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chapter three | the boy
Today was the day of the week that us students were allowed to leave the academy to go to the nearby town. It was a small town with adorable shops and a calm atmosphere, just a little ways away from the academy. It was a day where we were allowed to be free, however that 'we' did not fully apply to me.
I sighed to mask the wince of pain I felt as the necklace like collar was clipped into place, the stinging pain of the hunter counter spell cast on it. The headmaster gave me an apologetic smile as he finished with the last of the three clasps. I could feel the invisible chains that collared my neck being held back by the new collar that was now clipped into place. It was an odd feeling of both pain and relief.
"I'm terribly sorry about this, Gin." He spoke, his kind voice was genuine with his words. "However, this is the only way I could convince Kaname to allow your leaving the grounds."
I shook my head and waved off his apologies politely. "Do not feel guilt over such a small farce, headmaster. I am grateful for the kindness you have given to me all these years." I mustered up a smile for him. "I will be on my way now, I will return before sundown--as per agreed."
With that, I walked out of the headmaster's office with my head held high. My exit of the building and school grounds was quick, the perks of not being human, and it didn't take long before I was standing in the middle of town. The streets were bustling with adults going about their days and children running about in games of tag and grounders.
I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my black hoodie, bringing the hood up to protect my short hair from the wind, and strolling along the streets.
Coming along a curve, I stumbled back a few steps as a group of children rushed around the same corner and pushed passed me. They're laughter was loud, one of them shouting back an apology to me over their shoulder. I shook my head at this, but I quickly stopped and hid myself in the shadows when I felt the presence of another child. A familiar child. A little boy with dark red hair came running out of breath and came to a stop.
His amber eyes were filled with frustration and tears as he looked up to where the previous group had disappeared into the distance. "They left me behind again..." he was glaring down at his hands and mumbling to himself. He dropped to the ground and began to sulk.
Taking pity on the boy, my sage green eyes narrowed in concentration as my mind wandered in searching. Eventually I found the presence I was looking for and grasped onto it, coxing it to come to me. In a matter of seconds, a stray pup wandered into the streets from a nearby alleyway. It's round eyes locked with mine as if asking for orders. He is now yours to protect. After that thought, the young hound hobbled over towards the red haired boy.
I watched carefully as the small pup nudged at the boy with his snout, licking and nipping at his fingertips to get his attention. When the boy looked up from under his arms, the brown and black fired dog let out a tip like bark. "Are you alone too?" A smile tugged at my lips from watching the display of innocence.
The pup barked, as if to respond to the boy's question, before jumping on him in a playful manner. The boy laughed at the action, his face being tickled by puppy licks and kisses. "Haha! Okay, okay! Down boy, down!" The boy held the pup at arm's length in the air, smiling at the goofy expression. "I guess we'll just have to be alone together. Mama always wanted a dog anyways, something about monsters stalking her."
My smile became bittersweet at his comment, but nonetheless I was happy to give him this gift. Even if he will never know the truth of it.
"My name is Atticus," he beamed at the pup, standing up as he did so, "what should I call you... Hm..." Little Atticus held his chin between his thumb and pointer as he dove deep in thought. "I'll call you Clover, it's mama's maiden name before she met papa."
The pup barked happily and licked at the hands that still held him up in the air. This caused Atticus to giggle at the ticklish feeling.
I watched their interactions for a while before deciding that it was time to go home. It would not be wise to go over the curfew that was set during the agreements of my attending the academy. After all, I was not deemed stable in the eyes of the others.
We are just like them--born as children of the night--however, we will never be their equals. I was of common blood.
I kept my mental link with the pup, to ensure that both it and the boy returned home safely. They had long since returned to their home by the time I had reached the academy gates, having decided to walk at a human speed to enjoy the near setting sun.
