Fatal Bite (EDITING)

(8) A Dangerous Decision

Chapter Eight - A Dangerous Decision

Closing her eyes, Amy sank back down onto her bed; she was just about to drift off to sleep when the door once again swung open. Groaning, she pulled herself reluctantly to her feet, accidently bumping her hair against the bunk above her.

She cursed profoundly as she clutched the back of her skull, glaring at Rodney who was chuckling by the doorway.

"Seriously?" she growled. "Can I not get any peace?"

"This is a shared dorm, Amy. What do you expect?" he replied, smirking at her.

"Shut up," she grumbled, lying back down and letting out a long sigh. She could feel Rodney watching her and she turned away to face the wall. No matter how she tried to fall asleep, she just couldn't. It was like her body had suddenly decided that it didn't want to sleep at night. She rolled around restlessly, before eventually giving up and sitting upright.

"What's wrong?" Rodney asked, perching down onto the side of her bed. "Trouble sleeping?"

She nodded, running a hand exasperatedly through her hair.

"Here," he whispered, sliding into the bed beside her. "I'll stay with you until you do." He helped her lie back down and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks," she mumbled, eyes drooping slightly. She listened to the constant metronome of Rodney's heart and it lulled her into a half-sleep.

"Anytime," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

* * *

Caellum marched down the corridor, his arms swinging in synchronisation with his steps; his body was rigid and spine erect. His forehead was creased into a slight frown and his eyes were stormy as his pace quickened and he slipped quietly into the auditorium. His head flicked around at the slightest of sounds; he was a trained killer, he knew how to watch out for danger.

He walked to the centre of the stage where Solon was sat, crossed legged and eyes closed. He didn't appear to notice Caellum at first, but eventually he couldn't ignore the stormy aura that could be felt in the room.

"Sit," he instructed the younger Elder.

Caellum obeyed and sat. He watched as Solon, who hadn't opened his eyes, brought his hands together above his head, and almost snorted with laughter. No matter how many times he had seen Solon meditating, it never failed to amuse him.

"Something's troubling you Caellum," Solon said finally, bringing his hands back down to level with his chest. He opened his eyes and glanced expectantly at the instructor.

Caellum looked startled for a moment before he hastily composed himself again. He shook his head, staring down at the stage floor. "No, nothing." He cleared his throat.

Solon didn't look convinced.

"Well, I was just wondering who the younglings are that you believe will make the turn," Caellum replied after a moment's pause.

Solon shook his head. "I'm afraid that's for you to work out."

Caellum rolled his eyes, feeling frustrated. The older of the Elders never saw fit to tell him anything - he was the odd one out amongst them and constantly found himself wondering why he'd taken up the post as an Elder. "I don't see how me working it out is going to prove anything. Am I being tested?" he demanded.

"Of course you don't," Solon chuckled. "This is your first class as a fully-fledged Elder, so we need you to work it out on your own. Why are you so desperate to find out anyway? Surely it shouldn't matter to you who will turn."

"I'm not. It doesn't," Caellum stammered. "I just think it would give me a chance to know who to keep a special eye on."

"Patience, Caellum. All will be revealed in time."

Caellum scoffed angrily and stood up indignantly. "I am told nothing, I am an Elder too and I have a right to be told this information," he snapped. Solon didn't look fazed by his outburst. "I am an Elder, like it or not, Solon."

"Patience, Caellum," Solon repeated, closing his eyes once more. "Everything happens for a reason, no matter how unfair it seems at the time."

"So you've said," Caellum fumed before stalking from the room. He was raging at the blatant lack of respect from the fellow Elders.

He walked briskly back down the metal corridor, his anger reaching a scorching boiling point. He felt as if he was going to explode and let out a loud roar that echoed through the corridors. The sound startled Amy from her sleep and she climbed over a sleeping Rodney and emerged red-faced and angry into the hall.

"What the hell?" she screamed, glaring angrily at her instructor. "I was trying to sleep!"

Caellum stared at her, his jaw tightening slightly as Robert and Rodney appeared from behind her. He looked around and realised that the hallway was quickly beginning to fill with students all eager to see what the commotion was. It wasn't every day that you'd hear a student shouting at an Elder. He cursed under his breath; he needed to get out of her. Quickly.

Amy raised her eyebrows at him and he shivered. He could smell the blood pumping in her arteries of her neck. Suddenly he felt himself lunge forwards towards her, his fangs appearing from his gums. She stared at him in horror and backed away. Caellum, who managed to stop himself before he reached her, was surprised by his sudden urge for blood and looked at them with an ashamed expression. They shouldn't see him like this. The twins, who looked less than amused, glared angrily at him, shielding Amy behind them.

Robert wrapped a protective arm around her, but this just angered Caellum further and he lunged again, this time with his fist outstretched. He was just as surprised as everyone else as his fist made impact against Robert's jaw, sending the boy reeling backwards, eyes rolled back in his head as he fell to the floor. Amy screamed as her best friend hit the ground, unconscious. Rodney saw red and threw himself at the instructor in an attempt to avenge Robert's honour.

Amy screamed as Rodney was knocked easily aside by Caellum. "CAELLUM, STOP!" she yelled as tears began to run freely from her eyes. "Please. Just stop! I beg you! Please, leave them alone!"

Caellum's fangs instantly retracted and he looked at the fallen boys, then at the crowds of shocked teenagers, and then at Amy, who was sobbing by their sides. He had never meant to hurt her.

He turned on his heel, heart shattering at the sight of Amy crying, and ran. He ran and ran and ran as far as he possibly could get from the school.

He had acted like a jealous boyfriend. His feelings were out of control and it scared him. How mesmerised he was by Amy scared him.

She intrigued him like no one else ever had - not even Harriet - yet he was running in fear of how much she hated him.