Terra & Bastian

Black

I shove through the door, glancing around the dark room.

"This is it?" I ask, throwing my duffle bag onto the huge beanbag chair in the corner.

"Giant TV, king sized bunk beds, plenty of space, your own bathroom," Phil, my shape-shifting tour guide says. "What more do you want?"

I roll my eyes, swinging myself up onto the ladder that leads to the top bunk. The comforter is black, the pillow is black, the carpet is black, the wood that makes up the bunk bed is black, the walls are black.

I lean back into the bed, my feet still hanging off the side. There's no railing along the edge of the bed. My God, even the ceiling is black. Black, black, black. Everywhere you look, black.

"Wake up call at five thirty," Phil says, and exits the room.

"Three hours? Thanks, bud," I scoff, waving him off.

I take off my jacket and fling it onto the chair. Then I slip out of my clothes and pull on a grey t-shirt and plaid pajama pants.

I bury myself deep into the dark comforter. I can't believe I'm finally here. After years of fear and hatred, I'm somewhere I can breathe. At peace, I let my mind fade into white noise, and then finally silence.

I wake up to the screeching of a siren. I throw my hands over my ears to block out the blaring noise, but it seems to be seeping into me from all angles, rattling my teeth and squeezing my brain with iron fists. I look around. The clock in the corner reads 05:30. I never wake up this early. Groaning, I hang my legs over the side of the bed. I am rubbing my eyes and stretching when a crackling female voice comes onto the PA system.

"New recruits have until 06:30 to be dressed and ready. At that time, your leader will come to your dorm room and take you to orientation."

I end up being fully showered and dressed by 6:15. My wavy, dark hair falls past my shoulders and down onto a black, full-zip hoodie that I found deep inside my bag. I'm taking one last look in the mirror when there is a knock at the door.

"Terra Gastiss," a deep voice announces. I cross the room and throw open the door. A tall boy with light blonde hair wearing deep blue, stiff looking uniform stares back at me.

"My name is Julius Carp. I'll be your leader for initiation," he says, looking me up and down, assessing my ability. Seven others stand behind him, looking sheepish and afraid. They must be the other members of my group.

"We're going to pick up one last person, then we'll begin initiation. Join the pack, kid." He turns and begins to walk down the cold, tile hallway. I fall into step next to a tall kid with white hair and irises so blue that they were almost silver. I wonder what he can do.

Our feet slap on the grey floor, but other than that we walk in silence. I guess people don't talk to each other much on the first day. I notice the white haired kid leaning down to me, as if to speak.

I look up at him and nod. "Terra. Hi."

"Mitchell Gray."

We've arrived at a door covered in graffiti, almost all of which says "freak."

"Peter Grimm?" Julius calls as he knocks. We hear footsteps and the sound of locks clicking. The door slowly creaks open and somebody's eye peeks through.

"Peter?" Julius repeats. The eye bobs in what I assume is a nod. Slowly, the door creaks open and a young man slinks through, his back still facing us. When he turns around I realize why he looks so terrified of us all.

Peter Grimm's entire body, save one side of his face, is not covered in skin. It had been replaced with chestnut colored leather. He has no hair. He wears a grey t-shirt and black exercise pants that cover a good portion of his body, but clearly not enough to make him feel comfortable. He keeps fidgeting and crossing his arms tighter, trying to escape our stares. I feel bad. He's a very handsome boy, but the majority of girls in the world wouldn't date someone with a leather body. Even so, I'm sure he's gotten enough pity in his life. I look away. Julius continues to study Peter for a second, then waves him into the group, next to me. I try to offer him a smile. His lip twitches in response.