Forgive Me

Chapter Three

Jorrie skipped a class.

I'm going insane, was all her brain could focus on as she silently stormed through the school.

She couldn't think about anything else. It was the only way to keep from collapsing from the confusing misery of the day.

The bell sang its usual tri-toned note, and Jorrie was forced to continue on. There was no going back- no just waltzing into fifth period.

Suddenly, she knew without a doubt that he would be there.

I don't know what's gotten into you, Jorrie, she thought furiously. How are you going to score perfectly on the first semester final in math if you skip a class?

You have to go back.

I don't want to.

Just do it!

Abruptly, she froze. Spinning around on her foot, Jorrie quietly stomped a few feet down the hall.

"Tral," a voice caught Jorrie's attention, and she looked around wildly in the sparse hall for a hiding place. "How did Recent History go with... well... Miss Death?"

I need to get out of here!

However, as Jorrie whipped her head violently back and forth, her golden French braid dancing in the air, searching for a hiding spot, she spotted nothing but dark, blood red walls.

She heard Tral's voice mumble a reply.

Sighing in relief, she realized the staff members were farther away than her panicked mind had thought.

I need to hear what they're saying.

You're an idiot!

I know.

Thankfully, Jorrie had payed attention to her stealth class in her sixth year at VH prep.

Jusr like all of her other classes.

She could do this.

She could spy on her teachers.

For some reason, Jorrie knew she had to do this.

She suddenly got a familiar feeling seeping into her heart.

It was the feeling you got when you were about to see your parents again. When you had been gone on a long trip.

It had been crazy and exciting, and you were dying to tell them about it.

To feel your mom's warm, loving hand on your cheek. To laugh at your dad's funny sayings.

It was an ache to be in a family again.

"I just don't know how to handle things like this."

Okay, Tral's voice was definitely creeping closer.

Jorrie flitted gracefully down in the opposite direction of the encroaching teacher.

She was now in the elective teacher's hall.

Bright, colorful classrooms were gouged out of the halls in a most artistic way.

Recognizing the music department, Jorrie flung herself into the classroom.

She was just in time.

Tral entered the hallway, followed by the other voice.

"It is a difficult subject, I know." The voice said gently.

Jorrie almost screamed at her own stupidity.

Tral was speaking with the music teacher, Mrs. Fern. The teacher of the very room Jorrie had taken refuge in!

She held her breath, knowing that the slightest sound would alert the skillful teachers.

"But Miss Death must've moved past the incident," Tral reasoned to Mrs. Fern. "It was years ago."

"They were her parents!" Was there disgust in Fern's tone?

"I suppose you are right," Tral sighed. "Vampire hunters used to be so strong, so brave."

Jorrie's mind clouded with fierce anger.

How dare she!

How dare-

In her anger, Jorrie's elbow jerked out, knocking painfully into the wall.

Her quick reflexes had dampened the sound... but still... these were skilled teachers...

"Tral," Fern continued as if she hadn't heard anything at all. "It isn't the old days anymore."

What was going on? Vampire hunter adults were said to have such a sensitive sense of hearing!

"It should be!" Tral snapped. "How else are these students supposed to face vampires? Playing music 'till the monsters drift off to sleep?"

"Tral!" The music teacher gasped. "You don't honestly still believe those monsters ever existed?"

Tral was silent, but Jorrie could hear the perilous twinge in the air. You never made Ms. Tral angry.

"They still do, Fern," she replied. "They have been as inactive as possible. But they can't help a few murders..."

That was all Jorrie heard for her hearing suddenly was failing her.

Murder. Vampires. Mom. Dad.

She couldn't take it in. It was too much.

Jorrie didn't know how long she sat there, her ears plugged by her shaking fingers, willing the teachers to go away. Never come back!

The roar of puzzling words ceased slowly, and Jorrie flicked open her eyes.

She almost shrieked.

Tral was standing there, wild eyed insanity mixing with her unruly, graying hair to create a terrifying combination.

Jorrie took one look at the old woman peering down at her and fled.

She sprinted through the halls, grateful for her excellent physical condition.

She didn't care as sleepy students shuffling to the eighth year dorms stared at her in surprise. She was just a blur of nothing.

Jorrie didn't stop until she reached her dorm.

Almost mechanically, not noticing her surroundings, she punched in the code for the room. Snatching a black case, she fled to the darkening lawn.

She calmed as she settled down on a stone bench. Her fingers automatically forced through the motions.

Grab the violin... ready the bow... strap on the shoulder rest... play...

It was as if she was dead, looking in on another girl blankly stringing notes into the air.

She didn't waken from the deathly trance until she looked out across the lawn...

And saw him.

Author's Note:

Hi, thanks for reading my book! I appreciate when people make time to read other's stories. You don't know how happy you make authors!

If you're an author yourself, please feel free to suggest your book(s) to me on the comments or on my profile. I am happy to help you accumulate more readers for your stories. We writers must help each other!

Please comment or vote if you like, if not, that's fine.

Merry almost Christmas!

-Pianodreams 😜