Innocent Sin: Actress Again

IV: Blood Red

Aisha

Snorting, I glowered malevolently at the person who was sitting next to me in Literature class. Why?! I internally screeched as Elsword smiled at me, winking playfully. How did I get stuck with him for two classes? Did the teachers really hate me that much?

"So, how was your day?" he asked, tugging on his right, low-hanging side tail. I scowled, rolling my eyes. "Really badly, considering that there is a certain redhead who won't stop harassing me," I snipped back. He bristled, looking away from me. "I was just trying to be friendly, is that an unforgivable crime here?"

"Are you two paying any attention?" Stella- our ball busting Literature teacher- snapped. I flushed a bright red, hanging my head in shame. Damn him to the deepest pit of Niffleheim!

"It's cool Ms. Stella," Elsword replied in a lazy manner, leaning his seat back. Stella's milk-chocolate brown eyes narrowed as she stared critically at him. "Oh? Perhaps you can tell me what I was talking about earlier?" she queried with a cutting edge. He chuckled, tilting his head to the side. "You were talking about the legend of the Fox Sister, one of the fairy tales we'll be discussing during this unit."

I grinded my teeth together, taking an unusual interest in the desk's smooth wooden surface. How funny, how come I never noticed that the swirling wood stains formed a face?

"As for you Miss Kaname, can you please tell the class what we were discussing about?" Stella's words cut through my spaced-out zone like a razor whip, making me flinch.

Forty eyes stared at me as I sat, paralyzed, sweat dropping profusely. "Uh…" I fidgeted around disconcertedly, "fa-fairy t-tales?" I stammered weakly. A couple snickers rose from the class, making me sink slowly in my seat.

"Very… vague Miss Kaname," Stella drawled, staring at me with chilly eyes. I squeaked. "Well, I know who is getting tonight's extra homework assignment," she snickered, holding up a hardcover book with the glossy words "Twisted Dreams: Fairy Tales of Both Dark and Light" emblazoned on the cover. "You will be reading stories one through seven and writing an essay on them, interpreting their meanings, and giving at least four examples of symbolism, author's purpose, theme, and indirect characterization."

I groaned, plopping my head on the desk. Stella glared frigidly at me, "Four examples from each category Miss Kaname, for each story, all seven of them. Due three days from today," she added. Internally, I killed myself as all my hopes and dreams for the next few days went crashing out the window and tumbling to Elrios.

Elsword gave me a sympathetic look. I returned it with the most malignant evil eye I could muster in my despairing state. It's all your fault! I mentally screamed at him. Dammit, Ara would be pissed if I couldn't make the party tonight.

If there was a bright lining to this lousy day so far, it would be that this was the last class and I could go back to my dorm, munch on junk food, gain three pounds, cry, and reconsider my life as I stared out the window while I was supposed to be working on my ridiculous amount of homework, or searching for my copy of Twisted Tales. Yeah, Ara had chucked it off the third floor a couple of days ago when I got into a row with her. Sad to say, I still had yet to find it.

Once Stella's back was turn, Elsword leaned over, whispering to me: "I'm sorry about that. She's scary, right?" he laughed feebly, rubbing the back of his head and tousling his hair. Seeing my acrid look, he sighed, glimpsing furtively at Stella as she made remarks while scribbling things on the holographic board.

"I noticed you haven't been bringing your book to class," he continued, "Did you lose it?" I snorted, lifting my head off the desk. "So?" I shot back. He smiled softly, handing me his copy of Twisted Tales.

"You can borrow my book for a couple of days, it has some good sticky notes in there, thanks to Rena's help."

I raised an eyebrow. Rena? Helping more commoners? Of course, she was a low-standing slut with a prestigious name, she wrecked on a daily basis. What else could I expect from her?

I handed it back to him, "I don't need your help," I hissed. His crimson eyes grew wide, before he shook his head, reluctantly taking the book back. "O…k… but it's your loss."

My blood fizzled. That casual arrogance again. Assuming I needed his help. Damn him, and his stupid book!

I diverted my attention to Stella, inwardly knowing I just screwed myself over. Hopefully, Eve would take pity and help me out.

Elsword

Classes had ended and dinner was done and over with. The powder blue sky giving away to a curtain of inky black, in vivid gradients of pinks, oranges, and scarlet. The crowds in the hallways had thinned out, but the noise volume had all but increased, music blasting the halls as the stereos in the dorm rooms cranked out rocking techno beats, snappy pop, and heavy death metal. I could only imagine how ridiculously loud the music was, considering that the walls were supposed to be sound proof.

How in all El are the teachers not being driven insane?

I grimaced, adjusting the duffle bag slung over my shoulder. The teachers were driven insane, most likely, but most of the students came from prestigious and wealthy families, and as demonstrated today, spoiled, self-entitled, and not hesitant to abuse their power.

I mean, there were some nice ones- Rena for example, and Subtractia seemed okay, but maybe it was just her awkwardness. She could be a bitch too for all I know. Like Aisha. Honestly, I didn't want to hate her, I actually wanted to be friends, but she was making it so difficult. I sat next to her in two of my classes, I was going to have to make peace with her somehow or else we'd more than likely drive each other insane. I can't stand people who brush me off and are horrible to me for no reason except I wore a black uniform.

I snorted, continuing to trudge down the hall, the oil portraits looking down on me with a detached contempt.

I am willing to bet all my money that if I had been born in Asgard, I instantly would've been one of those popular kids. I am a sociable, go-with-the-flow type of guy. I didn't make a big fuss over things and I tried my best to be nice to others.

Now where was the bathroom?

Crinkling my brow in irritation, I scanned the hallway.

Ah, there… good… I headed towards the small brass sign with a large letter "M" engraved in flowery script. When I opened it, I was assaulted with the smell of Beachwood and ocean spray, the wavering night lights of the bathroom surreal, making the flickering shadows dance.

"Oh great…" I groaned, face palming myself as I saw who was standing in the bathroom, leering unpleasantly at me.

Psy, that asshole.

"Oh, hey… look it!" he drawled, taking a step towards me. Instinctively, I took a step back, something I would never do in a normal situation, but I really didn't like the look in his eyes. "What, are you… doing here?" I hissed, narrowing my eyes. He smirked, leaning against the wall in a casual manner.

"I was just hanging out here, taking care of-"

"Masturbation?" I hastily interjected, suppressing a chuckle.

The murderous look in his eyes told me I was going to pay dearly for that remark.

Even before the blow to my face came.

"YOU LITTLE PUNK!" Psy roared, slamming his fist into my face, ramming me into the bathroom wall. My head cracked against the smooth granite, stunning me for a brief second as I stumbled to the ground, my breath knocked out of me.

I rolled away as he brought his foot down, attempting to kick me. Quickly, my legs shot out, swinging forward in a scything motion. He jumped backwards, throwing a blast of crackling indigo electricity at me.

A cry escaped me as a vivid pain flashed through my body, stars winking at me from behind.

"Arrogant."

A punch.

"Little."

A brutal blow to my ribs.

"Bastard!" he swore zealously, his foot colliding against my jaw.

A copper taste enveloped my mouth as my teeth sliced my tongue, making me nauseous.

Dammit!

He continued to pummel me, each blow ferocious, agonizing beyond belief as he brutalized me without mercy. Man, this guy had real anger issues.

"I. WILL. KILL. YOU!" he screeched.

A jolt of fear raced through me. No, I didn't want to die here, where no one would give a damn. Where they would just laugh over my dead body, chuckling as they said "good riddance." I didn't want this… not at all… I couldn't die here! I still needed my answers! I didn't come here, to endure this abuse for nothing!

Do you need my help now?

I was floating in a void, all sense of feeling gone from my body. Standing in front of me was a male around my age with red hair like mine, but my red was maraschino cherry red as my sister dubbed it. His hair was a deep dark blood red, the color of blood as it first trickles out of a cut, before oxidizing and becoming bright popping red, and it was even messier than my hair, wildly spiked with side-swept bangs and an asphalt black patch staining a small portion of it.

He wore a black sleeveless shirt with an elaborate design, armored pants, and a crimson belt, adorned by silver and scarlet sword ornaments. His eyes were hidden by shadows, but a dark smirk was visible on his pale face.

My eyes widened. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out.

Yes, it's me. Glad I can finally be of some use… he drawled, reading my thoughts precisely. I scowled, knowing exactly what he was going to request. Nu-uh, only as a very last resort.

You do know you're going to die soon unless you do something, right? he sighed, shifting his weight around restlessly. A blast of pain exploded through the base of my skull, excruciating after the sweet numbness I had enjoyed just seconds ago.

Are you going to? Or are you not?

I sucked in my cheeks, biting them hard. Dammit! I… don't have any other choice! But-

Thank you… I'm sure you won't regret my help. He snickered, shrugging his shoulders. I frowned, Getting help like you is equivalent to getting help from a Noble Family- such as the Haans, it always bites me in the ass.

He scoffed, tilting his head to the side. That's a harsh comparison, even I'm not that bad… I snorted, my view of him blurring as another shock of pain jolted me. After what you did seven years ago? You- I swore vehemently, my rambling peppered with a bunch of colorful words that would've had my sister washing my mouth out with soap.

Do you want my help or not? he snapped peevishly, crossing his arms. I sighed, defeated. Typical case of "damned if you do and damned if you don't".

Yes…

My vision faded to black and white before disappearing completely and I fell deep into a state of semi-awareness. My borderline-catatonic state punctured with horrific moments of sparkling clarity where the world was all blood red.

Aisha

I massaged my temples as the stereos bellowed a deep techno beat, the bass making the floor reverberate with each passing second. Ara's dorm was a chaotic whirlwind of glowing screens, junk food, manga, and papers as all three of us- Ara, Eve, and I, plus Subtractia did our business.

In Ara's case, it was cussing out the TV as another zombie Glitter ate her character's head off in sickeningly graphic detail. In Eve's case, it was sniffing disapprovingly as Subtractia did everyone's homework, sipping tea and looking all prim and regal as she flipped through the pages of an epic romance novel she was reading. In Subtractia's case, it was working on my Literature essay and Ara's History paper, looking happy that she wasn't spending another night alone in her dorm, shame-faced and brooding at the fact her brother had her take another trip in the Shame Mobile.

My case? I was just reading a magazine, my legs propped up on the sofa's arm, and sipping Kool El-aid from a crystal glass, relieved that I had managed to find someone who would willingly do my homework. Eve had outright refused, saying that I was, "being lazy and detrimental to myself, and that actually doing some work would be good for me."

Go figure.

I just wished I brought some ear plugs though. I'd have a lot more fun and be a good deal more relaxed if I didn't feel as if my head would explode and splatter all over the place at any second.

"FUCK YOU!" Ara cried, chucking her console remote across the room and nailing a portrait of a silver fox, cracking the glass.

"Died again?" Eve commented airily, lounging gracefully on the black velvet divan propped up against the wall, with a porcelain tea cup in one hand and a softcover novel in the other. Ara snorted, flipping her ebon locks. "Stupid game, why must it be so hard?" she whined, propping her chin on her knee caps.

"I think the Dark Souls in the title should've tipped you off about the game's difficulty level." Eve retorted, flipping a page. "Why don't you take a break and work on those Numerica and Grammatica problems you were assigned?" she added, taking a sip of tea. Ara laughed, waving her hand in the air.

"Good one Evee, good one," she chortled, leaning backwards and studying the ceiling. Eve just sighed, shaking her head. "Your loss, not mine."

"Do you have any more ice cream?" I remarked, looking up from my magazine. Ara nodded, jerking her thumb towards the mini-fridge and freezer. "It's there, in your favorite place," she joshed. Her tone was light and joking, but I still flinched at the casual cruelty that undercut the remark. That was one of the few faults Ara had, she could be mean without meaning to.

I rolled my eyes, walking over to the fridge and withdrawing a pint of Deer Trax ice cream, and got a plastic spoon out of the storage box propped on the "study" desk. At least I think it's supposed to be a study desk, she never used it for that.

Just as I plopped my butt back down on the sofa, a banging noise rang throughout the room, barely audible over the booming music.

"..ra!"

Ara snorted, instantly recognizing the voice. "Great, my brother," she muttered cantankerously, "probably coming here to complain that the music is too loud." She trudged to the door, flinging it wide open. Her mouth moved, forming an inaudible word.

Aren stood in the doorway, looking pale as death, his eyes wide. Upon seeing Ara, he relaxed a bit, visibly relieved.

"CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME, WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Ara shouted over the music as Aren made a gesture with his hands, signaling he couldn't hear. "CAN YOU TURN OFF THE MUSIC?! THE OTHERS NEED TO HEAR THIS AS WELL!" he shot back. She grinded her teeth together, but obliged, lazily sauntering over to the stereos and pressing the off button. Mentally, I sent Aren a thank you.

"Happy?" she spat, narrowing her eyes. Aren nodded, still unusually pale. "Now, please explain yourself." Ara demanded in a haughty tone. He shuddered before regaining his composure. With a stoic expression he turned to all of us before saying:

"A student was found dead in the boy's bathroom, his corpse brutally mangled. I'm relaying a personal order for everyone to return to their assigned dorms. No one will be leaving them tonight until we have searched the school thoroughly."

RC: Aaand cut! I hope you enjoyed this ok length chapter of IS: AA! Yup, this is where you begin to see some major differences and some questions get answered while others are piled on. It's also the introduction to my specialty- creating rivers of blood.

Elsword: Yeah… I'm a lot different already.

Ara: Still a bitch .-.

Aren: Still innocent.

Rena and Raven: Still getting close to zilch lines.

RC: Oh well…

Eve: Still calm and distant.

Aisha: Still a brat.

Chung: Still worried over my future

RC: Welcome to my world, where everything goes according to my laws. If you have any complaints, please file a report to the Customer Service desk. I assure you it will never get answered.

Everyone else: D:

RC: But next, is Gate of Sheol after finishing my part in the collab with Shadic! Things have gotten really crazy, but strangely easier at school, so my updates have increased for now. Life is crazy… I did zilch studying for AP world, I saw the essay questions and inwardly sobbed, thinking: "I need Jesus!" and meanwhile, I've made zilch progress on my research about this flesh-eating bacteria.

Elsword: Flesh-eating bacteria… great, another idea to RC on how to kill a character.

RC: =w= Anyways, remember to R&R, the lovely stuff, send me your love! XDD Ja Nee! *Flies out the window*