Descend into Darkness (BOOK 1)

| 18 | Roses are White

Vampires roamed the halls, cold and lifeless, no different from everyday people you might pass on the streets. 

The only difference being the way they looked at you--well, the way they looked at me--was different. Thanks to the serum, I still looked and smelt like a human, and I could see the subtle twitch of their nose as I approached; the way they glowered.

Ever since Elaine's warning, I had been cautious and always on guard. I avoided walking on my own when I could help it, and so Leo and Elaine only had to intervene on a few occasions. 

When they weren't there, I could do little more than withdraw to my room, knowing that the only thing that kept my aggressors from bursting through the wall, was the set of eyes on the other side of the mirror.

My nights had grown longer and more restless. I hardly slept during the evenings, now that I had become accustomed to rising as the sun fell. I spent little time in the daylight unless it was required for testing, and I hadn't seen Evander since that day in the lunch room. 

One day, as I walking through the halls to meet Elaine, I turned the corner and saw her speaking with someone I had never seen before. I ducked back around the corner. It was strange, Elaine only ever spoke with me or Leo.

The man she was speaking with had his back to me. He had platinum-blonde hair. They seemed deep in conversation, but Elaine wore a dazed expression, as if in some sort of trance. The man clicked his fingers to return her attention to him. She snapped out of it and smiled.

Strange.

After a moment, I moved in to greet her. When she saw me, her expression darkened. The man nodded and ducked away, while Elaine walked toward me.

   "Elaine, how--"

She walked by me as if I were a stranger. I turned and called out to her again.

   "Oh my god." she spun around. "What?"

   "Is something wrong? I thought we were meeting at the lounge."

   "I 'spose there is something wrong, Kelsey. You think you're so much better than me because of all this special treatment you're getting."

   "What?" I shook my head in disbelief. "I've never--"

   "I hear things, y'know. All about you and Sage and how you're best buddies."

   "Elaine--"

"Nope, don't want to hear it. You're on your own from here on. I won't be there to save your sorry-ass."

Elaine spun back around and I watched her until she disappeared around the corner. I stood there in shock and utter confusion. She had spoken with a strange tone of voice, one that wasn't like her at all. I had no idea what to do. 

If Elaine wasn't going to protect me anymore, then I could probably count Leo out as well. They were too close, and he would probably listen to anything she said. Still, it wasn't as if Sage and I had become any closer.

What sort of rumour had she heard?

I walked aimlessly through the halls, running through the conversation over and over again. I thought back to Elaine's face while speaking with that unknown person; the subtle change in her tone. I had heard it before, hadn't I?

Without realising it, I had made my way to the gardens. I took in the fresh air with slow, steady breaths, and walked around the rose bushes before sitting on the bench by the fountain.

   "You must really enjoy it here." said an unfamiliar voice.

I turned my head and saw the man with platinum-blonde hair standing beside the fountain, his hand catching the water from the spout. His expression was composed, completely androgynous. If I were to see him from afar, I would have thought he was a very tall woman.