Disclaimer: Me no own Ib... -tries not to cry- but I do own any poems or songs unless stated otherwise.

Note: There are some REALLY MINOR OCs, 'cause the Ib cast is very small.

Pictures must not be too picturesque.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chapter Five

The echoes resound, humming and whispering through winds, unable to be seen. Long shadows stretch out, touching the rays carefully, longingly. Shorter shadows stay low, lurking around the rays, longing for the taste of temptation, a sip of poison. Still, they turn an eye that wished to be blind, aware of the consequence of touch. Softly they travel, their sorrows trailing and mixing into the mass. The others, lucky not to be of shadow, but near discarded, cry out in rage, pain, and fear that can't be heard. Never be heard.

Echoes whispered so softly, drawing no attention, yet one was heard loud and clear. A delicious thought spoken in words, a want, a need. A treacherous deed. For only a split second, light and shadow froze, caught off guard by such a thing. Without another word nor a sound, they flowed. Only now their thoughts were entwined. It was merely a sip, a tiny sip of poison wine.

Ib opened the cherry wood door to her 'fashion' class slowly, taking her time to peer in. Inside were worktables and around twenty or more students. Some were in groups, hunched over tables with large papers while others were either sewing or doing something of the like. The thing that stuck out most was how loud the room felt, even though the students were talking near silently. It felt like there was a slight tenseness and sense of hurry.

Ib stepped further in, lightly closing the door behind her. No one noticed her entrance. Ib wasn't sure if that was good or bad. In a way she liked the silence, sitting with Amelia and company, even if it were just for lunch, was enough to make her head hurt from the noise, but she had been noticed. Right now...It was like being at home. The heavy atmosphere, but the silence and lack of words made her feel like a scorned child in time out.

Ib located the teacher and, with her head down, made her way over. "Excuse me?" She said, coming to stand behind her. The lady turned around, looking down at Ib through her square-framed glasses, observing her a second before lightly smiling. "You must be my new student, Ib, right?"

Ib nodded, staring at the woman's black pumps shyly.

"You may address me as Ms. Noelle, or just Ms. Nel." She introduced. "Today, we're starting designs for our Autumn showcase. You've actually shown up just in time."

Ib looked up at the teacher blankly. "Oh, I should probably explain what you'll be doing-"

"Ms. Nel, Mr. Klein needs you!" A girl called from the doorway.

"Oh, I'm deeply sorry Ib, but I'll have to have another student help you." She apologized with a sigh. "Kate! Could you come here?"

A girl walked over briskly. "What is it?"

"This is Ib, she's going to be helping out. Could you explain it all too her, please?" The girl nodded, and Ms. Noelle hurried out of the room.

Ib could feel the girl's eyes on her, which resulted in Ib keeping her head down. Finally the other girl spoke, "I'm Kate Gridlings, welcome to our fashion class. Usually things aren't so quiet, but today is a deadline and beginning of a new assignment, so everyone is pretty focused." Ib noted that she had a kind voice, and so she looked up at her.

Kate had fair brown hair, long and in a cascading waterfall braid. Ib glanced at her eyes, grey with some black eyeliner, but were staring back at her, not looking away. The eye-contact wasn't a challenge, more like an invitation, a look to a fellow worker of equal value.

"You're a helper, right?" Ib nodded. "Well, helpers are a bit different than the regular students in this class. You'll be graded like everyone else on drawing for designs, but you won't be making them. Helpers are just what they sound like, they can help others with design ideas and you'll probably be used as a mannequin, but don't worry about that yet."

"Kate! I need help! This sleeve is all wrong and I can't get this stitch right!" Another girl ran over, only pausing when she noticed Ib. The girl stared at Ib, much like Gillian had, before grabbing her. "You'll be perfect!"

"Wait, Raina!" Kate called, but the girl dragging Ib over to one of the worktables didn't falter. Raina stopped by the table and picked up a garment, holding it out to Ib.

Ib just stared at it, unsure of what she should do, but thankfully Kate caught up. "Raina, you can't just grab someone like that." The other girl pouted before rolling her eyes. She turned back to Ib, "Will you please put this on?" Ib looked at Kate, the girl chuckled.

"I said you would be used as a mannequin. In reality you'll just be the model, oh Raina, don't forget to take measurements so we have them on file." Ib sighed inwardly as Raina nodded enthusiastically and led (Read: Dragged) her to a backroom where she could change.

As she put on the dress, Ib couldn't help but think that Garry may have been wrong, she wasn't enjoying this class. If anything, she was confused on how she would be graded. She would have to ask Ms. Noelle or have Kate further explain. Ib finished, leaving her uniform folded neatly on a stool as she hesitantly walked back out. The garment was a dress, a purple one that ruffled and puffed at her hips. The sleeves puffed at the shoulders, tighter around her arms before stopping in a long, narrow triangle at the base of her middle fingers. The bodice itself was open at the neck, revealing a lavender-pink coloured undershirt.

Looking up she saw the class looking at her, and so she looked back down. Raina let out a triumphant sound and pulled Ib over to a two-inch cylinder stand, instructing her to stand on it. Raina pulled out a needle and thread and set to work fixing a few things. Kate came closer, smiling, "It fits well, you look really nice Ib."

Raina snorted, "Of course she does! It's my masterpiece after all!" She looked back at her work, before commenting absently, "Hey, you have an excellent figure for this. Not too scrawny, but not thick. Too bad the bust isn't a bit bigger." The last part was mumbled haphazardly, but Ib still heard and blushed a bit. It wasn't her fault she's underdeveloped!

Kate placed a comforting hand on Ib's shoulder, "Sorry about this, but at least you've gotten the first one over."

Ib only nodded, trying to form her words correctly, "How...exactly will I be graded?"

Kate nodded in understanding, realizing her earlier explanation hadn't been thorough enough. "You'll be graded on submitting designs, helping out others as their 'mannequin', small side projects, and modeling in showcases or at the café."

Ib looked at her intently, mouth opened in surprise for a few seconds, "Modeling?"

Kate nodded, "Designs that pass are featured in showcases or at fashion shows we throw at festivals or at the café. We even do charity benefits, or auction off outfits. You'll be assigned to a group that will be debuting their design and wear it for them." Kate continued, noticing Ib's shell-shocked look, "Of course it would be cruel to just throw you onstage, so you and a few others will take some walking classes when there isn't much to do or as the shows get closer. The drama department has a few students who will be helping out to teach you, so you'll be well prepared before the show."

Although Ib blanked her face, Ib still felt a bit ill. The prospect of having to walk on a stage, in front of so many people, and that any mistake she might make would be seen by anyone. She would be on display. People would be depending on her. She might have to wear heels!

Kate squeezed her shoulder, drawing Ib's attention to her. "Ib, now this probably is nerve-wrecking and scary, but you're not alone. We'll all help, you just need to ask. If it get's too much, don't be afraid to speak up." Raina nodded, and a few students who were listening in voiced their agreement.

Ib only nodded, a faint smile briefly appearing as she looked at Kate, thanking her silently. She wasn't sure if Kate understood, but the girl smiled at her.

Once Raina finished, Kate asked Ib to try on a simple pink dress. Apparently she had a design thought of, but needed to see it on someone else. As Kate pinned and stitched, they lightly conversed. It wasn't a meaningful conversation nor was it lazy, but it passed the time well enough.

Kate placed the translucent gabardine onto the dress, pinning it onto the shoulders. Ib liked the dress, the dress didn't have sleeves, but the piece Kate just pinned on made up for it, resting against Ib's upper arm. The colours were all soft pinks and cream, matching perfectly together without looking overbearing or washed out. Ib was in complete awe at how lovely the dress was.

"Finished, thank you Ib. Now I can sew these on later." Kate commented. Ib nodded and went to carefully change out of the soft material. She gave Kate back her dress, and Ms. Noelle arrived back.

"Hello class, it appears time is nearly up." She said, walking further into the room. "For homework I want each one of you to design a costume. Remember, be creative!"

Faint whispers flowed through the empty hall, flowing and lively. They rushed back and forth, the shadows lengthening and multiplying as the sun's rays darkened, fading away, gone. Artificial lights shone down, giggling with the shadows endlessly. Unheard words flowed between the mass, moans of sorrow and the crashing of waves.

Steps echoed lightly, and the unheard noise silenced, watching for the source. A girl with brown hair walked past them, staring ahead, but as one of the mass coughed the girl paused, looking over at the wall where it came from. Everything went dead silent as the girl scrutinized the painting before continuing down the hall.

The spectacle had only happened briefly, but it was enough for them to stay quiet. They had been heard, something was off, could this be a sign? A harsh voice silenced them, making them submit. A dead silence filled the halls, this was not right. It was not yet time for her to be awake.

Ib paused in her walking, shivering as she glanced behind her. Nothing was there, but she felt like someone was watching her. Walking a bit faster, she made her way down the corridors, towards the cafeteria. It was nearing seven and dinner would be over at eight, Amelia had been wrong when she said nine, that was for breakfast.

A crash to her left made Ib jump and freeze. She glanced ahead to where there was another hallway to the right, the crash echoing from there. Ib slowly walked towards it, remembering the night before. She turned into the hall and saw a smashed vase lying on the floor. As she kneeled down before the vase, the water rippled from her shoes and she reached for one of the larger pieces that didn't look too sharp. Seemingly out of nowhere the shard moved, cutting the palm of her hand, a sliver of blood dripped off, hitting the water.

It was red, it was a violent shade, a terrifying colour. It stained, devoured, and consumed to form its own world. From deep in the decaying core a scream rang out, a hand protruding from the sea in a fruitless attempt for salvation.

Ib fell back, closing her eyes as she curled up. She covered her ears with her hands, trying to block out the noise, but still heard the piercing scream ringing in her ears. She attempted to calm herself, but fear was keeping her frozen. With a few deep breaths she opened her eye a bit and once she saw there was no immediate danger, she looked down, but all she saw was her own large red eyes staring back at her, and a small amount of blood.

Ib uncovered her ears and looked at her hand. Her palm was bleeding.

"Hey, are you alright?" She looked ahead and saw Garry rushing over, his own eyes widening when he saw her. "Ib, what happened?! Are you alright?" He bent down next to her, careful not to make any sudden movements as he reached for her injured hand, "Just a flesh wound."

Ib could have laughed, having heard that earlier in the day, but it wasn't funny. She looked down, shaking a bit, but was surprised when Garry awkwardly put a hand on her shoulder. It was warm. "Come on, we need to get that taken care of."

Garry helped Ib stand, leading her to the nurse silently. He knew something had happened, but knew that he should wait until she was calmer to ask what had happened. If he was honest with himself then he suspected it had something to do with what happened the night before.

The nurse took one look at Ib and set to work, joking when she asked if seeing Ib in her office would become something normal, but neither of them even humored her with a half-hearted smile. The nurse put a bandage on Ib's hand and found another cut on the back of her leg, probably from a shard that she hadn't seen when falling backwards.

Once finished, they walked to the cafeteria quietly. The silence bothered Garry, so he finally asked, "What happened?" Ib paused, staring at the wall before looking at him.

"I...saw something. I saw a girl crying for help, but I don't know who she is." Ib stated after thinking through her words.

"The person you saw... Do you remember anything about her?" Garry asked, a bit scared that what she said was true.

Ib shook her head, "No."

Garry paused before walking again, "We should get some dinner, can't think on an empty stomach."

Ib just followed him quietly to the cafeteria, through the line, and even to the table where Lumi was currently waving at them. With her was only Soaru, Amelia, and Gillian.

"Hey, guys!" Amelia greeted before taking a sip of her milkshake.

"Evening Ib, thing." Gillian greeted, pulling Ib closer to her, but Amelia quickly pulled her in between Lumi and herself. Garry just rolled his eyes at Gillian, "I'm not 'thing'."

Gillian pouted as Amelia hogged Ib, "Shut it, thing."

"I'm not a thing!"

"That's right, Gillian, he isn't yours to use." Lumi remarked, causing Amelia to spit out a stream of milkshake from laughing. Soaru moved his tray as she did, avoiding milkshake from ruining his noodles. Garry and Gillian turned red, trying to come up with a comprehensible sentence to throw at the blonde, but the girl had already turned back to her conversation with Ib and Soaru.

"Where are the others?" Garry asked, glancing around for anyone else.

"Luno went back to the dorms to work on a project and Dmitri is unwillingly helping him." Soaru calmly replied, resuming his meal.

"Who cares about that jerk anyway!" Amelia voiced, angrily biting off a large chunk of her sandwich. Gillian merely smiled as the others ignored Amelia's outburst, it was quite normal.

"Awe man! I have to head back early." Amelia suddenly said, finishing her soda. "I have to find my camera."

"But you already have it with you." Gillian said, indicating to Amelia's bag.

"No, my old one. It has some pictures on it that I need." Amelia said while standing, "I'll see ya alls laters!"

Once out of earshot, Soaru turned to the others, "A rare moment of seriousness from Amelia. The world has ended."

Lumi giggled a bit, smiling politely as Gillian rolled her eyes at the failed attempt. Garry and Ib simply observed, finished with their own meals.

"Ib, would you like to head back with me?" Lumi asked, also finished with her meal. Ib nodded, standing up with her. "Bye everyone."

"Good bye." Ib said, glancing at Garry before turning to follow Lumi.

The two girls threw out the trash and walked towards the dorm silently, listening to crickets and the wind. "Ib, did you enjoy your first day?" Ib turned and looked at Lumi, before looking forward. She thought about her day: meeting Amelia, being carried to the nurse, meeting Dmitri and Soaru, seeing Garry again, meeting Lumi and Luno and having breakfast with them all, her classes, lunch and Gillian, her last class, Kate and Raina, and what she happened in the hall.

"I believe I did." Ib finally answered, and it was true. Many things had happened, but most of it was good or even fun. Sitting with them all felt strange, but it wasn't a bad strange. Things were...good, in a way.

Lumi smiled, "I'm glad to hear that. I was worried."

"Worried?"

"Yes, you seemed a bit down at dinner, quieter than usual." Ib didn't look at the girl next to her as she wondered how Lumi had noticed when they had only met that morning. There wasn't enough time to ask since they had arrived.

"Oh, Ib." Lumi said before they parted, "If you need anything, my room is 18, and Amelia's is 21. Gillian is in room 35 on the third floor. I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow."

Ib nodded and bid her goodnight, walking back to her room. As she sat on her bed staring at her hand she had the urge to get up and walk, but it was getting dark. A chill made her shiver, so she changed clothes and tried to sleep. She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for the longest time.

She sat up and read the time displayed on the clock, 3:29 AM. With a groan she plopped back down in desperation to sleep, but her hands were itching. It was a familiar urge that she'd had for years. It was the urge to draw. With a tired sigh, Ib got up and took out one of her spare sketchbooks. Flipping to a random page, she grabbed one of her drawing pencils, and started to draw, not even bothering to turn on a light, instead moving the curtains to let in the moonlight, even if it only helped a little.

Ib wasn't sure how long she sat there or when she fell asleep, but when she woke up all she knew what that her limbs were stiff and that she was cold. She stood up, stretching as she moved to grab her clothes and a bag. Amelia and Lumi had informed her at lunch about the showers, and Ib decided that she needed to relax, if only a little.

A few girls giggled when Ib passed them, but she wasn't sure why. As she waited in line a girl in front of her was kind enough to let her in, "You have smudges on the left side of your face." and Ib looked down at the floor in embarrassment, remembering that she had fallen asleep while drawing. Once in the shower, Ib thoroughly scrubbed her face to rid herself of the pencil smudges. As she was getting dressed, Ib shivered from the cold, hurrying to recover some sort of warmth.

As she was walking towards the school, Ib kept shivering, feeling like she was forgetting something important. At the lunch table she found only Garry. He greeted her, but notice how she was shivering. "Do you have something?" Ib shook her head, she felt fine other than being cold. As time ticked on, it only got worse, and once her teeth started to chatter Garry stood up and convinced her to walk around to get her blood moving, which would hopefully warm her up a bit.

While walking Ib didn't feel like anything was changing, until they were by a hallway undergoing reconstruction. Ib walked closer to the tape, her body temperature improving with each step. She walked over the tape, feeling that something was off.

Garry called her name, hurrying to follow her, but Ib didn't wait for him to catch up. Her temperature was getting higher and higher, growing so hot that she could feel her blood boiling in her ears. She came to a halt at an overturned frame lying on the ground. Carefully, she picked it up, and all the heat that had been building up suddenly dropped, chills overcoming her as goosebumps rose on her arms, but nothing was there. It was an empty frame.

"Are you alright?" Garry asked worriedly, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I'm fine. This hallway is warmer, thank you." Ib replied, placing the frame back down before starting to head back towards the cafeteria.

Once there they were met with Luno holding Lumi as she hit her face in the crook of his neck, Amelia holding her hand. The others were quiet, the atmosphere wrong from the usual loud group.

Ib could tell something had happened, could feel it in the shivers that raked her body. She needn't say anything, Soaru quietly told them the news that shocked Ib.

Kate Gridlings was proclaimed missing this morning.

AN: Wow, this came out pretty quickly, no(Well to me since I finished it right after the last chapter)? So, the plot has furthered even more! Finally, something exciting happened! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

I noticed that last chapter had a few typos so when this chapter is uploaded, I'll also be updating that one. Hopefully I didn't miss anything this chapter, but please point them out if you see any!

Please drop a review! I miss all of you :'(