Chapter Eight: Haunted By The Past
Marik stifled a satisfied smirk as he left Mister Vallis' office. He hadn't anticipated the offer to undertake the role of a Maths teacher aid, but he welcomed it regardless. He had decided on goading Dear A'isha from the library during his free period, but now that a far simpler and more appealing alternative had been handed to him so seamlessly, he needn't waste his energy.
He remembered his prior promise to check up on Ish later, when he had left her maybe fifteen minutes ago. I guess I'll be seeing her even sooner than I thought. A small smirk flirted across his lips as he past Miss Dewberry's desk, heading towards the exit. I'm sure she'll be absolutely thrill—
An abrupt noise seized his attention. He glanced over his shoulder. Amarillo had slammed a door shut behind her and stormed out into the admin office. The door was two to the left of Mister Vallis'—the principal's office. Amethyst met steel grey, and the girl froze merely five feet from him.
"Is that fear I see in your eyes?" Marik taunted, satisfied upon seeing her stiffen. "I see memory serves you well, Tamarillo."
She directed no thoughts his way…not even concerning his mockery of her name…but he could hear her mind racing, replaying a six-year-old memory that made her tremble. The memory stirred a myriad of feelings in his mind too; feelings of loneliness, self-pity, helplessness and rage...feelings swept away by newly found power, satisfaction and deranged delight. Amarillo finally sent a thought his way, lurching him back to the present.
Y-You still have that th-thing…
Marik ignored the statement. "I recall stating that the next time you crossed me, I would not be so lenient." His smirk grew. "Fortunately you've caught me on a good day." His visage became serious. "But next time you will not be so fortunate."
Amarillo was silent for a moment, fearfully processing his words, then; That new girl… Wh-What are you doing to her?
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Nothing that concerns you." With that, Marik calmly swept through the exit and out into a corridor. Fourth period had clearly come and gone, as the corridor was no longer empty; but bustling with students that passed him by, chattering animatedly amongst themselves as they headed to their fifth and final subject of the day. Marik headed in the direction of the sickbay; he knew he could avoid History with ease, just as he'd avoided Bio—
A sudden vibration in his pants pocket made him straighten. That had certainly been unexpected; he rarely left his phone switched on during class, even on silent. Perhaps he'd forgotten the daily ritual amidst all the excitement of messing with Dear Little Ish.
He coolly withdrew the device, a sleek iPhone securely placed in a dark purple case; his favourite colour. A text from Elissa...Perhaps she's concerned for her dear niece… He chuckled to himself, ignoring greetings from classmates that passed him by, as he opened the text with a single swipe of his finger across the screen.
'Good afternoon, Marik. Elissa here. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but as Ahad and I are both working late tonight, I was hoping you could look after A'isha at your house tonight. Ahad should be home around eight. I've asked Amara to get a ride home with one of her friends. I would ask your brother or sister, but of course you know they're working too and I don't want to interrupt. Ahad and I would really appreciate it! :)'
A grin plastered itself on his face. Things were really in his favour today. He swiftly typed up his reply:
'Hello, Elissa. I'd be happy to help. You can work assured that your niece is in excellent hands. M.I.'
Marik chortled softly. Excellent hands, indeed.
Marik had left no more than twenty minutes ago and now A'isha could hear a heap of conversations all mingling into one perhaps a few walls away from the room she occupied. I wonder how long I was out for… Are students going home or to their next class? She pursed her lips. It was safe to assume she'd missed fourth period, and she should've been pleased, but really it only soured her mood further. Missing Biology today just meant she'd have more work to catch up on…plus her classmates would no doubt think Amarillo had done such a number on her that she couldn't even make it to her next class. The truth to that thought only made her feel worse.
A'isha sighed, realising her hold on the ice pack pressed to her forehead had wavered slightly. She remedied that quickly, pressing it harder against the bump. The school nurse had said she had a slight concussion, but nothing that time and a few early nights couldn't fix. A'isha should've been pleased, but she found her bitter side wishing that she'd needed stitches or something so that Amarillo's punishment would be that much more severe. "I hope that nutcase gets suspended," she hissed under her breath, glaring daggers at the door opposite her bed as she wondered how in the world the loon hadn't been already.
The pain will be worth it if that nut does get suspended, she thought with a sly smirk. The expression left instantly as an image of Marik's mocking smirk flashed through her mind. Thinking of Mister High and Mighty, A'isha mulled over whether or not Marik would really return to check up on her. She hoped not. Her headache was bad enough without that jerk around…and she was really appreciating actually having her mind all to herself.
A'isha was drawn from her thoughts by the door easing open ahead of her. A meek girl who looked to be about her age slipped into the room, gently closing the door behind her as she sent a warm smile A'isha's way. She returned the smile as she examined the brunette curiously; she didn't look ill or injured… What was she doing here?
The girl's hair was straight and drawn back into a ponytail. A few freckles were splashed across the bridge of her nose, the flecks only enhanced by her pale complexion. She was clothed in a navy blue skirt that brushed against her ankles, along with a white tank top that read 'Miss Naughty' in bold, blue letters. Her outfit was completed with a sleeveless blue cardigan and black, leather slip-on shoes.
"Hello there," A'isha greeted, watching as the girl slipped into the seat that Marik had earlier occupied. She placed her bag beneath the seat, and then looked up at A'isha through a pair of metallic purple glasses.
"Hi," she replied, revealing a friendly smile.
For a long moment, all was silent, save for the crinkling of plastic as A'isha adjusted the ice pack against her head.
The girl finally spoke up; "You're very brave…"
A'isha blinked twice. "Why?" she blurted out. "Because I stood up to that tank?"
The girl snickered behind her hand. "Well that's a new name for the lovely Tamarillo!" Her smile didn't waver as she continued, "And yes, I was referring to the cafeteria incident."
A'isha sighed. "Well I don't feel so brave now… More along the lines of foolish." She laughed, though there was no real joy to the sound. "I'm A'isha, by the way." She forced a small smile. "But you can call me Ish. It's way easier."
"I'm Juliette Lilly Anne Hughes." The girl raised a friendly hand, which A'isha took without qualms, shaking it thrice before her hand returned to absently toy with the bed sheet. "F.Y.I., Lilly Anne isn't my middle name." She smiled. "I go by Julie though."
A'isha flashed a genuine smile. "Do I even want to know your middle name?"
"Correction; middle names." She chuckled. "And no, you really don't wanna know. Even I still get mixed up."
A'isha beamed at Julie, the girl's presence alone filling her with joy and relief. Someone actually wanted to talk to her…and Marik isn't around to screw things up!
"Anyway," Julie began, taking on a more serious tone, "how are you holding up?"
A'isha chewed on her bottom lip. "Does…everyone know about the cafeteria incident?" She felt she already knew the answer.
Julie suddenly found the floor very interesting. "…Well…"
A'isha stiffened, a look of horror twisting her features. "Noooo," she moaned, dropping the ice pack only to grip her head in despair, shaking it furiously. "Oh no no no no no!" Her eyes met Julie's, compassion swimming within the brunette girl's chocolate brown orbs. "Please tell me you're kidding?"
"Sorry," Julie breathed, guilt underlying her tone. "I'm not one to lie."
A'isha groaned, self-pity etching its way into her brain…but Julie shouldn't apologise…and she didn't deserve to hear A'isha's impending rant about how miserable her life felt at this moment in time: Marik hounding her in her mind; Amarillo knocking her out cold; Amara being an absolute cow; her parents' untimely passing; and…and—
A'isha shook her head frantically, using every ounce of self-control she possessed to stifle tears that threatened to show, pounding against her eyes and heightening the pain of her ever-growing headache. She couldn't think about that night; yet how could she think about anything else?
She missed them so much. She missed her father's goofy personality, always eager to make her laugh, even if he looked like a complete moron in the process…and yet he'd always been there to offer kind words and remind her of the faith he had in his only child. She missed her mother's free spirit and caring nature…she always knew what to say to ease A'isha's nerves, reminding her that there was a silver lining around every corner…that everything happened for a reason… Her hands curled into fists at her sides, trembling ever so slightly. If everything happened for a reason, then what had her parents possibly done to deserve such an untimely demise? What reason could possibly justify snatching such warm and gentle spirits from this life?
A warmth upon her fist snapped A'isha from her thoughts. Her eyes dropped to her hand to find Julie's resting on top of it. "Hey…" Julie drawled, genuine concern in her tone. "Are you okay?"
A'isha's lip quivered, but she refused to let her grief show in the form of tears…not at school…and not with someone else around. "I…I'm fine," she murmured solemnly.
Julie didn't look convinced, but she didn't press it. After all, the girl barely knew her. "Okay…" She suddenly perked up, perhaps hoping she'd thought of a way to cheer A'isha up. "You know…I think Marik likes you!" she stated animatedly, grinning over at the now bug-eyed girl.
"Wh-What?" A'isha stuttered, her eyebrows half way up her temple. "Ha! What gave you that idea?" she shrieked, showing a look that was somewhere between horror and hilarity. "Marik hates me!"
"Are you sure?" Julie's grin grew. "Because when you were knocked out he was really worried…"
A'isha barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He would've been acting, of course… embracing the role of the panicking friend, fretting like mad over his new friend's well-being.
Julie continued; "When Amarillo knocked you out, Marik screamed your name."
Shock flashed across A'isha's face for a split-second… She did remember someone shouting her name, merely seconds before she'd fallen unconscious. It…had been Marik.
"And after Amarillo marched off all smugly, he just stood there and stared at you for about ten seconds. Then he finally sprinted to your side, shooing away the crowd that had formed around you and demanding that they give you some space." Julie's grin was now stretched from ear-to-ear. "Then he picked you up and carried you here." She squealed at the mere memory, no doubt believing Marik's reaction to be absolutely adorable. "Trust me when I say he was soooo darn sweet."
A'isha laughed, sounding drier than two week old toast. "Julie… 'sweet' cannot be used in the same sentence as 'Marik' unless the word 'isn't' is in between them." And yet, why did she find herself wishing Marik's actions had held some sincerity. Of course I want him to be nice to me, she reasoned, then dismissed the ridiculous thought.
Julie shrugged nonchalantly. "Okay… You don't have to believe me." Her words held no spite. Only calm acceptance. "Anyway, I'm gonna have to leave you now." She flashed a sheepish grin as she scooped up her bag and scurried over to the exit. "I'm kinda late for band and I'm the trumpet lead."
A'isha's eyes went wide. Had Julie risked getting in trouble with her teacher for being tardy just to visit a total stranger? She smiled, flattered by the gesture. Julie had the potential to be a well-valued friend. "Okay then," she replied. "Thank you for visiting me. I feel a lot better." And though those words were true, she still felt miserable. "I…I guess I'll be seeing you around?"
Julie nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely!" She waved as she opened the door a fraction. "It was nice to meet you!"
"Right back at you," A'isha returned, returning the friendly wave.
She watched as the girl slid through the exit, not bothering to open the door entirely as she did. She paid little mind to the meek, "Oh, excuse me," that met her ears as the girl left her sight. She assumed it was the nurse returning to check up on her. That is, until an unmistakable voice replied, "Of course, Julie."
So he wasn't lying, A'isha thought, huffing as she slumped against the bed frame, arms across her chest. The thought had barely presented itself when Sir Jerk-A-Lot appeared. The first thing she noticed was the thrilled smirk he wore. This can't be good, she surmised, already dreading his impending words.
"What's with that look?" Marik pouted. "Aren't you happy to see me, My Dear Ish?"
"Why are you here?" she barked. After such a civil conversation with Julie, she'd forgotten how tiring it was to force a glare.
Marik's mock pout was swept away by another strenuous smirk. "Well, My Dear," he began, reclaiming his former seat in the corner, still warm from its previous occupant, "I'm pleased to tell you that, as you're concussed and unfit for class, I've been permitted the pleasure of driving you home."
A'isha slumped against the bed frame even more, if that was possible. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, her body growing rigid with fear. Her next words were barely given voice, muttered bitterly under her breath, "Soon I won't be the only one with a concussion…" It was a miserable attempt at avoiding the terror that had suddenly gripped her without even a sliver of mercy. Sure, she'd been alone with Marik in his room yesterday, having gone over to apologise for that ignorant comment…but now that she knew what he was capable of, the thought of being alone with the creep was terrifying. She knew nothing about him or how severely he was willing to torture her.
"There is no way in hell I'm going anywhere with the likes of you!" she hissed, her head now aching more than ever thanks to the strain that now weighed down her trembling form. She rubbed the ache behind her ear; then straightened when rushed footsteps sounded nearby.
"Is everything okay, Miss Dahar?" a gentle voice intervened, making A'isha glance up at the doorway. The nurse, a middle-aged woman, was peering around the door, concern etched across her face as she examined the two teenagers before her. "Is Mister Ishtar bothering you?" she asked, sending a pointed look his way.
A'isha noticed the look the nurse was giving him. Oh, she liked this woman.
"Everything is fine, Miss Everett," Marik reassured her, flashing a charming smile the woman's way. A smile that really made Ish's blood boil.
Miss Everett was unfazed by his charm. "That question was directed at A'isha, Mister Ishtar."
"Miss Everett," he began calmly, hiding his frustration well, "A'isha's caregivers have asked me to take care of her in their place, because they—"
"I'm sorry, Mister Ishtar," she interrupted with a frown, failing to notice the teen's eyes narrow as a silent response. "But as school policy states, only a parent or legal guardian may withdraw a student from—" She stopped mid-sentence, her blue eyes glazing over as a mysterious eye glowed upon her tanned temple, concealed behind her fringe.
"Go on, Miss Everett…" Marik murmured, offering a clueless expression that many would describe as cute.
Miss Everett's voice was grated as she continued, "You have been instructed to take care of her by her caregivers?"
"I have."
A'isha looked over the woman in clear confusion. This didn't make any sense… The nurse had just been acting suspicious of him and now she was suddenly considering throwing A'isha into his creepy little clutches…not to mention her voice was suddenly eerily different. Was there more to his inexplicable mind powers than what she'd already witnessed?
"Then I'll happily sign Miss Dahar out right now."
Marik smirked triumphantly as he swept down the steps that extended from the school building to the car park. A'isha's sulky stomps sounding behind him confirmed that she was close in tow. An outraged growl met his ears, only amusing him further.
A'isha remembered Julie's statement back in the sickbay—'I think Marik likes you!' The idea was quickly beginning to make sense…that is, if he was one of those immature little boys that annoyed the snot outta the girl they liked…though with that in mind, acting like this was way beyond the norm for a guy crushing on a girl. He was reading and talking to her in her mind, not to mention he'd treated her this way from the moment they'd met. He'd had no time to crush on her. No…his intentions must've been purely one dimensional; a mind-warped freak who got some sort of sick satisfaction out of another's suffering. He's just a maniacal sadist.
"What the hell is your problem?" A'isha growled, quickening her pace to keep up with him. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, silently waiting for her to catch up. "Why do you find me so freaking interesting, huh?" she barked, shoving him once, unsatisfied when he barely budged. "You-You perverted freak of nature!" She flung her arms left and right, further stressing her frustration through her body. "Why do you get such sick enjoyment out of torturing a girl you barely even know? I've done absolutely nothing to you!"
Marik raised a brow in obvious amusement. "You think I'm a pervert?" A laugh followed the question.
"Yes!" she shrieked, launching her arms in the air for added emphasis. "You pervert situations to suit your perverted desire, which apparently is torturing me! So YES, congratulations, you've officially been dubbed a PERVERT!"
He revealed a mad smile, only infuriating her ten-fold. "The definition of the word pervert has many variations. It can be used to describe a person who leads another astray, misdirects one from what is just, or corrupts the victim's feeble mind in any way, shape or form. As a noun, it refers to an individual whose sexual behaviour is abnormal or unacceptable." His mad smile stretched. "With those definitions in mind; yes, perhaps I am a pervert…provided you are excluding the noun's definition, that is."
"Thanks for the English lesson, Professor," she muttered, folding her arms, "Oh, and I wouldn't be so sure about excluding the noun's definition."
Marik's eyes narrowed dangerously on her. She froze, unease seizing her within its unyielding grasp as he coolly closed the little distance between them. His hot breath fanned across her face, making her shudder. That unease warped into sheer panic when his arm encircled her waist. She placed her trembling hands between them, pushing against his chest in a futile attempt to free herself, but his hold was as definite as her fear.
"Th-This is only proving me right!" The words held far less authority than she'd hoped for.
Marik smirked at her…seeming as though he were looming over her shaking form despite the fact he was maybe an inch taller than her, if that. "My Dear A'isha," he breathed, "I have an idea in mind that would earn me a title far more extreme than that of a pervert."
A'isha stiffened as his words sunk in, paling at the implication. Her trembling was uncontrollable. "You…You wouldn't…" she breathed, the words barely given voice.
A'isha sucked in a gasp as Marik gripped her shoulders, shoving her against the nearest car and holding her there. If her voice hadn't been painfully lodged in her throat by despair, her memory set two weeks in the past, she would've surely screamed out by now, desperate to be free of this madman and his crazy mind games.
A'isha shook her head violently in a useless attempt to banish the sinister memories. The shaky wall that was her pride came crashing down, succumbing to unbearable anguish. "P-Please," she whimpered. "Please stop…"
His smirk vanished as confusion replaced arrogance. He hadn't expected her to become so submissive…at least not this quickly. It was like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
A'isha failed to notice a dull glow peek through the material of Marik's backpack. His eyes went wide, his grip ceasing entirely as he slowly backed away from the still-shaking girl. His expression was unreadable as he drew in a deep breath. He proceeded to turn on his heel, the movement stiff...nothing like she'd seen before from the teen. Since they'd met, he'd always moved so suavely, so seamlessly. "Come on, A'isha," he murmured softly…gently even. "Let's get you home."