Chapter 11

The Struggles of an Infurnal Girl

Xana sighed, looking at herself in the mirror of her dorm room and judging her body, a ritual that occurred every morning and every night without fail. She had put her Caster school uniform on just like every day, but this time she immediately felt a wave of unease rush through her. Maneuvering in front of the mirror, pulling at the sleeves and the hem of the shirt under her jacket, she scoffed. She appreciated the designs were the same for everyone as she had been promised, but today seeing herself in it hit her deep in her gut. No matter how she looked at herself she couldn’t appreciate the reflection before her. 

The vid screen displayed on her wall lit up and distracted her from her disdain of her reflection in the mirror. The celebration of the victory during the 5-year-war was today. She rolled her eyes, thinking of all the Infurnals that weren’t even mentioned being lost during the war. Just like humans to celebrate a bloodbath.

With a groan she looked back at her bed, tempted by the soft mattress, cushy pillow and warm sheets she had grown accustomed to over the months. She already missed the comfort of cocooning herself and staying hidden away from the world. The two Infurnal men she had met that day at the lake had warned her that the Caster school could still be dangerous, even after the strides the dean had made to improve the lives of the Infurnals that went there. Still, she hadn’t expected quite such a high level of animosity to come from some of the students.

Her mind wandered back to the first sparring session, watching the twin sisters in combat against one another. Tasha Gremrick, the more muscular of the two sisters in the opposite class, looked so confident with her powerful, toned body. Built like a true warrior and so proud of her own body she had worked on. She had proven more impressive and more skilled with every sparring session since, showing off the strength she wasn’t afraid to hide. Xana admired that about her and couldn’t ignore the hope in the back of her head that she might see her at the party. She didn’t need to speak to her, she knew better than to get close to any humans. Even the ones who seemed kind. Even the ones that caused a small spark of joy to begin budding deep inside of her.

Memories of Mrs. Einfeld talking to her came to the front of her mind next, filling her with reassuring words. Words that any teacher could spout, but felt so full of sincerity coming from her. “It may not be easy, but you’re a strong girl.” “I’ve seen what you can do since you arrived. You’re meant to be a Caster.” “I know you’ll accomplish great things.”

A small smile came to Xana’s lips as she applied a layer of blue lipstick to match her eyes. If it had been one of the human instructors, the words would have sounded dull, fake, repetitive; but coming from another Infurnal it filled her with more hope than she could  remember ever feeling. Mrs. Einfeld knew about her, about her struggles of being one of the few Infurnal students at the school, and about her past...about -----, but she never once hesitated to continue treating her as Xana. As the person she was.

This time the Infurnal wolf girl managed to step away from her mirror, ignoring her reflection and heading out to the party. She didn’t care about parties, or at least she had managed to convince herself of that by never attending one. Tonight would be her first, and maybe with her newfound confidence provided by Brigitte’s words she’d manage to actually have a good time and relax. A small laugh escaped from her lips as she briefly entertained the thought of managing to make a friend.

Her ears twitched at the volume that the speakers blasted the music and she couldn’t help but wince. She glared up at the nearest speaker, giving a low growl in frustration. Laughter could be heard around her and she immediately glanced around, seeing groups of humans talking with other humans. She couldn’t be sure if they were laughing at their own conversations or at her reaction to the loud music, or if they were just laughing at her because she was who she was. She felt a heat burning at her cheeks and quickly turned away, trying to hide the shame and frustration.

Her embarrassment was quickly replaced by her annoyance of the party. Murals of human Casters succeeding in battles, being rewarded with treasures and favoritism of both humans and Infurnals alike. Those praising them, looking up to the human Casters as though they were gods. Those celebrating in the room using the party as an excuse just to get close to one another and make out or run off to do something she was certain wouldn’t be approved of by the chaperones if they had been followed. By the end of the hour she was already feeling exhausted, being cramped into the auditorium with the other students and she walked out while finishing her drink.

Staring up at the stone ceiling of the school’s hallways, Xana continued her walk down the empty hall with her hands in her pockets and her body feeling stiff. The confidence she had felt earlier had slowly been drained out of her over the hour while crammed into the auditorium with the other students. No she was revisited by the familiar awkwardness she felt in her own body. Thoughts of her bed waiting for her back in her dorm room ran through her head, helping to distract her from the dull ache she was feeling in her chest. She had learned the pain was nothing to worry about physically, it was simply a part of her in the life she had been given and she had learned to accept that.

Distracted by her own thoughts she didn’t hear the sounds behind her as they neared. A sudden spark of pain flashed through her skull as she stumbled forward, catching herself with the nearby wall. She turned around as quickly as she could but another burst of pain shot into her stomach as the fist connected with her unprepared stomach. Coughing she fell to her knees and looked up, seeing four blurry human images surrounding her as she tried to get the air back in her lungs.

“This is the bitch.” Even through the spots filling her vision she knew her attacker. The voice was unmistakable. It was Glenda.

“This is the little runt who picked on you in your most recent duel?” said the blurred image of one of the girls who had matching blonde hair to Glenda, but seemed to be a little taller.

“Can’t believe you let an Infurnal beat you!” The red-headed figure laughed and grabbed Xana by her white mane, twining her fingers through her hair.

“I didn’t-” Xana tried to speak through gritted teeth, trying to focus and collect herself as she was forced to follow the harsh pulling of her hair along with the shoving of the other girls. They were keeping her off balance. She had been in fights before, but those were with her siblings. With others like her. Besides sparring, she had never had to fight a human before. 

“No excuses Fur.” Said another voice as the girls all laughed and forced her into a side room only a couple feet further down the hall. Blinking away the last of the dots in her eyes, Xana was able to make out the desks filling the empty classroom that now surrounded them. “We’re going to fight again. Right here, right now. This time, no teacher will be able to intervene and protect you.”

Xana’s breathing was coming in quick short gasps. The effect of the punch to her gut had already begun to fade, but she realized she was surrounded; outnumbered by four human girls. She remembered the stories she had been told back in her village. The warnings from her parents and the other adults. Of how vicious humans could be when left alone with an infurnal. Images of different horrible scenarios flooded her mind as she realized the danger she was in. Opening her mouth to scream for help, another hard punch caught her in the stomach and she doubled over, clutching her stomach as she fell to her knees on the hard floor beneath her, the impact accompanied by the echo of the girls’ shrill laughter.

“All right girls. I got it from here. You go guard the door. Don’t want anyone trying to be a hero for some low class Fur.” Glenda said in a haughty tone as she stood over the wolf girl’s body, posing proudly.

The girls continued to laugh as they exited, leaving Glenda and Xana alone in the room. Xana looked up at her, the fear still filling her mind, obstructing any thoughts of her training. Humans were scary. Humans were dangerous. Humans could kill someone like her and could get away with it. She had seen the vids. She remembered the tears in her mother’s and father’s eyes when she had told them she had planned to go to the Caster school. Tears not for missing her, but for knowing the dangerous risks she would be taking by coming here.

She attempted to stand up with the aid of a nearby desk and the pain of the fist landing against her cheek shook her world and she recoiled, falling back to the floor beneath her. The last hit left her dazed, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

“No! You stay down! You stay at our feet where you belong!” Her words seethed with hatred as she glared down at the wolf girl, Xana’s panic rising higher than she had ever felt. When she dared to look up at the girl, she was met with bright blue eyes filled with loathing and hate. The contrast of beauty and disdain mixed into one confused the girl, but they were both caught off guard by the sound of the girls screaming outside the classroom.

Xana’s instincts as a Caster in training, and as an Infurnal needing to survive, kicked in as an image of the bullied panther boy from back home flashed through her mind. If Infurnals could treat each other that badly, then she was certain a human like Glenda could do so much worse. Get away with so much more. When she saw Glenda’s attention drawn away from her she moved quickly. Her heart pounding in her chest, she knew she had to fight for her survival. Without missing a beat she quickly kicked the blonde girl’s legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the floor. Filled with fear, anger, confusion, and pain the wolf girl knew she couldn’t let up. Ignoring the commotion just outside the darkened room she quickly climbed on top of her attacker and began pummeling her. Her fists landed on the girl’s face, head, stomach, chest, with all the power she could muster; all before she felt a firm grip on her upper arm. The fear came rushing back to her, worrying another of the human girls had returned to turn the tides against her. She swung her fist without thinking but was surprised when it was caught and there was no retaliation. It took her a moment to calm herself and make out the face of the human who had stopped her. Her fear was replaced by shame when she saw the tall black girl who was helping her off of Glenda.

“Easy girl. You got her. It’s okay.” Tasha gave the wolf girl a reassuring smile. A calming smile that Xana needed.

“The others-” Xana winced and held her head as the Gremrick sister helped to steady her. So much had happened so fast, and with her head still hurting it was hard for her to gather all her thoughts.

“It’s okay. My sis ran them off. C’mon, we need to get you checked.” Xana didn’t have the energy to argue, and only managed looking back at an angry Glenda who was sitting up with a bloody nose and bleeding lip but the bully made no action to follow them.

Tasha took her time helping Xana walk down the long halls of the school towards the medical center. There was a stiff silence in the air for a while before the larger girl spoke up.

“I can’t believe they did this to you.” She noticed Xana stiffening at her words and she quickly followed up. “I don’t mean because you’re an Infurnal. I mean because they’re supposed to be wanting to be Casters. Casters are supposed to protect everyone. Infurnals and humans alike.”

The wolf girl couldn’t stop herself from staring up at the girl who had helped her in shock. The girl she had watched intently in every duel. The same girl who she had wanted a chance to fight against to prove her worth to her classmates and to herself but never got to. The girl who she admired only became more amazing in her eyes.

“Thanks.” Another awkward pause filled the rest of their walk until they reached the nurse’s station. “For helping me I mean. But I could have handled myself. I’m not weak.” If we had been out in the field. If we had our weapons. If they hadn’t snuck up on me. If I hadn’t been so careless. I could have won.

“Hey now. I didn’t help you because I thought you were weak. I’ve watched you during the duels.” Tasha’s smile was sweet, a little crooked, and genuine. “I helped you because those bitches don’t know what a fair fight is. Four against one just isn’t right. Fashryn and I saw you leave the party and noticed Glenda and her little group leave only a minute after you. We got concerned and followed. We just wanted to even the odds.”

Xana couldn’t fight back the smile on her face, even with the ache it caused in her cheek and temple. The words were nice to hear in such a genuine tone. Kind words from a kind human were new to her.

Laying back on the bed, Tasha called one of the nurses over to inspect the bruised girl. As Xana rested her head against the sterile cloth under her, a thought ran through her head as her dazed mind began to drift off.

There are good ones.

Next Chapter: Xana and Tasha