VAMPWERGIC

Chapter 7

PRESENT

The class grew still and dead quiet ushering in the presence of their Algebra teacher, Mr Terry Mcgonaugh. He was middle-aged and had a receding hairline.

"You'll all be starting your assessment tests within the hour but before then, I'll be asking some major questions on various taught topics." He took a board pen and scribbled neatly across the white board neglecting the chalk board like he usually did.

"That question's for extra credit for the rest of the semester." said Mr Terry while everyone peered at him without taking the question down. He didn't seem to query anyone for refusing to write for they had in fact gotten tired of writing this particular question down for almost half their Senior year, some even probably knew the question by heart.

Jasmines' thoughts raved way past the classroom even as she sat idly in her seat behind a desk. She scanned the classroom for any sign of Logan only for eyes to fall on where his seat lay empty. She still had vivid images from what she saw at the Ender's estate, it made her skin crawl... ... ... ... ... ...

(THREE HOURS EARLIER)

Her scooter came to a rest outside the parking space. The Enders estate stood a few meters from her scooter. Its metal protectors had about the same design as its gate which much to her dismay swung open.

She hastily walked through the low cut bougainvillea garden she'd heard so much about. They hadn't really hung out at his place, it was always hers; come to think of it, she'd never seen his home ever. He stayed with his great aunt unlike her; she lived alone with her brother who had skipped town the moment their parents travelled on a supposed vacation, so basically she lived alone.

"Logan." She called after a few knocks on the tall, heavy varnished wood door -having colored glass panes of amber, blue and orange, in a geometric design- that was the entrance.

She groaned when his number hit voicemail and instinctively went for the door handle. "Is anyone home?" Her feet crossed the threshold in slightly noiseless steps and the view seized her breath for a bit. The floor was polished marble; a fireplace graced the interior wall facing east, sofa sets with plenty of throw pillows, one, three ... seven!
A spiral bespoke staircase made of polished wood led upstairs to all the other rooms. The place looked like a modern replica of a medieval castle's interior.

"Hello dear, you must be Jasmine," an elderly lady spoke startling Jassie, "Logan's told me a lot about you."

She seemed to have come in through the French windows, obviously been painting as her nails and chin still had blotches of oil paint.

"He did?" Jassie trudged closely to Logan's great aunt, Melissa. "Enough to know you're vegan." Jassie struggled to hide her grin, he really had spoken about her to his aunt and that made her special in ways.

"He hasn't been home since last night, I have to say, he's been acting pretty strange lately."
A feeling of worry tugged at her gut. His aunt had just confirmed her fears. "Can I go check his room? Maybe something there could help explain his behavior and where he's been."

"Sure. Second room on your left, you can't miss it." His aunt's voice trailed off as Jassie took the stairs one at a time till she reached a narrow corridor. Logan's room was on her left and her hand grasped the handle in no time, it turned. Unlocked, what was it about the Enders' and not locking doors?
She didn't see it at first and then she did, all the colors drained from her face almost immediately.

"Earth to Jasmine!" Cassandra snapped with her fingers.

"I'm sorry Cass, I got carried away I guess." Jasmine apologized while doodling on the back page of her notebook. Cassandra stared at her friend and then glanced over to Logan's empty seat. She had an inkling of what went through Jasmine's thoughts.