The teacher's thick, croaky voice leaks through the wall easily enough for Harmony's ears to pick up from outside, as she waits for Sterling's class to end. The lesson analyses the difficulty in tearing through a werewolf's muscles, the teacher; Mr. Sarah fails to mention that hardened muscles are only gained when transformed.
Harmony thinks back to the first time she rode on Dylan's back, although it was more like a piggyback ride. The world began to blur as Dylan's speed escalated. A tingling thrill rushed through Harmony's body.
His black fur glowed under the full moon, they were soft and snug so when the night chill spiked, she would burrow her body within for cover. This was safer, since every now and then when he landed a high jump, Harmony's chin would collide with his back, and a shock of concentrated pain would follow. It was like an intense brain freeze after dunking your head in ice. Whilst on Dylan's back, Harmony could feel the density of his muscles, flexing as he ran; but it wasn't until she banged her chin that she realised how tough he truly is.
Through the window, Harmony finds Mr. Robinson teaching the younger year. They seem around sixteen, struggling to keep up with their teacher. His lips remain drawn down in a frown, but; rise half-heartedly when his students successfully complete a task. Harmony began wondering why he looks gloom, when the bell finally rings. She looks back at the door, searching the students that come out of the classroom, like a farmer counting her sheep.
With no sign of Sterling, Harmony peers into the classroom and finds him standing by the teacher's desk. His head low as Mr. Sarah recites the consequences of not completing homework, and that 'there's no excuse' since he should know the school rules by now.
Harmony's heart lost its rhythm when the teacher's voice suddenly jumped on to her, "the new student, I appreciate you making an appearance even if you are forty-five minutes late. I hope this doesn't become routine." Mr. Sarah continues, "why don't you join us in detention."
"Mr. Robinson said he would speak to the headteacher about my absence," Harmony remains by the door.
"Do you have a note?" Mr. Sarah inquires.
Harmony's face twitches as it nearly squeezes into a scowl. Reluctantly, her legs step into the classroom, meanwhile, she summons and disperses several counterarguments to avoid detention. Her body falls into the cold chair next to Sterling. The teacher returns to his desk, marking students' work.
Harmony nudges Sterling with her elbow, her index finger and thumb pinched together, she draws in the air, gesturing for a pen and paper, which he provides. She writes her first question - how long is detention?
The reply presses the air out of her lungs, leaving only discontent.
He scribbles something down then slides it over, 'why weren't you in?' Harmony doesn't know where to start. Her hand moves, traces of ink follow, and etch into the paper, marking a short believable lie for Sterling to see. She gulps her guilt, irritated at the lingering bitterness.
The paper returns, 'are you feeling better?' Harmony smiles and nods modestly. 'what do you know about the Robinsons?' She asks in ink.
From the corner of her eyes, as Sterling writes, Harmony reads his answer - 'not much, but Nina...' The half wolf's head snaps back to the front of the room in a fright, at Mr. Sarah's disapproving shout, "that's another fifteen minutes to your detention. Harmony, come to the front.
"I'm not even supposed to be here." She argues under her breath. Conforming with school rules won't bring her closer to finding the truth. She doesn't care about becoming a hunter or keeping a positive record, if they found out she is a werewolf, they'd all be pointing their guns at her head. "sorry sir," Harmony walks out of the classroom, ignoring Sterling calling her back.
From the hallway, she catches Mr. Sarah's remark, "another disappointing student."
She dwells on his words, fury hangs on the tip of her tongue, but she doesn't lash out. It's not my problem, she convinces herself. Her thought circles around her head - but he's only doing his job - over and over until her next steps return her to the classroom. She peeps through the door, "I'm really sorry sir." She throws her apology to the teacher before leaving quickly again.
Harmony follows Nina's scent to a pair of double doors with dark rectangular eyes. She scans the room, but it's a solid block of darkness. When she enters, her ears are perked, ready to catch any sound within the silence. With gentle, careful steps, Harmony tracks Nina. Her nose soon picks up the scent of werewolves.
An unfamiliar light source illuminates a small section of the room. Harmony finds herself facing the barrel of a gun. The weapon aimed directly between the half-wolf's eyes, leads back to Nina; however, Harmony doesn't have time for fear. Behind her roommate, a menacing werewolf looms over the shrunken human. "Nina..!" Before Harmony could warn her, a claw rips Nina's throat apart.
Harmony's face widens.
The classroom lights all turn on, revealing a large gymnasium with students littered around, fighting invisible enemies, wielding nonexistent weapons. "What the hell are you doing?" Nina screams, her long neck, smooth and without any wounds, tighten in her rage.
Unable to utter a word, Harmony's face and mouth are stitched open in bewilderment.
"Calm down Nina, I'll let you retake the test," Mr. Robinson's presence is a wave of calm, washing Harmony's trance away.
Nina's narrow, spiteful lips, turn into a wide smile, "After school at four, with one on one training, just me and you."
Mr. Robinson gives in to her demands. Satisfied, Nina leaves.
"Sir, what's going on?" The half-wolf asks.
"you're not supposed to be here until next week." Mr. Robinson faces Harmony, her eyes pranced around, a million questions stored in her mind. "this is where simulation classes are held, to prepare students for real-life combat."
Simulations. It explains the horrifying visions, and uproots the mystery beneath the school, however; it all felt too real to be a simulation, the wetness of Dylan's blood, and the pain. Harmony doesn't understand much about technology, but she knows you need a set up to activate virtual reality, the gym doesn't have any plugs or wires, and none of the students are wearing a headset. " How is this being simulated?"
"The school was recently renovated to incorporate virtual reality technology, I think it was." A corner of Mr. Robinson's attention is with his students, monitoring them.
Harmony can't bring up wanting to see Nina, not with Mr. Robinson here. As she searches for an excuse, the tannoys around the school call out her name with an echo, "Could Harmony Ilunga please go to the head teacher's office."
Harmony lets out a great sigh when she sees Mr. Sarah with The head teacher, she didn't think he would act so fast.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, and on less fortunate circumstances." Mr. Bates' intense, dark gaze rolls down Harmony's spine with a discomforting prickling sensation.
"I've tried explaining to Mr. Sarah, but he won't listen" She voices, pulling on her sleeve repetitively.
"I've heard the student, and gave her a chance to talk, but she remains disrespectful." Mr. Sarah stands tall, looking down at Harmony.
The Headteacher remains in his chair with his back straight, "Mr. Sarah has explained to me that you feel you should be exempt from school rules. If this pompous behaviour is because you helped us defeat a werewolf yesterday..."
She interrupts, "No, I never said that!" Harmony shrinks when Mr. Bates frown suddenly falls lower and his eyes narrow, "Sorry sir."
"Are you accusing me of lying to the headteacher?" Mr. Sarah questions in disbelief.
Although Harmony remembers how much it stings when people don't believe you, she couldn't allow Mr. Sarah to lay all blame on her. "not exactly. You gave me detention, but I had a reason for my absence."
"Yes, Mr. Robinson has informed me that you are unwell. However, What business led you to attend class after it was finished?" Mr. Bates ignores the gush of wind blowing the red curtains next to him.
Harmony plucks the thread on her sleeve as she brews a lie, "I...had to see sterling," her words are slow, leaving space for her to think, "there was some stuff I didn't know how to use, and I didn't know who else to ask." Her eyes waver between Mr. Bates and the computer on his desk.
"Taking into account both of your statements, Mr. Sarah is a teacher, walking away from his detention is not only disrespectful but sets a terrible example to the students." The Headteacher's deep, harsh, voice remains calm and stern. "You will be joining Mr. Sarah after school for detention." He announces and Harmony accepts. "Mr. Sarah, I truly hope you do not repeat your mistake, for your sake," The Headteacher warns, glaring at the Biology teacher.