Hunt

Chapter 3: Duality

Lunch drew to an end, leaving Reyna and I with so much more to talk about. But the cruel bell cuts our conversation short. As we're parting ways I remember something from when I looked over Reyna's schedule. We had the same English class, so I'd be able to see her later today. But I'd have to get through history first.

I was restless all throughout my history class. I don't know why, maybe I was still thinking about her. I just couldn't pay attention to the lecture. When I was called on to answer something quite simple I biffed it hard, eliciting a laugh from the rest of the class. I noticed my teacher giving me a couple odd glances throughout class after that. I knew he could tell something was up.

Mr. Harland is more than just my history teacher. He's a friend, and a pretty good monster hunter. Yeah, he has quite an interesting side gig. I had actually found out about Mr. Harland's secondary night job on accident. I caught him working on a case before class. He had foolishly thought nobody would notice, luckily it was just me. I ended up surprising him with my limited knowledge at the time. It did take a little bit of effort but I cemented a good friendship, a valuable resource, and more than a year of awkward school interactions.

"Hey Kyle, Mind staying after class for a sec?" Mr. Harland says suddenly, pulling me from thought.

"Uh, y-yeah sure." I stammer in reply, now suddenly worrying that my apparent lack of knowledge on ancient Chinese culture has caused this impromptu performance meeting. A few others snicker at me being disciplined but are quickly quieted down as the lecture begins once again.

I do my best to remain attentive for the remainder of class. Yet try as I may, I still find my mind wandering on to other thoughts. My eyes drifting to the blue sky and warm sun outside. No offense to Nick, but he isn't the most enthusiastic of teachers I've had. If he was just half as enthusiastic about teaching as he was hunting monsters I'm sure he would have a better time reaching the students in his class... As the bell finally rings everyone shoots up to leave, leaving me as the only one sitting at their desk. As everyone begins to file out it soon just leaves us two.

"You doing alright Kyle? You seemed really out of it today." Mr. Harland asks, sitting down at a desk opposite me.

Nodding I try to pass my wandering thoughts off as just mundane exhaustion, "I'm alright. Just wasn't connecting with the material today. Haven't been sleeping very well Nick."

I could visibly see him tense up when I call him by his first name. It was kind of a rule he had. An odd one considering we were the only two people in the room. "Kyle." He says in a low and cautious voice, "Only out in the field."

"Alright. 'Mr. Harland.'" I say in a mocking tone, "It's not like we're alone in here or anything... Have you finished up with case you were working on yet?" I try to make casual conversation. Changing the subject.

"No, not yet..." his next class begins to roll in. Drawing his eye for a moment. "...But now really isn't the time to discuss that. I'll make sure to contact you about it later. It's something I could use an extra set of hands on." His body language changes as he goes back to teacher mode, "Make sure to study up on the material. Don't be late to your next class Kyle."

Message received. Loud and clear.

I'm hurried from the classroom and forced to rush to English. Making it to class just as the bell rings. But as soon as I step in classroom I can tell that something's off. There's a weird feeling in the back of my mind, like something is very wrong. There's the usual conversation, yet in the back corner I spot a figure being crowded in by an awfully familiar bloodsucker.

"...Smell him all over you... IT... over you..." Is the only thing I catch as I push my way towards the restrained commotion in the corner. I quickly recognizing the new girl Reyna being hounded by Heather. Without further hesitation I pull the aggressor off Reyna's desk. She had unfortunately picked a corner desk and had gotten trapped behind it. She was looking rather uncomfortable, but she visibly relaxes as she quickly spots me approaching.