As Elias and Jay are walking together,the buzz of the morning bell echoed through the crowded halls of black ridge high a place that smelled of florr wax,old textbooks,and the faint bitterness of teenage regret.The first day of school always brought it's own brand of chaos,but for Elias Thorn,it wasn't the chaos that weighed on him- it was the looks
Pity-laced stares
Half-hidden whispers
That fucking glance people give when they think you're already dead.
Elias walked through the corridors with his hoodie pulled low,hands shoved deep into his pockets, trying to ignore the way his body felt different.His senses were shaper then ever-he could hear the distant crunch of someone biting into an apple across the hall,smell the claying sweatiness of cheap perfume mixed with the locker room musk. Every step felt lighter,as though gravity wasn't pulling at him as hard anymore.
Was it the bite? His mind kept circling back to last night,to that beast hulking, monstrous and the savage pain that ripped through his neck.But instead of weakness today,there was an edge... a buzz of
energy in his veins.His reflection this morning had shocked him
colour returning to his pale cheeks,his eyes a little less hollow.
As he headed towards class, the door suddenly swung open- and she stepped through
Her.
Late, hair slightly tousled from the wind outside, wearing that look people have when they're trying not to draw attention.She had that kind of beauty that wasn't trying it just was.A quiet confidence, a softness sharpened by intelligence behind he eyes.
Elias wasn't the only one who noticed.
Eyes followed her like wolves tracking prey. Predatory,shallow gazes from guys who saw nothing more than curves and potential conquests. But when her gaze swept the room, her eyes landed on him and for a brief moment, the noise of the classroom dulled.Not from magic,not from the same supernatural force-just one of those rare moments where time itself seemed to hesitate.
His heart thudded painfully in his chest,fuck not now
He looked away fast
"Yo" Jaylen's voice broke through the tension like a wrecking ball.He slid into the sit besides Elias, dropping his bag with a soft thud. Jaylen always had that effortless charm- dark skin kissed by the sunlight enough freckles to scatter across his nose. He wore confidence like armour,but beneath it was something fractured. The absence of his father left jagged holes,and his mom well, she was just gone.
And jaylen didn't even know why yet.
"Man ,you good?" Jaylen asked, arching an eyebrow." You look like you just saw a damn ghost."
Elias blinked hard."Just...tired."
Jaylen snorted."Tired? Bro,you look like you're about to collapse into a coma."His voice lowered,teasing." Or is it her?"
"Shut up"
Jaylen grinned and leaned back." So,party aftermath? You still feelin' wait no...maybe I didn't get a good look at you in the car but , you actually look better. That's what the fuck.
Elias shook his head."I don't know,man. I just feel...stronger. clearer. Like... something shifted."
Before Jaylen could press further, the teacher's voice cuts through the conversation. " Everyone, settle down.We have a new student joining us today Aria Voss.
Aria Voss
Aria. The name sattled into Elias's mind like a stone in water- small ripples that stretched further than they should.
"Aira sit here in the front row" The teacher says. As Aira sits down Elias couldn't help but admire the beauty of Aria Voss.
Class went on the lunch break
They sat beneath the shadow of an old oak tree, it's branches gnarled like claws scratching at the sky. Jaylen's Jeep was parked just across the lot black,rugged,and worn in all the right ways. It wasn't flashy, but it has presence.
Jaylen tore into his sandwich while Elias sat there,lost in thought.The bite mark on his neck burned subtly under his collar. He was healing too fast
"Dude seriously, what's going on with you?You look like you've been through hell and came back with a cheat code."
"Something like that" Elias nervously said.How could he explain the beast, the bite, the feeling of raw power coiling beneath his skin?
Jaylen studies him for a second longer, then sighed." You're lying to me. But fine keep your secrets,keep them from you only best bud in the whole world, Elias Thorn." His voice carried grandeur, but then dropped to a low murmur." Just don't let it eat you alive,man."
The conversation could've ended there should've ended there.
But that's when Elias overheard something - a voice from a nearby table, hishedyyet sharp enough to cut through the noise.
"... heard they're looking into old symbols again...that weird faction name Blutorden or something."
Elias froze.
The words meant nothing to him now. Just some idle chatter from some conspiracy nut seniors.
Later that night
Elias stood in front of his bathroom mirror, peeling away his hoodie. The bite mark was nearly gone fading faster than it should have. His reflection stared back, hollow eyes searching for something familiar...and not finding it.
There was a hunger inside him now, a low hum beneath his skin like something ancient had woken up stretching in the dark corners of his soul.
What's happening to me