ℒ𝒶 𝒩𝓊𝒾𝓉 (AMBW)

𝟖|| 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲

The clicking of a sharp heel against a hard, stone flooring echoed through the large hollow foyer. Having arrived just moments prior, Analisse was escorted into the entrance hall by an older man in his late sixties by the name of Sven, who introduced himself as the school caretaker. He greeted her with a warm smile and helped her with her bags, but at the sound of the headmistress approaching them in the dark hall, dimly lit by antique gas lamps, his face grew grim.

Faced with a woman of pale, almost ghostly like skin, with dark brown hair with streaks of grey that complimented her air of wise authority, she appeared most daunting, with such a look of avid sternness, seeming, however, to always hold an expression of constant boredom.

This was the boredom of that of a woman who had most certainly encountered almost every challenge life could entail, yet still sought the next thrilling accomplishment of having overcome the next. Of medium stature, she seemed, however, very domineering with the added height of her heels. Daunting was she, standing tall over Analisse's medium height.

Analisse, for a few moments, could not even bring herself to greet her properly.

"You must be Analisse Beaumont." The headmistress said appearing to have a slight English accent behind her neutral tone of voice.

"Yes, I am."

"I would say it is pleasure to meet you, but under the rather unconventional circumstances, I think more formal introductions are granted in the morning."

"Of course, miss..."

"Ms. Williams, but at this school, you shall address me as Headmistress Williams." As Analisse nodded her head, the headmistress now turned away from her, and began to walk into the hallway. "Elizabeth." Beckoning a young girl no younger than Analisse, the girl in question emerged quickly from the hallway. "Please escort our new student Analisse to her designated room."

"Yes Headmistress."

Leading her up a large set of polished dark oak stairs set along the tall walls of the bleak entrance, Elizabeth spoke very little to Analisse, of which she simply assumed was her attempt of respecting the sleeping students, but to her dismay, this could not have been the sole reason.

(Analisse's bedroom)

That night Analisse had a rested yet exhaustive slumber, filled with lucid dreams of a shadowed figure who held her desperately close, in which she became engulfed in the cool of his touch. Yet opposed to his cold touch, brought forth a familiar comfort of which radiated a most sweet and pleasant warmth to her rather empty heart.

Surrounded by a forest bed made of grass which glimmered in the midnight dew, and timid white flowers all of which were nestled deep within in a dark boreal forest, nothing mattered anymore. All was well and perfect and pure in this world... all was with him.

"Analisse," said the deep yet raspy voice.

"Yes," said she in an almost breathless whisper of a voice.

"It is almost time."

"Time?" Yet knowing what he meant, tears began to form in her eyes, and seemingly holding him ever so closer, she was suddenly jolted awake by a gentle shake to her shoulder.

"Oh dear! I didn't mean to startle you so much." Said a smiling girl with auburn hair and blue eyes.

Relaxing a bit yet still trying to process her dream, Analisse put on a smile nonetheless, though still confused she said to the girl, "it's fine. Who are you, if I may ask?"

"Oh silly me! How terribly confused you must be." She said with a silly giggle which quite frankly annoyed Analisse more than it should have. "My name is Lena and I help out around the school. I'll help you get settled and then later on a student will give you a proper tour of the school."

"Well it's nice to meet you Lena."

"Breakfast is in 20 minutes so we better hurry."

Though smiling whilst nodding her head, many things were going through Analisse's mind at that point, but most prominent of which was her dream.

A/N: Thank you for reading this new chapter of La Nuit. I hope you have all been doing well and are enjoying your summers!

Much Love, Yara♡