm Fred. Pleasure to meet you."
"Hello," Ájé said, her voice low and smooth, with a hint of something unreadable beneath her calm exterior. Her red eyebrows lifted slightly as she studied him. Her smile was dazzling, so much so it might've weakened most men on the spot. But Fred wasn't paying attention to her beauty. He was watching her eyes. He needed to know if what he saw earlier had been real. Her eyes held steady, revealing nothing unusual now.
"I'd also like you to meet my friends, Jerry and Tamir," Fred added, stepping aside to reveal them. He wanted to break the tension in his mind, even if no one else felt it.
Clara and Ájé gave a warm wave, their fingers raised in elegant synchronicity. Jerry and Tamir, both visibly impressed, returned the gesture with wide smiles. Then, just as quickly, Clara and Ájé were off, heading back to their department. The girls moved with matching grace, as if walking to the same rhythm no one else could hear.
* *
Later that day, as Fred left campus, he noticed Hough waiting near the school gate, flanked by two other guys. The muscled upperclassman leaned casually against the wall but straightened up as Fred approached, the shift subtle yet intentional. The gate area was quieter now, with only a few students passing by, giving the moment an unexpected heaviness.
"Hey, Lucky Man," Hough called out with a smirk.
Fred stopped. "Hey, Hough. How's it going?" His shoulders tensed despite himself.
"I'm good, man. Just thought I'd come have a little talk with you."
Fred nodded. "Alright. I'm listening." His curiosity mixed with an uneasiness he couldn't ignore.
Hough stepped closer, standing a few inches taller than Fred. "It's about Clara. I've been trying to, y'know, get her attention. Impress her. But nothing works. She ignores me like I'm invisible. But you… You just got here, and she's already saying hi to you in front of everyone."
Fred didn't say anything, awaiting Hough to end his talk. He didn't want to interrupt whatever this was turning into.
"I need your help," Hough continued. "You've clearly got her attention. So maybe you can pull some strings for me, put in a good word. Help me get a chance."
"You're saying... you like Clara?" Fred asked, wanting to be sure. He felt strange even asking, but Hough seemed serious.
Hough grinned. "You got that right."
Fred stood properly, "And how exactly do you expect me to help?" He kept his tone calm, hoping it would defuse whatever tension was building.
Hough glanced back at his two friends, who were watching silently a few steps away. "Just tell her I like her. I'll pay you, if that makes it easier. I'm serious about her. I'm ready to make her my number one. Take care of her." His voice carried an edge, as if this wasn't only a favor but an expectation.
Fred gave a nod of affirmation. "That's… quite a confession. It feels right to be honest, but I've only just arrived at Greenlight. Maybe give it some time? Let's get settled first before - "
"Hold up," Hough snapped, his tone suddenly sharp. "Are you refusing me?"
Fred blinked, caught off guard. The shift in Hough's demeanor was sudden, like someone turning off a light.
"You must not know who you're talking to," Hough continued, stepping even closer. "Ask around, I run Greenlight."
Fred felt a pulse of fear tighten in his chest. Hough wasn't just some passionate guy, he was clearly a bully used to getting what he wanted. This "request" was anything but casual. The two boys behind him looked ready to step in if anything escalated.
"It's fine," Fred said quickly, raising a hand in a placating gesture. "I'll talk to her when I get the chance."
"Good," Hough said with a nod, voice low and threatening. "Because I know you don't want to mess with me."
He turned and walked off with his crew, leaving Fred alone in the growing dusk. The sky had dimmed to a soft orange, and the shadows stretched farther across the ground, making the world feel colder than before.
Fred sighed and headed toward Worthloth Forest, the path to his modest hostel weaving alongside the road. What had started as a promising day now felt heavy with uncertainty. The lingering question tugged at his thoughts: Is Greenlight really the place for me? His steps slowed slightly, weighed down by the encounter.
The sound of passing cars roared faintly behind the trees. Above, the branches swayed in the breeze, rustling softly of peace. It wasn't the safest place to live; he knew that, but it was all he could afford, with a bit of help from Joy, the woman who had raised him like her own son. The forest's scent of damp earth and pine filled the air as he walked, giving a strange mix of calm and unease.
As he neared his hostel, Fred took comfort in the familiar sights: the small wooden house tucked behind a row of slender trees, the faint chirping of birds, and the croaking chorus of frogs singing in the twilight. Despite everything, the forest's quiet embrace eased his nerves. He found himself breathing more steadily the closer he got to the cabin.
Inside, he lit his small lamp, revealing a neatly arranged room. A desk with sketchbooks sat near the window, opposite his narrow bed. His clothes were hung carefully on wall hooks, and a few worn books were stacked on a shelf beneath them. He changed out of his uniform and stepped into the bathroom to wash up. The water echoed softly in the small space, grounding him after the day's tension. All thanks to the hygienic rivers in the woods, where he often get water for himself.
As he emerged, drying his hair, his phone buzzed. The screen lit up with a familiar name.
"Hello, Mom," Fred answered, smiling slightly.
"Hello, Fred. How was your first day at school?" came Joy's warm voice.
"It was great, Mom. I really like it here."
"I'm glad to hear that." The voice paused but continued "Mr. Haymond travelled this morning, so he said you can stay at the cabin as long as you're comfortable."
Fred's eyes widened slightly. "Tell him thank you. Don't worry Mom, I can manage. It's nice out here," he said, predicting what Joy wanted to add.
"Just be careful. I've heard there might be dangerous animals near that forest."
"I'll be fine, I promise. How's Jude?"
"He's not back from school yet, but I'll tell him you asked after him."
"Alright. Love you."
"I love you too, son."
As the call ended, Fred sat for a moment, still holding the phone. Every time Joy said I love you, it stirred a quiet ache in his chest. He couldn't forget how she had once told him about the day she found him... how his biological mother had tried to drown him, claiming she couldn't keep the child without risking her own life. Joy had intervened, saving him. The memory always surfaced with a weight he didn't know how to put down.
She never finished the story, stopping when she noticed how overwhelmed Fred became. He never pressed her to continue. Jude was her only biological child, but she had raised Fred with the same love and effort. Still, Fred tried not to be a burden. His small art commissions helped him support himself and take pressure off Joy.
Now, seated at his desk, he opened his sketchpad and let his pencil move. The wind rustled the trees outside. Cars hummed in the distance. He didn't know what he was drawing at first; his hand moved as if guided by something else. Slowly, the lines took shape. The room grew quieter as he drew, his focus narrowing until the outside world blurred.
When he looked down at the finished piece, a chill ran through him.
It was a coiling, mystical asp, its eyes wide and piercing, its tongue flicking out like a blade.