Four Hearts

Chapter 34

Cedric

After they all find themselves back at the campsite, the small group of four agree to pack up and leave the woods as fast as possible before any more demon walkers, as Zain calls them, or any other terrifying monsters show up. The courtyard is half full with second years who have decided that it was warm enough to finally escape the clutches of the obnoxious first years. They all stare at the herd of teenagers that emerge from the forest, covered in dirt and scratches that smell like they haven't showered in weeks. Professor Trenton is sitting at the far end of the courtyard, trying to hide his chuckles.

"Jeez, what happened to you?" he asks when Cedric walks past.

"Demon walkers," the four of them say in unison before they keep moving.

"Wait, what?" Professor Trenton asks, grabbing Cedric's arms.

"We went camping cause of a book Zain read. The headmaster gave us access to all the equipment we needed. We woke up this morning, and a giant monster came charging at us. We bolted and then ran into demon walkers. After we fought them, we went back to our camp and decided to come back to school cause we weren't going through that crap again."

"One, how do you know what demon walkers are? Two, you fought demon walkers?"

Cedric and the others look at Zain. Zain's eyes dart back and forth throughout the courtyard, and he taps his foot against the ground.

"I heard my coaches talking about them once," Zain unsuccessfully lies.

Professor Trenton sits back with his arms crossed, "Fine, we'll roll with that story for now. Let's start at the top. You found demon walkers and then fought them."

"I think fought isn't the right word in my case," Milena says.

"Cedric, bring everyone to my classroom. Now."

"Could we get a shower or something first?" Allegra asks.

"No. This is the priority. You can worry about cleaning up later. Go now."

The group of four sigh and shuffle inside with Cedric leading the pack.

"Who was that?" Allegra asks Cedric.

"My department's head professor."

"Is he always that demanding?"

Cedric doesn't answer. The classroom hallways are empty, along with most of the classrooms themselves. Professor Trenton's door was cracked open. An empty glass next to a half-full bottle of an amber liquid is on his desk. The label has been taken off, but the stench of the foreign whiskey gives it away. A pile of rubble is sitting in the middle of the room, blocking the stairs to the seats. The teens stay standing, trying to ignore the mixing smells of unshowered sixteen-year-old and alcohol.

An older woman that Cedric barely recognizes from the magic choosing enters the classroom. She frantically rushes to Milena, "Thank goodness you're alright!"

"I'm fine. A little shaken, but I'm fine," Milena replies. "I'm lucky I was able to keep my defense spell up for as long as I did."

"You used one of your spells in combat?"

Milena nods resulting in a tight embrace from the old woman, and the raspy laughter fills the air. "You used a shield in combat! I'm so proud of you!"

"Allegra!" a deep feminine voice says.

A young woman in a little black dress walks in with Professor Trenton and one of the coaches Cedric remembers from his nightly workouts. Trenton waves his hand, and the rubble turns into a statue of the young woman who called Allegra. She shoots him a look, and Trenton winks as he walks to his desk.