Thorne
"What am I even doing here, Blackwell?" I asked, my tone dripping with disinterest. He’d dragged me to the famed Hipocralis Greenhouse—a place I couldn’t be bothered to care about.
"Come on, Ackerman, you’re into all that medical stuff, right?" Blackwell replied, his grin annoyingly persistent.
"Yeah, I help people and deal with medicine. Herbs, though? Not my thing," I shot back, crossing my arms.
Blackwell chuckled, the kind of laugh that made me want to punch him. "So, what would you be doing if I hadn’t invited you? Drinking your rum and daydreaming like an idiot?"
I sighed, choosing to ignore what he said. Truth be told, I had other plans. But curiosity about the greenhouse lingered. People talked about the rare and dangerous plants there—plants capable of miraculous healing.
The greenhouse was stunning, I’d give it that. Sunlight filtered through glass panes, casting a soft glow over exotic plants. Still, the atmosphere was tense. Blackwell’s colleagues and other officers guarded certain areas with sharp eyes as if something serious was going on.
“Why are your men around here?” I noticed a familiar woman anxious, her wavy chocolate colored hair in a messy bun.
Nearby, a student stood frozen with worry.
Was that one of Zaira’s friends?
Then, one of the officers glanced our way, and before I could think, the woman bolted towards us assuming she's one of Zaira’s friends. Her face was pale, her voice trembling, and sweat dripped down her temples.
"Officer Blackwell! Please, you have to help me!" she cried, desperation thick in her tone.
She introduced herself hastily. "I’m Ainsley. I need to get in there please, it’s urgent!"
“I’m afraid I can’t let you through, ma’am. It’s that time of the month the vicious plants are active and hunting for prey. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?” Blackwell said, his tone firm but not unkind.
“Yes, I know,” Ainsley said, her voice cracking under the weight of desperation.
“But my friend Zaira Coffey is still out there!”
Stunned, I pierced through my direction, a sharp jolt ran through me, I stepped forward and a slight panic erupted through me. I gritted my teeth as I attached the pieces together immediately.
“Where is she?” With an unexpected blow of my words asking where that troublemaker had gone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Blackwell, his brow arched in surprise as he looked my way. But I didn’t care. Desperation consumed me—I needed her to confirm if my thoughts were right.
“She’s in the restricted zone!” Ainsley blurted, barely holding herself together.
“She was helping me gather a Celestial Root. I didn’t realize it was the full moon!”
Her words hit like a punch to the gut. Full moons were when the vicious, carnivorous plants became most active. Every month, students and employees alike knew to restrict access to this place, yet they couldn’t even do their fucking job properly.
“Please,” Ainsley begged, her voice trembling. “I have to get to her before it’s too late.”
“Don't worry, we'll get her as soon as possible, could you please settle for a moment ad we'll do everything to—”
Blackwell paused as I ran towards the entrance of the gate.
“Ackerman, stop!” Blackwell barked, his voice cutting through the air, but I ignored him. The guards stood frozen in shock as I pushed past them. Somewhere behind me, I heard Blackwell’s exasperated shout:
“What the fuck, Ackerman! Come back!”
I didn’t care. My blood roared in my ears, and my heart slammed against my ribs as I ran. The thick leaves covering the moonlight, I sensed movement around me but I didn't care. I kept running my eyes scanning the whole place just to look for her.
Where the hell are you, Coffey?
I stopped, trying to look around, desperate to find her. Vines creeping in from the trunks of the trees, they smell human blood that they became more active. Fuck it
A vine suddenly rept into my foot, irritation washed over me as I slashed it, its juices spread out everywhere. Even with my shoes. Shit
Desperation clawed at my mind, my chest pounding with a single, relentless urge—to find her. I continue to peddle my feet looking for her even the datkest corners of the green house.
“Where are you…”
Continuous rumbling sounds echoed around me, I stopped looking left and right, from each corner until I spotted her:
Zaira.
Her white hair and blue uniform stood out starkly against the darkness, and vines from the Siren Flowers were creeping toward her, slowly wrapping around her feet.
Without hesitation, I charged forward, shoving her aside just as the Siren Flowers released their deadly pollen. I grabbed her and carried her away from the vicious plants, the eerie hiss of the flowers echoing in my ears as we sped toward safety.
I looked at her and she was zoning out smiling—she’s hallucinating.
“Coffey are you alright?” I called.
She didn't respond still in the brick of hallucination
I still carried her into my arms as I started to run away from the flowers that wanted her. Shortly after, she regained her consciousness as I continued to move avoiding the carnivorous fucking plant that wanted her as food.
“Professor!?” her voice raised in surprised.
“What are you—”
“No time to talk, we've got company” I said.
She realized what had happened she looked at me “Put me down I can run” she demanded.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes”
We kept running, gripping her wrist tightly and pulling her along. The monstrous flora was still in our tails. I kept running hoping to find the exits but I can't risk letting that stupid plant out.
“Where the fuck are you, Blackwell?” I whispered.
We sped up as the vines threatened to ensnare us.
“Shit!”
The urgency in my voice matched the desperation in my movements. Every second counted as we navigated through the maze of aggressive plants, determined to escape the deadly embrace of the greenhouse.
I patted my trousers and pulled out my dagger.
"Thorne, their juices are acidic!" Zaira called out, her voice strained with urgency.
Without hesitation, I ripped the sleeves off my shirt and wrapped them around my hands. Slashing at the vines, I freed Zaira and yanked her back, tossing the now-melting cloth and dagger aside as the acid ate through them.
"How do you get rid of this thing!?" I snapped, desperation seeping into my voice.
Zaira didn’t answer. She stayed silent, her eyes darting around as we ran, searching for a way out. Suddenly, she wrenched her hand free from mine and sprinted toward a pile of rocks.
"Coffey! What the hell are you doing!?"
"I need fire!" she shouted over her shoulder.
Of course—fire. The one thing these plants feared.
I scrambled to gather dry leaves, dumping them in her path as she struck two stones together, her movements frantic.
"Come on, come on," I muttered, desperation fueling my every move. Those fucking creatures were closing in fast. Blackwell was a minute late, and I couldn’t afford to stand by and watch a goddamn man-eating plant slaughter my students outside this fucking greenhouse.
The vines crept closer, persistent. Zaira kept striking the stones, but the leaves wouldn’t catch. My chest tightened as the vines lunged. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back just in time.
A sudden electric jolt ripped through the vines, stunning them momentarily. Then, a small flicker of flame appeared. The fire caught, quickly growing into a barrier that forced the plants to retreat. I immediately pulled Zaira into my arms as the fire immediately spread faster.
"Ackerman!" Blackwell’s voice rang out as his team arrived, pushing back the encroaching vines.
I turned to Zaira, who was slumped against me. Her hands were icy, and her lips were pale, but she was breathing.
I catch my breath still looking at her
“You're unbelievable,” I said.
She managed to smile, still shivering, as if her body froze..I immediately carried her in my arms as Blackwell’s team dealt with the plants
“You're safe, I'm here now” I murmured, knowing that she's asleep in my arms.
Blackwell’s team formed a protective line around us, shielding us from the plants as we made our way out. Ainsley and her friends rushed over, their faces a mixture of relief and panic.
"She’s okay," I reassured them, my voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing me down.
A medic approached, carefully transferring Zaira onto a stretcher. "We’ll take it from here, doc," he said with a nod.
I watched as they began tending to her, my chest tight with lingering adrenaline. One of the medics checked me over, handing me painkillers before giving me a thumbs-up. No major injuries—just scratches and bruises.
Blackwell appeared beside me, his expression unreadable.
"What the hell was that, Ackerman?"
I leaned back against the wall, too drained to argue. "I couldn’t let my student die, Blackwell."
He smirked, his tone edging on sarcastic. "Right. Like you care about your students. You wouldn’t risk your life like that unless it was personal. And there you were, tearing through the vines to save that albino girl like your life depended on it."
I met his gaze, unwavering. "It’s not just about the job. It’s about doing what’s right."
Blackwell let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. "You’re shitting me, Ackerman. Don’t give me that self-righteous bullshit."
He sighed and clapped me on the shoulder. "Don’t pull that reckless stunt again, got it?"
As he walked away, he paused and looked back over his shoulder. "Don't let that albino girl ."
I watched him leave, his words hanging in the air. He was right—I am screwed.
But who cares? I could burn this entire greenhouse down for what it did to Zaira.
But I cannot yet.
I have to focus on my goals and put an end to this relentless misery of mine.
                              Zaira
When I opened my eyes, a dull ache throbbed in my head. Blinking against the bright light, I realized I was lying in a hospital bed, the white sheets crisp and sterile. The binders on either side confirmed it—I was in the school’s medical wing.
Fragments of memory returned in flashes: the vines, the fire, and Thorne dragging me to safety before everything went black.
"Zaira! You’re awake!"
Ainsley’s voice broke through my thoughts. Before I could respond, she was by my side, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.
"I’m so sorry," she murmured, her voice thick with guilt. "If it weren’t for me, none of this would’ve happened."
I managed a small smile, my voice was soft but steady. "It’s alright, Ainsley. It was an accident. Don’t blame yourself, okay?"
"We’ve told her that a hundred times, but she still can’t let it go," came Callista’s familiar voice. I glanced toward the corner of the room, where she and Stella stood, their expressions a mix of relief and exasperation.
"It was too careless of me," Ainsley said, her tone heavy with regret. "I didn’t even check the calendar."
"Well, it was careless of me too," I replied, trying to reassure her. "But I’m here, I’m fine, and I promise I’m not hurt. So please, stop worrying."
Ainsley hesitated, then nodded. "I’ll buy you desert this week," she offered as if that could somehow make up for everything.
I chuckled, the sound light and teasing. "It’s okay. But if you insist, who am I to deny free desserts?"
"Who cares about dessert? So it’s true that Thorne saved you!?" Callista’s voice rose, her tone a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
"I heard there was an officer at the scene, but Ackerman ran straight in to get you," Stella added, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I didn’t know that."
"Well, now you do," Callista said, crossing her arms. "Go on, Ainsley. Tell her."
Ainsley shifted awkwardly, glancing at me. "I—I was asking Officer Blackwell for help. But before he could do anything, Professor Ackermaembraced bolted toward the danger."
"Why would he do that?" I asked, genuinely baffled.
"Because you were in danger," a deep, husky voice interjected. "And a ‘thank you’ would be nice, wouldn’t it, Miss Coffey?"
We all jumped, startled. The girls turned to face the source of the voice, their eyes wide with shock. Ainsley’s mouth half opened, Stella’s brows arched, glanced at me then back to him, Callista on the other hand scanning him.
My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him—Thorne Ackerman, standing there with his usual air of calm intensity. The faint scent of leather lingered around him, and his raven-black eyes scanned the room.
"Good evening, ladies," he greeted smoothly, his lips curving into a small smile.
"G-good evening," the girls replied in unison, their voices shaky as they exchanged nervous glances.
“Professor, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“Just checking to see if you're okay,” he said.
Thorne’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before turning back to them. "Could you leave us for a minute? I’d like to have a word with your friend."
Ainsley hesitated, visibly flustered. "W-well..."
Callista nudged her, and the girls reluctantly shuffled toward the door, casting curious looks over their shoulders as they left.
"Absolutely!" Callista said, a little too enthusiastically.
"Come on, girls, we need to grab something for Zaira," Stella added with an awkward chuckle, tugging Ainsley by the arm.
The three of them quickly shuffled out, leaving me alone with him. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier. Thorne pulled a stool closer and sat down, his dark eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
“Am I in trouble?” I asked.
“Probably,” he said. “You’re lucky I found you on time, if I didn't, you'll wake up inside a carnivorous plant’s belly” he said.
I sighed and closed my eyes then back at him. “Thank you, professor”
He let out a low hum. "Haven’t we talked about calling me by my name?"
"Yes, but it feels wrong calling you by your first name, it seems disrespectful" I stammered, my cheeks flushing.
“And besides, it suits you more to be called professor” I smirked.
“Is that so?” a playful grin emerged from his face.
“How are you feeling?” His voice is soft and gentle.
Rumors are really getting bad these days, the way they criticize and rate him is far from the truth. I've never seen him such a rude professor.
“I am fine, thank you very much” I said.
"You shouldn't have run into such a dangerous place alone," he commented.
I sighed. "I’m aware it was my fault, but I didn’t know it was the time of the month."
"Ainsley told me that you rushed into the forest even though you knew the risks," I said.
"I know," was all he offered in response.
Silence fell between us. I bit my lip as my heart raced.
"Thank you again, Professor. I won’t forget your kindness," I said with a smile.
He sighed. "No problem. I heard from the nurses that you'll be discharged later. Don't worry about the hospital expenses."
My eyes widened in concern. I was about to speak when he cut me off.
"Each student enrolled here has free access to the hospital unless it's a case where the student is already in danger. The school can't cover those costs," he explained.
"Thankfully, you don’t have major wounds. You’re safe," he added.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Thorne."
His face softened, and a smile touched his lips. "I’ll be on my way. I don’t want to keep you from your friends."
I nodded in response.
"Goodnight, flower."
Confused still when hearing that ‘endearment’ of his towards me. flower