The Preternatural Shadows

Chapter VIII

I was pretty sure I knew every single word and what line comes next on every page of the society of preternatural shadows guidebook. I had been reading this heavy leather-bound book over and over again last night, just to make sure I was well prepared for my first class with Professor Lovecraft today. Call it my sixth sense or what you want, but my instinct told me that I had set foot in the right room. I sniffed, the air smelled like the usual florals and vanilla. The classroom walls around me were bare and the windows were large, letting the unsubdued light of the morning in. It made the classroom feel warm and cosy. Outside revealed the watercolour blue sky and from time to time, a flock of birds would fly through the gossamer clouds. Usually, I would be the earliest one in class and today was no exception. I settled into a desk at the back and pulled out my guidebook. I sat at the edge of my executive-like chair, which was a blessing to my spine unlike the ones in my school, and drummed my fingers on the table.

Just when my daydream was getting intensified, a noisy chatter of several voices hummed like an orchestra, haltered the nonchalance. People bustled from the corridor and into the classroom, making it seemed to come alive. The chaos was so perfect, like a movie. It reminded me of my school and my friends... Oh, how much I've missed Prue and Harvey!

Axel and Indiana greeted Professor Lovecraft before taking their seats at the middle of the class. Arrow ignored me and sat a few desks away from me. I raised an eyebrow, indicating for an answer when Menadora took her seat before me. She turned, her voice the same as she'd use with me the other day, "Early bird catches the worm, eh?"

"That's not how you use it, Menadora. Also, what are you guys doing here?" I asked, looking at the familiar faces around me. 

"They will join our class today, Chloe," Professor Lovecraft answering me, "Now everyone, please settle down."

Tori settled on a desk on my right and gave me a broad smile. "Will that stuck up snob be joining us today?" Tori whispered to Menadora, at the very moment Brielle entered with her excessively noisy high heels. 

"Miss Winters, welcome to your first class with me as a preternatural shadow!" said Professor Lovecraft beamed at the front of the class.

"You don't have to call me by my last name, Professor. 'Clo' will do just fine," I enlightened him.

"Right, Clo. The reason why I gathered everyone here today is because from what I've understood, non-preternatural shadows study in a populated classroom. With that being said, I want you to feel as comfortable as possible," he explained, "But the minimal difference is that you won't be studying the same subjects, which you've studied in your non-preternatural shadows school and there won't be any exams or group projects."

I sighed with relieve. This was neither a science class nor an art class. There was no endless hours of Algebra and Calculus lessons. No vicious teachers would glare at the class with flames in their eyes, if we were busy talking with each other. I didn't have to worry about my assignments or if I had completed my homework, even though I always do. I for sure wouldn't need to panic if my grades were dropping. Kissing my A's goodbye? HAH! We don't know her. 

"Before we start, Brielle, do you have something to say?" he addressed his great great granddaughter, who sat at the middle of the front row, evidently showing off her half up half down hairstyle.

"I don't know, do I?" asked Brielle, showing no interest. She studied her newly painted fingernails with hot pink manicure on them. Awfully hideous.

"You owe Chloe Rose an apology," Arrow stated sternly, a dark edge leathering his tone, "Need I say more?" 

And in an instant, Brielle dropped her gaze from her fingernails and looked at Arrow with stars in her eyes. "Oh, sorry...or whatever," mumbled Brielle hesitantly, without looking directly at me. Peeking a bit at Tori, I saw her rolled eyes. 

I wanted to open my mouth to at least reply something back, but my tongue was tied and saying Brielle's name made my tongue felt bitter. I brushed off the feelings and frowned at the board in front, indicating that I didn't give a damn about it. If I was bold enough, I would come up something clever and shoot right back at her. But I normally keep my thoughts to myself, I don't speak what's running through my mind. 

I glanced at Arrow looked forward and his gaze contorted into a face of concentration. I returned my gaze to Professor Lovecraft and my eyes involuntarily widen at the sudden blurriness of the blackboard. What in tarnation? My eyes flicked to the others for confirmation but they all had blank expressions on their faces as if they were used to this. The surface of the once empty and dull blackboard had revamped into sheer ripples, like water running in waves. I was wide awake and there's no way I'm hallucinating it, that was for sure. But the illusion was really messing with my head. 

"Chop chop!" Maurice motioned us to the board. Without further ado, everyone around me stood up and I followed the same. One by one, they walked towards the front of the classroom, reached across the blackboard and disappeared into the unknown. Axel and Indiana went in first, then Brielle and lastly Tori and Menadora. 

"Um where exactly are we going?" I finally found my voice. Arrow was next in line, but he stopped in his tracks. Was he waiting for me?

"You'll see," Professor Lovecraft's mouth contorted into a smile. 

My nerves quivered at his semblance, but I put on a brave face in a split second, remembering the encouraging words my grandmother had written on the letter for me. I dipped my outstretched fingers into it, but quickly pulled them back when the ripples distorted. What lay ahead of my fingers felt like water that was so cold it stung, but I checked my fingers, they were as dry as a bone. Weird.

"Hey, trust me, it's okay. I'm here with you," Arrow stared into my eyes and grabbed my hand. I had no other choice but to put my trust in him. What else can I do? Run away from this place now? Then what? How will I make it back home? Will I just be a coward and ignore the fact that my grandparents have disappeared? No way Jose. 

With great reluctance, I placed my palm on the surface of the ripples and let Arrow pull my stiff body with him into the water-like portal, which enveloped my skin closely. I could feel us swirling and moving within it more easily than a leaf in the wind. I could no longer hear the ticking of the clock in the classroom or smell the scent of florals and vanilla anymore. My lungs tightened against my ribcage, rising and falling shallowly. I was starving for air, every cell in my body was screaming for oxygen. I struggled with my limbs to try to bring me back to the surface, but my legs failed me. There was no air in this menacing world. I wanted to fight, but my eyes were too tired to open. So tired till I collapsed into Arrow. There was pin drop silence, not even the sound of our, or at least Arrow's, breath could be heard. And even though my eyes were shut, I sensed that we were falling further and further into the darkness. 

My body decided to surrender.

My mind gave one final sigh.

Then I felt nothing.