𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁⮑ 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬

千ㄖㄩ尺

LOST

CHAPTER FOUR

(THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT)

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It had been exactly a week. The only thing TJ knew about this mystery monster that it was wounded, and Hope must've had experience fighting monsters before because she was good. They were able to track the creature all the way to the local high school.

  The two teen's footsteps echoed down the halls as they walked side by side. "Hope." The tribrid followed TJ's gaze to find dribbles of a purple substance that they had figured out to be the monster's blood. The purple goop trailed down to the janitor's office. Hope glanced around, scanning the halls before giving TJ the okay.

The click of the lock sounded, and the door flew open. The two looked in. Finding  it to be empty, TJ was ready to go inside for a better look, but they got interrupted. "Aren't you two a little short for janitors?"

Hope jumped, gripping on to TJ's wrist. The small supposedly meaningless act sending shocks through TJ's entire arm. "It's nice to know I'm not the only one trying to hide out of the first day of school." Hope glanced back to TJ who merely shrugged. What was he going to do? "We, uh, we weren't hiding. We were just looking for the principal's office."

"Well, you're in luck. I'm new, but I'm pretty sure that's him right behind you." TJ didn't even get to turn around before he heard the rumbly voice of a middle aged blonde man with a scruffy beard. "Hi. I'm Principal Saltzman. Who are you?" Grief naturally surrounded Hope like a second skin, but this was different, it was much stronger around this particular man. TJ wondered how Hope could possibly know the high school's principal?

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"You two are blank slates... Thanatos, unique name by the way, and Hope Marshall. Parents, Tom, and Kathleen. No transcripts from your last school?" TJ was worried what being named as Hope's brother meant. This had to be going past the friend zone line, and TJ was not about it... you're not supposed to be thinking about her like this. Remember the last one?

TJ shook off the feeling, and looked back up to the man named Alaric. "I think they must've been packed away, or something. Like she said, we move around a lot." Hope nodded, happy to have TJ by her side to save her butt with things such as this matter. Alaric didn't seem to believe the teen boy though, "Mm-hmm." His eyes were cold, and calculating. TJ took one long blink, letting go of his control just enough to see what he was thinking.

They're hiding something.

Alaric tilted his head at the strange action before giving his clipboard yet another glimpse. "Well, if you are gonna be here in Mystic Falls, you have to go to school." Hope put on a sassy expression, "Well, then I guess it's a good thing we're here, right?" The bell rung over the intercoms, and TJ was quick to ask, "Can we go now?"

TJ turned to Hope who nodded standing up like he had, and heading for the door. "You know, I, uh..." Alaric started, stopping the two. "I got two daughters, and I know when they're not telling me something. So, you know, if there's, uh, anything going wrong at home. You know, if you're in any trouble, and need to talk. Just know, I'm here to help, okay?"

Hope faked a smile, "I'm fine." With that, she was practically running out of the principal's office, TJ quick on her tail. "Hope?! Hope?"   "I'm okay, I'm okay. I just, I need to use the restroom." TJ nodded. He knew that she wasn't okay, but sometimes it was best to give people some space, and he let her go. TJ stood by the door giving anyone who looked at the door too long harsh glares.

What TJ was sure was only the matter of ten minutes or so, felt like hours. He stood there, his thoughts wandering to the dark part of his brain that he tried to stay away from. Daniel would be coming for him, and Hope would most likely have to pay the price for even agreeing to be TJ's friend. He was beginning to worry he should've never have saved her in the Forest that day. She's a strong independent woman, she probably could've handled it herself.

You stupid, lonely, selfish—

Hope busted through the door, a new shirt covering her abdomen, and makeup painting her face to highlight all of the her angelic features. Stop it, TJ! The boy sighed, looking down. "You okay?" TJ nodded, his eyes still fixated on his shoes when Hope informed him. "I just met this girl she says that the troll may be hiding in the boys locker room."

"Great, lets go."

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TJ followed Hope into the locker room, accidentally inhaling to find the pungent aroma of other boys his age. Though, he shouldn't judge, TJ smelled like a wet dog, and couldn't really remember the last time he had taken a shower. "Teenage boys plus monster, that's a special combo."

TJ chuckled at Hope's word, until his vision fell on the purple blood of the troll. It was quiet, eerily quiet. Something was wrong. TJ could feel the presence of another. Though, he couldn't quite pin where it was coming from. He just had to focus a little more. A hand gripped onto Hope's shoulder.

The action sent the tribrid into Jason Statham mode. She pushed the hand off of her shoulder, whipping around, and knocking the man's legs out from under him. Hope hurried over to him, pushing his chest down, and getting ready for the final blow. "Alright." Alaric breathed out holding his hands up in surrender. "Okay, seriously. Who are you two?"