Our Darkest Knights

Chapter five

KYTE

We parked a couple of blocks away from the school to avoid any unwanted attention. A suspicious van parked outside a high school might attract some questions, or at least raise a few eyebrows. I have a simple mission. Infiltrate, retrieve, and exit discreetly—a routine I've mastered in the past.

Attempting to blend in, I navigate through the school, aware of curious gazes that say they know I am an outsider. I'm hoping they mistake me for a new student rather than some pervy older man wandering the halls. I'm not much older than most of them, though.

"Hi," I announce, entering the filing room. The woman at the desk looks like she's in her early 40s. She wears wide-framed glasses, has long, auburn hair, and dresses like a librarian.

Looking up at me, she offers a sweet smile. "I'm a new student in Mr. Butler's class," I explain, recalling the teacher's name I saw above one of the doors, "He asked me if I would stop here on my way to the office and see if you could come see him,"

"What for?" she asks.

"He didn't specify, just that it was urgent." I lie.

"Alrighty then," she says, rising from her desk. "Thank you, dear,"

"No problem," I reply, stepping out into the hall and slowly walking away like I'm headed up to the office, even though I have no clue where it is. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch her shut the door and lock it, then disappear around the corner. I quickly pivot, scanning my surroundings, before forcefully breaking the door handle and closing the door behind me once I'm inside. I have about 10 minutes to locate the Elalits juvenile folder. There are not a lot of cabinets to go through; I find the file quickly, and to my surprise, there is only one.

Katherine Leighton, an 18-year-old, who was recently freed from prison. I don't delve into content; that's all I need to know. Her picture is pinned to the front of her paperwork. She's pretty.

I shove the file under my jacket and exit the way I came. As soon as I shut the door behind me, the bell rings, and kids swarm the halls. With my head low, I navigate the crowd. I'm nearly in the clear when I see her.

An almost unnaturally pretty figure, with long and stringy curls, that ripple down her back, hanging low at her waste. She dresses in light ripped jeans and a worn grey t-shirt, a casual yet dingy charm. Her absence of makeup reveals a canvas of star-like freckles. She clutches her books firmly with her eyes fixed on the ground. She is hunched and drooped with dread that surrounds her like air.

A guy draped in a blue letterman jacket strides toward her. Despite being of average height and weight, he towers over her with an intimidating presence.

His laughs echo as he forcefully collides with her, sending books and dignity cascading to the ground.

I see the door in front of me. My exit is just a swift stride away.

"Don't get involved! Just keep walking," I tell myself, resisting the urge to intervene.

I sigh, knowing I can't help myself.

"HEY!" I shout, shoving him from behind, "What the hell is wrong with you?" I continue as he turns around to confront me. I glance down at Katherine, looking up at me as if I were Santa Claus.

"Who the hell are you?!" He yells, springing back on his feet.

I'm the guy who's going to rip your arms off your body and beat you with them. "Someone who doesn't need to prove his manhood by bullying girls half his size," I reply.

He laughs. "Do you know what she did?"

Looking over at her, I noticed she hadn't moved or said a word. leaving me to believe that this happens regularly. "Doesn't matter," I say, looking back at him. "Don't bother her again."

"Or what?" He smirks, and I want to rip his spine from his throat.

"Or you'll find out."

Maybe if I scare him a little, he will leave her alone. At least for the rest of the day. He slowly backs away, pointing his finger at her, before turning around and joining his friends.

I quickly turn from her and continue down the hall before she can ask any questions.

"Hey, wait," she calls out, grabbing the sleeve of my jacket.

I sigh, turning to face her. Her bright green eyes shimmer with curiosity.

"What?" I respond, a hint of annoyance in my tone.

"...thank you." She says, her words genuine. "For helping me,"

I turn from her, quickly needing to escape this conversation and building before any vigilant teachers notice me. The warning bell rings loudly above my head as I maneuver sharply around a corridor. My heart is racing when I slam through the back entrance doors and return to the van, evading notice.

Slipping into the passenger seat, I meet Nate's stare. Sunglasses conceal his eyes, but I can tell he is annoyed. I guess my breaking and entering exceeded his patience.

"Well?" he asks.

"I got a file,"

"Just one?" He questions, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but I got a good feeling about this one," I assure him.

I clear my throat, peering out the window at the small school with a red roof and dark bricks.

A sense of uncertainty behind my stare. Is my good feeling based on the best interests of this group? Or because she looked at me like I was a noble knight as if I had gallantly arrived on a white horse and vanquished the dragon guarding her tower. I'm no hero, but in that moment, she looked at me like I was hers, and it made me wish I was.