CHAPTER 19

The dorm room was quiet when I got there. The quadruplets (minus Dia who was out for the night because of an interview) and Ami were already asleep. I tried to normalize my breathing. Then, I slowly closed the door and went straight to my bed.

It was hard to comprehend what Ikuto said. Could he be playing me? But then, why would he do that?

I recalled every action he'd made. Every move, every decision seemed to result in his favor. He wouldn't do something if there was nothing to gain from – as far as I know. So what could he get from tricking me? If he was tricking me, that was.

It was probably best if I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But in this time, in this situation of mine, I could only be safe if I was certain. That's why I wouldn't entertain anymore thoughts about what he said.

I stumbled down by bed, not even bothering to change or pull the quilt over me.

My hands brushed my lips. Although, I had to admit, his kiss was different tonight. It didn't feel like...well, staged. Somehow the way he kissed – all passion and hunger – felt...real.

I mentally smacked my head.

No thoughts about him. No thoughts about him. I repeated my mantra in my head over and over until I fell asleep.

"Please don't!" the little girl cried as my hands closed around her neck, denying her the access to breathe.

But I only felt myself smile devilishly.

The girl's blonde hair flew away with the wind as she helplessly thrashed and thrashed but to no avail. I stared back hungrily at her eyes. The slow dulling of her eyes gave me satisfaction.

"Pl...ease...Stop..." the girl whimpered.

I cocked an eyebrow at her, amazed that she still hadn't died. My hands gripped her neck harder, almost crushing her bones. And then, slowly, ever so slowly, the girl went limp in my hands.

A surge of contentment rushed to me as fast as lightning and then an exhilarated laughter echoed in my ears. My eyes roamed around. All the bodies of the people I killed lay motionless on the pavement. I didn't know why I was thrilled but I was.

Needless to say, I woke up screaming and sweating like a pig. It was a nightmare again. But I thought the Cleansing ended it already?

The nightmare felt disturbing, yes. I had to talk to Musashi about this.

I propped my elbows up to see if there were other kids awake but all I saw were empty, made beds and a digital clock that read 10:36am.

Great. Late again.

Deciding that I'd skip today, I stood up from my bed, my hair and clothes stiff from being slept on. Not caring about my rumbling stomach, I stepped inside the shower and bathed myself.

I scrubbed hard until my skin was sore. A strange urge for pain suddenly ran through me and I mindlessly succumbed to the urge. My skin felt so hot after showering. Nevertheless, I ignored them all.

A knock came to my door the same time I went out of the bath. I tied my robe around me and opened the door.

"Well, hello," the guy in front of me whistled.

I threw him a sharp look but he ignored it. Instead, he plucked out an envelope from the stacks he held and handed it to me. "This one is addressed to your sister. Mind if you give it to her?"

"No big deal," I said, my voice clipped and unfriendly.

I dropped the letter on Ami's bed and went to my dresser to clothe myself.

Boredom brought to me to my sister's bed and to the sealed letter for her. I picked it up. Now that I'd taken a closer look at it, the paper was evidently an old type of an expensive paper. And the seal at the back was real wax.

The envelope read: Hinamori Ami

My sister's name was written in Roman letters with a very dark-looking ink - all in swirly, elegant handwriting.

I debated whether to open it myself or wait for Ami. First choice was to open it and tell her the contents afterwards. The risk was she could get mad at me for opening a personal letter. Second choice, I'd wait for her and let her open the letter herself. The downfall of that choice was that this letter could be booby trapped and she could get hurt if it was.

It was probably best if I opened it myself.

Using the stainless steel knife I kept hidden in the lowest drawer of my bedside table, I carefully tear off the seal. I held my breath as I waited for something to happen but it seemed like it wasn't booby trapped at all.

My fingers lingered a bit on the expensive envelope. Suddenly, I felt something strange happening here. I pulled out the paper of the same texture with the envelope. It was a card folded into two.

I was just about to feel guilty for opening Ami's personal letter when I peered at the card.

Death await those who cannot defend themselves. Be wary of your safety, there is no guarantee that you are out of harm's way.

My blood boiled. A threatening letter almost got to my sister's hands. Damn whoever sent this to her!

I jumped off her bed, crumpling the letter as I did, and made a beeline to the door. I grabbed the door handle, swung it open and collided into a strong hard chest.

His spiced perfume caught me off guard and I had to grab on his arm to steady myself. Unfortunately, he had gotten out of balance, as well.

So, we ended up on the floor...our lips almost touching.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Seems like Amu's in denial, huh? Or is she? LOL.

6 more chapters and we're all done! Cheers! Hohoho. Anyway, thank you for the people who were so nice and PMed me about me being depressed. Well, I'm not anymore, so thank you for your cheer up messages :)

Please give me your comments and reactions. We are nearing the END. Haha.

With all the love for writing,

Lace Ashdown