Hedgesville, West Virginia
Harbinger Academy
Saturday, August 17, 1996
11:48 AM

"So how did you do?" Janiston asked as Jennie dragged herself out of the classroom with Reiyl following behind her. She looked up at him with a drained expression as he returned the glance with a startled one. “Not good?”
"I didn‘t even get to finish," Jennie replied. "And what I did answer wasn‘t even right."
“She seemed really upset through the whole thing,” Reiyl mumbled.
Jennie gave off a small laugh then sighed, passing Janiston. “Can we just go home?”
“But you studied,” Janiston called out, chasing after the disappointed girl.
“I told everyone that I don’t study well,” she announced clearly, “but no one listens to me.”
"In this school, you won't be handed your lessons in picture books," Janiston lectured.
"I know!" Jennie shouted, turning on her heels and facing the boy with spectacles. “But you need to realize that some people don’t learn in the same way others do. I can’t just sit down, read out of a book, and be expected to memorize everything. I need to be allowed to observe things.”
Janiston stopped and peered down. “I didn’t know. Sorry.”
“Now you do,” she said as her face softened.
“It’s a little late for apologies now,” Reiyl stated as he strolled past them, heading outside the school. Both Jennie and Janiston followed after the cat demon.
The three teenagers walked together toward Janiston’s car, pausing beside it. Jennie’s eyes were on the large academy. It was a beautiful sight, but it was also intimidating.
"I don't want to go here," she replied.
A heavy hand plopped on top of her head as she looked up to find Janiston staring down at her. "It‘s not that bad," he said in a calming voice. "You‘ll have us to help you out."
"I don‘t need babysitters," she said.
"I didn‘t say that," Janiston replied. He ruffled her hair playfully then leaned forward, staring her in the eyes. "How about we go out for some ice cream?"
"You trying to butter me up?" she asked, pouting out her cheeks. “Besides…shouldn’t you be taking Reiyl and I home? And what about Kasei? When’s he suppose to be done?”
Janiston peered to the watch on his wrist then glanced back to the school. “He should be getting out soon,” he stated flatly, “and we have some time to get ice cream."
“What’s ice cream?” Reiyl questioned as Jennie looked to blue haired boy with doubt.
“You serious?” she asked as he gave her blank stare. “Good God, you are…”
“Remember,” the cat demon remarked, “I’m not from your world. I grew up in Mid Caven. So I’m not use to Earth yet.”
“Yeah,” she answered, “sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he chuckled, smiling at her earnestly.
Jennie tensed up at his smile, feeling her heart quicken. She stepped back, bumping into Janiston who caught her shoulders in his hands. He glanced down at her concernedly.
“You okay?” Janiston questioned as Jennie swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded.
“Perfectly fine,” she choked out, catching sight of Kasei rushing out of the school. She pointed up at him. “Looks like we can go.”
Climbing into the front seat of the car, Jennie leaned her head back and stared up at the visor. She closed her eyes as she listened to the car start up. In the background, she could hear Janiston talking to Reiyl and Kasei, but she didn’t really pay attention to what was being said.
Like most car rides, soon she found herself slipping into a dream. Her head leaned against the window with her hair falling into her face.
Standing alone in a darkened room that was only lighted by candles, Jennie glanced around to find the left and right walls lined with an altar while hanging scrolls suspended above them. Directly to the front of the room was a large monument that held various names. The heavy fragrance of vanillia was in the air.
"What‘s going on?" She stepped closer to the shrine and peered down at an elevated pedestal that contained burning incense. Reaching out, she picked up one of the burning sticks and glanced at the smoldering smoke that floated from the tip.
"You know I love you."
Jennie’s body stiffened at the words. The voice came from behind her.
"I could never hurt you, but it seems I have no choice in the matter. I am who I am and I can't change that." The echoing sound of footsteps could be heard while the candlelight flickered.
Afraid to move, Jennie stood her ground and faced the shrine. Her breath was caught in the back of her throat as she could hear nearing. Hands touched her shoulders lightly then gave her a gentle squeeze.
"I don't want to hurt you." Hot lips pressed against her ear while the person‘s breath could be felt on her cheek. Fear rushed through her body.
"Hurt me?" she strangled out. "Why would you want to hurt me?"
"I can‘t wait any longer," was her only answer as she felt the hands release her. "Please forgive me."
"Forgive you?" Jennie asked as she turned to face the person, but all she saw was the silvery glint of metal as sharp spikes pierced into her chest. She could feel them scrap against her bone and jut out her back.
"I don‘t understand" she questioned as the weapon was abruptly ripped from her chest. She lunged forward, slamming into the cold ground.
Iciness began to sweep over her as she reached out for for the only thing in her line of vision, a pair of black boots. Trying desperately to lift her right hand, she found it too weak and faltered.
"You could‘ve stopped me," the person replied, turning and walking off, "if you had learned a little more quickly."
Coughing abruptly, Jennie lurched forward in her seat and spat up blood across the windshield of the car. A pain erupted in her chest as she breathed heavily. "God, it hurts," she cried out.
"What happened?!" Janiston asked loudly as the car came to a stop.
“Jennie?!” Kasei screamed from behind her as he leaned against the seat to peer at her.
"My chest," she cried as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Another one of those dreams?” Reiyl questioned as Jennie nodded.
“But,” she whispered while breathing heavily, “this time it was more real. It felt like someone actually stabbed me. And that voice. It was so familiar."
"Familiar?" Janiston asked.
"He said he loved me," Jennie said as she leaned her head back in the seat. "No one has ever said that to me before. I mean, besides my parents."
"What stabbed you?" Reiyl questioned.
"Not sure," she whispered. "It had three prongs. Maybe a fork?"
"A fork?" Kasei said, staring at the back of Jennie‘s head. "Would people really use that as a weapon? I mean…I‘ll fork you to death!"
Jennie cracked a smile and shook her head. “It wasn’t really a fork. Just looked like a larger version of one. Like…um, you know, what’s it called…”
“A sai?” Reiyl asked.
Janiston stiffened as he leaned against the steering wheel. “Maybe we should get you home,” he said, looking to Jennie. “And have you talk with Rem.”
Jennie looked up at Janiston swiftly. "Why would I want to talk with him?" she asked with her brow knitted.
"Still upset over him seeing you in the bathroom?" he asked.
"How do you know about that?!" Jennie shouted as she felt the pain in her chest leave with Janiston’s words. She glanced back at Reiyl who only shook his head.
"I am Rem's best friend," Janiston replied with a laugh. "He tells me everything."
"Oh God," Jennie mumbled as she looked to her feet while sinking down in her seat.