Grave School: The Blood Chronicles
Blood Two: To a New World
The next day, I was ecstatic, there’s plenty of room for happiness inside me. A few moments later, I’ll have my own freedom—in my own hands! Mr. Clovis will take me out of the orphanage—leaving all of my friends behind and facing a life-threatening school no one can imagine.
They were all waiting for us, Mistress Andre, Mistress Cecile, Joanna, Elise, all of them. Mistress Andre had tears in her eyes, so sad to see me off. Good heavens! I rolled my eyes. It was one of the things I can’t imagine in my entire life.
Mr. Clovis came along with Mistress Andre to her office, leaving me with the teary-eyed Mistress Cecile and the orphaned kids. Honestly, I will really miss them. So much.
Joanna and Elise, my best friends in the orphanage, who helped me with those times I was in trouble, hopelessly cried in front of me. I squeezed their hands.
“Don’t worry, I’ll visit you some time.” I assured them.
“Really? Don’t you ever forget us.” Elise sniffed.
“I won’t. Even for a million years.” I answered.
“We’ll miss you, Amanda.” Joanna wiped her eyes.
“Me too, Joanna.”
Mr. Clovis came back, along with an envelope that contains my documents. Mistress Andre was behind him, wiping away her tears. I rolled my eyes.
“I arranged your things in your suitcase my dear.” Mistress Cecile kissed my forehead. “We’re going to miss you so much.”
“Me too. I’ll visit if I have time.”
A black limo stopped at the front gate of the orphanage. A man in black got out and opened the passenger door for us.
“Let’s go, Miss Bradfort.” Mr. Clovis said.
As we walked towards the waiting limo, I watched them behind my back. They waved at me and I waved back. I was so sad to leave them, but felt happy that freedom was at last in my hands.
It was getting dark, and snow will soon pour out anytime. I leaned to the window and realized were going to the town’s graveyard. I shivered, seeing those tombs and imagining what lied under them. And there I saw a distant figure. It was the school Mr. Clovis had talked about. Inside the graveyard? No way! I didn’t know it existed here. Bats were flying overhead, somewhat greeting us welcome.
“Welcome to Grave School.” Mr. Clovis said, smiling at me.
“The school was so silent, as silent as the graveyard. I didn’t know what to do, or what to say. Mr. Clovis led me to my room.
“This will be your room, Miss Amanda. You can rest today, so you’ll have enough energy for your first night in school.”
Night?
Mr. Clovis left and closed the door behind him, leaving me bewildered.
My eyes wandered around the room. It was all black. On my right side was a black canopy bed with black sheets and pillows, beside it was a black drawer and a black desk lamp. In the opposite side stood a black desk where I can study for my lessons and a black candelabrum with glowing black candles that illuminated the entire room.
I started to unpack, laid my neatly folded clothes to a black closet. The school uniform, which looked like a gothic dress, was laid out for me in my bed. I moved it to my closet to keep it from wrinkling. I collapsed in my bed, heavier than a ton, feeling very exhausted.
Bats were making noises outside the terrace. I opened the glass doors, frightening the bats. I stepped out, the cold chilling wind lingering on my skin. Gazing out, I noticed a dark figure silhouetting the white fog in the graveyard. He—or maybe she—was alone.
I jumped out of the terrace, which was rather low from the ground, almost reaching it, and ran towards the figure. Upon reaching, I slowed down my steps, afraid that I’ll get embarrassed. I didn’t know what to say.
“What’re you doing in this place, all alone?” he asked me, sensing my presence. I was startled.
“I should be the one who will ask that question.” I retorted.
We silenced for a moment, unable to think of what to say next.
The boy was the same age as me, with night-dark hair and mesmerizing deep brown eyes. His fair complexion matched his perfectly shaped nose and neck; his lips were velvety red, very handsome. Any girl can fall for him dead.
“By the way, my name’s Christopher Sage.” He turned to look at me. I felt my own hands get clammy and my legs turn into soft marshmallows.
“I’m—I’m Amanda Bradfort.” I stammered. Crap.
“You live around here?” I asked, trying to break the silence again.
“I live in Ashbourne Court. And you?”
“I’m orphaned.” I heaved a sigh, thinking about my friends back there. “I used to live in St. Peter’s Orphanage. Now I’m adopted and staying at that school.” I pointed the dormitory.
“Ah, that one? I heard only rich and talented students are qualified to enter that institution.”
Excuse me? I am not rich. And certainly, I am not talented.
“It’s getting dark.” He looked up the sky. “I should be home by now. Nice meeting you, Amanda.”
“Same here.” I smiled.
He waved at me then left the graveyard.
I was awakened that night. Loud steps thundered the corridor—loud steps that actually belonged to hundreds of vampires passing. I peeked from my glass window. I was right. They wore the same uniform that was laid out for me. They’re going to class—tonight. And soon, I’m going to be one of them.
I went back to my bed, trying to think of the things I should keep an eye out for. Vampires can be dangerous, when they’re not handled properly. I got up and rummaged through my bookshelf. I found my The Vampiress book and carefully flicked the pages then highlighted the possible attributes that may help me understand these night creatures.
I peeked through the glass window. The hallways were cleared. I ran to my closet and slipped on to my most comfortable leggings and black fur jacket. The night was chilling cold as I stepped out of the door and jumped out of the terrace. Out of curiosity, I wandered through an old building which looked like built in 1650s or something—older than most of the buildings in school. I peeked through a small hole in an old extension door that wasn’t been used for ages. I saw the inside—numerous test tubes and flasks, with multi-colored liquids inside of them.
“Looks like a chemistry room.” I breathed.
“You’re right.” A voice said.
I was startled. I backed out a few steps to refresh my ears. Have I really heard a voice?
I peeked again. Nothing. Then, the hole seemed to be blocked by something, until I saw a blue iris.
“Hey.”
“Ah!” I stumbled down and fell. “Ouch…”
“Are you okay?” a voice said, and then the door opened. “I didn’t mean to—“
“It’s okay, I didn’t break a bone.” I interrupted, rubbing my back. I looked up and saw the most handsome blonde boy I had ever seen. Why do vampires have to be so good-looking?
“I’m really sorry.” He apologized, helping me up. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I was just waiting for something.”
“Waiting for what?” I asked, dusting off the dirt in my jacket.
“Never mind, you’ll not understand though.”
“What are you doing here?” We both went inside. The room was big—and smelly. Different aromas circulated the whole room.
“I don’t want to attend classes. It’s such a bore. I prefer being here.”
I see. He’s a loner type of guy. Cool.
“I suppose you’re the transferee.” He said, sitting down.
“Uh—yeah.” I flushed uncomfortably as his right hand ran through his thick blonde hair. I was always shy around people I don’t know.
The door burst open. A petite girl, who looked like the female version of the blonde boy, appeared, breathless.
“Helpless little girl.” The boy murmured under his breath.
“I excused myself from class to check you here, not to receive a remark from you. Is tha the proper way to treat your twin sister?” she retorted hotly.
“OK, OK. Sorry.” He apologized. “Don’t be so hot-tempered.”
I didn’t know what these people—or rather—vampires are talking about.
“By the way,” he looked up to me from the book he was reading with a bright smile on his face. “I’m Jay Monquieu. And that’s my twin sister Jessica Monquieu.”
I smiled back. “I’m—“
“Who is she?” Jessica interrupted, obviously referring to me.
“A transferee.” Her brother replied.
“I’m Amanda Bradfort. Nice meeting you.”
“It’s nice meeting you too.” Jessica flashed a great smile, her fangs showing out. I began to feel conscious about myself.
“You’ve grown up in the outside world, I suppose.” Jay said.
Outside world? What does he mean?”
“He means the mortal world, Amanda.” Jessica supplied in, as if reading my thoughts. She smiled.
“Oh, right. Actually, yes. I grew up in an orphanage, until Mr. Clovis took me and brought me here.” I explained, not looking directly at them.
“Well, in that case, we both welcome you to the vampire world. The Underworld of the undead.” They both smiled with their ultra white fangs.
