Strains

We were in the woods again, because shocker, the academy was completely surrounded by forest on all sides. It’s hard to believe there’s actually anything beyond it, and if there is, I’d like to know the reason why there isn’t some kind of path.

“Before lunch, I want to show you something.”

We head deeper into the thick brush, me trailing behind Matthew by only a few steps. He stops abruptly and grabs me by the waist.

“What are you doing?’

“You were about to be seen.”

He lets go of me and crouches down. I do the same.

“What exactly are we doing out here?”

“Look,” he points down the ridge. Below us is a decrepit stone tower. The trees surrounding the tower were dead, the first dead anything that I’ve seen here. Amongst the trees, somebody is down there. Actually, it looks like a lot of somebodies.

Matthew slides back and sits behind a tree. Who was it that we were hiding from?

“The council has been inspecting the portal obsessively for the last week and making others stand guard.”

For the last week. So-

“Yes, ever since you arrived.”

He beckons me over and I sit beside him.

“If someone kills you, the council will know you didn’t come through the portal. The fighting on campus, it needs to stop.”

He said that like I’m starting it, half the time I’m being jumped. I don’t like getting beaten up either.

“Maybe the others wouldn’t bully you if you showed a bit of backbone and didn’t act so damn weak.”

“Maybe someone should have told me all this garbage when I got here!” He keeps drip feeding me information, as if I’m supposed to be figuring this out on my own.

Matthew moves quickly to cover my mouth.

“Damn it Elizabeth, you’re going to get us both banished.” He pulls me up and drags me deeper into the forest, away from the portal. “Listen, the day I volunteered to be your facilitator, we became practically family. I know I’ve been harsh, but we both have unreasonable standards that must be met.”

His hand moves from my mouth to my cheek.

“You’re crying again.”

I cover my face. “It’s not like I enjoy feeling weak. It’s just too much to handle. Everyone hates me and maybe that wouldn’t matter too much if I actually knew what is going on here, but I don’t.”

Matthew takes my hands. He prys my thumb and index finger apart, exposing my scar.

“There is a price for the knowledge you’re looking for. None of that stuff has to matter. I am your facilitator, so you can always rely on me to shoulder the burdens you can’t carry. All you have to do is trust me and do what you can. That’s all I ask.”

I look into his eyes. Did he really mean it? He thought of us as family, something I miss so terribly.

Matthew, as much of a jerk as he is, does seem like he’s trying. I never considered that he had expectations for his job too. He was a fish out of water, just like I was. We’re both walking into new territory, but, it feels like he’s offering to walk with me, together. I just wish he was more generous with information. I hate feeling blindfolded all the time.

“Alright Teacher, I’ll try my best not to get into any more fights.”

Matthew stands up and holds out his hand.

“That’s all I ask,” he says. I place my hand in his and when he pulls me up, I fall forward into his chest. He catches me, but his body goes rigid. His vanilla and woodsy scent fills my nose.

“You are the most inelegant woman I’ve ever met. Your klutziness is going to get you killed.”

If only I could call him a jerk to his face.

“What kind of deviant acts are you two up to?”

I freeze.

Matthew laughs. “Why, jealous Hercules?” He releases me and I take a giant step away from him. Matthew is acting like this isn’t serious, like he hasn’t reminded me of rule 127 before.

“I always knew you were some kind of sick bastard. Hey, Elizabeth, you should stay away from this old geezer and hang with me instead.”

Matthew laughs. “That sweat suits you better than a pretty woman.”

“Dick. Really though, what are you doing out here?” Hercules looks over at me, expecting a serious response.

“Just getting a lecture before lunch downtown.”

“Right, well better get a raincheck on that. Matthew, Mr. Kane is looking for you, he said something about a report you had to submit.”

Matthew’s face hardens. “Where is he?”

“Admin.”

“Hercules, please escort my student to lunch. I have some things to gather before I meet with him.”

Matthew takes off running towards campus, and we trail behind him. I was not about to run though, Matthew could afford broken ankles, but I didn’t need to be more of a wounded animal than I already was.

Eventually, Matthew had gone out of our view and the campus came into it. Students were milling around the grounds, all heading to the dining hall for lunch. And here I was, hanging out with the professor they all think I had persuaded to spare me.

I rush ahead and open the door for him. Maybe I could get a little less hate if it didn’t look like we were so chummy together. Then again, I probably look like I’m sucking up to him.

Inside, the ghosts were on the move behind a traditional cafeteria set up.

“Wait, Hercules, sir, you don’t have to sit with me.” I try to stop him, but a ghost approaches us with a silver tray. Matthew never disappoints. Hercules takes the tray from the ghost and it hurries away.

“Looks like Matthew gave me some extra lunch. Come on.” We wait in line together, and I absolutely stack my plate with goodies I might never see again. When we get settled at the empty staff table, I lick my thumb that had fallen into my chocolate pudding.

“Now I know why Matt has you on this diet,” he says, referring to the untouched salad beside me. “You’re a pig.”

I smile and take a huge bite into the best piece of fried chicken I have ever tasted. “Oink.”

“Aw, looks like he left you a love letter.” He unfolds the notecard and reads it aloud. “‘Don’t let that brute Hercules get his drunken hands on you.’ Well, that’s uncalled for. He’s so possessive, you know Elizabeth, you could really stick it to him if you let me hold your hand and take you to your next class. And since I’m only your professor, not your facilitator, we could get into all kinds of shenanigans if you want.”

“Not a chance. He’d skin me alive, and I have enough rumors floating around about me already. I don’t need to give them more ammunition.”

“Those damn kids. Taking all the fun out of my jokes.”

“It’s fine. I’m handling it.”

Poorly, but I don’t need Hercules to worry about it.

We sit and make idle chit chat while I demolish my plate of food. When we finish, I take his and my trays to get cleaned.

“Thanks for hanging with me, sir. Lunch was nice.”

“Don’t mention it. Besides, I know most of your enjoyment came from eating whatever you wanted. I’m shocked you would use me like that.” He clutches at his neck, as if he were wearing an invisible necklace. I smile and he returns it with a wink. “Don’t worry Squirt, I will pay you back in my class this afternoon.”

The corner of my lip twitches.

“Actually, I was going to take the time to study, you know since I don’t officially start your class till next week?”

His smile wavers then shifts into a wide tooth grin.

“You weren’t going to be able to answer my question back in class, were you?”

I feel my cheeks get warm.

He chuckles lightly, trying not to get the attention of the other students.

“Matthew was right, you are going to be something special.”

When did he tell him that?

“See you at dinner?”

I nod yes and disappear into the kitchen to do our dishes.

***

Once I leave the kitchen, I head towards the path towards the athletic field. No class for me today, I am finally going to make it to the library. Graduation requirements be damned, I can’t sit around and fail my classes. It bruises my ego too much for me to take. Besides…I think back to what Hercules had said Matthew told him. He believes in me, to what extent I’m not sure, but it’s something. Something that warms my insides, and gives me hope that maybe I could be successful here.

At least academically. If I can find some study materials, I just know I can pass at least one of my classes.

I pull the map out of my dress pocket. I’m at the bridge that oversees the stream that flows with camellias. According to the map, if I go north of the stream, I should run into another path that leads straight to the library.

I cross the bridge and walk alongside the stream. It flows gentle here, and the slight bubbling of the water tumbling over stones is mesmerizing. I reach a rod iron gate that wasn’t on the map, but its open, so I continue forward.

This is where the camellias must come from. The garden is filled with bushes of camellias, hydrangeas, and roses. All of which are in bloom. The stream has opened into a pond filled with koi fish and water lilies. The floral scent that wafts through the air isn’t overpowering, and the slight sound of the water being cut by fish fins is crisp. Like the garden only kisses my senses and leaves me wanting more.

The garden ends at another rod iron gate. I’ll be back to enjoy it later, hopefully with a bag full of books.