Chapter 24

Amanda grabbed Diana's hair, helping her remove the stubborn strands out of her face as the poor girl vomited the rest of the acid out of her stomach. Her nose crinkled at the smell and looked everywhere else but the bag where the elegant Diana Cavendish threw up.

Diana moaned as she tied the bag to prevent its smell from escaping and rubbed the sides of her distended gut. Her belly finally heaved.

"Diana?" Amanda asked, worriedly.

Diana blinked hard and didn't know what to say. "It hurts."

"Your tummy?"

Diana's feet continued to scuffle around. "Calm down," she said, feeling another tingling sensation in her belly button, but it was sort of different. "It might because of the strain I do to my body and the heart-wrenching guilt I harbor. It's the faces—from the streets, the school, bearing their slightest remembrance. It has stirred it up all for me. My inner war goes on and on, in my head."

Amanda didn't speak and let her continue.

"There's this fog in my head." She did her best to describe. "Sometimes, I feel like I cannot go forward. I cannot be still. I cannot even drink tea without tasting blood and it upsets me."

"It is a perfectly rational response to an absurd situation." Amanda had to drape one of Diana's arms over her shoulders and hold her waist with her free hand. "You're burning! Shit did you get the flu?"

Diana started choking with air, her lungs did not seem to be able to work properly and the hands did not want to stop shaking anymore. She could not think at that point and it appeared that merely walking would prove to be problematic with all that pain numbing her body. She placed her hands on her chest and pressed hard on it, hoping it would ease the hurting but it didn't.

Her legs were killing her and her neck was so stiff, feeling it could break if she turned too quickly. Her heart thudded fast, becoming heavy. Every muscle in her body started heating up.

Amanda immediately brought her back to bed.

When Diana lay immobile, Amanda called for her, cupping her face. "Diana?"

Her lips moved but no voice came out. The sensation was similar to standing under the spray of scalding water in the shower, but instead of water, it was far more painful. It became too much to bear. The searing pain had put her in a trance. The weight of despair led her drained and riveted.

"I think you're just too tired, Diana. Should I call for your maid?"

"The ointment," she said weakly and gasped with pain. Her tearful eyes tried to relate all that.

"The what?"

"Hurry, on my desk!" Diana yelled, lifting her nightgown to reveal her flat stomach.

Amanda scrambled her way to retrieve the bottle, her hands fumbling in haste. She quirked it open and poured all of its contents to the areas where it ached. She seemed to know where Diana's tense muscles were and eased them with her slow and cautious motions. The tension that formed in her body began to seep away with the ointment's touch.

When Diana was able to move her hands, she reached for the areas around her torso herself. The bottle Miss Jansson provided her had emptied.

"Are you okay now?" Amanda whispered, her forehead creased, "Shit, you looked like you were dying."

Diana had a lot to say—about all her fears, her pains, her regrets, her qualms, and her complaints. She had the chance to be a bitch but she muttered flatly, already exhausted by the prospect. "I hope this semester's over soon."

Amanda looked at her like's she's gone crazy.

She very well may be.

The night passed by in another blur of sore limbs and using sheer willpower alone to catch up on all Sucy needed to do. Everything had acquired this hazy, half-real quality to it, devoid of all familiarity, as if what happened on Friday has replaced her eyes with new ones and she looked at everything seemingly for the first time, noticing details she had somehow never noticed before, the picture frames on the living room's wall, the exact color of the bathroom tile, the order of the cereal boxes in the pantry.

Sucy found that she had lost her focus. No longer is her mindset so strictly on one thing, instead of taking note of little details around her that she ignored for years, drifting off to thoughts that arise in me these terrible bouts of dread that make me have to count things and close her eyes for a few seconds until it goes away. The seconds got longer. The feeling got more persistent as the hours pass by, refusing to leave her, latching onto her bones and demanding attention.

And it's always the same thoughts that make it come back; memories, images, all of them Akko rejecting her because she had been too forward and too fast with their budding relationship. Last night flashed for a fraction of a moment in her mind until they are translated into heavy feelings deep in her chest. Akko's face when Sucy insisted they should make love, Akko's desire and fear, the light in Akko's eyes and her legs wrapped around her hips, the fabricated image Sucy have of Akko's disgusted after what she did.

Her mistake last night consumed her every thought. Every time she tried to do something and study, it's almost as if Sucy can feel her next to her, can sense her beam without even having to look, smell the vanilla from her skin. Her only consolation was the possibility that soon Akko being Akko will forgive her.

Loa never talked to her the entirety of the night after doing another spell with the golden hair wrapped around the doll's neck. It was as if Loa gave her plenty of time to recover and brood in her room, which she didn't expect her to do.

"Well of course I did, you were so angry I'm afraid you would dump me in dirty laundry and shoved me once more in the washer and dryer!"

"Silence was good while it lasted," Sucy said, patting her pocket where Loa hid. "Wish me luck on exams."

"You do know you can control your professors to give you a good mark, right?" Loa snorted. "I'm not just for murder; I can aid you in any mischief."

"Too much work for me." She shrugged.

"And murder isn't?"

As soon as Sucy arrived at school, there was a nagging feeling came that won't go away. Something off about it all, the people, the way Akko seemed to be missing from their usual meeting spot if they ever didn't manage to walk together to school.

When she spotted the brunette's familiar short ponytail, her lips curved upwards. "Hey Akko!" she called.

Akko didn't hear her. Or maybe she purposely ignored her. Sucy damned herself for her straightforwardness. With a grumble, Sucy opened her locker. Her eyes widened at the sight of a water bottle and a pink note that fell.

Sorry for making you feel like I don't love you. I do. But it can wait, can't it? Please take this peace offering and hydrate! (´・ω・`)

xoxo Akko

Sucy's heart was overjoyed. With Akko's love, she felt like she can do well on her exams and take today's schedule with the missed exams from yesterday. Akko's love can make her swim across oceans, reach for the stars and count all the sands without missing a beat.

"You're getting sappy."

A low growl threatened to escape from the depths of her throat but a wild blonde was caught on the corner of her eye.

There she was, yet again, Diana Cavendish, alive and well despite her attempt in boiling her on hot oil during witching hour before the sun rose.

Cavendish looked paler than usual, cheeks drained of color. Either in shame or fear or the effects of being boiled alive, Sucy couldn't tell. Maybe it's exhaustion. In spite of it, she is every inch a regal lady. But that didn't explain how she survived.

"How the hell did she survive?" Loa echoed her thoughts.

If Hanbridge's death was difficult for her, she certainly doesn't look like it.

Gripping the hem of her skirt in uncontrolled anger, Sucy cursed all the people with blond hair and she might do just that.

Sucy reached for the water bottle that Akko provided for her and walked towards her classroom to take her exam.

A few excruciating hours later, she couldn't take any more twisted standardized exam questions but she still has a lot in the afternoon to take the exams she missed. Thanks to Professor Ursula who managed to give her the leeway.

Throat feeling a bit parched, Sucy grabbed the water bottle Akko gave her and downed all of it. The waster was refreshing, quenching her thirst. Sucy gave an involuntary shudder as the frigid water began to soak through her clothing.

"Shit!"

It left a permanent wet mark on her chest. Loa, on the other hand, was perfectly dry in her pocket.

Sucy and went to the nearest comfort room to grab some tissues to try and fix the mess she made. She became aware that she was the only one inside which was unusual. Usually, in between periods, students would clamor to the restrooms.

Frustrated that she had to deal with a wet top, she threw the empty bottle on the trash can when somebody walked in about a few minutes.

Sucy feared the doll would lash out another temper tantrum. And Loa did, this time around Sucy paid her no mind.

"It's the other girl." Loa hissed.

"Hey," she greeted her with a smile, coming to stand next to her as she stared at the mirror. This was the first time they talked at school. "Why is it when I'm with you, you always had a spilled drink disaster?"

"I don't know," Sucy sighed then getting under the hand drying machine. "I'm just getting clumsy. You finish your exams for today?"

"WHY ARE YOU CONVERSING? SHE'S TRAPPING YOU!" Loa roared like raging thunder in her ears. Exasperation laced its voice.

"Yes," Lotte giggled, fixing her hair before looking back at her. "You know, it might take you the whole free time if you dry it like that."

"You're right, I should let nature take its course and have it dry on its own. I have to review for more exams."

"High school," she shrugged.

An uncomfortable silence began to settle between the pair. Loa took the advantage of continuing her outburst.

"GET OUT OF THERE, LEAVE HER!"

Lotte stirred up the conversation once more. "How were your clothes from last time? Did you manage to remove the stain or is it still at the dirty rack?"

"Excuse you, I already washed it." She said while pinching the doll in her pocket to stop screaming.

"You should be careful you know. Students are more likely to be murdered while washing their clothes in a launderette than anywhere else," Lotte informed her in a solemn tone. "It's a known fact. Or it should be. Maybe you should come with me... Just to keep me company. If you want, maybe we can go together and do our laundry."

Sucy wondered what she meant by that, tried to read between the lines like a therapist or a psychic. Was laundry a metaphor? Did Lotte asking if she wanted them to do laundry together mean... something else? Or was Sucy just touch-deprived and desperate for a release that she started seeing innuendos.

"What are you saying; you live in an apartment without your own washers and dryers?"

"Oh dear no!" she gushed. "I can't afford it that much. It's really becoming a hassle to just stay clean while being safe."

Eventually, Sucy smiled. "Well, you know, if you hate going that much, I have my own washing machine in my flat. I could let you borrow mine if you pay me."

"NO! HAVE YOU GONE STUPID? WHY ARE YOU INVITING HER TO OUR PLACE?"

Lotte's eyebrow shot to her hairline provocatively. "Oh? What kind of payment are we talking about?"

"GOD NO!" Sucy's features reddened. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant you should let me borrow your Night Fall books for me to read. The way you narrate the events to me was so intriguing I can't help but like to try."

Lotte giggled. "Are you sure? Dabble in it and you'd find yourself falling deep."

"I'll take the chances."

"That sounds like fun. I'll give you my number, and then you give me yours. Next time I need do my laundry, I can call you."

It wasn't exactly the circumstances in which Sucy had imagined giving Lotte her number, but she decided that it was better than nothing. As long as they had some kind of link, even if it was only dirty clothes.

After exchanging their numbers, they smiled. With one fluid motion, Lotte turned around and exited the comfort room, and leaving Sucy in peace.

"So," the doll said the word the way that other people gave speeches. Loa could say one word and give Sucy a ten-minute lecture about her decisions with one breath.

"So," Sucy agreed with a smug, self-satisfied smile.

"She's going to the flat to do laundry. The girl you met like twice. Are you a two-timer now?"

Another one of Loa's many talents was the ability to simplify Sucy's life in such a way as to make her look like a fool. That actually didn't take much effort on her part.

"You dare accuse me of cheating? Well, it's not exactly a date," Sucy admitted ruefully. "I never wish to cheat on Akko. And I have to admit, in order to give Akko some freedom in our relationship; I need to have a life, right? What's a little harm with making friends? I just don't want to trap her by being too possessive."

"Sucy, you ARE possessive." Loa clarified. "Although you're not wrong."

"Don't try to tell Akko shit." She said with a note of final before heading out to the hallway.

"She literally can't hear me, stupid."

Sucy turned around after hearing the familiar shuffled of her beloved.

"Hey," Akko practically chirped, holding up two bento boxes. "I picked us up some lunch."

"Thanks Akko." Sucy smiled, reaching out to take the bento closest to her reach.

"Would you want to enjoy our lunch outside the cafeteria today? I know a few places where we can share a few kisses."

Sucy's stomach suddenly rumbled, making Akko laugh.

"I'll take as a 'yes' then."

The strain of the days had certainly taken its toll on Diana. Something she doesn't miss in the mirror. She looked washed out, sunken. Her eyes circled by bruise-like shadows. But she's not a ruin. Not yet.

Diana was aware she's in desperate need of some nutrition but she opted to get duties and work done first. So she entered the secret investigation room where the Detective Inspector disguising as a Luna Nova Professor would be.

"Did you come to report about the penmanship analysis?" the Italian woman asked, looking at her student's test papers before gasping at her sight. Not wanting to say something in front of Diana as to frighten her further, Detective Inspector Croix was alarmed to see how much weight Diana had lost.

She was a lean girl, to begin with, and her three-day lapse of self-care was starting to wear on her health and before the older woman could reprimand her, Diana slammed the paper containing Sucy Manbavaran's handwriting on the table.

"It matched." She said, thinning her lips in a neutral expression. "If you don't take my word you can bring it to an expert."

"That's too much hassle. I will take your word for it. Also..." she spoke, conversantly. "Did you know that the media finally gave a name to our new serial killer? They call them the Blytonbury Killer." The Detective Inspector ticked her tongue. "Not very creative."

Diana kept silent. She had more pressing matters to attend to rather than a distasteful name for the killer. But it would be rude to interrupt an adult or to even point it out. Her mother raised her to be better than that.

"Amongst other things, we should be glad that UKN didn't name her the Luna Nova Killer. We should look at the bright side of things more often, yes?"

Diana arched a perfectly fine eyebrow at the insinuation. She inhaled deeply, controlling her calm demeanor unless she would explode. Right there and now. No matter how much she would want to voice out her argument that the bright side of Andrew dying and Avery being hospitalized is nonexistent, she had damned herself to shut up.

Diana's old teachers and caretakers had drilled into her from a very young age the notion that a proper lady does not use vulgar language. A proper lady is always polite, and courteous in the presence of her peers, could find ways to express her frustrations without resorting to profanity—or better yet, she could just not express her frustrations, full stop. Restraint was a quality to be admired, her teachers imparted, and as Bernadette's daughter, she would do well to employ it.

"But seriously, what's happening in Luna Nova?" Detective Inspector Croix asked. "During my time, we were all busy trying to climb. Social ladders, grades, achievements, relationships. None of these—"

"To get ahead in life, we all want what's best for our children," Diana said, speaking fast but eloquently. "The best schools, the best teachers, the best education. But you might be surprised at what kids learn in the schoolyard. There are groups and gangs, rivalries and threats, hostility and mockery, exclusion and isolation. And in certain extreme cases when young people are ostracized too often, revenge and death become the only logical way out of their distress."

The older woman stared at her, aghast and eyes blinking. "Why did you get so riled up with that?"

"Any luck with Lord Fafnir?" Diana asked, diverting the topic. Her mouth went dry at the thought of disappointing her dead mother from the grave.

Detective Inspector Croix ran her fingers through her gelled hair while tapping her pen on the notes on her desk. "Uh no, he's just giving us the run around as usual."

"Is it not the time for you to send me off to deal with him? I was under the impression you would."

The older woman let out a long hard sigh, defeated. "Fine, don't go alone though. Go ask for help from a trusted person. Things are going to be more interesting around here."

"I thought they already were."

"Diana," Detective Inspector Croix said, gaining the audacity to counsel her. "You shouldn't put your nose on a grindstone like that. Take a break and have a rest."

Her muscles started tensing. She needed a release of this. Even if Diana started running in the morning, she still had to do it again—right now. She was preoccupied on daydreaming about running that she forgot she had yet replied to the Inspector.

"I can endure it."

"Being able to endure something does not equal an obligation to withstand it."

"Your concern for me is most touching."

"I don't need any sass from you, young lady. I'm sure you haven't forgotten, Diana. About how much trouble you caused me when you worked under me in past investigations."

"Suddenly dropping the past of my apprenticeship with you when I am traumatized?"

"Can't you figure it out?" she hissed. "You're the only one I can count on. There's no time. I need you to help me solve this case and I need you in your best condition. Go out there and take care of yourself. That's an order. Or else I will be forced to have someone take care of you or take you out on this case."

"Is that a threat? It's poorly executed." Diana scoffed. "So, if we are done here, I will take that as a cue to leave."

Once Diana got out of there, she started to drag her feet out of the Luna Nova campus and into the woods. She didn't know where she was heading, but when she was sure, she was out of anyone's sight, she sprinted up. Suddenly all the trees faded into blurry walls on either side of her.

Numb all over as hot air hit her face, drying away her tears. Diana wanted to keep running until she reached the edge of the universe. This world didn't belong to her. Suddenly, there were two strong arms that grabbed her by the waist, pulling her body to a stop.

"Where do you think you're you going?" Amanda's voice spoke.

Diana struggled to get her hands off her. "Don't you have any sense of private space?"

"Ouch, I didn't hear you say that when I spread the ointment through your body." They both fought, wrestling each other. "I just got to ask though, what are these claw marks on your arm? I didn't know a dog lover like you would care for cats. Or did you and cats harbor the same abhorrence?"

"It does not belong to a feline."

Amanda took a second to figure out where it came from then shrugged. "I didn't know you were that kinky! I got to applaud you though; I didn't know that underneath that entire prissy attitude, you look fine as hell! Did you want to be scratched like that? I hope you do know that fingernails aren't recommended when you touch down there."

Diana felt her hot tears rolling out of the corner of her eyes. "Are you here to harass me, Amanda? Please let me go, I just want to escape from everything, I can't—"

"You want to escape the world but you can't even escape my grip. Girl, you need to get some muscle in these bones."

Diana gasped, staring back at her.

"Yes, Professor Cruz revealed her real identity to me. She tasked me to babysit a grumpy little English girl. You're coming with me to have lunch whether you like it or not. And you know... I can stop teasing you if you would ask me to. I'm not that evil."

Amanda practically dragged Diana towards the dining hall. Diana stopped struggling once they reached a group of people.

On the corner of her eye, she saw the Headmistress' granddaughter eating all alone. She headed towards her; the girl looked up at her, noticing her presence.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for that ointment you gave me," Diana said, wanting to let it out. "It proved to be quite useful."

"Oh is it?" Lotte beamed. "I can produce more if you want."

"I am most pleased. You have my eternal gratitude."

"Miss Cavendish, would you like to eat something?" Lotte asked, pushing the chair beside her backward, inviting her. "Please join me!"

"No thank you, Lotte," Diana said, earning a glare from Amanda. "I have lost my appetite."

Lotte was unperturbed by the rejection and whimsically glanced at the American. "Would you care to sit down and eat, Miss—"

"Name's Amanda," she offered, already sitting down on a chair in front of her and attacking her chips. "We're all equal here, no more missies, alright? Thanks."

Diana had a sudden thought of slipping away unnoticed but felt a hand stopping her when they grabbed her wrist. "What?"

"There you go again." Amanda grabbed a fistful of chocolate dipped strawberries and shoved it down Diana's throat. "Eat why don't ya!"

Lotte laughed heartily at the display in front of her. She got up, excusing herself. "I guess this means I should get you two your meals. Please make sure she consumes the food, okay Amanda?"

"I like the way you talk, Lotte!" Amanda replied as she cut Diana out of oxygen unless she ingested the strawberries.

Sucy had tried to follow the routines so religiously that she had almost forgotten about her incoming birthday. As the last week dragged, schoolwork did its best to take her mind off certain things. Exams and school projects kept coming like war's bombarding, and her mind could hardly find time to wander off.

To get through it all, Sucy found strength in the love notes Akko kept placing inside her locker, along with other surprises. Like

Soon, she would be eighteen. She was going to be a legal adult and capable of making her own decisions.

"As if you were not," the doll said.

"For legality's sake, Loa, for legality's sake," Sucy chuckled, smoothing a medium length blond hair in her fingers. "I'm still looking forward to my birthday gift."

"Ah yes, so that Adams' riches can be legally yours as well. Do not worry about that."

Sucy stretched, cat-like. "Christmas break starts tomorrow, I need to de-stress before I get to spend more time with Akko. I feel that I'm unable to not use you for a week."

"You just got the itch. It is a thing rarely articulated, but there is power in taking the life of someone else, and it is unequaled by anything else in this world. It's a dangerous drug."

"You just described it perfectly in a paragraph nonetheless," Sucy said. "Do you know what plans I have?"

Loa paused for a moment, reading her mind. "What are you going to do with Louis Blackwell tonight?"

"Let's give him a disease!"