Chapter Text
“Night! Get your ass here right now!” Eleanore knocked on the door with anger. “Night!”
The door opened when she was going to knock again.
“Darling, you’re gonna hurt yourself punching that poor door like this.” Gomez said gently.
“Gomez, hi! I’m so sorry. Um, where is he?” Eleanore asked.
He sighed. “Only God knows. That boy isn’t here most of the time, you know? I barely see him. In the meantime, what can I do for you?”
Eleanore surrendered. “Nothing I fear. But I have one question though.”
“I am all ears, Eleanore,” he said.
Eleanore took a deep breath. “Night told me that you asked him to apologize to me. Why?”
“Because I do not condone this behavior, amiga. He was a douchebag.” He passed his hand through his hair. “However, don’t hold it against him too much. He has a hard time letting anyone else excel. Especially you.”
Her eyes widened. She wanted to say something, but she was speechless. Gomez put his hand on her shoulder softly and rubbed it.
“He did not apologize, did he?”
Eleanore shook her head.
“Hm. I see. I’ll talk to him, don’t worry.”
“I’m not wor-” she started to argue.
Gomez smiled. “I’ll make sure of it, Eleanore. But I’m afraid I have to leave you. Me querida will be here soon, you see.” He winked at her, and when she realized what he meant, she could feel the blush on her cheeks.
“Oh! Yeah, I’m gonna go. Say hi to Tish for me, will you?”
He nodded, and she left the room to go like– anywhere else. When she arrived at the end of Caliban Hall, she felt something behind her. Shivers ran down her back, and the knot came back. She looked around, but nothing was there. Only her. Still, she felt observed. Her palms were sweaty, and she dashed to get to Ophelia Hall. She almost feared being alone now. The knot grew stronger when she got closer to her dorm. Her heart was pounding, and brushing her skirt to dry her hands did not calm her. When she arrived in her dorm hall, she caught the breath she had been holding during her return to Ophelia Hall.
She closed the door, took Slurp and let her run on the floor. She put her pajamas on and sat at her desk, grabbing her books and pencils. Eleanore began her homework and worked until nightfall. But her mind was slowly drifting to that ticking sound that haunted her. Her leg bounced and her writing became messy. She didn’t want him to get over her mind like that but how could she forget his face when she confronted him? The boy was unbothered. Like it was natural for him to just… follow someone anywhere. Yet, he did it. Slurp climbed on her leg and laid on her lap. Eleanore caressed that little creature, a small smile stretching on her face.
“I’m grateful you’re here, Slurp.” She whispered. “The last few days sucked.”
Then she went to bed, and as the sleep set in, a clockwork ticking broke the silence.
✭ ✭ ✭
“Mom, no, leave me alone!” The little room was gloomy. But it wasn’t hers. Not the one in Nevermore, at least. And it was cold. Goosebumps ran on her arms. She caught her gaze through the window, and noticed that she looked much shorter, younger.
“You’ll do as I say, Eleanore. Come back here this instant!” Her mother was shouting, as always. She felt something– no, someone, grab her wrist.
“Let me go! You’re hurting me!” Her eyes were filled with tears.
“It’s for your own good, Eleanore. You need to be reminded who’s in control here, and clearly you haven’t learned from last time.”
She froze and her heart skipped a beat. Her mother was still holding her arm to pull her closer. Then it came. Her cheek burned, and she watched her mother’s hand still in the air, waiting to smack her again. Tears rolled on her face. She closed her eyes, expecting the next one. Her mother slapped her harder this time. Eleanore screamed.
She woke up sweaty, out of breath. Panting, she passed her hand through her hair to remove them from her wet face. She touched her cheek, and noticed that she cried in her sleep. Shivers and sweat ran on her neck and back. She got off her bed to go on her balcony. The wind brushed her face and lifted her hair. She exhaled, waiting for her heart to soothe and her lungs to get filled with fresh air.
It was always the same nightmare, over and over again. It worsened as time went on, and nothing helped her. She heard the screaming. The broken glass on the floor. The memories came back stronger, darker every time. She felt her skin warming up where her mother used to beat her. An electric flow crossed her body, and her fingers stiffened. Her ability was becoming stronger. But she wasn’t prepared.
Every nightmare Eleanore had, her condition worsened. She was exhausted. She felt something heavy on her chest, compressing her lungs. If she could open her ribcage, she would’ve done so a long time ago. She climbed over the edge of the balcony to sit on it. From where she was, Eleanore could see Nevermore’s forest stretching as far as the eye could see. The moon was always bright and illuminated the Academy. Her eyes fell upon Iago Tower, the highest tower of the school, with its four clocks. It was an old tower, abandoned and strictly prohibited. No students were allowed in there because it might be dangerous. Dusty, in bad shape. Even the professors did not venture into the Tower. However, Eleanore could see light emanating from behind the large glass face of the clock at night. And tonight was not an exception. She wondered what– or who was up there, but wasn’t reckless enough to see for herself.
Eleanore went back inside, casting one last glance at the Tower, and locked the bay window. She turned on her desk lamp and sat, putting on her goggles. She took her experiment supplies and her latest project. The one Isaac and her did in Stonehearst’s class. And dismembered it. She removed all the screws and small metal parts, before carefully taking out the frog’s heart inside. It was still beating between her fingers and they warmed up immediately. She got a formalin pot and put the small heart inside to preserve it. She stored the metal pieces and the screws in her drawer, and collected her ancient experiment. It was an old watch, modified to spy on people with their own watch like a mirror, but it never really worked.
Suddenly, her eyes widened and she held her breath.
“I GOT IT! Get ready Night, you won’t get out of this that easily.” she exclaimed, before getting to work on her new project, a small grin on her face.
When the sky turned pink, Eleanore leaned back on her chair, breathing out. She didn’t sleep at all, but the satisfaction she had was worth it. She had her whole life ahead of her to sleep. She yawned and stretched her numb arms. She got up to take a quick shower, and prepared herself. When she picked up her purple blazer, Eleanore heard whining. She checked her pockets, and noticed Slurp, waking from her nap.
“Oh, I’m sorry Slurp.” She put her in her bed, caressing her one last time. “But I got to go, big day today.” She added. Before heading out, she took the watch and put it on her wrist. She glanced at herself into the tiny glass, a mischievous grin growing on her face.
She rushed into the halls to get to Orloff’s class before anyone else. When she arrived, she took the opportunity to braid her hair. She observed her white streak and her stomach flipped. It was a constant reminder of the horror of her power. Of what she had done.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the first students arrived. Morticia and Gomez waved at her, sitting two rows ahead. When Larissa saw her, she nearly ran to her.
“Are you feeling better, sweety?” She asked, a concerned look on her face.
Eleanore smiled softly. “Yes, much better!” Larissa gazed at her friend and noticed the dark circles under her eyes.
“You didn’t sleep, did you? Eleanore…” She frowned.
“Not really, to be honest. Always the same nightmare.” Eleanore surrendered. Larissa knew what she was talking about. She was the only one Eleanore had told about her nightmares. But before she could say anything, Professor Orloff arrived, coughing and pale. He limped to his desk and dropped his files and stuff. He was in bad shape. He kept saying he was going to die soon, and honestly, it broke Eleanore’s heart. She loved that odd professor, he always had something interesting to say. Plus, he was one of the few people that cared for Eleanore as a person– not a monster with an uncommon ability.
“Good morning. As you know, your mid-term exams are coming soon, so today we will talk about the final assignment.” He coughed again. “I want you to create something helpful. Use your abilities to do so. It can be anything, as long as it works. It must be used in the medical field too. I just want to see if you can combine your ability with your imagination, and how the two can work together.”
“Easy…” Eleanore turned her head to see who was talking.
Isaac. Obviously.
She rolled her eyes and returned her attention back to Professor Orloff. She felt her heart race, her fingers burning. The electric flow ran through her body at the wrong time; yet she tried her best to focus. Larissa noticed her leg bouncing, and gently touched her arm.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the nurse ?” She whispered.
Eleanore bites her lips, her nails sinking in her sweaty palms. She shook her head. Orloff continued.
“Your project must be life improving; but not only for us, outcasts, but for normies too. As you know, life isn’t eternal– well except for some of us.” He said, looking at the vampires in the class. “And it comes with complications : sickness, accidents, old age, weakness…” Eleanore swore that she heard clock gears stuttering, followed by small grunts. Isaac. She slowly turned around to confirm that thought, and when their eyes met, his own darkened. His jaw was tight, knuckles white. He was clearly hurting. She quickly turned her attention back to Larissa, who called her quietly. When she grabbed her pen to write her lesson, she noticed that her fingers were still warm, numb. She shook her hand and began to work.
During the hour, all she could think of was the stutter of Isaac’s metal heart. Professor Orloff’s bad shape. Her own body, exhausted after every use of her ability. She had the rest of the term to create something that might actually be helpful.
Eleanore passed the rest of the class listing and drawing every idea she had. She only stopped when Larissa touched her shoulder.
“Hey, back from the moon. We’re going to be late for botany class.”
She quickly grabbed her things, and they both rushed to get to Miss Aubrey’s class. As she walked, she felt like she forgot something, but didn’t know what.
✭ ✭ ✭
Her watch. She had forgotten her watch in Orloff’s classroom. She removed it when they started doing their project because it was hurting her wrist, but she didn’t take it back.
“Shit, I left something behind. Can you tell Miss Aubrey that I’m going to be late? Thanks!” She ran into the hall before hearing Larissa’s answer.
She arrived into the classroom, panting. “Excuse me Professor, I think I forgot something here.” But no one was in here. She checked her desk. Nothing. Someone must’ve taken it. As she walked back to get to her botany lecture, she heard coughing. She quickly turned around.
“Professor… are you alright?” She asked, worried.
“Don’t you worry about me, Miss Swan. I’m an old man, it’s the way life works. I appreciate the thought though. Now, off you go.”
Eleanore frowned. Suddenly, her eyes brightened. “What if I could help you?”
Orloff tilted his head, curious.
“You love your job, your research, your lab. I know you do, we can tell every time you talk to us during lectures. And you wish to continue for a long time.”
“What are you thinking of, Miss Swan?” He questioned.
She walked to him, showing her notebook. “Look. That’s all the ideas I have for your assignment yet. Combined with my ability, it could work!” She said proudly. He took it and browsed through the pages. Sometimes he frowned, and smiled. “So?” Eleanore asked quietly, hopeful.
“You know you can’t do all of them.”
“I know.”
“However, you have really great ideas.” He interrupted himself, frowning, smile dropping. “Mr. Night, instead of lurking on us, either you come here or go to Miss Aubrey’s class.” He said abruptly.
Isaac arrived, his hands in his pockets.
“What are you doing here? Stalking me again?” Eleanore hissed. Isaac stared at her, his eyes like razors. Orloff looked at both of them, without saying anything about what just happened.
“Anyway. Miss Swan, will you show Mr. Night your work? I think he might be interested.”
She mumbled “I guess so,” and without a glance at him, handed him her notebook, which he carefully took. Biting her lips, she waited until he finished skimming through the pages. Eleanore looked at him briefly, and she could see his eyes widened per moment, followed by his frowning brows. Letting him read her work made her anxious. She never let anyone see her project, it was too personal. Especially him. She shouldn’t care less of what he thought of her, or what she could do. But she did. She could hear her heart beating in her ears, and played nervously with the end of her braided hair. Finally, he opened his mouth.
“It’s… surprisingly good.”
Eleanore flinched at the word “surprisingly” but before she could reply, he added : “How did you come up with that?”
“You’re not the only genius in Nevermore, dingus.”
“Mr. Night, what do you think? It is good work.” Orloff said with a wink at her.
“It is, indeed. Congrats, Swan.” Isaac said those last words as if Orloff had taken them out of his mouth.
“Thanks.” Eleanore said, almost like a whisper. She did not look at him, only Orloff–or her black nails.
“Miss Swan, your projects have made me… hopeful. For the first time I’ve ever been since the beginning of my sickness– I am, I don’t see the point in hiding it anymore.” He punctuated his sentence with a big cough.
“Professor, I-”
“Don’t be sorry, dear. I’ve accepted it.”
Isaac frowned and clenched his fists. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He glanced at Eleanore, and saw her jaw tighten. Her green eyes brightened with something sharp, almost dangerous. Something…powerful. It almost scared him. He never saw anything like it in her.
“I’m going to help you, professor.” She claimed.
“I am afraid that I can’t let you do that, my dear. It’s on me, and only me. I told you, it’s how life works. I’ve learned to live with it, and I truly am grateful for your concern, but I can’t let y-”
“I’ll help her.”
Eleanore looked at him for the first time since he arrived, and saw how serious he was. His sharp jaw rolled. His dark eyes were filled with determination. For the first time, she genuinely smiled at Isaac, but only for a moment. He briefly glanced at her, and when he saw her grin, he felt the corner of his mouth lift up a little. Then, realization hit and they both looked away; too embarrassed.
Professor Orloff observed them both, and with a little smile, he said. “Would you be willing to work together for those projects? It’s…unusual, yet it’s a good thing. Two great minds like yours would actually work well. Ah… I’m glad to see that.” Isaac made a face that only Eleanore saw and she guessed what he thought of. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy; especially with their stubbornness.
“We will try to…make it work.” Isaac said, trying his best to hide his skepticism.
“Professor, we will help you. I swear we’ll find a solution, and I’ll try my best to put my rancor aside.” Eleanore said with confidence. Isaac frowned and rolled his eyes at this remark, but deep down, he knew he’ll have to do the same.
“Kids… you don’t have to do that. You know we can’t defy nature’s laws.” Orloff started, trying to dissuade them.
Isaac stepped forward. “You’re talking to the wrong people, professor. I already did that.” He exclaimed, a hand over his chest. Eleanore could hear the faint ticking of the clockwork heart. She looked at him and saw his self-confidence. Something lit up in his sharp eyes. “I’ve built my own heart from sketches and scraps, and yet here I am, standing in front of you instead of being either in bed, fighting for my life, or dead. With all due respect, professor, I know I can do it again. With Eleanore.” This was the first time he ever said her name. There was something in the way he said it, but Eleanore couldn’t find what. Respect? Envy? Both? He continued, “She’s an Undertaker, she plays with life nearly every night.”
Eleanore froze. It was distasteful. Jealousy, even. Plus his confession. She glared at him. She caught shame in his gaze, and his cheeks turned slightly pink. He looked away, putting his hand back in his pocket. Rage consumed her, but she couldn’t say anything in front of Professor Orloff. Her nails sank into her palms, heart pounding, chest compressing. She felt the electric flow through her arms, her head.
Orloff coughed, bringing Eleanore back to reality. “You’re not wrong, Mr. Night, I’ll give you that. Perhaps I should…let you try. However, you’ll only get one shot. If it fails, I’ll demand you to give up and let life do its work. End of discussion. Now, go to Miss Aubrey’s class immediately.” He dismissed them, waving his hand.
They both walked out of the classroom, and when they were far enough, Eleanore thundered.
“You fucking creep! How the hell do you know what I do at night?!” She pointed a finger at his chest, hitting him with every word. He didn’t flinch. He just looked at her with a lack of concern that was upsetting. “I should’ve known it was you who had followed me into the hallway!” As she struck him one last time, he grabbed her wrist forcefully. Her eyes widened. “What do you think you’re doing?” Eleanore asked, trying to pull back. “Get off me. Now.” Isaac held her wrist tighter. “Night…you’re hurting me.” He let go of her arm while she took a step back. He looked at his feet, and put his hands in his pockets. Then, he raised his head and met her gaze. Eleanore was furious. And terrified. His clockwork heart stuttered faintly.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t believe you. You’re a pathetic liar, desperate for attention.” She replied straight away. Eleanore turned around and began to distance herself.
“Swan.”
She stopped.
“I'm sorry. Sincerely.” The gears of his heart stuttered again, loudly this time. As if saying those three words was the end of him. It was definitively a lie.
Eleanore’s chest pinched, she was out of breath. She clenched her fist.
"No you're not."
And she walked away, leaving for Miss Aubrey’s class, without saying anything.