Phrontistery Of Monster Kind - Six Feet Deep

Chapter 26

Sadly, the class didn't run as smoothly as Rosemary's movements while making origami flowers.

"Yeah, we totally heard her shout it from across the room. You wouldn't have guessed it from the way she dresses, though."

"She probably has mad game."

"Nah, mate, she's proper into those edgy bad boy types, I tell ya. No doubt about it."

"So not sir then."

A small group of year eleven's were talking at the back of the class. I normally didn't mind the slight chatter, but the incessant giggling from the trio made me wary.

"Are you all right Lucinda, Deziree, Vivian?"

"Of course, Ms." Deziree said. The vampire beside her started snickering. The teen who spoke batted the girl.

"Are you sure, girls?" Two of the three nodded. "Vivian?"

She looked up from her laptop and the journals scattered over her part of the desk.

"I'm all good." She lifted one book she was reading, a journal from the library.

"Word of advice Lucinda. Don't gossip about people when they are in the room. Noise travels."

The vampire's face paled.

"I'll see you tomorrow at lunch duty."

"Miss. I can't go outside."

"You won't. You'll be helping the ladies in the cafeteria."

"What?"

"You do kind of deserve it, Luci."

"Fuck you Ridae."

"Oh, like you fucked my boyfriend."

Amused by the two friends' exchange, Vivian smiled. This must have been a regular occurrence for them.

I sighed; glad I don't supervise year eleven. From the corner of my eye, I could see one of Tiffany's friends jotting notes to report back to the ghost when she returned to the school.

'Maybe love doesn't change, no matter how old you are,' I mused.

Class ended, and all students were off to their dorms before I did what no one should do if they want to remain alive. I ventured into the forest. Curfew duty had passed, and any sensible monster was in bed.

I never thought I would pick flowers for a man, especially one I wasn't even dating. Still, I was wide awake, accompanied by my phone's flashlight and a woven basket in hand as I ventured into the outskirts of Scarrow. There were stories about the forest written thousands of years ago.

One goes:

Through the darkness, deep and eerie. The dark faerie forest lay flowers of the most exotic beauty, beckoning travellers. Mesmerised by their fragrant allure, they'd reached in for a pick, but little did they know the secret it held. One that would make you meet your fate so quick. As Death looms in sight, all because you were tempted by these glorious blooms. A chill run through your body's core, as you meet death's door. So, I warn you dear traveller, beware these beautiful secrets in nature's hold for lurking here, a wicked danger untold. Scarrow Forest was a lethal tomb for many before, where death is the only guarantee for sure.

I was among the handful who can state that they have survived the forest unscathed. The dragons of the land used to hold their parties there centuries ago, safe with their scales from the beings of the forest. Then they were classified as one. Nowadays, they didn't associate with the greenery.

As the story suggested, there was a blanket of darkness descended over the forest. A magical mist sprawled throughout its shores. The forest was blanketed in an eerie fog, which seemed to be creeping further and further into the abyss of the woods. Towering ancient trees loomed ominously, blocking out all signs of the sun's life-giving light. They were the same as the 'hawthorn' tree in the Rose Garden.