Chapter III-Remembrance

The world spun time and time again, each moment faster and faster. The image became a twisted circle of senseless shapes and sizes. From it's core arose a pair of deformed echoes, their bewildering sound ripping trough the stagnating silence as if it was a broadsword lacerating the flesh of the wounded.

Hiroshi…are you still angry?-

…-

Steps are heard as the scene finally fades to black, leaving behind darkness seen only in dreams

But you did! That's the problem! You believed his words over mine!-
-Hiroshi…please-
-Goodbye Elisabeth…and don't you dare speak to me again-

As the darkness dispersed, it allowed the soft lighting of a classroom to illuminate the blackened scenery, showing that it was just another school day.

Hey Sissie- Spoke Herb, trying to evade the teacher's eyes –What's wrong, you seem more distracted than usual-

Yet she didn't appear to listen, for her gaze remained focused on the world that lay outside the neighboring window

Sissie, are you there?-

Huh?...oh…did you say something?- she finally said, shaking her head trying to snap completely out of her meditative state

…I asked you, is there anything wrong? You've been awfully distracted ever since the Bash-

Yea…it's just that…I met this guy-

Is he better than Ulrich?- he mocked, expecting to see her explode, yet Elisabeth still looked calm and serene

I'm not sure…I never thought anyone could be better than Ulrich…I mean, he IS handsome, smart and athletic…but this other guy…he's, well…different, and he showed some interest in me-

What's the new guy's name?- he asked, his tone reflecting suppressed rage.

Hiroshi-

You know, he's friends with Odd…how do you know he wasn't trying to trick you?- he said again, willingly causing the girl to doubt the truthfulness of Hiroshi's words

"He said I was beautiful…but maybe Herb is right…maybe he did try to trick me...although I haven't talked to him, and he's never with the others when they make fun of me…guess I'll just have to find out "

Taking a deep breath, she ended confidently -We'll know at lunch-

An onslaught of black flames ravished the scene as if it were nothing but a thin sheet of paper, causing the unbearable darkness to return together with the maddening echoes.

I thought that what you said at the dance was a lie and that you were just trying to help Odd in tricking me-
-What could've made you think I'd lie for a cheap laugh!-

Well…I….Herb…he said you could be tricking me…I didn't want to believe him but…-

The flames slowly withered down and died, allowing a glimpse of the school's courtyard to come into view. Five shadows are visible, all immersed in a vague conversation. Suddenly, a sixth figure appears

Hi Odd- speaks the newest addition
Attempting to subdue a desire to humiliate, the figure called Odd simply nods
-Hello…Ulrich dear- spoke the newcomer once again –are you and Yumi- it said disgracefully –still together?-
-Yes Sissie- replies the Ulrich shape, in the same voice tone –We're still together and you're still annoying so, off you go…NOW-
Grumbling weakly and uninterestingly, the sixth figure disappears into nothingness, the other five shadows following close behind.

At the same time as the scene becomes desolate, a flash of darkness rises, causing the shapeless echoes to return.

So I see you're still thinking of Ulrich-
-Oh, you mean that because of what I said during lunch? Don't worry, I was just testing you-
-…testing me?...why?-

The darkness submitted one last time to a soft beam of light; though now it leads our sight to a more detailed view of the courtyard at night.

A delicate song played in the background, its rhythm suggesting us into a slow dance. In the yard, two figures seem entangled by the rhythm, their shadows united as one as they move to the sound of the music.

Hehe- giggled one of the shadows in a female tone, its shape hidden by the weak beam of light
-guess it is true you don't know how to dance-
-Heh, yea- replied it's dance partner, moving rather awkwardly to the music
-Don't feel embarrassed-
-I don't feel embarrassed…not around you at least…not tonight- replied the male voice; speaking rather calm and charming
The female didn't reply, verbally at least, for both figure's heads approached simultaneously, moments from a most passionate gesture.

Sadly, a third voice interrupted.
-Sissie!...where are you!- it yelled out

The male figure rapidly pushed itself away from the female in a panicked manner.
-What's wrong Hiroshi?- asked the female

Yet the shape called "Hiroshi" refused to reply; it's invisible factions possibly showing panic and dread

Look, Elisabeth…You can't be seen with me…not tonight at least…it would get you in the deepest of troubles-

Why?...what did you do?-

What matters is what I was going to do...still…I have to try and be as anonymous as possible…don't worry though…meet me Monday during lunch…I'll explain everything to you…I promise- Hiroshi turned to leave, yet stopped for an instant –And by the way Elisabeth…thank you for a lovely evening…Good night-

Without further interruptions, the shadow vanished into the night. This time however, the darkness didn't expand; it seemed to disperse, the soft light becoming stronger and stronger after each passing second.

Finally, Elisabeth's eyes opened to observe her lit room, the light bulb's luminescence striking her face with might

She turned around, observing the clock: 11:45, she had slept forty five minutes…yet it felt as an eternity.

Ugh…forgot the lights- she stated to herself. Reuniting what strength laid in her weakened muscles she got up and, as her hand dangled over the switch, she recalled her past travel from and to the bed.

"I did turn of the lights…god…to top it off now I'm going insane…"

Her finger came into contact with the switch, but before the lights could be turned off she noticed a small paper envelope under her door's frame.

The girl lifted the sealed object rather questioningly, expecting it to be another one of Odd's dirty tricks; yet something unexpected came: a letter.

Upon it a strange sign had been drawn, appearing as some sort of pink eye, though it was formed of three perfect circles and four straight lines. But before more attetino could be placed on it, the signature slowly dispersed into the paper as a strange verse took its place, reading:

Remember my dear
what I told you about the moon?