Macabre: Story Of Lucas

Chapter 13: It Begins

Maria entered the classroom, her eyes scanning the eager faces of her students. With a sense of purpose, she approached the lectern and cleared her throat, capturing the attention of the room. The students hushed, their senses fixated on the task at hand, curious about what awaited them.

"Good morning, everyone," Maria began, her voice projecting with confidence. "Today, we will embark on an exciting journey of exploration and collaboration. Each of you will be assigned to a group of two, and together, you will delve into a specific theme, conducting research and crafting a compelling paper to present to the class next week."

A hand shot up in the front row, and Maria acknowledged the student. "Yes, please go ahead."

The student hesitated briefly before asking, "Do we get to choose our groups, or are they predetermined?"

Maria smiled warmly and replied, "I have already carefully separated all of you into groups to ensure a balanced distribution of skills and perspectives. This way, no one will be left out, and we can foster an environment of diverse collaboration."

Satisfied with her response, the student nodded, and the room filled with a collective sense of anticipation.

Maria took a stack of papers from her desk, each one containing the assigned themes and literature that she had meticulously prepared. With a brisk movement, she walked towards the first row, ready to distribute the assignments.

"Let's get started then," she said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I will call out the names of your groups, and each group will receive their designated theme and accompanying literature."

Maria called out the names and the students stepped forward to her. One by one, she handed out the papers, ensuring each group received their instructions and materials.

As Lucas heard his name being called alongside Salo, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension flickered in his eyes. He was not particularly fond of group work, preferring the solitude of independent study, but he respected Maria and her class enough to approach the task with an open mind. He and Salo made their way to the teacher's desk, their footsteps echoing in the room.

Maria's voice remained composed as she addressed them, "Alright, Lucas and Salo, your theme will be Carbon Monoxide. Here is the material that you will need to complete your task." She extended the papers towards them, her gaze shifting briefly between the two boys.

As Lucas reached out to accept the papers, she felt a jolt of recognition. The familiar scent that emanated from Lucas triggered a surge of intuition within her. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Maria's instincts whispered that one of these two boys could be the very adversary she had been relentlessly pursuing. Her mind raced, analyzing every detail—their demeanor, their physical attributes, and their patterns of behavior.

Caught off guard by the sudden rush of suspicion, Maria froze, her hand refusing to let go of the papers. She locked eyes with Lucas, her gaze probing and assessing, searching for any signs that could confirm her hunch. His build and stature seemed to align with the profile she had constructed, a realization that sent shivers down her spine. Tension hung in the air, thickening with every passing moment.

Sensing Maria's unease, Lucas furrowed his brows and asked, "Are you okay?"

Maria quickly averted her gaze, the weight of her suspicion weighing heavily upon her. Collecting herself, she forced a smile and replied, "Yes, I just didn't get much sleep last night. Nothing to worry about."

With a subtle release, Maria let go of the papers, trying to regain her composure. The tension in the room seemed to dissipate, but her mind remained on high alert. She knew she couldn't afford to let her guard down, not when the answers she sought could potentially be within arm's reach. Lucas accepted the papers, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. Unsure of what had transpired, he exchanged a quick glance with Salo, who seemed oblivious to the undercurrents of tension. Together, they stepped away from the teacher's desk, delving into their assigned task, unaware of the turmoil stirring within Maria. As they engrossed themselves in discussions about carbon monoxide and the material provided, Maria's thoughts raced. She knew she had to tread carefully, gathering more evidence and observing Lucas closely without raising suspicion. The stakes had suddenly escalated. Deep down, Maria questioned whether her instincts were accurate or merely a result of her obsession with finding the elusive adversary.

As Lucas settled into his seat, his mind continued to replay the peculiar interaction with his teacher. The intensity in her eyes, the momentary hesitation—it all felt out of place, shattering the calmness that had surrounded him lately. It reminded him that danger lurked in the shadows, even when he wished desperately for a respite from the supernatural world. Thoughts of vampires consumed his mind, their existence a constant presence in his thoughts. He had come face to face with them before, their power and unknown weaknesses a constant source of unease. Lucas knew that simply wishing them away wouldn't be enough to keep him safe. He needed to be prepared, to equip himself with something that could potentially tip the scales in his favor.

His shed had become his sanctuary, a place where he could tinker and experiment in secret. Gathering materials and researching, Lucas had worked tirelessly to create a weapon—a crude but effective one. He had fashioned a device capable of delivering a substantial amount of stopping power, a makeshift weapon that he carried with him at all times. It was a source of comfort, a tangible reminder that he had taken proactive steps to protect himself in the face of the unknown.

Examining the device concealed within his bag, Lucas couldn't help but feel a sense of both reassurance and trepidation. It was a constant reminder of the dangers he faced, a physical manifestation of his determination to defend himself. As he traced the contours of the device, his mind raced with questions about the true extent of the vampires' powers and their vulnerabilities. How would his creation fare against them? Would it be enough to keep him safe in a confrontation? He knew he had to be cautious, for the creatures he sought to defend himself against were cunning and relentless. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, Lucas refused to succumb to fear. He reminded himself that he had the will to fight, to protect those he cared about, classroom buzzed with the energy of collaboration and discussion, Lucas focused his attention on the task at hand, determined to excel in his academic pursuits while never losing sight of the shadowy threats that lingered beyond the safety of the classroom walls.

His eyes darted briefly towards Maria, contemplating the strange encounter once again. He wondered if she too had sensed the lurking danger that existed within their midst. There was something about her, a keenness in her gaze, that hinted at a something deeper. Perhaps they were more connected than he realized. As Lucas turned his attention back to the project, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose—a driving force that pushed him forward, propelling him towards a confrontation that he knew would come sooner or later.