"Apollo and Cyparissus" oil painting by Claude Marie Pau Dubufe, 1820

⊱➵➵➵➵➵➵➵⊱❂⊰➵➵➵➵➵➵➵⊰

I swallowed dryly as I kept moving down the hall. I could feel Hayden prowling behind me watching my every move, but I refused to look over my shoulder to meet his gaze. My heart hammered against my ribcage as my feet shot out beneath me. Why would he say that? Why would he feel the need to manipulate me, corral me into trusting him more than I had to? Wasn't I was already committed enough?

It didn't make sense.

But somehow it did.

I let it slip; I knew about his past with Kinsley, though not the details. And what was his reaction to that? He wanted me to trust him?

No. He wanted me to open up to him... to get me to reveal my own weaknesses. For this wasn't an upper hand he'd let me have for long.

I was so angry at myself for ever having whispered those words. But suddenly I was angry at Hayden too, why did he need to have more of an upper hand?! Were we not in this together?!

My anger burned. He already knew so much more about me- in reality, he was the one who had all the cards. He knew I had a tick, there was no avoiding that.  And now he had been introduced to a doctor he had no idea about before previously. And that woman in question had just revealed my mother for her true colors of being a shitty human being. I had just shown him my weakest side.  And he was swooping in to win the most fragile part of my trust. But I knew him better than he thought.

He ruined people's lives. That's what he did. There was never a rhyme or reason to it. Whenever he got bored, annoyed... something- the people around him would disappear and run.  And here I confessed I knew about Kinsley. I admitted I knew parts of his darker past.

And he wanted the same from me.

"But you already have it." I whispered angrily. In fact... my eyes widened as I realized something I had missed. I glanced over my shoulder and met his gaze. My feet stopped moving as I came to stop, and Hayden stopped behind me as well.

"You know, don't you?"

He didn't say anything. Those grey silver eyes bore into me.

Augustine's words resonated through my skull "I will see you again in a few weeks. I think this has all been very enlightening.  I have much to look into and confirm with the State on appropriate steps moving forward."

The State.

"You know she was with Child Services, don't you?"

I never realized the condemnation that came with those words; I was so used to the State being referenced, I forgot it bared the markers of my situation. But Hayden wouldn't have missed that. Seeing a doctor dissect me... my mother... my life.... Under the guide of the State.

"Yes." Was all he said.

My eyes narrowed as a sharp pain rose into my noise. I can't do this. He felt so close to my past, so close to my secrets...it was destroying me inside and out. I desperately turned back forward and began trotting away, leaving behind Hayden and his prying gaze.

"Alys!" he called out after me. Apparently, he wasn't expecting me to dash away again.

The sensation of crying or screaming was still too strong. I followed the hall in front of me, eyes finally seeing the far door that would lead us to the side entrances of the new stadium since the front entrance was still barred by construction.

"Wait Alys." Hayden's firm voice said behind me. I kept moving. Closer and closer those doors grew, and I knew Ms. Lexington was just minutes away. Hayden wouldn't be able to press me further there- I just needed to get there in time.

"Alys..." He growled again. He was close... too close. I damned our height difference; where I desperately fought the out walk him, he was able to easily prowl behind.

"I'm not talking to you about my personal life. Drop it." I hissed and kept moving.

He laughed humorlessly over my shoulder, "So I've been told. But you're aware that doctor will want to interrogate Ms. Lexington as well, right? Wouldn't you rather us discuss this beforehand?"

He now sounded annoyed, like I was just a child about to cause more of a problem. No... not a child... a puppet walking without its creator.

Almost there.

I grasped the handle, opening the door only a fraction of an inch before a large hand shot over me and slammed it back close. He didn't say anything, merely waited for me to turn and face him. When I finally did, I had half the mind to hit him, but meeting his cold gaze always seemed to cripple my bones.

"Why are you doing this?" I seethed.

"Because if I'm spending my time in something apparently so dangerous, I'd very much like to know why." He said lowly. I watched him uneasily, searching his face trying desperately to decipher his thoughts. But, like always, they were shadowed beneath a mask... leaving me with nothing.

"You're not trying to get to know me." I whispered to him, "Have you forgotten? For years I've watched you maneuver everyone around you into loving you. You're trying to manipulate me. Do you really think that pretending to care will work?"

He laughed suddenly and it made me jump. "You are something else, you know that? I already told you; I don't give a shit about putting up any pretense with you. Stop crying and pretending I'm some evil wolf in sheep's clothing. I'm just me, a wolf as a wolf like your journals say. Sure, I hate most people and lie to their face. But I'm not manipulating you." he growled, "I'm using you; helping you. Plain and simple, stated from the very beginning, I want this revenge as well. But I'm not abusing that or going to use anything against you."

But as he gazed down at me, something new suddenly swept behind his eyes, "You already know what I'm like... and you don't care. So just stop side-glancing me every step like you don't know what to expect from me. I'll have you know, I am consistent. You, on the other hand, are not."

I flushed in anger and embarrassment, but before I could rebuttal against his declaration, somebody to the right of us spoke up hesitantly.

"Let... let... go, of h-h-her."

We both turned our heads. A skinny, gangly and nervous looking kid watched us warily, but more importantly Hayden's hand behind my head still keeping the door shut. I realized my right hand still clung partially to the latch. I let go of it as I fully turned to face the kid, surprised by his presence since class was still in session. I remembered his face suddenly; those sunken in sockets, that slight crooked nose, and those uncomfortable shifting eyes. The boy at my school that no one knew whose name was, the one who carried Star Wars figurines with him everywhere he went. And one I liked to draw every now and then.

Hayden leaned away from me, titling his head slightly at the kid. I realized suddenly Hayden was emitting a threatening vibe. He hated anyone seeing something he didn't want them to see. I leaned over and glanced to his face, dreadfully realizing he wore that smiling and handsome mask.

The boy was beginning to sweat profusely, staring wide eyed at the golden Adonis before him.  I was thankful for this kid suddenly; where no one else ever realized that the more Hayden smiled and laughed; the more dangerous and angry he really was- this fellow soul did.

"Stop, Hayden." I murmured under my breath. I turned unsure to the kid.

"Errr, thanks for wanting to step in but I'm fine. We're just fighting about the mural; I didn't realize it might have looked bad to others." I murmured apologetically. But inside I was racing through my mind trying to remember if anything we said was damning. The last thing I needed was our intentions for mural getting out.

"Wait... you t-two are the sen-seniors who are... making the t-tribute?" He asked incredibly.

"Yes..." I titled my head unsure. It had only been decided a day ago, I was surprised he knew. "Listen, we need to get going.... but it was nice talking to you." I smiled softly.

"My ... uh, n-n-name," he swallowed over his stutter, "is... Andy."

"Oh." I said surprised. I glanced behind me, evaluating the statue, before I swooped my head back forward. "I'm Alys. He's Hayden." Hayden raised an eyebrow at my impolite jutted thumb acknowledging him.

"I know." Andy said quietly in regards to Hayden's identity. I almost laughed. Yeah, everyone knows who he is.

"Let's go, Alys." Hayden said blandly as he began opening the door to exit the building. But I hesitated as I watched Andy. He had always caught my interest, a wallflower peering around towards another wallflower. And for whatever reason, I wanted to know more about him. I liked drawing him, I liked the way that he knew all eyes traced him when he openly played with his toys- but he didn't seem to care or hide it.

"Why don't I ever see you, except at assemblies?" I asked suddenly.

A bit of red stained his cheeks from my words and his head dropped low, "I'm n-not a n-normal sttttudent."

I finally realized what he meant; he was a part of the special learning classes. "Oh," I whispered, wondering if I made him uncomfortable with that question. But instead he merely nodded his head somewhat bemused at my expression.

"They... s-say- I'm s-slow at l-learning as w-well as my sp-speech delay. B-but the jokes on th-them. I hate tho-those classes and so I l-leave them behind. I still p-pass all tests th-though." He gave me a goofy smile and I couldn't help but to smile back.

"I have to go," I told him, "But it was nice meeting you."

"L-likewise!" he said. But Andy's eyes traveled behind me towards Hayden and they seemed to slightly glower. He clearly still didn't trust the wolf behind me. Finally, he turned and began walking away.

I turned and realized Hayden was still waiting, holding the door open in one hand. Those grey eyes were blank, there was nothing upon his face or mask. It seemed he was done prying. "Shall we?" He asked. I could sense that he had truly shut down, possibly because another student saw something they shouldn't of.  But it also spared me. I nodded my head and stepped through the waiting door.

.
.

"Ah, you're finally here!" Ms. Lexington turned and called out to us. But I was still marveling at the grand building we had entered. None of the school, let alone the public, had been in here yet; interior construction had only ended a few months prior. Its grand unveiling was meant to be graduation.

The side we had entered was the informal school entrance; it connected from a large roofed-sidewalk that was paved between buildings. But still, even entering from this informal entrance, it was breathtaking.

It was one of the most elaborate amphitheaters I had ever seen. The floors were lined with high-quality dark oak parquet planks that all interlinked from one end of the massive room to the other. The tiered seating that encircled the stadium was painted a dark moss green and black, our school colors. The far seating-sections rose high to the ceilings reminding me of ancient coliseums, though perhaps that was because Roman and Greek murals clouded my mind. The great ceilings above had multiple tremendous skylight windows, most with an internal shade partially drawn closed. It was a very expensive looking place.

I glanced towards the distant woman who stood upon the far side of the building. I realized instantly that while most stadiums had tiered seating fully encircling the court, this far side had a gap in seating; creating an entrance that linked this stadium into a cathedral height formal entrance; this addition bearing a rounded dome glass roof. In this entrance, stone walls rose above the massive doors, its height eclipsing all beneath it. This was where the mural would be painted.

Within a few moments we reached Ms. Lexington as we peered through the stadium doors and into the massive Atrium on the other side. My stomach dropped clean away from me. I tilted my head, gazing through the massive doors, across the large entrance and to the stone pane on the other side.  "I didn't realize how big this all was." I said honestly.

"Isn't it beautiful? This stadium will be used for main events. But this entrance is so large it can also host the Tribute unveiling with hundreds of attendees, while the stadium plays on the screen what's happening."

I nodded my head, remembering some of those words from the paper she had given me.

At the juncture between the two facilities, she pointed upwards to the stadium roof, indicting the skylights I had been admiring before, "The roof on this part of the building has skylights. Those skylights have internal blinds. In mere minutes, the stadium can be closed off from the world from above. School games, private events or invite only functions can rely on the ample light or darkness from these blinds."

Her hand swept back, gesturing to the entrance that lay on the other side of large doors we stood under. "The Atrium above the entrance does not have blinds built into its massive ceiling panels, and that should work in our favor. The ample light in here will help you paint for long hours, without relying on artificial light. But as a reminder, these dividing doors stay locked even when you are working. The front entrance doors stay locked at all times. No one is allowed in here, not even the construction crews, only those that are a part of the board that oversees the tribute. Plus, you two and myself."

Ms. Lexington ushered us through into the entrance facility, locking the doors behind her, "The school wants the mural unveiling to be a complete and utter surprise during graduation. Construction is finishing the landscaping outside, but as you can see, on all these lower windows, construction paper has been taped over. The local news will be here the night of unveiling, but the school is being cautious that no one sees anything beforehand."

"Impressive" Hayden said lightly, as he gazed from one end to the other, "even with all the secrecy.

"It really is. So, remember, no gossiping to friends, no talking about the Tribute's details. We want the hype and excitement, but nothing that will spoil the unveiling. Only discuss details between the two of you, myself or the other governing faculty who will be monitoring the mural's progress."

After realizing Mr. Rodrigues had been suspicious of me all along, I wondered if she too had been wary of my motives. I assumed our Vice Principal had warned her about what had happened with Karri, but the way Ms. Lexington looked at me showed she had no fears at the moment. In fact, she looked extremely excited.

"Do you have any sketches started?" she asked a little too breathlessly, leading us through the massive edifice.

"Yes, I do..." I murmured lightly. I reached through my side bag, annoyed that the binders from Mr. Hastens class were still in there, before pulling out a leather-bound book.

Hayden met my eyes. "When did you make this?" he said.

"After you left last evening," I murmured again, aware of Ms.  Lexington's probing gaze, "It's just a nonsensical sketching... rough themes, if you will."

He tilted his head, but finally approached me. I opened the large book, flipping past forsaken ideas before I finally found the ones I was looking for.

"Oh my..." Ms. Lexington whispered. She ran her fingers across the charcoal engravings... "Alys... you drew this in one night?"

The first page was the mural's rough image as a whole. I sketched it as well as I could to the dimensions provided by Ms. Lexington's piece of paper. I realize now I'd have to change some factors. Large areas were left blank with noted words; "students here", "quote here", "insert school achievement declarations here".

But around them were the massive outlines that would soon decorate the walls before me. I had gridded the first page, and all following pages represented each section in higher detail. Ms. Lexington flipped through the pages, absorbed by the details I had scribbled out.

"Most of my outlines," I murmured, observing how entranced she was in my book, "are based off the late classical antiquity period; durations of time that the greatest artists and painters of all times had created their famous murals and canvases; Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Boticelli, Matthias Grünewald, Raphael and so many more. A Renaissance of storytelling, especially those that recreated the famous Greek tragedies or mythologies."

The sketches in her hands blueprinted the foundation of what was to come. There would be a large scale drawn towards the middle, with a faceless student and teacher shaking hands from each end; perfectly balanced in their rolls. There was a massive library drawn as the background for most the left mural. I would paint over it with people and events so in the end it would only be a faded design behind- but the idea seemed to wholeheartedly please Ms. Lexington beside me. Another oh left her mouth.

Most the faculty were drawn above, like old Greek philosophers and scholars, gazing upon their pupils and students below. Drawn in a third dimensional way, they stood upon a pillared stone wall, engraved with the accomplishments of our school that led us to this point in time.  I shadowed each word so that it looked physically chiseled out engraved into the stone it was cast upon.

"Alys... this is remarkable..." she said again, "I mean, the whole point of this tribute was to honor all we have accomplished, and you have so breathtakingly incorporated it in a way I never thought..." she stopped short, composed herself for a second, then opened her eyes and looked at me, "Every college is going to want you at their university because of this. Not only is the imagery beautiful but I can sense that when this is all painted, the technique will match the old world mural paintings within so many cathedrals."

"Yes, that was my goal." I flushed slightly. Having her praise my drawings, my real drawings, felt different. I glanced to Hayden. He was still glancing at my journal, his eyes tracing over each page and each graphite rendition.

"Beautiful, as always." he said as he glanced towards me. I took my journal away from him, always fearful he will steal more journals. For a moment I thought his lips quirked slightly.

"Ms. Lexington, here is my list of tools that we will need. If you could please add string to it, that would be great." Hayden said as he turned away from me.

"String?" She inquired quizzically as she opened the paper.

"Yes, to retrace Alys' grid into a much larger panel. What will we be using to reach those heights?" He asked.

"Oh, we have ladders for below, and we have rented a lift to reach the higher areas."

"Very good then." He turned and glanced at me, "So what's the plan Alys."

For a moment I was dumbstruck, but not before I glared at him. He was allowing me the false pretense in front of others of being the leader to this plan. But we both knew otherwise. He gazed at me in complete innocence.

"We will need to paint the base color schemes before we trace the large grid lines."

"And do you have them concocted yet?"

"No, I don't." I narrowed my eyes at him, the way he was talking made it sound like I should have had it done by now.

He smiled slightly at me. I knew instantly this was his revenge from what happened in the hallway with Andy.

"It's not a bother." Ms. Lexington said lightly, "Today wasn't supposed to be a painting day. In fact, I assumed for the next few days- possibly a week- we would be scrambling for an idea of what to even work off of."

She hummed merrily to herself as she gazed upon the high stone wall. I too let my eyes rise as I watched how the glass ceilings and high vaulted beams reflected light down the length of the wall's pane.

"The late Classical antiquity period; the renaissance of Greek and Roman tragedies." She breathed lightly, "What a wondrous idea. I take it you like mythology, Alys?"

The light from the sun above had managed to bounce down the glass pane behind us and seemed to illuminate the man beside me. I turned and watched the cold and distant star as he gazed upon me.

"Do you know who Apollo is?" I asked.

He nodded his head without a word.

Ms. Lexington tilted her head though, "Wasn't he the handsome one?"

I shook my head, "Technically they are all handsome. Even Hades was a reverend beauty." and those words seemed to catch her off guard.

"Really? I did not know that."

"Yes." I said, "But Apollo was the god of sunlight, the god of truth, and the god of revelation." I turned and watched the mural, "And the sun god could tell no lie." At that I smiled.

Ms. Lexington eyed me oddly, "I didn't know the sun god was the god of truth? But I guess that makes sense, can't hide much from the light. Is he going up there?"

"No," I shook my head, "But his myths and art, captured in paintings and cathedrals everywhere, were what captured my interest in mythology I guess. In those days... legends and polytheistic beliefs, all these stories of turning points of human drama, were all sewn together through the art they were painted through. These colors still transcend time, centuries later. These persons are still known because someone masterfully painted their mural on a wall." And these persons... and their actions... will not be forgotten....

"Absolutely marvelous," Ms. Lexington whispered. "When you drew in my class, you drew realism. I can hardly believe you've had this interest as well; it's one thing to paint in such a way of mimicking grand paintings from long past, but to understand the merit of it as well... this is where we will see your true ability. In a world of modern art; splatters of random paint on canvas, I dare say I'm lightheaded with anticipation at how this mural will turn out."

She turned and began rambling more to herself at her appreciation for my choice of medium. I nodded my head in response as she continued on, but Hayden was slowly approaching behind me. He knew enough about my drawings now to know one thing... anything that I mentioned or drew had more meaning behind it than anyone could imagine.

"Apollo?" that soft voice murmured behind me. We both watched Ms. Lexington as she rattled more about techniques and dimensions we could adhere to that would retained the old-world painting style.

"Yes," I said, "A star whose light leaves no room for deceits. And no lies upon this mural." I titled my head back and gazed at him, a small smile lingering on my lips. That was truly who Apollo was... and my demon couldn't help but to laugh at the beauty of it all. 

"And I'm that star?"

"If only you knew."

And at that he frowned slightly, always wanting to know more.

But I wasn't going to fly too close. I leaned away from him and wandered to join my teacher. I could feel his heated gaze on my skull as I went, but it only made me look up to the wall above. Ms. Lexington was a fool, an honest one, but a fool none the less.

Karri's life was ruined by them all.

The faculty here had chosen to forsake her.

The students here damned me to a misery I had never known.

And it all ended with the one who had such a sickened mind; a craving to peruse the temptations around him.

These were only my revelations. I instinctively sensed Hayden knew more, much more. There was something he too had uncovered at some point in his years here. This school was about to become something else. Something damning. Some nova truth reborn.

And they handed me the tribute to represent it all.

I smiled, knowing Hayden was out of ear shot, but I still couldn't resist.

"And with your light, I'm going to reveal it all."

.

.

.

⊱➵➵➵➵➵➵➵⊱❂⊰➵➵➵➵➵➵➵⊰

A/N:

Okay, the foreshadowing (in case you missed it) Alys and Hayden will be discovering the dark things she's always suspected were happening. Put on your seat belt kiddies, this is going to be fun.

Also, Andy has always been planned to play a large roll in this story, I wanted to hint to his presence since chapter one when I had Alys draw him and think about how he's different for others.

-Helium