3 - I Think That Have A Death Wish Or Something

Funny thing about emotions like panic or crippling doubts is that they always make the time go faster. Or at least, you perceive it like that. The price for getting stuck in your head after all.

Lunch break comes with the toiling of the bell, and with it, the crushing realization that I'm barely halfway done with this. I don't know for how long I can hold on, my head is screaming at me that I'm just hallucinating, or dreaming or whatever… but unfortunately, I know better. My feelings are far too real for this to be nothing but reality. This body is not my own. This world is not my own. And this life, I have stolen, when I should be dead.

I'm woken up by a hand shaking me. I look up, to meet the worried expression of one Adam Francis.

"Are you feeling alright Mr Kostenko? You look really pale… do you need to see the nurse?"

Nurse uhm? At this point, I'm willing to bet on who this "mysterious" woman is. A certain redheaded killer from around the World War II period whose name happens to start with Sally and end in Smithson?

That's what I believe. Or more like, this is me trying to convince myself that some semblance of logic exists here.

Realizing that I have not answered the teacher, I open my mouth.

"I-I'm fine, professor. I… just had a rough night, nothing serious."

The frown on his face makes it obvious that he doesn't believe. Damn it man, I'm losing my touch more and more for each consecutive second that I spend in this madhouse.

"All right then… I wanted to say it tomorrow, but I might as well make an exception here for you. Other than a teacher, I also have been tasked with students' mental health, starting next week. I'll have an office available with a colleague to stay after hours and try to help students with their psychological issues. Only if you think it might help, of course, nobody is forcing you, but you have been reported multiple times in the past, as a student with potential issues. So I highly suggest that you give this a try. You may go now, you do not want to miss lunch break after all."

Numbly, I nod, pick up my things and leave the classroom. Jason has been reported in the past to have potential psychological issues… this is new. I don't think that there is a true reason for it, his life seems great from what I've seen so far. But it's possible that I'm missing the bigger picture, so I file that particular thought away for the moment.

A psychological support program is… an admirable thing to do. Especially if the one doing it is already burdened with being a teacher, which is pretty damn exhausting from what I know. But… I think I might just take Adam up on his offer. Yeah… that sounds like a good idea.

…

Do you remember when I said that this school had a surprisingly large number of students? I mean it. There are kids everywhere, laughing, eating, talking and all of that fun stuff. Some of them I even recognize, like Claudette Morel and Jake Park, eating together on a staircase, in comfortable looking silence. I even spied Philip Ojomo (The Wraith) walking down the corridors, dressed like a janitor (in my head, he's the one ringing the school bell, you can't change my mind), and Lisa Sherwood (The Hag) in her human form as a student, with a small group of friends.

Swinging by the cafeteria on the second floor, I see that it's mostly empty. Thank Christ for small mercies, I approach to read some of the instructions written on the outside of it. Students don't have to pay for their lunches, anything extra must be purchased though, but they can't eat inside, probably to avoid too much chaos in the cafeteria itself. This is good for me, since I do not have a single penny to my name right now. Former Jason probably had a phone and a wallet back home, but I forgot to look. I am geniuenly stupid sometimes. Fortunately, I'm also not hungry, so I just go in and ask for a bottle of soda from the weirdly buff lady behind the counter. Like seriously, she has trees instead of arms.

Then, just as I am about to leave, the woman starts humming a tune. A very familiar tune. A… lullaby? I leave quickly before I scream.

The more I see, the more I can feel my sanity slip. I need a moment to myself.

Opening a door leading outside, I'm on a metal ladder, going all the way to the roof. Perfect.

Just as I'm about to start climbing, I hear two voices coming from below me, one male and one female. Wait… is this… is this the famous confession in the back of the school?! Damn my curiosity, I wanna see.

I put my elbows on the railings and look down, to see who I am dealing with. The guy is closer to me and has his back facing me, so I can't see his face, except for his bald head. Bro, already bald as a teenager? Poor bastard.

I can see the girl's face… and I almost burst out laughing. Of course it's her, who else could it be? Leave it to Kate FREAKING Denson to get confessed at, on the first day of school nonetheless. I honestly don't even know why I'm surprised anymore.

It was indeed her, in her standard outfit plus a jacket and some longer jeans, looking uncomfortable as all hell, as she listened to the other guy… and promptly rejected him. Brutal Kate, very damn brutal. Her companion… well, I'm not an expert on confessions, but judging from the very angry tone in his voice, he is not pleased in the slightest.

You heard it all before, how dare you reject me, don't you know who I am, various insults comparing poor Kate to a… woman of culture let's just say and so on and so forth. How very original of you, clone number 371.

I could just ignore everything and go on my merry way, it sounds like the smartest thing to do, but the guy looks just about ready to throw hands, so that small sliver of my conscience left in my brain is basically begging me on its knees to do something.

Why yes conscience, I would indeed like to help. Problem is… how?!

I look at the bottle in my hand. It would be a waste. A big waste. This soda is my absolute favourite and I had not drunk it in years at this point. It could also backfire, since that bastard may as well change targets, and I highly doubt that he'd be interested in talking things over tea and pastries.

I sigh. Woman, you owe me big time for this.

They look very focused on their dilemma, which is why they are so surprised to briefly hear the sound of a liquid falling… right on top of the guy's head.

Said beta male raises his head to meet my grinning face and a very empty (my heart weeps) bottle of soda, freshly opened.

"Calm down Ghost Rider, you got steam coming out of your ears!"

Not my best one liner, but I couldn't resist mentioning my favourite Marvel character. Sue me.

He snarls, Venom in his gaze (I deeply apologize, I'll stop now).

"KOSTENKO!"

Uh. He knows me. That's… surprising. And kind of unfortunate now that I think about it. I'm gonna get hunted down for this aren't I?

He glares at me and starts running back inside the school, completely forgetting about Miss Denson. How rude.

Ah, he's coming here isn't he?

… well shit.

I take one last look down, just to enjoy Kate's bamboozled expression, before bolting up the stairs.

GOTTA BOUNCE!

…

Very conspicuously, I lightly open the door to Mr. Grimes classroom and peer inside.

No madman who wants to kill me. Thank fuck. That bastard chased me around for the remainder of the lunch break, until some teachers caught him, but holy smokes that was way too close for comfort.

And on top of that, all that running made me hungry. Goddamnit dude…

I get fully inside, seeing The Blight in his human form at his desk, comparing notes.

He looks like an English gentleman straight out of the 800's. The same posh and elegant look, hair perfectly straight and without a single hint of dust or dirt, dark brown in color, that same extremely uncomfortable looking outfit and vibrant green eyes, with a spark of… something. Curiosity… or madness. Guess I'll have to find out.

Checking the blackboard, I take my place, waving at Susie while I go. We are at opposite sides of the room this time around, but In front of me, there is Feng again, and a couple of seats to the left, Rin Yamaoka is also present.

The Chinese girl looks behind at me, shoots me a quick smile, and promptly shuts me up when I try talking to her. My confused look made her sigh lightly and point at the professor.

That's when I realize something. In all the other classes there it would always be a buzz of students talking or laughing. Not here. There is only complete silence.

This class is going to be a joy to attend to, I can already tell.

The instant that the bell rings to signal the start of the period, Talbot Grimes snaps his head up, so fast that I'm surprised his neck didn't snap, looking at each of us without missing a beat. His gaze settles on me.

"Kostenko! Come pick up the program! Chop chop, time's wasting!"

He called my name without even looking at the spreadsheet. Kind of impressive, I must admit.

Not wanting to attract attention, I quickly stand up and distribute the pages, in record time might I add.

The teacher observes, and the moment I'm done, he hits a button on a round clock. Was he… timing me? The hell?

"20.13 seconds. Not bad, but I expect you to be faster next time!"

I'm confused. Me and everyone else apparently.

"I see your confused gazes. You are wondering why I timed Mr Kostenko here. Said and done, I hate when people waste time. Time is the most precious resource that we have, and as such I will make sure that nobody slacks off. So hurry up, take the program and read through it. One minute should be enough!"

He hits another button on his clock and the timer starts up again. Some people trip over themselves, I even see poor Susie drop her program from the haste.

Jeez, are we sure that PE is next class? I'm starting to have some doubts about that.

…

Turns out, not wasting any time also means to barely speak about the damn program and get straight into the lesson. On the first day. It's official, that spark is definitely madness, no question about it.

The period ends with a class collective headache and… homework. Never before have I felt so cheated and betrayed in my entire life. Both of them.

PE is next, then we're done for today. Finally I might add. The whole thing just got started and I'm already exhausted.

In that regard, the problem is that I have no idea where the gym is.

The problem is solved when literally every student on the floor goes in one singular direction. Guess that's the way.

Down the road I meet up with David, and with some clever wording and conversation manipulation, I manage to get some much needed exposition.

Apparently, PE is a special subject, taken by the entirety of a grade in one period. Meaning that all of us Juniors go at the end of the day, while all the other grades went before us.

That… sounds like one hell of a task for the teacher. But apparently it's been like this for years, according to David, and it has always been Zarina in charge of everything, on her own.

Modern day Indiana Jones perks I guess. Hawk eyes, maniacal attention to details and more steel in her spirit than a train.

We reach the gym, which is a smaller building on the right of the school, and the group separates by gender to get changed. The workout clothes are supplied by the school, but I can't help but notice that not all of them look the same.

Some have shorts, some have long pants, others have jackets, some don't and so on. I wonder what marks the difference…

When we get to the actual gym, Miss Kassir welcomes us with an energetic smile (it's been five periods. How the hell do you find the energy to smile?!) and starts directing people to their stations. Some play football, some basketball, others… is that table tennis?! Talk about unfair…

That explains the difference in clothing. They are specifically made for each student sport preference.

How much budget does this school have?!

"Ah, Jason, could you come here for a moment?"

The teacher called me by name. That's… new. I cast away my suspicions and meet the professor.

"You called Miss Kassir?"

"Yes. And I told you a hundred times now, just call me Zarina. As yours and Julie's old babysitter, it feels weird to hear you call me Miss."

Ah, former babysitter, I see. Unprofessional as all hell, but who's going to snitch on the PE professor of all people?

"Oh, I'm sorry Zarina. Today has been… rough to say the least. Must have slipped my mind."

I give her a lazy smile, and she answers with a grin.

"It's okay, but don't forget again. As for the reason why I called you, it's the usual. Miss Thomas needs a running partner, and you are the only one in the entire grade that can keep up with her. You mind helping?"

Miss Thomas? I look over the teacher's shoulder, and sure enough there's the hyperactive redhead, in her standard skin.

I mean, Dwight, Jake and Claudette are here, makes sense that she would be as well.

Still, I now have a task to complete, and I guess I wouldn't mind spending some time with Megan, she is one of my favorites after all. So I nod and lightly jog to my new partner, Zarina thanking me as I go.

I reach her, and her grin is massive and infectious, making me automatically grin back.

"Hey Jas! Took you long enough, I was waiting for you!"

We know each other already. Makes sense, Zarina had implied that this was a habit of some sorts. For how long has this been going on, I wonder?

But I am talking to Meg, so there is only one correct way to address her.

"If it isn't my favourite Meghead. How are you doing on this fine day my friend?"

She slugs my arm. Fairly hard too. That hurt you know?!

"Don't call me that. Or at least, if you have to, tell me what it means!"

I can't help the chuckles that spill from my lips. No matter the world, age or circumstances…

A Meghead shall forever be a Meghead.

The sound of my laughter must have been offensive to her religion, because she is not amused.

"Right, just for that, we're going five additional laps."

THAT killed all of my hopes and dreams.

Seeing my dejected face she smiles, satisfied with murdering my fun, then she starts running, without warning.

I sigh and run after, knowing that I will probably collapse halfway through.

So imagine my surprise when I not only survived the entire marathon, but all the while keeping up with my partner, who was definitely not walking.

Fuck me sideways and call me Hillbilly, Jason is actually fit.

So, in a rare risk taking mood, I push myself more, trying to both see the limit of this body, and in an effort to surpass Meg.

Spoiler alert, I failed. Big time.

The jog, that turned into a bona fide race halfway through, ends with my exhausted ass on the ground, my legs feeling like jelly, and my redheaded friend seated on my right, having worked up a decent sweat, but still ready to go.

My pride is in tatters right about now.

I hear footsteps, followed by Zarina's voice.

"As I expected, not quite there yet, but closer than ever. You should really join the track team Jason. You would do incredible there."

I don't answer, on account of me trying to steal all the air from Ormond. It's a work in progress.

Meg is definitely a fan of the idea though.

"You really should! Some actual competition would be nice…"

"I wouldn't get too cocky, Miss Thomas. Your teammates are catching up fast."

"Please, they are better, but nowhere near close to reaching me. How am I supposed to find a proper running partner among those people? Plus, I don't think that they like me very much."

Jeez, I wonder why.

Jealousy probably, but that attitude is doing her no favors.

"Then you should probably start treating them with some respect."

She read my mind. Scary…

"Yeah yeah…"

That's a conversation ender if I ever saw one. Tentatively, I try getting on my feet.

Stable?

Stable.

I make one step forward and almost fall flat on my face.

Not stable, gotcha. Meg's laughter reaches my ears, as she bends down and helps me on my feet.

Girl, you probably gave someone in the gym quite the show. Let me just say, my friend here definitely got cake.

"You okay there? You pushed yourself too much. You should know better by now!"

Ohi, how come you are the one giving me shit about this rather than the professor? Also I don't know my limits anymore, so excuse me for experimenting.

"Sorry. I'll be okay though, this ain't my first rodeo!"

I tried a more southern accent, but the joke falls very much flat, I can tell, but Meg gives a chuckle nonetheless. Now she's pitying me. Can this day get any worse?!

Our teacher catches up, trying and failing at keeping her laughter in.

And this one is making fun of me. I just had to ask, didn't I?

"Go back to practice, Miss Thomas. I can handle it from here."

Meg looks at me with some concern. Awwwww, I'm touched.

"Are you sure? I can stay behind for today, it's not a problem…"

"Your competition is almost here, as such you need every second of practice that you can get. Do not let Mr Kostenko's sacrifice be in vain."

Woman, could you not talk like I died or something? Thank you.

The redhead shoots me another look, before reluctantly waving at me and turning back to start running again.

Zarina pats my shoulder to catch my attention.

"I'm sorry Jason, I know that you want to talk to Meg a bit more, but I really need to speak with you. Nothing bad, I promise. School matters."

So, something bad. Or at the very least bothersome. Dunno which is worse honestly.

I nod mechanically and allow her to help to some chairs on the far side of the gym, out of everyone's way.

When we get seated, she wastes no time.

"I would like to discuss with you about your extracurricular activity, that you somehow managed to avoid taking in your previous years. I don't know if your… aversion is caused by laziness or other issues, but it stops now. Next week, these activities will start, and you will have to take something. It's mandatory for your next grade."

Ugh. Extracurricular activities. In other words, clubs. They are such a massive waste of time it's not even funny. But it's mandatory, so I don't have the luxury of a choice this time around.

It seems that me and Jason are more similar than I thought.

"What are my options then? Please enlighten me."

"That much against it uh? Unfortunately, I don't know what is available yet, the school is going to update the site tonight, but you have until next Monday to pick something. My recommendation is the track team, of course, but if it helps, I know that Julie wants to pick theatre again this year. Just… try not to half ass this one, okay? It's important."

I nod and she gives me one last warm smile, before walking away.

I always have to get roped into everything, want it or not uh? Is this what it means to be cursed?

My gaze snaps of Meg when she runs closer to my chair, and I frown lightly.

Is it just my impression or does she look…

Lonely?

…

The last bell finally rings. Thank you Philip, you are my only ray of sunshine in this dark scary world.

I follow once again the stream of students, out of the gym this time, saying my goodbyes to David and Feng, while I wait outside for Susie to finish changing. I'm no expert, but I have a feeling that if I leave without her, I'll never hear the end of it.

I yawn, now that the adrenaline of my run has properly subsided, I feel beat. I don't think that it will be a problem if I close my eyes for a second…

A pair of arms wrap around my neck, and I definitely did not scream. Nuh uh, I didn't. That random guy over there did. Shit, did that asshole find me already?!

"Here's my heroic little brother!"

Phew, no. It's just the tyrant. Not that it's much preferable, but at least she's not going to punch me.

Also, heroic? The hell is this broad blabbing about?

"Did you smoke a joint or something, Juls? Heroic?"

I slightly turn my head to bear witness to her grinning face. There is someone else behind her, but I can't see who they are.

"Don't play dumb with me Jason! Kate told me everything. You became quite the celebrity among the Seniors might I add!"

Uh? Kate? What does she…

Oh. Right. My wasted soda. Damn it, I did not want to remember that. Still, I gotta play dumb for appareance sake.

"Kate? Who's Kate?"

Her grin intensifies, somehow, and she moves out of the way, letting me finally see the person behind her. Lo and behold, it's actually Miss Denson in the flesh, awkwardly fidgeting around with a plastic bag in her hands.

"Is it true that you poured an entire bottle of soda on Deshayes head?! Is it?!"

Goddamnit Julie, settle down a second will ya?

"Deshayes is…"

"The guy that… confessed to me, I guess?"

Ah! She speaks!

Wait. That last name is familiar. Ahhhhhh…

The… Twins…?

Did I pour an entire bottle of soda on Victor's head?! He was grown up, that's why I didn't recognize him! And he had his back turned to me, but details.

"Then yes, it is true. It was a grave loss, my poor drink shall forever be mourned."

I get slugged on my arm. Again! In the exact same place Meg had hit me before! Is it a conspiracy?!

Fucking hell, why is every girl around here violent?! Except for Susie, who is a cinnamon roll who couldn't hurt a fly, is completely innocent and shall remain pure until she hits thirty. End of the discussion.

Rubbing my abused appendage, I direct a glare in Julie's direction, whose grin hasn't dropped this whole time, not even for a second.

How's your face not hurting already?!

She wants to say something. I can feel it. Fortunately, Kate beats her to the punch.

"I just… wanted to thank you for your intervention. And apologize for the inconvenience. I heard that he chased you around for the entirety of lunch break. You must be starving…"

On cue, my stomach growls. But the sound is obscured by a… demonic presence?

Shit, is the Entity here already?! It's only the first day dude, don't you know the rules?!

I turn around to find that it is not, in fact, an eldritch deity. It's Julie. And she does not look amused.

"He did what now…?"

A chill goes down my back. Such pressure… when did she get so… scary?

Her eyes are red, shining with pure malice, her lips are in a flat line and a dark aura surrounds her. She is royally pissed.

Before anyone can stop her, she turns to me.

"Go back home without me Jas. I'll catch up later."

She goes before I can answer, tapping away on her phone while she goes. That is NOT reassuring at all woman!

Kate coughs lightly, prompting me to look at her again. Ah, right, she was talking.

"As I was… saying, I wanted to both thank you and apologize to you for your help. You really saved me back there. So I wanted you to have this."

She hands me the plastic bag. A very nice smell comes from the inside. What the…

"I talked to Anna, the cafeteria lady, and after hearing what happened, she insisted that I bring this to you. It's only a little, I know, but I hope it will be enough to help you reach dinner. I also added that soda that you had gotten before, since you like it that much. So ummm… thank you, a-again…"

I walk up to her and take her hand in mine, deadly serious.

"You have my deepest gratitude. I shall feast on this with all my heart. Thank you, truly."

Her face turns a curious shade of red. I wonder if she is used to such heartfelt thanks. Probably not.

She stammers a goodbye and she runs off, quite in a hurry too.

Huh. That's weird. Like really weird.

Her lore isn't particularly rich, but from what I know, she is supposed to be a very sunny and confident girl. She has to be, in order to sing in concerts in front of other people like she does.

I guess not everyone is the same even in the personality department. There are changes even there. That can't be good…

The door leading to the gym opens up one more time, revealing Susie. I almost greet her, eager to finally have a normal interaction with a normal human being, before I notice that she has a now familiar dark aura, like the one that Julie had.

And now I have to eat my previous words. Why are you the way that you are?

She looks at me, and I shudder when she smiles at me. It was not one of her usual cute, warm smiles. No, this one was malevolent, cold and very much frightening.

"Sorry Jas, I have to go and meet up with Julie. We have some… business to attend to. I'll see you tomorrow."

Brief and to the point, she stalks off in the same direction that Julie had taken. I could swear that grass would wither away and die whenever she would step close to it.

I stand alone for a couple of minutes, contemplating what I have just witnessed.

Then, almost robotically, I also start walking, barely remembering the road back to the Kostenko household. Frank and Joey are nowhere to be found as well. Wonder where they are…

Ah well, it doesn't matter. I'll just go back and enjoy the meal that Kate graciously offered me.

That being said, what's in here? Let me see…

I open up the bag and a paper piece flies out. Curious, I snatch it out of the air and look at it.

A series of digits. In other words, a phone number…

Did I…

Did I just score without meaning to?!

Some final notes for this chapter, I am in fact, not Canadian. As such, I have no idea how school works for them, this is a system that I have made up on my own accord, to make things easier for me going forward.

Thank you all for reading and I shall see you in the next one.

Ta ta for now.