False Illusions (ONC2023)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 2۞

☀︎︎
ʷᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ⁿᵒⁿᵉ
☾︎☽︎

I descended the spiral staircase that led to the Abyss Academy, my heart still uneasy from the scene at the store. Mind wondering about what would have caused that, why did that happen all of a sudden? It was different, it was new and new things caused problems.

As I walked through the doors of the academy, I was immediately struck by the dimly lit, cavernous space around me. My hands ran down the walls and boots hit the floors which were made of rough-hewn stone, and the air was damp and musty, with a faint smell of earth and moss. Though it was made a rule to always spray chemicals to remove the suffocating smell of earth, the holes were cleaned for oxygen, and the air was fine.

The classrooms were carved out of rock, with rows of wooden desks and benches illuminated by flickering torches on the walls. The ceilings were high and vaulted, with stalactites and stalagmites jutting out at odd angles.

As I walked through the winding corridors, I passed by glass cases filled with artifacts and specimens from the deep earth, such as glowing crystals, fossils of ancient creatures, and rare minerals. The walls were lined with intricate murals depicting scenes of subterranean life, such as underground rivers, cave creatures, and mineral formations.

The school's central hub was a large, circular chamber with a towering stone spire at its center, which seemed to glow with a faint, otherworldly light. The spire was surrounded by a pool of inky black water, and religious fanatics and some students gathered around it to perform rituals and ceremonies that honored the underground spirits.

Overall, the Abyss Academy had a mysterious and mystical ambiance, with an air of secrecy and wonder that seemed to permeate every corner of the school.

I knew from the moment I stepped foot into the hallway that something was wrong. I could feel that all eyes were on me which sent a strange sense of goosebumps down my skin. My fingers tapped anxiously on my lap as I walked passed the students stiffly. The usual bustle and chatter of the school grounds seemed to fade away as I walked past groups of students who huddled together, whispering and glancing in my direction.

I tried to keep my head held high and maintain a confident stride, but the hushed tones and occasional glares sent a shiver down my spine. I had done nothing wrong, I couldn't help but wonder what they were all saying about me.

As I approached the entrance of my class, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. I could feel the weight of their attention on me as if waiting for my next move, their eyes were watching every step I took. Their keen eyes followed my every movement.

Trying to play it cool, I pushed open the doors and stepped inside. But the gossip and whispers seemed to follow me, like a dark cloud hanging over my head. It was as if the entire school was talking about me and it was as if I was the subject of their speculation and judgment.

I wondered if it was the way I was dressed but this was no different than my common dress. As I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass case in the classroom, I couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. My dark hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, with loose strands falling around my face. My hazel eyes looked tired, with dark circles under them from staying up late studying and writing essays. My already pale skin looked paler than before. I looked sick in general.

I smoothed down my wrinkled t-shirt and jeans, feeling slightly underdressed compared to the other students at school. I wished I had put on a bit of makeup or worn a nicer outfit, but it was too late for that now. I took a deep breath and tried to shake off my insecurities, reminding myself that I was here to learn and not to impress anyone with my appearance.

I walked to the back of the class, where my boyfriend and only best friend were huddled at the back. They were watching me as I stepped closer. Though I could see the judgemental look in my friend's eye my boyfriend seems to act normal. His gaze was still as loving though a bit bored. He stood up and kissed my left cheek.

“Hey, babe. I missed you. Two days of not seeing you felt like ages” He said taking my bag from my shoulder and hanging it at the back of my seat.

I sat beside him at the back sit where the teacher's concentration is less and there was more freedom.

“I have been getting weird gazes since I stepped foot into this school. Everyone was looking at me as if they saw a ghost. Did someone spread a rumor that I jumped down a cliff and died and now they are seeing my soul or something?" I asked confused, my gaze on my friend, Freya.

Freya sighed, her doe eyes looking so innocent and pure. She was a naive girl who was so gullible. She believes everything she was told and it was one of the things I don't like about her.

“Well, one of the students disappeared. Kelly Aniston? Do you remember her, red-haired from the 4th grade? The loner" I nodded.

“Well two days ago her parents said she went out to buy some snacks but never came back. She just disappeared” Freya added.

“Okay, but what does that have to do with me? It's common thing that students to disappear. We are used to it by now and it's always the loners or the ones that just like moving about at night. It's not new. I don't get what that got to do with me” I spoke, a bit annoyed.

“This morning, they find that her footsteps trace to the place where you buy illegal goods from. Not just that. Her ID location was also traced back to your house. Knowing that your parents are like very popular scientists people think that your family might be involved in the mysterious disappearances” Michael, my boyfriend spoke in a lackadaisical tone. As always not care about what other people thought or baseless rumors.

I scoffed. “That's dumb. Just because her ID card was found at the front of my house doesn't make me a prime suspect or my family. There are other houses there. It could be them. Everyone is so gullible in this school and it's so frustrating” I smoothened My hair backward, biting my lower lip before adding “My parents were not around and I stayed home all day writing that goddamn essay. Can't believe people are that dumb to believe such rubbish without proper investigation” I looked at Freya who was looking down at her nails, doing her possible best to ignore my gaze.

Michael rubbed his cheek on my shoulder. “I never believed them. My girlfriend has hands soft as chicken laps, too soft to kill”

I giggled. “You are right. I know you wouldn't believe them. You are so smart"

Freya let out a groan interrupting us. “Can you guys please take this somewhere else? You are grossing me out”

I giggled. “You won't understand Freya. Relationships are sweet”

“At the beginning,” she said leaning back against her chair. “Later it becomes sour. You realize his claws and then end it. Take my mum for example, she use to love that my dad works as a soldier, now she hates it”

“It's not the same. Michael and I have been friends since childhood. We know enough of our flaws” I leaned forward a bit. “Talking about soldiers, I just saw something different. You know how I love watching that morning news at that shop?" They nodded. “So basically, something different happened today" I explained what happened, Mike's face became more serious and Freya drummed her fingers mindlessly on the table.

“Isn't that weird?" I asked them after I finished talking.

“Indeed it is,” Freya said.

“But it could also be the reported is chasing attention or something like that. Wanting to be noticed, clout chasers. It's not unheard of” Mike said, his hand under his chin, legs crossed over each other.

“It could be...but it could also be the truth,” I said.

“Well, this is the first time we are seeing such and you can see all the killings and war that has been happening. You see it in the background, do you think the government would take their time to act a war in the background so as they can deceive us? That's just sick”

Freya was just looking at Mike speak. He was making sense and I could see the logic in it.

We wanted to talk more about it but the teacher stepped into the class. As always, my concentration span was still at its lowest and I slowly drifted into dreamland.