ocean-life Chapter 45: Revelation
Chapter 45: Revelation
In the heart of the academy, far from the chatter of students, a man sat in a dimly lit office, his presence casting a shadow that seemed to fill the room. His face, weathered and stern, bore the heavy weight of anger, the kind that simmers just beneath the surface, ready to erupt.
His eyes, dark and hollow, held the gaze of the lone lamp that flickered above, casting a devilish glow over his furrowed brow.
Across from him sat a female student, her posture tense, shoulders drawn up as if trying to make herself smaller in the face of his simmering rage. Her long, blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall of gold, its luster dimmed by the dread that clung to her like a second skin.
Her face was delicate, almost fragile, with soft features that might have evoked innocence, but right now, it was tight with fear, her eyes downcast as if they dared not meet the burning intensity of the man before her.
"So, you're telling me you saw Silas Griswold kill my son last night?" Sensei Josh's voice broke the silence, low and dangerous, each word dragged from the depths of barely contained fury.
Lucy, the female student, lowered her head even further, her voice trembling as she struggled to speak, her heart pounding violently in her chest. "Yes... I saw it," she said, her voice faltering but her words unwavering. The gravity of her statement made the air around them seem heavy, almost suffocating. Her hands trembled slightly in her lap, though she tried to still them.
She could feel the heat of Sensei Josh's burning gaze, his fury radiating from across the desk like a palpable force.
At her admission, Sensei Josh's fists clenched so tightly that the skin across his knuckles turned white. His breath came in slow, deliberate bursts, each one controlled with great effort. His face, already flushed with anger, darkened even further.
A pulse throbbed violently at his temple, and for a moment, it seemed as if the chair beneath him might buckle under the weight of his barely suppressed fury.
"Silas Griswold," he muttered, as though saying the name alone could explain the unthinkable. His voice was low, but the fury simmering beneath it was unmistakable. His mind reeled. He wanted—needed—to understand.
"Tell me," he demanded, leaning forward slightly, his voice sharper now, more intense, "tell me exactly what you saw." The command carried the weight of desperation, his eyes narrowing into slits as he searched for answers.
Lucy swallowed hard, her throat dry, her gaze dropping to the floor as if the very act of recalling the events made her weak. "Last night," she began, her voice trembling as the memory unfolded in her mind, "after dinner, I went to the back yard to clear my head. You know, blow off some steam. I was smoking jelly weed, like I sometimes do when I need to think.
That's when I saw it..." Her voice wavered, her eyes still fixed on the floor.
"The way he killed them all... it wasn't human. It was like something had taken over him—something evil. I didn't understand it, not at first. It all happened so fast. But one thing was clear—Silas killed them. He killed them all.
I saw it with my own eyes." Her voice, despite its shakiness, rang with conviction.
Sir Dominic frowned, glancing at Mary before turning his gaze back to Josh. "Can't it wait? I'm in the middle of a meeting," he said, his tone growing impatient.
"It can't wait," Sensei Josh replied firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Sir Dominic relented. "Fine. Sit down."
Josh nodded and took a seat next to Mary, leaning forward as if the weight of his words were too heavy to bear.
"Speak," Sir Dominic commanded, his tone sharp and expectant.
"It's about my son, and the other students who died. I think I know what really happened," Sensei Josh began, his voice tight with emotion.
"What are you talking about? We know what happened. They were killed by mutants when they attempted to raid a Grade 4 mutant realm on their own. Kara found their bodies and brought them back," Sir Dominic stated, his tone matter-of-fact.
Sensei Josh's hands slammed down on the desk, his voice rising. "That's not true! They didn't raid any realm. My son was murdered—by another student. And I have a witness who saw everything."
Sir Dominic's brow furrowed, his expression hardening. "What are you saying, Josh?"
"I'm saying Caleb and the others were killed by one of their own. A boy named Silas Griswold," Sensei Josh declared, his voice filled with conviction.
At the mention of the name, Sir Dominic's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Silas Griswold? The boy with no mutant ability? What nonsense is this, Josh?" His tone was laced with skepticism, though a flicker of unease crossed his features. "I've heard that name recently. He was the only one who survived the last raid, wasn't he?
The rest of the team—trained staff—were all killed, but somehow, Silas survived. And now you're telling me he killed your son, who was a Grade 3? This doesn't add up."
Sensei Josh's hands clenched into fists once more, the frustration boiling over. "I know it sounds impossible, Sir, but it's true. I have a witness who saw everything—she saw Silas kill them. I don't know how he did it, but I'm telling you, this boy is hiding something. He's not what he seems."
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A/N: Vote with your Golden Tickets and Power stones for a mass release of five chapters.