4/20/20
...…..
Cursed
Chapter Thirty-Five: Brother Blood
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As I carefully slip into the foyer, I expect to hear the loud chattering of ex-students. Instead, I'm met with an eerie silence. Nervously, I chew on my lower lip and glance around. Maybe the ceremony isn't over yet? Doubtful. It has to be at least 3 AM by now. It's not like everyone would've left once the ceremony ended, either. The parking lot was still filled with cars, enough so that Leo had issues finding a parking spot. Besides, the alumni tend to stick around for hours after the graduation has ended. The post-graduation parties are said to be legendary- not that I would know first hand, as current students are generally ushered back to the dorms once the graduation has ended.
Oddly, I don't even see Gizmo and Mammoth as I carefully make my way down the halls. Perhaps they already went back to their rooms? Again, I doubt it. It's more likely that they would've tried their hand at sneaking into a party or two. Not that the three of us are the party type, but sneaking in just to prove that we could definitely seems like something we would do (especially on Gizmo's behalf). With a heavy sigh, I make up my mind: no matter how much I want to, I can't go to sleep without making sure my team is alright.
As I continue down the hallway, I make sure to peak into every classroom I can find. Still, I find no signs of lingering criminals anywhere. It occurs to me that I don't even know where on campus these parties are normally held, and as far as I know they may be in the cafeteria or something rather than somewhere as crammed as a mad science classroom.
However, when I push open the doors to the gymnasium, I immediately realize where everyone went. A massive fight has broken out in our absence, between the HIVE's agents and an army of strange hooded figures. I frantically push through the crowd, searching everywhere for my missing teammates. My pulse quickens the moment I realize that they are nowhere to be found.
"Mammoth!" I scream, pushing a cloaked figure to the ground. "Gizmo!"
No response.
Not that I would be able to hear it over the clamoring of the fight.
I choke back a sob, unwilling to let myself process everything that has happened tonight. I find myself being pushed around by ally and foe alike, but I don't care. All I want is to find the boys, or at least know what's going on. After nearly tripping over the long purple cloak of one of our intruders, I steady my balance and turn my gaze to the makeshift stage that has been set up for graduation. Once again, my breath catches in my throat at the sight waiting for me.
An elderly man wearing a white and yellow robe is standing on the stage, holding up our Headmistress in a choke-hold. The same Headmistress who took me in and protected me when no one else would. The Headmistress who gave me my identity, who showed me who I really am. A surge of anger directed at our mysterious attackers bubbles up within me, and I immediately force my way through the front lines of the battle and onto the stage.
"Leave her alone!" I shout, flinging a hex at Headmistress's assailant.
As we lock eyes, a flicker of recognition ignites in my brain. This isn't just any old man, it's Brother Blood! A strangulated gasp escapes from my throat, and I take a step back as the hex dissipates before it can even make contact. My heart twists in agony. This is not a battle we will win.
Brother Blood. Level 10 HIVE Agent, one of our strongest even. Known member of a cult dedicated to the demonic entity known as Skath. Through this, his powers have expanded beyond what the HIVE has on record. Even the thought of taking him on in a fight seems impossible.
"Jinx!" I hear Gizmo cry.
My gaze snaps to the source of the cry, to where Gizmo and Mammoth are pushing through the crowd to reach me. I want to stop them, to demand that they run far away from here and never return, but my pleas wither away in my throat before they can be heard.
Suddenly, I feel the ground disappear from under my feet. I scream, kicking the air violently, but it does nothing to stop me from floating upward. My limbs flail uselessly as I try to do anything to move, but all I can do is hover in place. Soon, I realize that everyone in the room has been subjected to a similar fate, including Brother Blood and our Headmistress.
"Attention everyone! I have an announcement to make!" Brother Blood says, a callous smirk etched across his features. "From now on, the HIVE Academy has a new headmaster!"
The Headmistress opens her mouth as if to speak, but no sound comes out. Her eyes dart around the room frantically, as if searching for wherever her voice went. Brother Blood waves his hand dismissively, and suddenly a read aura surrounds Headmistress. I long to surge forward and rescue her, but my body does not move of its own accord. And before I can do anything to stop it, the woman who did so much for me disappears before my eyes.
Tears well up in my eyes, and the sound of my screams are drowned out by the chaos that ensues. We all hit the ground at once, and as soon as I feel the jolt of pain that comes from being slammed against the cold floor I push myself to my feet. I ready a hex, fully prepared to mercilessly attack the traitor among us, when suddenly my head feels… fuzzy.
I stumble, taking a step forward, but a sudden rush of vertigo causes me to stumble to my knees. Steadying myself, I look up at Brother Blood. All I can see is his blurry outline, and the glowing red of his eyes. Closing my own eyes, I duck my head and wait for the fogginess to end.
Finally, my torment is over. I no longer feel dizzy, although I can't say that my head feels clear. Rubbing my temples, I bring myself to my feet. Nothing is blurry anymore, at least, though I do wonder why everyone is crowded around Headmaster Blood.
Did something just happen?
I feel like... something is missing.
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Hi again! Sorry I took longer than intended on this. Halfway through writing this chapter, I realized that I needed to rewatch the Brother Blood arc from season 3 before continuing any further.
Quote of the day!
"The game is rated E for everyone, but the Netflix adaptation is rated M for mmm… vampires." -honestly this one is better without context
May the odds be ever in your favor,
Spectrobes Princess