Helheim

CHAPTER 14

I woke up to a knocking on my door.

-Who's there? - I questioned. Nobody answered, so I had no other option but to open the door.

-Trick or treat? - greeted Killian smiling mischievously; Imani and Amelie chuckled next to him.

At the sight of the three of them looking radiant I was tempted to close the door.

-None- I replied dryly.

-Uh someone is bitter today- scoffed the Russian boy.

-Come on Sophia! How are you not even dressed up yet? It's Halloween!- said Amelie.

-Come to the east wing after breakfast- invited me Imani- We will drive downtown to the Carnival-

-I think I'll pass but thanks- I said hoping they would take the hint and leave me alone. After last night, I wasn't really in the mood for anything.

-Why? I honestly doubt very much that you've got better plans- replied the green-eyed boy.

-Killian...-scolded him Imani, and then she turned to me- Everyone in school will be going out today Soph, it's not every day we get to have fun like this, wouldn't be nice if you missed out. But if you change your mind, we'll leave at 11:00-

After that announcement they left, and it took me about another hour to actually force myself to go looking for something to eat.

-Why you all alone? - asked Maeve sitting next to me- Thought you would be with your friends-

-They are all going downtown- I replied as I took a sip of my coffee.

-Aren't you going with them? –she questioned surprised.

-I'm not really in the mood-

-What do you mean? It's Halloween- she insisted.

-Yeah I know that- I answered as I studied her, she had dressed up a bit, and she had her purse with her –Where are you going anyways? -

-Downtown obviously- she said smiling.

-You too? - I questioned rolling my eyes annoyed.

-Literally everybody will be there-

-Yeah, so I've heard- I sighed- What's the big deal with all of you and Halloween? Is it like a national festivity or what? –

-It's just... special- she shrugged- Almost magical-

-You can't be serious- I chuckled, she was the last person in Helheim I would have ever imagined would say something like that.

-You know what I mean- she replied- It's just a different vibe-

We stood in silence for a couple of minutes before she got up to leave.

-I'm guessing you are still drained from last night, yet, you shouldn't stay here on your own- said the redhead- Trust me, I know you will love this day as much as we do if you decide to give it a try-

I considered her words while I finished my breakfast, still, I didn't even try to catch up with The Seven. I spend the rest of the morning doing homework in the library, and it wasn't really until lunch time that I started to regret staying back at the Institute; there were only a couple of other people walking around school and the dining hall was empty. The Institute had a different air to it when there was no one running around. It was so quiet it was almost scary.

I got back to my dorm ready to hide there and watch movies for the rest of the evening, when the cross on my nightstand caught my eye. I grabbed it instinctively. I knew that was the invitation to the Halloween party Valhalla was hosting tonight, and I got a pretty good idea of where the secret location was; the thought of it made me smile, and I realized I kind of missed them already.