Chapter 7.

Academic days passed slowly. Arabella could notice it herself as she looked through the academy window. The courtyard she saw from her spot was undergoing many changes. She also had a great view of the peculiar plants. They caught most of her attention. She followed their development. At first, the growth was extremely slow, then she noticed some changes. Now they were somewhat taller than usual plants. They had long olive-colored stems. Their blooms were closed and huge, bright red, resembling human blood.

Today she observed them again. The courtyard was completely empty. No one saw this change except her. The Deathower bloom had opened a few centimeters, and she could see rows of blades stretching from inside. She startled. She knew the real trouble was just about to start. She kept watching. Two large eyes appeared on them. Sparks came out from them, falling on the planet’s surface, creating a little smoke. Filled with immense malice and wickedness, they gave her an evil look. Then, everything vanished...

The scene that happened before her eyes disappeared completely. The situation calmed down. Everything that had just happened became like a deceiving illusion.

– Hey Arabella – Liv whispered behind her.

It was history class, which they had together. Liv sat behind Arabella and had been watching her for some time.

– Yes...? – Arabella replied absentmindedly.

– Why are you so lost in thought? What are you thinking about?

– Nothing, this class is just boring.

– Are you okay?

– Yes, I’m fine, don’t worry.

– Okay... What do you think about going for a picnic after school?

– Great idea! I think we should go.

After that, silence followed again, prompting Arabella’s thoughts to be louder than her surroundings.

After the academy, they went on the planned picnic. The weather was beautiful, making the gathering even better. They listened to songs and enjoyed the day. The whole place was covered with leaves, which a gentle breeze occasionally lifted off the planet’s surface. The atmosphere was filled with the scent of cinnamon and cookies.

– You know, Arabella, the start of this academic year really separated us, and I feel really bad about it – Liv said.

– It’s okay, Liv. This is the first time we got to choose our fields, so this had to happen. I believe it’s only temporary.

– I know, but I feel like I became a bad friend. I wasn’t there for you when you needed it and I feel inadequate when I should help you.

– Hey Liv! You’re the best, remember that. You’re enough. You’re just going through big changes and you need to focus on yourself a little – Arabella said and hugged Liv.

– You’re going through bigger changes. You lost the leader title. This must be a hard time for you, even if you pretend it’s not.

– Every change is hard. You’re going through one too, you just have to get used to it, just like me. Losing the leader title isn’t terrible, it’s just a new academic year change – she reassured her.

– I’ll try to be there for you, Arabella. I won’t let this temporary separation destroy our friendship.

The gathering helped Arabella distract her thoughts from the mysterious plants, and she felt much more relaxed. Two days later, the ecology club met again. Arabella decided to come because she had a plan. She wanted to cut down the Deathower plants with her members and prevent danger. She entered the classroom and took her seat. Everyone was present and making a huge noise. Since it was a short break, she had very little time to execute her plan. Professor Betty was about to arrive. Arabella stepped in front of the board.

– First, I’d like to greet you, then I’d ask for a bit of attention, if that’s okay – everyone turned and looked at her.

– I need to organize an urgent meeting on Sunday. I hope you can find some free time and come to the academy courtyard.

– Why and about what? – asked a creature.

– You’ll find out all the details at the meeting because we don’t have enough time now to explain – Arabella answered.

– Why!? Are you hiding something from Professor Betty? – Kate asked, giving Arabella a spiteful and suspicious look.

– We don’t have time for those questions now. Professor Betty will be here any moment.

– But how can we trust you that you don’t plan anything bad? – everyone protested loudly.

– Don’t worry. I won’t kill you! You’ll stay alive and healthy! – she said sarcastically.

– Joking aside, everything will be fine, so don’t worry.

– Listen to me! – Kate stood up angrily and continued:

– You’re not our leader anymore! You lost that role long ago! Orion is our leader and he’s better than you! You have no right to order us! You’re irrelevant now, so stop acting like a leader! – Kate’s shouting was interrupted by Professor Betty entering the classroom.

– Silence, children! Calm down! Take your seats! What is this gathering here? – she warned.

Kate stepped to the front and angrily said:

– Arabella wants to organize an urgent meeting on Sunday, right here in the courtyard!

– What kind of meeting, Arabella?!

Kate had already dug a hole for her. Arabella had to think fast not to get into an even deeper hole.

– I wanted to check the growth of the planted plants and see if everything is okay.

– No need for that – Professor Betty said suspiciously.

– Go back to your seats now. We’re starting the club – she ordered.

Arabella noticed Professor Betty’s stern look. Settling down, she continued following the session. Professor Betty acted very strange. She seemed extremely suspicious, and Arabella felt like she was hiding something. Professor Betty gave her nasty looks, suspecting her secret was discovered. Arabella felt uneasy. When the bell rang signaling the end, she was among the first to leave the classroom.

In the hallway, Felix stopped her. Aurora was with him. Arabella had met Aurora at the club. They had a few conversations. Aurora liked drawing, and they shared that interest. Aurora gave her a warm smile when she came closer.

– We’ll come to that meeting, just so you know. We’re with you, so don’t worry – Felix said decisively.

– Yes! Even though you’re no longer our leader, that doesn’t mean you’re not capable. You’re one of the best – Aurora added.

– And you’re the project leader!

– Thank you very much. I really appreciate it – Arabella said.

– Like I said, we’re here for you!

– Thanks again... so, see you on Sunday?

– Yes – Felix confirmed.

– See you then, and good luck with everything.

Sunday arrived along with the time for Arabella’s plan. When she came to the academy courtyard, she found a completely calm scene. The plants were normal, as if the secret scene never happened. She waited a few minutes and saw Felix entering the courtyard, alone. She felt relieved, as she trusted him the most of all in the club. He was trustworthy. She didn’t know Aurora well enough yet, so she didn’t trust her.

– I’m here! Aurora couldn’t come after all – Felix said.

– That’s okay, I think the two of us can handle this. Thanks for making it today.

– Why did you call this meeting? You seemed very worried during the club – he asked.

– It’s about these plants we planted – she answered.

– These plants will bring danger to this planet. I think they are deadly.

– What do you suggest we do?

– I suggest we get rid of them.

– But we got an order from Professor Betty to plant them. And it’s a special kind of plant – Felix said, looking worried at Arabella.

– She lied to us!

– That’s impossible!

– I thought so too, at first.

– You don’t mean to say this is a good idea? Doing this behind her back? – he continued worried.

– Should we let these plants destroy our planet?!

– No!

Getting that answer, Arabella took scissors and approached the Deathower plant. Felix watched her. When the blades of the scissors gently touched the stem, she heard a shout:

– No, Arabella! What are you doing?!!! – Felix shouted.

But when the scissors’ blades touched the stem softly, she stepped back from the whole act.

– We must get rid of these plants!

– Just stop with that. Let’s leave this courtyard.

– But these plants will bring danger.

– I doubt that. They look harmless. Just go... You’re lucky this stays just between us because I won’t tell anyone... I get that you’re worried, but there’s no need for it.

– Okay. Fine. Thanks – she said, hiding her dissatisfaction inside.

She failed to do anything. The situation didn’t change and she feared it would only progress and cause danger to the entire planet.

The next day, classes started later. Today she had quite interesting lessons. While carefully following the beginning of literature class, a situation happened that caused her unease. Orion appeared again in their class. He sat on the bench next to Arabella’s. They were close to each other. After what happened in the mysterious library, he hadn’t spoken to her. She was at peace. Until now. She saw his hand on her table. His hand held a small crumpled piece of paper. He freed the paper from his hand and put his hand back on the table. Arabella didn’t want to open the small note immediately; she wanted to wait for her response. When his patience ran out, he slammed his fist on the table. All the creatures turned to him and looked. When things calmed down, Arabella took the paper and read the message: I hear you’re trying to regain your power.

Seeing the message, she immediately wrote back: You hear well.

She put her hand on his table and left the note. Moments later, she got the next one: As I heard, you didn’t succeed.

He provoked her. The whole class was reading the literature, and the classroom was quiet. True. Still, I’m not as good a leader as you.

She sarcastically replied to his provocation. Immediately after, she got the next message.

Right after, she received the next note. The crumpled piece of paper remained untouched on the desk. She was testing his patience. She began to open the book they were supposed to be reading. He was watching her closely. She returned his gaze. At that moment, the teacher looked in their direction and noticed something was going on.

– Hey, you two! – she warned.

Now the entire class turned their eyes toward them.

– No secret passing notes or chatting! Everyone read the assigned text, and that includes you two – unless you want to end up in the principal’s office!

They both obeyed the command. The situation calmed down.

The next day, Arabella was given the task of organizing some papers in the staff room. As she reached the door, she noticed someone was already there, and a conversation was taking place. She quietly entered, greeting everyone present. She walked over to the shelf where the papers were and started organizing them. The conversation continued.

– Yes, yes, one of my students complained about seeing a black liquid next to the Deathower blooms. After that, I went to check myself… and I saw it too. I got really worried, – said Professor Brenda, visibly distressed as she spoke to Professor Betty.

– It was probably just some animal that died nearby. Don’t worry about it, – Betty replied casually, though there was a hint of suspicion in her tone.

Arabella kept sorting the papers. She could hardly wait to finish and head to the crime scene. Once done, she started jogging down the hallway. Passing through various parts of the academy to get outside, she ran into Liv.

– Arabella, what’s going on? What happened?

– I don’t have time to explain. Come with me, – she said hastily.

– But we have class –

Arabella grabbed her hand and rushed her out into the academy courtyard.

They arrived at the place where the Deathower was.

– Is that black liquid? – Liv asked, shocked as she looked at the puddle before them.

– Yes, it is. Black liquid from some creature, – Arabella answered, carefully analyzing the puddle.

– How do you know?

– I just know by the composition. And I’m certain it came from these plants.

– How do you know?

– Just look at them! Don’t they seem strange to you? Like some kind of carnivorous plants from horror movies.

– I have to admit… they do look suspicious. Liv glanced cautiously around the area.

– I get now why you were so worried in the beginning. – A moment of silence followed.

– So… what do we do now?

– Get back to class.

– You’re not going to do anything?

– I will. Just… not now.

They headed back into the academy and continued with their lessons.

Later, they went for a walk. Arabella noticed that the Deathower plants were planted everywhere around the city. She found it strange that she hadn’t noticed it earlier. Liv soon saw it too, and they decided to go to the police station to report the potential threat. However, the police didn’t take them seriously and treated the whole thing as a false alarm.

Misunderstood and dismissed, they headed home and tried to calm themselves about the situation.

Day by day, similar incidents began to occur. At first, no one paid much attention. Everything was happening discreetly. But as the days passed, the number of cases grew.

The situation began to draw attention.

The Deathower revealed its true nature. Its blooms were now much wider than when Arabella had first seen them. The blades had grown significantly longer. It was releasing much larger sparks, and its eyes were scaring many of the creatures around. It couldn’t be cut down just getting close to it was extremely dangerous.

The planet Syrinx had descended into chaos.

An increasing number of creatures were being injured, and many were losing their lives due to severe and untreatable wounds. The academy continued with classes, but everything was carried out with the utmost caution. Tension was constant.

After finishing yet another tense and exhausting class, Arabella began packing up her things, eager to leave.

– Are you staying for Orion’s speech? – Liv asked.

– I don’t have time for him or his speech right now.

– I think I’ll stay and listen, – said Liv.

Arabella kept walking. She could hear the shouts from the crowd:
– Arabella is to blame for everything!

Orion’s speech had begun. The crowd quieted down. Arabella pushed her way through the mass of people that recognized her and threw remarks at her. She was getting closer to where he stood. She acted completely unfazed, ignoring the entire situation.

Calmly, she reached his spot and walked right past him. He noticed her, then stepped down from the podium and grabbed her by the arm. His gaze was full of reproach.

– Where do you think you’re going, assistant?

– Home, obviously.

– Aren’t you going to listen to your leader’s speech?

– No.

– But I’m your leader. Don’t forget that.

– Well, I’m not going to. Thanks for the lovely reminder, – Arabella replied, then walked away from the academy.