Skye Crying

12 ║Rayla

I am fully aware that this is the last time I will ever see her.

I walk out the door and never look back.

✧

The guards lead me to another room identical to the first and tell me to wait. What for, I have no clue. I start ticking off the minutes on my head; boredom has fully settled in by the 54th minute, and I start counting the number of ceiling tiles. I've only reached 23 when the door opens.

Well, I say open, but only because I'm not sure what one would call it. 

The metal door, which had seemed so solid before, was shimmering and rippling as if it where made of liquid. As I watched, fascinated, it started to flow gently downwards, disappearing into the floor as if it had never existed. 

A young girl walks in, the door dripping softly back into place behind her. I stand up, studying her closely.

Her curls are as white as snow, offsetting her gorgeous dark skin. Brilliant amber eyes study me closely, with a sense of genuine curiosity, not fear or malice. She flashes a casual smile, revealing straight white teeth.

"Hi. My name is Echo; Welcome to the Academy."

She offers a slim hand and I hesitate slightly before taking it. I curl my fingers around her palm, fingertips lightly touching her wrist. Her heartbeat pulses steadily underneath her skin. Echo isn't nervous or jumpy; I only wish I could say the same.

"I'm your roommate for the next two months, and possibly many more after." She explains, with a hint of kindness in her voice that I appreciate. "If you follow me, I can show you to our room."

I nod, avoiding her eyes; although Echo seems pleasant, her persistent stare is making me uncomfortable.

She leads me out into the grey hallway, striding with a sense of purpose and not hesitating on turns. This place is a maze, confusing and disorienting, though I'm certain that was intentional.

We stop outside a plain silver door with no handle. Echo places her palm flat against the smooth metal and the door melts away, sliding smoothly to to side, winking out of existence just like the other door.

She strides through, so strong and sure of herself, and I follow, gazing around the room. My room.

Two steel beds with grey blankets line the walls on opposite sides of the room. Strips of fluorescent lights flicker sporadically on the ceiling, triggering a slight headache. An open door leads into a plain-looking bathroom and a soft black rug covers most of the concrete floor.

Echo notices my staring and points to the cot on the left.

"That one's yours. Orientation starts in ten minutes. Let me know if you need anything."

I nod carefully and she exits the room, glancing curiously over her shoulder as she went. Sinking onto the surprisingly comfy bed, I lean against the wall and release a shuddering breath.

I have to be extremely careful. People don't get recruited to join the Academy every day. Samael obviously wants to keep a watchful eye on me; even one mistake and I'll be dead within the hour.

The door starts to trickle away, and I get shivers watching it. It may be beautiful, but it still gave me an ominous feeling.

An older boy is standing in the doorway, and he looks unnervingly similar to Echo with dark skin, jewel-like orange eyes and snowwhite hair. He's strikingly handsome, with a strong jawline and a muscular build.