Chapter 2: An Academy?

*Clap, Clap, Clap.* Sean turned to see who was there behind him, not expecting anyone to have witnessed the event.

"Well done! You did a good job hiding that you were a Z!"

The tall, dark man dressed in the same black uniform as the Z's slowly approached Sean.

"N-no, I'm human."

The mysterious man put his hands in his hands in his pockets and let out a laugh.

"No need to lie, I know my own kind like the back of my hand!"

Sean stared at the man with utter confusion. He had now gotten closer to Sean and was now standing within the light of a street lamp, highlighting his figure. He was tall and slender and his clothes looked baggy due to how slim he was. His dark hair was about a centimeter from his head and a small, stubble moustache sat below his nose.

The man began to speak again,

"Y'know, it's illegal for a Z to stay in hiding?"

"But I'm not a-"

Sean was cut off mid sentence.

"I've seen your display of strength and I'd like to reccomend you to the Ghoul Hunter Academy."

"Sorry?"

A confused expression was on Sean's face.

"Y'heard me, basically what I'm saying is that if you refuse my offer, you'll be hunted as a rogue Z."

Sean had never been to school, nor had he ever really wanted to. Whilst he was good at socialising online, the real world was different.

"O-Ok then..."

Sean's reply caused an awkward silence between the two of them.

"Y'know you'll be hunted right?"

"mhm"

"And killed...right?"

"mhm"

The silence between the two of them continued.

"And you're fine with that?"

"mhm"

The man shook his head and sighed, then crossed his skinny arms.

"At least listen to what the place has to offer."

Sean looked hesitant but soon nodded to him in agreement.

"Ghoul Hunter Academy, a school of Z's that're being professionally trained to hunt and kill the ghouls and any rogue Z's, though I'm sure that this part was obvious. The Academy's grounds are also home to the school dorms, where you can live, expense free!"

Sean wasn't paying attention to the rambling man, but this however peaked his interest.

"Each and every student are given a monthly allowance, enough for any other essentials and some other stuff that the pupils may like, of course this amount depends on how well you perform."

The rain from earlier seemed to be picking back up once more, creating a small pattering sound as they collided with the floor. The amber sunset had finally faded below the horizon and the sound of the birds singing could no longer be heard.

The proposed offer had peaked Sean's interest, not only would rent and bills no longer be a problem, he may one day even be able to buy a cat as he loved them so much. He let out a sigh before giving his thought out reply to the man.

"S-so I'll still be accepted even though I'm not a Z?"

Sean's stuttering voice was starting to seem annoying to the man.

"There's no need to lie to me, we'll all accept you at the academy."

Sean's thoughts took over.

*I hope this isn't some painfully obvious foreshadowing going on*

Sean just nodded to the man, trying to avoid any unnecessary arguments. This seemed to make the mans face light up with glee.

"Good choice!"

He pulled out a small notepad from his back pocket and began to scribble something down on to it. He tore out the page and handed it to Sean before taking a step back.

"Here, it's the location of the Academy and my number, just incase you need it."

*Richard Mordac, huh? Weird name...*

"The first day is on the 4th, at the gate, you need to say 'Mordac sent me', they'll let you in."

*This Academy can't seriously have security this bad, right?*

Richard span to face back up the street the way he came and raised his left hand in to the air.

"I'll see ya then!"

Richard slowly faded into the darkness of the night as he got further and further away from Sean. He glanced once again at the note before folding it up and slipping it into the back of his phone case so that he wouldn't lose it.

It was at this moment he knew, he f***ed up. He turned to face down the street just to see the shops LED 'OPEN' sign change to a red glowing 'CLOSED'. He collapsed to his knees in horror, now he'd have to last another day without the newest edition of the pets magazine...

It was the morning of the 4th now... well, Sean wished it was. It was supposed to be an all Z Academy, so therefore it could only be open at nighttime to stop the student and teachers from burning. The time was 9 PM and the sun had finally gone down, it was late for the sun to set but it was early summer, so the long wait was understandable.

The now crumpled note from Richard didn't really specify a dress code, so just to play it safe he wore his best cloves, the ones from the night he was attacked. However, he had sewed the tears in his shirt back together despite how tedious it was, it now looked good as new!...well...sort of.

It was still painfully obvious that the shirt had been torn, not to mention that the stitching was becoming loose regardless. This however, was completely normal to Sean. He looked at the old clock on the wall of his room and had judged that it was finally time to leave.

He once again, just like that fateful night, made his way out his room, plodded down his creaking stairs and out his rickety door, once again, not locking it. Glancing at the note, he made his way down the road in the opposite direction as he did on that night.

*I wonder if he meant it? Rent free sounds too good to be true..."