Page 57 of A Whisper of Cinders

Once I’m finished, I gather Aramis’ food and ask the staff if they can save it for later. He has barely eaten anything.

Since I haven’t showered yet - and I feel like a sweaty, smelly mess - I go back to my room to freshen up and change. After that, I pick up Aramis’ note I left on the desk and go over the lessons I can follow here.

Out of the long list he wrote down, I am allowed to select four subjects for now, with the possibility of adding more later on. And although I have a hard time with choosing for as long as I can remember, this is somehow an easy choice for me.

I have already enrolled in training with that arrogant man and I really enjoyed the greenhouse of Professor Bloomhart and Siri, and being able to create ointments and tonics out of plants and herbs seem like a pretty handy skill to have.

I’m not sure what I can expect from Astronomy, yet I conclude my selection with it. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

And when I’m done with that…I don’t know what to do next.

Aramis hasn’t returned yet, I’m not even sure if he will. And who knows how long this emergency will take. I look out my window. I could go to the greenhouse. Maybe Siri’s there, or Professor Bloomhart could educate me on a certain subject.

I leave the room, nearly forgetting my coat and descend the stairs on trembling legs. Who even runs for their entertainment? My upper thighs don’t know how to function anymore. Walking through the snow will be even harder now that my muscles ache with every step I take. But, movement should help with the soreness, or at least that’s what I’ve heard.

I try to remember which path I followed with Siri and am proud when I succeed. The trees become fewer and the open passage towards the greenhouse comes into view, no other students to be seen. I don’t mind though, I enjoy the peace and quiet.

Maybe I can plant some things today, or read some more in Professor Bloomhart's tome, or —

A rustling sound breaks the tranquil silence.

I stop mid-step, my breath caught in my throat and look to my right. I scan the trees, but see nothing out of the ordinary. It probably was a squirrel or a deer. I continue walking, tempering my paranoia.

A headache stirs at the base of my skull, I’m not even sure where it comes from, the fresh air normally does wonders for my head. And although I try to blame the uneasy feeling on a skittish animal, my senses remain on high alert and every whisper of wind through the branches, every crunch of snow sends a ripple of tension through me.

I shouldn’t be scared here, I am safe, nothing will —

A scream shatters the fragile silence.

I freeze. That was definitely someone in pain.

I leave the path behind and sprint into the woods, my legs burning in protest. The voice inside me tells me to hurry up, while the other screams at me to stop and turn back around. But I cannot stand by when someone is in need, that is not an option.

I try to make as much noise as I possibly can, hopefully scaring away any lingering predators. When I’m out of breath, I halt and look around. But no one’s here, no animal or anyone wounded. Not even a hint of a fight.

I run around aimlessly like a chicken without its head. I know I am wasting time, this person could already be dead.

“Shit.”

A tug inside of me tells me to turn around, that’s when I see a mark on the bark of a tree. I trace the wet, red mark with my finger, already presuming what it might actually be and when I catch the iron scent, I’m certain it is blood.

I walk around the tree and steady myself, afraid of what I might find. Scarlett drops are scattered around the small clearing, the red in stark contrast against the pristine white snow. I crouch down at the scenery in front of me. Blood. So much blood.

I’ve seen this before, the memory fresh in my head. A puddle of blood on a dirty cafeteria floor, Amira’s lifeless body cradled in my arms. My chest tightens, my breath laboured by the memory alone. I rise and turn back around.

A groan cuts through the air.

Someone is still alive. Mai, what are you doing?

And with that thought I move forward, following the gruesome trail as my heart beats rapidly in my chest. Tree branches have broken, someone dragged itself forward through the snow, causing even more blood to flow.

Please be alive, please be alive, please be —

Another groan echoes in the woods, this one very close to me, and I bolt. In my haste, I nearly stumble over him.

The snow is drenched with so much blood, the red looks close to black. The man lies in the middle of the gruesome scene, eyes closed and his skin as pale as the landscape surrounding us. I fall to my knees next to him, placing my fingers at the pulse point in his neck and wait.

One.