Page 42 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Okay, so I can mention the music to Adeline but not the cabin or the road?”

“Why? Are you at the secret keeping stage already?”

The Bible flashed through my mind and I sharpened the thorns of my mind. “Umm…”

“That’s good. She deserves someone who keeps her secrets.” He said quietly.

We walked along in silence after that, each looking at the stars until he sent a rope ladder down the side of his trail. We were just outside of our first meeting place, the travel time cut down massively. I nodded my thanks before descending the ladder and walking back. And as I closed the door to my dorm, I smiled, humming what might be my new favourite song before daring to fall asleep.

* * *

The stadium lights cut through the cool fall air, illuminating the crowded bleachers I was currently stuffed into. I was earning a lot of looks from my fellow high schoolers, whose names I’d never bothered to learn. It was no secret that I avoided any and all extra-curricular activities. This was different though. I didn’t need to be a football fan, I was a Theo fan, and it was his and Tyler’s first starting varsity game. I blew into my gloved hands and cursed my lack of insight to bring something to separate myself from the frosted metal stands. Would my visions never help me with the small inconveniences of my life?

Walking onto the sidelines were Theo and Tyler, no NFL level bursting through paper for our little school. They began chatting with their helmets in hand, knocking shoulders with enthusiasm for the game to begin. Leaving my seat, I walked closer to them, shouting their names till I got their attention. They turned and hurried over as one, as inseparable as ever. I reached down and before the words could leave my mouth, Theo cracked his hand against mine, in a brutal high five.

I began cussing him out as I pulled off the glove to clutch my hand. I’m certain he broke it, and told him so. More laughter, brighter than the stadium lights, brighter than stars. He’s all light, my brother; at home here on the field. Tyler gestured for me to let him see the damage. I did so hesitantly, nervous this would be another one of his pranks. He took my hand surprisingly gently, his eyes darkening. The place he held my hand began to tingle, and I wondered if this is what all my romance books were referencing. The idea felt absurd, he’s my brother’s best friend, my friend by proxy. The tingle heated up, until it was burning me. I jerked away from him, now certain this was no romance novel desire, but something more sinister. He and Theo looked up at me in confusion, their eyes both completely normal. Had I imagined it? My hand was perfectly fine, the little glittery cherries I’d painted on them blinked at me in accusation. Theo frowned, asking if I was doing okay? I rushed to reassure him that I was just being crazy and everything was fine. He and Tyler gave each other a look of mutual confusion before walking back to their teammates. I slowly returned to my seat, telling myself to hold it together. The announcer blared off the names of our schools and some other nonsense I tuned out while the teams headed out for the kick-off. I breathed a sigh of relief as the game began, it was all just in my head. I just needed to relax and enjoy the game.

I made it two hours into the game when the heat from before spiked up my arm. Purple haze began to cloud my vision. I bolted upright, pulling my hood low only to start tripping over the strewn bags that I couldn’t quite make out. I needed a closet, a bathroom, somewhere dark. But Theo… I looked to the field to see him running towards me. He knew. He always knew. I stumbled off the stands into his arms as he kept running. Running away from his life, his success, his love, only for the hope of saving my useless one. He ran until we were back in our car, covering me with a blanket, before screeching out of the parking lot. I sobbed under the dark covers as I burst into the blue glow that we may or may not be imagining, and may or may not land us into a psych ward. The purple overtook my vision as I fell into the familiar series of pictures that never made any sense to me: an old carriage, stone angels, wilting roses, fire, explosions, blood, and this time eyes turned black as night.

Twenty-Two

Adeline

Isat up in bed, the room filled with darkness, only broken by a soft moonlight filtering through my blinds. My silk pyjamas were stuck to my skin and my hands trembled with a panic that felt all too real, even on waking. How long had it been this time? I climbed out of bed knowing I wouldn’t sleep again no matter how hard I tried. This wasn’t my first dance with nightmare induced-insomnia. Especially after the dark ritual I’d used only hours earlier. I checked the time on my phone to see a few hours had passed since I’d gone to bed after completing my homework. It was late… but some students would still be lingering around, there always was.

Dressing quickly, I changed into some light gym clothes suitable for a late night run and braided my hair back from my face. I checked my appearance in my dresser mirror, plastering a fake smile on my face, before opening my bedroom door. The lounge area was empty, save for a half-eaten bag of crisps and the television playing quietly to itself. Dropping my smile, I let myself out of the dorm and set off on a run.

The night was chilly as I left the warmth of the dorm building, goosebumps forming along my arms but I’d soon warm up. I followed the path which skirted the edge of the woods, favouring a longer run in exchange for not having to enter the thick darkness which hung between those trees while the nightmare was fresh in my mind. A squeal of laughter had me spinning on the spot, magic burning at my fingertips as I faced the forest to see a group of first years run out.

The girls’ laughter died away as they saw me standing before them, arms at my side casually but fire smouldering in my palms.

“You shouldn’t be so loud in the woods at night… you’ll wake the monsters.” I warned, they looked at each other uncertainly like they couldn’t decide if I was joking or not. Hell, I didn’t even know if I was joking. And with that I turned and continued my run. Their laughter resumed only seconds later.

I ran and ran. I ran to tire myself out so thoroughly that my body wouldn’t be able to fight against the sleep it needed when I eventually collapsed back on my bed. I ran until I found myself following the route which cut through the edge of the boys campus. My chest heaved as I slowed my pace to a walk. I slipped my phone from my pocket. 01:03. I should turn back.

Panting, I took a seat on a nearby rock to rest before going back to the dorm and crashing into an inevitable loop of poor quality sleep, nightmares and staring at the ceiling.

I sighed as I attempted to push my phone back into my skin tight leggings, instead dropping it into the grass. Leaning over, I fumbled blindly for my phone but paused as magic brushed against my own. Curious. I looked around myself but found no one nearby. I summoned a ball of light to my hand and flicked it into the air. Hovering in place, it lit the area in a warm glow, bright enough to see a white envelope next to the rock. How I hadn’t seen it when I had approached I didn’t know as it sat proudly between the rock and the edge of the path. Reaching for it, my fingers entered a water repellent shield which covered the envelope. Smart. I flipped it over in my hands and froze.

To the girl who runs where she shouldn’t

Oh Gods… I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

It had to be for me surely? I had practically run into Cillian’s room mate on this very path. What if he’d reported me for being on their campus? No… no, I reminded myself, my mother would have said something by now.

I opened the envelope to see a small piece of paper. Feeling nervous, I began to read…

I don’t know if this is somewhere you always run. I don’t know if you’ll ever see this. I just know you ran here that night and you were sad. You were sad but you were alone.

If you’re ever sad again…

I turned the paper over with shaking hands to see a phone number was written down.

* * *

I tossed and turned. It was nearly 3am and not even a two hour run had worn me out enough to plunge me into a dreamless sleep. I looked across my room to where I had abandoned my phone along with the letter. I couldn’t call him …but I could text him? I buried my face in the pillow and groaned. He’d probably forgotten all about leaving that letter anyway. It had to have been there for weeks. No, I’ll throw it away. He was just being nice because he saw a girl crying and he didn’t know what to do. I crossed the room and stared at the letter. Yes, he was just being polite… and considerate… and thoughtful… dammit why is this one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me? I’m pathetic. I picked up the letter and threw it away. Halfway to the bed I turned back, rushing to the bin and retrieving it. If I text him it won’t wake him up and he doesn’t even have to reply. He can just pretend he didn’t see it. It’s the safest thing to do! I’m just repaying the favour by being polite in return really.

I took out my phone and tapped in his number. Typing out a text and hitting send before I could talk myself out of it. Oh my God. I put my phone on my desk and dove back under the covers… What was I thinking? He doesn’t even have my number, how does he know who it’s from?! I’m such an idiot. I turned over with a huff and squeezed my eyes closed. I’ll just go to sleep and pretend this never happened.

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