The rain tapped softly against the windshield. Theo sat on the passenger seat, staring out the window, his head resting against the cool glass as he stared at the passing blurs of green and gray as the car moved down the narrow road.
He could see his aunt talking, her hands shifting on the steering wheel, her throwing him occasional glances.
He could see she was talking but her voice came out muffled.
Like he was submerged underwater.
"... Theo? Did you hear me?"
He blinked slow.
"Huh?"
Martha sighed softly, not because she was irritated, but because she was tired. "I asked how you were feeling. It's your first day here and you're already going back to school. Are you nervous?"
There was a slight pause from Theo.
He shrugged and his eyes drifted back to the window. "Not really."
There was some truth to his words.
He wasn't bothered by going back to school—he wasn't even thinking about that.
His mind kept wandering back to his father's trial. Years of enduring abuse from him and all he got was a ten year sentence with the possibility for parole.
Theo's jaw tightened.
Just thinking about that caused a bitter feeling to swell in his stomach.
Martha glanced at him.
Never in her life had she seen him look so broken. She only knew him for a few years when he was younger and the boy had the warmest smile she had ever seen.
His mother had always said that he would grow up to be a handsome young man.
And she was right.
Theo had grown up to be quite the looker.
Although, thinking about Teresa— Theo's Mother, Martha clicked her tongue quietly. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
The atmosphere in the car felt heavy. The quiet rain made it even heavier.
For a short while, no one said anything.
It had been three days since Theo moved into town with Martha but the two barely spoke even then.
Martha was new to the whole thing of being a guardian and she didn't really know how to handle it.
Without knowing what else to do, Martha turned on the radio.
A male voice spoke from the radio.
"... And now for some breaking news! A female body was found this morning on the Durnloop Hiking Trail by two hikers..."
"Oh my god."
Martha turned up the volume as the man on the radio continued.
"... The Sheriff claims the attack to be the result of a vicious animal and have temporarily closed off the trail..."
Theo shifted his eyes slightly, though he did not move his head.
"... Residents are urged to stay clear of the area until further notice. The victim's identity has not yet been released..."
Martha's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"That's just down the road from here." She muttered under her breath.
As if he seemingly lost interest in the topic, Theo turned his focus back to the window.
The rain continued to tap gently on the windscreen, filling the space between the words of the reporter.
As they got closer and closer to the scene of the crime, Theo's eyes caught a glimpse of a dark shadow standing in the forest.
He frowned as he could barely make out the shape of the shadow due to the foggy rain.
He narrowed his eyes and blinked but the shadow was gone.
'Maybe it was my imagination.'
He thought.
****
A few minutes later...
The car slowed down as they turned into the school parking lot.
Rows of cars stretched out ahead, students moved in between them in small groups— talking and laughing.
Theo watched through the rain speckled window with an unreadable expression.
Martha pulled into an empty spot.
"I'll be back to pick you up at 3. Did you bring an umbrella?"
She asked.
Theo only nodded and reached for the door handle.
He pushed the door open, took out his umbrella and stepped out.
"Bye, have fun!"
Theo waved at Martha as she drove off.
For a moment, he just stood there looking at the large building in front of him.
For a public school, it was pretty decent. Well better than his previous one at least.
As he stood there, someone suddenly walked into his umbrella.
"God damnit. I am soaked!"
It was a girl.
She had long, curly black hair, slightly damp from the rain. Her skin was warm-toned, glowing faintly even under the dull gray sky. Dark lashes clung together from the moisture, and her brown eyes locked onto Theo with clear annoyance.
Theo stared at her for a second.
Then turned and walked away.
"Hey!"
Her voice cut through the rain.
Rude!
She thought as she watched Theo's figure disappear into the crowd.
***
Theo now stood in the hallway by the entrance, his eyes scanning his surroundings.
'... I have no idea where I'm going.'
He sighed.
He thought about asking fellow students for directions to the principal's office but people gave him weird stares.
This made him frown.
While still debating whether or not he should ask for directions, he felt a tug on his shirt.
He turned and saw her again.
The girl from before.
For moment, the girl stood dazed. Now that they were inside, she could clearly see the boy towering before her.
He had long, messy hair that extended down to his shoulders. The tips of his hair were frosted in a torquoise color. His skin was pale, not sickly but ethereal.
His cold, dark blue eyes, mixed with his height, made it seem like he was looking down on her.
"Hey, what is your problem?"
She asked, irritated.
Theo tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
The girl's eyebrows twitched at his ignorance.
"What do I–– You left me in the rain out there!"
She barked.
Theo remained silent for a brief moment.
His eyes lingered on her trembling body more than they should have.
"You should have brought an umbrella."
The girl froze.
Her eyebrows furrowed even further and her lips curled into a cold smile.
Before she could speak, something was shoved into her hands.
A hoodie?
The girl gave Theo a questioning look.
"You're soaked." He spoke calmly, his voice carrying not even a hint of emotion. "Wear this before you catch a cold."
He did not wait for her to respond before turning to leave.
Only after 3 steps did he stop.
"Oh, do you know where the principal's office is?"
The girl blinked.
Huh?