Furuno
"Don't ask for any details. Just take it as it is".
Dahlia stops beside us, choking with her perfu.
She slaps a flier into Karim's hands, winks at both of us and leaves.
I stare down at the paper distractedly in a bid to avoid his piercing gaze.
Whatever is going on is bigger than both of us, maybe even bigger than the school.
I'm still boiling from the realization that my predicant is a source of amusent to people.
The cult leader had been in the cafeteria earlier. She had been staring at like she was watching for sothing - like she expected sothing to happen. Like she expected to break.
"I understand your need for privacy - even respect it - but we are both out of our depths here. Swords and daggers won't get you out of whatever problem you got yourself into".
"That's exactly why there's no use telling you. Don't you think I know that?"
He winces, stepping backward.
I maintain a stoic expression
A band of boys rush past us, only stopping to throw a few curious glances over their shoulders as they climb the stairs.
"What's in the poster?"
"A football match is holding this evening - but I'll be too busy to attend". He responds, sarcastic enough for to know that he is aware of my tactic - I'm changing the subject.
"What about the group? I thought you wanted to schedule a eting?"
His eyes narrow until they are rely slits.
A few days ago, I would have been excited - he is finally opening up to a possible friendship.
But, the last thing I need is for him to worry about . My case is hopeless - except a miracle might just happen.
"The eting is being scheduled by you. That's why I'm here. You'll find Angela, Safari and Morrow and apologize to all three of them, with emphasis on Angela. Hopefully, the library would be vacated in favour of the soccer match".
His expression is stony and unreadable.
Then, he pats my shoulder with a knowing look. "See you there".
I watch him disappear through the main door.
It takes a full minute before I summon the courage to perform the given task.
Where would I even start? Where are they - attending class?
Dahlia passes again, her heap of fliers thinner than before.
"Excuse ".
She stops and spins around in a practiced swirl I've seen too many tis to count.
"What can I do for you, freshman?"
The term 'freshman' still stings. It reminds of why I had been tricked.
"Would you happen to know Safari?"
Her expression turns sour.
"I don't entertain questions about other girls, except it has sothing to do with . When you are talking to , I should be the only girl that matters. Besides, Safari is the rudest girl you'd ever want to et. If you don't want to take my word for it, you can see for yourself". She says, brushing invisble dust on my waistcoat.
Her eyes are provocative and calculating.
"Thanks, but I just need to talk to her."
I resist the urge to say 'only her'.
With that, I leave her standing there.
She had been a good source of information when I had first arrived her, but she is being misled - I am not inclined in that direction.
The weather outside the building is sunny and cloudless - perfect for a seasoned soccer match.
The voice in my head has quietened, but it's presence still looms over like a dark cloud.
A bunch of cheerleaders in uniform dark-red skirts matching tops are rehearsing in the field.
I've never heard of cheerleaders performing for a soccer match, though. They may have volunteered to do it.
Their motivational chants echo through the air as they practice their formations.
I realize I'm gaping when two of the girls stop moving. They raise chiseled brows at , which attracts the attention of their Captain.
"Looking for sothing?" She calls across the distance.
I shake my head briskly, suddenly rembering my mission.
None of the girls are in the group - not that I expected them to be there anyway.
The landscape is picturesque - the kind you'd stop to admire in a painting, green grass, ancient stone buildings, blue sky...
I don't know their schedules, so I'm roaming without a direction.
None of this would have happened if I had just controlled my tongue, but I hadn't. The words had just spilled out - bitter and vile. It was only after I had said them that I reflected on them - they weren't my words.
But still, that is not reason enought for Karim to dump the whole chore of gathering them on .
The girl's dorm building looms ahead. Girls are clustered at the entrance.
One black girl with long dreads stands out among the rest.
Safari.
I was beginning to wonder how many blocks I would have to search before I find one of them.
She sees but quickly averts her eyes.
Morrow and Angela are with her - to my relief.
There is another girl with them, one I don't know.
Shoving my sweaty hands into my pockets, I approach them with a calm expression - sothing I certainly don't feel.
Angela doesn't look at with anger or hatred or even malice. She looks sincerely hurt - which makes my guilt sink deeper.
Safari is the angry one among the three.
"What do you want?"
I look into the distance to compose myself, wind whipping into my face.
During the day, the entire place is alive with chatter and laughter, but once dusk sets in, the silence becos deafening.
"I may have said a few-"
"May have?" All three fold their arms across their chests. The extra girl excuses herself and leaves.
I feel a bit... intimidated.
"Okay... I'll say it the way it is. I made a mistake by calling your power useless, Angela. I'm sorry. I actually admire your courage, it was just the realist in speaking. But, mostly, I want you to join us again, if not for , do it for Karim and the people out there that need saving".
None of them seem moved.
"Terrible peptalk".
"Peptalk? I think that was supposed to be an apology". A giggle follows.
"If it was, then it's even much worse."
I look at the grass beneath my feet, counting the blades to distract myself.
"What do you want to say? I've apologized to the best of my knowledge".
"Then your knowledge is shabby". Angela says this ti and laughter erupts from all three of them.
This is bullying.
"I see that I'm wasting my ti. If you change your minds, et us at the library".
They burst into laughter again.
"We're just ssing with you. Let's call it even - we've paid you back in your own coin. That'll make you think twice before insulting any of us again". Safari says, hands on hips.
I nod briskly, annoyed yet relieved.
"Does that an you are joining us?"
"What did all she said an? It seems your knowledge is really shabby".
Safari and Angela laugh, Morrow doesn't.
Co to think of it, I know why she always looks familiar. She looks like Karim's daughter.
Has Karim noticed? Is that why he is attached to her?
"In that case, we should head to the library. We don't want to keep Karim waiting". I quip, turning my attention to the field.
A boy dressed in a blood-stained uniform is walking across the field.
I watch him carefully, wondering at the sight.
In one swift movent, his head snaps until his eyes pin mine. His eyes have been gouged out, leaving holes where they should be.
Blood is dripping out of the sockets, but it doesn't dim the intensity of his gaze.
I stagger backward, blood draining out of my face.
"Are you okay?" One of the girls ask, but the sound is distant, like it's coming from far away instead of behind .
The boy starts walking in my direction, his blue lips cracking into a creepy smile.
I rub my trembling hands over my eyes in a bid to clear the image before my eyes.
To my horror, it's still there - closer than before.
I stagger backward, bumping into the stairs of the building.
A cool hand grasps mine.
"Is everything okay? You look like you've seen a ghost".
I point at it wordlessly.
Safari looks in the direction of my finger, her smooth brows arched in confusion.
"Can't you see it! It's right there!"
"See what? All I see is green grass."
I turn my head away from the gory sight before and bury my head in my hands.
"Talk to . What are you seeing? Can you describe it? Even a little?" Morrow asks this ti.
All three of them gather around , offering comfort with their presence.
"You can tell us". Morrow coaxes further.
"I see a boy... who's eyes have been removed. He's... dead." I choke out.
All three of them exchange glances.
Angela covers her mouth as her skin goes pale.
"That's exactly what my brother said he saw before he died".
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