Flicking the radiators onto timer, the boiler rattled into life, groaning in protest at being made to work. The sodden clothes clung to her stinging skin as she peeled them off, placing them inside the washing machine before grabbing a towel from the laundry basket to wrap around herself. With a slight sigh, she picked the basket up, propping it on her hip as she navigated the narrow staircase. The protesting of her limbs as she made the climb only served to confirm she was too exhausted to put it away; if it was upstairs, at least it was a little closer.
The warmth from the shower soon turned her pale skin red as it returned heat to her frigid body. Exhausted, she relished in the soft sensation as her pyjamas teased her flesh with their whisper-soft touch. With a dry towel placed across her pillow, she huddled into bed, not even bothering to comb her rust-coloured locks as she surrendered herself to the warmth of the blankets before taking a look at the picture pinned to her wall. A few more weeks and the bicycle would be hers. Granted, it wouldn’t be the flashy one she looked upon to remind herself why she was saving her extra pennies, but Ethel Huston—the owner of the second-hand and curio store—had been taking payments on the one now reserved in the back for months.
No sooner had her head touched the pillow when a small vibration at her wrist startled her. Her heavy eyelids raised as her gaze turned to her watch, a smile lifting her tired features as she saw a message from Tess, asking if she was home safe. Sending a quick reply, she looked to the slimline watch again. It was easily the most expensive thing she owned, a gift from the very person who had just checked up on her. With thoughts of her closest friend, her eyes finally succumbed to the tired weight of another full day and she drifted into a restful sleep.
The lunch hall was crowded, as usual. Small tables were shoved aside and pulled together to segregate people into their cliques and clans, while the sounds of rumbustious laughter and the latest gossip and trends mingled with the undertones of study. Ashley had entered through the alcove, spying Tess seated in their regular corner as the heavenly aroma of freshly cooked delights assailed her senses, reminding her it was only a few more days until she could once more stock her cupboards. Living on a shoestring budget was hard, but every saving, no matter how small, brought her closer to the bike. She could live a few more months on dried noodles and canned food, especially if it meant she would find herself with some free time again.
Weaving her way through the mob of lingering students and gathering lunch crowds, she found herself once more savouring the delicious aromas, inhaling deeply as if doing so would sate her burning hunger. With a smile, she dropped into the seat opposite her fair-haired friend with a heavy sigh.
“Late night?” Ashley asked, watching as Tess’s perfectly manicured nails glistened as she raised her hand to stifle a yawn, all too aware that her own tiredness was more evident from the dark circles beneath her satin-grey eyes, circles no amount of makeup seemed to hide.
“Someone has to make sure you get home safe.” Tess grinned, taking a sip from her hot drink. “How was class?”
“Honestly? If I have to hear Mister Baker talk about the clan divides for much longer, I won’t need to worry about not sleeping. Seriously, the man could make dragons’ rising sound dull. I mean he must have slept through the whole thing.” Ashley cleared her throat, adopting the nasal, monotone speech of the only teacher on campus who insisted on being addressed as Mister. “While it is important to consider the effect the clans have on legal jurisdictions we must also keep in mind the emergence and recognition of the preternaturals’ called for a new order to be established. One which protected everyone.”
“Oh, come on, you do him a discredit, there’s no way he sounded that interesting.” Tess laughed, flicking her silky hair behind her shoulder. Ashley, feeling self-conscious about the pillow-dried, tangled birds-nest she was trying to pass off as a messy bun, adjusted her scrunchy slightly before blowing the loose strands from her eyes.
“Honestly, we grew up listening to this. The clans came about before we were born and the government became nothing more than a collaboration of Elder blood leaders, vampires, shifters, celestials, mages, and whatever. We probably know the ins and outs better than he does. After all, it is all we’ve known.”
“Speaking of our glorious leaders.” Tess lowered her voice, her vision scanning the surroundings for eavesdroppers. Surprise lit her features when she saw Jack. Standing, she lifted her arm, beckoning him over. With a quick, awkward wave, which turned into him pushing his hand through his light-brown hair, he made his way towards them, his freckled face breaking into a smile. “Did you hear the latest? Another person’s gone missing. There’s talk among the lecturers about handing out panic alarms.”
“Same as the others?” Jack questioned. Every time anyone seemed to look at their device these days, they were greeted by
