Typical Day

The dragon’s roar. Typically, this used to mean doom, fear, and even death. But now for this certain city called Serjvo it meant an alarm to wake up around seven in the morning. Everyone goes about their day. Whether it be going to school, going to their nine-to-five jobs, or living as a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

With her umbrella from Mt. Tenmo, Elena walked down to the base of the mountain with a smile on her face knowing that the area might be void of the public since it was said to be haunted. As she reached the street from the long old, cemented staircase she was met with a boy who was her age that seemed stupid and brave enough to be near the mountain. He had brown hair brushed up with green eyes. Nothing much stood out except for the big dimples he had when he grinned.

“Hello, ghosty,” the boy said.

“I’m not a ghost, cutey,” Elena responded with a kiss to the boy's cheek. “Mr. Jenkins was extra loud this morning!”

“I think his roar is quite calming.”

“Mitshiro, only a weirdo like you would think that’s soothing. What about the people who have super hearing?”

“I mean, it's not like we can speak for them since we’re human! We’ve heard his roar since we were kids playing together in the park, eating sand and whatnot.” Mitshiro put his hand up. Elena held it and they walked together into town where they went to school. Elena’s hand was cool to the touch while Mitshiro’s hand was typically warm.

Along the way, they passed various species of people. Elena waved hello to an elderly dog man sweeping the floor in his stationery shop. Mitshiro looked at some harpies who flew in the sky. He recognized their uniforms and realized they were going to the same school as them.

A typical school uniform. Girls had to wear skirts while the boys had to wear khakis. A buttoned up white shirt with a black tie and the school’s emblem on their right side of the chest. The emblem was a picture of a turtle shell. For species like the harpies though, since they flew around a lot, they had to wear shorts under their skirts. Elena’s uniform was a little different since she was sensitive to the sun. Her skirt was longer to cover her legs and she wore arm sleeves.

Elena knew that Mitshiro was looking at her with admiration, even though she was looking away. Because she doesn’t mind treating him to some eye candy every now and then. In fact, as they were passing by more schoolmates, she was also treated to their galnces. The first thing that stuck out was her hair, it was long, straight, and purple. The next thing was her green, piercing cat eyes that could look right through you.

“Nervous for school?” Mitshiro asked.

“A little. It’s our first time being schoolmates with other species. The school is still new to integrated student species. I hope no drama occurs.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you if anything!” Mitshiro puffed out his chest.

“What will you do against an orc?”

“Run away with you as fast as we can!” he smiled.

Elena rolled her eyes in amusement. “That’s my Mitty.”

“Well, if they kill me, I can be a ghosty just like you!”

“And they can’t kill me because I'm already dead!” They both chuckled as they approached the school gates.

They departed since they had different homeroom teachers. When Elena showed up to her class. She noticed a man in a grey suit with black gloves sitting and reading at the teacher’s desk. His straight grey hair fell to his shoulders, and he had a heart-shaped face. His nose twitched and he looked up and stared at her with indifference.

“Good morning, Sir,” Elena said with a slight bow.

“Ahh, someone with manners. Good morning to you too, young lady.” he nodded to her with a smile. Elena noticed that the book he was reading was called Civil Rights for Everyone. It had a picture of a fairy woman in a business suit giving a speech. The classroom was half full already and she went and sat down in the front row alone. Everyone else was just chatting in their cliques. One big bulky werewolf eyed Elena from the back. She could hear their conversation even though they were talking low. There were about six of them.

“What do you think that human tastes like?” one of the shorter werewolves asked.

“Idiot. Shut your mouth,” the big, bulky werewolf barked.

“Yes, boss,” the short wolf responded with droopy ears.

“Alright everyone! Class is starting.” The teacher slapped his book on the desk. “Name’s Mr. Redwood. Let's begin with everyone introducing themselves! You there! Kind sir if you would please start us off.”

He pointed at the slime sitting in the front row next to the window. It was startled and began to convulse. Elena kept note of the wolf pack leader’s name, Sheik.

****

Elena and Mitshiro walked into the cafeteria together and noticed how divided the students were. All the humans sat on their own tables. Meanwhile, the other species were intermingled.

“I’mma grab some bread. Want any Elena?” Mitshiro asked.

“It’s okay, I’m not that hungry. I’ll go find us a spot while you get food.”

The line for the food was unorganized and hectic.

“God speed Mitty.” Elena slapped his back and winked at him. He sighed and attempted to find some sort of line. Meanwhile, Elena walked towards a certain table that caught her interest. It was a table full of slime people just wiggling around. Elena recognized a blue one that had glasses on. No, it didn’t have any eyes.

“Joe, right? You were the one convulsing and stuttering while introducing yourself. I found that kind of cute! May I sit here with my boyfriend?” Elena stood there staring down at the poor blue slime.

“Human! You have my permission!” Joe wiggled. The other slimes wiggled in agreement. When Mitshiro came back with bread he witnessed Elena wiggling a little with the slimes. She seemed to be having fun. He sat down and joined them in wiggling.

****

School was over early after a few more classes since it was just introductions and going over the syllabus. Elena met with Mitshiro at the front gate, and they started to head home together.

“Anything fun happen?” Elena asked.

“Nothing exciting…oh a succubus accidentally charmed one of the teachers, it was very awkward. She had to go to the principal’s office,” Mitshiro said.

“It’s only the first day!” Elena said.

“I know! She was one of those ‘do whatever I want’ kind of people. How about you?”

Elena started to twirl her umbrella. “Many people tried to talk to me so I tried to act nice. They all wanted to hang out after school today, but I politely declined. Honestly, I’m socially tired.”

“I wouldn’t know what that means. I only talked to the humans in the class. There weren’t many of us, surprisingly. We all agreed that we should stick together for now.”

“Just don’t be around that succubus,” Elena said. “I wouldn’t want anyone else charming you.”

“Okay okay. Anything else I should do?” Mitshiro asked with a chuckle.

“Hold my hand.”

They walked the rest of the way holding hands just like in the morning.

“Well, since it's so early, may I come up?” Mitshiro asked when they arrived at the staircase.

“Sorry, not today. I’m feeling tired.”

“Okay then, see ya tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Elena gave him a kiss on the cheek.

An abandoned-looking temple laid on top of the staircase and when Elena arrived at the front door, no one was there to greet her. She walked into the living room and on the table was a fresh cup of blood. The metallic smell made her hungrier, and she picked up the cup to drink. As she drank, a contorted silhouette of a man slinked out of a trapdoor from the ground behind her. When she finished, her eyes turned red, and fangs protruded from her mouth. The relaxed feeling of drinking blood has made her show her true form. The contorted man crawled towards her as she turned on the TV. When the thing finally reached her, she turned around. “Hey, Dad.”

****

Being set on fire is quite an excruciating experience. Your senses are overloaded with stinging, sharp, hot pain. It doesn’t go away, the pain keeps going deeper and deeper into the tissue, ripping and burrowing further into your flesh and bone. Some say this is what it feels like for a vampire to be purified and turned into ashes. Mr. Nibbs, Elena’s father, has been feeling this sensation ever since Elena stepped outside into the sun. She doesn’t know that the protective barrier he puts over her leads to him taking the brunt force of the damage she is supposed to be receiving while in the sun. Every time she goes to school. Every time she wants to go shopping. Every time she wants to visit Mitshiro. Why does he do this? To go to such lengths just so Elena can live a normal human life during the daytime? Well, it’s because he loves her dearly, of course.