10th July, 1876. Six days after her death.
The simple gravestone looms in the sunset cemetery, miserable grey crashing into vibrant yellow sunflowers. It's a symbol, never to be forgotten. A great tragedy, to be mourned for generations to come.
The twins are sitting by it again. They don't talk. They just stare at the epitaph that falls flat between their dry lips.
Here lies Hinawa — Mother, Wife, Light.
A little way off, a tired man is watching in a weathered cowboy hat. By his side is one of his closest friends, Duster. Duster had been the best man at his wedding. Duster had been there when he first met her.
"Flint." He places a steady hand on the man's trembling shoulder. "I'm not sure what to say. I cannot say I know what you are going through... Lucas has been constantly crying in front of her grave. I think his little heart is going to break apart... If I can ever do anything for you again, don't be afraid to ask…"
"Without her, we are living more and more beyond our means," Flint murmurs. He removes his hat, staring down into it. "We'll have to go, Duster. There's no choice, we'll have to go."
"Go? I don't follow..."
"We cannot afford the house." Flint bitterly grips the rim of his hat. "We'll have to go through the Sunshine Forest, to Onett. There are cheaper houses there, they say. Cheaper goods. We'll rent a carriage."
"But…" Duster looks over at the twins. The redhead is now hugging the blond in a tight embrace. They're crying. "The boys, you think they'll want to?"
Flint's expression is dark. "We have no choice."
"But—"
"Boney." Flint gazes toward a dog as it runs to join the twins at the headstone. "He won't be able to come with us. Will you look after him?"
"Yes. Of course," Duster says, fixing his eyes on the ground. "But Flint, when do you leave?"
Boney leaps on the blond twin, giving a whine that can be heard from even where the adults stand. Flint turns away, his face reading only anguish and hurt.
"We leave tonight."
(~ One Year Later ~)
A boy lies in a crowded bedroom. Boxes pile up against the single bed, the walls pushing in on the floor. Old clothes and cobwebs lie forgotten on the carpet, with discarded shreds of paper, unfinished homework, unopened schoolbooks.
He's been crying again. He swallows back every sting, every sharp-tongued insult. He's supposed to be me, but I do not know him anymore. I'm not really here. I have forgotten what he liked, what he did, where he played before his brother left. I have forgotten how he ate, where he ran, how he laughed before his mother died.
He knows what happens at school is punishment for what he's done. He knows that he deserves the cold distance of his father. He knows that every kick, every punch, every name-call adds up the suffering he is due. He knows that every moment should be torture, because it is all his fault.
His father will never lay eyes on him again. Not as a son, nor as anything other than a burden, something to despise. Which comes within reason, after all, does this boy give anything back? For the shelter, for the provision, does he return it? No, instead, he let him go. His only brother, he let him go.
He is bitterly selfish. I cannot identify with him. I refuse to be him. I run away from what he has done.
One day, things change. A strange boy with strange messy hair, a strange hat, and a strange goofy grin hurtles headlong into his life. The new boy defends him, inviting him to sit at his table. He gives him a place in the world. He gives him someone to love. The new boy reawakens something inside. Joy. Hope. In time, the boy calls him a foreign name — 'friend.' Then best friend. Then even more than that.
And through this strange boy, he slowly healed. He repaired and renewed. He learnt to accept what had happened, though, of course, there are moments of weakness. Moments when the dam bursts.
But most importantly, he learnt that even if everybody wishes him harm, even if the universe is determined to make him suffer, there's at least one boy out there, one boy who wishes for him to be safe. One boy who wishes him to be loved.
His name is Ness.
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~~o00o~~
Chapter 10: Money is a Luxury
(Lucas)
~~o00o~~
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Great tongues of flame reach through the open door.
There is screaming and there is chaos.
Ryu tries to shut the door, but the flames leap in retaliation, and he dashes back. I look wildly around the room, trying to find my friends among the sea of panicked faces. Smoke pours in, and I duck down, remembering what I've been taught. Smoke rises. Heat rises.
Ness grabs my hand. His palm is ice cold, a slashing contrast to the sudden warmth. I cough, trying desperately to crawl towards the far corner, but I'm blocked as Toon Link and Villager scramble towards us.
"The windows!"
Ryu rushes past, thrusting them open. There's a blast of cold and a burst of noise as the class races over in an attempt to squeeze through. I practically throw myself towards the nearest one, but it's so desperately narrow that only my head fits.
I gasp in the clean air. Students are pouring out onto the field below.
"HELP!" Ryu cries. Outside, Rosalina turns. Her face visibly pales.
"Ryu!"
"Lucas!" Ness gasps for breath beside me. I hastily make way for him, letting him at the window. The clock's bell hammers like a siren, mingling with the awful roaring of flames.
Dark smoke has filled the room now. I feel my vision turning hazy as the fire tears through the walls. I grip tighter onto Ness's hand, coughing from the onslaught. Outside, there is mass panic, someone throws a bucket of water through the window, but it does nothing. We're being herded slowly backwards, back towards the corner furthest from the door. I hear sobs, I hear fear, tearing at my ears, but I can hardly see anyone anymore. My eyes scream with pain, a flashing sea of colours spiralling through my gaze. It's as if someone is shouting in my mind, instructions in an unintelligible language. I force my eyes shut and Ness hauls me back towards the window, but I can only taste bitter smoke.
Ness's arms come around me as I stagger, stars flashing through my vision. My mind races. Claus, Mother, am I going to see them again? Is this it? I hold tightly onto Ness's fragile frame as we're driven to the ground, pressed against a herd of terrified students. The inferno roars, claiming everything in its path, approaching like a tsunami. Ness buries his face into the small of my back. I want to reassure him, but I cannot — I cannot see an escape.
"I don't wanna die!"
"There has to be a way—!"
"It burns!"
Voices drift through my mind. I gasp through the smoke, feeling my lungs giving in. The heat is scorching, my body burning, and I scream, my thoughts all jumbling into one.
Ness's arms will be the last thing I ever feel.
And then, everything happens at once.
My eyes shoot open as, suddenly, an icy wave tears through the room. Ness's grip loosens around me, patterns of blue beating down the fire's mighty arms, swathes of frost consuming the red-hot rage of the flames. The smoke is torn away, almost as if it's being pulled from my lungs. The icy blast pushes the fire out the door, into the corridor and beyond, leaving behind a black classroom. I glance at Ryu's shocked face. I glance at Ness, our eyes meeting momentarily.
Before I collapse in his arms.
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I wake up in a large white bed.
Voices gather around me, faint whispers drifting in and out. My head spins, caught in the bitter smell of smoke, the faraway feel of angry burns.
A sharp voice brings me to reality.
"He's awake."
I pull myself up, ignoring the tearing pain in my back. Gasping, I take in the fresh, clean air.
A spoon is brought to my lips. Something cold. I open my mouth, swallowing it down. It's sweet, almost.
Clicking his tongue, a man dressed in a white coat leans over me. He takes some notes on a scrap of paper, his sizable moustache bristling.
"The last-a one, Professor Ryu."
"Thank you, Doctor Mario," Ryu's calm voice replies.
The room comes into view. The walls are white with flecks of dotted blue. In the corner stands a series of vials, teetering like some sort of balance game. Beside them is a corkboard of various inane posters ('Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases!') ('Cover your Face, Avoid the Plague!').
"Third-a degree burns," Dr Mario says, appearing by my side. "Smoke-a inhalation. No good."
"Where's Ness?" I manage weakly.
Dr Mario points. I stiffly turn my head to see Ness lying down, staring at me, in a bed like my own.
"Hello," I say, grimacing. Even speaking makes my lungs feel like they're being rubbed with sandpaper.
"Hello," Ness says. "Nice hair."
I pull down a handful of my hair to see it covered in black. Groaning, I roll back against my pillow.
"Where are we?"
"The Medical Ward." Ryu comes into view. "Doctor Mario's been treating you."
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Just a couple of hours."
"Is everyone okay?"
"Yes," Ryu says, his visage still black with smoke. "You were the last to wake."
Memories of the icy blast float back to me, and I sit up a little straighter. "How did we escape?"
"I do not know," Ryu says, though I notice his gaze flicker to Ness. "It is a welcome miracle..."
"Professor." Ness speaks up. "Did your classroom—"
"Burnt, I'm afraid," Ryu says bleakly. "Save for my cabinet."
"At least that's something."
"Oh, yes," he says, still wearing a grave expression. "We got very lucky on that front. There are some crucial items in there. However, that dinosaur bone… I wasn't joking when I said the deposit for borrowing it cost more than my house."
"Ah. Sorry to hear that, Professor."
A temperate silence falls. Looking beyond Ness's bed, I can make out various other students, all covered in black soot. Some talk in low whispers, some lie asleep in their beds, while others are sitting up, staring straight ahead.
What caused the fire? What was that ice? So many questions race through my mind, but they're slowed by my smoke-infected brain. Was it cold wind, coming through the window? Could it have been — not that I believe in religion — a god? Nothing comes to me. Nothing makes sense.
Ryu quickly steps aside as the abrupt figure of Headmaster Hand sweeps into the medical ward. He too is soot-faced, I notice, and wearing an expression of utmost disdain.
"Headmaster, are you-a well?" Doctor Mario asks, hurrying over.
"Yes," Headmaster Hand says flatly. "Relatively speaking. But I am looking for Ness and Lucas…"
My eyes flare as Doctor Mario points my way. Surely he doesn't think we caused this?
He doesn't seem to, though. When Headmaster Hand comes over, his hard expression softens into worry. Professor Ryu stands aside, merely watching the headmaster lower himself between us.
"Good day," he says. "How are you?"
"I'm all right, sir." I'm not sure what else to say.
"Good, good… now, I have some bad news to tell you."
My breath hitches, causing a burning pain to slide down my throat.
"What is the bad news?"
"As you know," he says, "There was a fire. And that fire has caused a lot of damage throughout the school… including within your dormitory. It was the only one the fire breached before it was extinguished."
I feel a familiar sinking feeling. Headmaster Hand maintains his position.
"Now, I've done my research, and I believe the fire began in my office. But not only that, there was a burnt match found among the ruins. So, in essence, somebody started this fire as a targeted attack — I believe against me — and you were caught in the crossfire."
"Is there anything you can do, sir?" I think of my gifts from Ness, the few clothes in the wardrobe. They're the only material things I haven't sold.
"An investigation will be put in place." Headmaster Hand's expression remains bleak. "When the perpetrator is caught — and they will be caught — your families will receive financial compensation. But as for the short term, a temporary room change has been arranged."
"Where?" Ness asks hoarsely. It's the first time he's spoken in a while.
"On the top floor. It's a small compensation, I'm aware, but that is where the best dormitories are. It'll only be these two nights, and we will be getting the best painters and decorators in, who will repair everything in no time."
"Thank you, Headmaster," I manage.
"It's unfair this damage has been put upon you, and I believe you should be put first." He smiles, though it's forced. "I'll also permit you to salvage what you can before moving."
"Okay, Headmaster."
"Now." Headmaster Hand stands up, raising his voice to address everyone in the ward. "Some information for everybody. The dining hall has suffered damages, so you'll be eating in the main Hall temporarily. I also expect everyone to keep away from damaged parts of the school while repairs are made. Clear?"
"Clear," murmurs the general lull of the room.
"Thank you."
He leaves.
There's a sudden buzz of noise. Ness hauls himself up, coming over to sit on my bed. He tumbles into my arms, resting his head on my aching chest.
"Why do terrible things keep happening to us?"
"I don't know." I wrap my arms around him.
He closes his reddened eyes, looking as if he's just smoked cannabis. I almost laugh at the thought.
"You saved my life," Ness murmurs. "Thank you."
"I did?" This is news to me.
"You let me have the window. I would've choked otherwise."
My heart warms. The long-standing debt for him taking me in, taking me under his wing, is finally repaid.
"My saviour…" he says, smiling softly. I hold him a little tighter.
We lie in silence like that a while longer, until Dr Mario finally dismisses us with a frustrated wave of his hand. I get the feeling he's never had to treat so many people at once, especially not for smoke inhalation and burns. Ness helps me out of bed, and we totter weakly from the room, following the rest of the class. Toon Link, Red and Villager come up beside us as we leave, ashen-faced and glum.
"What did Headmaster Hand say to you?" Red asks. "It looked quite serious."
"Our dorm burnt down," Ness explains.
Toon Link swears under his breath. "I'll let you borrow anything you need."
"Me too," Villager says. "Hullo, what's Rosalina doing?"
We turn. Professor Rosalina seems to be carrying a box of ash towards us, looking very miserable indeed. I notice further down the corridor that her office is black with soot. I feel a stab of sympathy.
"We're supposed to salvage what we can," Ness says. "C'mon."
It's a heavy walk up the dorm stairs (the carpet has been destroyed and the stairs have revealed their under-layer of stone) and into the charred corridor. Ness breathes deeply when we arrive.
"I'm afraid."
"So am I," I admit.
There's a pause as we creep towards the remains of the door. I reach for the handle at the same time as Ness, and our hands collide in mid-air. We glance at each other in a sudden moment of shyness — neither of us wants to reveal what is behind it.
"I'll do it." Villager steps forward. I step back as he places his hand on the door, closes his eyes, and throws it open.
Oh, Christ.
Ness and I are practically uprooted from the corridor, hurling ourselves into the desolation. Piles of soot are scattered everywhere. Everything is black, charred — I can hardly see any colour remaining. Our things covering the floor from yesterday's raid must've helped the fire along, there's a distinct trail of ashes where it… was.
I look desperately behind me at the bookshelf. It seems it partially survived, there's Ness's teddy bear, there are some books left, the books I'd bought for Ness for Christmas, they survived… I point them out to Ness, who hugs them with a small moan. But just as I'm about to say there's nothing else, I notice a strange object on the shelf. I look a little closer, picking it up. It seems to be some sort of painted wooden figurine, some sort of model.
Some sort of model of me.
"What is this?" I hold it up to Ness.
"Oh." He bites his lip. "You weren't supposed to find that."
"It's yours?" My eyes widen.
"No!" He blushes. "It's — do you remember I found that thing on Ryu's floor? It was this."
I take in this new information, studying the model all over. It's accurate to the mole on my forearm. "Why'd you not tell me?"
"I did not want to worry you..."
"I wouldn't worry," I lie, though my voice is starting to shake. "Why was — why was it in Ryu's classroom?"
"I don't know, Lucas…" Ness walks to the window, staring out at the forest. "With everything happening... with us nearly dying again… I'm beginning to wonder..."
Villager clears his throat, making his way into the room. I jump. I'd forgotten he was there.
"Us three will bring your stuff up to your new room. And we'll give you some extra clothes. Won't we, Red? Toonie?"
"Yes." Toon Link jumps skittishly into the room. "Of course."
"Thanks," I say, grateful. If we did not have friends at a time like this — well, we'd be forced to become nudists.
"Oh, look!" Toon Link opens the charred wardrobe. "Some stuff survived!" He pulls out a red and yellow woolly jumper. "Perfect, you can still attend the circus."
I laugh. I take the jumper, hugging it, secretly very relieved. It's mine. Mother knitted it for me, one of the last things I have left from her. Claus had one too, that one was yellow and blue. I keep that one safe at home.
"This didn't, though," Villager says grimly, pulling the charred remains of my blanket from under the bed. I feel my stomach sink. "Sorry, Lucas."
"It's okay," I say, though I suddenly feel dizzy. I know it's an object, I know it's just a Thing, but I'm sentimental about it. It was the first gift Ness ever gave me. Now it's gone.
Red, Toon Link and Villager set about taking the surviving clothes and books (and Ness's teddy bear, Ness blushes quite a lot when Toon Link discovers it) up and away, probably to our new room. I want to follow them, but as Ness continues to stare out of the window, I have a worrying feeling that he wants to talk.
I come over to him, standing by his side.
"What's the matter?"
He turns. His cheeks are still dark with soot.
"A lot's been happening recently."
"You don't say." I look at the ash coating the ground, and the remnants of my blanket on the floor.
"I think it's all connected."
"How so?"
"Well." He begins to pace, leaving footprints. "Someone started the fire. Ryu had the figurine in his classroom. The gravestone, the threats from Meta Knight and Olimar, disappearances, the Face…" He shudders slightly. "I think someone's coming for you, Lucas. And I think it's Ryu. Think about it, he had the figurine in his office, he knows all about the disappearances..."
"But he couldn't have started the fire. He was teaching us."
"No, listen," Ness presses on, invigorated by his new theory. "I reckon he's working with Meta Knight and Olimar. I think they're planning something terrible, and it's somehow to do with you — and they weren't in the classroom when the fire started, were they?"
I bite my lip. It makes sense. It makes a worrying amount of sense.
"We need to talk to Ryu," I decide.
"No!" Ness freezes in place, grabbing my arm. "Are you a lunatic? He might - he might hurt you!"
"Not when you are around," I say.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"If he wanted to hurt me, wouldn't he do it when nobody else was there?"
Ness ponders this, before clinging onto me, tight. "I will never leave your side!"
"Ness." I almost laugh, despite it all. "You can't never leave my side. What about lessons?"
"A small price to pay." He reddens. "But Lucas, seriously, I must keep you safe. You've nearly died multiple times already."
"We've had this conversation before," I say, sighing. "I can look after myself."
"Four eyes are better than two."
"You said that last time. But you don't have to guard me. I don't want to be some sort of weight."
"You are never a weight!" He says it so passionately that I'm taken by surprise.
But I find it hard to believe him. I've always been a burden, like in the forest; needing to be saved up that tree. Even in everyday life, relying on him for handouts and money. I scold myself inside for being this way. Doesn't Father always say I'm useless? Just another mouth to feed, especially now, since…
Thoughts of Mother spiral back to me, and emotion swells in my chest. I cling tightly to the woollen jumper, burying my face into the soft fabric. Ness, never one to give up, sits beside me and wraps his arms around my middle.
"Lucas," he murmurs. "What is the matter?"
I don't know. How am I supposed to answer when I don't even know?
"Please, Lucas," he says. "I cannot bear to see you sad. It makes me want to cry."
"I'm fine." My voice sounds from far away. It doesn't sound like my voice. It sounds like my voice if it was being strangled.
"You are not, Lucas. What's wrong? Please, you can tell me, I'm your friend, I – I care about you, okay—"
I shudder, and then I feel myself starting to cry. Like a child. Hot tears drip into the jumper, and Ness holds me tighter, letting out a pained noise. I don't know if I'm scared, sad about the blanket, or what. I just feel lost.
"Lucas, please. Are you having a turn? A fit?"
"I'm pulling you down," I croak. "I'm putting you in danger—"
"No, Lucas, oh — Lucas, you are not pulling me—"
"This is — they're after me, not you! I cannot just sit and let you get hurt for me, not again. Not like this—"
"Lucas, it's not your fault, I promise, it's okay, it's all going to be okay—"
But I thread my hands through my hair, shaking with the force of my sobs. I'm getting all hysterical again, just like I always do — my chest hurts — the leftover smoke mixing with shame. If people want to hurt me, then I must've done something wrong. It can only be my fault.
"Lucas, don't you understand?" Ness asks, hugging me tightly, protectively. "I don't care about the danger. I'll do anything to keep you safe! You don't have to feel guilty."
"I – I know," I stammer. "I'm s-sorry, I shouldn't be this way, it's not proper of me, in polite company—"
"Polite company? You are my favourite person! You are so precious to me, Lucas, so, so precious—"
But his voice disappears behind the screaming of my thoughts. Everything my father, bullies and more have told me, time and time again. They're true, all of them. Otherwise, why would so many of them say it? It's just logical, I don't understand why Ness refuses to see my bad side. And now, people want me hurt, possibly dead... I deserve it, I think bitterly. Ever since Mother died, I've been nothing. A crybaby, that's what they called me. They were right.
"Lucas, it's all right." Ness surrounds me with his arms and his presence. "I'm here. I promise. I'm never going to let go."
He lets me weep into his shirt.
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"Bloody hell, you look awful!"
My smile is weak as Ness and I emerge to the others. We're even dustier than before, a side effect of having a nervous breakdown on the floor. I can only hope it doesn't show, I've heard tales of what happens in the mental asylums.
"We should probably shower," Ness says, trying to turn my hair as black as possible. Toon Link laughs.
"Yes, or the caretaker will kill you."
We leave the games room, borrowing some spare clothes from Villager.
"I'm scared," I admit as we walk. Ness listens. "I'm scared about all this — if this is all to do with me, somehow…" I trail off, shivering. "And if your theory's right, I'm scared of that, too. I'm worried about Tazmily. I am very worried about the grave."
"We'll overcome it together," Ness chirps. I push him lightly. He's so damn sentimental. But then again, so am I.
We walk through the school, attracting a few odd looks thanks to our filthy appearance. But we don't mind. Unfortunately, we find that the main route to the showers burnt in the fire, so Ness has to pull me up a random staircase instead. I frown at the idea.
"What is even up here?"
"The better showers," Ness declares. "Come on!"
We plough down the corridor, but I pause, hearing raised voices coming from a door on the right. I stop, curiosity winning out. Ness turns around to join me.
"Where is this?" I whisper.
But I'm answered by Ryu's voice ringing out from inside. "Rosalina, I think it's worth filing a formal complaint—"
"Nobody would listen though, would they?" Rosalina's voice sounds strangely tense. It's Ryu's office. Ness shuffles up next to me, and we press our ears to the door.
"Look." Ryu gives a long sigh. "This is the way the system works, the way it has for years. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I cannot magic you up a solution. You are fortunate to be here at all, considering—"
"I know!" Rosalina exclaims, and there's the sound of sharp movement. "But I'm the only woman. That's hardly fair when there are so many women who are far more capable of teaching than Bowser."
"Your circumstances were unique, of course." Ryu's voice remains calm. "Headmaster Hand owed you a debt..."
"And that's all it ever comes down to. I want to be where I am because of what I can do, not because of what someone happened to owe me."
"I know," Ryu says patiently. "And for what it's worth, I think you are a fantastic teacher."
"Thank you," Rosalina replies begrudgingly. "It's just, Bowser's comments are really starting to grate on me."
"Bowser should've been fired long ago. What with all those policy breaches…"
We listen closely, exchanging a rapid glance.
"He had better be fired soon," Rosalina says. "For all we know, he's behind the recent events."
"Agreed." Ryu's tone darkens. There's a pause before Rosalina speaks again.
"On another note, do they know about, well, you know, yet?"
"No," Ryu sighs. "They're being remarkably opaque."
"Don't call them opaque." A chair scrapes sharply against the floor. "I don't understand why you cannot just tell them—"
"You think they'd believe it?" Ryu asks, incredulous. "It sounds almost nonsensical to an outsider. Besides, the more they know, the more they might end up attracting unwanted attention."
"And what sort of unwanted attention is that?"
"The attention of those who might want to use them," Ryu says, expelling a weary noise, somewhere between a groan and a sigh. "I've already had to deal with some things."
"Well then, you'd better work, and fast!" Rosalina interrupts. It's not like her to be sharp. "If you cared about their wellbeing, you'd tell them. Or at least point them in the right direction."
"I am!" Ryu raises his voice for the first time. "I'm asking them if they've seen anything unusual, and—"
My stomach sinks. Ness and I share the same horrified look. It's almost certain they're talking about us.
"Look, I should go," Rosalina says, sighing. "I don't want to argue with you. I have lessons to prepare for tomorrow."
"All right." Ryu makes a disinterested grunt. "I'll see you around."
There's a creak, and Ness and I hastily back away from the door, flattening ourselves against the wall. Fortunately, Rosalina goes in the other direction, muttering something under her breath about unhelpful History teachers.
My heart pounds as she disappears around a corner. What don't we know? Unwanted attention? Ness appears just as worried. His eyes swim in a daze of new information. It's thrown a complete wrench into his theory; now even I have no idea what is going on, and I don't know whether I should be terrified or relieved. All I know is something's happening, and I cannot help but feel the urge to investigate it.
Forgetting about the shower, I knock on the door.
"Come in," Ryu's voice calls tiredly.
Ness and I make our way into his office. It's an interesting room, surrounded by books and strange artefacts shelved around the walls. There's a large bronze globe and a collection of classy fountain pens on the end of Ryu's desk, and what looks to be several martial arts trophies on the wall. It's a little cramped, but Ryu has somehow made it look homely.
"Ah yes," Ryu says upon seeing us. "I expected you two to turn up soon... even if you are deciding to ruin my carpet in doing so."
"Sorry," Ness says sheepishly, soot falling from his head. "You promised information."
"That I did. Well, the number of disappearances has increased. A first-year went missing last night, and so did a second-year."
"Do you know who's doing it?"
"We investigated Olimar and Meta Knight and found no connection to any disappearances. This morning, Headmaster Hand informed the staff that he has appealed to the Onetian Council to ask them to close the school, but there was a hold-up as Onett is now in quarantine thanks to the virus. Therefore, we have no choice but to continue on."
"I see," Ness says.
"I hate to labour the point, but..." Ryu leans forwards on his desk. "Have you seen anything unusual since we last spoke? Other than the fire and that Face, of course."
"No," I begin, but Ness cuts me off. He places the wooden figurine on the table.
"Yes, actually. I found this in your classroom, sir." His voice sounds alarmingly threatening, and it makes me shiver a little bit. "Do you know why it was there?"
Ryu stares at it, shocked, before regaining his composure. "I have never seen that before."
"I trust you, Professor. If you know anything, please…"
It's unusual to hear Ness taking such a serious tone.
"I don't." Ryu holds his hands up. "I'm sorry."
"Mmm." Ness leans back again, and then he stands with a scowl. "We have to shower now, so… good day to you, sir."
"All right," Ryu says slowly. "And I will remind you once more, it is pivotal you learn the difference between what is real and what is not."
I follow Ness's lead, and we leave the room, hurrying out into the deserted corridor. Once we're out of earshot, Ness hits his fist into his hand, grumbling under his breath.
"He must be lying."
"I don't know." I frown. "It could be someone else's… they might have dropped it there."
"Nothing makes sense!" Ness tugs at his hair out of frustration. "This is stupid, so stupid. I hate it, Lucas. I hate not knowing."
"We should have that shower," I suggest quietly. "To cool down a bit."
Ness nods.
"That's a fine idea… sorry, I'm just worried."
"It's okay, me too."
"It all fits together somehow, but… I don't quite know…" Ness furrows his eyebrows, and I touch his shoulder.
"Let's worry about it later. Come on. Where are these better showers?"
"The top floor."
"Then," I say, smiling. "Let's also find our new room."
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.
.
A few minutes of looking for staircases later, we manage to reach the top floor. I'm a little excited to see just what our temporary room is like, and if it really is as amazing as everyone says the top floor is. I swing open the door, and sure enough, wow. Perhaps the fire was a stroke of luck! There's a big glass window at one end with a stunning view out to the hills. The beds seem sizable, and there's space for multiple people to fit in them, I think. There's a quaint oak wardrobe, with doors that don't creak... it's all so lovely. I smile as I hang the striped jumper inside.
"This is amazing," I say. There's even a painting on the wall of Onett's skyline.
"It is," Ness says, "But come on, I'm dusty. Let's explore more later."
"It's a shame we have to shower… you look good covered in ash."
"No, I look like a chimney sweep," Ness laughs.
"You'd be a good chimney sweep."
"I'll sweep your chimney anytime."
"Ness!" I blush a deep red. He gasps, mortified, covering his hand with his mouth.
"I don't mean it that way!"
"Come on, you complete goof," I sigh, swinging open the door. "It's shower time."
Ness sheepishly makes his way from the room, and I follow behind. Even the corridor is nice, the carpet is soft, and it's all brightly lit with plenty of gas lamps. The corridor leads into the room Villager mentioned earlier, a dome-like chamber, huge, with glass windows surrounding it. There's yet another brilliant view outside, with chairs bordering the edges for people to sit, or possibly stargaze. I think professors and people in their final term of school sleep here. I realise with a jolt that that'll be us next year.
Aside from applying to study science at university, I'm not sure what I'll want to do after school is done. I know I want to do something creative, but that doesn't earn well, and I need to earn well if I want to be able to move back to Tazmily. I want to do something with art, but then, I never want to sell my pictures. I realise with yet another jolt that I need to finish four pages of the business plan by tomorrow. Tomorrow! I'm barely going to have time.
We eventually find the showers at the end of the corridor. I strip off once I'm behind the curtain, turning the pump to release the water.
I find myself reminiscing back to my first day of boarding school, when I'd had a shower for the first time in my life. It had been quite cold — Ness had laughed at me — but it was a fantastic feeling. And then there'd been the swimming baths, and encountering Bowser, and finding our dorm for the first time...
I smile. They're sweet, delicious memories, ones that make me happy. This school has always been a good place to me… and the fact that everything is changing makes me sad.
Future Human flickers in my mind.
Placet Auxilium.
Please help.
With what? What does Future Human need help with? Is it hurt? It must, existing that way…
The shower isn't too cold, to my surprise, and it's comforting, like a duvet on my back. I look down as the water below me blackens with ash, cleansing itself from my skin. It's almost as if I'm being purified.
Thunk.
The noise jolts me back to reality. What was that? There cannot possibly be more happening now, enough has happened today...
Thunk.
That's it. I'm leaving, before we're running for our life again or trapped somewhere else awful. I stop showering to a sudden silence. Where's Ness? I rapidly dry myself, changing into clothes, my heart pounding.
"Ness?" I call out. "You there?"
"Yes!" Ness calls back. "What was that noise?"
"I don't know..."
Nervously, I pull back the shower curtain. When did the room get so dark?
And then, out of nowhere, something grabs my wrist.
I scream.
"Lucas!" There's banging as Ness blunders out. "What is happened!?"
"Ness! There's something—"
A hand is clamped over my mouth. A shadowy figure pushes forward, colliding with me in an instant. Its breathing is heavy, unrestrained as it forces me back into the cubicle.
"Lucas! What does it look like?"
I try to garble a response, but the hand is too firm. The figure grows closer until it's everywhere, its hot breath on my face. I screw my eyes shut, petrified out of my mind.
A horrific whisper penetrates my ears.
"You are mine…"
I shudder. Its voice is awful. A terrible grating sound, but one I'm sure is familiar. Images flash back, of the streets, of the hands, the men..
"You've been seeing some strange things, haven't you, Lukey?"
"Get the hell away from me!" I struggle, my eyes pricking with fear. "How do you know my name?"
"You think I'd tell you? How sweet... not yet… not until I've got what I want..."
"What do you want!?"
A guttural roar.
"YOU."
And it pulls me close in the darkness, sharp fingernails digging into my shoulder — there's nothing I can do — nothing—
"Please," I beg, struggling harder. "Just — please—"
But then, a heroic voice comes out of the darkness.
"Leave him alone!"
"Aha!" The figure darts around, sneering. "The fly, Ness, always in the way… but not this time. This time I will get what I want!"
Ness growls, stepping forward, holding a showerhead like a baseball bat.
"Leave. Him. Alone!"
There's a smacking noise, and a cry from the figure in front of me.
It throws me back. I slam into the wall, and I feel as though my head is bursting open. Ness's silhouette leaps with rage at the figure, and it snarls, trying to grab him, but it misses. My vision tinges with red. Ness cries out, swinging again, and suddenly it retreats, dashing out of the door. I see a flash of darkness as it disappears, giving up… Ness looks between it and me, but he hurries to my side, clutching onto me like a child. He must've won, I think drearily. My saviour...
"Lucas." My vision fades in and out. Ness's arms lift me off the floor. "Lucas!"
My head throbs. What did it want with me? I don't know. I don't know much…
Before I can think, Ness is bringing me out of the bathroom and into the dazzlingly lit corridor.
"Did he hurt you?"
"He?" I gaze blankly at his face. "Was it… man?"
"Did he hurt you?"
I nod, trembling.
Ness holds me near as I feel my consciousness start to slip. My clothes are soaked through. I put my hand to my hair, and it comes back coated in red. I feel faint, I feel… so…
My eyes betray me into darkness.