Another chapter done! Enjoy everyone. After this one, it will be 70% my own writing, 30% re-iteration of The Blade of Tribulation.


Chaptire 3: Paranoid Agreements

The silence that followed Monobear's announcement was deafening. Without even a moment's hesitation I made my decision. I will not kill. The taking of one's life weighs too heavily on the Universe. But the moment of suspended time came crashing down like shattered glass.

"Please. Nobody kill me. I'm too valuable." I shifted my eyes to see who had spoken; Allen. He was cowering his seat, leaning away from everyone, head clutched in his hands, cowering. The barista, Tristen, spoke up.

"Guys... Listen to me." However, no one paid him any mind and they all dissolved into their own fits of despair.

"NO! There isn't a chance I would let any one of you lay hand on me. I'm going to live!" Aria screamed, her eyes moving quickly from one person to another as if daring anyone ot pick a fight, to target her.

"Hm... so that's how it is." I said quietly so that no one would hear over the din of their climaxing voices.

"Guys! You aren't letting me speak!" Tristan yelled, trying to bring order to the snowball of chaos.

"If any of you come near me, I'll...I'll-!" Okami looked around with wild desperate eyes, like a caged animal. The others now voiced their own panic, threatening, screaming sobbing. However, I felt as if I had been dunked into an ice bath. I clutched my skirt, trying to steady my shaking hands.

"GUYS!" Tristan finally yelled with enormous volume to be heard over the others. Eveyrone, including myself, turned to him, eyes filled with anger, fear and tears. "Listen to Monobear. He wasn't done speaking. It's possible that there could be another way out, or maybe there are other ways to graduate. Besides, being paranoid is exactly what will drive us to kill one another. We have to remain calm. We have to remain faithful. We can't turn on one another." People in the group relaxed a bit, wiping away tears, the craziness in people's eyes draining. I looked at Tristin's back with cold contempt, everyone's selfish fears allowing me to drop my mask for a moment. That's a sweet though, but humans don't work like that. Each has their own measure of risk; for one person murder and being caught may not be enough of a deterrent but for others it means little.

"Thank you Tristan. You're surely my star student!" Monobear exclaimed happily before continuing. "As I was saying, the only way to get out of this school is to kill without being found guilty. How will the culprit be found guilty? The answer to that will come when we cross that bridge."

"You mean if we cross that bridge." Allen asserted, his pride and courage slowly coming back.

"I guess that would be the more politically correct thing to say. Either way, that only regards Graduation. As for the actual school days, you will be free to do whatever you want. There are not regular classes to attend, as that would make finding a window to kill someone much more difficult! There are, however, rules you must adhere to. Otherwise, you will be punished. Please press the buttons on the sides of your chairs." Monobear instructed, "Your Student Identification Cards will pop out. Do not lose your cards. These open your room doors, allow the use of running water, and they have all of the rules on them. Also, they each contain digital maps of the school. They have GPS technology in them allowing you to see one another's location. Each feature barring the room key ability is disabled from ten in the evening to seven in the morning. After all, wouldn't it be difficult for the culprit if they could be tracked at all times?"

"Just a minute. You say we must kill each other in order to escape, correct? What method of murder would you prefer?" It was Oberon who spoke up. Her voice was monotonus, almost as if she was resigning herself to her fate.

"Don't get any ideas, crazy daisy." the first guy from the final group said, giving Oberon a concerned look.

"Oberon, my dear, it doesn't matter how you kill them." Monobear giggled sadistically. "Stabbing, poisoning, burning, choking, and maiming all do the trick! Anyways, we were getting to the rules. Please receive your I.D. cards like I previously mentioned." Doing as told, everyone pressed the button on our right armrest and out shot a car for each person. The card was a soft azure blue with my name written in glittering maroon writing. I discreetly slipped the card into my purse.

"By shaking the card, you can activate the digital interface. Please try it!" Monobear commented. Everyone except for myself did so.

"It works just like an iPhone!" the first boy form the third group commented. His eyes seemed to light up with joy as did everyone else. Morons…

"Um... if I may... I do believe I have heard of such technologies being created. It's um... a sensor of some sort. Actually, these cards are fundamentally robots... They sense, think, and then they act. I think um... it's pretty cool. It's really cutting edge technology I guess... um... we're lucky to have them!" Bertie piped up, trailing off once more. Hmm… both chemistry AND tech? This boy with be VERY useful… A cat-like grin spread across my face for a moment. And he'll be deeply entertaining.

"The Chemist is exactly right. You should quit blathering about your own notions and listen to him more often." Monobear scolded. I turned back to our captor. "So anyways, let's read the rules together. By that, I mean I'll read them. You can follow along if you so desire. Let's begin! Rule one: The students will live a communal lifestyle inside the walls of Rising Stars Academy for an indefinite amount of time. Rule two: The time between 10pm and 7am is considered "night time." All functions of the ID cards except for the room key function are disabled during this time. Rule three: You may investigate the school as thoroughly as desired. Rule four: Violence against the school's staff is prohibited. For that matter, violence against the school's surveillance cameras is prohibited..."

"There are surveillance cameras? Oh boy..." Saya said, her tone almost sarcastic-sounding.

"Moving right along... rule five: In order to graduate from Rising Stars Academy, the culprit of a murder mustn't be found guilty. If they are found out, they will be punished. Rule six: Serving as an accomplice for a murderer is permitted, but the accomplice has nothing to gain. Only the murderer will graduate. Rule seven: You are permitted to sleep wherever you desire, but be warned; if I catch any of you engaging in sexual activity... It'll be the last thing you do." Monobear glared at the group. As if romance is a smart thing in this situation; it'll simply be a liability. And another tool for me to use if some are stupid enough to do it. I heard another ghostly chuckle.

"You and I are quite alike. I'm glad the only person that can hear me will at least be able to follow along."

"Also, I would advise you to sleep in your rooms. Killing you would be facilitated if you were to fall asleep in a public place. Rule eight: A maximum of two people may be killed by one person. Rule nine: Once three people have discovered a dead body, the death will be announced over the loudspeaker. Finally, rule ten: Any new rules may be added by the school when it is seen fit." Monobear finished.

"Big bwother! Pwease! Have pity on their poor souws. They don't wanna kiww each other, Monobeaw. Pwease!" Monomi rushed from behind the curtain and fell to Monobear's feet, pleading. It was honestly a pathetic spectacle.

"Monomi, go away! I'm trying to explain the rules to them, and you're getting in the way." Monobear growled at her.

"But Monobeaw..." She started to tear up again. Monobear kicked her back behind the curtains.

"That wasn't vewy nice!"

"I apologize for that interruption. Sometimes, my sister gets restless. Now that we've gone over the rules, I will allow you to ask me any questions which might have popped into your minds." There was a pause.

"Why, just... why? Why would you do something so evil..." Abigail asked quietly.

"Because the despair of the most potent children participating in a life of mutual killing is overwhelming. It gives me a head rush just thinking about it." Monobear shuddered, the white side of its face flushing red. That thing gets off on despair, doesn't it? That's nasty.

"I WANNA GET OUT OF HERE!" Oberon screamed before beginning to violently kick and scream.

"Kill someone. It isn't that hard." Monobear said, shrugging. "I have paperwork to do. I bid you all good luck with your school life of mutual killing! Toodles!" Monobear disappeared and quickly as it came.

"You know... he's right. Killing isn't very hard..." Oberon said as she suddenly stopped screaming and kicking.

"Are you insane?!" The uniformed boy exclaimed before leaping up and forcibly subduing Oberon in her seat. "I'm putting you on probation! In fact, any of you who break my strict set of rules are being put on probation!" the uniformed boy then proceeded to tie Oberon to her chiar with rope he pulled out of his coat pocket. "We will bring you each of your meals. I will be watching you very carefully, Oberon Hoffen." I simply watched this bizarre spectacle. I think you're as crazy as the girl actually…

"Hold on. It was only her first offense... Some of us react differently to stress than others..." Tristan started, but the uniformed boy stopped him mid-sentence.

"I am running a zero-tolerance policy! I don't care how she reacts! I will not let any of you fall victim to her insanity! As for you, Tristan, through your defiant acts against me, you are in violation of my policies!" I lazily crossed my legs at the ankles, watching the show unfold.

"And just what would those policies be?" Allen asked.

"...I'm not sure yet! I'll make them up as I see fit!" You really ARE a fucking moron. I hope you get killed quickly.

"Great idea, Inspector! You sure know how to keep people in line. But seriously, guys, what are we going to do about this school life of mutual killing?" the boy from the third group asked with sarcasm.

"I say we don't fall for it..." I said quietly, though loud enough this time for everyone to hear me. The others glanced at me.

"You know? This isn't so different from Chess." the Russian-accented boy stated. "We're all trying to outsmart each other. We're going for each other's kings. Every game is to be won. It isn't a game if there isn't an option for victory. What we must determine here is what victory means? Is Graduation considered victory? Is living here forever considered victory over the urge to kill each other? Is escaping considered victory? Perhaps victory means something different for every person. Perhaps... the standard of victory being one concrete thing is flawed. That is all." Oh yeah, I like this guy; he thinks like a sane person. However, he brings up an important point; "victory" means different things to different people. And for me, it's staying alive.

"Victory is staying alive! I'm too pretty to die! I'm too pretty, right?" Aria shrieked.

"Still, your hair is a mess. Nothing has changed from ten minutes ago." Allen muttered. Aria slumped in her seat and started to pout in response.

"I'm really scared..." Monica whimpered, bringing attention to herself. She was shaking violently, tears leaking out of her eyes.

"Hey, it's okay. We're all morally sound teenagers with bright futures. Nobody will kill anybody else." Allen soothed..

"Oh... I guess..." Monica muttered. "Suddenly, I feel... as if the music has stopped. It's been replaced by the sharp, ugly voices of pain and fear... " She suddered, biting her lip hard.

"It's okay. Maybe there are a few eighth notes in the song now, but it'll all turn out to be a legato!" the first boy from the last group said, trying to cheer Monica up. The Russian snickered.

"I guess YouTube prevented you from learning musical terminology, huh?"

"The five of you never introduced yourselves." I stated suddenly.

"Oh crap, you're right! I'm Josh McGuinn, and I'm a Super High School Level Videographer. Those of you familiar with YouTube probably know me."

"I am Inspector Javert, but you will refer to me as "Inspector." I, as you may have guessed, am a Super High School Level Police Inspector. I will ensure no wrong is done to any of you, and I will lay down the law on those who deserve it." the uniformed boy introduced.

"I'm Niko Levitsky. Super High School Level Chess Player." the Russian simply stated before deferring to a blue-haired girl.

"My name is Charlotte Chester and I'm a Super Duper Extra High School Level Butcher!"

"Did you dye your hair blue?" Allen asked, curious. The butcher, Charlotte, giggled like mad.

"Nope! It's a birth defect. Isn't that the coolist?!" I stiffened a bit. I'll have to be careful with her; she knows her way around both knives and hunks of meat; namly us.

"I'm last then. Hello everyone. I am Okami Carlon and your Super High School Level Journalist. I take wonderful notes! I love making stories from them as well." With the final intoductions done, there was another awkward pause.

"Guys... I expected so much from this place. Of course, then the mutual killing was told to us by... that THING. That MONSTROSITY! But... hearing you guys attempt to cheer up Monica like that. We really are the beacons of hope. I'm so glad to have trustworthy classmates like you guys! I just know nobody is going to die!" Abigail spoke up, her voice changing from sadness to anger to hope, all in one stint.

"Abigail, I love you too, but I think it's a bit foolish to be so trusting of everybody. We don't know that nobody will end up becoming a killer..." I chided, disguising my annoyance with false concern.

"Yeah! Big sister Yuko is right! How can I trust any of you?" Charlotte screamed, jumping out of her seat.

"Can you untie me? I promise that I won't kill you." Oberon asked meekly.

"No! You're on probation!" The Inspector barked in response.

"Be that as it may, it isn't exactly wise to only monitor one person. The rest of us aren't innocent angels. I wouldn't put it past any of us to kill one of our classmates. When the worst is brought out in us, we're nothing but a bunch of blood-thirsty piranhas. I actually sprayed a picture of piranhas once. So detailed..." Rayne said, pattering off onto a tangent by the end.

"If it's Graffiti you're alluding to, I can't say I see your work as valid, but you bring up a good point. Oberon might be crazy, but that doesn't mean she's the only one capable of killing another person. As I said before, victory means different things to different people. To assume that Oberon is the only one who wants to succeed by graduating is simply foolish." Niko snapped at the others.

"Be that as it may, Oberon has exhibited wild and unpredictable behavior. It isn't unwise to keep her under watch." The Inspector argued.

"...Guys! I think we should check out our rooms. " I interrupted. And I need to get the hell away from all of you. "According to this map, the boy's rooms are at the south side of this floor. " I pulled out my card and flipped to the map, making sure no one saw the back of it. "There are several routes to the dorms such as going back the way we came and through the other sides of the classrooms we were in. Also, they could go through the gym. Finally, if we wanted to take a longer route, there is a hallway wrapping around most of the floor which they could take. For the girls, our rooms are located at the west side of this floor. We're actually rather close to them at the moment, so it would be best to just leave through those double doors over there." I finished as I pointed to a set of white double doors.

"That's fantastic, sugar, but I think we have more pressing matters at hand..." Allen snapped as he started pacing back and forth. "This kind of stress isn't good for my complexion..."

"You're blaming me for wanting to find our rooms, yet you're worried about your complexion. Fantastic." I grinned, showing teeth.

"Um... if I'm allowed to speak... I actually second the notion of finding our rooms... um... I think it is a good idea..." Bertie piped up before hiding behind Tristen, face flushed. Oh yeah; new toy.

"Actually, it might make things less stressful for us if we're settled in our rooms. We can all meet back up once we're done examining things. Sound like a plan?" Tristan reasoned and everyone agreed unanimously.

"Fine, then I guess it's settled. We'll go to our rooms, and then only fourteen of us return. The fifteenth will have a knife in their back with blood pouring out. This is just GREAT." Allen exclaimed hysterically.

"I'm glad you agree! It will be great! Okay, then shall we go?" Josh smirked at Allen.

"I think so! I'm off to see the bedroom, the wonderful bedroom of mine!" Abigail started singing and skipped out of the Auditorium. I placed my card back into my purse quickly and joined the others filing out of the room. I help my purse tight, making sure to steady my hands. As we reached the section of the hallway that was the girl's dormitories, we saw signs in white with gold lettering on each door which were all painted a dusty rose. The closest door had Abigail's name on it. "Yay!" She swiped her card through the card reader by the door, which beeped and changed its light from red to green. Opening the door, she bounded into the room happily. "Even my stuff is here!" The rest of us walked down the hall, finding our rooms and the group of girls thinning as we did so. The very last room in the hallway had my name on it; Yuko Ichihara. However next to it was a name I didn't want to see so close to mine.

"It seems we're neighbors." Saya stated.

"Lovely." I smiled. I swiped my card through the reader as Saya did the same. I entered my room and closed the door, sighing with relief as the smile fell off my face. Looking around, I was glad to find that my luggage had arrived safely. I placed my purse and card on the nearby desk and took a quick look around the room. The walls were covered in a nice golden-tan wallpaper with simple vertical stripes in a light brown. The bed was quite large, possibly a king-size like I had back home. There was an armoire made of a warm-colored wood that matched the bedframe and vanity desk where I had placed my bag and card just now. Tucked neatly into the desk was a chair with velvet red padding on the seat and back. The comforter on the bed was also velvet red. I couldn't help but notice that all the furniture and even the position of the pieces of the room was to my complete taste. "Are all the rooms like this…?" I wondered out loud.

"Nope! Just yours!" I let out a yelp and turned to seem Monobear behind me. "Each room has been customized to each student's taste. Nice huh?"

"Um…. thanks?" I wasn't quite sure how to respond.

"Yeah, Lolitas are all the same. Only difference really is the color scheme."

"Did you have a Lolita student before?" I asked remembering the shoes form before and the voice I'd been hearing on and off. Monobear just laughed in his strange way. A sharp knock on the door interrupted the conversation.

"Yuko, are you all right? I heard you scream." It was Saya.

"Nope! I'm just fine. I was just surprised by something is all." I chirped.

"Do you have your cell phone? I can't seem to fine mine anywhere." I walked to my handbag and riffled around for a bit. I could feel myself blanch a bit. "I can't seem to get internet access either." Monobear laughed again.

"If you had those, this wouldn't be a true experience, now would it?" Monobear chided.

"Yes, that does make sense if isolation is your aim." Saya commented back calmly through the door. Are you shitting me!? Stop being so matter-of-fact and acting as if you aren't scared.

"Well, enjoy!" Monobear seemed to disappear suddenly. I also heard Saya walk away from my door. I took several deep breaths, sinking to the plush, crème-colored carpeted floor. There were windows above my new bed that had been bolted with steel plates like all the other windows, red curtains draped prettily over them. But no matter how it looks or how pretty, it's a cage. A gilded cage. I hugged myself, shaking a bit as the tide of sorrow threatened to drown me in hysteria. N-no…no! Just…. just unpack. Focus on settling in….I stood up and opened my bags, carefully, methodically, almost ritualistically putting my clothes in place, my shoes in place, my makeup on the vanity. As I did so, my mind calmed. I need to live. I won't kill. I don't care if I don't "graduate". I just want to live. For her… and for me. I took a deep breath.

"We'll see one another again in the next life if I don't get out of here." I took my bag and card once more and left my room, heading for the Auditorium once more. Almost everyone had arrived back and not 10 minutes later all 15 of us were assembled once more. The Inspector stood up and cleared his throat.

"Everybody, I have an announcement. I have decided upon four additional rules to ensure our safety." Everyone looked at one another with cautious faces.

"Please continue..." Saya said, rolling her eyes a bit.

"The four new rules are as such! First, I will be taking attendance at every breakfast! That way, we'll know if anyone has gone missing!"

"I think we would know anyways..." Okami blurted out suddenly. The Inspector ignored her and continued.

"Second off: each night, I will put a piece of tape on your respective doors, so that we will know who has exited their room during our nocturnal hours. This will help identify any potential culprits." He paused.

"That... actually isn't too bad of an idea." Niko agreed. It'll help but not by much…

"There's a reason I'm at the Super High School level. For our third rule, anyone whose misbehavior is too excessive or too horrible will be put on probation."

"That's really vague." Allen interrupted. The Inspector paused, thinking.

"Perhaps it is... Would you like to be the first one to solidify the system, Allen? Back talking the Inspector is a level one offense."

"How serious is excessive control-freakiness?" Josh snickered.

"Good question, Joshua. It would seem you've discovered yet another level one offense which Mr. Coiffeur has broken. Allen, should you break three more offenses, you will be put on probation." I rolled my eyes. Moron.

"Please tell us your fourth rule." Tristan said, changing the subject.

"I was just getting to that. The fourth rule is that I may add any additional rules as I see fit." The Inspector stood proudly in front of the group. "And that is all I have to say. I give you permission to speak now."

"Thanks. I wish I had been given that earlier. Anyways, it would seem that there is, in fact, a hallway which can be used to maneuver around the school with ease." Allen said.

"I suppose this means the map is accurate, then. In fact, it makes sense for the I.D. cards to function properly. After all, Monobear's desired murders are made much easier with a map on each of us. I bring additional information. The few windows I could find have been bolted down, and every imaginable exit point is covered with heavy-duty steel. Unless anybody has any dynamite, it seems we actually are stuck here." Saya explained. No shit Sherlock

"Hm, so it is..." I replied, acting oblivious. "In the meantime, it isn't like they left us without entertainment. There's a Gymnasium, a Recreational room, and an Auditorium. Perhaps, with enough time and research, we can escape. For now, try to adjust your lifestyle." I said, remembering the places on the map I had noted earlier.

"I want to go skating! I can't do that anymore..." Aria mumbled wistfully.

"That isn't necessarily true, big sister Aria. Maybe there's one past that locked stairway!" Charlotte encouraged.

"I suppose that's possible. There isn't anything on the map past that point, so I wouldn't count on it. How depressing..." Aria muttered gloomily.

"Maybe it's a good thing that cold air can't harm your hair any more. It's already done a number on it." Allen commented. Aria scowled at him.

"Well I want to stop that Monobear! He's a disgrace to toys everywhere! I will not stand for his shenanigans!" Abigail declared boldly, standing up suddenly in a fit of passion.

"Abigail, that's the boldest thing I think I've ever heard you say..." Okami commented. Abigail was quiet for a second.

"Yeah... well I feel really strongly about it. That's all..." Abigail blushed.

"No, don't be embarrassed. I think it shows character!" Josh teased. This is so boring now…

"I can see this meeting is pretty much over, so I'm going to my room. Thank the heavens I was wise enough to bring several philosophical books. I just knew I would be surrounded by simpletons..." Niko commented before leaving through the door that led to the greenhouse.

"Uh... I kinda wanna go back to my room too..." Bertie said, squirming in place, obviously uncomfortable.

"You don't need our permission." Tristan said.

"Oh... thank you... I think..." He practically ran out of the room. I am definatly going to use him to both ease my boredom and for his knowledge. This is the best present I could have gotten.

"I wanna leave too!" Oberon wailed, still tied up.

"No. You are not allowed to go anywhere unless I deem it appropriate. I apologize if this seems harsh, but I cannot allow you to danger the others. Now, I believe I saw a supply closet on that map. That is where I will be guarding you for the entirety of our stay here. Unless you can somehow prove your sanity to me, that is." The Inspector replied coldly. …he's gonna die first isn't he?

"Guys, this meeting is as good as over. Go ahead and do what you want. I'm gonna check out the Kitchen, myself. Maybe Monobear has left us some exotic coffee beans." Tristan wandered off. I decided I would explore the school more and see what I could find. After all, the better I knew the layout and the ins-and-outs the easier it would be for me to run if someone decided to kill me. If I don't get a vision of it first, that is.

All we had to do now was wait.


And that's it! Please review and let me know what you think. Reviews = love!