The Seventh Lyoko Warrior
Part XLV: A Bad Reunion
Hi everybody and thank you so much for waiting for this next chapter if you did wait. I'm sorry, I've just been having a hard time because of my writers block so I've been a bit on hiatus for a while. I'm intending on getting back to writing and reading stories so please feel free to recommend any Code Lyoko stories you would like me to read. I intend to do short reviews on my Youtube channel: DerexasG, so please take a look when you can. I'm also getting back to writing more for A Grimmful Adventure, Kingdom Heart Awakening and Next Generation. Sorry for making you all wait but I hope this chapter makes up for it. Thank you and I hope to hear from you guys. Also feel free to check out my community: Lyoko Readers Unite and recommend a story to help it grow. I love Code Lyoko and I hope this community can grow with great stories.
Morning arrived at Kadic academy to give a new day. Michael was just coming back to his room after his usual early morning shower before everyone else. He walked into his room, grabbed his clothes and started changing. Today was a new day which excited him immensely. He was gonna see Ana today which made him giddy with joy.
Michael had most of his clothes on and was about to put on his shirt when a loud high pitch sound rung in his ears. Michael's face cringed up from the sudden random and awful sound. He dropped his shirt and threw his hands over his ears to relieve some of the pain. Whatever it was it was bad, enough to make him want to scream.
Michael ran out of his room bare-chested as he quickly went to Ulrich and Odd's room. But when he knocked on the door the sound stopped as Ulrich answered the door. For a few seconds they stared at each other in awkward silence as Ulrich's eyes would occasionally look down at the scars on Michael's upper body. He didn't believe it when Odd told him but now he's a believer.
"Morning," Odd said lazily and still half-asleep. He sat up when Ulrich walked over to his bed and sat down.
"Did you guys here that?" Michael asked while he looked around.
"Hear what?" a confused Ulrich asked.
"I thought I heard this…high pitched….I don't know what it was," a dumbfounded Michael said. Ulrich stood up, walked over to Odd and picked up what looked like a small purple colored tube.
"Well it couldn't be this," Ulrich stated as he showed him the object. "One of Odd's sister's sent him this whistle but the dumb thing doesn't work." He put the tip of the whistle up to his lips and blew into it. Just as he did, Michael eyelids and ears started to twitch as he threw his hands over his ears. His face cringed and his teeth were gritting like he was in pain.
"STOP BLOWING!" Michael screamed at him.
Ulrich quickly stopped and looked at Michael who was still covering his ears. After almost a minute Michael started to feel better when he took his hands off his ears and looked around for a brief moment. He turned his attention towards the whistle when Odd realized that Ulrich had the whistle in his hand. Ulrich sat there with a baffled look on his face; he didn't know what just happened.
Odd finally woke up to the point where he could stand up as he got up and walked over to Michael. Still somewhat confused, Odd wiped the sleep out of his eyes before opening his mouth. He let out a big yawn while both Ulrich and Michael stared at him. It wasn't until he finished that he looked at Ulrich who was still holding the whistle.
"So that's where my dog whistle got too," Odd noted while looking at the whistle. He walked up to Ulrich who handed him the whistle. He turned to face Michael and showed him the purple tube-like whistle. "One of my sister's sent this to me in case I lose Kiwi. It makes a high pitched sound that only dogs can hear."
"I understand why dogs hate it," Michael added with a chuckle. Odd and Ulrich looked at him funny as if he said something strange.
"You heard that?" Ulrich asked with a baffled look in his eyes. Michael pointed to his slightly pointed ears.
"I have wolf hearing," Michael said. He stopped when he noticed that his nose couldn't pick up Odd's dog Kiwi. He didn't hear Kiwi either when Ulrich was blowing the dog whistle. "Speaking of sharp hearing, where's Kiwi?"
"He's at Yumi's house," Odd said while grabbing his shower stuff. He started walking towards the door when he noticed that the scars on Michael's body. His eyes widened for a moment; he hadn't seen Michael's scars in a while. He peeked his head out the door, seeing that no one was there, pulled his head back in and looked at Michael. "You're not wearing a shirt." Michael looked confused until he looked down and noticed that Odd was right. Ulrich stood there in shock now when he saw the scars on Michael's back. Michael felt embarrassed when he glanced over at Ulrich and found him staring. Michael took a deep breath, closed his eyes and let out a gentle sigh.
"I better get dressed," he said before turning around and walking off.
Michael walked into his room and quickly threw on his olive green t-shirt and slung his bag over his shoulder and started to walk out when he noticed Connor walking back to his room with wet hair and a towel around his waist. He noticed that Connor was looking much better than when he saw him the other say. He didn't have anything else to do at the moment so he decided to wait for him until he was changed. He watched Ulrich leave for the showers and a few other guys walking there too.
After a few minutes Connor came walking out of his room wearing blue jeans, dark grey tennis shoes, a light red t-shirt with the Subdigitals logo in black print on the front and a brownish grey messenger bag. His hair was a little messy but he didn't seem to mind it as he walked out and noticed Michael walking towards him. He waved to Michael to let him know that he saw him and felt like wanting to talk to him.
Michael walked over to Connor as they both greeted one another before walking towards the stairs. They didn't have the same classes but they figured having breakfast together would be okay. Connor was practically new to Kadic and Michael didn't know if Connor had any friends so he figured being friends with him might make him feel more at home.
They got to the cafeteria and found the kitchen just opening up and the entire room empty. Rosa looked happy to see Michael and Connor as the first students to walk in as she was getting the counter set up. Both Michael's and Connor's mouths were watering as the wonderful aroma of bacon hit their noses. Completely overtaken with joy to the wonderful smell of breakfast, they rushed over to the front line, grabbed a tray and got themselves load up with breakfast. Today's meal was scrambled eggs served with hash browns, fried potatoes, sausage and a croissant. There were a few other meal choices but they didn't care; they loved what they first saw.
After getting their breakfast while Connor got a bottle of water and Michael thought about coffee but decided about going with a bottle of orange juice instead. They found a perfectly nice table by the door and sat together while immediately reaching for their strips of bacon. They didn't bother with the other stuff until they finished their bacon. Connor however finished his strips of bacon just as Michael had almost finished his when he looked at Michael with a grin on his face.
"I win," he joked in triumph. Michael chuckled as he finished his bacon off and looked at Connor.
"I see you're feeling better," Michael said, taking a small swig of orange juice.
"Yeah," Connor said before eating a spoonful of eggs. "Whatever they do to funnel cake messes up my stomach." He laid down his spoon on his tray and took a small sip of his water before he continued talking. "I'm glad that my doctor gave me some stomach medicine; that stuff really works."
"Yeah you didn't look too good," said Michael, remembering back when Connor looked sick. "How's your arm by the way?" Connor held up his bandage free right forearm and showed Michael that he was completely healed. Michael stared at his arm with an impressed look in his eyes.
"It wasn't too bad but I'm pretty glad that my arm's healed," Connor said as he lowered his arm. "I'm pretty glad that I don't have any scars too, that'll be embarrassing."
"I'm sure all the girls would run away if they saw scars on your arm," Michael teased him. Connor gave a sarcastic laugh before going back to eating.
As they continued to eat, more and more students walked into the cafeteria and started getting their breakfast. Michael and Connor were quietly eating as the tables around them were being claimed. Odd of course walked over to Rosa and got a bigger portion than Michael and Connor combined. Connor couldn't help but notice Odd walking past them while carrying a large tray of food. Baffled by the hungry boy's tray, Connor looked back at Michael. He looked completely puzzled as Michael watched Odd go by and saw the extra portions he got before chuckling.
Odd sat down beside Ulrich, Jeremy and Yumi who all looked at his tray with concerned looks on their faces. It didn't last long before they all just laughed while Odd was the first one to chow down. Connor looked back at the Lyoko Warriors, stilled puzzled that they were just laughing. He watched Odd practically wolfing his food down as his jaw dropped while trying to figure out how a small person like Odd could eat so much.
"What's going on?" a soft and kind voice asked. Michael and Connor both looked to see Aelita standing at the edge of the table with a tray of food in her hands. Connor quickly closed his mouth and tried not to embarrass himself from his confusion.
"The human vacuum cleaner is at it again," Michael said as he started to laugh. Aelita looked up to see Odd wolfing his food down as she stared in worry. "I wonder where he puts it all?"
"Probably his second stomach," Aelita joked. Connor still sat there like a bump on a log when Michael finally stopped laughing.
"I'm sorry," Michael apologized while removing a lone tear with his finger. "Aelita, this is my friend Connor. Connor, this is Aelita; Odd's cousin from Canada." Connor and Aelita shook hands as Connor flashed a big smile and Aelita giggled.
"Would you guys mind if I join you?" Aelita politely asked. Michael and Connor looked at each other for a moment before looking back at her. They both offered her a spot beside Connor as she gladly joined the two guys while Jeremy looked over at see her sitting with them.
Connor occasionally peaked over at her while thinking about how cute she is. Aelita wasn't paying attention and Michael was too busy making jokes that he didn't notice Connor slowly inching his way closer to Aelita. His face and palms were sweaty as he tried to think of a way to ask her out. His mind was racing with any kind of line he knew.
Connor stared creepily at Aelita for a minute as she continued to eat her lunch. She wasn't paying any attention to him but he was still contemplating a pickup line. Michael stopped eating his breakfast when he looked up to see Connor getting a little too close. He wanted to tell him that she was taken but stopped himself when he thought that it would be hilarious to see where this goes. He couldn't help but give a little half-smile as he watched the action happen.
He started to reach his arm around behind her when she stopped eating and looked over her shoulder and saw him. Now frozen from the awkward moment, Connor sat there; embarrassed and unable to speak as Aelita leaned backwards wondering why he was getting so close. His arm was still raised outwards when she looked at his hand reaching out towards her. Blushing wildly with embarrassment he yanked his arm away. He reached over and hastily grabbed his tray; causing the open bottle of water to fall off. The bottle fell into Aelita's lap, practically pouring all of its contents onto the bottom of her dress and leggings. She screamed from the shock of the cold water seeping into her clothes and jumped off her seat as people heard her and began to look.
Now frantic with worry, Connor practically slammed his tray down hard as scrambled eggs jumped off his plate and grabbed a clean napkin off his tray and tried to help dry her off.
"Oh my God, I'm so so sorry," Connor quickly said as he tried to help dry her off. Michael's expression quickly turned from amused to shock at the quick change. He stood up and helped dry her off too. Connor rigorously brushed the napkin on her dress without thinking of just laying it on to soak up the water. Pieces of napkin broke off and stuck to her outfit as she watched on hoping he'd stop.
Michael pulled Connor off her just in time to see her shivering. He told Connor to go get an actual towel. Connor took off out of the cafeteria just as people started to laugh. Blushing from embarrassment, Aelita walked out of the room as people started laughing. Michael ran after her as Odd and the others came over to see what was happening. Unable to explain, Michael ran out of the room.
Aelita went inside her room and closed the door as Michael stayed outside so she could put on a dry set of clothes in peace. After a few minutes of waiting, Aelita came out wearing a fresh set of clothes. She wasn't too happy to have to change her clothes but she was just glad to be out of wet clothes. Michael told her what Connor was up too which made her mad because he didn't warn her. He also told her he was sorry for what happened but she said that it was okay.
The bell rang for the first class as Aelita and Michael separated. Michael made his way over to Mrs. Hertz's class with Ana meeting up with him just in time as they got to the door. They walked inside the room only to be shocked that Mrs. Hertz wasn't in today. The blackboard was blank too which made them curious as to what was today's lesson. Michael and Ana sat together as usual and waited for everyone to come in.
Students, including Yumi and William's Clone came walking in. Michael and Ana noticed Yumi and William's Clone and said their hellos and good mornings. They proceeded to sit down along with everyone else as the class pulled out their textbooks, notebooks and pencils and waited for the teacher to come in.
For the next few minutes the room was teacherless. Everyone couldn't help but feel worried about if this was some kind of test or something. A few people were feeling a little nervous as William's Clone stuck to doodling on a notepad.
"Sorry I'm late," said a man walking in. He wore a black suit and was carrying a black briefcase. He set the briefcase on the ground leaning up against the teacher's desk as he went to the blackboard and started to write his name. Michael was half asleep at the moment but Ana quickly woke him up and told him that the substitute teacher is in. Michael looked up at the blackboard as the substitute continued to write his name. When he was down. He stepped to the side and revealed his name to the class. "My name is Mr. Valentine and I'll be substituting while our wonderful teacher Mrs. Hertz is out for the next few days. So good morning class."
"GOODMORNING MR. VALENTINE!" all the students said in sync. Michael heard the man's voice and his name as he sat in his chair frozen and silent. His eyes wide and his throat dry as he stared at Valentine. Everyone was minding their own business as Mr. Valentine sat down in Mrs. Hertz's chair and went through some papers in his briefcase.
A minute passed by as the class were talking amongst themselves. Michael's hands were shaking with fear but also rage as he continued to stare at Mr. Valentine. Suddenly all those screams and gunshots echoed again and again in his mind. He couldn't believe that he was here; right in this very school. Michael's heart latterly froze from sheer horror as he was looking at the man who killed him and Liana. His mind racing with hate as he was to rip the man who betrayed him apart.
"Excuse me Mr. Valentine?" a girl asked while raising her hand. Mr. Valentine looked up at her and smiled. "Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors sir?" Mr. Valentine chuckled as he stood and walked up to her desk.
"That is a great question," Mr. Valentine praised her. "When I was five years old I was diagnosed with a rare disease that makes my eyes very sensitive to light. Normally I'd tell you the name of the disease but I don't remember it nor could I even pronounce it. I think they pay doctors to come up with the most absurd name just to mess with us." Most of the students laughed at the man's joke as Michael just sat quietly. Mr. Valentine looked around the classroom but stopped when he saw Michael sitting beside Ana. As if he knew he was being watched, Michael lowered his head hoping that Valentine would just look away. "I'm not blind, I have perfect 20/20 vision but the light receptors in the lenses of my eyes are somewhat deformed. If I were to take them off right here even the lights above our heads would probably feel like someone pouring scalding hot water on them." Valentine walked back to his desk and sat the papers back into his briefcase. "Unfortunately Mrs. Hertz had you all scheduled for a test today but sadly I lack the actual test sheet." Little did they know, Mr. Valentine slipped a copy of the test into his briefcase and closed it before setting it down by his desk. Everyone started to cheer but Valentine held his hands out to calm them down. "I have no idea what you're next lessons are either since the copy I was supposed to receive in the mail never arrived. I talked to the principle about this and he said that today can just be a free day since I lack the materials to teach. I tried contacting Mrs. Hertz but she's not taking calls at the moment."
"So then what should we do?" a boy asked. Valentine glanced over at the boy and looked cheerful to hear him ask.
"I used to teach college mythology, maybe I can share a few stories with everyone to kill time," Valentine said as he pulled out a strange black box about the size of a jack in the box. He sat the box on his desk and looked around as everyone stared at the strange box.
"What's in the box sir?" a female student asked. Valentine looked happy to see the curiosity in a student. He picked the box up and held it chest level for all the students to gaze at it; eagerly wondering what was inside.
With the box still in his hands, Valentine looked through the students until he saw Michael trying to hide his face. With a dark grin on his face, he called out to him for everyone to hear.
"Mr. Elrick?!" Valentine called out to him. Michael immediately jumped and looked at Valentine.
"Yes…s…sir?" he asked with trembling words.
"I don't like people napping in class, please remember that," Valentine said with a devious smile.
"I…I'm sorry sir," Michael said submissively, quickly quieting down as Ana noticed him acting strange.
"Are you okay Michael?" she whispered to him. But he didn't respond which made her worry. She was about to ask again but Valentine was looking at them so she quickly faced forward and kept her mouth shut.
"Anyway, that's a very good question," Valentine praised. "Inside this box is something well over hundreds of years old that's been in my family for countless generations. "I never really show anyone but the object inside this box is over a few hundred years old." The whole class watched on as Valentine opened the box with the inside facing him so only he could see the strange red object hidden inside. "There are pieces like this in a few museums around the world but this piece has been kept in my family for years. Are you all ready to see this?" In sync, everyone but Michael nodded in anticipation. Valentine reached his hand inside the box and pulled out a small dark red oval shaped crystal and presented it to the class. It was only a few inches big and it had small cracks and small chunks missing but it was a beautiful sight to see. Other than the apparent damaged the crystal gave off a feint red glow as all the students were suddenly entranced by it.
"It's so pretty," a female student said in awe.
"It is isn't it?" Valentine asked in admiration as he handed the crystal to the girl that spoke. She held it in her hands as if it was the most amazing thing she's ever seen. "It's hard to believe but there's actually an old legend tied to this." He walked back towards the blackboard and began to right down something. When he was down, he stepped to the side to reveal what it was. It was only a single word: "Zenetharia". "Has anyone ever heard of this word before?"
For the next few minutes the class grew quiet as no one could figure out what it meant. Valentine sat up against the edge of his desk as he watched his puzzled students trying to figure it out. He glanced over at Michael again who was still trying to hide his face. He was gonna call Michael out again but he had another idea. But he had to wait until after class when it was just him and Michael alone.
Valentine, holding the crystal in his left hand sat the box down and peered around the room eagerly awaiting someone to have the answer. But the more he waited the more disappointed he felt that nobody knew. For a moment; it didn't surprise him that nobody knew. It still bugged him but he knew the reason why they didn't know. But it didn't bother him either that he was gonna tell them the meaning of the word.
While they kept thinking, Valentine glimpsed down at the crystal in his hand. Its eerie feint glow and strange aura comforted him. It may look like an ordinary crystal, but it's far from it. Even as he moved the crystal around with his fingers he stayed in a state of calm.
"What does it mean sir?" a female student asked with her hand raised. Valentine broke from his calm state and looked at the student who asked. He smiled a fake yet convincing to the weaker minds.
"I'm glad you asked," Valentine said as he stood up and walked towards the front row. "Legend speaks of an ancient kingdom centuries ago. In a time of magic and monsters this kingdom was vulnerable for a small point in time. That is…until a sage and an alchemist created a spell that surrounded this kingdom in a magic barrier. For many years after that the kingdom thrived from this barrier. No monster could even crack the barrier and any kingdom that attacked to steal its secrets couldn't penetrate it. The people were protected as long as the barrier stood. However one night, a massive monster appeared. With a single attack, the barrier was shattered to pieces. The people woke up to see the monster laying waste to their entire kingdom. They tried to fight back but the creature was too strong. The next morning a band of thieves entered the kingdom only to find it in ruin and coated in black flames. The air was heavy with the stench of the lost. From what was said, nobody survived that night. The only thing that was found that day was this crystal among others exactly like it. From then on the kingdom's name was forgotten except from a single word: "Zenetharia", also known as The Kingdom of Lost Souls. Since then the ruins were destroyed and the dead buried. Whatever artifacts were left were sent to museums for study. This crystal however found its way to the black market; I was barely lucky to have been able to get it in the first place. Of course that's only a myth, nobody has been able to prove if the kingdom actually existed. I myself have some doubts about the kingdom but it can't hurt to have a little curiosity. I do love a good story." Valentine walked around the room with the crystal still in hand as he looked at each student. Most of the girls and boys were staring at the crystal while Michael would catch occasional glimpses of it.
Valentine smiled as he trailed around the room until he stopped next to a girl drawing what looked like a meadow with deer and a small creek, a few trees in the background and the yellow sun hanging above. He studied the drawing as she continued to work on it, completely oblivious to the fact that he was staring at her work. It wasn't until she noticed his shadow that she looked up with an innocent look on her face towards her ever-watching teacher.
"Y…yes sir?" She asked in a sweet and low tone. Valentine looked to be admiring her work as he knelt down and took a closer look.
"I have to say, I'm really impressed by your attention to detail," Valentine said with a suave and generous tone. With his right hand fingertips, he gingerly reached over and touched the top left corner of her paper. "May I?" She pulled her hands down to her waist and blushed with embarrassment. Her lips started to move but nothing came out. "What is your name may I ask?" She didn't answer, she just continued to keep to herself. This time he was starting to get a little impatient. "Do you speak at all?" But much to his disappointment, she didn't answer. "I'm sorry, you may continue."
Valentine sighed in disappointment but quickly turned towards the class. He couldn't figure out what was wrong with her but he didn't let it bug him anymore. Instead he decided to walk back to his desk while the rest of the class looked at the girl. A few students were laughing under their breath while Valentine let them be so he could think of what to do.
Michael stared at the girl wondering what was wrong with her. He didn't like to judge but he couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't talking. He figured that she was shy but she's been here before he even started attending. He remembered back when he was little he was really shy too. He couldn't help but feel like he could empathize with her but it only gave him a yearning to help her more.
Minutes went by as Valentine shared with the students some of his teaching experiences but Michael wasn't convinced. While everyone listened, he was digging his nails into the palms of his hands trying not to call him a liar. He could feel blood trickling through his hands. At this point just listening to his voice now drove him crazy.
When the bell finally rang the class slowly emptied while Michael stayed behind. Once all the students including Yumi and William's Clone left, Valentine walked towards the door and casually locked it while looking out to make sure that nobody else was coming. He casually pulled down the mini-blind while calmly just standing there with a faint smile on his face.
Michael stood up, slung his pack over his shoulder and readied himself for what could happen next. Valentine turned around and quietly walked back to his desk. He still held the crystal in his hand but as he got to his desk; he returned it to its box and stood there. But then he started laughing maniacally which surprised Michael the most. He had to take a few steps back as worry hit him.
"When I heard the rumors that you were here I didn't believe it," Valentine said, turning his head to catch a glimpse of Michael. "My men told me that they took care of your body; I'm glad to see that they were wrong. He turned around and looked Michael head on. "I'm quite surprised to see how different you look though: Black hair, red eyes, pale white skin, you've really changed." Michael tightened his grip on the strap of his pack while trying to restrain himself.
"What the hell do you want with me?" Michael asked, unable to hide the rage in his tone. He thought Valentine would tell him but instead he was met with a light grin and a gentle chuckle.
"You'll find out eventually Michael," Valentine uttered slyly while keeping his usual evil grin and calm demeanor. "For now you can enjoy the rest of the school day with the humans." But then he said something that triggered Michael to snap. "Now go be a good little puppy to your little girlfriend…while she still likes you."
Unable to hold it in anymore, Michael threw his bag on the ground and charged towards Valentine. His left fist burst into a torrent of black flames as he charged towards the unfazed substitute. But just as he threw his fist at Valentine's face, Valentine stepped to the left just barely missing Michael's fist as he slammed his right fist hard into Michael's gut in one swift motion. The flames covering Michael's fist immediately existed as his upper body hunched over Valentines arm. He felt something vile coating his throat as he was forced to spit up blood onto the wall behind Valentine.
With his left hand he grabbed a stunned Michael by the throat and hoisted him off his feet like he was weightless. Holding him two feet off the ground, Valentine starred into Michael's eyes as Michael grabbed Valentine's arm with both hands hoping to use his strength to break his strength to break Valentine's arm but to no avail. Valentine quickly realized what Michael was trying to do as the man tightened his grip on Michael's neck. At this point Michael was struggling to even be able to breathe while Valentine watched as Michael was helpless to fight back. Michael tried kicking him but nothing fazed Valentine even the slightest as he looked like he was rather enjoying Michael's feeble attempts at freeing himself.
Michael's face started to turn blue from lack of oxygen when in a twist of pleasure, Valentine loosening his grip a little. Michael gasped as he tried to get in as much air as he could while simultaneously trying to curse Valentine out. His voice was raspy from the feeling of having his lungs forcefully shut.
"I…I'll kill you….you bastard," Michael managed to get out.
"You couldn't kill me back then and you can't kill me now," Valentine taunted. "But I'll tell you; I'm really gonna enjoy making you suffer. Just like the first time we met, you remember that don't you? Do you remember what I did to you, what I did to her?"
"I'll rip you ap-" Valentine tightened his grip on Michael's neck again as the enraged warrior tried in vain to get free.
"You're not gonna do anything to me, you don't have what it takes to kill me," Valentine pointed out. He pulled Michael in closer so he can whisper into his ear. "You may have killed people but I'm on a level that neither you or your little friends and even hope to beat." He loosened his grip again as Michael gasped for air.
"Then kill me, just leave them alone, they have nothing to do with this," Michael defended hoping that Valentine would do as he asked. Valentine started to laugh maniacally at Michael's vain attempt at begging.
"I won't kill them yet, I have other plans for them so I need them alive," Valentine said. He threw Michael to the ground and towered over him with a menacing grin on his face as he placed his right foot in Michael's chest and pinned him down.. "I have plans for you too, given the right amount of time, you'll see exactly what I mean." A sudden knock on the door caused Valentine to glance back over at the door. He could see the shadow of a student on the mini-blinds. Deciding he was down, he took his foot off Michael's chest while also yanking him up onto his feet. He grabbed Michael's bag and forcefully pushed it into Michael chest. "You tell any of the faculty, even the janitor I will kill everyone in this school. You'd best take care to remember what's at stake now." He brushed Michael off and walked him to the door. He unlocked the door and opened it as students started to walk in. Michael used this opportunity to break away while Valentine was distracted.
But instead of going to class, Michael took off running out of the building towards the woods. He was shaken up very badly to the point where each step he took felt heavy. He couldn't believe what he saw: Valentine found him. Without a word to anyone, Michael was gone.
He made it deep in the woods as he found a large tree and sat down beside it. His hands were shaking something fierce and his breathing turned rapid and fast to the point that he was practically hyperventilating. Terrifying images of his and Liana's death flashed in his head while his ears rang with screams and gunshots. His body was completely frozen in terror as everything was coming back to him.
Michael's neck and gut felt sore as he could still taste the blood in his mouth. He didn't know what to do anymore, Valentine beat him so quick and easily. Valentine's punch made his stomach ache with a dull pain along with the feeling of having to throw up. He couldn't help but rub his neck which at this point showed a red print to where Valentine grabbed him. His throat felt raw from coughing on the way here that he wished for something to drink.
He tried to think of what to do next but he couldn't tell anyone about Valentine. Valentine's not the kind of person to joke around nor does he threaten people lightly. He didn't know much about Valentine except that he has a real nasty habit of doing things. If he did warn the faculty about him that Valentine would definitely kill them without hesitation. It must be one of his sick ways of torture to make him suffer.
Michael sat there muttering quietly to himself as a strange figure appeared hiding behind one of the trees. Michael didn't notice it until the figure made a mistake in taking a step as a small twig broke underneath their foot. His ears twitched as he looked up to see the figure trying to hide behind the tree in desperation to not be seen. But it was too late as Michael jumped to his feet with eyes burning to rage and cat-like pupils. He charged towards the tree as the figure tried desperately to run away. However Michael pounced on top of the figure followed by a girlish scream as Michael pinned the figure down by their thin dainty wrists.
He looked at the figure's long silky shoulder-length silver hair; his nose could pick up a slight scent of lavender and vanilla from the shampoo. He looked at the figure's soft and wide light blue eyes and innocent looking face as he recognized who it was. Blushing red like a tomato, he quickly got off of her and looked on and complete embarrassment. It was the shy girl from class.
"Please don't hurt me," she said in a soft and half-scared tone.
Find out what happens next in Part XLVI: Children of the Moon
