PENSIONNAT - VERSION ENGLISH - BOOK FINISH

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Just when I thought it was all over for me. A man came to my rescue, almost as fast as the scavenger. He jumped on his back and dropped a chain, which was sticking out of his forearm. He wrapped it around his neck and pulled roughly towards him.

The scavenger fell and braked itself with its huge head. It stopped at the edge of the flower field. But it wasn't over.

While the shadows were barely visible, in the gloom, a blue light began to surround them. It was so faint that one had to keep an eye on it. The boy's blade emitted the same light and sliced through them with the utmost precision! Once the work was done, he stopped in front of me and quietly put his weapon away.

I was completely captivated by his performance.

On the other hand, his face was hidden by a scarf, and he was wearing a hood. He only revealed his gray eyes.

- What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous.
His eyes reminded me of someone, but who? Even his voice sounded familiar. Has your tongue been cut out? the boy insisted.

- I... I...I'm sorry. I... I know. But... A shadow... She... she has... my friend.

- She swallowed it? the boy asked sharply.

-Yes. My voice suddenly faded away.

I didn't dare look him in the eye. I wanted to cry.

- I'll go get her. But first I'll take you back to the cabin. Only there will you be safe.

- You know the cabin? It sounded amazing.

- Everyone knows the cabin.

He took my hand and carried me along. He quickly understood that I was completely confused and lost by Marie's disappearance... It reassured me that he was there. He knew what he was doing. Unlike me.

Unfortunately, our walk did not last. She was disturbed by the sudden arrival of shadows. As her blade lit up, dark silhouettes appeared in the dark, the same blue as the weapon. It was as if the weapon was calling to the creatures of the shadows to reveal themselves.

He let go of me and ordered me to run without stopping.

- And you don't turn around no matter what!

I listened to him as I started to run, or run away, as fast as I could! But running without turning around, as I heard the screams of these things coming in droves, was beginning to weigh on my conscience. How much longer was I going to run, huh?

He was fighting brilliantly and had already sliced through quite a few shadows, but there were too many! With several of them on him, they managed to get him to drop his blade. I could feel him gasping for breath. I stopped and turned around.

They were going to swallow it like they had swallowed Mary... I refused to let him... I took a deep breath and ran without stopping to the blade. I succeeded in dodging the attack of a shadow by a narrow margin. Once I had the weapon in my hand I sliced it with all my strength! The weapon went through a soft, slimy mass. Nevertheless, it left no trace on the blade. I ran as fast as I could and cut the two shadows that were holding the man down. I gave him back his weapon and he cut two more shadows that were coming at my back.

- Now run! The cabin is right there! the man shouted.

He was right. It was only a few feet away. I ran and left him behind.

I arrived at the cabin and immediately jumped on Perus who was still lying on the ground.

- Mister! Mister! We need you! Mister! Get up! Come on get up!!! He woke up with a start and panic.

- A shadow! What is a shadow doing here?! shouted Perus.

- Mister we have to go and help him! He's all alone in front of them and I don't know what to do!

I got him up and took him to the front door. My gaze met the man's gray eyes and I thought I could FINALLY give him a name. He looked away and the idea was gone as quickly as it had come.

- Quickly! ELLA stay here and turn on all the lights! I'm going to go help this young man.

I turned on everything and returned, quickly, to the doorway.
Perus sat cross-legged in front of the growing shadows. He let a part of his soul slip out slowly. It was coming out of his body like smoke coming out of a flame.

He seemed to be meditating peacefully. And slowly, the light of his soul swallowed the shadows. It passed mercilessly through them. Some tried to flee, but it was useless. The smoke, as white as snow, went everywhere in a radius of three kilometers.

One by one, the shadows disappeared as if nothing had happened. The hut and a small part of the black forest, found its usual calm.

Once all danger was over, Perus thanked the man who had saved my life.

I thanked him from a distance, because Perus refused to let me leave the cabin. Nevertheless, he moved closer to me and the cabin, leaving Perus to examine the surroundings.

- Thank you! Thank you. Thank you very much. Once again, I didn't dare to look at him. A sudden urge to cry had come over me.

- You're welcome. You were very brave just now. He threw out his words, thinking he was comforting me. Don't worry, I will find your friend. I'll let you know when I do, or when I get a lead.

- Hm. Thanks again. Marie..., I breathed into the wind.

Seeing her being swallowed up had broken my heart. I couldn't even imagine how Thibault would feel.

*****

I spent a sleepless night. The next morning, Marie's disappearance made everyone's blood run cold.

Thibault lost his temper and began to get angry at Perus, who remained powerless and silent. What could he possibly say to him? It would have been necessary to find Marie to calm him down... And that was a promise he could not keep.

Fortunately, Mr. Strange arrived and calmed everyone down. We returned to the manor in a macabre silence.

No one was laughing at the story of the shadows and Mary's disappearance.

The First Year Spectres had organized a memory table. It was in the gardens. The ritual was to place a rose petal each morning.

In a week's time the third term would begin.