School of Affliction

8

I glanced around the room, noticing a few personal items that stood out: a worn leather journal on the desk and a stack of books neatly piled on the same desk. They weren't school books; these were his personal collection—another privilege the rest of us were denied.

Finn was slumped on the edge of the bed, clearly exhausted from whatever it was he did back in the lab. He grunted as if in pain. Pulling my attention away from snooping through Luca's things. I hesitated, then sat down beside him. "Are you sure you are okay? I know we heal fast, but that's a lot. " I reached to grab his hand. It felt nice, not uncomfortable at all. Maybe that is what gave me the courage to ask. "So...about what happened back there. What are you?"

"I wish I knew the full answer. It's something I've been dealing with my whole life. The school thinks they can figure it out—use it."

"Use it?" I echoed, the word causing panic to set in.

Finn nodded, running a hand through his hair with his free hand. "They've been trying to push me, to see how far they can go with my shifting. I'm not just one thing, Vera. I'm...many things. They've been experimenting, hoping to control it, maybe even replicate it."

"The experiments. That's what they have been doing."  I squeezed his hand, and he responded by gently rubbing his thumb over my hand. It was sweet.

"Who all knows?"

 Finn gave a bitter laugh. "My parents and the scientist and the Headmistress."His words hung in the air, heavy with implications. "I'm just another freak to them."

I shook my head. "You're not a freak, Finn. You're stronger than any of them know. If it weren't for you, they would have broken me and my fox."

Finn smiled, a faint smile tinged with pain. "Laid back and rest for a bit." I moved so he could get comfortable. When he was settled, I pulled the blanket over him. Feeling brave, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

Those green eyes danced with mirth, and I felt a blush rise on my cheeks. But thankful he didn't say anything about it. Embarrassed, I turn around, Continuing my exploration around the room, stopping at Lucas's desk. The leather journal called to me, but I resisted the urge to open it. Instead, I turned back to Finn. "What about Luca? He seems to have some serious pull around here. Why does he have a private room? Why does he have influence with the headmistress?"

Finn's expression tightened, and he glanced towards the closed door. "I've heard rumors. Some say he's connected to the founders of the school, or maybe he's got something on them. Whatever it is, it's powerful enough to keep him protected. But that doesn't mean we can trust him."

I nodded, the wheels in my mind turning. "We need to figure out what his game is. But right now, we need to focus on staying alive and out of that lab."

Finn managed a weak smile. "I guess we make a good team, then."

I returned his smile, my chest swelling with an emotion that was dangerous and close to caring.