Night finally let go. The world sighed awake. The sky blushed from deep indigo to soft pinks and golds, while the first birds stitch the silence with tentative chirps. Cole felt refreshed. He was alone, lying up flat, with his face facing the high fixed ceiling of the Headmaster's office. He stood up, yawning.
Noises were heard from outside the office — Maybe that was what woke him up. He carefully opened the door and saw a massive crowd of busy folks, moving up and down the building, with books, bags as if it was a high school. He searched everywhere with his eyes but couldn't find Mr. Bruce nor Mr. Mason. He headed back to the office.
"You're awake?" Mr. Bruce vioce welcomed him in.
"Morning Sir. You're here?" He asked surprised, because he never saw him inside the office when he woke up.
"Yh. Have this!" He gave him a wooden cup of water.
"Just get to the restroom and freshen up for this morning. We have a conversation to complete" Mr. Bruce added.
"Conversation to complete?"
"You ask a lot of questions, Cole. Just freshen up!" He answered
Cole took the cup of water and headed to the restroom, cleaned his face and went back to Mr. Bruce.
"So, you read books?" Mr. Bruce was direct now.
"Yh.... During school hours" He said.
"Let's get a couple of hardcopy materials" He exclaimed.
They both walked out of the office, with Cole following Mr. Bruce, as they headed to the main Library. Getting there, the library sprawled like a silent hive, rows of towering shelves stretching into shadows, heavy with books that whisper secrets to those who breathe them in. Soft rustling of pages, muffled coughs, and the occasional scratch of pens filles the air — Like the hum of a shared secret. Patrons huddle in clusters, drowning in knowledge, their faces lit by screens or lamplight as they chase down answers in leather-bound tomes or scribble notes in margins. The scent of old paper and fresh ink lingers, mingling with the quiet thrill of discovery.
"This?" Mr. Bruce picked a very heavy book and gave it to Cole. Glancing at the book cover, Cole was able to read: Combat drills, with a picture of a fair bald man, holding a sword. After walking round the Library and getting about six books, they were about to leave when Cole glanced at a book. The title and book cover caught his attention.
"Can I also get this?" He asked Mr. Bruce
"I think we've gotten enough, Cole" He insisted
"Oh..... Ok" He replied and they both left, but something inside of Cole was giving him an urge for him to get that particular book. Getting back to the office, they arranged it and put them into a small bag.
"So, as you know Cole, others are in their base now, taking classes perhaps doing other things. You will have to join in today and for the first time, in many years, it's your choice to choose the base you're gonna enter!" Mr. Bruce told him
"My choice?"
"You know I explained to you that you are an Hybrid — Combination of a Werewolf and a Vampire. You will have to choose between the Werewolf and the Vampire base" He elaborated.
"All of a sudden?. This stuff needs time!" Cole exclaimed
"True talk, boy. But there is no time!" He said
"You can think it through though. But hurry up, like I said, there is no time!".
"Where are my siblings?"
"Your siblings?"
"I mean, what category were they sorted into?"
"Vampires I think" Mr. Bruce guessed.
"I want to go into the Vampire's base!" Cole decided.
"Just like that?. That's sudden!" Mr. Bruce exclaimed.
"You said there isn't time!"
"Of course — There isn't. But choosing a basement based on your siblings or relatives isn't somewhat right" He explained
"Are you sure about this?" Mr. Bruce asked.
"Of course!"
"Ok then. Let's go to the Vampire's basement"
They both walked for twenty minutes before finally using the backdoor of the Mansion to come out and indeed, they found themselves in where Cole thought to be the Vampire's department. They were a lots of people roaming up and down as usual, with books and bags.
"Everyone you meet here are Vampires" Mr. Bruce told him
"Good morning Sir" A voice was heard from behind.
"Oh, Morning, Eric!" Mr. Bruce replied.
"Morning Sir" Cole greeted. The man just glanced at him. He wore a simple black cloak and a pair of glasses. He held some massive books. He had pale skin.
"Cole, this is Mr. Eric. He's one of your elders here, in the vampire base" Mr. Bruce introduced him.
Mr. Eric didn't say another word and walked out.
"Why is he like that?" Cole had to ask.
"Just get over it. Let's get to class now"
They headed towards an enormous door.
"Here is the class. Just go in and take a seat"
"Class?. Like the normal school classes?"
"To some extent. Come on, get in!"
"And remember, keep a cool head and a low profile. Don't disclose it to anyone. You understand?"
Cole nodded. He pushed the door opened it.
The classroom sprawls like a sea of eager minds, rows of wooden desks stretching toward the chalkboard like outstretched arms. Chairs sit obediently aligned, awaiting their occupants. Sunbeams slice through dusty windows, spotlighting the occasional doodle on a desk, a forgotten pencil, or a scribbled note. The air hums with anticipation —lectures, debates, or maybe a surprise quiz?, Cole thought. A worn globe in the corner seems to spin quietly, holding secrets of the world. Eyes were fixed on Cole.
"Oh, it's him"
"The last guy from the blood bond trial!"
"What's he doing here?"
"More asses to smack!"
"He is not suppose to be here!" Cole could clearly hear whispers flooding through his ears.
"Oh, Cole. It's Cole!" Lenora was outstretching her arms for Cole to see her. He sat in the front seat, which was way too far from where Cole was standing.
Cole saw her but didn't say anything.
"Are you gonna just stand there or find yourself a seat?" The teacher's voice interrupted Cole stagnant position. Cole gently walked to a nearby empty seat, which was already occupied by three girls — They looked alike. Cole's mind was flooded with questions of his own, 'Do they know me?' 'was it the right decision choosing this base?' He assumed information has been leaked about his specific being but he just kept a low profile, as he was told to.
"What book have you got?" One of the seated girls asked Cole. Her voice was deep.
"Uhhh.... Latin, history...." Cole stammered.
"Ok. No need then" She turned to the rest of the girls and they laughed. Cole just faced the man, who was about to call off the class.