Chapter Text
The following morning slipped past in a haze. Isaac had no "official" schedule so he simply trailed after Pugsley and Eugene from class to class. The campus had shifted since he was originally a student- the old science wing was now full of electives, with rooms moved and renamed. Isaac found it easier to follow the two rather than re-mapping the entire thing in his head.
Pugsley had glued himself to Isaac’s side- something the zombie found incredibly grating. During lunch, Pugsley had draped himself over Isaac with his head perched gently onto his own. Every time Pugsley shifted- either due to laughing or gesturing alongside his words- Isaac was forced to move with him.
Isaac wanted to find it annoying, but affection settled in his chest. He hated it.
The quad was alight with energy. It was overwhelming for Isaac- all of the different students talking over one another, all the smells, and even the light from the sun. He tried to bury himself into his trembling handwriting, though it provided limited distractions.
The din of the quad was cut short by a high whistle. Principal Dort stood proud at the entrance statue, seemingly relishing in the new attention from the students. His forced smile shone bright on his face.
“Hello, Nevermore!” His voice rang, echoing ever so slightly in the uncomfortable silence. Dort paused- seemingly waiting for applause that never came.
“I’m excited to invite you all to our first tradition of the year; the Founder's Pyre Ceremony!” That got a reaction. Students glanced at each other, a mix of intrigue and skepticism traveling through the crowd.
Dort rocked on his heels as he continued, “it’s been quite a few years since we’ve hosted one, but I have no doubt that it’ll be every bit as energetic as it was in years past.” His gaze briefly flicked to Isaac, eye gleaming with some unseen plan.
Isaac felt hatred- No, contempt for the man’s gaze. It was the same look Doctor Stonehurst had given him. It made his skin crawl, though he wasn’t quite sure why it did. He just knew he wanted it to never happen again.
Dort wrapped his speech up with a flourish, finally earning himself some applause from the students. “Attendance is mandatory!” He called as he hopped down from the statue’s base.
The quad erupted back into chatter, with Dort slinking over to where the group of boys sat. He smiled- a kind thing to anyone else but Isaac only saw it as a giant danger sign. “May I borrow Isaac here?” His voice was gentle, but commanding.
Pugsley slid off of Isaac with a grin, patting the zombie’s back. Isaac wanted to refuse, wanted the excuse of a nonexistent lunch, but it was either get spoken to now or later. Now was preferable. He stood slowly, holding his head down as Dort led him to a quieter hall to speak.
The principal was speaking before they stopped walking, “I have a few things to speak with you about.” He stopped abruptly, turning on his heel to face Isaac. They stood in a dimly lit stairway leading to the principal’s office. Isaac wasn’t entirely sure why they didn’t just go into the office properly.
“Firstly, about your guardian situation.” Dort sighed, placing a gentle hand on the teen’s shoulder. “Both of your parents passed away, not long after you went missing. I’m… so sorry, Isaac.”
Isaac tensed, staring dead into Dort’s eyes. The man wore empathy well and Isaac allowed the comfort it brought. “What about Francoise? I… I did the math, she should be in her forties.”
Dort didn’t answer. He sucked in a breath and looked away from Isaac, his grip on the boy’s shoulder tightening. Isaac hated the implication. “Principal Dort-”
The principal cut him off, “she’s passed away as well.” He kept his gaze away from Isaac. Isaac couldn’t tell if the principal actually cared or if this was a carefully played act. He couldn’t tell if he even cared to find out as he forced down the urge to cry.
Dort cleared his throat, suddenly awkward as he quickly removed his hand. “I tried to contact any of your other relatives but uhm… Well, one didn’t answer my call and the other is in a mental asylum!” He laughed softly. An attempt to lighten the mood. Isaac blinked.
“So, instead, I’ve taken temporary custody of you!” The principal beamed at Isaac as the zombie stared blankly. Maybe it was the shock of learning he essentially had no family left, but he found he didn’t particularly care.
Silence stretched and Dort nervously adjusted his cuff links. He expected Isaac to say something, but when the boy just stared he cleared his throat again to continue speaking. “The second thing is that I need your help with the pyre.”
Dort continued before Isaac could question, “you surely remember when the school still put on the pyre every year, so who better to have help”
“I already have some ideas on the layout, so I want you to try to make your fellow students excited.” Dort reached up to ruffle Isaac’s hair, all previous empathy and sorrow forgotten. “I’m sure you could win them over.”
Isaac wrinkled his nose at the idea. “Why should I?” The boy’s voice was sharp, steady in a way that Isaac didn’t feel.
“Because” Dort started, “what I’m doing for you now is charity. I could very easily turn you over to the state, and what a shame that would be. Such a smart boy like you lost to the winds of the foster system.”
Isaac sucked in a breath- the sudden change in demeanor hitting him like he was dunked in cold water. He glanced over his shoulder, just to see if anyone else was in the dim corridor. It was empty.
“... Okay.” Isaac mumbled, staring down at Dort’s shoes. They shined, a pearlescent purple. Isaac found them gaudy among the rest of the man’s suit.
Dort smiled, snaking a hand onto Isaac’s shoulder. “Perfect! Let’s start with everything you remember about the pyre! Every detail, no matter how small, will help, my boy.”
He pulled Isaac into motion, leading the boy up the stairs and towards his office. Isaac hated it. He hated the man’s brisk cheer and quick action. He hated how easily he was guided by it- and he hated how he was strangely comforted by it. Isaac walked stiffly next to Dort, barely responding and just hoping to get this over with as quickly as possible.