The morning sun crept inside through the window while Mr.Ross was doing his routine of setting today's lessons. Mariel was there with him as usual, helping him. It was easy to watch her this way. It was the sole reason he disguised himself as a teacher. But to everyone else, he recently became one two years ago. The last biology teacher… retired to Hawaii. An easy replacement. No more further questions.

All he needed to do was protect her since her father was away most of the time, and being Mariel’s brother, there was no question for anyone about why Ross was with her. Of course, there's one person that was suspicious of him. She always has her nose where it doesn't belong. Ms. Crawford said that he was too young, too inexperienced to be there. There was plenty of staff who was younger and more inexperienced than him, but Ross was the only one on her list for some reason. 

Ms. Crawford doesn't have anything better to do than to harass him. She could imagine all kinds of conspiracies about him, but none of them she could prove. Lately, she had been hovering over Mariel. Ross was not too concerned about that. She could do whatever she wanted; however, Mariel acted oddly.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"No," her eyes moved back and forth.

"You've been quiet lately. Did something happen?"

"Not really," She paused, "Ms.Crawford asked me to help with tutoring tonight. I said yes. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't," he clicked his tongue.

She placed the extra papers on his desk and stared at him. Ross could tell that she was thinking about Ellis. She cares too much for people she hardly knows, and sooner or later, it will hurt her.

"You think I should ask Ellis?"

Ross answered, "Why not? I'm sure he needs it."

"I'm sure too," Mariel thought, "I think you would like him. You two are alike."

"Oh? How so?"

"Like… you both want something."

"I see," He looked at the clock," first period is about to start. We'll talk later."

"Remember, I'm tutoring tonight. Don't leave me."

"Of course."

Ross watched her leave, thinking about what she said. Ellis reminds Mariel of him, huh, and they both want something, hmm? Ross couldn't remember what he wanted ten years ago, but that doesn't matter now. Nothing matters but the mission.

~~~~~

Ross doesn't go to the teacher lounge often, but a special guest had invited him today. When he opened the door, Jean Crawford sat in front of him, looking smug as if she was about to uncover a dark secret. The empty chair crossed her was calling his name. There were a few people inside, one person, in particular, he was glad to see. 

"Mariel told me she will be tutoring tonight," Ross said, grabbing the seat, "She told me you asked her."

"She is most qualified for the job. You can't hog her forever", Ms. Crawford said, grinning.

"I'm sorry if it seems that way. She likes spending time with her big brother since her father is away."

"Perhaps too much," she gave him the side-eye.

Everyone in the room turned their attention toward them. The vultures were hungry for rumors and gossip, and they didn't care if it was true or false. Crawford was known to spread lies as far as any forty divorcees can, and just like any unfilled older woman, she hates to see someone younger and brighter than her successful. Double points if they were male. She was 'nicer' to her younger female colleagues, giving them 'helpful' advice. Ross would never take anything from her, regardless if she gave it to him. Things always had to be returned, and Ross disliked loans.

"What do you mean by that?" He asks calmly.

"Well, I just think it's odd that a teenage girl spends so much of her time with a male teacher."

"She's my sister."

"We all know that you're not blood-related. You should see it from a woman's perspective," Ms. Crawford leaned closer to him, "When she sees a young talented girl alone with a man, you better believe she would expect the worst. I'm not accusing you of anything, Ethan. I want what's best for my students. Now, if Mariel says you did something to her. It would be my job as her teacher and a citizen to report to you." She grinned when she was done talking nonsense.

"I understand your concerns. But I can assure you that I don't have any sexual tendencies from Mariel or any of my students. However, if it makes you fret," he turned to a woman with ashy blond hair that reached her shoulders, "Ms. Meyer, would you mind accompanying me when I'm alone with students? It seems I can't be trusted."

Ms. Meyer set her half-full coffee on the marble counter and glared at Crawford with a sight smirk plastered on her lips. Her hazel eyes had a fire in them as if she was ready to fight. 

"I'll be glad too," Meyer said, looking at the both of them.

"Are you okay with that arrangement, Ms. Crawford?" Ross asked. 

"Yes, I am," Ms. Crawford responded, pressing her lips.

~~~~~

"Who the Hell does she think she is?! Accusing you like that? That, Hündin!" Meyer yelled.

The science room was soundproof, so Ross didn't mind the shouting. The two can talk about anything, and people would think the space was empty–a valuable asset. He waited for her to calm down before discussing and was surprised that the furniture remained untouched as she processes to scream and shout profanities. 

"That is not important right now," Ross said, crossing his arms.

"How is that not important? She's trying to ruin you!"

It wasn't the first time Ms.Crawford had tried to do that, but it was the first that she decided to do the illegal route of damaging someone's reputation. Ross doesn't care as the agency had ways of coving things up, whether it was something small or big, but that does not stop Meyer from being angry on his behalf.

"You heard our conversation about Mariel. She is going to tutor tonight."

"So?!"

"So," He exaggerated, then added, "we have to think of a plan. Lucky for you, I have one in mind."

"Weren't we going to use the kid?" She squeezed her hands, showing her white knuckles.

"We still are. He's going to be there", Ross noted, "However, let's spit. That way, we won't risk harming both of them."

"You sure that's a good idea? You can't fight supernaturals."

"Don't worry," he grinned," I have a few tricks under my sleeve."

~~~~~

I had a dream last night. I (he) was on stage as thousands of people cheered as I (he) walked forward towards my (his) death. My (his) hands were tied behind me (him); the rope dug into my (his) skin like wasp stings. I (he) didn't feel afraid as I (he) knew this would happen sooner than later. The guillotine waited for me (him) in all its shining glory. 

I rub my neck as I remember the dream. He was not me. 

"Vos péchés ne sont pas les miens", I whispered to myself. 

What language was that?

Mariel invited me to sit with her friends during lunch. We haven't spoken to each other during class. She's always focused on her work and surrounded by people who look at me like an oddity. The rich have a way of sniffing out the poor. I wished I was being paranoid. 

Her two friends, Carla and Lorrie, talked to me with salt in their voices. They were annoyed with me, a stranger in their circle. Mariel kept trying to pull me into their conversations, which only raised their annoyances. Me listening to them felt wrong. Mariel's voice was sweet no matter what, but the mixture of these girls' voices left a foul taste in my mouth. Nothing drowns it, not even water. The two girls looked at me with weird faces, and I looked down, quietly eating my poor homemade leftovers that Dad had made. Eventually, Mariel stopped talking to me, leaving me to listen as the salt dried my throat. I don't think our "friendship" was going to last. It was stupid of me to believe that we could be friends.

I got up before them and left without saying anything. I wasn't trying to be dramatic or rude. It's only a matter of time before Mariel realizes that I don't belong here. I tightened my fist as I blazed through the hall. I had been stupid before, but this was the first time I felt hurt in a long time. For once, I had hoped that someone other than my parents would accept me; I should have known it wouldn't last.

"Wait!" 

I held my breath as I watched her walk closer to me; It felt like an eternity. Mariel's brown hair glowed in the sunlight, making her look blonde. I waited for her to catch her breath as my nervousness grew.

"Did I do something wrong? Why did you leave?" Mariel said, frowning.

"N-no! I just…" I don't have an answer. 

"I'm sorry if you felt out of place," she bit her lip, "They're nice people when you get to know them."

"It's not… I mean…" I stammered and cleared my throat, "I shouldn't have left the way I did. I'm sure they are nice people."

Why was I making such a big fuss about this? The sour taste of sadness lingered in my mouth. I would lose her if I kept this up, but wasn’t that what I wanted? I've been trying to avoid her, haven't I, yet I call her a friend. Was it that easy? No, it shouldn't be that easy. When had things been easy for me?

She handed me a pin with the academy emblem, a golden ash tree. I took it without looking at her and grinned as I rolled it around my fingers, feeling calm. The pin felt warm in my hands, reminding me of summer.

"I'll be there."

"Huh?"

"I'll be there," she repeated, "I help with tutoring sometimes, and I'll be there to help you. Think about it."

I never stayed late before, but I do need help catching up. Would dad or mom let me? They wanted me to make friends, and they already knew about Mariel, so why not? I could also not tell them. But if it were something the school does every week, they would eventually find out. Would that even matter? I could go next week, but Mariel might not be there. I could ask her to join me, right? That would be embarrassing.

"Sure, I'll go," I said, holding my excitement.

"Great! I'll see you then," she left.

The pull left with her, making me feel empty. I started to enjoy that strange tug as it felt like I was strolling through the woods in the rain without an umbrella or coat. The cold soothing water dropped on my skin left me satisfied. 

I hoped I had made the right decision because shadow monsters don’t exist. The monster last night could be a figment of my imagination. Hopefully, they weren't real.

I brushed off my thoughts as quickly as possible and called my parents.