The dry leaves crunched beneath the tyres of an elegant Audi Avant as it travelled along the lonely road on the outskirts of Jericho, Vermont.
The dark, fog-covered forest gave off a gloomy atmosphere, and the crows, birds and other creatures that inhabited it did not contribute to a pleasant appearance with the multiple sounds, screeches and calls they emitted at any given moment.
If you've never heard a moose bellow, it can be quite unsettling, as it combines a high-pitched tone with a low one, which is somewhat eerie.
"It looks like that lady needs help."
Uriel pulled his car over to the side of the road when he noticed an old van stopped with black smoke coming from the engine compartment.
"Need some help? I'm not the best with engines, but I can take a look."
Uriel and William got out of the family car and walked over to the elderly lady sitting in the driver's seat with the door open.
Martha smiled when she saw them park, got up quickly, and wiped her hands on her checked shirt.
The car door had a slogan on it: Martha, Apple Farm, accompanied by a drawing of a red apple.
Her cheerful attitude changed as soon as she saw the father and son's hair, among which strands of gold were visible.
A Gorgon had snakes instead of hair, a faceless person had no facial features, and a member of the Stone family had a few strands of gold hair mixed in with their blonde hair.
That's what Damrock meant by 'annoying golden hair'.
(Outcasts!!)
The madam with prominent eyes and messy hair immediately wiped the smile off her face.
"I already called someone, I don't need help from some... weirdos."
Whether it was because of their clothing, behaviour, or gaze, Martha had to force herself to say the last word of her sentence.
"It's been a long time since I've received that kind of look."
William wasn't bothered or uncomfortable by the elderly lady's look or how her attitude changed from kindness to rejection, it just surprised him a little.
(The previous William really hated this kind of look from people, maybe that's why he developed that kind of attitude with his family.)
"Come on, the lady said she doesn't need any help."
Uriel couldn't care less. He was even glad he didn't have to get his hands dirty with oil or grease. He patted his son's shoulder gently and returned to his car.
The luxurious white car continued on its way and turned left at the next road, leaving behind the small sign at ground level.
[Nevermore Academy - Next on the Left.]
The metal sign hanging from two chains swayed in the wind coming from the forest.
"The forest seems a bit restless today. I wonder if something is disturbing it?"
Catherine looked at the thicket of trees from the car window, while fine drops of rain fell from the large clouds high in the sky.
Soon, the large cast-iron gates decorated with the figure of three flying ravens came into view, accompanied by the inscription "Nevermore Academy" right in the centre.
*Squeak!*
The two heavy doors opened by themselves at the same time, and the Stone family continued on their way for a few more kilometres until they reached the academy's old castle.
"We'll go and say hello to Larissa. Do you want help carrying your bags to your new dormitory?"
Uriel opened a large umbrella for Catherine and took her hand to help her out of the car while directing his question to William.
"I'll manage."
"All right, I'll let you know when we're leaving, and you can go with your friends now."
William picked up a couple of his bags and headed for Caliban Hall after watching his parents climb the wide stairs in the lobby towards Headmistress Weems' office.
.- Caliban Hall -
"It's a shame we're not in the same room this year."
Xavier climbed the stairs alongside William, who had arrived at the academy a few days before classes began.
His room was already ready, and he had met his roommate.
"But look on the bright side, your social circle will expand a little more."
"Actually, no, according to my assignment letter, it says there's no roommate."
Xavier snatched the letter from William's hands, and sure enough, the roommate section was blank.
"I'm jealous you have a room to yourself."
"Apparently, both Caliban and Trisbie dorms are full this year."
"They're full, but you have your own room? That doesn't make much sense."
*Click*
William inserted his key into the wooden door on the top floor of the dormitory, just one floor above Xavier's room.
"It used to be a storage room."
"It doesn't look like a storage room to me."
Xavier put his suitcase on the floor and sat down on the large bed. The whole place was spotless, with no dust or cobwebs.
William's main furniture was already in place: his mattress, sheets, pillows and, of course, his soft carpet that covered most of the floor.
Larissa took special care with the room of the son of one of her best friends and one of her best students.
"It's smaller than a double room, so two people can't live there at the same time, and bigger than a single room."
"And it's a coincidence that Weems' favourite has it? This bed is twice as wide as mine."
"No way, it was pure nepotism."
Hearing William's cheeky reply, Xavier threw a pillow straight at his back.
William opened the curtains of the largest window overlooking the main courtyard. More cars were arriving, bringing parents and children with them.
"Who is your new roommate?"
"His name is Rowan. He's a psychic, just like me."
"Do you think you'll get along with him, or do you want to change roommates? We can give him this room."
"Awww, you'd do that for me."
Xavier said in a tender tone as he hugged a pillow.
"..."
William responded by giving him the middle finger while measuring the wall.
(This place should be perfect for Titan and this one for Sting.)
The young man was already planning to drill a few new holes to place brackets for his favourite weapons.
"He's a good lad, just a bit shy and lonely. I think we'll get along fine."
*Ding*
The sound of a notification came from William's trouser pocket.
"It's Enid. Looks like she's here. See you later, and lock up when you leave."
"Yeah, go on, leave me alone."
William just chuckled softly and grabbed his backpack before heading towards Ophelia Hall.
Xavier put his phone aside as multiple messages from Bianca came in, and he even ignored a call.
- Ophelia Hall - Highest point, penthouse. -
"Wow, it really is big."
This was William's first impression. There was enough space for two people.
"It's hard work climbing so many stairs, but apparently it has a balcony and a great view."
The attic of Ophelia Hall was a spacious room with a large circular window right in the centre, the metal support lines of the glass resembling a large spider's web.
The ceiling support beams were visible, and the wood looked grey instead of a warm brown.
"I'll put my stuffed animals there, my laptop on this side, and hang a couple of sheets from these beams. We have to do something about this window; it needs a lot of colour."
Enid jumped from one place to another, pointing and expressing her intentions aloud.
"I thought you'd be a little sad about not having a roommate this year."
"It's a shame I can't be with Yoko, but..."
"I didn't hear the last part, can you repeat it?"
William couldn't hear Enid's faint whisper.
"Oh, I thought Skinchangers had very good hearing."
"I heard that werewolves were very fast."
When she finished speaking, William wanted to hug Enid and moved towards her.
"I'm pretty fast!"
Enid took a couple of steps to the right and dodged William, before running towards the window.
The hinges creaked as a small section of the window swung open, creating enough space for a hunched person to pass through onto the balcony.
The game of tag between the two did not last long; the space was small, and Enid was not as fast as William.
"Now repeat what you said."
William sat on the railing right next to a large stone gargoyle with Enid sitting on his lap and her arms around his waist.
"We won't bother anyone anymore, since we're alone we can, you know..."
"Miss Sinclair is thinking about that kind of thing, who would have thought."
"Says the one who got into my bed in the middle of the night."
Enid quickly turned around and held William's cheeks.
"We were so cramped in bed that night."
Enid didn't want to continue with the subject and kissed Will directly. Without a roommate, they wouldn't have to bother being discreet.
"Mmm... what about Thornhill... haaa!!!"
Enid whispered as she caught her breath.
"It's easy to climb up the roof from the building next door..."
William's hands moved up Enid's skin, under her thin pink T-shirt.