Of Life and Death: [A Dark Academia Paranormal Romance]

Chapter 28

Without wasting any more time, I turn on my heels and rushin. The empty room stops me short. Reaching up, I absently start to untangle myhair, drawing out stubborn leaves. My hand freezes mid air when the murmur of acrowd down below becomes audible.

I rake my fingers through my hair frantically, desperatelyhoping I've managed to remove any evidence of being in the woods. Throwing thedoor open, I rush down the cold halls. The stairwell is suddenly too long,every step I take sending a rush of dread snaking through me.

Finally I get to the common room. Following the voices, Imake my way to the dinning hall.

Up to a hundred pairs of eyes turn to laser on me. I fightthe urge to shrink away.

The girls wear varying looks of irritation, still in theirnight wear. Veloria's matron is the last to notice me. The dread in her eyesgives way to shock and then concern before her eyes turn cold. I notice someoneshoot up. "Emmaline!"

Sophie.

She pushes away from her crowded table, heading in mydirection. "Thank God you're here! Thought you were going to sleep in thebathroom!"

Confusion grips me, but it vanishes when the matron demands,"Where were you!?"

Before I can speak, Sophie cuts in. "I told youalready, Mrs. Bane. She was sick. Puking her guts out and all. It's why shecouldn't come down for roll call soon enough. Right, Emma?"

I startle on hearing my name, but I catch on instantly. Myhead bobs up and down in a rush.

The matron looks from me to Sophie, her expression cool. Shesoon dismisses us. "Go. Join the rest." She scrawls something off onher book.

I follow Sophie back to her table. Gratitude fills me and Istart to thank her, "So--"

She quickens her pace. When we're at her table she slidesin, scooting over for me. I sit and look around the table. Cool gazes stareback. Swallowing, I look away. When the side of my face warms, I turn to see abrunette watching me, or more precisely--my feet. Her narrowed eyes lift to myface. "You said you were where again?"

My eyes find Sophie's, a chill slithering down my back. Ibring my attention back to the brunette. "My room. We just told Mrs Bane.Didn't you hear?"

"I did. But it's just odd..."

The girls quiet, listening in. My stomach flips."What's odd?" 

"Your shoes. There's a lot of dirt stuck on it."Her eyes hold mine. "Were you in the woods?"

My heart leaps. I struggle for words but before I canformulate them, Sophie comes to the rescue.

A laugh. "Oh my God, have you seen Emma walk?She doesn't walk--she powers through. That dirt you see? Has probablybeen there since last year."

The girls laugh and I can't help it, I crack a smile. I dowalk like my shoes are on fire. But when I catch Sophie's gaze, she doesn'treturn my smile.