Wake Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Inside, it was nothing like I expected. Warm, cosy and well lit, it was bustling with activity. Before I’d even stepped through the door, a boy of about six shoved past me.

Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I stared in amazement around the room. Couches lined the far side of the large foyer, threadbare but they looked oddly familiar. Paintings covered the yellow walls, far too abstract for me to focus on.

People pushed past me, chatting amiably to people beside them. The room was full of at least twenty people, most about my age. Shoving my hands into my pockets I walked quickly over to what looked the front desk, a huge slab of wood decorated with thousands of flowers.

“Uhh… hi?” I said lamely to the guy at the desk. He was tall and balding, with a thin pair of glasses that had been repaired with what looked like sticky-tape. He stared at me, and I felt like his gaze was searching every part of my body and brain, like an X-ray machine. Nodding, he smiled.

“New?” He asked, shuffling papers around on his desk. I hesitated.

“I guess, I just saw the sign outside…” I said. He nodded again.

“Ahhh…. Well, Mr Benedetti is giving the welcome speech in,” he checked his watch “Precisely two minutes and thirty seconds, if you wish to attend that. It’s through the corridor and out into the courtyard.” I hesitated, but he gave me an encouraging smile and before I knew it my feet where padding down the dim corridor.

Rounding the bend in the hallway, I suddenly felt self-conscious. The courtyard was a sprawling mass of grass, with a huge amphitheatre, crowded with teens about my age. They were all sitting in circles, talking excitedly to people beside them. I shoved my hands into my pockets and sat down, trying to focus on the podium built into the centre of the amphitheatre.

“Oi, look there’s a new kid!” A low jeering voice came from behind me. My blood turned cold as a fuzzy memory came to mind. I remembered, something about blood, and having someone grab my

head and bang into a mirror. I tried to remember anything else, but the memory stopped there, leaving me feeling cold and strangely lost.

Turning around, I looked up at the stranger. It was three boys, about the same age as me. One of them, the one that had spoken, was tall and lean, with styled honey blonde hair and sky blue eyes. You could tell from the way he stood, hands in pockets and head proud but slightly cocked back, just screamed rich-kid. As well as the polo, chino’s and Rolex he wore.

The other boys where a stark comparison to him. One had electric red hair, styled into a Mohawk, and a bright blue anorak, the other curly brown hair that tumbled down his forehead and a simple black tattered t-shirt and jeans.

“Uh, hi. I’m Luke.” I said, giving them what I hoped to be a welcoming smile. The blonde kid looked me up and down, his gaze seeming to search every part of my body.

“I’m Blake, this is Red,” he said gesturing to the red-head, “And this is Ronan.” Ronan looked up and gave me a half-hearted smile. Relief washed through me, and I forgot all about the memory.

“So you’re new?” Blake asked, gesturing us to one of the free benches. I hesitated, but decided to go with the truth.

“Yeah. I was just out on the street and saw it…” I said, finishing rather lamely. Something told me not to trust these guys, and that I’d never liked kids like this, but I clung on to the hope of new friendships. Blake grinned, a wide open smile that made me relax a little inside.

“Just how I started. I’m in second year, same as Ronan.” Blake said. Confused he looked over to Red, “You’re in first year, yeah?” Red nodded, giving me a smile. Suddenly the sound of a microphone being tapped on echoed across the amphitheatre.

“Good morning, good morning!” A tall man with silver hair and a thin build said, coming forward to the podium.

“My name is Mr Benedetti, the founder of the AWVT. I’m here today to welcome past and present students, to this fabulous academy!”

There was a loud response of cheering, which Blake, Ronan and Red joined into.

“But,” he said, his voice quieter. “This academy isn’t meant for everyone. As some of you already know, this is most definitely unlike a normal school. This,” Mr Benedetti said, eyes narrowing, scanning the crowd.

“Is a school for werewolves and vampires.” He finished.

I expected roars of outrage. I expected pointed fingers. No one in the amphitheatre moved, and it was like you could hear a pin drop.

“Each one of you, and yes. I mean each and every one of you here as the capabilities to become either a vampire or a werewolf. When I say vampire I do not mean it lightly. I do not mean Twilight vampires, who sparkle in the sunlight, or only eat animal blood. I mean vampires, as in you will be drinking a blood substitute at least five times a day. As in when you go out into the sunlight your powers will diminish by half and you’ll be incredibly weak.”

“But you have been chosen because you show great potential. All of you have recently visited a doctor, I’m told. And there you have been tested extensively both psychologically and physically. You were required to have a certain body type for whichever one you are most suited to. You were also required to have a high fitness level, same as your psychological state.

“These next few weeks will be eliminating those people who aren’t meant for such a task. Aren’t meant to join the most powerful protection against earth the world has ever seen.” Mr Benedetto paused, looking at a girl in the front who had her hand raised. He nodded at her.

“Sir, I was wondering. What exactly are we protecting the Earth from?” She asked. Mr Benedetto nodded, pushing a hand through his hair.

“Do you really wish to know? We protect the Earth and it’s people from one of humanities greatest threat. “ He paused, as if he didn’t want to say the next line.

“The Shadows.” Mr Benedetto said. Suddenly as if a switch had been thrown, noise bounded across the amphitheatre.

“They’re meant to be half-demon, half-human.” Red said. Blake grinned, and you could see his thin, sharp fangs elongated.

“Trust me, the poor bastards aren’t quite as smart as they think. “ Blake grinned. I could see something in his eyes as he talked. A menacing, but broken glint that told of someone who found way too much enjoyment out of hurting people. Shivering I looked over at Ronan.

“They’re powerful, but stupid. Trust me.” Ronan murmured, looking up for once. When he actually looked up and pushed his hair out of his eyes, he was actually handsome. There was a scar that twisted from his eyebrow down to his mouth.

Blake wolf-whistled as a girl my age walked past. With ink-black hair, porcelain white skin and rosy red lips she looked like something out of a fairy-tale. She stopped when she came to us, looked me up and down and asked;

“You guys new?” She asked. Blake smiled, a charming open smile that I could tell he used a lot around girls. She just blinked and switched her gaze to me, her eyes a murky hazel.

“Yeah, Red and I are new. You?” I said. Something about her seemed almost familiar.

“Yeah, but my Dad’s Mr Benedetto so I’ve been around this scene since I was five.” She said. I tried to give her a warm smile, but I didn’t know if it looked like that. Blake looked over at me, gave me what looked like a scowl and stood up.

“I’m Blake.” He said, putting back on the lady-killer smile. She looked him up and down and nodded.

“I’m Raina.” She said. Suddenly, Mr Benedetto’s voice echoed across the amphitheatre, making us all snap our heads forward.

“So, what exactly is a Shadow? Good question. A Shadow is a shape-shifter, a being that doesn’t have its own body so it has to take the body of its peers or humans. No one knows where they come from, but the only thing we know is that they come to Earth to thrive on our fear. They find humans boring, but still use them as playthings. What they really want is us, werewolves and vampires as most of you are soon to be. But that’s what there bane is.

“Why are you becoming werewolves and vampires, if the Shadows specifically desire them? It wasn’t our choice. You all have a bit of werewolf blood or vampire blood, from earlier generations. What we do here is tell you which time you have the blood of, and then of course…” Mr Benedetto trailed off and smiled a wolfish, chilling grin.

“And then we’ll inject you.” He said. There were a few cries from the people, but most people had been through too much to be daunted by a needle.

“When you all graduate after four years of training, you will be sent out in taskforces to hunt them down.” Mr Benedetto said and just for a second something animalistic came across his face. “And kill those bastards!” There was an uproar of cheering and hooting, which I found myself joining in on.

“Oh and one last thing. Could I meet with Luke Sanders, in the Granger Office?” Mr Benedetto said, searching the audience. My blood froze and a horrible, sinking feeling came over me. They’re going to kick me out already?

“Ohh… dude! In trouble on day one!” Red laughed. I grinned but the sick feeling stayed in my stomach. I thought about what waited for me at home. Who was to say I’d ever regain my memory?

A stab of guilt went through me as I thought about Kate and Hugo but it was overpowered by my sense of disappointment that this fleeting future I’m glanced at didn’t belong to me.

As everyone got up and left, Red gave me a pitying glance.

“Don’t worry man, it’ll be fine.” He said. I gave him a thankful smile and he got up and followed Blake and Ronan. I walked down the grassy slope towards Mr Benedetto, feet sliding along the dewy morning grass. He stood there, his silver hair looking like a halo against the sparkling sun.

“Sir?” I said, looking over to him as I finally reached the podium. He smiled, a warm welcoming smile that calmed me down slightly.

“Ah, Luke, nice to meet you. Could you come with me?” He said, gesturing towards the large grey building connected to the hallway.

“Sure.” I murmured, following as Mr Benedetto walked towards the entrance, his feet barely making a sound as he walked. Turning down twisting corridors and past what looked like classrooms and dorms, we finally stopped outside what looked like an office. It was a small but comfortable space with a large handsome wooden desk in the middle. Sitting down, I picked at my fingernails, strangely nervous about what was to come.

“So, why did you decide to come here, Luke?” Mr Benedetto said, shuffling some papers around on his desk. I swallowed and tried to think about his question, but it was like a million tiny thoughts where racing through my brain but I couldn’t catch any of them.

“Because I wanted something different.” I blurted out finally. Mr Benedetto looked up, his kind chocolate brown eyes alight with curiosity.

“Something different?” He asked. I nodded.

“I woke up from a co-“ Mr Benedetto interrupted me, raising his hand.

“Don’t worry, we know.” He said. I frowned, how did they know? I mean how big was this place if it could store such detailed profiles of all the students? Something told me it was bigger than the office block I’d seen.

“I don’t know, sir. I just feel like I don’t quite belong in the life I lived before I was in the coma…” I trailed off. “I get flashes sometimes. Of memories. I feel like that’s not me though, like I’m getting glimpses into another person’s life.” The words hung in the air. Mr Benedetto reached into his draw and got out some papers.

“We understand that you meet this.” He said, sliding a pair of glasses onto his crooked nose that looked like it had been broken at least twice. He held up a picture and I started.

It was Al.

He looked about ten years younger, but I could tell it was him, the same eyes and his hair was still sparse and combed over his head. And the scar. I thought. A memory tickled at the edge of my subconsciousness but I pushed it aside, staring at the photo. He looked so different. There was an arrogant glint in his eyes that I’d seen in Blake’s and he had an eyebrow coked up like he was bored with the whole process.

“Uh, yeah. He led me to see Victor on the day I visited him.” I said to Mr Benedetto, frowning. I wanted to tell him something, but what was it? Mr Benedetto sighed and took off his glasses and sighed, rubbing his eyes. He looked so much older, than. I could almost see the scars he tried to hide, the scars of too many battles. When he looked up his eyes where as hard as stone and I forgot about the broken look I’d seen.

“Do you remember anything else that he did?” he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. I shook my head.

“Why?” I asked, trying to capture the fleeting memory that danced against my sub-consciousness.

“Al is and always has been a Shadow. He took over that human’s body and has been tracking you since you woke.” Mr Benedetto said, studying my face as if he feared an impulsive reaction.

At first I thought I was surprised, but when I thought about it, I realised. I wasn’t surprised. Something had happened, that had told me there was something wrong with him. Frustrated I pulled a hand through.

“You alright?” Mr Benedetto asked, frowning.

“Its just that, I think I remember something. Something about Al.” I said. Mr Benedetto nodded, giving me a small smile.

“If you keep on stressing like that your head will explode. Don’t worry, it’ll come. When it does contact me.” Mr Benedetto said, his eyes crinkling up at the edges as he examined me.

“Don’t worry. If you belong here, you’ll find a way to sort things out. Just remember, there’s a lot of new people. Oh, and take one of those when you go, classes start next week so you’ll need to be here by Saturday.” He said, gesturing to a stack of brochures he’d stacked up against the corner, with people’s names on them. Nodding I got up.

“Goodbye and good luck, Luke.” Mr Benedetto said as I opened the door. Staring at the brochure in my hands I felt a cold pit of indecision at where my loyalty and future lay.