Knights of St. Christopher

6 - The Slasher

Rene walked to class in the morning, and when she got to her classroom door; she felt uneasy. She shook it off and entered the classroom, "Morning Adams" Mr Michaelson greeted. Rene smiled and walked to her desk. When she sat down; she caught a glimpse of Mr Michaelson eyes which sent shivers down her spine. She felt unsafe in the class. Rene looked at the coat hanger and saw a very similar cloak from last night. The air hitched in her throat, and her heart rate increased, "So today we will learn about cults and how they fit in with theatre" He told. Rene leaned back on the seat but didn't feel any more relaxed. As he talked and looked at different students, she noticed a brand mark on his neck and behind his ear. She tried to focus on the brand, but she was too far away to make it out. Mr Michaelson pointed at Rene, "What do you think a cult is?" He asked. Rene looked around then back towards Mr Michaelson.
"A small group of people who worship the same thing" She replied nervously. Mr Michaelson nodded "Correct" he replied, then carried on speaking. Once the class was over, Rene walked past the coat rack and purposefully knocked it over "Watch it!" Mr Michaelson called. Rene picked up the frame then the cloak. She examined it and noticed it was the same one, she instantly dropped it and looked at Mr Michaelson, who was frozen on the spot. Rene fumbled to the door, "Rene..." He called out. Rene staggered out of the class and onto campus grounds.

She walked down the path and bumped into a woman, she looked like a teacher, "Watch where you're walking" She scowled. Rene looked at her and instantly felt her magic, "You have magic!" Rene pointed out. The woman stood shocked before Rene staggered away. Rene hid in a corner to calm herself down, "What's happening to me!" She said to herself. She put her hands through her hair and took deep breaths. Jack walked past and saw the commotion, "Rene?" He questioned. Rene looked at Jack, "Get Randall!" She shouted. Jack nodded and ran into the bar. He found the others and spoke over the crowd, "Randall!" He attracted. Randall looked over and waved his head, "It's Rene...there's something wrong" He told. Randall bounced off his seat and followed Jack to the hidden area. Rene, had her head leaning against the wall, "What's wrong?" Randall softly asked as he gently placed his hands on her arms, "It's my tutor. Mr Michaelson followed me into the tunnel with his other cult buddies. He started teaching me about cult studies too!" She panicked. Jack stood nearby in a confused state. Randall hushed her, "It's okay, we'll get to the bottom of this...you and me? Okay?" He reassured. Rene nodded gently, "Alright, come here" Randall finalised then hugged her. Jack grinned and looked off, "What're you smirking at?" Rene pointed out. Jack shook his head, "Oh nothing..." He replied as she stood on his tiptoes.

Rene sat in her dorm and watched youtube. There was a knock on the door, but she ignored it thinking whoever it was would go away, but the knocking was persistent. Rene rolled her eyes and got up, she walked to the door and opened it, "What?..." She questioned but saw who it was, it was one of the cloaked men. Rene freaked out and slammed the door, but it hit the mans foot. He kicked open the door which knocked Rene onto the floor. Rene swiped the man's foot and knocked him over. She stood up quickly and staggered to the door. She looked back at the man and noticed he was wearing a mask.

She approached him and removed the mask to discover Mr Michaelson, "I fucking knew it!" She called. He withdrew a blade from his back pocket and hewed her leg open. She let out a scream of pain before staggering out of the room. She limped to the elevator, and as the doors closed, she watched Mr Michaelson run out of the room. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She looked down at the slash on her leg, blood poured out and onto the floor.

She rushed into the night. Everything was quiet, the only thing Rene could hear was her own breath and a car or two. She looked back and saw Mr Michaelson casually walked around the corner as if he didn't do anything wrong. Rene groaned painfully and tried her best to reach the house.

***

Lilith, Hamish, Jack and Randall all sat in silence either reading or having a drink. Lilith lifted her head from the book and sniffed the air, "Do you smell blood?" She questioned. Everyone stopped what they were doing and smelt the air, "Yeah...I do" Hamish agreed. Unexpedically the door burst open, which made everyone jump. Hamish told everyone to stay put with his hand as he got closer to the archway. There was a sudden crash onto the wooden floor. Hamish peeked around the corner and spotted Rene groaning whilst holding her leg, "Crap" Hamish stated. Lilith stood up, "What is it?" She questioned. Hamish picked Rene up, "She's been attacked!" He shouted as he rushed into the room. Randall and Jack stood up, "Shit!" Jack shouted. Hamish set her on the seat, "What happened?" Randall asked. Rene looked up, "My theatre tutor!" She replied. Hamish checked her wound, "It's not healing" He informed. Rene rolled her eyes, "Great!" She sarcastically exclaimed. Hamish turned to Lilith, "Do you still know that mixture?" he asked. She nodded and ran to get the ingredients. Rene rested her eyes, but then Jack tapped her cheek, "Hey! Stay awake!" He ordered. Rene furrowed, "But I'm tired!" She argued. Lilith ran back into the room and got onto her knees, "Okay, this will sting!" She informed. Rene shook her head, "Just do it!" She hurried. Lilith nodded and slapped on the mixture. Rene winched in pain and grabbed the nearest hand, which was Jack's. Jack's mouth dropped in pain as she squeezed tighter and tighter. The agony stopped, and the wound was gone, "There, done!" Lilith exclaimed. Jack pulled his hand back and waved it around. Rene looked down and sighed in relief "Thank you, Lilith" She smiled. Lilith smiled back and put the ingredients away. Fury filled Rene, "When I see that teacher, I will-", but Randall cut her off, "You will do nothing! We will find a rational way of dealing with him" He informed. Rene sighed, "Fine!" She agreed. Jack stood nearby confused, "Wait...how did Mr Michaelson get the knife?" He questioned. Hamish, Lilith and Randall looked at Jack, "What do you mean?" Randall asked. Jack walked towards them, "The knife was in custody of the order...the only way he would have gotten a hold of it is if he was in the order" He informed. Rene furrowed, "That motherfucker must be working with them" She pointed out. Jack nodded, "Thankfully, we know the grand magus" He followed.

They walked into the chamber with Rene, "Grand magus" Jack opened up. Rene's eyes widened when she realised it was the woman she had bumped into. Her name was Vera. She wore black chic clothing, had long dark hair, and rarely smiled.
"What gives me the pleasure today?" She asked unamused. Jack leaned in, "By any chance is Mr Michaelson apart of the order?" He questioned. Vera looked up and spotted Rene, "You..." She murmured. Rene awkwardly smiled, "Me..." she replied. Vera walked up to her, "And what is she doing here?" Vera asked curiously. Randall folded his arms, "Mr Michaelson attacked Rene in her dorm room tonight, with the enchanted blade" He informed. Vera looked at Randall "That can't be plausible, the blade is in the chamber" She informed. Rene shook her head, "Unless there's two, then I don't think so" She replied. Vera stood silent then looked at the Medicum that stood in the corner, "Go check the room please" She ordered. She agreed and left the room. Vera looked at Rene, "You sensed my power" She reminded. Rene nodded, "Yeah...werewolf thing" She replied. Vera nodded, "Ahh...another werewolf. Well, if your claims are true, I will interview Mr Michaelson and see why he attacked you" She informed.

The woman came back into the room, "It's missing, Grand Magus" She informed. Vera nodded, "Okay...that'll be all" She finalised. Everyone looked at each other and left.

Randall walked Rene back up to her room, and when she opened the door, she spotted the blood splatter, "You know you don't have to stay in here" Randall mentioned. Rene paused, "But where can I stay?" She asked. Randall laughed, "With us, you idiot" He joked. Rene walked into the room and packed her things.