Soul Chains

Chapter 2: Call it a Coincidence

"Y-- You can't be serious," I gawk at the girl before me and the situation at hand.

"On the contrary, I am quite serious," the girl blinks and I blink back at her ridiculously, "is there a problem?"

"A problem? You-- you just appeared out of nowhere and that other woman was there and you killed her?! At least, I think you did?! And you're using old style weapons and I have no idea what's going on!" I shout frantically.

"Calm down," Reine sighs and looks around quickly, "you'll draw attention to us."

"I think your appearance already does that," I grumble.

Reine glares at me before crossing her arms and pursing her lips.

"I can explain everything to you later, but for now I need to stay close to you," Reine says.

"Well, despite whatever madness is going on here, I have to go to school," I say as I walk around her in long strides, "so, if you don't mind me--"

I get cut off when she yanks on the back of my bookbag and stops me from going anywhere, making me sigh.

"Then I will accompany you," Reine says.

"I'm sorry, you'll what?" I look over my shoulder at her with my eyebrows raised.

"I said I will accompany you to school then," Reine blinks.

"That's not-- you can't do that," my voice raises an octave and Reine seems to pick up on my distress.

"Why not? I'm sure it can't be that hard," Reine says, shrugging it off.

"Well, no," I start, "but that's not the point here. You're a complete stranger who can somehow summon magical weapons and not break her legs when she jumps off of building roofs. Your appearance is also a bit striking. Sure, people dye their hair and wear contact lenses, but you'd attract a lot of attention, being new and all. Besides, how would that even work? You're not an actual student."

"No," Reine shakes her head, "but I could apply to be one."

"Okay, but doesn't that take--"

With a snap of her fingers, Reine summons an ID card that has her photo on it and I blink in utter shock.

"You just..." I start, "you just automatically joined my school...okay...yeah...that's totally normal...totally okay...everything is gonna be perfectly fine, Gabriel. Yeah...no need to worry. Magical beings have invaded your life and your planet, but it's all gonna be okay..."

I laugh dryly as Reine watches me uneasily as I run a hand through my hair and stagger around on the sidewalk.

"Your response seems appropriate to the situation, considering most humans would be quite shocked and frightened. You didn't run away though, and that is good," Reine offers.

"Oh, God," my eyes widen, "what about my siblings? Will they be targeted too? What about my parents?"

"Look," Reine sighs, "I promised that I would explain everything later, so don't worry about it. And I'll be sure to protect your family too."

"Are you sure?" I look at her wearily and wonder if I can trust her. I mean, she did technically just save my life...

"I promise," Reine nods and her eyes seem to be only telling the truth to me.

"Alright..." I nod, agreeing wearily, "let's...go to school then."

The two of us walk to the school in silence and I send her nervous glances every so often only to find her expression as calm as ever. I shake my head and sigh, clearing my thoughts as we arrive at the front gate where some of the buses are pulled up. I watch from afar as Vivian heads inside with three of her friends and Ayette guides Darian across the courtyard. I sigh in relief upon seeing them okay and relax a little, quickening my step and hoping to get the day over with. Reine follows beside me and multiple students stop and stare at her, whispering every so often and some giving her funny looks while others give her no bother. None of it seems to phase Reine as she walks up the cement staircase that leads to the front doors with me. Once reaching the glass doors on the light tan brick building, I pull one open for her and she walks through with me following behind her.