_________________________________

T h e H o l l o w s O f
H I R A E    T    H
_________________________________

I kicked and kicked until the person stumbled backwards. I shot off, trying to navigate my way around the building. I saw another fire exit up ahead and sped up when I saw one of the doors ajar.

I pushed the doors open and the force sent them slamming against the walls. I tried to close the doors behind me but the person stuck their foot in the way. I couldn't get a good picture of their face—they had a balaclava on—and so, feeling useless, I turned around and bolted.

I recognise this. It was another corridor that leads up to the assembly hall. I sprinted down it and didn't look back. I could hear the thud of the footsteps as the person ran after me.

Something pierced my arm and I screeched in pain. I stumbled slightly but quickly scrambled to my feet. However, much to my dismay, I didn't get away. The person lunged for me and I fell onto the floor. My head hit the ground and I yelled out in agony.

The person was yet again another black figure, but this time they held a gun to my head. I kicked the person in the stomach and the person staggered back, giving me enough time to get away.

I ran straight for the assembly doors and drove straight into them, my push sending them smashing into the walls. Everyone in the hall jumped in shock and turned back. I glanced behind me and saw the person sprinting down the hallway.

I pointed towards the black figure in the distance, but it was too late for the guardians to realise what was happening when they ran in. The guardians all switched into robo-fighter mode and I watched as the guy had them backing away with the gun. Behind me, the teachers were trying to evacuate people.

"Stop!" A shout burst out and a gunshot sounded. The chandelier above my head jolted and I watched with wide eyes as it began to fall. I jumped out of the way as it smashed into the floor tiles, and also my foot. It all went in slow motion, I saw it from afar, and then it was suddenly clipping at the sole of my shoes. I had fallen, twisting my leg in ways it shouldn't—then I heard a crack. I screamed out in pain as I tried to feel my foot.

"No one moves! Or I'll shoot again, and then we'll see what other chandeliers I can drop!" The voice was a male one and belonged to the intruder. The guy walked around the chandelier and towards me.

At first, I tried to move away, but the chandelier had clamped down my foot, and it wasn't helping much. The stranger leaned down and I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing to be shot. But he instead whispered something in my ear.

"Blood is cold and full of flames, it burns with the ferocity of a malicious mystery. Blood is sharper than the knife you were stabbed with." I flinched. I had no idea what he was on about. But it sounded like a threat, nonetheless, or something of the sort, and I my stomach churn.

As I mulled his speech over, the guy rose and cackled. He walked over to the fire exit, that I had left the assembly through, without a word.

"It was nice to meet you, Sky Forest." I shivered as his voice, laced with shadows of menace, echoed my full name, the sound reverberating off walls. Then he pointed the gun at me. It went off.

I saw many people shoot up or freeze, but the pistol had hit another chandelier. It bounced off and hit another small chandelier nearby. It fell just a few metres away from me and I winced as the ground cracked beneath it. I turned back, but the man had left, his previous riddle about blood ghosting in the air.

"It burns with the ferocity of a malicious mystery." What on earth did that mean? And what does any of this have to do with blood? "

The guardians immediately took action, few ran after the intruder whilst others blocked off exits. Some went to survey the academy's grounds to see how the intruder got in. However, some, including Jameson, walked towards me and the chandeliers.

"Jameson!" One of the head guardians yelled from across the room as my vision started to blur slightly. I blinked a few times and then watched as the guardian walked over to Jameson.

"I thought I told you to try and find the intruder." The guardian hissed.

Jameson rolled his eyes, "I think the girl with her foot crippled because of a fallen chandelier is more important." Jameson snapped back and yanked his arm from the guardian. He turned towards the scene in front of him, two chandeliers on the floor and, well, me.

Jameson and a few other guardians manoeuvred their way around the chandelier. However, as the other guardians grasped parts of the chandelier, ready to lift it, Jameson made his way over to me.

He crouched down to my level and assessed my position. "This is going to hurt." Was all he told me when he looked into my eyes. Jameson stood up and hooked his hands under my arms. I realised what they were doing far too late; they hauled the chandelier up and Jameson pulled me.

I couldn't stop the scream that came to my lips when the chandelier was lifted. I could feel my foot again, but it wasn't a good feeling. I could sense everyone looking at me, watching the scene, some even had risen from their seats to see the action.

Jameson blocked my vision and I whimpered in pain. I began to feel dizzy so I closed my eyes, then I felt as strong arms lifted me from the ground. I didn't want to open my eyes so I trusted the person who was holding me.

"Sky," Someone was shaking me, "Keep your eyes open." They told me. I opened my eyes slowly and saw Jameson looking down at me, concern evident in his features. Then he looked up and walked us towards some stairs, he effortlessly carried me and ran at the same time, somehow. Jameson then started to speed through the corridors until he entered a room.

"God, she's lucky to still be alive," I heard someone say but I was too focused on keeping my eyes open to tune into the rest of the conversation.

Someone I recognised blocked my vision and she laughed, the notes ringing out as clear as day. "Sky, I think you just missed me too much."

"Hi, Angela." I responded through clenched teeth. All of a sudden, she became serious and pulled out a needle, which, to be honest, was the scariest thing I had ever seen. Angela being serious should be a Halloween costume.

"You're gonna sedate me?" I asked her and she laughed again.

"Don't sound so offended, if I don't you'll be high on the pain." She joked and I felt as the needle pierced through my skin.

"Goodnight, don't let the bed bugs bite." She whispered and I rolled my eyes before falling into dreamland, shimmers of danger appearing before my eyes.

"Blood is sharper than the knife you were stabbed with."

I cautiously opened my eyes but winced as a ray of light struck my vision. I turned my head away from the light, which is when I spotted Angela staring at me from across the room.

I flinched at her frozen figure and she laughed at my response.

"I think you're in love with me, you know." She told me as she—thankfully—closed the blinds. Huh?

I frowned and propped myself up on my elbow in the bed, "What?" I asked her in confusion and she laughed again.

"You just can't stay away from me." She joked in response and I rolled my eyes, relaxing back onto the bed. Just as Angela opened her mouth to say something, probably another ridiculous remark, a doctor walked into the room.

"Angela, I hope I don't have to remind you that a hospital isn't a social gathering, if you need company—you always have a friend in the cleaner." He had raised an eyebrow at her and I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from laughter.

Angela, who was gaping at the doctor in both disgust and shock, seemed to collect herself quickly, giving him a nod, "Nope, I've got it." She smiled through a clenched jaw and turned to me to roll her eyes before walking out.

"Miss Forest," The doctor addressed me and I looked over at him.

"Jameson's waiting for you outside," He told me after looking at his clipboard. I raised an eyebrow, last time I was here for a whole month. Then again, I was harbouring more than a twisted ankle.

I cringed at the memories.
"Blood is sharper than the knife you were stabbed with."

I found myself distracting myself by voicing my thoughts to the doctor. "I'm okay to go?" I asked him and he smiled at me. 

"The bullet that was shot barely clipped your arm and only a small wound remains. It'll heal like any other cut or scrape." He told me and I pondered on it. That's what the sharp pain in my arm was.

"Though, about your ankle," Oh crap. "Surprisingly, though quite unsurprisingly for you since you seem to survive everything," The doctor joked and I laughed—that sounded quite true.

"No bones have been broken but the ankle is badly bruised. Since you have been out we have put a cast on, one that you can easily slip off when you're ready, and we've kept some ice on the swelling. I recommend you keep applying ice." I nodded and thanked him.

Pushing the covers off me, I headed towards the door, my ankle seemed to take this all very lightly and only a slight spark of pain shot through my body. I smiled as the doctor opened the door for me.

"Thank you, Doctor–" I paused to look at the badge with his name on, "Borken." I continued and exited the room.

I spotted Jameson without ease and I couldn't help but smile at the look of relief on his face.

"Blood is cold and full of flames."

_________________________________

Woo yeah the hoe is alive

JAMESON IS SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT ^^

#skyson

Jameson saved her again #notallheroeswearcapes

Also: Yes I changed the title and book cover.

Bye now humans.

_____________
Next update: Wednesday–Friday
_____________

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN SPOILER:

Ahem

SKY ASKS JAMESON ABOUT THE ACADEMY AND ITS MANY MYSTERIES.

What does he tell her?

SOME SKYSON
(of course)

SKY HEARS SOME PRETTY SUSPICIOUS WHISPERS.

But what were they saying?

(A general spoiler: WE MEET SOMEONE NEW SOON)