Chapter 111

Chapter 111
Elly's POV

"This might take a while." Professor Rockwell announced, sitting down at his table.

He straightened his neck, cracked his fingers and rested his palms on the table. Ryan stood beside him straightening the collar of his shirt.

Professor Rockwell took deep breaths—inhaled and exhaled— and then closed his eyes.

I pulled a chair close to his table. It scraped loudly as I dragged it across the floor. His eyes shot open again.

"Elly. Do you mind?" He said, raising his brows at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I apologized, making a face.

"He's not close, so I need to focus."

I nodded and lifted the chair, placing it in front of his desk, and then sat directly opposite him. When I was settled, he did his breathing ritual again and closed his eyes.

I sat there for minutes watching him. He was as still as a statue. If he was more pale, or painted with a rock texture, I'd say he was gargoyle.

He remained in the position for minutes. I couldn't count how many minutes we had sat down there in silence.

"I can finally feel him."

My eyes widened. I leaned closer to the table. The anxiousness was killing me.

"Where is he?"

"Shh," Ryan reminded me that I had to be silent.
I cupped my mouth with my palms, glancing back at Rockwell. His eyes were still closed. I sighed, relieved that I didn't ruin the process.

"I've connected with his mind. He's a mess."

My heart skipped a beat, but it wasn't in shock. No, it was fear. Fear that he was hurt. And what did he mean by ‘He's a mess?’

"He is in an alley, deep inside hiding in a corner…."

"Which alley?" I couldn't hold it in.

Rockwell was about to open his eyes...

"Don't lose the connection," Ryan placed his hand on his shoulder.

Rockwell kept his eyes closed. "Using you, I can sniff Aidan out and find him using my enhanced vision."

"You can do that?" I asked out in surprise.

"Elly, don't tell me your amnesia got worse?" Rockwell chuckled.

What? I was about to snap, but he chuckled again.

"Is it me or has Jimmy rubbed off on you?"

Ryan placed his hand on his lips and I mouthed "Don't shush me," with a glare.

His grip on Professor Rockwell's shoulder tightened like he was going to claw into his shoulder blade.

Ryan closed his eyes, sniffed in the air and opened his eyes again. He focused on the space in front of him. I almost freaked out when his eyes glowed with a purple hue.

He stared, his eyeballs shifting every second like he was searching for something.

"I've found him too. I can see where he is." He announced, his hands not leaving Rockwell.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"It is an alley... There is a signboard, a red and gold signboard. It says ‘Three Lucky Stars.’ It's a Chinese restaurant."

"Oh," I smiled... or was it a grin?

Ryan's eyes returned to normal colour and Professor Rockwell opened his eyes.

"I think Aidan is in danger. His mind is muddled, filled with a mix of emotions. He seems scared and lost at the same time." Rockwell spurted, troubled.

"What kind of danger?" I quizzed, unable to hold it in.

"I can't tell. Nothing in his mind points to why. That's why I said he's a mess."

"Then we should go find him." I said, standing.

Ryan's eyes darted to Rockwell immediately I suggested we should go out to find Aidan.

"Are you insane? Out of school?" Ryan snapped.

Professor Rockwell was quiet. His eyes stared out of the class.

"She's right. We can't understand what's wrong with him from over here. We have to find Aidan," he turned to Ryan, "which means us leaving the school premises and finding the alley beside Three Lucky Stars."

Ryan froze, shocked at Rockwell's words. Even I was shocked. Not that I didn't expect him to concur, but hell, I couldn't believe he'd be saying it like that. Professor Rockwell must have been a rebel one time.

He smiled at me. Fuck, he heard that. I smiled back.

"I'll ask the rest to cover up for us when we leave," he added.

"And what genius plan do you have in mind to help us cross the main exit? The only exit that leads in and out of the Academy?" Ryan added, being annoyingly smart as usual.

"We'll sort that out when we step out."

Professor Rockwell walked out of the class and we followed behind him. Ryan kept throwing looks at me. I knew that kind of look, the one that says "You're so crazy, Elly." But deep down I could tell he also wanted to find Aidan and he'll do anything to help.

After we stepped out of the main building, Professor Rockwell halted just below the flight of stairs. His eyes were fixed on the waterfall just ahead, past the large field where many of the students were engrossed in their businesses.

"Let's go. I'm taking you guys out for a practical excursion, if anyone asks."

I and Ryan exchanged looks, then nodded.

We crossed the field, walking through the crowd of students. We were almost at the waterfall when an unexpected guest joined our company.

I almost choked on my saliva when I spotted Principal Legrange walking with us. Rockwell must have already noticed her before we did. He slowed down, putting on a practiced smile.

"Ah, Rockwell," Principal Legrange said, walking past us to Rockwell. "I heard you went on sabbatical. I couldn't reach you for a couple of days..."

"It wasn't sabbatical. I had to reach a distant cousin. Something about a rouse in the family."

That was a perfect lie.

"A family member that I know of?” She asked and Rockwell shook his head. “So, everything stable now?"

"Yes. All solved. Good thing I arrived early enough."

"Right?" She cackled. "I totally understand. I always have to step in when my siblings get heated up. If I don't, the entire world would burn," she grinned and waved her words away.

"Elly," she smiled at me. But at the corner of her eyes, I could see that the smile wasn't even sincere one bit.

I forced a smile. "Good afternoon, Principal Legrange."

She blinked and bowed in response.
"And Ryan."

"Good day, ma'am." Ryan said, also forcing a smile.

"Where are you headed, Rockwell? Taking a special stroll?"

"Yes, a special stroll indeed. I need to work on Elly and Ryan, see how their powers mix and blend in a real world scenario."

"Oh," Principal Legrange cooed, "Splendid..." her voice trailed off and changed, "But you are too close to the gate."

"I need to take them through. A couple of meters out—"

"No." The principal snapped, not letting Rockwell finish.

Rockwell didn't look scared or shaken by her reaction. But I swear, my eyes popped out and returned back to their place when she snapped.

"I am not taking them far. You can follow us, if you may."

"I am not letting you go out with my students, Rockwell. I already lost one recently."

I clenched my jaws. I felt my heart leap with rage.

"Which?" Rockwell quizzed, frowning.

She scoffed. "Are you really playing ignorant now?"

"I—"

"Well, I'll play along, Rockwell. Aidan is missing. He went rogue and stormed out through the gates for a reason I'm yet to discover," her eyes darted to me and Ryan.

Why was she looking at us? Why was she acting like we were the cause of this?

She stepped closer to Rockwell.
"I know you're going after Aidan. But I won't allow that."

She smiled again. I turned to see five men, dressed in black, approaching us. Immediately they got close, they began morphing into werewolves.

Shit!