A/N:Sorry for making you guys wait for this. I was busy these past few days, with the orientation and all. But here it is Chapter 9 for all of you. :D

Juzko Disco: You don't have to be jealous. I'm sure you have great talents, as well. :D Truthfully, I was nervous when I added the ending. I didn't know what you guys would think about it, or if you will like it. But I'm glad I have awesome readers who are always supportive. :d

CimFan: Thank you! Though I'm sorry I haven't read your stories yet. I'm too busy these days.

KK101: I'm not going to confirm anything. Those revelations will come out on the right time.

Kate: I'm sorry I wasn't able to update last Friday. Belated happy birthday, though. :D

annabeth is hot: Actually, the song Titanium inspired Lester's character. Thank you for sparing some of your time reading my story. :D

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW AFTER READING. Thanks. :D

"The snakes - they're slithering in,

Chasing me to my end."

-(Renegade by Paramore)

WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN 2.0:

DARKNESS ARISING
Chapter 9: DO NOT GO GENTLE

LESTER

"We just want to talk," said the guy who introduced himself as Chiron.

I backed away, carefully avoiding the burning pieces of woods that were once the door of my school. I held up my hand in front of me. "Look," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "If you guys are planning to kidnap me then I'm telling you; you're wasting your time. No one's going to look for me when I disappeared."

The girl, Clarisse smirked. "If you think we're going to feel sorry for you, then sorry to disappoint you, kid, we won't."

"Clarisse," Chiron said. He was clearly the leader, which was kind of obvious since he was the oldest. "That's not what we're doing here." He turned to me, smiling, but his eyes were wary. "We just need to talk to you, my boy, about your family."

Terror gripped me. What could they want from Mom . . . or even Dad? I wasn't going to give them what they want. "No," I said. "I'm not going to play into your hands." I turned around and ran the other way, to the back exit.

Before I could get far, however, the guy in the wheelchair, Chiron, suddenly appeared in front of me. His eyes were different now, flashing dangerously. His smile was cruel and the light of the moon was giving him an eerie appearance. Behind him were the two teenagers. The guy was holding a piece of metal which edge had eight rays pointing in different direction and was glowing.

"If you don't come with us, then I guess we'll have to force you to," said Chiron. He held his hand behind him. "The brand, Nico." The teenage guy grinned evilly and handed Chiron the metal. The wheelchair rolled forward to me, its hinges squeaking and creaking. The situation reminded me of a horror movie, where the characters' numbers dwindles down slowly, and each one being killed painfully.

I turned around again to flee except Clarisse and Nico appeared in front of me yet again. They grabbed my arms and pinned them behind me. "What are you doing?" I demanded.

"Doing what we came here for," Chiron said. He held up the metal in front of my face. Even when it was a few inches away from my skin, I felt how hot it was. "If you're not going to cooperate with us, my boy, then I apologize but you're leaving us no choice."

He nodded and Clarisse ripped my suit and shirt open, exposing my torso. Chiron wheeled closer to me. He held up the metal and everything fell into place for me. "Please, don't do it. Please – "

I wasn't able to finish because Chiron pressed the metal against the skin of my lower abdomen. I heard my skin hissing even when I was screaming in pain. I heard laughter in my ears, evil laughter. The metal pressed tighter and tighter, the searing heat burning the skin, nerves, tissues and muscles.

The laughter in my ears got louder, almost deafening me. There was a blinding light at the back of my eyelids and I forced myself to resurface, to fight against the pain.

My eyes flew open, the ceiling of my room greeting me. I gasped, trying to catch my breath. It was just a dream, I told myself. It was just a dream. My heart was thumping so hard against my chest it hurt. My face and torso were covered in thin film of sweat.

It was just a dream, I told myself. Just a dream but some parts of it were still true. The earlier part of conversation with Chiron. The part when I ran away was also true, but they didn't follow me. I heard Chiron saying, "Let him be. We would not force him if he's not ready yet."

I did run away from school, the dance momentarily out of my mind. What happened freaked the hell out of me. I mean, what could those three want from me? It wasn't definitely money, as my family wasn't anywhere near to being rich. Maybe Clark or someone from school who didn't like me was playing a prank on me. Yeah, that must be it. But then I thought about the older guy Chiron. I didn't know why but I thought he wasn't someone who would tolerate something like this.

I sighed and stood up and almost fell back to my bed as pain shot through the lower right part of my abdomen. What's going on? It felt like the skin was being stretch beyond its capacity. Gingerly, I lifted the edge of my shirt to check what it was. I had to blink a couple of times to believe what I was seeing.

There, embossed on the pale skin of my torso was the brand Chiron pressed against me in my dream.

The wound was still fresh, reddish-black in color. The hair on my arms stood on end as I stared at it, wondering how on earth it got there. Each time I take a breath, and the skin is stretched, I felt pain.

I didn't have much time to ponder about it because just then, someone knocked loudly on the door of my room. Mom was at her room, surely still sleeping at this time, so this must meant that it was Dad. I wondered what he wanted. He had never, even once, visited me in my room, unless there was something he needed from me. Like my money.

I exhaled as I walked to the door, opening it. It revealed my Dad, frowning as he looked at me like I was the biggest burden he was forced to carry. However, a second passed and his face broke into a smile. I gaped at him like a total idiot. My Dad never smiled at me, like, ever. Whenever he looks at me, he would always glare.

"Kid," he said. Dad reached back and took his wallet from his back pocket. He flipped it open, took out some dollars and handed them to me. I looked at him, asking the question I couldn't voice out. He scoffed, getting impatient. "Take it." I knew I couldn't argue with him. Slowly, I reached out and took it reluctantly from his hand, waiting for him to pounce or do something. But he didn't.

I stared at the money on my hand. Without counting the bills in my hand, I knew it was close to five hundred dollars! I looked up at my Dad questioningly. Where did he get this money? It could be used for Mom's chemotherapy and medications. Even without my permission, I felt a spark of anger igniting inside my chest. Here my Mom was, dying slowly because of our lack on the financial department, and he had money and wasn't sharing it to us? "What am I supposed to do with these?" I asked through gritted teeth.

Dad shook his head. "Go to the mall after school. I have talked to that Alaric guy and he agreed to let you not work today. Buy some decent clothes – long-sleeves, pants and shoes – and wear them tonight. Meet me at the restaurant where we used to eat before seven. Make sure you look presentable and don't be late . . . unless, well you know what I do whenever I'm angry." He looked at me one more time before going down the stairs, humming to himself.

I stared at the door, open-mouthed, wondering what my Dad was up to, the brand on my torso momentarily out of my mind.

I sat on one of the benches in the school parking lot, waiting for Skylar.

I texted her early this morning before I left for school, but she wasn't answering. I tried calling her but she wasn't picking up. I knew she was mad at me for disappearing last night and I just hoped that she would let me explain things out.

What was I going to say, anyway?

I knew I couldn't tell her the truth. She wouldn't believe me. Heck, I barely believed it myself.

I stared down at my hands. Last night I killed three gray dudes just by one simple word. A word that rang with power and danger, a word that was spoken by me but a voice that wasn't mine, but at the same time, a voice I knew came from within me.

As if in a trance, I stood up and knelt on the grass. I reached out my right hand and touched the green plants surrounding me. Instantly, the grass shriveled, withering, its life being sucked away by my hand. I felt a different kind of warmth travelling from the ground into my arms. A circle of dead grass spread from where I was kneeling, expanding, crawling, bringing death wherever it passed, until it reached the cemented part of the walkway. Cracks started to appear, snaking its way to the buildings.

A smile spread on my lips as I watched the cracks reaching the walls of the cafeteria. Dust and small pebbles rain down onto the street. I twisted my hand and the cracks widened.

Stop it, a voice in my head whispered. A snap went at the back of my head and I stood up quickly, asking myself what I just did. I looked around. Ashes of the dead grass were swirling in the air, mixing with the falling dust from the cracks I created on the building.

"What did I just do?" I asked myself. I was too confused that I even forgot to ask the most important question of it all: How was I able to do this?

The sound of a car approaching made me turn. I felt my heart jump to my throat when I saw Skylar's pink convertible being parked at her usual spot, a few feet away from where I was standing. She had her sunglasses on, her hair still curled. She didn't notice me as she got out of her car.

"Skye," I called quietly.

She turned to me and raised her eyebrows. "Yeah?" she asked.

I swallowed thickly. I didn't try to say other things; I just went straight into the matter. "I'm so sorry for disappearing last night," I apologized, having difficulty in meeting her eyes. "I-I didn't meant to – seriously – I can't explain it and I – sorry. Really."

Skylar shook her head, facing me. For a while, she didn't answer and I felt like I had a fun time swallowing ice cubes. "Do you have any idea how worried I'd been last night?" she asked, making my guilt climb another notch higher. "God, Lester, I thought you were beaten to death by someone! I tried calling you but you weren't answering. I would've gone to your house but my feet were sore from standing so long waiting for you. I was going out of my mind with worry!"

I exhaled, my face burning with shame. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry like that." I took a step towards her and, I didn't know where I took the courage from, but I hugged her. She was shaking. I felt guilty and elated at the same time. I didn't know I meant that much to Skylar for her to worry that much about me. "Shh," I whispered, rubbing her back. "I'm okay. Please, don't worry about me."

She took a deep breath and hugged me back, pulling me closer to her. Unfortunately, she shifted and her bag made contact with the fresh wound on my stomach. I winced, which made Skylar back away. "What is it?"

"N-nothing," I lied.

Skylar frowned. "No, tell me."

"Skye, please," I said. "Don't ask. I'm not even sure what really happened so please just trust me on this one and don't ask. Trust me; I'm okay. Please believe that."

She studied me for a while, staring at my face. She then sighed and took my hand. "Fine," she said. "If you say so, I'll believe you. But you seriously have to make it up to me."

I smiled as we began walking to her first class. "I'm hoping you would say that." Skylar looked at me. "Do you mind coming to the mall with me after school?" I asked. "Dad gave me some money and told me to buy new clothes and I need your advice."

"Your Dad gave you money?" she asked. I nodded. Skylar was as stunned about that fact as I was. "What's he up to?" she wondered.

I shrugged. "I have no idea, but we can only assume that I have to do what he wants or he'll do something . . . bad."

Skylar sighed but didn't answer. We walked the rest of the way to her first class in silence.

Five minutes before Skylar's last period was done, I was standing in front of her classroom, waiting.

My last period was finished earlier than usual, which was why I had the chance to come and wait for her. I watched as students passed by me, some of them throwing weird glances my way. I knew why. They were still shocked by the fact that the fourteen year-old freshman went to the Valentine's Day dance with Skylar Gray.

The bell rang and students filed out of their classrooms. I went close to the room's door just so Skylar won't miss me. I saw her coming out with one of her friends. They were talking. When she saw me, she smiled brightly. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Waiting for you," I said.

"Aren't you sweet," she said, tapping my cheek.

She bid goodbye to her friend who eyed me quizzically. I walked her to her locker and waited as she placed her books in. She took out a different bag and closed her locker, grabbing my hand. "Come on."

Since I was still underage, I rode with Skylar on her convertible. I felt kind of weird. I was the guy; I should be the one driving. When I mentioned it to her, Skylar told me that she didn't mind and that I shouldn't think much about it.

We arrived at the mall thirty minutes later. There was a movie that Skylar wanted to watch. We were just in time. We had a little argument about who should pay for the ticket. Eventually, after some persuading, she'd let me. I wanted to make it up to her fro disappearing last night.

Skylar bought popcorns. She took my hand again as we entered the theater. "Scared of the dark," she said when I looked at her.

Huh. Who would've thought that Skylar was scared of the dark? I wondered why she picked this movie. It was a suspense horror. My brain then supplied me with ideas of what might happen when Skylar was too scared during the movie. I blushed down to my Adam's apple at the thought.

We found two seats in the middle aisle and we settled in. There was still three minutes before the start of the movie. The theater wasn't very crowded, given that it was a school day. There weren't anyone close to us for at least six rows.

My heart was pounding like crazy in my chest when Skylar leaned her lead and placed it on my shoulder, her hair tickling my hair. She took some popcorn, ate some while putting the remaining in my mouth, except that because she wasn't looking, she ended up pushing one against my right nostril. I sneezed loudly.

Skylar laughed. "Sorry," she murmured. She then straightened and settled her back against her seat, looking at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you remember what I said when you told me that we can't be together?" she asked.

"Um . . ."

"I told you not to stop me from kissing you, right?" I nodded dumbly. "And you did say a while ago that you want to make it up to me. I have an idea how you will be able to do that, Lester."

Thought I had a perfectly good idea what she would say, I still asked, "Uh . . . what?"

She looked me in the eyes. I felt like I was being sucked into those beautiful and deep brown eyes. "Kiss me," she said softly.

I obliged, because I knew I'd be just punishing myself if I didn't. I momentarily let go of anything else and just focused on kissing Skylar. I had no experience on the matter so I had no idea whether I was doing any good or what. I just followed my instincts as I moved my lips against her.

Skylar's were soft as velvet, sweet as chocolate and hot as fire. (Dang. Never had I described something that way.) I felt her hands balling into fists against my chest. I reached with my right and touched her neck, deepening our kiss. One of her hands dropped to my thigh, rubbing it. Despite the fact that the movie theater was cold, I felt like I was microwaving myself while wearing clothes made out of foil.

We were broken apart by someone clearing his throat. We looked up and saw a buff dude with a girl wearing short skirts looking at us, sniggering. My face immediately burned. "S-sorry," I murmured.

The guy shook his head and passed us, sitting a few seats away from us. When the girl passed Skylar, she said, "You're a cradle robber, sister." She then walked away laughing.

I looked at Skylar. Her face was red like mine, but she was smiling. I didn't return it. "Why?" she asked.

I looked at the screen, which was showing some previews. "I feel like I'm using you," I voiced out. "I mean, we're not together, Skye and we are kissing."

She looked hurt. "Maybe you should've thought about that a while ago," she said.

"I know," I said. "I did warn you, though, that I'm not someone you'd want to be your boyfriend."

"And I understand," she said, giving me a sad smile.

The lights were turned off and I felt Skylar sitting closer to me as the movie began.

The film was pretty good, full of action and gore but I thought the plot was controlled, preventing it from being a really good film. For me, it was exceptional, because of the fact that Skylar Gray didn't let go of my hand the entire time we were watching.

Skylar and I were at this boutique she told me that sold fashionable clothes. She was debating whether I should take the red long-sleeves or the black one. I told her I thought the black would look nice on me. She nodded then disappeared behind a rack of pants. She came back after a few minutes, holding white jeans.

She handed me the clothes and pushed me to the fitting room.

I took off my school uniform and put on the pants first, feeling that they were skin tight. I was about to call to Skylar and tell her about it but she said, "Those are skinny jeans so don't be surprised if their tight. Just put everything on and get your butt out of here"

And that's what I did. When I was done buttoning the shirt, I saw a pair of shoes being pushed inside under the gap. "Here, try these shoes," said Skylar. I sighed as I put them on.

When done, I checked myself in the mirror. Not bad, I thought to myself. I opened the door of the fitting room and went out. Skylar looked at me and smiled. "Well, hello there, gorgeous," she said, which made me blush. "Those clothes definitely suit you. What do you think?"

"I guess they're okay," I said. "Besides, I don't have much time. I need to meet Dad in ten minutes."

Skylar nodded and dragged me to the cashier. She made the sales clerk scan the bar code of the items while I was still wearing them. "You said you're out of time," she said when I told her I should take them off first.

In the end, what the sales attendant wrapped up were my school uniform and old sneakers. After paying, we went out of the store and headed to where the restaurant was. I thought it would be nice to have dinner with Skylar there, as the place meant something to me.

"You look really handsome, if that isn't obvious," said Skylar while we were walking. "I guess I should hold on to you tightly or you would be snatched by the first girl with eyes."

I laughed uneasily. "Um, thanks."

I spotted Dad sitting on a table with a woman. I sighed. So maybe he wanted me to look presentable so I won't embarrass him when he introduced me to his newest girlfriend. I shook my head as I entered the restaurant.

Dad saw me and stood up, meting me halfway. "Son," he greeted. I took a step back, letting my guard up. Nobody could really blame me, after everything that had happened. "I want you to meet someone," he said gesturing to the woman sitting on the table.

The girl then turned around and I gave a gasp of surprise. She had the same shade of bronze hair as I. We even shared the same type – straight on the roots and slightly curly on the end; her lips were familiar, the same set as I always see whenever I look in the mirror. Most of all, we had the same eyes, the color identical. Just looking at her, knowing who she was, gave me a lump in the throat. I was having trouble breathing.

"Lester," my Dad said. "I want you to meet your biological mother."

[Next - Chapter 10: THE DESCENT]