The second hall was a smaller version of the main hall, but it lacked special carvings and a raised, decorated stage.
The entire hall was packed; every child over 7 was present, and many others were still coming.
Jinn found himself a perfect corner where the least chattering or whimpers could be heard. Sally also followed him to the corner without uttering a word.
’This is my nightmare right here.’ Jinn dreaded standing amidst so many kids and hearing all sorts of noises coming from their little mouths. Well, they were mostly talking, but to Jinn there was no difference between that and their screaming, crying, or whining.
"These kids are so annoying." Surprisingly, it was the girl following him who said that. Jinn liked to keep his hate hidden from others unless someone used it against him one day.
"Well, we cannot exactly leave this hall." Jinn sighed and started to look around. It was then he noticed another figure coming in their direction.
"Ah, your puppy is coming." Sally spat mockingly, looking at Geralt in distaste. Jinn was unsurprised by her response; he was aware that Sally disliked Geralt due to his tendency to cling to him like a lost puppy.
"He can hear you, you know." Jinn reminded her how their senses have sharpened due to their awakening, but the girl did not seem to care one bit.
Fortunately, Geralt did not show much reaction to her words. He even ignored her completely and came near Jinn.
"I thought you were still in the school. I was looking for you when the teachers dragged me away without saying anything; it shocked me."
"Why would I be there? And why were you looking for me?"
Sally cast a quick glance at the two of them before turning away with a snort. "And the puppy found its master."
Geralt’s lips twitched, but he kept a straight face in front of Jinn. "I thought you were still in the building. Some kids saw you going up, but when I tried to look for you, I could not find you."
From the side, Sally’s ears perked up hearing their conversation.
"Yeah? Maybe they were mistaken." Jinn lied through his teeth while maintaining a poker face.
"Maybe." Geralt also did not ask any further about this topic.
As the silence settled between them, the whispers from the side rushed in. All they could talk about was the boy who had jumped to death. They were all curious about his identity.
"Do you know about the student who jumped?"
"It was a student?" Jinn asked back without looking at him. His attention was now focused on the four figures who walked into the room at this moment.
"Yeah, you knew him very well." Geralt said cryptically, which made both Jinn and Sally look at him in unison. Jinn furrowed his brows, but before any of them could say anything, one of the four figures who entered the room spoke.
"Can I have your attention!"
Despite her words, the volume and tone with which Sister Agnes spoke made even the air in the room freeze. Never in their lives had any of the children, including Jinn, seen her use such a tone with them.
Behind the matron stood Mrs. Walker and Mr. Huggins, along with Captain Hunt, the man with the thick mustache risen at the edges; their faces were marred with solemnity and loss. Mrs. Walker may look cold on the outside, but her hands were clasped tightly under her robes.
"This is a time of great difficulty for all of us." Seeing the fearful look in the eyes of the children, the heaviness in the matron’s voice lifted a little. Her eyes moistened as she spoke, "I am heartbroken to say that one of our children passed away today."
The kids cried not from sadness but fear. Their bodies were shaking, and their lips were trembling.
Sister Agnes stood at the center of the second hall, her purple, high-necked gown pristine despite the weight of her words. Her hands clasped tightly before her, she surveyed the sea of wide-eyed children, their whispers fading into a tense hush under her gaze.
"Children," she began again, her voice softer now but carrying the weight of a tolling bell, "it is with a heavy heart that I must share grievous news. One of our own, a boy some of you might know very well, has left us this day."
"Young Torus, although troublesome at times, was loved by many."
Gasps of shock and disbelief echoed in the room full of children. Most of them knew about the legendary troublemaker. Jinn’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Geralt from the corner of his eye.
"We do not know what event might have led young Torus to resort to such a drastic measure; maybe we will never know."
Sister Agnes’s voice softened, her golden gown catching the dim light. "Torus was a lively boy, loved by many, and his loss hurts us all. But you must know—you are never alone. If something troubles you, come to me, Mrs. Walker, Mr. Huggins, or Captain Hunt. We’re your family here."
She offered a gentle smile. "Tomorrow, we’ll gather in the chapel to remember Torus. For now, return to your dorms quietly and be kind to one another."
The children nodded, some clinging to friends as they shuffled out.
"I will see you tomorrow." Geralt nodded at Jinn before leaving the room quietly. Jinn lingered behind, making Sally look at him with displeasure. "What are you waiting for? Let’s go."
Without answering, Jinn glanced at the matron, who was walking towards her along with three people who came with her. "Jinn, why are you still here?"
The matron asked in surprise, her eyes still glistening with tears. "You should go and sleep; it’s very late. Everyone has already left." The rıghtful source is 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Behind the matron, Captain Hunt looked at Jinn and Sally with interest but said nothing. Sally looked awkwardly at them, not sure what she should say and if she should.
"I was worried about you. Would you like me to sleep at your place tonight?" Jinn asked, coming closer to the matron.
The matron smiled warmly and brushed his cheek with her hand and shook her head. "No need, Jinn, I will be fine. You should get some sleep."
Jinn did not refuse her and nodded in agreement. After bidding goodnight to the four of them, Jinn and Sally walked away as well.
On the way to their room, seeing Jinn unusually silent, Sally could not help but ask, "Are you bothered by this Taurus’s Death? From what I heard, he did not get along with anyone, and after what happened between you and him in the cafeteria—"
At this point, the two of them had already reached their room. Jinn suddenly paused and turned around to look at her. "I am not bothered by his death; I am bothered by what will follow it. The dead do not leave the living alone; they always leave something of themselves behind, something that later comes to haunt the others."
Saying this, he turned back and opened the door to room 268 before walking in, leaving behind Sally standing in the chilling hall by herself. She did not know why, but his words gave her a feeling that something bad was about to happen.
’What am I thinking... that guy loves to mess with me.’ Shaking her head furiously, Sally took a step forward and entered the room as well. ’There is no way something worse could happen after today’s incident...right?’