Author's Note: I'm not sure if there's that much readers reading it, but if there are, I wanna say thank you. Also, those who follows and left comment, I really appreciate it. It's good to know what you think, it boosts me to keep writing.
Chapter Six:"Meeting"
High School Cafeteria (Dormitory)
Doltore, Crystalvale
09-Oct-2019
08:00AM
It was eight in the morning when students started filing into the cafeteria near the high school dorm to have breakfast. There was still the evident gloominess surrounding the school that had become worse with the two announcements released yesterday.
The first announcement came from Headmaster Weston. He canceled classes on Friday for students and faculty who were planning to attend Mercedes' funeral in Hythe. The school had already arranged D.I.A's school buses to be used as transportation to secure the attendees' safety as it would be heavily guarded. Everyone was also encouraged to take the bus instead of their cars. To honor Mercedes Jones for being a former student of D.I.A, students would be wearing their school uniforms.
All senior students were already going, the juniors had decided to go as well to support Sam Evans. It turned out that the couple was well-liked by their peers. Although the sophomores were sympathetic towards the couple, a lot refused to step out of Dalton and even the freshmen were uncomfortable with the idea because, like the sophomores, they felt that Dalton was the safest place to be.
The second announcement was unexpected. It was around dinner last night when it aired. President Sylvester together with 1st General Galvino Herrero of Crystalvale and 1st General Olivia Miller of Barmwich, both who were assigned on the Jones's case, had finally agreed to give an exclusive interview. First, General Miller recounted the story of Mercedes's first day of disappearance and their progress made. The reporter wasn't backing down on grilling the general with question after question that she answered professionally. The female general maintained her cool until the end. The reporter then went to 1st General Galvino. He told the same story on how his team found the body and that the case was still ongoing. The reporter asked about their progress but the male general stated they had none. President Sylvester sat quietly through the ordeal and after a good ten minutes of back and forth between the reporter and General Herrero, it was finally her turn. The reporter seemed to cower under the President's scrutiny as every question put a deeper frown on the President's face. When she had had enough, instead of Q&A, President Sylvester took over the interview. She made a small speech as well as gave a warning for superhumans to be alert of their surroundings. To children, who should make sure to have someone with them when they were out. To humans, who should be cautious just because. She ended her little speech with a signature President Sue Sylvester style saying, 'Hide yourselves because mercy isn't going to be given to rats like you.' On that night, humans and superhumans alike were reminded of who really was the President of superhumans. President Sylvester's threat was not an empty one.
Despite the growing number of students in the cafeteria, the tables around the one being occupied by Sebastian, Santana, Puck, and Tina were left empty. Tina sliced her pancakes and, to her credit, she was able to suppress any visible signs that she was still battling to remain calm. Being seated next to Sebastian also helped because she didn't want to piss off the junior yet again.
Sebastian sipped his iced-latte while pointedly glaring at the Asian girl. He was moody and the innocent bacon on his plate was the receiving end of his annoyance. Unlike everyone who he lived with, Sebastian valued his education. He was no model student but he could be one if he felt like it. Unnecessary absences wasn't just his thing.
Santana sat on the other side of Sebastian, sipping her orange juice. She looked much better than the previous days since she made sure to use a lot of makeup to conceal how huge the bags under her eyes were. Meanwhile, Puck toyed with the CCTV camera he had ripped out from the wall above them. He had no appetite whatsoever. He had dark circles under his eyes and contrary with the other three, he wasn't in his school uniform. Initially, Santana, Tina and him weren't showing up to class just like Kurt after the news but it seemed like Kurt and him were the ones left not feeling the school spirit.
Puck's hand stopped from playing with the item when his eyes darted outside the window. "You must be kidding me."
The other occupants of the table followed Puck's loathsome filled glare. Tina switched back to trembling. Santana's face contorted into anger while Sebastian tightened his grip on his cutlery. It was a very brief moment. They were certain no one even noticed the figure standing seconds ago near the window. The man's sudden appearance was enough. He succeeded in delivering his message.
"Just two weeks." Santana said in disbelief. The man must be really crazy because one of them just died yet they were still getting summoned as if nothing had happened.
"B-Bas." Tina shamelessly looked at the older boy with those pleading eyes.
The mohawk haired boy stared at Sebastian although he had already known what was coming. If he had a choice, there's no doubt he would do the very opposite of Sebastian's plan.
Sebastian threw his fork and it clanked on his plate. He met the three sets of eyes waiting for his response. "Do whatever you please, just leave Kurt out of this."
"He has to come. No one has immunity over this crap." Puck hissed. He scanned everywhere to see if someone was watching them.
"Unless you want to bring a ton of fire extinguishers then go ahead, be my guest." Sebastian shot back.
Puck released the camera before rubbing his face, clearly annoyed with something. "How is he holding up?"
Sebastian shrugged. "Why don't you go see for yourself?"
"You don't know as well." Puck said dryly to the brown haired boy. "God, we're awful. Jeff might be right, we don't understand a thing about Kurt."
Sebastian huffed. If Puck planned to throw a pity party then he would have to leave now. He didn't want a constant reminder that Kurt was still a stranger to him. He believed there was something special between them, a connection much deeper than these three students. "Whatever."
Santana, Puck and Tina shared a skeptical look, but the latina had felt the need to say it. "Way to go, Captain Obvious."
Sebastian threw her a glare that said she should shut her trap before she would regret it. Santana simply smirked as she started to leave as well with the others. She would annoy the hell out of Sebastian if it meant her mind would take a break from what was about to come later.
Dormitory
Doltore, Crystalvale
09-Oct-2019
08:03AM
Kurt was curled up in bed not wanting to move anytime soon. He had stayed awake until dawn because sleep wouldn't visit him, and when it did, he would be plagued with an unsavory dream that led him to wake up soaked in sweat. Tina knocked earlier to ask if he wanted to join them for breakfast or wanted her to bring him anything but Kurt ignored her. A few minutes later, he heard Puck holler that they were leaving but would be back after. The silence that followed gave him enough time to think.
His thumb caressed his ring while his eyes remained on his new accessory. Seeing the object in place felt like he made the right decision. His doubt over his decision was now overruled by the feeling of rightness.
He laid there for awhile until he heard the sound of the door opening then closing. A minute or two passed and the sound of a vacuum roared to life. Kurt rolled to the other side of the bed to have a better view of his room's door as if anytime soon the housekeeper would materialize there. It was impossible of course because every year he would write instructions prohibiting the housekeeper from entering his room. Kurt wasn't fond of the idea of a stranger going through his stuff.
Disturbed by the noise outside, Kurt dragged his body out of bed. He grimaced to see that he had slept in his clothes from yesterday so he peeled them off and entered the bathroom. The bathroom had lavish white marble sprawled across the floor and a pair of natural wood vanities stretched along both sides of the room. At the center, surrounded by full wall sized mirrors, was a large glass cube shaped shower with a stainless rain shower head and six body jet sprays mounted in the wall. A meter away from the glass shower was an oval shaped porcelain bathtub. A basket filled with rolled clean towels sat on one side while the other side had a customized table filled with scented candles and different oils.
Kurt didn't like how exposed this bathroom could make him feel. The mirrors with his reflection made his skin prickle. His scarlet eyes, that seemed to be his permanent eye color since Mercedes's death, were staring blankly back at him. It was a sign, a warning that he wasn't in his best shape, but instead of doing something about it, Kurt just turned away from his reflection and took a quick shower.
Half an hour later, he stepped out of his room dressed in a gray loose knitted cardigan and black slim fit pants. His hair was on point although he had decided to stay in today instead of going to the forest where their safe haven was located. As he walked to the kitchen, he took his time going through his seven days worth of texts, calls, and emails.
89 missed calls
77 voicemails
115 new messages
As usual, those missed calls and voicemails went straight to the trash. The text messages mostly came from Jeff begging for him to reply because he couldn't find him around campus. There was also Brittany, but her's were more subdued than her brother. He deleted everything except the most recent ones.
Happy Birthday! Dinner with Britt and me fine with you? - Jeff
P.S. Pls reply, can't help but to get worried a lot and you know that. Always remember, I love you.
Wer r u? I want 2 say Hapi Berthday and b able 2 hug u. Kurtie, m sad. - Britt
Happy Birthday K. I know this is bad timing and celebration isn't really on the table right now. Let's celebrate it when I'm in town. Take care birthday boy. Miss you! -H
Happy Birthday son. I'm sorry because we cannot celebrate your b-day today. I would like to drive down to Doltore but with the news circulating around, I don't think I want to meet my children outside Dalton. I've talked to them already and agreed to have dinner two Saturdays from now. Please don't get mad kiddo. I love you. -Dad
Hey! Cheer up Lady Lips, if you don't wanna, at least do it just for today. Happy Birthday. -Santana
Happy Birthday Princess. Bad timing, I know. Just remember, we're here, you're not alone in this journey. -Noah
Kurt, Happy Birthday. - Tina
"Good morning Kurt. I didn't know you were still here. I should come back later when everyone's in class."
A woman in her fifties emerged from the living room. She was wearing a teal colored tunic paired with black slacks and her long red hair was set in a bun. She always wore that kind smile on her face which garnered her the spot to be the only housekeeper who could access the sixth floor. It might also be because of Sebastian who miraculously spared some of his precious time to write a letter requesting for this specific woman to be their exclusive housekeeper. A whole sixth floor was definitely too much for one person but the woman never complained. She actually liked her job and the students living on the sixth floor weren't as bad as those rumors going around the campus.
Kurt pocketed his phone. He hadn't heard the vacuum stop nor the woman's footsteps. "You don't have too. It's okay, don't worry." He told the woman as he entered the kitchen. Kurt went straight for the fridge. Sebastian's words still echoed in his head and he knew the older teenager was right. He should move on, they should move on.
"The groceries should arrive before lunch so there is only cereal left." The woman said apologetically when Kurt rummaged in the fridge. She knew how Kurt was particular with his meals, how he was a health enthusiast and disliked sugary foods. It may be Kurt's first year in the High School dorm but she wasn't a stranger to the boy. She first met the infamous kid back when Sebastian and Puck had entered High School. Kurt would visit with Santana and Tina and even when they were still in Middle School, the three had already chosen their room as if they knew in a year or two, it was where they would be placed. Surprisingly enough, they were all now living there together.
"Add granola bars on the grocery list Martha, please?" He grabbed the unopened orange juice before closing the fridge.
"Okay Kurt." Martha watched the boy fill up the tall glass with orange juice before remembering something. She hastily left from the kitchen but was back in no time. "I went to mail service to see if there was something for anyone. I got yours."
Kurt's eyebrows shot up. He basically gave her permission to be able to retrieve any mail or package that was sent to his name just like anybody on the sixth floor but sometimes he forgot there was such a thing in this school. He took the white envelope from her. He could see his name but there was no return address from the sender. He opened the letter and immediately recognized the handwriting.
Happy Birthday Babe. Miss you a lot so it's appropriate to send this as a gift. - D.T.B
Kurt read the air ticket information. It was a first class, one way ticket going to Whiteridge and the flight scheduled was a day before thanksgiving.
Martha waited until Kurt folded the letter and slid it back in the envelope before she asked something. She was uncomfortable to ask, especially Kurt. The boy barely portrayed emotion and the last thing she wanted to do was to unknowingly upset him. "Uhm, Kurt I just want to ask if I should pack Mercedes's remaining things in her room and send them back to her parents?"
The boy tensed. It sounded like this was indeed the end for Mercedes, like the door connected to her had to be closed permanently. Martha's question was like a preparation for him to say goodbye to his first friend and he didn't know how to feel about it. Everything about moving on was easier said than done. "Yes, thanks Martha." He swallowed the lump in his throat. He emptied his glass of orange juice in one go before heading back to his room.
She smiled sadly at the boy as she watched his retreating figure. She watched as Kurt stopped in front of the first door on the right side of the hallway, Mercedes's former bedroom. Kurt reached for the knob but stopped midway, he slowly put his hand down at his side. Martha saw him mouth the word 'sorry' before continuing on his way. It was heartbreaking to see these students being separated by death. Contrary to everybody's beliefs, these kids were the nicest. She wouldn't agree to be their housekeeper for almost three years if those nasty rumors were true. They were flawed like any other person but perhaps they were that way because they had been judged before they were given a chance to show who they really were.
South Wing
Elementary Building
Doltore, Crystalvale
09-Oct-2019
03:45PM
Fifteen minutes to four, two boys and two girls in high school uniforms eased their way to the older part of the elementary building. They easily spotted a tiny alcove which was often missed by everyone. Students hardly ventured to this part of the building, especially ones that weren't attending the said division. The Wing was under renovation which left North, West, and East Wings for use. South Wing had labyrinth type hallways which further lessened its appeal for students to take the route. Only students who had a knack for exploring without any fear of getting lost could find this place. Thus explained the presence of the four students. Unfortunately, they were that type of person.
Each of them found their spot. Sebastian was leaning on the rough, cold bricks and a grumpy Santana on his side. Puck crouched at one corner, he yawned for a countless time for that day. His muscles were stiff and he felt lethargic at the lack of sleep even when he was mostly cocooned in his bed. Tina occupied herself with breathing exercises to calm her nerves, there was no room for her fear right at the moment.
Puck's ears twitched at the sound of someone's footsteps. His head snapped towards the direction of the small archway. The gesture put the other three on high alert.
They didn't wait long for the man to show up. He was still wearing the same clothes from this morning when he had showed up out of nowhere. The sleeves of his blue dress shirt were rolled up to his elbow, revealing his sleeve tattoos. Apparently, he came here straight from his class.
"Someone is missing." The man spoke in a monotone voice, as if he was programmed to say this.
"Kurt isn't feeling well." Tina schooled a brave front. They all knew that they should act as composed as they could manage. One wrong move and it would be hell to pay.
The man threw a piercing glare at the Asian, his eyeliner didn't do anything but to add to its effect. He looked intimidating with his cold blue eyes, harsh smile and those bulging muscles filling his clothes. However Tina never cowered under his glare. She would be damned to give any satisfaction to this loathsome being.
Sebastian gave him a deathly glare when the man's back was in his view. He detested the very being of this man. He hated him, them, like he never hated anyone before. Sebastian would demand to end this meeting if he could but he couldn't. They never had a say in this matter.
"I have something for you."
Figures, duh! Santana retorted in her head. She had to use all the restraint in her body to keep herself from rolling her eyes.
No one dared to speak. Like a puppet, they just listened and couldn't ask, couldn't question, and most of all couldn't refuse. They were only allowed to ask if it was related to the subject.
"Silver van. Friday, 10pm. Doltore to Hythe. Styrofoam cooler. Taco Bell parking lot near Hythe's welcome arch. That's all." The man spoke like he was in the middle of his class. It was even weirder how smooth and easy on the ear he sounded.
No one reacted and that was expected.
He was on his way out when Puck lost it. "It's Mercedes' funeral! You can't expect us to dit-"
He was slammed into the wall before he had the chance to finish his statement. Puck saw hands tightly wrap around his neck, constricting his airway. He met the man's eyes and he could see the determination in there. Puck twisted his body to escape, his hands flailing pathetically as if doing so would help the man's grip loosen. He was acting like a normal human. Puck was consumed with fear and helplessness that he couldn't even remember to use his gift.
The three other students were frozen in place. They were petrified at the sight of the man choking Puck. The moment Puck opened his mouth, they knew he had crossed the line. They couldn't peel their eyes off the two, Puck's face was turning blue and tears were running down the corners of his eyes. He was gasping as he started mumbling incoherently.
Ugly memories crept their way into Sebastian's head but he squashed them before he was reminded. He shook his head then jumped into the situation. "E-Mr. Gilbert, excuse Paw's stupidity." He leaned sideways, close enough to feel Puck's harsh breathing. His hands were deep in his pockets to hide his knuckles itching to punch Elliot. He even managed to have that annoying smirk despite how his blood was boiling. Sebastian cocked his head as he watched how Mr. Gilbert choked the living daylight out of Puckerman. Mr. Gilbert glanced at Sebastian but didn't let go.
Santana recovered from her stupor. She pushed back the memories resurfacing to the box where they should belong. She acted like everything was boring her when in fact her insides were shaking. Elliot Gilbert wasn't the type of person to mess with and Puck seemed to forget that small detail. She saw how the man's taut muscles were tense from gripping Puck's neck. "What would you expect from a shifter? Their brain must be the size of a pea with the number of times they change." Santana studied her red fingernails like it was the most interesting thing to do.
"Someone's coming!" Tina warned. There were female voices talking rather loudly outside and based on how clear their conversation was, it was safe to say they were nearby.
Mr. Gilbert immediately released the boy. Puck clawed the floor, heaving loudly as he desperately filled his lungs with air. No one tried to help the boy, the three students stood uncaring.
"This will be a reminder for you all." He pointed at the rest of the students and when he looked at the mohawk haired boy still struggling on the floor, he smiled in satisfaction. "Let me remind you, Puckerman. The funeral won't take long, unless you plan on following Jones and make the cemetery your permanent address." Elliot laughed mirthfully as he made his way out.
Santana and Sebastian exchanged glances. They were both furious at how Elliot could easily joke about Mercedes's death. But despite how enraged they were, they wouldn't do anything except keep silent, to behave like good dogs because it's what they appeared to be. The amount of freedom they got and how short the leash they were kept on didn't have much difference from an actual house dog.
The two counted to ten before attending to Puck. Tina waited a little longer, the female voices were still within earshot but suddenly gone when Tina was sure Elliot wouldn't be back anymore.
They were seated on the floor, forming a small circle. Puck regained color in his face though his breathing remained ragged.
"You're stupid beyond belief and this time I mean it." Sebastian mocked. His cocky self was back in the picture.
"No shit Sherlock!" Santana grunted. She buried her face in her palms. "Are you that desperate to follow Jones?" Her voice was muffled but they understood her nonetheless.
Puck laughed dryly. "Thanks, it's a good trick." He smiled weakly at Tina.
Tina blushed and smiled a little. Sebastian rolled his eyes and started to get up. "Let's go, I have an ass to fuck tonight."
Puck groaned hearing of Sebastian's unending supply of ass to fuck. It sucks for him because Quinn, his soulmate, had graduated last year so he only had some fun during the weekends. Most of the time, his action came from his right hand that might soon fall off with how frequent he needed its company.
Tina was jealous. She had yet to meet her soulmate so she had zero experience. Dating wasn't an option for her either because no one wanted to date a crazy girl like her. All she knew by watching her friends that finding a soulmate was awesome with the amount of times she had accidentally walked in on Mercedes and Sam in the middle of a heated makeout session, or that one time Puck was babbling nonstop his praises as Quinn gave him a blowjob in the middle of their living room, or Santana and Brittany's loud awkward moaning behind close doors, or even Sebastian's shameless phone sex any random time he pleased. She was grateful that Kurt didn't have his soulmate yet, because it was better to know that she wasn't the only pairless in their group.
"We're not all that lucky to have people line up for your infested dick, you Prince Charming wannabe." Santana scowled.
"Not my fault that blondie isn't capable to spice up your sexual life. Besides, I'm likeable." Sebastian told the others when they exited the elementary building. He was already planning how many ways he could fuck Christian, or was it Kristoff he wasn't sure what exactly his name was, he might be Tristan. Whatever, he couldn't care less what was his name. Sebastian cared what he could do in bed.
Puck, Santana, and Tina gagged at his statement. Sebastian was far from likeable. He was cocky as shit and not to mention a narcissist at times. How Kurt was able to tolerate him from the beginning was a big mystery to them.