Death Rose

Chapter 3

The two spirits walked out of the graveyard in silence. The gears in Elvira's head spun out of control as she tried to make sense of Delice's words.

"Croford, what did Delice mean when she said that I have to e-end this?"

"You see, After ten months of being here, spirits start to gain the power to sense external things."

"That clears a few things up, but it doesn't answer my question"

"You need to understand the concept of fate first"

"Can't you tell me?"

"I can, but I would not be able to do the best job at it. Come on, i know of a place that will help you"

He led her down a path. The crunching of leaves under their feet and the whistling of the trees became the only sounds in the forest. Still mesmerized by the beauty of the forest, she focused more on the stars rather than where Croford was taking her. Elvira noticed a burnt tree, black leaves to a black trunk. Heading in the same direction, she started to notice tall castle peaks above the trees. They were walking to Bearru Academy, confusion struck Elvira like the lightning to the tree.

"Croford...why are we here?" Elvira asked him while approaching the grand gates

"I taught here when I was alive" he replied, rather soft

"How come I never saw you around campus?"

"I passed last summer" the spirit confessed.

Uncomfort clung onto Elvira like damp moss onto wood. Minutes of careful phrasing went by before she mustered

"W-what happened?"

"I...fell off one of the towers"

"Oh, uhm I'm sorry that happened"

He flashed her a smile, but the sadness lingered in his eyes.

Elvira followed the professor across the courtyard, reminiscing the times she walked through on her way to and from classes. Up the stairs, remembering how she always complained of their existence. Along the painting, still wondering who was subjected within the frames.

They stopped at a door. A tall wooden door with a dull gold frame. With a push, the door gave way into a small room. Inside the room were ceiling to floor bookshelves. Elvira could see that the books on the shelves had lost hope, surrendering to the dust, falling into the void of disinterest. Elvira roamed to the small desk, with its own pile of journals. Her fingers grazed the typewriter in amazement. The spirits could sense it, the room was quaint, but in its own old-fashioned way, it was what they both needed. Croford sighed, evident that he had not been in a while.

"I like it".

He smiled, a real one, one that revealed his dimples.

"I appreciate the sentiment".

The librarian strode over to a corner, after looking across shelves, he had found it. A book; Croford offered to Elvira .She looked at the book in his hand.

"What is this?".

"You will be able to understand fate better".

Elvira looked at the book in his hand, taking it tentatively.

"Thank you".

She wandered to the desk and turned the lamp on. Her eyes grazed the first words before there was a soft knock at the door.

"Hello? Who's in there?" A voice sounded.

The voice had belonged to Lyra Bearru, daughter of Headmaster Bearru and nepotistically, head girl.

Croford opened the door, revealing a tall blond, her hair neatly tied with a white bow and her uniform crisp. Her jumper comfortably hugging her body. The quizzical expression intrigued Elvira, almost as if the spirits were not supposed to be there.

"Mr Ealing?" Lyra's confused expression deepened,

Lyra looked past the librarian and locked eyes with Elvira.

"What are you doing here Fayde? it's past curfew".

Croford looked back at her, she looked at him in return.

"Bearru... I'm a spirit now"