The bell had just rang as Theo barely made it to school not killing his speed he continued running in the hall why till he reached his class
Mr. Kalema was already writing dates across the board in neat and perfectly spaced lines "your later again take your seat" he said with out turning to look at Theo
Theo awkwardly walked past him reaching desk and sitting he then pulled out his notebook leaning to the front he poked the kid in front of him "Hey what chapter are we supposed to turn too"
Turing his head behind abit he said "Chapter 62" the kid said turning back to his notebook
With Theo's later but present arrival the lesson went on
His pen hovered over the paper.
Theo tapped his pen twice against the desk recalling the events that had taken place also unwanted but his throughts drifted to that figure he saw as he was lost in throught he continued to tap his pen on the desk
"Mr. Theo," Mr. Kalema said waking Theo from his dazz. "Would you like to share with the class what is more interesting than the collapse of the Third Empire?"
Theo straightened slightly. "No, sir."
"Then pay attention this is going to be examined"
A few kids snickered.
Theo rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, sir."
He pushing throughts back for now he tried focusing on the class.
But something felt off like when you walk into a room and forget why you went there.
Behind him, two girls whispered.
"…I'm telling you I saw it."
"No you didn't."
"I did. Near the east barrier but it disappear before you saw it."
Theo's pen paused.
He didn't turn around.
Mr. Kalema clapped once looking at the girls. "Focus."
Theo exhaled slowly and kept writing.
Recess came fast.
Theo stepped into the courtyard, sunlight hitting his face. The noise of students talking, laughing, arguing "so noise and bright" he said blocking the light from hitting his face with his hand
Tired of the noise Theo went up to the roof where he usually sits near the fence a kid sat cross legged at the bench, eating something from a paper bag looked like a steamed bun.
"The boy who lives in the tree house?."
No one knew if that was actually true, but he smelled like leaves sometimes and had scratches on his arms like he climbed things daily, so people just accepted it.
He looked up as Theo approached.
"Who are you?" He asked as Theo approached
Theo sat beside him. "Am Theo we are in the same class"
"Oh I never saw you I guess I am Dennis."
Theo scratched the back of his head "It happens"
Going back to staring at the students down he looked puzzled "so weird"
Theo glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
Dennis didn't turn at all only only carrying the bun closer "It smells like blood"
Theo blinked. "You mean the bun?."
"No," Dennis said simply "I mean that girl with the scissors behind you
Theo almost chewed as Dennis pushed him away from getting pierced by the scissors
"…you should dodge," he said as he turned to look at her but she was only moments away from stabbing his neck
Dennis hummed as he created and energy orb at her belly that exploded before she could stab his neck the force was strong enough to hit her hard on wall knocking her unconscious
Dennis with a face of indifference stared at her still sitted where he was "I told you to dodge"
Theo frowning and shocked by what happened got up and went to see if she was alive. "What the hell was her problem lucky you didn't kill her just knocked her out"
Dennis stared at Theo like he was ailen "you can see here."
Theo didn't answer but looked confused "What do you mean of course I can see her am not blind"
Dennis was even more puzzled by this "let me first check something" getting up and walking to the edge of fence he pointed down across the yard "what do you see"
Walking to the fence Theo looked down and then looked at Dennis like he was a mad man "there are to boys standing there face to face what's the problem"
Dennis staggered backed surprised "you really can also see them"
Theo felt his stomach tighten up "Hey stop with the cryptic lines what the hell are you talking about aren't those students too what do you mean I can see them too"
Dennis followed his gaze.
"It just that..," Dennis said lowering his voice to where it was no louder that whisper
As the bell rang Theo was too stunned to move till Dennis tapped his shoulder "Lets talk after school there is alot I need to tell you"
While second period started Theo couldn't help but replay what Dennis said
Dennis speaking so low told him "Those aren't students or people Anymore"
While Theo was lost in throught the teacher called him foward him to solve something on the board.
But halfway through writing the final step he stopped as he felt eyes staring at him turning back as a cold sweat broke he saw nothing but Dennis that shook gus head pointing to him to not look behind
After finishing the problem Theo walked back to his seat slowly.
His hands still felt cold he didn't look up from his notebook through out the all class
After afew hours the bell rang showing it was time for lunch not wanting to stay there any longer Theo walked out with the other students till they reached the cafeteria
sitting with Dennis again, this time under the stairwell shade the sensation of eyes watching him slowly faded
"Did you feel that too," Theo said, still terrified by it, "It was like I was about to died had I not looked behind"
Dennis didn't answer right away but continued drinking his soda
Theo waited and looked around maybe someone might hear in
Dennis finally said after finishing it, "I felt it too but It was like suffocating."
Theo swallowed hard "…Do you know what that was."
Dennis shook his head. "I don't know much only thing is that if you notice them they will attack you."
"That's why you were trying to tell me to look foward" Theo had a cold realization if Dennis wasn't there he might have died then
"Wait what about the girl from earlier she was attacking even when I didn't notice her"
Dennis looked puzzled "Yeah thats what am still trying to figure out she only attacked you at first and only when I acknowledged her presence did she attack me more over she was an actual person"
While they spoke a teacher walked past them and for a split second her eye flashed with a dark red hue
Then stopped staring at Theo before continuing to walk
Both Theo and Dennis watched her as she went.
Neither spoke.
After the last period Theo couldn't remember what subject it was.
He packed his bag early.
When the final bell rang, the hallway filled with noise from the students leaving
Theo stepped outside.
He inhaling deeply.
Just wanted to go home after today
Dennis caught up beside him.
"Your house is this way too?" Dennis asked.
"Yeah yours too."
"Yeah."
They walked in silence for a while both thinking "this is really awkward"
Then Dennis finally said:
"How…How long could you see them"
Theo looked at him and kept quiet for a bit thinking the question over
Dennis continued, eyes forward. "…Don't ignore it we are in the some boat now so you shouldn't keep information."
Theo nodded slowly "It was afew days ago."
At the fork in the road, Dennis stopped.
Then he climbed the fence in one smooth motion and dropped to the other side.
Theo watched him disappear toward the trees.
"…Tree house kid," Theo muttered.
As he adjusted his bag and started walking towards home.
The wind picked up slightly making him run back as it was really refreshing
But as he was only inches away from reaching his house he felt a hand cover his mouth but before he could retaliate he saw it was Dennis who shook his head and pointed forward when he looked forward he saw two people standing at the front door which was open