“Welcome back my little protégée’s.” Mr. Dallan greeted his
homeroom. He placed a few folders in their appropriate places before taking a
seat on the tall stool he had placed right in front of the class.

“I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are well-rested,
because I heard rumours of a certain English assignment that you might be
receiving today.” He said with a grin. The only way he could possibly know
about any English assignments is because he is married to our English teacher.

Cara sat right next to me, as she did in most classes. The
rest of the students were still shuffling into their seats, talking a bit less
now that the teacher is present, but their chatter didn’t truly die down. 

Not until there was a loud knock on the door.

“Come in!” Mr. Dallan announced, and a tall, dark haired
student entered the classroom, his black bag slung carelessly over his
shoulder. He managed to silence the classroom with his presence.

Confidently he strolled up to the teacher and handed him a
note, waiting for him to read it.

“Hmmm. Looks like we have a new student.” He said. “You may
sit wherever you like, Seth. And welcome to our school.”

I felt my jaw clench when I saw him. Like the heavy strokes
of a pendulum, he walked down the middle aisle, ‘accidentally’ brushing my arm
in the process before taking the seat right behind me.

Stunned.

Yes, I was stunned by his attitude, his blatant approach in
public and that annoying arrogance he always seemed to emanate. He was good,
I’ll give him that, and he knows just how to make me feel uncomfortable, but
he’s also much less of an actor than I am…

If he wanted to join in the human charade, I will play
along. I tore a piece of paper from my notebook and scribbled a little note
down for him

‘Your act hasn’t
changed much’

 before passing it on.

I heard the paper crumple as he folded open the note, and
felt the small vibrations in the air as he chuckled and scribbled down a note
of his own.

Soon after, the paper airplane landed in front of me,
containing a new message.

‘Neither has yours.’

I tried my best to stay calm and not let all the feelings
overpower me. He certainly caught me off guard. This wasn’t his usual approach
to a mission. Like me, he is a creature of darkness. We thrive in the shadows. But
staying in school will make it easier to keep track of him. There are less
places to hide.

Besides... this time around, we will be more evenly matched.
It’s been nearly a hundred years since I last saw him. This time, things will
be different.

“Aralynne, stop daydreaming, it’s time for biology, not time
to slip off to Wonderland!” Cara gently shook me.

“Did the bell ring already?”

“Yes silly, I guess you were just completely zoned out. It
is to be expected, considering that you haven’t….”

“Cara, stop it. I will hunt when I need to. It’s only been a
few days. I’m fine.”

“Whatever you say, now, let’s go.” I watched the students
strolling out of class, ‘til only he
was left.

“Go on ahead.  I’ll
catch up with you.”

“But do you know where the class is?” she questioned and I
only gave her a stern look.

“Fine, freaky vampire senses, I get it. See you later!”

Now I had a few seconds alone with my arch nemesis. He took
his time, carelessly walking passed me, stopping only to whisper something in
my ear:

“If I were you, I’d keep a closer eye on the girl. You never
know who may be lurking about…”

I felt small shivers travel up my spine as his breath
touched my neck. His lips were almost touching my skin. He was standing too
close. I could feel the heat radiating from his skin, smell the crimson liquid
in his veins... he was in his human form. I guess it is the most logical
disguise. It is easier to blend in among humans if you resemble them.

With his dark hair and piercing green eyes, he looked so
young again, so much like the guy he was before all the heartache, betrayal and
denial. Yet, the darker circles under his eyes spoke of a different past- a
history of bloodshed and cruelty.

A part of me wished to reach up and wipe the dark circles
from beneath his eyes, to erase all the terrible things he has seen, but I kept
reminding myself that this isn’t the guy I used to know. The Seth of my past is
long gone. He has been replaced by this...monster.