A Crumbling Society

Part 2

I must've been traveling for hours; I was getting tired mostly from crying but also from this taking a long time. The darkness finally came to an end with a small light in the distance. Starting out minute, then gradually growing into a larger more prominent ball of light. It was an opening, and end to this darkness finally, at least that's what I was hoping for. I got closer and could see a horizon on a hillside with some trees nearby. It didn't seem familiar at all, but it was the only place to go for now. The sun was just peeking into view, still young for the day ahead, it was sunrise where the lights were taking me. I finally exited the dark place with the lights circling around me to set me down, placing me on my knees. I was too weak to stand and honestly felt like throwing up now that I was stationary, a few minutes later I did. Emotions got the best of me and the pit in my stomach couldn't sit still any longer. A breeze was calmly hitting me, and I watched to lights fly back into the dark before the exit closed. They were gone and I was sitting all alone here, looking around I could see a giant structure, a castle, standing greatly at the side of the hill. Now everything was familiar, I had been here before a long time ago. Ankastle Academy is where I was, the place where all mages and witches attend to learn magic in my world. I personally didn't care to be here, but I guess it's the only thing that makes sense. Castor must have known what she was doing before sending me off, before she, died. A figure was heading my way from the main opening, short in height and long brown hair pulled back into a bun. It was a woman, hard to make out fully but no doubt female. She got closer and made eye contact, I knew exactly who she was, Miss Halavitt, my old teacher, and mother figure was walking my way.

"Good morning", she said meeting me atop the hill. Stopping to help me up and looking in my eyes, holding just the sides of my arms.

"Good morning!", I greeted back, looking away breaking contact while my voice quivered.

"Come inside dearie, you've been through a lot", she continued tugging on my arm.

"I suppose", I said, and started walking with her. She has clairvoyance, that's why she is out here meeting me, she knew it would happen. I assume she also saw what happened as to why I'd be here anyway. Miss Halavitt is fairly short but taller than most women, she also still had bits of color in her hair. Her outfit was an eggplant sweater over a skirt with pantyhose and heels. Only this time the heels weren't on since she was walking in the grass on the grounds. Neither of us spoke which was nice since I didn't feel like it, nor did I want to talk about what happened. The two of us headed down the slope to the gate that opens itself when we get close. We headed into a ward with towers surrounding us, the main building hovered high above as well. This made me feel like we were being watched but Miss Halavitt mentioned something about the student weren't up yet. It gave me some piece of mind, but I hadn't really cared if the school was in term or not. Leading me into the academy she told me I had quarters in the west tower, the food was on if I was hungry, and that I knew where everything was, to help myself. We stood in the center of the grand opening; the ceiling was miles high and the sun beginning to beam through the windows above. She gave me the smile you get when someone says, "everything will be alright", I still didn't keep eye contact. A mutual nod to indicate I could go from there and she turned to walk back down the corridor to her side of the school. Nobody was up yet; I didn't even know what day it was to know if classes were going to happen but still trudged along the halls. I didn't feel like eating right now either, still feeling the idea to vomit again at the surface of my throat. Eventually making my way to the west wing of the castle the hallway came to an end. I walked all the way down to meet a brick wall, pale in color, older than I had last seen. Placing my hand on it I gave a slight magic surge, and the stone began to crack, sliding out of place it revealed a hidden staircase. I had only seen one person access this tower once in my old days here, I watched them do what I just did, and it seemed to be the same way in. The stairs weren't awful getting up, reaching the last step the room showed itself completely, a massively open plan sat in front of me. It was like an apartment more spacious than the one I live in; my mind came back to the fact I even lived in one. I had forgotten about it through all of this, now I'm not even sure if I could go back there. Slumping down on a sofa in the corner, not caring enough about the rest of the place I started feeling the guilt again. My best friend, the more optimistic one, now dead and it feels like it's all my fault. Losing the team feels like my fault too, if I could have done more, intervened or casted something, maybe they would still be here, and I don't even know if they're alive either. The rest of them at least. I slowly faded away into sleep in my sorrows as tears trailed down my face.