First Impressions

Opening the door to my apartment, I set my bag on the table before lounging into the couch. It was a tiring day, but I quite enjoyed it. Made some friends and had some strange encounters too.

"I'm liking this so far." I muttered, leaning back into the couch and staring at the plain ceiling.

Planning on closing my eyes to nap a little, my chest tightened, and my airway seemed to have been blocked all of a sudden. I bent over, breaking into a fit of dry cough. Every cough seemed to stab my lungs with a rusty nail. I quickly covered my mouth with my palm, with my other hand pounding my chest.

"... fuck..."

It was maybe a minute or two of just hysterical coughing when it finally stopped. I ended up out of breath and was gasping as I sank deeper into the couch. I didn't need to look at my palm to see the blood staining it. The metallic taste seemed to linger in my mouth, leaving a bad taste.

Sighing, I forced my body to stand up. I went to the bathroom, planning on a cold bath. I really need one right now.

London, England

It was in the middle of the night. The moon decorated the sky in its full glory. Soft moonlight passed through the tinted windows of the old church, illuminating the interiors. The light reflected off the antique tiles, further lighting up the place.

In front of a cross, a silhouette of an old man stood facing it. Below the elevated podium stood five people, covered in dark robes, facing the back of the ol man. A necklace dangled from their necks. It was a silver cross, suspended by a leather rope. The darkness of the night covered their face.

One of the robed people spoke, a hoarse masculine voice echoing throughout the massive interior of the church.

"We have failed to locate him, Archbishop."

The old man didn't speak nor react. He stayed still, admiring the massive cross in the wall in front of him. The moonlight seeped through the windows, shining on the cross. After a minute or so of silence, the old man spoke in a kind and gentle voice.

"Don't stop. Find him, whatever it takes."

One of the robed individuals hesitated a little, before speaking up in an unsure voice.

"Archbishop, he only has less than two years remaining. His body is also starting to deteriorate. Do we really need to bring him back?" The person asked, revealing themselves to be a young man.

Hearing this, the other 4 robed people stiffened. The young man noticed it, and a shiver went up his back. Did he make a mistake?

He didn't have much time to contemplate on that thought, as the old man turned around and faced the young man.

The old man looked kind and caring, but the robed people knew better than that. This person is the Archbishop. The individual with the highest position within the Order. A single word could result in them being hunted by the entire organization. That thought terrified them, and it was obvious by the way they all automatically lowered their heads, afraid to meet the old man's eyes.

"Why, indeed, Joshua? Why do I want him back?" The old man spoke with a kind voice, like a grandfather explaining common sense to a young kid.

The robed young man knew the old man could not be further away from that assumption. His body stiffened, and cold sweat started running down his cheek.

"From the five years he spent serving the order, his body count alone could block the River Thames." The old man started, eyes not leaving the shaking young man below him.

"He had killed more in five years than you, the Apostles, had in the last 10 years. He might be deteriorating and way past his prime, but he alone is worth a hundred of you!" The old man's voice gradually got louder.

"Now, indeed, why? Why do I want him back?" The old man glared.

"Never ask me about that again, or you will be floating on the River Thames the next morning."

"F-forgive me, Archbishop." The young man stammered, lowering his head further.

"Dismissed." The old man breathed out.

The robed individuals instantly disappeared in a blur, all leaving without any sound. The old man, unbothered, turned back towards the cross. His eyes showed longing and sadness, as if looking through the cross, the wall, and onto something, someone, far away.

"I miss you, my dear Gabriel."

His whispers echoed through the empty church, but ultimately reached no one.

The cold wind blew against my face, fogging my glasses a little. It was early in the morning, and I'm currently reading my book in one of the benches outside the main building.

I don't really have anything else to do at home, so I decided to go to school early once again. There's still no one in sight and the parking lot is devoid of any car or people. Since it's early in the morning, the sky isn't as bright and coupled with the cloudy weather, the brightness isn't really fit for reading. Fortunately, the outside of the building has lights outside.

It was a bit cold, but it's not raining for once. The sky is still cloudy though, but I'll take what I can get. I wore a black hoodie today, since the weather might get me sick if I wore something much thinner.

While reading, I took a sip from the coffee I got on a cafe along the way. It was dark and strong, just the way I like it. The warmth brough comfort to my body. Something I really need lately.

After about half an hour or so, a car arrived at the parking lot. I raised my head from my book, glancing at my watch as I did so. It's only 6am, still an hour away from classes.

It was a grey truck, and I could see Jeremy through the tinted windshield. He's an early one, huh? He seemed to have seen me too, as he moved to park his truck quite near the bench I'm sitting in.

After parking, Jeremy went over, smiling as he does so.

"Good morning." I greeted first, inserting a bookmark on the pages of the book. It's bad manners to have a book open while talking with someone else.

"Yo, morning Chris. Damn, you're early as hell. What time did you come?" He sat down beside me, stretching his legs.

"About 5am." I answered honestly. It was too early, I know.

"Are you some psychopath or something? That's absurd." He clicked his tongue.

"Don't really have anything to do at home. And I can't go back to sleep." I chuckled, sipping on my coffee to add some warmth to my body.

"I respect the discipline."

"You're early too. That's commendable."

"What can I say? Early bird gets the worm."

We continued talking, waiting for other students to come in. A car came in, followed by another. By 6am, half of the parking lot is filled with cars. The school also started to buzz with conversations, as students started talking with each other. Jeremy and I still sat there, talking about mundane things.

"Oh, good morning, Chris and Jeremy." An acquaintance from yesterday, Allen, walked over.

"Good morning." I nodded at him, smiling lightly.

"Mornin'." Jeremy did the same, albeit in a more casual manner.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me." Allen started, squeezing into the bench beside Jeremy. "Chris is lucky as hell. He got to sit with Edythe on Biology."

Oh yeah, that's a thing.

"Dang. Lucky bastard." Jeremy flicked his fingers and started wagging his fingers at me. "What I would give to spend maybe 5 minutes sitting next to her..." He trailed off, staring into the distance in a trance.

"Oh, he's simping again. Do ignore him, he got dropped when he was a kid." Allen commented with a straight face.

I shrugged, a smile on my face.

"Is she really that popular?" I asked, crossing my legs.

Allen stared at me like I'm an idiot.

"Are you blind? Or gay?" I blanked at his suspicious gaze.

"She's the crush of every single heterosexual male in this school man. Some girls are even into her. She's simply perfect in every way. Top-tier appearance, perfect grades, and annoyingly athletic. I heard she once caused a ball to explode in a game of volleyball last year. She doesn't attend PE classes anymore though, so you won't be able to see it." Allen shrugged, explaining.

Well, that was surprising. Or maybe not as much. She's a vampire, so her physical capabilities are beyond what normal humans can do. Exploding a volleyball shouldn't be that surprising. Rather, I'm surprised she hasn't accidentally killed someone by accident.

Still, I had to pretend to be surprised.

"Well, that's interesting."

"It's not worth it confessing though. So, if you do develop any romantic feelings for her, just know that you'll get heartbroken. None of us are good enough for her, turns out. She also doesn't even talk to anyone else." Allen lamented.

"Thanks for the heads up. I don't think I'll need it though. Romance is the least of my concern at the moment." Or ever, really. A limited lifespan doesn't really give you any chance for those kinds of things.

The day proceeded the same as yesterday. I listened attentively to every class, taking notes every now and then. I interacted with some people, laughing with them when the situation calls for it.

So far, it's been a blast. My high school life is going according to plan and I'm really enjoying it.

In a flash, I found myself sitting together with Allen and Jeremy in the cafeteria for lunch. We were joking around, dissing each other's favourite literary works. I didn't have to turn my gaze to know that the vampire group are on their table. I can smell it.

"Really, why do you not like the Godfather? It's like peak cinema." 

"It insists upon itself, Allen. It insists upon itself."

"What does that even mean?"

"I'll head to the bathroom for a bit. Be right back in a bit." I stood up, leaving the cafeteria.

The bathroom is just a turn away from the cafeteria, and I took my time walking. There aren't any students in the hallways, nor any teachers. Everyone is having lunch, so it was quite silent.

After doing my business, I was washing my hands when my nose twitched. It was a familiar smell. I sighed, wiping my hands with toilet paper.

I left the men's bathroom and started walking back towards the cafeteria. The smell didn't disappear. In fact, it even got stronger. Someone is following me.

I went back to sit with Jeremy and Allen, joining their conversation. I didn't forget to glance at the table where the Cullens and Hales are sitting.

Edythe Cullen is missing. She was just there before I went to the bathroom.

She's following me.

I sighed inwardly. This body is deteriorating quickly, and she noticed the smell. She should be in the middle of investigating my real identity. Sucks for her, I don't have anything to hide. It's a natural process, so she won't find anything suspicious or worthy of her attention.

Lunch ended without anything of significance happening. I entered the classroom for Biology, sitting on my seat. Edythe entered the room a few moments after I did. That just further confirms it, she's following me.

She sat in her seat next to me, glancing at me discretely from the corner of her eyes. She thought I wouldn't notice, but I did.

Honestly, I can't blame her. If you have a new classmate that smells like a decaying corpse and only you can smell it due to your enhanced smell, anyone will want to investigate too.

After all, I might be dangerous.

I want to just go up to her and tell her that I'm not a dangerous individual and that she should stop following me, but that would mean I know that she's following me. That would just increase her suspicion. She might even go straight for the kill to silence me.

That's not very nice. I don't want any issue with my school life.

It would be nice if she can leave me alone and let me live my remaining days in peace and solitude.

Let's just treat her as if she doesn't exist.

"Hello," said a quiet, musical voice.

Ah fuck.