★Eleanor Clarke POV ★
I sat in a bar, dazed. Staring at my drink while reminding myself to breathe, it's been about 3 hours since the end of the malefis.
The bar door opening sent shivers down my spine— I wasn't jumpy, I could just tell who it was that just walked in without even glancing in her direction
The monster— No, Sara was done with her call. She took a seat next to me and ordered a tequila.
"Aren't you a little too young to drink?"
" I won't tell if you don't"
She replied softly, though it felt more like a threat.
The bartender served her drink to my surprise, not even questioning her age. Did he just assume she's an adult because she's seated next to me with those... things?
She took a sip before addressing me.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, we'll take care of the barrier and guide you through the school, in exchange, you'll identify the witch. The operation goes down on Monday"
"..."
"I'll call Adam a little later to get him in on this as well"
"He wasn't the one you just called?"
"Nope"
"I...see. But why not call him now"
"Fufufu, he needs a little time to sort his thoughts. Oh, and this should go without saying but once you identify the witch, you're not allowed to recklessly engage unless I deem it necessary. This is your first job, try not to disappoint me"
" Y-Yes"
"I expect great things from you"
She said with a warm smile before finishing her tequila in one gulp.
She wobbled from side to side, looking tipsy. Honestly, it was kind of cute, right now, she doesn't seem so scary.
I also took a sip of my drink before addressing something that has been on my mind for a couple of days.
"Can I ask you something"
"Huuhh~ Shoot!"
Is she drunk? No that's not the question..
"When I spoke to that blond haired boy a few days ago, he didn't seem to know that you and he—"
"Eleanor"
She said, cutting me off
"Yes?"
I turned to look at her and was met with an abyss that seemed as though it was peering into my very soul— it was her gaze, her expression, one so dark mixed with different negative emotions— anger, surprise, spite, malice.
This felt like the moment in a suspense drama where a character dies because she found out a secret she wasn't supposed to.
Holy crap, I'm scared.... Someone help me
"Eleanor..."
"Eek....Y-Yes?"
"You didn't say anything to Adam about it, did you?"
"Um....well...um"
"Answer the damn question!"
Her gaze got ten times more terrifying and her eyes were probing me. I got the feeling she'd know right away if I lied and that'll definitely lead to another cycle of hell.
"I didn't tell him the details, I swear"
I told her everything that happened during our conversation on that bench to the best of my ability and like a light switch, her expression returned to a bright smile.
"Hmmm... If that's all that happened, I guess it's okay for now. That is all, right?"
"It is, I swear"
"Fufufu Relax, I believe you"
She got up from her seat and walked towards me. Stopping right next to me, she placed her hand on my shoulder delicately.
I couldn't see her expression from that angle, and I didn't dare look. I had the feeling what I'd see will haunt me for all eternity.
I couldn't feel her murderous intent, masked beneath the soft and cheerful tone she used to address me further
"Eleanor"
"Eek— Yes"
"I'm sure you're aware of your position— being my slave means you have no choice but to follow my orders. Even if I ask you peel off all your finger and toenails, then break both your legs with a hammer, perform acupuncture on yourself with daggers, swallow a thousand needles then proceed to choke yourself to death with both your hands, you'll have no choice but to obey, you'll be unable to resist and there's nothing you can do to stop it, that's the nature of our contract...."
She lowered herself to whisper in my ear
"..... If you breathe a word about what you discovered to Adam, I promise your death wouldn't be as painless as what I just outlined. Keep that in mind"
What terrified me wasn't just her murderous intent, it was the fact she meant every word of what she said.
I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared,I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared,I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared.
*Tap
She tapped my shoulder, snapping me out of my daze. Probably because I couldn't sense her killing intent anymore, I instinctively turned to face her.
"You're sweating bullets, are you doing okay?"
She asked with a worried expression.
" Y-Yes.... I'm O-Okay"
I'm definitely not okay.
She showered me with a bright smile before exiting the bar.
I'm Eleanor Clarke, 24 years old. I've seen and experienced far too many things that'll make even a veteran soldier shit his pants.
And yet, my greatest fear is a 17 year old girl with big bo*bs and black knee high boots.
"I'm.... pathetic".
I muttered to myself as I took a sip from my drink.
★Michelle King's POV★
Spring break is over and we're back to boring school life. Watching Mr McAdams giving a passionate lecture on stuff no one cares about is always embarrassing to watch.
The source of my embarrassment this time was something different though.
I kept sneaking glances at Adam during class— his side profile blankly staring at teacher, as though he's suffering from second hand embarrassment as well.
I guess we're similar in our view of Mr McAdam—
He glanced over at me and caught me staring. Immediately, I turned my face away and instinctively got up from my seat.
"Is something wrong Ms King?"
Everyone's eyes were on me. Crap, you've got 2.5 seconds, think of an escape route fast.
"Uhmm... I'm not feeling well, can I go to the nurse's office"
"Oh? Well....no problem, you're excused"
Sighhhh..... Why couldn't I have thought of something better. 3...2...1...
A ton of boys and girls in the class offered to walk me there but I politely declined, saying I didn't want to interrupt their studies.
Oh, the downside of popularity.
Admist all the chaos, Adam remained seated, not even offering to walk me.
I headed to the nurse's office, eyes fixed on the floor
"Ughh, why are always so cold...Do you like me or don't you?"
Memories of him during spring break are living rent free in my mind. His actions, his words... and....
"If you want to pay me back, become an excellent student council president"
Before I knew it, I found myself skipping happily. I suddenly stopped upon remembering something strange that I noticed this morning.
"Maybe he doesn't remember the time we spent too"
Everyone I spoke with— Brock, Freddie and others didn't seem to remember anything about what happened at the hotel.
Was it just some lucid dream I had?
No, it was real.... But then, why am I the only one who remembers?
"Oh well, if Adam doesn't remember, I'll just make him fall for me again"
I continued skipping happily to the nurse's office.
★★★Adam Grave's POV ★★★
I guess we're similar in our view of Mr McAdams....
Yeah.... Not exactly. Anyone will struggle not to die from second hand embarrassment if they heard his thoughts. Sigh.
The class ended soon after and I started making my way to the Library for my meeting with Sara.
Apparently, I was to assist her in getting Eleanor Clarke into the school. As for how it's to be done, she said she'll share the details in person.
Switching gears, what was up with Michelle? She kept sneaking glances at me during class and her thoughts were a mess too.
"And here I thought it might be difficult to get close to her since she's forgotten about the haunted hotel incident"
Thanks to Sara and Rick, everyone involved in the haunted hotel incident who were neither cursed nor a witch would have amnesia.
Still though, do I really have to involve myself with her?
I ruffled my hair furiously
"Ohh.....This is so annoying!"
"Trouble in paradise?"
"Kya!"
My heart almost jumped out of my chest. However, my body leaped and fell to the ground— no almost about it.
What startled me wasn't that the thoughts of person behind me was silent, it's that it wasn't Sara's voice I heard.
Eleanor Clarke burst into laughter at my tumble.
"Lay off me."
I said as I got up, dusting myself off. Just then, I realized something weird about this situation. Infact, looking at things objectively, that must be the reason I was freaked out in the first place. Yeah, that must definitely be it.
"How are you here?" I asked
"What do you mean"
"Wasn't I supposed to help you get past the barrier?"
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
We both stared at each other confused, then let out another "Huhhh..."
"Sigh, no use thinking about it, Let's go"
So i said but I couldn't help but think. Why did Sara lie to me again? What's her angle this time?
"Is there something on my face?"
I asked as I noticed Eleanor staring at my face.
"No, it's nothing. Tell me, are you and Ms Sara dating?"
"Huh?"
"Forget it, that was a strange thing to ask"
Just what's her deal? Does she.... No no way, but maybe...
Well, though she's not packing any weapons, she is still kinda pretty. Plus there's that older woman charm....
"Hey, Quick question"
"Yeah?"
"Do you..... Like me?"
"Huh?"
I couldn't read her mind, but her expression told me no. Her reaction was a mix between disgust and repulsion, as though she was gazing at poop that was somehow left on the side of the road.
"Sorry, forget I asked"
Noticing her contorted expression, she corrected it to a polite smile, like the one you'd use to turn down a kindergartner who just proposed to you.
"Sorry, I'm not really into younger guys"
"With your build, do you really have a choice?" I muttered
"What was that?"
"Nothing"
Well, there are people who think medium is premium. Although, could you really call them medium?
More importantly, why did she ask that question though?
"That reminds me, last Tuesday, you wanted to tell me something about Sara. Since we're now on the same side, do you think you can tell me?"
Color drained from her face at that instant.
"Oh t-that? I was wrong. I-It's nothing so j-just forget about it"
It's definitely something. And judging by her reaction, it's something big.
Did Sara threaten her keep her mouth shut. Also, she almost never misses a chance to remind me I'm a kid but earlier, she called someone who's also my age
" 'Ms Sara'? just what the hell happened during that malefis?"
Colour drained from her face even more and her shoulders slumped. I didn't know people could look so pale, so terrified. Did I just tap into her PTSD by merely mentioning it?
Sara, just what did you do?
As I scrambled to fix her mood, we arrived at the library. Colour returned to her face as she corrected her posture.
I reached out to open the door but stopped just short. I got a strange sense of deja Vu.
"...Well not deja vu per se but"
I looked over at Eleanor.
"Hey, could you open the door?"
"Huh? Why?"
Though she tried to hide it, there was a slight shift in her demeanor which confirmed my suspicion. The reason she lied about my role in this endeavor and Eleanor meeting up with me on my way to the library.
After all, if Sara brought her into the school, why aren't they together right now.
I originally thought she had some kinda grand scheme in play, but that in itself was the trap.
Geez, why the hell's that girl so petty at times?
I thought back to the start of my mission. I also met her in the library, more importantly, when I opened the door back then, she jumpscared me.
This is a recreation of that event, Eleanor's presence was to guide me that outcome. Because I can't read her mind, she's the perfect collaborator.
"Ha, coming full circle, huh?"
I muttered. It was just like the riddle at the haunted hotel
As for her motive, it's probably her idea of absolute victory. She wants to get back at me for using library girl against her during our negotiation.
Although she planned to agree to my terms from the beginning, she didn't expect that move. She was definitely rattled then and the way she kept thanking me for it was strange as well.
I flung open the door, not giving her a chance to prepare. However...
She wasn't there.
"Huh?"
That came from Eleanor, clearly surprised by the absence of The Phantom Of The Music Room
"Is she late or...." I asked.
"I'll go look in the back"
She said as she scrambled to find Sara. I didn't follow her because due to the possibility that she might be leading me to a trap.
After all, it's rather unusual for Sara to be late for a meeting she set herself.
Instead, I walked around the entrance eventually stopping at the counter
No one was there. Was Library girl out sick or something?
Looking at the table, my eyes caught on to the latest volume of a certain light novel I'm currently reading. I picked it up to scan the contents when I felt something wrap itself around my leg from underneath the counter.
"He..lp...me....." It said in a hoarse voice.
Huh? It?
I looked down and saw.... A ZOMBIE?!
I instinctively took flight but since it was holding my leg, i fell face first on the floor.
"HELP!"
I screamed so Eleanor would hear and rush to back me up, I just have to hold out till th—
Huh?
The zombie was.... giggling?
Upon closer inspection, it wasn't a zombie but a girl in zombie makeup, dressed in a white funeral robe like the ghost you usually see exiting the TV in that one movie but with clear outlines at the chest area...and her usual beautiful black hair ruffled for realism.
"fufufufuHAHAHAHAHAHA"
Kill me now! Sighhh
"And what are you supposed to be?"
"Can't you tell? I'm the phantom of the music room"
She took advantage of the fact that I'd encountered puppets whose thoughts I couldn't read at the haunted hotel as well as the caution that led me into not following Eleanor to set a trap within a trap.
"Did you really have to go that far for a prank?"
I got up, looking down on the girl whose upper body was sticking out of the bottom of the counter
"It was well worth it. Seeing you scream like a little girl was well worth it fufuhahaha.... Ha..."
She stopped laughing as she motioned to get up, then lay back down, looking up at me a little embarrassed.
"Uhmm... Could you help me out here? I'm kind of stuck"
"Are you now?...."
"Hey, A-Adam? What's with that look? Fu..fu?"
Eleanor appeared behind me before I could do anything so I had to give up on it as I watched Eleanor struggle to pull her out.
Am I really allowed to watch this though?
Shortly after, Sara was freed from the prison of her own design then she breathe a sigh of relief.
"I was helping the drama club before this, hence the outfit..."
She said before I could ask, then continued.
"I'm going to change, come help me out.... both of you"
"HUH? Why?"
Does she realize what she's asking?
"You're quite slow today, Adam. We're taking the long way too the ladies room"
I finally understood. Under the guise of helping her, Eleanor would accompany her around the school, searching for the witch.
But where do I fit in here? Well, I don't mind being along for the ride. Infact, I welcome it
We proceeded on our tour, me walking beside Sara, while Eleanor walked behind me, using me to hide from as many people as possible.
"So, how's library girl doing?"
"Katie will be alright now, I handled it"
She responded with a soft smile, gazing at the distance. I decided not to pry any further, that expression was sufficient.
I wonder, did she give Eleanor till Saturday so she'd have enough time to sort out library girl's situation?
Well, knowing her, it was probably a move with several different purposes.
"How about you"
"Huh?"
"When I said 'be yourself' , I didn't mean 'confess your feelings to a senior you met only 2 months ago' "
" Huh? How did you—"
She scoffed then placed her right hand on her lips that were curled into a mischievous smile.
"Or at least, attempt to , fufufufu"
How does she even know that?
I tried to confess but as I began, I lost my nerve.
"What made you stop?"
"Not telling"
"Hmm... So it was her thoughts, huh?"
Tch
"Seems I'm right, fufufu. How does it feel over there in the friend zone, homie?"
"Shut up. She had the feeling it was a confession, and in that instant hoped it wasn't. I wasn't rejected"
What I told Rachel was "Rachel.... I ...guess mountains are cool after all, haha" ... Good grief.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night"
"Hey I really didn't—"
"Yeah, I don't believe it too. Was that all it took for you to lose your nerve? You must really like her, huh?"
On the contrary, I think I started doubting my feelings at that moment, though, I'll never admit it to Sara. Who was the image that flashed in my head as I was about to disregard Rachel's thoughts and confess anyway?
An old memory.... That girl appeared similar to the one who kept trying to reach me in my dreams. Though, her face has long since faded.
"Is something on my face?"
I asked Sara who was staring at me
"Huh? It's.... nothing"
What was that reaction?!
"That's the witch... The witch of lust"
Eleanor said, calling our attention. I looked over at the direction of student council president Bruce King. Rather....at the person walking beside him.
Seems I was right.
I looked over at Sara who had no reaction.
"Good job Eleanor. Both of you head back to library, I'll go change by myself. Don't make a move for now"
She said, still level headed and composed. Protesting, Eleanor said
"But she's right there, we can—"
" I said don't make a fucking move!"
"Eek... Yes ma'am"
Sara strolled away, appearing more composed than I expected.