The Silverstone Academy

Chapter 3

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"Is that someone at the Sticks Lake?" Zoe mumbled to herself, "I thought no one was allowed there."

Zoe stared at the figure harder; with the skies cloaked by dark clouds, it was difficult making out the figure. She observed it getting closer to the lake, a dark cloak adorned and struggling against the wild storm. It was an odd sight. She placed her hands on the window sill and leaned forward as if the minuscule centimetres would provide a clear view. The hooting in the background disturbed her focus, but she willed to get a good look. The figure was too small to make out, but a tickling began in her fingers, and she wanted to reach out and remove the cloak and reveal the figure's identity.

Zoe had always been a curious creature; she always knew about everything, details never escaped her, and she possessed the ability to remember things from a long while ago, like how her Mother had almost burnt the house down attempting to make chicken wings. Zoe had only been two then; she remembered giggling through the entire episode. The memory only brought a wistful warmth now.

A cold hand on her shoulder brought Zoe out of her reverie; she flinched at the stark temperature and turned around. It was Daphne.

"Your hands are cold," Zoe shivered.

"I know, I have been told a million times," Daphne said and gave a smirk, "anyhow, we've been asked to assemble in the dining area."

"Oh, for dinner?"

"What else?"

"But there is no electricity?"

"I guess we'll have a candlelight dinner then," Daphne shrugged and walked out of the door, leaving Zoe confused and irritated.

"Honestly, Daphne is getting on my nerves," Zoe mumbled and walked out of the room.

"Mine too,"

Zoe stopped in her tracks and turned around. The hair on her skin stood in alarm, her scalp prickled and knees almost buckled. She licked her lips and tried to calm her palpitating heart. A sheen of sweat appeared on her back, and she turned around, fearful of examining the room. Perhaps scared of finding something or ... someone.

She swore she'd heard someone; it was a mere whisper like a gentle breeze whooshing past her ear, but the draft spoke; it agreed with her. Zoe stood for another few moments and then walked out of the room, her heart still beating wildly against her chest.

Zoe turned around again to stare at her room, so idyllic with her books and neatly made bed and yet something existed within it. An eeriness, a perfect illustration fading into the darkness like a vignette. She shook her head and jogged towards her siblings.

"It is the first day back to school; I hope they've prepared a feast for us," Levy said, rubbing his stomach.

"You are such a glutton, Levy," Claire huffed.

"Hey! I am a big man, I need my food, lady,"

Zoe grinned, but it dropped when Joseph joined them. Everyone pursed their lips or looked away, but Claire narrowed her eyes, stopping and glaring at him.

"Since when did you become a part of our group,"

"Since today," Joseph said, "I am not letting the new girl hang out with pariahs like you."