Chapter 7

Pearl

It's Sunday morning, the sunrise came early and the sun was in its full colors.

 I was leaning against a Kashmir tree with a forlorn look registered on my face. 

My large curves were hugged in a white miniskirt which stopped just a few inches below my butts.

A white flannel turtleneck shirt was well tucked into my skirt. I had chosen the shirt to conceal my wounds. The cuts on my neck were deep and ugly, I couldn't bear walking around with them in the open.

 I did not understand a bit of what was happening around me and I did not care to know, after all, I was just an outcast.

I had thought lectures would commence by 1pm like the previous day until an announcement rang out at about 7am. All students were expected to get prepared for the day's events. Everyone was supposed to be ready at exactly 8am.

"What events? I muttered as I sprang up from the bed. Evelyn did not return after she had left yesterday and I had no one to tell me about the days' orders. Not that she would tell me even if she was in, our relationship was sore from the beginning.

I was too muddled to check things out for myself. I had my copy of the students directory and there were notice boards scattered all around.

Standing by the tree, I watched all that was happening around me. I could tell that there was going to be an occasion.

Students were gathered on a spacious clearing within the premises. The floor was terazol which suggested that it was floored to grace different events. 

At the center was a large white stage. It has different stratas. Each strata was large enough to contain about a hundred people.

On the highest stage sat the principal and right on the table before her was a transparent plaque with the name; Dr. Hopkins Elsa.

Right beside her was another woman. She was gorgeously dressed and strikingly beautiful. The plaque on her table reads; 'Queen Loren Aragon'

"A Queen? What's the occasion all about?" I got caught in my thoughts and I was distracted from checking out the identity of those that were seated on the other layers of the stage.

 "It's Sunday, it's showday. Sundays are set aside for shows from different faculties. It's the Black Cats show today. We are going to enjoy a lot of displays…I am feeling giddy with excitement already," Hardin's voice peered into my thoughts like he was eavesdropping on them.

Startled, I jumbled and turned around to behold him. He was just standing behind the Kashmir tree on which I had leaned on.

 He was grinning from ear to ear whilst I watched gloomily like my whole world was crashing away. 

"Thanks for helping me yesterday," I said cautiously, trying to avoid him.

His eyes laughed as they roved over me. His gaze lingered on my contorted chest and traced the length of my miniskirt. 

His gaze lingered on my exposed thigh and went all the way down to my legs.

"You… hmm.. you look gorgeous… in white," he said casually and my blood boiled.

 All that Evelyn did and said to me the previous night flashed through my head. I was scared of her, she is a werewolf, she could sniff the life out of me.

I squealed and drew away from him.

"Don't talk to me again ever!" I blurted and walked away.

He remained rigid and I was glad that he did not follow me. I had just walked a few inches before stumbling on Evelyn. She grimaced and I knew she must have seen all that went down between Hardin and I.

I steeled myself as I joined other students. Well, thanks to Hardin, I just got to know that Sundays are showdays here in Hopkins Citadel.

An applause went off as Mrs Hopkins introduced a senior lecturer from the faculty of Black Birds. It was the faculty's showday and the lecturer was in charge of the faculty's display.

The one that was just introduced stood up from one of the stratas on the stage. She was dressed in a bespoke black pantsuit that looked gorgeous on her but despite her gorgeous look, she looked irksome and hideous. Something about her seemed out of place.

She cleared her throat and spoke into the wireless lobes clipped to her collar.

"I am Zenden Sena but you can call me…." She yelled and the students roared back, "Black Zenden!!!"

"Yes! You are right, it is Black Zenden… yeah… Alright! It's the Black Birds showday and I am happy…" 

She continued and I pressed through the throng as I tried to have a clearer view.

"As usual, the students from the faculty of blackbirds have a lot in stock for you. You can't ever be bored on our showday," she said and the crowd roared in excitement.

While the students jubilate, Zenden's countenance changed. Her eyes roved over the crowd like she was searching for something definite. 

Her long lashes fluttered enigmatically and her eyeballs danced as she surveyed the crowd. 

Her head jerked right and left and slowly, she began to walk off the stage and towards the crowd of students.

"Zenden!!!" Mrs Hopkins yelled and banged her fist hard on the table.

Queen Loren looked disturbed but I saw Mrs Hopkins trying to calm her down. 

Some men in uniform appeared up on stage to stop Zenden but Mrs Hopkins raised her hand, forbidding them.

Zenden swirled around in what looked like a dance, her body seemed light as she picked herself gingerly in her glamorous dance.

"It's a great aura… Can you not feel it? I can feel it, just as of old… The great aura is back. It's time for the latter rain. The awakening is nigh," she uttered seamlessly and continued to dance.

All that was happening was new to me. I stood transfixed with my hands folded under my burst as I watched Zenden dance.

 She was standing right in front of me when she suddenly stopped. Her toes were perched on the edge of the stage and I wondered how she remained there without falling off.

Curiously, I looked up and trailed her slim long figure until I gazed into her eyes. She was very tall.

As I stared at her, I was plunged into an endless dark abyss. The darkness twirled on and on with no glimmer of light. 

I knew I wasn't seeing visions as I was still conscious of my surroundings. Without meaning to do it, I began to lift up my hands. All I needed was to touch her.

 Of course I don't see visions everytime I touch a person and I can't control when it happens but right now, I knew I was almost transcending into the realms of my visions and a simple contact would elicit my visions.

Just as my hand was about to capture her big toe, she pressed backwards and walked back into the stage.

"Few days ago, a bunch of lunatics broke into our room for artifacts. They claimed they were led in by the wind. The wind led them in and they threw off the effigies…They were Evanora's and Vivian's effigies! The two mortal enemies… it's an omen and good bad omen. The great day is set to rise," she rambled on and on and the students began to murmur.

"Sorry about all that, I felt an aura. I had to confirm it… my instincts are always right," she said as she slipped on her slip-on and cleared her throat noisily. 

"The first on our list today is Astral Projection. This is a master craft in our faculty. I am appalled to introduce Don Zora, a second year junior student. All my students mastered the act when they were in senior year but here is a student, she beats the record." Zenden said and Don Zora marched out of the crowd.

The crowd roared in an applaud as Zora assumed her position on the lowest part of the stage.

"I am Don Zora. It is a dream come true that I am able to practice the craft. I have coveted the ability as a young witch and despite the discouragements, I pressed on and now I am good to go."

Another round of applause went off and I tried to reason . 

'Zora?' Was she the one who trapped me in the woods the other day? I thought and gave a keen look at her. 

Again, Zenden began to walk towards the crowd . This time, she took deliberate steps. She descended through the stages until she got to the last stage where Zora was standing.

"To demonstrate astral projection, she needs someone to hold the invisible chord. This isn't needed in the actual practice," Zenden said and began to look through the crowd.

"You," she said and my heart skipped a beat as she pointed at me. 

"I? I mean … I am new.. I ," I stammered and began to press backwards.

"Common scaredy cat. you ain't doing anything outrageous, just come up stage since you are chosen. You are the chosen one," Zenden said and gripped me by the arm.

While she pulled me along, someone held my other arm. Looking behind, I realized that it was Hardin. 

He had a worried look about him and he looked concerned but his face lit up as our eyes met and I must admit, his stares gave me the confidence and assurance that I needed.

 I smiled faintly and looked away only to see Evelyn. She glared at me and I ignored her as I mounted up the stage.