Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 49:A day off

I clutch the pillar tightly, hoping that Marco doesn't know how to climb. If he can swim, that would be one thing, but climbing up here would be a disaster I'm not ready for.

In my panic, my mother's chain, which I wear around my neck, gets tangled in my hand. The star pendant falls to the ground with a clatter.

"Oh no!" I cry out.

"Don't come down, you fool!" George yells in desperation.

"I have to get my chain back. I can't lose it!" I reply, my voice filled with urgency.

I release my grip and, with a heavy thud, I fall to the ground, landing flat on my back like a helpless creature. Marco's legs loom above me, and I can see everything flashing past my eyes.

I know this might be the end, but I don't want to go out like this. I grab the pendant from the ground and clutch it tightly in my hand. With tears streaming down my face and my body trembling, I close my eyes, bracing myself for what feels like the inevitable end.

Suddenly, I feel a searing pain in my back, as if an elephant had just stomped on me. I cry out in agony, but Marco seems completely indifferent. He steps over me as though I'm nothing more than an obstacle, his focus on inspecting the clips on the pillar. He searches around, then steps over me again as he returns.

Doesn't he see me at all? Why is he ignoring me?

"What's happening?" George shouts, his voice filled with confusion.

"George, he's coming your way!" I call out urgently.

"I think his vision is limited to seeing downwards," I shout. "Quick, lie flat on the ground with your feet apart, like a sheet!"

With a heavy thud, George drops to the ground and spreads out like a bat, his body pressed flat against the floor.

We stay sprawled on the ground, our bodies pressed flat as we silently pray for the timer to run out. The tension is unbearable, each second dragging on as we wait for a sign that it's finally over.

"Congratulations," the host announces, but our anxiety doesn't ease. We remain motionless, eyes darting around, suspecting this might be another trick.

From behind a teacher, I catch sight of Nathan, shirtless and drenched. He's scrubbing his shirt with water, and the red stain spreading around him suggests the shirt was soaked in blood. The sight sends a shiver down my spine.

Relief washes over me as I see that Nathan is alive, but I can't shake the panic. I scramble to my feet and frantically start wiping my face, trying to remove the blood splatters. The vivid red splotches had smeared across my skin during the chaos, and I dread the thought of what I might look like in a mirror.

As I clean my face, I glance around, trying to shake off the overwhelming sense of dread and disbelief. The blood on my hands is a stark reminder of the ordeal, and I take a deep breath, preparing myself to face whatever comes next.

I look around in disbelief. "No one else from his team? All dead?" My voice is a mix of shock and confusion.

It dawns on me that, in the grand scheme, it's just the two of us left. Given the circumstances, it's not entirely surprising.

"Thanks, girl," George says, breaking my thoughts.

I roll my eyes at him, but it's not just a reflexive gesture. My frustration is palpable. It's not just that I have a reputation for being difficult; it's that he's responsible for the death of someone who might have been a friend. 

"Manners, girl," George says, his tone dripping with annoyance.

"I don't waste manners on jerks and killers," I shoot back, my voice cold.

He walks off, looking regretful for even saying thanks.

I sprint across the campus, my heart pounding, and burst into the nurse's office. "I need extra clothes," I say urgently. The nurse hands me a hospital gown, worn by patients, but it's better than nothing.

Clutching the gown, I dash to the nearest washroom. I lock the door behind me, my hands shaking slightly. I pull off my blood-stained clothes and slip into the gown.

I head to the cafeteria, grabbing some food to distract myself from everything that just happened.

A voice blares over the speakers, "Students, you might be tired! Your classes are over for the day. You can go home now."

With a bun in one hand and my bag in the other, I rush out. I don't bother waiting for the imaginary Kate. This game has made me face reality.

On my way to the dorm, I see Nathan talking to a teacher. We lock eyes for a moment, but then pass each other without a word, as if we were strangers. I'm tired of always needing him or making the first move.