CHAPTER 3 Altair

I finished my class feeling somewhat indifferent. The weather outside was stormy and the atmosphere inside the classroom was dull and tiring, probably because of the teacher's demeanour. Professor Sarah Thompson, despite being in her mid-thirties, gave off the impression of a woman in her fifties. Her face appeared paler than usual, even to someone like me who was seeing her for the first time.

As I was lost in my thoughts, a voice interrupted me," Hey bud."As I turned around, my eyes met with those of a boy who appeared to be around my age. His personality seemed to mirror mine in many ways, although I couldn't help but notice that he was much more muscular than I was. The way his biceps bulged under his shirt gave me the impression that he was an athlete, someone who devoted a considerable amount of time to physical exercise. It was as if his body was a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft.

"Hi, I'm Altair Jensen. New in here." I said. "Josh Parker, and yes I am new here too, although I moved here a month ago", He said. "If it doesn't sound nosy and all, I think you should join the University's sports team" I suggested. " You have got the eye of an Eagle," he said. I laughed at his sarcasm. "Anyways it's about to rain you should go home. It's dangerous in here, both the weather and the people." He said while looking around as if someone would hear. "I didn't understand what are you saying". I was new here and everything was unusual to me until I got used to Burford.

" Well there are many things or I'd say people that could be dangerous but one of them, is deadly, he's lethal. He lurks around at night and probably he's the one behind the previous missing cases in Burford." I was confused by this time, why the heck would someone tell me about missing cases as if they were telling me bedtime horror stories to make me sleep?

Josh probably sensed the question in my head before he continued, "A serial killer has been roaming in the streets of Burford for a long time. The police couldn't catch him till now. And since the past two months, the missing cases here have increased. " He said mysteriously. I asked who he was and Josh continued," There is no confirmation of his identity but people call him 'The Night Hunter'. Rumours are there that he is behind the missing case of the husband of Prof. Thompson. Haven't you seen on her face how worried she is"?

Now it all made sense, and rather than getting relieved by the fact that I was not wrong at reading her, I was more curious about who exactly is The Night Hunter. Josh made his excuse about going to a party and left. I was just still, standing over there watching students rushing home. I decided to go home when my phone rang, I checked the caller ID and, it was my father.

"Hello, Father," I greeted formally. It was unusual for a father-son relationship to be so distant, but my father was Anders Jensen, the human equivalent of discipline. I stopped calling him "Dad" when I was nine, and honestly, it doesn't matter now. His work had already driven us apart, and calling him anything else wouldn't change that.

"How is Burford?" he asked, getting straight to the point. He never wanted me to come here for my higher education, for some reason, I don't know. But here I was, determined to prove him wrong.

"It's good, Father. I'm enjoying the weather and have already started making friends," I lied. I didn't want to confirm his opinion. Besides, it was only my first day, and I was sure I would get used to it eventually. "Anyway, I'm getting late for class, I'll call you once I reach home," I said, trying to end the conversation.

He hung up without uttering a word. No problem, I thought to myself. He had been the same for years.

I was so lost in my relationship with my father that I didn't pay attention to the weather, it started raining. Thank God I kept an umbrella with me, I can reach home just by being moist and not completely drenched in the water. As I was leaving the campus, my eyes landed on the park located right in front of it. The sight that greeted me was nothing short of mesmerizing. The trees were drenched in the rain, their leaves shimmering and swaying gently in the breeze. The flowers, too, were looking more vibrant and lively, as if they were being rejuvenated by the touch of water. I stood there for a while, taking in the beauty of nature.

It was as if the rain gave a new life to the whole pa--. My attention was caught by what looked like a.. girl? She was sitting on one of the benches of the park. Silent, so still she could resemble a statue. Before I knew it, I was walking towards her. She could be silent outwards but there should be something painful going on in her mind. I stopped a few feet away from her and, oh my god.

The world around us was transformed by the heavy rain. The trees and flowers were awash with color and movement, each droplet of water dancing across their surfaces like a miniature jewel. Despite the downpour, I could see her clearly. Her long, dark hair was slicked back against her head, and her clothes clung to her body like a second skin. But it was her face that truly drew my attention. Her grey eyes were piercing, almost hypnotic, and her lips seemed to glow like a ripe summer fruit.

As I looked on, she turned to face me and I felt a sudden jolt of electricity shoot through my body. There was something in her gaze that was both mysterious and intense, and I found myself unable to look away. All thoughts of Burford, the killer, and even my own father faded into the background as I focused on the enigmatic girl before me. It was as though the rest of the world had ceased to exist, and all that remained was this strange and alluring creature, sitting before me in the rain.