Crimson Spire Academy: Dragon Blood

Fiamara’s POV

Today was the day I committed murder— I just didn’t know it yet. 

“Can I have my coffee please?” I drawled, pulling the strap of my hand bag up my shoulder. The bald attendant looked at me once and looked down behind the counter, picking something. 

Someone pushed me aside, stepping on me. Ouch. I bit my bottom lip, swallowing the pain. The line was long and everyone was rushing for their coffee. I couldn’t blame them, until I turned and saw it was Sharon. I sighed, knowing that was done on purpose.

“Can I have my coffee, please?!” I raised my voice a little as I pressed myself forward, trying to get the attention of the attendant. 

“Can you stop shouting? I’m not deaf!!” He snapped at me. I flinched, conscious of everyone’s eyes on me now. My gaze dropped to my worn out Nike kicks, as I struggled with the anxiety crawling up my spine.

“You should have come early if you wanted your coffee earlier?” Sharon barked at me, her eyes scanning me with contempt. 

My jaw dropped. My chest tightened as my hand tightened on the strap of my bag. “What do you mean I should have come early? Weren’t you the one that just pushed me out of the line and took my spot?” 

She bent her lips downward, shaking her head in mocking pity. “Aww. Is it my fault you are such a weakling?”

My fist curled up, my insides burning with annoyance. I struggled to steady my breath, in a fit to calm down. First day at my baby sitting job and I have to give a first good impression. That way I would get more jobs and enough money for the next school season.

I shouldn’t let her ruin my mood. I must be in high spirits today for this job. I shouldn’t indulge her. 

“Fiamara, are you ignoring me?” She asked. 

I bit my tongue, looked away. From the corner of my eyes, I saw her step out of the line, slowly approaching me. “Everyone get out of the line, now,” she ordered, crossing her arms. 

I blinked, looking at the shock on their faces. Some were enraged, curses spewing out of their mouths, but they made their way to the side, watching us. Ah yes! Sharon’s father was the owner of this Cafe, they had to obey. 

Sharon leaned against the counter and crossed her legs. “If you want to get your morning coffee today, you have to use the magic word.” 

My stomach churned as I looked at her incredibly pretty face, who would have thought such a beauty would have a dark heart?

“Sharon, I need to go to work. I’m not in for this. Give me my coffee,” I spat back. 

“Beg, little Fiamara.” She pushed herself forward and slowly approached me, her lips shifting into a one sided smirk. “Kneel down and say please.”

My throat lit up. Sweat trickling down my forehead. “What the—?!” I breathed under my breath. Then I approached her, looking into her eyes, faking a smile. “Don’t bother, I will be just fine without the coffee,” I turned, leaving. 

“Fiamara,” she called and I paused halfway. What the heck does she want now? “Is that a babysitter’s ID poking out from your bag?” My gaze flashed to it and I tucked it back into my bag. “Wait! The top of the class is doing side jobs as a babysitter?” she burst out in mocking laughter.

“Not every one has rich fathers ready to spoil us rotten like you, Sharon.”

I regretted those words when I saw the dark gaze that flashed through her eyes. She turned and took the cup of coffee on the counter and she threw it at me. My eyes widened as I gasped, shifting out of the way. 

“Shit.” I cussed through gritted teeth as some of the hot coffee splashed on my arm, scalding me. “You–!!” I growled, then my eyes watered as I noticed the brown stain on my cream blouse. “Oh no. oh no.” 

“Aww. Not all of us can have clean dresses then,” Sharon said, her voice heavy with humor. 

I dropped my bag and pulled out a box of wet baby wipes. Then I started to wipe the stain like my life depended on it with shaky hands. The brown stain blended a bit into my cream colored blouse. I hope the couples wouldn’t mind. 

I pressed my eyes shut, hoping to disappear. My legs felt like lead.My eyes opened to the people enjoying the moment and recording. “If anyone takes any photo of me, I will sue you,” Sharon yelled at them and they turned their camera at me. 

Then I noticed someone sitting at the corner holding a menu, wearing a dark hood and a mask, but I could see his piercing eyes directed at me. He was the one who bumped into me as I was about to enter the cafe. My breath became heavy as my anxiety and social phobia kicked in. 

Fear creeped up my spine, I swallowed and stumbled out of the cafe, I stepped further towards the road, flagging down taxis. But I seemed to be invisible to them. I sighed and pulled out my phone to book a cab. 

“Battery dead? How. I could swear I charged this last night.” I threw it back into my bag, my breath uneven again, as my hand traveled though my red hair. “Universe, why me? Why is everything working against me today?” I groaned, looking around. 

My eyes stopped at the dark alley across the road. It was a short cut. I crossed the road and was hit by the thick darkness even though it was morning. I pressed my finger against my nose, dodging the trash cans and junks hanging around. My eyes were narrowed, struggling to see as I hurriedly walked in, my grip tight against my hand bag. 

This wasn’t my safest option, but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

I crossed an old boutique shop on the left, then I turned to the glass window. That was when I saw him. The man in a hoodie. My eyes widened as I quickened my steps, fear gripping me. He quickened his steps as well. I slowed a bit and his steps slowed behind me. 

‘Was he following me?’ I thought. ‘Oh Jesus, am I in trouble?’

I turned around, he paused. “Hey, can I help you?!” I yelled out to him. He stayed mute, his hands in his hoodie pocket. Damn. He was so creepy. 

One. Two. Three. I counted in my head, spun and took to my heels immediately. He burst out in a chase. He was unrealistically fast. But once I get out of the alley, I will scream out for help—

I stumbled on a wine bottle lying there. A scream tore from my parched throat as I landed on the ground with a thud. My head hit the wall, blood trickling down my temple. My body shook out of pain mixed in horror as I turned to him, holding my head.

He was prancing towards me. “Wh— What do you want? I have no money!!” 

Then I heard a rip. I furrowed my brows, shivering as he grew larger in size, his clothes shredding and peeling off his skin. “What are you?!” I asked, my eyes wide opened, I tried crawling backwards, but I was too weak. “Leave me alone!” I threw the bottle at him, it missed and smashed on the wall beside him.

He dropped to the ground with a guttural growl. I screamed out in fear. Fur burst from his skin, claws popped out of his fingers. The sound of bones taking forms filled the silent alley.

“Please,” I whispered. Then he raised his head and his eyes were sharp red. Fangs broke out of his mouth, foaming saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. He was no longer a man, but a huge wolf!! 

How?! 

“Help!!” I yelled looking around, I picked up the stick and threw it at him. He caught it with his mouth, bit it, breaking it in two. Then he took slow steps back. I heaved a sigh, trying to get up, hoping he was about to leave me, but then he clawed at the ground, ready to charge at me, growling. 

With one sharp shake, he leapt at me. I closed my eyes, my hands in front of my face. 

So this is how I die? I thought. 

Then I felt warmth fluid against my hand. The sound of flesh ripping off bones— but it was not mine. I opened my eyes and saw something that made all the hair on my body stand upright.