“Ah, so you survived.”

Kylie gasped and spun around, perhaps a little too fast. She ended up staggering again slightly, but she quickly regained her balance. Mr. West stood there on the sidewalk, smiling at her as if a horde of monsters [i]hadn’t[/i] emerged from nowhere and slaughtered many of his students.

“You were almost too late,” he chuckled. “Wouldn’t have gotten your word… But good thing you came on time. Good choice of word, by the way. First time I’ve seen an angel in my classroom.”

Kylie stared at him, dumbfounded.

“M-Mr. West…” She babbled. “How could you just…”

“Stand there?” Mr. West finished the question for her.

Kylie’s silence confirmed that indeed, that was her question.

“Well, young lady, like I told you before, the only requirement to graduate is survival. So aiding my students would be like giving them the answers to a big test. It’s simply cheating. You all must fend for yourselves, understand?”

“I—I guess…” Kylie looked at her feet sadly. Her hands trembled slightly.

“Don’t be so sensitive now. I’m not asking you to become an emotionless robot or anything, but if you continue to get shaken up like this, you’ll be a sitting duck during the next blight… Blights are the life-threatening challenges you have to overcome, like the one that just happened now. Anyway, why don’t you go and work on your powers a bit so you’ll be a little more prepared next time, hm? I have more lessons to prepare for.”

“Is there a nurse’s office?” Kylie asked, gesturing to her legs which were plastered with now dried blood. She did [i]not[/i] want to deal with that herself.

“Yes. It’s not too far. Head back toward the field, then turn toward the dorms. The infirmary will be to your right, near the library.”

“Thanks…” Kylie turned and began to walk off.

“Good luck,” Mr. West called after her. “I always want to watch my students succeed!”
____________________________________________________________________________

Kylie arrived at the infirmary a few minutes later. She walked inside to see a few students also sitting around, being tended to. None of them looked to have any serious injuries, though. Mostly scratches, cuts, bleeding… Regular reasons to visit the nurse.

“Hello, dear. Can I help you?” A red-haired woman approached Kylie after she had entered.

“Hi, um… I was just wondering if I could get this blood off me.” She pointed to her legs.

The nurse followed her gaze, studied the charcoal-colored dried blood, and nodded.

“Monster blood, huh? Definitely tough to get out. It’s a miracle you didn’t get any on your clothes.”

“Tell me about it,” Kylie replied, rolling her eyes tiredly.

“Well, honey, here’s a washcloth. Take that into the bathroom and clean yourself up.” She produced a wash cloth from a cabinet and held it out to her. “Don’t worry about dirtying this old thing either.”

Kylie’s eyes widened. Oh. She had expected someone to wash it off for her. Now she was too embarrassed to clarify what she had hoped for. Clenching one hand into a fist, she forced a smile.

“Thank you…” She reached out to grab it.

The nurse caught a glimpse of Kylie’s word on the palm of her hand and smiled softly.

“Don’t be so somber, dear. I’m sure you didn’t pick that word because you’re weak. Have a little more spirit, huh?”

Kylie couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Right, sorry. I’ll be back.”

After nearly a half an hour of grueling work scrubbing off the dank liquid from her skin, and avoiding any of it from touching her beloved clothes, Kylie finally returned from the bathroom and gave the blackened rag back to the nurse. After mentioning her little dizzy spell earlier, the nurse suggested that she go to the cafeteria and eat a little bit to refuel. After getting directions, Kylie thanked the nice lady and went off in search of her meal.