Dad dropped me off at a cafe. I've been staring at this place every time mom drove me to school. The aroma of French pastries and coffee was a pleasant smell in the mornings. When my dad left, I began my stroll to the academy. From here to there, it was about a three-mile walk. If my parents knew I'd be walking this far, they would lose their heads. They seemed fine to take me to The La Chérie, but maybe it was because there were people around. I wouldn't trust myself being alone either.

I observed the buildings to get my mind off what I was getting myself into. They all look the same, all brick and two or four stories high. There was a dinner across the street, next to a small bouquet shop. The dinner had a long line reaching the crosslight. I wondered what was special about that place that would make people wait for hours.

My walk turned into a sprint as I passed by an antique shop displaying a weird lifelike mannequin. I could have sworn it was watching me behind the glass. With paranoia creeping up my neck, I quickened my pace to the school, looking back several times to see if the human-like dolls were following me.

They weren't, thank Goodness.

I arrived at Ashthorn Academy breathing heavily from the run. The gate was open slightly, and I slipped inside without hesitation. I would think there would be security for a school as prestigious as royalty. I looked around the yard and climbed the stairs, hiding my sweaty hands in my hoodie pocket. A small camera hung on top of the main entrance. I froze as soon as I saw it and slowly sneaked down the steps. Hopefully, it did not see me. I prayed it didn't. I don't know what I would do if I had trespassed on my record. 

I sat down on a familiar bench and pulled out my phone. I was late, but they were not here yet. I wasn't too worried about the time as dad said to call him when I needed him. I could stay here until nightfall, and he wouldn't fret that much. My mom was a different story. The moment my parents called me, I would have to answer; otherwise, they would realize I was never at the cafe. 

But what would I do if I was still with Mr. Ross and Ms. Meyer? Lying would be the correct answer. My parents would never believe me if I told them the truth. I mean, no one will. I still find it hard to believe sometimes, even though I saw it with my own eyes. I wonder if I would pull it off. The only lie I ever told them was not giving the whole truth, so I guess that was what I do.

I was daydreaming of the day ahead as I waited when a creepy black car with tinted windows halted in front of the gate. I gulped as I somberly got up, shaking my sleepy legs. It had to be them, but this felt like a kidnapping. For all I know, it might be. I should yell something, but my mouth was trembling too much. I slipped through the crack again and stared blankly at the car.

"I-i–i-i," I cleared my throat, "is it you guys?"

With bated breath, I waited for an answer. Just as I was about to hightail out of there, the driverside window rolled down. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Ms. Meyer.

"Who else would it be, silly?" Ms. Meyer chuckled, looking at me behind her sunglasses, "well, hopped in."

I exhaled as I opened the backseat slowly, half expecting something to jump out at me, and sat on the soft seat. Even if they weren't kidnappers ( I hoped), I ensured the locks were off, and the door could open from the inside. I kept opening and closing the door until I was satisfied that I could jump out anytime. Jumping out of a moving car would be painful but a cool thing to do.

The car began to move shortly after my little test. I observed the two adults up front before turning my attention to the window. It was weird to see them in regular clothing. Ms. Meyer was wearing a dark blue tanktop with a light black coat and shorts that covered her knees, and Mr. Ross was wearing a light blue hoodie and jeans. I assumed he was Mr. Ross, but he didn't have his glasses on, but those cold blue eyes told me it was him. From a distance, he could pass as a high schooler. If Mariel wasn't a student at Ashthorn, would he be enrolled there? I laughed silently to myself as I thought about it. I don't think anyone would want to relive their school years.

Ms. Meyer blared the radio on full blast as questions formed in my mind. I should have asked some of them when talking to Ms. Meyer, but all I could think about was Mariel. Even though I didn't tell her about the abnormal pull, I know Mariel was connected to them besides Mr. Ross's relationship with her. Otherwise, why would they be undercover in a school full of snobbish teens? There had to be other opinions for undercover work, right? So why a school of all places? Next time, I supposed. I made a mental note, repeating the questions and imagining the conversation.

We abruptly stopped in front of a decaying old, brick building with yellow tape surrounding the massive wooden door. Somehow this place looked familiar to me, but that could not be right. I have never been to this state before. Maybe I saw it in my dreams or something similar; that thought alone brought shivers down my spine.

The two adults left the safety of their car, but I stayed behind. Something is in there waiting for me. A voice inside beaconed me to go, but I refused to listen to it. The shouts ringed in my mind like an echo in a cave. It was like whatever was inside me would awaken if I stepped inside the ruins. It was the same feeling as when Ms. Meyer fought that monster, but less hungry.

Joining them was a bad idea. My humanity was on the line, yet I couldn't wait to savor the sight of a blade again. The flavor of anger and fear of a battle. What a glorious thing to behold! And all it took was to step inside that building. I just know it!

But, no. No. I could not risk it.

I stayed firm in my seat, not even opening the door or window to tell them I wasn't going. I bit my lip and wondered what I should do. This was my first mission, in a way, and I shouldn't act like a chicken. They would never bring me again if I continued to act like this. But I shouldn't go there.

I couldn't and wouldn't if I wanted to remain human.

A sudden tap at the window pulled me away from my dark thoughts. I hesitantly rolled down the window. I felt a sharp pain in my throat as I locked eyes with Ms. Meryer. Her medium-length hair was on her left shoulder.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah..."

"You scared?"

"No."

It didn't sound convincing as I wanted. My voice was shaking when looking at that brick building prison. Damn it. Ms. Meyer smirked as I turned away to hide my red face. There was nothing more terrible than having someone think less of you. I should have gotten used to it, but I don't think anyone could truly get used to it.

"You can stay here," Mr. Ross said, "We'll get you when we need you."

And with that, he walked off and entered the building. Ms. Meyer waited for me to respond, but when I didn't, she darted after him, leaving me alone to defend myself. I stared in the direction of the building for a while, hoping they would quickly return; however, something else caught my attention. A boy about my age with dark blond hair crept closer to the building on the left side. A large yellow backpack hung loosely on his shoulder as he slowly made his way to the window, far away from the entrance. I bit my lip, watching him push on the glass with all his might. Does he expect it just to pop out? 

Then he ducked and quickly tiptoed away. Before he sped off to where he came from, he looked at the vehicle where the two adults left and saw me. His amber eyes widen with surprise. I crouched down, hoping he thought I was an illusion. I did not dare move and stayed down, even when my limbs became numb. 

Please, don't come here.

The boy didn't seem malic, but I would not take my chances, especially if he might be the reason why we were here. Besides, sooner or later, trouble would find me.

~~~~~

The car's engine roared to life, but I remained where I was on the floorboard. The boy's image ran in my mind like a pack of mosquitos. He was the one; he had to be! The criminal always returns to the scene of the crime. Whatever happened in that building, it wasn't good. I felt it in my gut, and these adults know it too! Why else would they go there? It was a good thing I stayed behind to see the suspicious boy. I messed up when he saw me, but I'll leave that part out.

"H-hey," I said," earlier I saw a boy."

Ms. Meyer lowered the volume of the radio.

"What did he look like?" Mr. Ross asked, looking at me through the mirror.

"Dark blonde hair, yellow backpack… That's it."

I described half of the human population. Wasn't I helpful? It would take a year or two to find that person if he showed his face again. Better than nothing, I supposed.

My eye caught something on Mr. Ross's lap. Before I could question it, he put the thing on the floor and stared at me through the reflection. I frowned, sank into my seat, and gazed at the window. The bastard had a secret, and he was not telling me, even though I told him a piece of somewhat helpful information. The least he could do was to tell me what it was. From this angle, it looked like a wooden board. 

I glanced at Ms. Meyer, "Hey…."

She shook her head as if she knew what I was going to ask about the board. I gave up this meaningless fight. Two against one was something I was not fond of, especially if it was from people who could get rid of me and hide the evidence. She always seemed to agree with Mr. Ross, and I hated it.

Where were we going? 

Wherever we were, it was far away from any civilization. Trees covered the sky in shades of green. There were a few small hills in the distance hidden behind the vast trunks. I enjoy the landscape of the American west with its mountains and deserts, but this was nice in its own right. 

We slowed down at a gate to an apparent campground. A forest ranger went to the driverside, and without a word, Ms. Meyer gave him her ID. He glanced at it for a few seconds and handed it back to her, nodding. The gate opened, and back on the road, we went. I looked back at the ranger. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could have sworn that his eyes were yellow glowing.

It reminded me of someone… Someone with glowing eyes that looked like fire.

I shuddered as fear and excitement overwhelmed me and forced my eyes away from the forest ranger. My hand moved to my mouth, but I wasn't smiling. Odd.

There was nothing for miles except nature. A few birds flew silently overhead, but that was it. There should be at least a few people, even if it were enjoying a daily stroll. Yet there was no one but the birds in the sky. If they were going to murder me, this place would be perfect.

I pondered the possibility of me dying out here when Ms. Meyer drove the car into a raging river. I gasped. What the heck! I juggled with the handle as the water rise. I banged the window when the door didn't budge and yelled frantically. I refused to die like this!

"Relax, everything's fine," Ms. Meyer said.

I tasted the bitterness of her voice and took a deep breath to calm down. My body was still shaking, but not as much as before. Now that I took a closer look at things, the water didn't sneak in, and the air was still breathable. The car was even driving normally, but more like a submarine, diving deeper into the abyss.

The murky water transformed into a clear blue as the vehicle drove into a cave. A few seconds, the water disappeared and was replaced with a dark hallway with dim lights. Is this a base? As we continued, I saw people. I say "people," but I don't know what they were. Some had pointy ears or fuzzy animal ears or tails. Some had horns and wings or colorful and scaly skin. Only a few people fit the criteria of a "normal human being." 

"Wh-what are they?" I blurted out, staring at them.

"Freaks," the bastard said, pulling out the object he hid away.

It was a board, but knowing it was the only thing they took, it had to be more than an ordinary wooden plank.

"That's mean."

"We're not that different."

I wonder what he meant by that. Was it because we three were unusual too? A bunch of freaks in human clothing? I glanced at both of them. If I didn't know the things I do now, I wouldn't even consider them nonhuman. 

I wouldn't say the same thing about myself. Even though I look human, I don't think I act human enough. I saw how people stared at me, how they judged me when things went wrong. If I weren't a freak, strangers wouldn't point their fingers at me. Maybe I wouldn't have been driven out of town seven times since five.

Ms. Meyer parked and handed the keys to a troll-looking guy. Mr. Ross opened my door, forcing me to leave the safety of the car. I sighed as I walked with them, deep in the unknown where all the freaks were.