POV: Iris
The birds' song slowly pulls me from sleep.
It's the first time since I was twelve that I haven't had a nightmare.
For a moment, I remain there, motionless, listening to this living silence. Then, with dragging steps, I get up and head to the bathroom.
The hot water washes away the night's sweat. I step out, a towel wrapped around my body, before putting on my clothes, grabbing my bag, and leaving my room.
The living room is silent—too silent, as if no soul truly lives here.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echo in the hallway.
— Phew! I was afraid I'd miss you!
Hayler appears, out of breath, holding a plastic box.
— Here, your lunch, she says, handing it to me. The twins have already left, and your father is at work. But don't worry, the driver is waiting for you. Eat on time, okay? And if something goes wrong… call me. Or your father. Or even your brothers.
Her words are meant to reassure me, but my throat tightens. Tears rise to my eyes before I can even hold them back. A drop rolls down my cheek—too late, Hayler has seen it.
— Irris? Are you okay?
I nod, forcing a smile.
— Yes, yes, everything's fine.
I won't tell her that it's her gentleness that reminds me of my mother.
— Are you sure?
— Yes.
She hesitates, then hands me my meal.
— Good luck on your first day of school, the driver is waiting.
I nod. With a heavy heart, I leave the house, ready to face a new day.
The school looms before me, immense and majestic, lost between the city and the edge of a thick forest.
The windows reflect the pale morning sky. A cold breeze lifts my hair as I pass through the gate.
Eyes immediately turn toward me—curious, scornful, indifferent, as if they are already judging my presence here.
I lower my eyes, uncomfortable, and move forward.
No sooner have I crossed the courtyard than I trip over an outstretched foot and fall to the ground. Laughter echoes.
A girl steps forward—blonde, pale-skinned, icy blue eyes, with a doll-like face.
— Oh no… I'm really sorry, she says with a hypocritical smile.
She offers her hand. I hesitate, take it—but she immediately withdraws it.
— Actually, no. I'm not sorry. The place for filth is on the ground.
Her friends snicker like hyenas.
— Here, I'm the queen. So behave and stay in your place, or… I'll take care of you personally.
She tosses her hair back and walks away, followed by her pack.
I remain there, trembling, wiping my clothes.
— You must be wondering what you did to her, says a voice behind me.
I turn: a girl with chocolate skin and mischievous brown eyes stands next to a tall boy with dark, piercing eyes.
— My name's Cherry, and this is Noah, she says, smiling. Don't worry, Anastasia always does that. She hates new students she considers "threatening."
— Oh… okay. I'm Irris.
— I know, Cherry laughs. Actually, I'm your guide for the week. Nice to meet you.
I smile despite myself. Maybe this year won't be completely lonely.
Cherry leads me through the bright hallways to a locker at the far end of the wing.
— Here, your key, she says.
— Wasn't I supposed to pick it up from the administration?
— Normally, yes, but trust me… you don't want to run into the principal.
I take the key, amused. Noah, silent until now, watches me calmly.
— He doesn't talk much, Cherry whispers. Don't worry, he's just cautious—it's not against you.
I nod and open my locker.
A gooey mass splashes all over me immediately. My shirt is covered in slimy liquid. A note, stuck to the inside of the door, reads:
WELCOME.
— Oh no, Irris, are you okay? Cherry exclaims, rushing to me.
I glare at her, furious.
— Did you do this?!
— Of course not! Why would I do that?
Noah intervenes in a calm voice:
— It's probably Anastasia. She does this to every new student.
I clench my fists.
— Just wait until I get my hands on her…
— No, especially not! Cherry says, holding me back. You don't want to become her target and the school outcast. Ignore her, it's for the best.
I sigh, frustrated.
— Go clean your shirt, she advises. The bathrooms are at the end of the hall, we'll handle your locker.
I move away, still trembling. Halfway there, muffled sounds reach me.
Sobbing.
I quicken my pace, push the door—and freeze.
A huge man, almost inhumanly beautiful, holds a girl by the throat. His eyes are two colors: deep green and icy blue. His jaw is tight, his expression is animalistic and cold.
— Let her go!
He turns his head toward me.
His gaze pierces me.
— You'd better leave, he murmurs.
The girl struggles to catch her breath.
I run toward them and grab his arm to force him to release her.
He immediately seizes me violently, letting go of the girl, who collapses to the ground coughing.
— How dare you touch me?!
His eyes turn luminous blue. A visceral fear twists my insides.
— Ryan, stop!
Cherry's voice cracks behind me. He releases my hand at once, without a word, and walks away.
I run out of the bathroom, out of the school, out of everything, fleeing into the forest.
I run for a while, sinking deeper into the woods.
Branches scratch my face, leaves whip my arms. I stumble, fall, and scrape my knee.
I do not get up.
— I promised I'd live for the both of us, Mom… I murmur through my sobs. But I can't do it anymore. It's too hard… without you.
I cry again and again.
I wake with a start at the sound of cracking branches, night already falling.
The wind moans through the trees.
A crack to the left makes me jump. Then another.
My heart races.
Growls sound very close.
Two wolves leap from the shadows, eyes red, mouths open.
I retreat, petrified. They circle me, then one leaps at me, jaws open, ready to tear me apart.
I think it's the end.
But a shadow jumps from the trees—so fast I can barely make it out.
It throws the wolf against a tree, then rips the second's heart out in one swift motion.
I remain frozen, trembling, heart pounding.
He finally turns toward me.
Pale-skinned. Red eyes. Shining fangs.
— A… a vampire… I whisper.