The lord of Darkness

1

"We shall not cease from exploring.
And the end of our exploring will be,
To arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."

-Thomas E. Elliott

"Ms Kingsley, a moment?" Professor Atkins called from her desk.

The bell has already rung and everyone in the classroom had bolted from their seats looking eager for lunch. Isabel was nearly at the door when she heard the female professor call her name. She wondered what it was about. These past few weeks had been rather, quiet, and unlikely peaceful for Isabel's usually troubled life. She wasn't exactly confident if it was the medications finally working, or just an untimely miracle she had  been graced with. Looking slightly anxious, she took a breath and headed to the desk.

"Yes Ms Atkins?, Is there something wrong?" She replied with a steady demeanor.

"Oh goodness no!" The professor smiled warmly. "I just wanted to talk to you about something important, something that may be to your interest", was her vague response.

Margaret Atkins knew of the girl's strength and excellence in all things academic; highly immersed and fluent with the knowledge of science, history, and languages. Though strange and oddly eccentric, Isabel Kingsley was favoured and was highly regarded in her school as one of the leading prominent students. She wanted to give the young student an opportunity to travel with her to Brasov, Romania. The university had chosen to participate in a research project created by the European Academic Institute of History. She, as a member, was tasked by her supervisors to pick at least seven honorary students to come with her and join the said occasion. The professor already had six students on her list, leaving Ms Kingsley as the only viable candidate left. Margaret was sure her best student would never turn down an opportunity as grand as this. She smiled.

"Come sit dear, we have a lot to talk about".

********************

They had talked for what seemed like hours, with her meal forgotten and all the specific and important details laid out, she considered her options. Isabel felt immensely proud for being chosen, knowing that her perseverance and hardwork throughout the years have completely paid off. The moment her professor explained her involvement, she was filled with excitement. Romania, a country she had never been to yet feels incredibly familiar. They were going to stay in a castle, she was told. She had never been to a castle before, nor seen one in real life. "Or did she?". Her thoughts were running wild again, going back to her land of imaginations and dreams. "She had been in a castle before. She had worn a wonderful gown. She was nobility. She had danced with a stranger. She had---"

"Hello, earth to Isabel! Are you alright?"

She immediately banished her stupid thoughts and realized that she had been sitting there for quite some time while staring into space. She faced her friend looking slightly confused.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, you were gone from class for three hours. Good thing Professor Atkins excused you from Madam Cynthia's class."

Her eyes widened

"Three hours?! I've been gone for more than three hours?!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah, but don't worry, as I said you're out of trouble." Maia assured her best friend while patting her back. "So Ms Atkins finally talked to you about some academic, research, sort of convention happening in Romania eh?" She smirked.

"Yeah, but she also mentioned you having been approached days ago. Why didn't you tell me sooner?". She frowned, not at all bothered, rather curious.

"Well I thought it was better to surprise you". She laughed. "Ah, Romania, a land of lore, history, and mysticism. And more importantly, we'll be travelling together, isn't that super exciting!?"

It was indeed very exciting, and with Maia accompanying her, it would just be a lot more special and memorable. She sighed. "Well, since you're more informed than I, I assume you already know of the others who are going?".

"Hmm, not all. I know there's seven of us, and I know Robinson and McMillan are going." She grimaced.

"Ha! James and Hannah too!? This is going to be wonderful!"

"FYI, I know you're friends and all, but I still don't like them".

Isabel smirked. If she didn't know her best friend enough, she might have conceded to the idea that her best friend truly hated James McMillan and his supposed girlfriend simply for being, in every sense of the word, perfect, rather, it was for the fact that Maia Connors once had a crush on the famed athlete, now turned rival, to which she claimed stupid and insignificant. She tried to hide her amusement with the intent of appeasing her brooding friend.

The smart duo had conversed for fifteen more minutes before finally checking the time and hastily heading to class, with only twenty minutes left till' dismissal. With all their projects finally completed and the remaining school work delivered, they were already set to prepare their travel belongings and begin their research assignments, sadly, not together having been assigned to different groups. With only a day left to spare, Isabel had taken to relaxing and enjoying the rare free time she has been given. 

******************

"Listen carefully everyone!" A loud booming voice was heard throughout the small airport stadium. "Remember to check your belongings. Don't stray from your respective groups and the teachers in charge" Professor Llewyn once again reminded the group of intellectually gifted students for the third time, along with the few representatives of the school.

There was only fifteen minutes left before the plane would leave for its destination. They were all very excited and jittery, with huddled groups chatting enthusiastically and loudly as they make their way through the tunnel leading to the entrance of the plane. After being thoroughly checked, the teachers made sure that everyone was present and accounted for, while designating the students to their seats.

Isabel and Maia stayed close to each other, already planning their schedules and what they would do once they have arrived. With the air hostess reminding everyone that the plane was about to take off, they leaned back and settled themselves.

"This is it! We're about to fly! Oh I can't wait to get there!"

"Yes, me too" Isabel chuckled as she looked to the window to her side.

"I wonder what will be like there? Who knows, maybe you'll even meet a vampire? And then he'll take you and lock you up in his castle." Maia teased laughingly. Shaking her head at the absurd thought. But her friend clearly thought differently.

Isabel paled at the mere mention of the thought as an involuntary shiver ran down her spine. She frowned and shook her head disbelievingly. It was crazy, stupid, and nothing more than a fairy tale notion. With her unreasonable panic gone, she grinned at her friend as they both felt the plane leave the ground.

"Well here goes nothing!" She exclaimed quite cheerfully.

"Romania here we come!"