Mind on fire

07. my missing piece

Chapter 07: my missing piece

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I got up this morning, greeted by the scorching sunlight as usual, but today was different too. Today was the biggest day... the day that would change the course of my life forever.

After preparing myself and taking my necessary belongings, I quietly left without making a sound because Vicky was still asleep as usual. I decided to explore the back areas of the academy today. As I walked quietly through the corridor, I suddenly heard a scream coming from one of the rooms. I was momentarily frightened by the source of the sound and approached the door of that room with great hesitation. I know that my foolish curiosity always gets me into trouble from which I barely escape, but I never lose hope of involving myself in other people's problems.

Fortunately/unfortunately, the door was open this time. I raised my hand and hesitantly opened the door more to see the room inside. The design was different from mine and Vicky's room; it seemed that the rooms weren't as similar as I had thought. Inside, the room was simple, containing two beds as usual and some strange items scattered on the floor, such as books and candles, as if it were a place for performing some weird rituals.

As I investigated further, I saw Bianca, the witch I had seen during the opening ceremony. She was sitting in a secluded corner, her eyes closed as if she were murmuring some rituals. I froze in place and was about to leave again when her voice interrupted me.

_ What do you want?

Oops... it seems that awkward situations have become frequent in my miserable life recently.

_ Oh, sorry. I heard a scream coming from the room and just wanted to check if everything was okay.

She smiled at me lightly, straightened up from her sitting position, and approached me. When she reached me, she extended her hand for a handshake.

_ I'm Bianca. Sorry for scaring you; I was just practicing some new spells.

Her saying she was "just practicing some new spells" seemed very strange to me, like it was a trivial thing to say. I hurriedly shook her hand and smiled back lightly.

_ I'm Mary. I saw you at the opening ceremony, and honestly, your performance was great.

She smiled back lightly and her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

_ Oh, thank you.

_ Well, I'll leave now. See you later.

After saying goodbye, I quickly closed the door and left without looking back. It seems that involving myself in other people's problems has become my specialty these days. I must have looked like a curious intruder to her. But I told her I was just concerned about the scream. Wouldn't you have done the same if you were in my place?

Anyway, the rest of the hours passed in a flash until I found myself in front of the meeting hall after sitting in my usual spot, I mean the wooden chair facing the dense forest. And unfortunately, I didn't find Jack today, so I remained alone there, contemplating the bright sky despite knowing what lay behind that forest, which was anything but beautiful.

As I entered, I quickly looked to the right and left in hopes of seeing Vicky, but instead, I encountered Jack, who smiled at me as soon as our eyes met. He was sitting in the same seat as the previous day, so with steady steps and a smile that split my lips, I walked toward him. But as I told you, nothing is normal in my recent life when someone blocked my way. I recognized him the moment our eyes met. He was wearing his usual strange clothes, and his long hair was styled carefully.