Good evening, readers! I hope you're having a good day so far! This chapter is taking a step back from the horror for a bit, so rest assured, we're back to just some drama here and there. This will continue for a few more chapters before things... may or may not blow up again. So with that said, I hope you enjoy!
Jasmine's eyes widened when Ambrosia told her and Rosemary what happened. "Good gracious... Ambrosia, that could have ended very badly."
"Well, worse than how it ended as it is." Rosemary interjected.
"Oh, Chase has sent me a message." Ambrosia said, glancing at her phone.
"You should probably just delete it right away." Rosemary rolled her eyes.
"Hm... he said Kara has not yet made it to class." She said aloud. "I asked him to let me know when she arrived." As she spoke, she noticed something out of the corner of her eyes, glancing up. She smiled as Wind passed by, giving her a nod before moving on.
Meanwhile, Chase bit his lip, his leg bouncing up and down. Kara was never not early, let alone late to class. He glanced around, getting out of his seat to go in the hallway. As he wandered around, he spotted someone. "Wind. Psst, hey, Wind!"
"What do you want, runt?" He curled his lip.
"Are you looking for Kara?" He asked.
"No. Go bother someone else. My class is all the way on the other side of the school." He said.
"Well, it's just that I'm worried about her." Chase frowned. "She's not in class yet, and she's never late."
"Great. Don't care." Wind said.
"Wind... I don't know why, but... I think something else is going on. Something other than that fire." Chase said.
Wind hissed a sigh. "Fine, I'll hear you out. But then, I'm going to strangle you. Deal?"
"Seriously! Something seems off with her today." Chase said.
"Gee, I wonder why? She was locked in a box, and then nearly incinerated." Wind said bluntly.
"No, I mean, I know that... but Ambrosia seemed off today too."
At this, he stopped. "What do you mean?"
Just then, as they were passing by one of the lesser used restrooms, the door opened, the pair hesitating as Francis stepped out. He hesitated, clearing his throat as he adjusted his belt, giving them a nod. "Top o' the morning." He said. "Off to class, are ye? Aren't you in Kara's class?"
"Wait... she's not with you?" Chase asked. "She was looking for you."
"She was?" Francis rose his brows. After a moment, he groaned. "Ah, shite. Probably went by the faculty room. I'll check there."
"Awesome! Let's go there, I want to make sure she's okay-"
"No. You lads get to class. I'll handle this." Francis said before quickly heading down the hall, checking his watch and swearing to himself. Wind rose a brow as he watched him go.
"That guy is weird." He narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, but he's really nice to Kara." Chase shrugged.
"Hey. Come on, we're following him. Something smells off." Wind said. "And I mean literally."
"But, I thought you didn't care about-"
"Look. Ambrosia's close to her. I don't want her getting wrapped up in any funny business. Come on. We're seeing what this is all about. And keep your mouth shut." He said before they paced down the hallway.
Inside the faculty room, Kara slowly turned around, her spine tense as she looked at Philippe warily.
"What is the matter, dearie?" He asked, about to take a step. Kara hissed, grabbing a knife from off the counter. "Stay away."
Phillipe tilted his head, raising a brow as he chuckled. "What are you planning on doing with that?"
"Unlock the door and let me out of here." She demanded.
"I did not lock the door." He said, his expression becoming serious. "Put the knife down, darling."
"I know what you are. I know what you've done. You're not going to do it to me." She replied, a lump forming in her throat.
"Just what is it that you think you know?" He narrowed his eyes. "What has he told you? The janitor boy?"
"Leave him out of this." Kara spat.
"Oh, but I cannot. How much do you think you know about me, about him? You are smart, that is for sure. But when it comes to other things... you are very, very wrong."
Just then, Kara jumped when there was a thud at the door, keys jingling on the other side. When the door opened, Francis narrowed his eyes as he looked upon the scene. "Lass, get out of here."
"Indeed, she does not belong in a faculty room, does she? And yet, here she is." Philippe rose a brow.
"I swear, if you touch a single hair on her head-"
"You'll... what, exactly?" Philippe smirked. "By the way... have your little bathroom problems gotten any better?"
"You shut your filthy mouth, you piece of shite." Francis said as Kara put the knife back on the counter, moving past Francis. She met up with Chase and Wind outside, the three moving toward the stairwell.
"I can't just leave him down there by himself, Wind-"
Suddenly, the Wind grabbed her hand. "Listen to me right now. They're both off their rockers."
"Francis isn't the one trying to hurt me." Kara insisted.
"No. But there's something up with him, too. He-" Just then, the late bell rang. "We'll talk about it later. Get out of here." He said, leaving Chase and Kara to get to class.
When second period was about to begin, Kara sighed to herself as she headed to French class. Philippe was the last person she wanted to see after what happened that morning. She sat next to Ambrosia, the pair offering small talk before the door shut. Oddly, he seemed to act as if nothing occurred that morning, class going on without incident. Towards the end, he made an announcement before the class was dismissed.
"Now, remember my cherubs, those of you participating in the speaking category of the poetry contest must meet after school tonight for the bus ride. Those who have already submitted your poems, the winners will be announced in class tomorrow." He said. "And, being tomorrow is Friday, I will be hosting a party here for the contestants to celebrate. Contestants may even bring a guest or two, if they wish."
After the announcement, the bell rang, Philippe watching as Kara made a dash for the door. Ambrosia glanced from him to where Kara went, hurrying to catch up to her. When she did, Kara pulled her aside, telling her what had transpired that morning.
"Oh my..." She placed a hand over her mouth. "... Kara, if he tells the principal, he could get you expelled."
"This isn't working, Ambrosia. All I'm doing is putting myself in more danger." She sighed. "Francis said he really needs to tell me something. I'm going to go to that after school party, regardless of whether I won or not. I know he's going to stick around because of that. I'll talk to him then."
"Alright..." Ambrosia nodded with a hint of worry. Just then, Wildfire approached them, giving Kara a nod.
"Hey. Can we talk for a second?" She asked Kara.
"Sure. Ambrosia, I'll meet you at lunch." She replied. She and Wildfire went to the library towards the back.
"Sorry about that one time. You know... when I caught you back here." Wildfire said.
"Is this what you wanted to talk about?" Kara tilted her head.
"No. But a lot's changed since then, hasn't it?" Wildfire asked. "Some in bad ways... others in good. Arsenik's been talking to me more. It's a start... but I don't know if it's enough." She said. "I know you've been having it pretty rough. Just... if you could remember me, I'd appreciate it."
"Okay." Kara said. "I can always pump you up if you're mentioned."
"I have a better idea. Brooks and I are going to that Sunken Meadow place this weekend. We're hiking that trail. You should invite Arsenik and Viktor along." She said.
"Won't that be an odd number?" Kara asked.
"Brooks and I have a plan. She's going to claim to forget something and split. Then it'll be the four of us. You and Viktor do your thing, and I'll chill with Arsenik. Got it?"
"Sure, why not?" Kara shrugged.
"Good. I knew I could count on you." Wildfire smirked before nodding her head. "Now scram. I'll text you details." She pat Kara's shoulder.
After school, Viktor hummed to himself as he gathered his things. He chuckled lightly as he looked around before taking a rose into his hand, sighing lightly as he smiled. As he gazed at it, he did not notice someone approaching him from behind.
"Hey, Holder."
Viktor nearly jumped out of his skin, placing a hand on his heart. "Good gracious- what do you think you're doing?! Scaring me out of my skin-"
"One, that's not hard to do, and two, shut up and listen for a second." Wind replied, glancing around. "Kara. She's your girlfriend, right?"
"Yes, she is. State your business with her quickly, Wind Yong." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"If you care about her, you'll keep an eye on her. And you'll keep an even bigger pretty boy eye on that janitor friend of hers. There's something weird about him." He said.
"Wind, just because you do not respect the mentor/student relationship they have, doesn't mean you-"
"Let me ask you this, then. How do you feel about someone working in a school getting off?" Wind asked.
Viktor rose a brow. "Getting off-... getting off of what, exactly?"
Wind face palmed himself, running his hand down his face. "For fuck's sake-" He grabbed Viktor's arm, whispering in his ear. Viktor's eyes grew big, covering his mouth. When he yelped in surprise from what he heard, Wind hissed for him to keep his voice down. "I smelled it from the bathroom when the runt and I were passing it. Believe me, it's one of the downsides of having an enhanced sense of smell."
Viktor furrowed his brows. "There must be some sort of mistake. He has never acted inappropriately towards her, or anyone, for that matter. There must be some mistake. He is a janitor, after all..." He widened his eyes then. "That French teacher of hers... what if he was cleaning up after-" He was unable to finish his sentence, gagging.
"What, that weird long haired dude?" Wind asked.
"Kara told me that he makes her extremely uncomfortable... it has to be him. There's something very off about him. He always seems to know where Kara is, always following her." Viktor frowned.
"Same can be said about her janitor friend." Wind said. "Maybe they're both crazy."
"Hey Viktor!" Kara smiled as she approached them. "Hey, Wind. How's it going?"
"Fine." He gave Viktor a look. "I'll let you two go do... whatever it is you do. Bye." He shoved his hands in his pockets before wandering off.
Viktor cleared his throat, shaking his head. "My lady, for you." He produced the rose from behind his back, smiling.
"Aww, Viktor!" She giggled, taking it and hugging him. "You really don't have to do this."
"Why not? You deserve it." He kept her close, frowning lightly as Wind's words reverberated within the walls of his mind.
Was Kara in more danger than she knew?
"Are you sure you do not wish to bring more?" Ambrosia asked.
"Really, it's okay. I feel bad enough as it is that I'm going to be taking up space in your house, last thing you need is a crap ton of my stuff taking up even more space." Kara replied.
"Truly, it's no trouble. Arsenik implored me to allow you to stay at my residence, and I completely agreed with him. And before you ask, Jasmine and Rosemary have no issue with the arrangements either." She smiled.
"Okay, if you're sure..." Kara said, packing the rest of her things. Once outside, she glanced back while Arsenik and Viktor waited by the car. A breeze picked up, Kara furrowing her brows. Was she finally leaving all the misfortune, the horrors, the sleepless nights behind? Was this her escape?
Was this the answer to all her problems?
This chapter was a bit shorter, but the next couple might make up for it. So, what did YOU think you knew about what was going on? Have your thoughts changed? Do your suspicions remain the same? Find out if you're right in upcoming updates! In the meantime, please let me know your thoughts in a review! Thank you again for reading, and see you next time!