Hunted

Eleven: Fresh Air

Charlotte walked along the corridors of the Old School, acutely aware of the strange buzzing sound in her ears. The world seemed to tilt, rising and falling, as if the academy had been cast out to sea, like some great ship. She stumbled along, her stomach rolling with each movement of the building. Opened doors swung helplessly back and forth, clattering and banging with each sway of the school. Charlotte pressed her hands against the wall, trying desperately to hold on to her balance and to ignore the rising seasickness in her throat.

With each step, she could feel a sense of urgency grip her, unwarranted and unknown. Some inner warning system told her of a pursuer, still beyond her vision, still hidden, she realised, as she cast stolen glances back into the tilting corridor. She could hear her own breath ripping through her throat, making her lungs ache. She turned a corner, as the building seemed to shudder, groaning as if under increasing pressure. It jolted to one side, throwing her against the wall.

Ahead she could see her own room. She sprinted towards it as the lights dimmed, before the power resurged, blinding her momentarily, and then faded once more. The paintings on the wall started to tremble, before ripping away from their hangings, pulled forcefully towards some unknown power. The light sconces shivered on their brackets, before exploding and creating a glittering shower of glass upon the floor. Charlotte ducked and weaved, dodging the door frames that were being torn unceremoniously from the walls, spiralling away behind her. The floorboards began to tremble, as the building lurched forcefully to the right, throwing Charlotte against the wall with a grunt. She didn't wait. Waiting would mean she was discovered, if it wasn't already too late.

As she finally reached her room, she grasped the porcelain doorknob and allowed the door to fall open, aided by the tilt of the building. She stumbled in, catching the door and swinging it shut with a strong push. As the latch caught, the building seemed to right itself, the buzzing in her ears vanishing, the destruction outside quietening. Charlotte's breath tore through her throat, as she listened, wondering if he was still following her. She frowned, wondering how she knew it was him, wondering why she was running from him. Isn't it obvious, she thought, recalling the destruction in the hall? She only knew one person who could cause that much chaos. However, she still couldn't understand why she would run from him.

She placed her palm against the door, knowing he was on the other side, waiting for her to make her decision. Her stomach knotted bitterly, wanting to reject him like he had rejected her, but also wanting to go to him, to allow him to wrap her up in his embrace.

"There you are," a familiar voice sighed from behind her. Charlotte could feel the knowing smile distorting her features, as she turned to find Matt standing in the centre of her room, ignoring the boy on the other side of the door. He might as well be a world away, she thought dismissively. Matt was dressed as he would have been at the banquets. The collar of his white shirt was haphazardly opened, untucked from his black trousers. His sleeves were rolled up, his bowtie and jacket discarded. His eyes glinted mischievously as he gazed at her, his dimples appearing when he grinned at her. "I've been waiting for you," he breathed, his voice dangerous.

Charlotte was vaguely aware that the door had begun to shudder, rattling loudly in the stillness of her room as she moved towards him, her gaze fixed on his glinting eyes. Once in reach, he caught her, pulling her towards him. He pressed her body against his, his hands running up her back, lifting her, bringing her face towards his. Charlotte grinned against his soft lips, kissing him deeply.

The deeper she kissed him, the more she realised the room was shuddering violently. The windows started to crack, the furniture scraped across the floor towards the door, but she didn't care as she held her body to Matt's, barely remembering to breathe. Only a loud resounding bang, as her door was forced open against the wall, stole her from the reverie. She paused, her lips lingering on Matt's for a moment, before she moved her head back, watching Matt's bemused expression as he beheld the intruder.