“This world is full of people who can never seem to decide whether they want to run from the unknown, or embrace it. Personally I embrace it but that doesn't mean I have any idea what i'm doing. I’m just a simple girl trying my best to make something of myself. It's not my fault that I have this strange magic, right?” - Charlotte Gold
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A peculiar girl sat on the couch with a large leatherbound book on her lap. She flipped through it, staring at each blank page before turning to the next. The sun peeked through the blinds, reflecting off her bright blue hair. Her pale skin only seemed to enhance the already magical aura around her. The grind of tires on the gravel outside signalled that her ride was here. So, she closed the book and placed it in her book bag. A moment later there was a knock at the door. When she answered it, a handsome young man with dirty blonde hair and a scruffy chin stood in front of her.
“Hey Charlotte. You ready to go?” he asked.
She nodded her head and stepped outside. “I’m a little nervous but there's no sense in delaying it any longer.” Charlotte answered as she turned around and locked the door.
A wide smile spread across his face. “Good, I’m sure you will fit in great.”
“Thanks, Jackson. You always know just what to say.” she replied as she walked toward the matte black Dodge Neon in the driveway. “Still driving that junker I see.”
“Yeah, who needs a fancy car when hunting, right?” Jackson answered as he lightly elbowed her side.
“Don’t ask Dakar that. He might rage out.” She snickered.
Jackson chuckled at her words. “I'm not worried about Dak. He can’t handle himself, let alone me.” he replied and Charlotte covered her mouth as she giggled.
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They got in the car and Jackson started it. As he backed out of the driveway, Charlotte pulled the large leather book out once again, placing it on her lap.
“That the book Dak keeps complaining about?” Jackson asked.
“Yeah. He says it feels…. like, dark and ominous or something.” she replied.
He raised his eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. “Really? I mean, I do feel the power coming off it, but it doesn't feel bad, just…. powerful. What is it anyways? I don't see any words on the pages.”
Charlotte shook her head and sighed. “It’s the spell book of my people. You can't read it because it's only meant for Fae eyes. You couldn’t see it even if I wanted you too.”
“Makes sense.”
“What? You aren't gonna question it like Dakar?” she asked.
“Meh, I mean if I can't read it, what am I supposed to do?” Jackson asked as he let out a laugh. “As long as you are careful, which I’m sure you know. So, why do I need to remind you of what you already know, ya know?”
“Man… I forgot how much easier it is to work with you over that blockhead.” Charlotte replied.
“Hey, Dak is alright. I know he can be a little… well, blockheaded but he makes up for it in other ways.” he explained
Charlotte scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “You mean the dumbass can fight.”
“Well…. yes.” he answered. “but give him some credit. He ain’t a hunter for nothin’, ya know?”
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The car slowed nearly to a stop as it approached an old dead end road. The white barrier at the end stood in front of several tall cypress trees. As Jackson’s car creeped forward, a ripply wall of water appeared in front of them. When they drove through, a large underground hatch replaced the barrier at the end of the road. Charlotte’s eyes widened as she witnessed the world shape around her. The hatch began to open automatically and the car rolled forward down the ramp leading underground. After a moment of driving through the tunnel, they popped out into a large parking garage. The vast majority of the spots were taken but Jackson was lucky enough to snag one near the elevator. He parked the car and they both got out, approaching the elevator.
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Jackson stepped inside the steel box but Charlotte hesitated as her feet froze in place. Ice formed around her boots and foggy mist began to emanate from the ground. Goosebumps scattered across her arms and her hands began to shake lightly.
“You nervous, Charlotte?” Jackson asked as he reached his hand out.
“Wh-wh-what makes you say that?” she replied.
Jackson scoffed and raised an eyebrow. “Well, for one thing… when most people freeze in place, it's a figure of speech. You seem to take the more literal sense. Besides that, you are trembling. Are you okay?”
Charlotte’s cheek began to burn bright red and the ice melted almost instantly. “I-I-I’m okay. I’m j-just not a big fan of school.”
“Charlotte, you are gonna do fine. Dr. Newton is going to be a great fit for you, I promise. Hand pick by… yours truly.” he replied.
“How can you be so sure everything will be alright?” she asked.
“Do you trust me?” Jackson asked, extending his hand further.
Charlotte paused for a moment but quickly reached out and grabbed it. “I’m nervous but I know you wouldn't steer me wrong.”
Jackson lightly pulled on her hand and she stepped inside next to him. “Just wait and see, Char.” he replied as he pushed the fifteenth floor button.
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The doors opened into a long hallway full of lockers. Jackson stepped out and Charlotte followed behind him. He led her through the maze of corridors but before she could grasp everything she saw, he stopped in front of a wide double door. The side above it read Infirmary. Jackson pushed the doors opened, revealing a pristine medical laboratory inside. A wide smile found her mouth and she followed him inside.
“You like it? This is where you will spend most of your time working, alongside Dr. Newton.” He asked.
Charlotte’s eyes lit up as she absorbed everything in her sights. “I love it, Jackson. It's like a top of the line infirmary here.”
“Well let me introduce you to the doc.” he replied as he led her through the halls into an office.
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A tall woman sat behind the desk with several stacks of paperwork in front of her. She worked so diligently that she didn't even seem to notice them walk in. A moment later she sighed and looked up from her work.
Her eyes widened as she stopped her gaze on the shiny on her head. “Oh you must be Charlotte. Don't mind the mess. It’s just a bunch of pre-simester paperwork.”
“Hello, I'm Charlot-- you just said that. It’s nice to meet you Dr. Newton.” she said and extended her trembling hand forward.
“Oh please just call me Sam.” she replied and shook Charlotte’s hand. “No need to be so nervous. I’m not gonna bite.”
A wide smile stretched across her face. “Okay, Sam. What should I be doing first today?” Charlotte asked as the tension in her shoulder loosened.
“Well I guess I’ll leave you two ladies alone,” Jackson said as he stepped back toward the door. Charlotte, just remember to be yourself when you meet the others.”
“Roger that, Chief.” She replied before turning back to Sam.
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She stood up from her desk and stepped around to properly greet Charlotte. “Right this way.” Same led her out the door and down several hallways. Somehow she ended up in front of an elevator, but not the same Elevator Jackson brought her in. This one had a large panel attached to the wall next to the door. Sam walked up and placed her hand down onto the panel, open palm and fingers spread apart. A bright orange lazer reader scanned over her hand and stopped when it turned bright green. The door opened and they both stepped inside.
“What is this?” Charlotte asked.
“The Infirmary is a special case assignment. We get 15 floors just for us, with a private elevator for those floors.” Sam explained. Her finger tip lightly pressed the sixteenth floor button and the doors quickly closed as the room immediately dropped. Charlotte stumbled as it stopped just as quickly as it started. She fell to one knee, while Sam stood firm and unaffected.
“On your feet. No dawdling. You will need to get used to that drop.” Sam ordered and quickly left as the door slid open.
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Charlotte popped up and grabbed her bag as she followed Sam to the left. “Wow, alright. This place feels like an amusement park so far.” She said letting out a small giggle. “What, with all the fancy lights, fast moving rides, and tons of fun to explore.”
“I'm curious how much amusement you will really find here.” Sam replied, placing her hand to a similar panel as before and same as before, the door opened when it turned green. She led Charlotte inside to a large room full of stainless steel tables, all of which had a covered body on top. Charlotte grabbed her nose for a moment. The odor burned her nostils in the short breath she took. Without a second though, Charlotte reached into her bag and pulled out a medical mask. She quickly strapped it to her ears and pulled it over her nose and mouth. Her eyes slammed tight as she prepared herself. When she opened them, Sam stood in front of her patiently waiting.
“You feel better? Good! Cause we got work to do. I want you to meet someone.” Sam ordered and stepped over to one of the tables with a man. His chest was exposed and a student stood over him.
“This is my assistant, Josiah Bridges. I want you to assist him in doing all these autopsies. I assume you at least know the basics, correct. Jackson wouldn't have recommended you if you couldn’t do at least that.” She explained.
“Yes, I can handle the basics and more.” Charlotte proclaimed as she stood up straight for the first time all day.
Sam smirk as she watched Charlotte. “Feeling confident? Good, we need more of that around here. Just follow two rules. One, just do whatever Josiah says. Two, don't be afraid to ask questions. Don’t try to bullshit your way through these classes. Ask questions, got it?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” she answered.
“Good, let’s see if you live up to your reputation.” Sam said and stepped toward the door.
“Of cour-- Wait what!? I have a rep?” Charlotte asked, nearly choking on her own spit. Without even answering, Sam left and closed the door behind her.
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Charlotte spun around and faced Josiah. He continued cutting into the chest cavity of the corpse in front of him.
He sighed and shook his head. “Are you going to help or not?”
A deep breath escaped her lips and she quickly walked toward him. “Yes, coming!” she answered and stopped next to the table.
“Here,” he said as he reached over the table with a clipboard. “Take notes for me, please.”
“Notes?” she complained, but shrugged and grabbed the clipboard. “Alrighty, then.”
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Charlotte took note of everything Josiah explained as he completely and thoroughly dismembered the corpse of a large muscular man on the table. She peeked into the opened torso and immediately her eyes darted everywhere as she connected all the puzzle pieces in her head. Her fascination grew the longer she studied him. Josiah placed the liver of the man down on the stainless steel medical tray. He then quickly grabbed several handfuls of intestines as he reached over to an industrial plastic bag and shoved them in by the fist full. Before long, he emptied the man’s internal organs and pulled the sheet over him, moving down to the next body on a table.
“Your name was Charlotte wasn't it?” Josiah asked as he looked up from the table.
“Y-yes. I'm Charlotte.” She answered.
Josiah cocked his head to both sides, popping his neck. “Would you like to give it a shot? I’ll take notes instead.” He asked and reached for the clipboard.
“Are you sure?” Charlotte asked in return and he nodded, still holding his hand out. She handed it to him and he stepped aside. They quickly switched places and Charlotte settled in.
“Alright, Sam asked me to keep an eye on you, allowing you to participate if you showed promise. I won't look bad if you screw up here. Just see this as a test. No pressure, kid.” He explained as he watched.
Charlotte gulped when she felt the lump in her throat but took a deep breath and looked down at the body. “Okay so let me get the identifying signatures.” she said and closed her eyes. She raised one hand up, palm first in front of her chest and placed her other hand, balled into a fist on top of it. Charlotte murmured something barely audible but too quiet to hear. She slid her fist forward, off her palm and a flash of blue, glittery light spread, covering the body on the table. A moment later, the light dimmed to a vanish and Charlotte opened her eyes.
“Okay so height, exactly five foot six and three-quarter inches tall. Weight, one-hundred twentie seven pounds. Female, age…. that can't be right. Oh wait I see. This is a vampire. She is fifty six years old. She had a skull tattoo on her left palm and an inverted cross on her left ankle. She seems to have been suffering from starvation before she died. Oh… why is this here. She seems to have a post-mortem incision on her abdomen. It seems to be above her appendix, but that wouldn't make sense. Hmm, I’ll need to investigate further to know for sure.”
Josiah jotted down everything and turned his gaze up to Charlotte, wide-eyed. “How did you get all of that without even touching the body? I’ve never seen advanced medical magic used before, let alone by some freshmen on her first day. What the hell was that?” he stammered as he stepped back from the table for a moment.
Charlotte looked back at him with a smirk. “How do you think I got in here? Jackson Fisher Recommended that I be placed in the med corps.”
“Mr. Fisher recommended you?” he asked.
"Yeah. I've been workin with him for a few years now." she answered.
"Well that makes sense but still doesn't explain what that spell was." he insisted.
"It's something I picked up with my training. I can't spill all my secrets on the first day, can I?" She asked.
Josiah smiled as he continued to watch her work. "You are gonna make this course go a whole lot faster, that's for sure. Keep up the good work, kid." he praised. With a wide smile, Charlotte grabbed the scalpel from the surgical tray next to her and went straight to work.
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