Red POV

The look on Mr. Caddel's face was a chilling sight that sent a shiver down my spine. It was as if his gaze could strip away any semblance of courage or strength, reducing me to a mere trembling soul. In that moment, I couldn't help but recall the descriptions I had read about the unforgiving anger of a wolf, capable of inflicting great harm upon the weak and vulnerable. Sadly, I realized that my own powers were still undeveloped, leaving me defenseless against his wrath.

"Put it down and leave!" His voice sliced through the air, filled with a palpable sense of command. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, my body immobilized by an overwhelming fear that rendered me incapable of movement. It was as if the weight of his words had turned my legs into lead.

I noticed his impatience with my immobility, and he began to approach me. Panic surged through my veins, propelling me backward until I collided with the shelf that concealed the entrance to the secret room. My back hit the solid surface, and I cringed at the impact, but this time the shelf was already closed, sealing off any escape route.

I felt like a helpless prey, being meticulously observed by its relentless predator before the inevitable moment of devouring. He closed the distance between us, standing in front of me with an intensity that made the space between us feel suffocatingly small.

His eyes, once filled with a captivating glow, now darkened with a mix of frustration and something else I couldn't quite comprehend. They fixated on my left hand, and confusion swept over me. I followed his gaze and widened my eyes when I realized I was still clutching the bottle.

Is that why he's upset? I wondered, my mind racing to understand the cause of his sudden change in demeanor.

"U-Um, I-I'm s-sorry, I-I d-di-" I stammered, desperate to explain myself, but before I could utter another word, he seized the bottle from my hand with a forceful grip. The intensity of his grasp startled me, and though tears welled up in my eyes, I fought to hold them back, determined to remain strong.

Why is he acting this way? The question echoed in my mind, further fueling my confusion. Something was undoubtedly amiss. His eyes, once filled with warmth and kindness, no longer held that familiar glow. Instead, they seemed to harbor a doppelganger, one that despised the sight of me.

"Leave, Red!" he commanded, his voice laced with a mix of anger and frustration.

"But-" I attempted to protest, to demand an explanation, but his vehement interruption silenced me.

"I said get out!" he thundered, his words ringing in my ears. Overwhelmed, I fled from his office, tears streaming down my cheeks. The emotions that I had fought so hard to contain now rushed forth, cascading down my face with an intensity that matched the ache in my heart. Fortunately, the hallway was deserted, as classes were still in session.

Stepping outside the school building, I found myself frozen, staring at my reflection in the window. The sight that greeted me was disheartening. My eyes were bloodshot, as if I had been punched in both of them, mirroring the pain within my heart. Swiftly, I wiped away the tears, using the edge of my shirt to dab at the mucus that had escaped my nose.

I still couldn't comprehend what had just transpired between Mr. Caddel and me. What I did know, however, was that I needed to keep my distance from him. His behavior was an enigma, oscillating between treating me as though I were the most precious being in existence and recoiling as if I were a contagious disease he had to avoid at all costs.

The clamor of approaching footsteps reached my ears, and I knew that people were already making their way towards me. I couldn't bear the thought of having to answer questions about why I looked as though my heart had been shattered into a thousand pieces. It felt as if I had been dumped, emotionally and mentally.

With a heavy heart, I turned towards the dormitory, hoping that I wouldn't be sent back to class. Learning was the last thing on my mind right now. All I wanted was the solace of my pillow and the comfort of a container of ice cream.

I found myself inching closer to the dormitory, the only haven I could seek refuge in. The relief of solitude washed over me as I noticed the absence of any human presence at the entrance gate. However, the eerie stillness that enveloped the surroundings began to gnaw at my senses. It was as if the air itself held its breath, anticipating something sinister.

The sky, previously painted with vibrant hues, transformed into a somber shade of gray. Unease settled within me, but I pushed the disconcerting thought aside, determined to focus on reaching the safety of my room.

Yet, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the air, lashing against my face with an icy sting. It was a familiar sensation, reminiscent of the spine-chilling aura that permeated the depths of the forbidden forest. Instinctively, I knew I was being watched.

My heart hammered against my chest, its rhythm echoing in my ears. Beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead, contrasting with the chill that crept up my spine. Casting a cautious glance around, I searched for any sign of the unseen presence. Though my eyes found nothing, a foul scent wafted through the air, carried by the wind.

A nauseating feeling gripped me, daring me to turn around and confront the source of my unease. But I resisted the urge, knowing deep down that facing it would only invite peril. Instead, I pressed forward, my steps measured and deliberate, as I approached the entrance of the dormitory.

Just as I reached for the doorknob, a cacophony of piercing sounds erupted, tearing through the silence. I looked up to the sky and froze in place, my heart sinking at the sight that unfolded before me. A swarm of crows, their feathers as black as night, filled the heavens. Their eyes locked onto mine, unblinking and unwavering. They descended upon the roof of the dormitory, encircling me like a sinister omen, their presence suffocating.

The crows began to caw, their voices a discordant symphony of warning. Dread washed over me as I strained to decipher their message. "Run," their collective cries seemed to echo in my mind, urging me to flee. Panic surged through my veins, and without a second thought, I obeyed their ominous command.

My legs carried me with an urgency I had never experienced before. The world blurred into a hazy whirlwind as I sprinted down the seemingly endless staircase, oblivious to the stares of my fellow students. The corridors passed by in a blur, each turn bringing me closer to the safety of my room. Avery's enchantments that allowed swift travel were a mystery to me, but in that moment, I yearned for them more than ever.

Finally, I reached the door to my room and burst inside, slamming it shut with all the strength I could muster. Gasping for breath, I leaned against the door, my body trembling from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The events of the day had taken a toll on me, and the overwhelming fear threatened to consume my sanity.

But the respite was short-lived. A thunderous thud shook the room, drawing my attention to the window. I watched in horror as a crow collided with the glass, its desperate attempts to break through leaving streaks of crimson in its wake. It was relentless, undeterred by the blood that stained the windowpane. And then, as if triggered by some unseen force, the entire swarm joined in, a relentless assault on the barrier between us.

"Stop," I pleaded softly, my voice choked with desperation. But my words fell on deaf ears as the onslaught continued. The window cracked under the relentless barrage, threatening to shatter at any moment. Panic surged within me once more, and I found myself sinking to the floor, my legs unable to support me any longer.

My head spun, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Fear, anger, and helplessness merged into a volatile mix. And then, something snapped. A surge of fury coursed through my veins, overpowering the paralyzing fear that held me captive.

"Stop!!!" I screamed, desperation fueling every ounce of life left within me. I tried to lower my voice, to regain control, but my anger only intensified, causing my voice to rise to a fevered pitch. The room trembled violently, as if it could barely contain the chaotic energy swirling around me. Pictures that Ana had carefully hung on the walls crashed to the ground, their frames shattering into splinters. The windows shattered, glass shards cascading inwards, inviting an eerie chorus of crows to swoop in.

The birds circled above, their dark silhouettes casting ominous shadows on the ceiling. Round and round they flew, their movements growing increasingly frantic, until one by one, they plummeted to the floor, filling the room with their lifeless bodies. The air grew heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by my ragged breaths.

As the stillness settled, I realized that my own screams had ceased. My body, however, was slow to respond, and I crumpled to the floor, the impact jarring my head against the door behind me. A wave of dizziness washed over me, threatening to pull me into unconsciousness. But before my eyelids fluttered shut, I caught a glimpse of a shadow. It stood amidst the broken glass, its presence foreboding. Its gaze fixated on the fallen birds, and for a moment, a smirk tugged at its lips, a twisted expression of satisfaction. But as its eyes met mine, the smirk faded into a frown, a flicker of annoyance crossing its features.

"Till we meet again, Hathaway," a voice whispered, the words laced with a chilling certainty. I couldn't bear it any longer, the weight of the moment pushing me over the edge. Finally, I succumbed to the darkness, my eyelids closing in reluctant surrender.

I hate today.

Hope you enjoyed this Chapter ❤️