Sahasrara (Ch. 2)

Emerald High School was alive with post-school chatter and the rattle of lockers being closed for the day. Students in various stages of extracurricular activities spilled from classrooms, filling the hallways with the symphony of teenage life. Amidst them was Adrien, his mind preoccupied, barely noticing the excited hum around him.

Mr. May was still in the biology lab, his brows furrowed as he graded papers. Their strained interaction earlier still weighed heavily on Adrien's mind. Every so often, Adrien could see Mr. May glancing up, trying to catch his gaze, perhaps hoping to mend the bridge that seemed to have cracked during the day.

As Adrien walked the lengthy corridors of the school, old oak floors creaking beneath his feet, he pondered the unspoken tension between them. Maybe it was the project topic, or perhaps there was more to their discord. Each stride was heavy, echoing the uneasy thoughts that consumed him.

Emerging into the courtyard, he felt the kiss of the late afternoon sun. Golden patterns danced on the age-old stone pathways, momentarily pulling Adrien from his introspective trance. Just then, a voice, familiar yet always unexpected, rang out.

"Adrien!" Dr. Glitz beckoned from the edge of the courtyard, her sleek car shimmering behind her. Every detail of her was immaculate, from her silver hair to the polished shoes that seemed out of place on the school grounds.

She approached with graceful strides, her expression one of veiled concern. "You've been distant lately," she began, studying him intently. "I thought perhaps we could discuss your recent behavior over dinner, maybe at that quaint café in the center of town?"

Adrien hesitated. The thought of delving into his past was suffocating. Dr. Glitz had been his support since the time she'd found him, lost and directionless. However, at that moment, the emotional walls were closing in.

"I've plans, Dr. Glitz," he responded, choosing his words carefully, "A project with Amaranth. It's... important."

She paused, searching his face. "Very well," she said with a sigh. "But remember, Adrien, running from what haunts you only gives it more power."

His heart raced as he left the school grounds, every step hastening his journey to the sanctuary he hoped to find with Amaranth. The pathway leading to her house was shaded by trees whose histories spanned centuries, creating a haven of quiet tranquility.

Arriving at the entrance, he was greeted by the tantalizing scent of blue lotus chicken, a dish that spoke of home and warmth. Pushing open the door, he was met by a dim, cozy ambiance. "Amaranth?" he ventured.

Her voice echoed softly from the adjacent room, followed by her appearance. Their shared understanding was palpable. They settled into deep armchairs, surrounded by walls showcasing Amaranth's family lineage, art, and history.

Their conversation began with casual school updates, but soon focused intently on their joint project. Amaranth's passion was infectious, and for a while, Adrien found solace in the normalcy of their dialogue. Yet, the uneasy sensation that had been plaguing him recently began to creep in again.

His surroundings grew hazy, the comforting confines of the room blurring, his connection to this world fraying at the edges. Panic surged.

"Amaranth," he whispered, a desperate plea.

Her face, a portrait of vibrant enthusiasm moments ago, was now shadowed with alarm. "Adrien, stay with me!"

But the consuming darkness was relentless. The aromatic world of Amaranth's living room, her concerned cries, all began to recede, replaced by an icy void.