CHAPTER :10 SECRETS

Beatrice was in the medical ward sitting in front Elaine who was still unconscious. The doctor was filling his diary with the patient’s info while having a talk with mayor outside.

‘Why do always the people I care for keep getting hurt?’ Beatrice thought to herself as tears streamed down her face. She closed her eyes in sadness as a hand reached out and wiped off her tears. Startled she quickly opened her eyes to see Elaine awake and sitting in front her.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you? I don’t like to see tears in your eyes.”

Elaine said in gentle voice while softly placing her right palm on Beatrice’s face.

Beatrice gave a big smile as she jumped in to hug Elaine while crying out more.

“HEY, CUT IT OUT! You are behaving as if I woke up from my death bed, jeezzz.” Elaine said rolling eyes while being squeezed in hug.

“Shut up you dummy never say about dying again.” Beatrice said while breaking her hug.

“Ugh fine.”

As both their voices were heard outside the doctor and mayor came in and he did the quick check-up. “She seems to be alright, now I still do suggest having some rest for the day.”

“Alright then Elaine you may please rest I will take Beatrice to the new dorms. We can get you started from tomorrow.”

“HELL NO! I AM COMING” Elaine said in a loud voice while pushing the doctor a bit and standing down in an instant.

“I AINT SLEEPING I HAD ENOUGH SLEEP.”

“Sigh, Mr Mayor she is very stubborn I request you to let her come along I will make sure she is doing alright.”

“Hmm, if you say so. But if u feel like resting anytime just inform me immediately.” Mayor said while elaine nodded in response.

“By the way where did that air head disappeared to this time?” Elaine asked in curiosity to which Beatrice suddenly stopped in her tracks remembering the recent events.

(“Stay away from BOTH OF US, YOU are a HEART LESS MONSTER”)

She took a deep breath and spoke.

“He will be back later he has some work to do.”

“Uh alright?” Elaine wondered what got Beatrice to suddenly change her tone of voice.

 They entered the mansion.

The mansion looked old but was very elegant at the same time, it had a large hall and a small staircase at the end in the center of the hall going on the upper floor. Decorations hung from the ceiling, there was a kitchen at the right side of the staircase and a small passageway to another room; beside it, there was a lounging area with a mix of sofas and chairs. One of the chairs was occupied by none other than Sir Ethan.

As everyone approached him, he gestured them to have a seat.

Beatrice and Elaine sat on the long sofa while mayor sat on opposite the chair facing Ethan.

“I couldn’t explain everything earlier, so I’ll explain the rest. This is Sankalpa academy and the place where you will learn how to protect yourself and protect the people. The teachers here will help mould you into a capable fighter to beat the evil.

I am sure sage has explained to you a lot about the challenges you may have to deal with here. You have come at the right time as classes are going to officially begin from tomorrow.

Your group teacher will guide you with academics and details.”

“I also see you have met Umid. He has already finished his first-year education here and for his further training he is learning under me at the moment. Well for now you can look around the area have rest and get settled in. LUNA! come here.”

Ethan called out for someone after finishing his explanation and a girl showed up behind him. Her height was around 5’5 she had a bright fair skin, glistening white-grey hair that reached down till her hips, crystal blue eyes, and a sweet smile on her small face. She was wearing a white frock with sky blue strips and some light frills on it. She seemed just like a bloomed white and blue lily.

“She is my main attendant who handles a lot of work around here. She will show you to your dorms and will also explain the schedules and instructions.”

“Hello~ I am Luna, it’s a pleasure to meet both of you. May I know both of your names?” The girl asked with a small, sweet voice.

“Elaine here! Good to see ya!” Elaine gave of a friendly wave.

“It’s nice to meet you, I am Beatrice.” Beatrice spoke with a smile.

“I hope we can get along well! If I may sir, please allow me to show them around.” Luna said while giving a slight bow at Sir Ethan.

“Alright, do so I shall take my leave now, I have to attend to some work.” Ethan said while getting up. He went in the passageway to other rooms besides the kitchen.

“Okay let’s go let me show you the rooms!” She cheerfully called Elaine and Beatrice to follow her.

“Alright let’s start with where we are. This is the place where as you saw, Sir meets with new people or guests. The passage he went to has two rooms one is the main office, and one is the storeroom.” She continued as they came near the staircase, and she pointed at the 4 rooms on the left. “Those are the rooms of teachers; they aren’t here at the moment they will come back tomorrow”. They continued going upstairs where they saw lots of rooms on both sides.

“These are your dorms. Everyone has their own separate rooms.” She spoke as she showed them a room where it was one bed at the corner alongside a huge window, a table and rack attached at the top, an attached bathroom, and a wardrobe with a huge mirror.

“Since your rooms are still being ready you both can stay in the extra room for the day.” She took them to the room at corner that had two beds facing each other and similar things as were in the regular rooms. They all entered the room; Elaine went to look outside the window while Beatrice sat on the bed with Luna.

“Timetable and schedules will be given tomorrow. For now, all you need to know is classes start at 5.30 am, please be on time this academy is very strict about following rules. There is a curfew of 12 am so you are not allowed to go outside of your dorms after that unless told otherwise. There are around 15 students in your batch this year, you can meet them tomorrow. It's almost getting night I will send in the worker with your food. From tomorrow you guys can eat with your new group members. I shall leave now; I hope we can hang out later.” with that explanation she took her leave.

“Damn, both of them talk fast.” Elaine said while sitting in jumpy way on the bed in front of Beatrice.

“Well, Sir and Luna both seems to be dedicated with their work. It seemed pretty good to me.” Beatrice said while taking the glass of water from the table.

After having their dinner and chatting a bit Beatrice suddenly remembered.

“Oh, by the way El you ignored my question when we were on the way here. What did you tell your parents before leaving?” Beatrice asked and Elaine suddenly went pale.

“I left them a letter saying I got admitted in a college, so I won’t be back until I finish my education.” Elaine said while looking at the surface while squishing the sheets of bed.

“What?! So you didn’t tell them about academy? You just left a letter? Wait how did you get out at night?”

“I sneaked out from the window.” Elaine said while still not facing Beatrice.

“What!! Elaine that is dangerous!” Beatrice got up placed her hand on Elaine’s shoulder and continued.

“El, she might be really worried for you, you should-”

“SHUT THE HELL UP!” Elaine swiftly got up from bed while shaking off Beatrice’s hand and shouted in a loud voice.

“She is NOT WORRIED ABOUT ME! Pretty sure she HAS NEVER ONCE CARED ABOUT ME!”

“But El she is your mom and-”

“I JUST TOLD YOU TO SHUT IT AND STOP CALLING THAT WOMAN MY MOM! Just stop BOTHERING BOUT’ MY PERSONAL LIFE!”

Elaine’s eyes were reddened as she slammed the door and dashed out. Beatrice just sat down on the bed in shock. She had never seen Elaine in that state other than when the assassination happened.

“Something is not right” Beatrice said to herself.

Elaine was sitting at the back of mansion where the forest starts just silently looking at the moon as the cool breeze flickered her hair.

“YOUR MERE EXISTENCE IS A CURSE TO US. WHY CAN’T YOU BE AT LEAST A BIT USEFUL??” *She recalled those words, her screams as a child and her mother’s merciless beating*

Tears streamed down from her eyes as she gave out a nervous laugh and realized how she ended up lashing out on Beatrice.

“Why did I do it? AHH” Elaine sniffled and cried.

*rustle-rustle*she suddenly heard some sounds from the forest. startled she immediately got up and started looking at the forest entrance.

To her shock she saw the bright shining emerald-green eyes and glossy black fur. Yes, it was indeed a black panther.

Shiver ran down her spine as she stood there in shock.

But the panther seemed rather still, he looked at her in eyes and went back in the forest.

Elaine was astonished; she was surprised to witness an exotic animal this close. She immediately ran to the room and woke Beatrice up who was sound asleep.

“BLISS! HEY HEY! YOU KNOW WHAT! YOU KNOW WHAT!”

“Ughhh what now?” Beatrice opened her eyes and spoke sleepily.

“I SAW A PANTHER LIKE A FEW MOMENTS AGO!”

“WHAT! Ughh EL I have checked it with Luna there are no panthers in the area. Just sleep now damn it.”

“But I really saw one!”

“It’s another something from your imagination” Beatrice said while looking the other way.

“But it felt so real...” Elaine said while she just slept on the bed wondering about what she actually saw and slowly passed out.

 writer: Manasa

Editor: Black Beary

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