Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 141: Claudia II

Chapter 141: Claudia II

As Nadia sat at the window, her gaze fixated on the night sky, she couldn’t help but miss home.

Thinking back, maybe she had been too hasty to leave.

She wondered how Arthur would be doing now.

He always acted so tough but she knew more than anyone else how fragile he was deep down.

She pursed her lips before ultimately letting out a deep sigh.

This journey she decided to undertake with Alex meant so much to her and with so much riding on it, she knew returning to BoneHaven was not an option, and going back to get Arthur was also not an option.

"I hope he’s not too lonely." She muttered under her breath.

Just then, the bathroom door swung open and Alex stepped out, with water dripping from his silky black hair.

Their eyes met and unlike the last time, Nadia was able to keep her composure... albeit barely.

"Are you alright?" Alex asked.

Nadia let out a deep sigh as she muttered. "Just missing home, I guess."

"... You can always go back."

"No." Nadia shook her head before turning her attention toward the night sky. "This journey isn’t just about me or you."

"Then what?"

"It’s my attempt to do away with the ghosts of my past so I can live again. Alex had to suffer because I hadn’t let go of my past... it’s only right that I do what’s necessary and seek closure."

Taking a moment to scrutinize Nadia, Alex allowed the ensuing silence to linger for a bit longer before he spoke up. "So what do you wish to accomplish?"

"... I don’t know... at least not yet," Nadia replied truthfully before turning to meet Alex’s gaze. "Pathetic, yeah?"

"No... it’s only human."

"... Mn."

Silence fell upon the room once again as the duo silently went about their business.

Just as the silence began to border on uncomfortable, Alex’s voice was heard.

"How about I help you send a telegram?"

"Hmm?" Nadia was left briefly confused.

"To Arthur. He should be missing us, how about I send him a telegram?" Alex inquired.

"That... will you really do that?"

Alex shrugged. "It’s not a big deal and... Arthur helped me more than he should have. I’ll always be grateful that he did so."

".... He didn’t do it because he wanted you to repay him."

"I know."

"... He only did it because you reminded him of someone."

".... I didn’t know that." It was Alex’s turn to be left briefly confused.

Nadia shook her head to get rid of the unnecessary thoughts. "Never mind."

"... Alright." Alex was still curious but chose not to pursue the matter as he walked over to Nadia. "So about the telegram?"

"... Tell him I miss him and... he should try and eat some vegetables. I’m sure now that I’m not there, he’d stuff himself with meat." Nadia replied, a melancholic smile on her beautiful visage.

"He’ll be fine and... whenever you wish to see him, you can do so."

"Not right now," Nadia muttered. "I haven’t grown yet."

"Get some rest. I’ll be back."

With that, Alex promptly left the room in search of a post office to send the telegram while Nadia remained in the room, her gaze once again fixated on the night sky.

***

Claudia dropped her bags and rushed into the bathroom while still holding onto the silver ring.

Standing in front of the wall mirror placed there, she stared at her reflected image.

Just like her kindred, she possessed the same peculiar characteristics.

If there was a difference it was that for most Vampires that tended to be tall, Claudia was slightly below average.

She placed her palm on her right cheek and gently massaged it before switching her attention to the ring she was holding.

Taking a deep breath, she promptly placed the ring on her ring finger before once again looking at the mirror.

This time, her reflection was different.

Her skin was quite rosy and instead of crimson eyes, her irises had taken on a more dull red shade.

Her exaggerated canines were gone as well as her pointed ears.

At this point, Claudia looked completely human.

"... This is nice." Her current reflection reminded her of her human years before the unexpected accident that thrust her into the supernatural.

She let out a deep sigh before promptly leaving the bathroom.

Double-checking to ensure she left nothing behind, Claudia took her bags and left the room, locking the door behind her as she did so.

She walked down the largely empty dormitory as most Kindred had already left the college grounds.

Claudia felt comfortable with the relative calm since she didn’t have to ignore anyone staring in her direction.

Walking leisurely, she made her way to the school gates before stepping out and then making her up a flight of stairs to the surface.

Soon, a bright white glow, different from the gas lamps used to lighten up the school came into her sights.

Claudia quickened her pace before she finally got to the end of the flight of stairs.

Greeted by the night sky and the surrounding vegetation, Claudia was quite familiar with her current location which was the backyard of Kro Institute.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward only to pause and turn back just in time to watch as the exit was promptly closed up by two stone slabs.

It seemed those that were left in the dormitories had received special permission from the college authorities to remain since they had nowhere to stay if they left the college.

The stone slabs would only be opened again once the Emperor’s birthday had come to an end.

Claudia couldn’t help but wonder at that time... would it remain this way or would it have to be opened again?

She couldn’t wait to find out.

With that, she made her way through a winding path made in the vegetation, oblivious to the shadow trailing closely behind her, before finally finding herself on a busy street with humans going about their business.