August Walsh

Tucker had been napping on the nearby couch, snoring softly. He had a rough night, filled with visions and nightmares, but something about the brief sunlight that fell over his face had managed to allow him to sleep without dreams. Or that was what he thought, as the tent in his shorts could be contradictory. Then, he felt someone’s voice and groaned. “Five more minutes…”. But then, the guy talking to him raised his voice, and Tucker jolted up. “Hi… yes… in the cupboard…” and then looked at the other with confusion. “Did ya… need something?” he asked, repriming a yawn.

August knocked on the door before stepping inside, he blinked a little seeing Tucker was on the couch, looking rather…uh comfortable.  ‘’ Uh hey professor seems like I came at a bad time…I uh just wanted thank you for uh saving us back there when the whole hunter thing.’’

Once the student threw at him the crowbar, Tucker grabbed it and managed to put it on the door handles. That way, at least he wouldn’t have to be holding it all the time, which would give him time to think. He managed to do some occulting enchantments so the hunters outside wouldn’t be able to hear them. 

“I’m okay. Thanks for worrying, but it’s no big deal right now” he said, putting a hand in one of August’s shoulders. “Look… do you see that big bookcase? The one with the red and purple books? It’s the entrance to a tunnel.” he said, taking a big breath as the door was slammed again. “August, if the hunters enter there… I need you to take your classmates there. I’ll be making sure to hold them here enough so you can escape. But, if they enter, you must lead them there. Do you hear me?” 

August watched as tucker went over and placed the crowbar on the door, hopefully it would help them a little from preventing them from entering or stall them a little bit.  August watched as he walked back, he nodded. ‘’ Um if you say so.’’ Aug was fully aware that he was just putting on a brave face but he knew better than anyone Tucker was probably just as worried as he was.

You can’t meditate effectively with your mind buzzing about constantly. You have to be calmed and serene to be able to access all you can when you open your mind up. “Once your mind is still, focus on Hecate’s symbol on the wall and let your mind open up to her and everything she has to show you.”

August took another deep breath and slowly nodded hearing the next instructions the headmaster gave him, he has never meditated before but honestly at this point he was open to do anything to be at peace or somewhat at peace.  Aug focused on the symbol on the wall,  attempting open his mind to it and allowing her in.

His head jerked up hearing footsteps echoing throughout the room.  ‘’ the nurse stepped out…she’ll be back in a sec.’’ assuming they were here to sit her.

“I’m not being just nice… I’m…” but Tucker was interrupted as a specially hard hitting on the door made him lose focus. “I’ll… I’ll teach ya more advanced magic later!” he decided. Sure, maybe August wasn’t skilled enough, but there was something else here. “Huh?” he asked, looking at the crowbar and nodding. “Yes, that’s great! Throw it!” he said, waving a hand. He was on the last of his strength to hold the door, and he couldn’t be sure his plan B would work before he got shot. Then, he remembered something about his office. That could work even better. “Wait, don’t go with the others… I need to tell ya something” he said, looking serious. 

August stood there looked as the professor tried to explain himself which wasn’t needed but his head jerked to the side hearing the beatings on the door to continuing.  ‘’ That’s fine no worry.’’ He assured him, he could see the professor freaking out and jumping from place to place. He was just trying keep us safe and maintain control of the classroom.  August wanted go there and tell him it’ll be alright but he didn’t know if he believed that himself.  ‘’ Ok.’’ He nodded glad he was able be useful and allowed for him take it and throw it at the door, aiding him a little bit.

“No. It wasn’t yar fault” Tucker said. Mainly, because he was almost sure something was interfering with their powers too. The door kept slamming as he tried to hold it in place. “So… we need… something to block this… now…” he said, sweat coating his forehead and face. The good news was that, since the hunters were slamming the door with their bodies, Tucker was getting enough reading to make plans. “They are 6 in total… And they feel older… so they probably don’t have that much energy…” he said, biting his lower lip. “Keep chanting! August, did ya found something for the door yet?” he said, turning around to look for the student. 

August’s job was to know every single student that walked the halls of the academy. He couldn’t help or guide them if he didn’t know who they were or what they were about. Since the other wanted to meditate with him, he figured this was a good place to start seeing the kind of person he was. “Just close your eyes, steady your breathing, and start clearing your mind.”

August took a deep breath before he took a exhale and slowly closed his eyes like the headmaster instructed and steadied his breathing and started to clear his mind, probably trying make him to be at peace or at least some kind of peaceful state.

Everyone was rattled and they were all justified in being so. It would take a long time to get everything back in some semblance of order. Even then, things would never truly be the way they were before. It’s hard to go back to how life was after being targeted by hunters. For some of the students, this was their first attack. Thankfully, they were surrounded by more powerful witches that could protect them, as opposed to being out on their own somewhere. 

“You aren’t bothering me, August.” He recognized the boy from his voice as he still sat on the ground. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. If you want to just sit and meditate with me, you’re more than welcome to.”

He blinked…rather surprised the man even knew his name.  of course he does. He’s the freaking headmaster.  ‘’ Uh ok..I’ll meditate.’’ August closed the door before he made his way over to sit next to the man…felt like he was invading his personal space despite him saying he didn’t mind the company. He wasn’t the type to meditate but hey maybe it’ll work since nothing else was doing the trick.

Now that things had seemed to calm down, Gordon could take the time to catch his breath and truly assess the situation for what it was and figure out what all needed to be done. In the moment, everyone was frantic and panicking. He didn’t blame any of them. However, now was the time for peace and rationality to take over once again. He had a praying room connected to his office and that’s where he was currently sat. The only light source came from the candles lit and distributed around the room. He was sat in the middle of the floor facing the symbol of Hecate drawn in blood and various herbs on the wall. The shadows in the room were dancing around as his powers were more free and wild in this room. He was in the middle of his prayer/meditation when he heard a knock on his door. “Come in.” He spoke calmly but with enough volume to carry. He knew he had an open door policy and that was in effect now more than in previous days.

After the invasion, everything and everyone were still baffled and out of order. How could you go back to how everything was before the hunters came and ruined it?  He has seen people try to act like everything was just peachy and walk around with smiles but he knew deep down they were distraught like he was but August has been trying to hide his emotions or at least attempt to…he didn’t want anyone worrying about him as if they cared.

August looked up hearing the headmaster’s voice on the other side, he cleared his voice before he opened the door and stepped inside.  ‘’ Sorry to bother you…can’t really say why I’m here exactly to be honest.’’

{ ☾ }

          I saw him go through here!

          ——— fucking witches…

And they weren’t wrong. Torquent per illud mendacium. Custodi nos. Defendat. Fac ita. The mumble was a hiss as fingers curled against the wall that he was pressed against. But he wasn’t the witch that they saw and chased down into one of the rooms of the academy. But with the powers that Aries had called on still held the same mercy and continued on to flow through him, the boy was out of their sight. August, was it? The red head was impression enough. He could see that fiery hair despite the darkness. But not them. Not the hunters. That while they found all themselves in one room, all they were bound to see is its emptiness; prey to the illusion that Aries still held on firmly ——— unfortunately, that is not to say that they were out of the woods. They were still very much in.

So, with a prod—one willed by the mind as he let the magic flow through the floor and reach the other side of the room where the boy was huddled—Aries made his presence to him known. But as the situation demanded, he slowly waved a hand at him to beckon—one that led into a single finger that he pressed against his lips to ask that he be quiet while doing it.

August was going fastest as he could, he knew the hunters were on his heel, he made a few obstacles come in between the hunters and him as soon as he turned the corner, making it harder for the hunters to follow him.  When the hunters were busy trying get over some of the rumble, making a little blockade.  He ran into a room and hid under a table or whatever it was.  

Hearing some footsteps coming closer and closer soon after he came in, thinking it was the hunter but it wasn’t…another magic wilder…most likely a professor who works at the school. Just as he was about to open his mouths say something the man’s finger lightly pressed against his lips, motioning him to be quiet.  

Snow wasn’t the type to invade privacy, but since taking up the new job–it was sort of his duty to keep tabs. Especially after the attack. He felt a bit like a mother hen, just wanting to ensure the boys were alright and knew they had others like them to lean on. It was a major breach of security. Snow feared the attack corrupted a lot of the student’s idea toward adopting Salem as their new home. August hadn’t gone far, but seeing as so many were slain one at a time before the major attack this was no time to take a chance.

“‘didn’t realize you smoke.” Snow started after rounding a corner. He wore a coat to fight off the chill and without announcement dug a hand into the coats breast pocket to find his own box of cigarettes. “’never could kick the habit myself.” He admitted before setting the stick between his lips and using his cupped hand and some magic to light it. “Did you come out here to clear some air?”

Since the attacks August has been feeling a little iffy about the school, Salem.  I mean he hasn’t been there for very long and they are already people invading the school and setting things ablaze. He honestly didn’t see himself surviving it and kind of surprised himself when he did. As he was blowing smoke out of his mouth, his head turned hearing a voice and soon a male came from around the corner.  ‘’ It’s a old habit….’’ He said honestly and raised his eyebrow seeing the other pulled out a box of cigarettes. ‘’ Yeah it’s a hard habit to cut.’’ He said at the least.

“Hoc custodiat in via Libera nos ab hoste Non ut populus malo vitae est nobis Aut quod populus non magicae”

Psychometry was a very odd power. Sometimes, it was like the clearest blast from the past. But other times, It was like divinating the immediate future. And Tucker could felt how August’s power was going to falter a second before it did. It wasn’t enough time. “Fuck” he was able to say as the walls dropped around them. It was just for a moment, but the hunters noticed. And they ran after them. “To the class!” he yelled, pulling the student into the room they were into again, right as the humans began to also shoot them. 

Somehow, the professor managed to close the heavy doors before any human could pass, but they were right on the other side, banging the door. Tucker was a strong man, but there wasn’t that much he could do against so many people. “Bless… their… fucking…hearts,” he said, as he held the knob with all the strength he had. “We need something to block the door. Now!” he yelled at the students that were temporarily paralyzed. “And keep chanting, for God’s sake. Only the heavens know what they will do to us if they manage to pass this door”. His eyes fixated on August for a second and his gaze softened, although sweat began to drip down his face. “Are ya alright? Did they hurt ya?”

You could already tell that August was an armature at this, august was trying his best keep the walls up but he himself didn’t know how long he could keep doing this but I guess the professor knew soon as the walls fell down, those hunters came at us like predators about eat their prey.  Both of them ran to the classroom.

August stood in the classroom in a small daze, couldn’t believe that just happened. They were that close from being captured or killed by the hunters.  Everything was happening so fast so his head was spinning a little to say at the least. ‘’ Huh oh…’’ hearing the professor voice made him snap him out of his thoughts. ‘’ I think I’m ok, thanks. Was it my fault that the wall crashed.’’ But both of them knew it was…even if the professor said no.

Caleb held up his hand and summoned fire to it, the flames danced. He was not the skilled pyromancer that Andrew was, his flames were mostly used to see visions in, and scry for specifics things and events. “Yes. I have a very powerful gift of Divination. The only other person who is as strong or stronger than me in the area is the Supreme himself.” he said with a little smile. “And I am here to heal you. What is your power young man?” 

August covered his eyes as a blaze suddenly came into the air. One eye was closed and the other slightly open so he would able to see the fire in males palm.  ‘’ Oh I see.’’ He had no idea that divination was able of all of that.  ‘’ So you knew I was here because of your visions..’’ I guess that makes sense.  ‘’ Uh divination and Concillium.’’

Tucker and August repeated the phrases over and over. Soon enough, the hallway looked as if it was just solid walls on both ends. “Ya are doing great… keep going” he whispered before continuing to chant the spell, his hand squeezing August’s hand too when they got sight of the hunters. 

“Don’t move” he whispered at August, as more and more humans appeared. Why they were so many? Why there were so many there?. “Keep saying the spell. Don’t mispronounce” he said, still squeezing August’s hand. 

“Hoc custodiat in via Libera nos ab hoste Non ut populus malo vitae est nobis Aut quod populus non magicae”

August continued chant the spell over and over…he was starting to see walls appear on both sides of the hallway.  ‘’ Wow its working.’’ And he continue chant the spell..he was just amazed it was actually working like Tucker said it would.  When the hunters came in sight, August squeezed tucker hand frightened just slightly..unsure if this would be able hold them.

August swallowed…but nodded following his instructions. ‘’ Ok..I’ll try.’’ He kept chanting the spell over and over making sure he doesn’t misprounce any of it.

“Shhhh lower you voice. It’s just me. I’m your teacher.” Caleb said calmly his voice low as he cast spells as he walked. Laying layer after layer of trap and seal down behind him so he couldn’t be followed. He had seen a vision of this boy dying, and he couldn’t let it happen. This was a death he could prevent and a fate he could change. “I am here to help you. I saw- well I saw you here with my visions.” 

August watched the man come closer, he was suspicious of him a little bit but he claimed to be his teacher so…he had to be safe.  ‘’ Sorry…thought you were a hunter.’’ He admitted.  Aug blinked ‘’ Visions..what are you talking about like..looking into the future?’’

“Yeah, ya can,” he said with a smile. Once the other told him he was ready, Tucker also focused on the union their hands formed. “We share power. We are warlocks. We protect and defend our kind” he said solemnly. That was what every Davidson said when they became old enough to start training. It was almost their family crest. “Repeat after me,” he said, looking at the end of the hallway. Some hunters were close. He could feel the aggressiveness in them. They had to hurry. 

“Hoc custodiat in via Libera nos ab hoste Non ut populus malo vitae est nobis Aut quod populus non magicae”

August took a deep breath…this man had too much faith in him and they barley know each other...he found that to be strange but I guess that what supportive teachers were suppose to be? ‘’ We are Warlocks.’’ He repeated after him. ‘’ I can do this..’’ more or less saying that to himself. He as well could feel the presence of something…it was most likely the hunters.  ‘’ Ok.’’