10 What?
Henry didn't ever tell me how everything went with Vlad and Mr. Otis. I was a worried wreck! Though, of course I wouldn't let them see that. So I went to school, trying to hide my fears. Even though Henry told me not to I was planning on asking Vlad how it all went down.
But I was to face disappointment when I entered my class. I saw Mr. Otis, sitting on his desk. He smiled at me, an all-knowing smile. I looked around and saw Vlad wasn't in the room. If he wasn't at his locker or in the room he couldn't be here. I tried to concentrate to think about where he could be, yet I felt no pull at my soul. Vlad wasn't even in the school.
"Mr. Otis?" I walked right up to the substitute.
"Yes Miss Lovett?"
"Uh well, how was your dinner last night?" He paused, his expression hard. "I, uh I mean... Well I need to talk to Vlad. And he isn't here today. So..."
"Well he could quite possibly be out of the room at the moment, Mina." He told me, his expression still hard. I felt a hard pounding at my head, a headache flooded over my mind.
"No, Mr. Otis, he isn't. I would know. Trust me. But I just wanted to know how dinner was... If that question bothers you...?" I muttered, looked down as I rumbled my temple. I saw him force down the hard façade and change it into a passive one.
"No, not at all. My dinner was just fine. Why exactly would you know where Vlad is or isn't?"
"Oh, well I.... I kinda just have a strong feeling."
"Explain." He pressed, crossing his ankles and arms. The bell rang after he spoke.
"I am going to sit down now." I told him and sat down. Well how was I supposed to explain how I know where Vlad is all the time? It didn't make sense to me. So it would sound crazy to a teacher. Especially, when the teacher was thought to have killed the parents of your friend, and wants to kill him too.
Soon enough the announcements went on and covered the school with sorrow. Mr. Craig was dead. My real teacher, the man who was supposed to welcome me every morning into my newest school is dead. I would never meet my meant-to-be teacher.
School was announced to be cut short in honor of the deceased teacher.
It ended sooner than I thought. I was sympathetic about everyone's lose. Yet I never met the man and could understand the pain. The awkwardness was unbearable. I was glad when the bell finally rang. Henry met me at the foot of the stairs leading out of the school.
He offered me a hug. I guess it was just a cover for him needing one. I didn't object as I held my cousin close to me.
"I can't believe he's dead." He muttered into my shoulder before he pulled away.
"I'm sorry Henry. He must have been a great man." We started to walk home before Henry took a different turn. "Where are you going?"
"I am going to Vlad's. You want to come?"
"Of course. I want to know how the dinner went."
"You are really freaked out huh?"
"Well unlike you!" I gave him a shove. "I trust my friends!" He laughed and he continued to walk toward Vlad and his house in silence. That was before I decided to ask him. "Henry?"
"Yeah, cuz?"
"I want to tell you something but I need you to promise me something." I let my shoe skim the ground as I walked slowly.
"Anything."
"Promise me you will not tell Vlad." I say him watching me and pause before answering.
