Shadows Within

FIFTEEN

Ethan Fell walked through the hallways of the school, trying to surpass the smile he was the resisting the urge to show when he came across a girl trying to break into the janitor's room. "Aren't you a little short for a janitor? It's nice to know I'm not the only one trying to hide out on the first day of school." He smirked and watched as the girl shook her head, apparently embarrassed for getting caught.

"Oh, no, I wasn't hiding. I — I was, um, uh, I was looking for the principal's office." She told him, which was probably the worst lie anybody could tell. Who looked for the Principal's office in the janitor's room? There was only two reasons students went into that room — to hide or to hook up, and seeing as he wasn't seeing her with anybody, he would bet that she was trying to hide.

"Well, you're in luck. I'm new, too, but I'm pretty sure that's him right behind you."

Principal Saltzman put his hands on his hips rather dramatically and started, "Hi. I'm Principal Saltzman. Who are you?"

***

Lizzie Saltzman exchanged glances with Josie who was looking at Landon like she thought he needed a little help managing those girls seeking for his attention. "Now, that's something I never thought I would see."

Josie gave her a somewhat tight smile. "I think it's rather nice." She muttered before turning to her with a curious look on her face. "Where's Mom?"

"With Nik. You know, doing really important stuff." Lizzie looked suggestively at her sister with a playful grin which Josie only grimaced at, making a face. "Ew, gross, Lizzie. I may approve of them, but that doesn't mean I actually want to imagine them doing it."

Lizzie was thoughtful before asking her twin sister, "Do you think he is going to marry our mom?" Would he became their dad? The thought wasn't particularly unpleasant. He had been more of a father to them in those two years than their father had been almost their entire life anyway.

Josie shrugged. "All I know is that he makes mom happy and that unlike certain somebody whose name we just don't mention, he actually bothers to spend time with us. Remember when he taught us how to sword fight?"

Lizzie laughed at the memory. "Now, that's what I would call a fun day." It had been the first time in ages Lizzie could remember actually having fun. "Jo, look at the time. We have to go before mom gives us a detention for not arriving in time for the ceremony." And with her sister in tow, they ran up the stairs.

***

"Children, let's welcome Professor Vardemus to our school." Caroline Forbes clapped her hands with a wide, beaming smile and Josie Saltzman watched as a rather impressive looking man enter the room in quite a dramatic style, beaming at them with shining white teeth. "This school has survived a difficult year. There were monsters and Triad, and frankly, the headmaster you trusted to keep you safe ended up putting you in more danger."

"But this year will be different. It's high time this place ran with a little discipline and order. I expect you to work harder than ever before. To be rigorous, to push yourselves. To be perfect. Because I believe every one of you is extraordinary. The students in this room have the power to literally change the world. To whom much is given, much is required, and I am requiring you to be better than humans ever could. Because the day is coming when we will step out of the shadows, when you will no longer hide yourselves. Because the future is supernatural. To that end, I would like to award our Salvatore Medal of Freedom to the student who single-handedly defeated Malivoire, Mr. Landon Kirby."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jed whispered between them, clearly disbelieving what was happening here. She didn't blame him. She didn't either. "They are actually buying this? Did anyone really see him actually defeat that thing?"