Monday.

"Man~~ I have no energy to go to school~~" I complained as I scrub the floor.

"Miss, you missed a--"

"Why don't you start cleaning?!" I interrupted Angelo, who is just standing there, guarding my cleaning so intensely. "Ah, whatever. I'll pack up so you should clean."

"But Miss, didn't they entrust it to you?" Angelo smirked.

"They did. Meaning, I'm the one in control. So go on and clean, you peasant!" I demanded.

"Y-yes.... Miss..." He gave up in defeat.

I took my bag and ran to the door, a routine that I'm not used to.

While passing by the hallway, I know that my boots are dirty so I purposely sweep my boots on the carpet, making it dirty.

"You missed a spot." I mocked him, imitating how he acted earlier.

He glared at me before I continued running on the halls.

"Are you not going to wear your black shoes?" He asked. I was already at the door.

"I'm gonna wear them at school." I coolly answered him, continuing from where I left.

I dashed to the car. Sebastian and I haven't talked in the whole ride. It feels so quiet, I can think straight here. But I wonder what I will think about. Nothing.

I finally reached the school. I quickly exited the car that I rode on. It felt so long since I rode on it. When I entered the school, I was early as usual. I can't distinguish time.

I entered the classroom and saw 3 students there. They seem to be talking about a topic that I surely wouldn't understand.

"Good morning beautiful ladies, here is a rose to mark this day as the faithful day we met." I heard this voice before, I know.

"My, how a gentleman you are. We do not need a rose to mark this day. We cannot forget how your pretty sky blue eyes met ours." I heard this voice before too.

"I cannot agree more." The other bitch talked!

"Excuse me. Last time I checked, this is not a flirting room." I interrupted them, grimacing.

"Good morning, Auden!" Carol happily waved at me and handed me a rose. "A rose to say that I appreciate your presence." He says.

I giggled. I can't stop giggling whenever I see his flirts. I just feel so happy and relaxed around him.

"Thank you." I happily accepted it from his hands.

"Hold on." AC interrupted. "You know each other?" She asked with one brow raised.

Before I could have a chance to answer, Carol pulled me towards him by the shoulder while arrogantly but cheerfully answering, "yes!"

I sighed in defeat, followed by a weak smile afterwards.

"What the heck is wrong with you?!" AC panicked. "Aren't you disgusted by his overly friendly personality?"

"It's weird that I'm not." I answered.

AC groaned. I don't know why. I gently pushed Carol away and exited the classroom.

"Why are you following me?" I asked as I turned to him.

"I like to be by your side~~" he playfully answered.

"Hmm..." I hummed as I think about something-- a way to make him useful.

Earlier, those three had an interesting fight by flirting scene. I don't think I can make his flirting skills useful. It's just like those two's aura.

Wait a minute... Just like those two's aura? I wonder what will happen if the aura clashed.

My lips curled into an unnoticeable smirk. The idea is wonderful. I'll make him as my test subject then.

"Aha!" I snapped my fingers indicating that I had a sudden idea. "Why don't you hang out with those two girls for a while? I'll just take a short stroll. I'll come back soon."

"Roger that, Auden!" He saluted before dashing back to the classroom, to where AC and Lana are.

I mindlessly walked to the ground floor and to the gate. As soon as I got there, a new student came entered. She has shoulder-length black hair and wears glasses. She has a slender build and I'm sure that she is new to my eyes.

When she saw me, she cracked a natural smile. How can she act like that when I just met her?!

I couldn't get over by the fact that she already acts friendly even if it's the first time we see each other! I ran in front of her, stopping her steps. She was surprised.

"Who are you?" I solemnly asked.

"My name is Emily Anwen Barnsley." She answered with a gentle smile. "I think I'm in the same section as you."

I took a step back to know about this new information so quickly. I gave her a disgusted look. Her expression when she saw my expression was pity. Pity of herself. She then continued to go upstairs, without a direction of where the assigned classroom are.

"Emily!" I called out. Though it didn't make her come to me, I made her stop as I followed her path. "I'll be your tour guide." I said as I reached her.

Emily's eyes brightly sparkled. She is obviously excited about the tour. She seems cheerful and friendly-- two personalities a typical human teen possesses.

I then started the tour.

•

Break time.

I sat on a separate table, away from everyone else. I still don't know how to fix the relationship our group previously had. I want to, but I don't know how.

For the God-knows-how-many times, a red rose is shoved on my face. Red roses always get shoved on my face whenever I'm off-guard. I already know who keeps shoving red roses on my face so I didn't bother to look.

"You're sad again." He commented.

"Sorry. I was thinking about something." I dismissed myself and leaned back.

"You seem troubled. You have a lot of problems." He sat down beside me.

"No, not really. I only have one problem right now and I don't know how to solve it." I groaned, burying my head under my arms.

"Have you tried other methods?"

I paused for a while, trying to analyse what he just said. I rolled my head to his side and, while furrowing my eyebrows, asked, "what methods?"

"You haven't tried any method to try and solve your problem?" He looked at me with pity.

I straightened my posture and sighed. "I'm the type of person that lets the situation decide for me. The right time will come in an indefinite time and place, but it will still come."

"What if it doesn't?"

"That motto never fails me for as long as I remember."

There was a brief pause. The pause included our eyes solemnly staring at each other. It didn't break for quite a time. Carol gave up, sighing. "Suit yourself." He says. "I can't insist you against something you believe so much."

"Thank you..." I meekly responded, bowing my head in guilt. I think it's an invisible guilt because I don't have a particular action to be guilty of.

"But you're still worried about it, aren't you?"

"I'm worried...but I'm not trying to solve it. I believe it will come out at the right time."

He stood up from his seat, finishing his food.

"If you're not going to solve it, I will."

I stared at him in awe...until something hit me. He already turned his back against me when I tugged his shirt.

"You don't even know my problem. How are you going to solve it?"

He blankly stared at me, obviously not knowing what to do. I'm glad I already told him before he recklessly tries to insist me on telling it.

"Uhh... Umm..." He struggled.

"If you want to help me, do me a favour and be close with AC and Lana." I commanded.

"How does that help you?" He raised a brow.

"Shh. Don't question the details and just do it." I persuaded him.

"O-ok." He awkwardly obliges.

•

Lunchtime.

As soon as the bell rang, I dashed to the Year 11 room and stealthily try to search for Eskar. I did found him but he's with his two companions. Oh well.

I casually entered the room like it's my room. I quickly caught the attention of everyone in the room, including Eskar's gang.

"Oh, it's Baade's girlfriend and AC and Lana's enemy. What do you want?!" He threatened me. I remained unaffected and stoic. "But first," he interrupted his own sentence. That broke my stoic expression. "Who was that girl from last time?" He whispered, hoping nobody heard it.

"Huh? What girl?" I asked in surprise and anger.

"You know, the girl that just passed by." He whispered again. It almost seems like he has an intention on spying on her. I could only think of AC and/or Lana but he works with them so I don't think he'll ask what he already knows.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I bluntly told him.

"Whatever! What's your business with me anyway?!" He groaned. He doesn't want to deal with me, I know. We have a mutual feeling, you know. The two of us are bored of each other since we think that they are weaker than us.

"What was it again?" I acted like I forgot, just to see his reaction....he doesn't care. I sighed. "That's right. It's about Kunai."

He flinched. He quickly dashed to my neck and strangled me. "What do you know about her?! What is your business with her?!" He sounded more angry than just earlier. Thanks to him, I attracted a lot more attention than what I expected. What an overprotective brother.

I punched him on the gut. It renders him immobile but not long enough. His two companions panicked and was about to charge to me but I jumped and did a backflip before I landed on the two bodies that crashed onto each other.

"Calm down, ok?" I reassured him as I calmly walk to him. "I just need to know where she is and you two are safe. If you don't do what I say, you'll have to pay with your life."

He raised his head with one eye closed, coughing. "Wh-what will happen to her...?" I think he's referring to Kunai.

"Nothing." I honestly replied. "Kanae likes her. He says it's his childhood friend? So I'm sparing her. She's safe in my hands."

"I won't...l-let you...lay a finger on her..." He's so determined to protect his little sister from a non-existing danger. How stupid.

"Oh? And what will you do to make sure I don't?" I smirked, knowing that he can't do anything about it. He struggles to make out a sound or a threat but it's useless how hopeless he seems. "As expected."

I sighed as I exit the classroom. As soon as I exited, someone accidentally bumped me. The both of us fell down.

"Uhh.." We simultaneously complained.

"Sorry, are you alright?" He immediately stood up and offered his hand to me.

"Yeah, I'm al-" I was cut off by myself as I saw the man who I bumped into and is now gentlemanly offering his hand out to me.

The both of us looked surprised and we stare at each other for a while. He withdrew his hand and turned away, walking away as he left me on the ground. I lowered my head and stood up by myself, dusting my uniform.

"Auden!" I heard Carol's voice from afar and rushing footsteps that accompany it.

I turned to look at him and didn't think twice that I should use my deceiving ability.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, panting. "I was looking all over for you! I was worried that--"

"Shh." I interrupted. "I'm fine. I just talked to one of the students in Year 11. Let's go, lunch is waiting."

"What did you talk about?"

"Don't meddle in my life so much." I rushed, pulling his arm.

"Was that Baade?" He asked with enthusiastic eyes.

"Ah, yes... He wasn't in the party though. Just so you know."

"I know." He quickly responded. "Just because he didn't attend doesn't mean I didn't research about him."

"How did you know him?" I raised a brow and my suspicions.

"Secret~~" he playfully hummed, winking at me. He took me by the arm and ran to the cafeteria.

We ate lunch. It was peaceful. We had nothing to talk about. Somehow, I'm beginning to doubt Carol. But that's ok. If he can do his own job, which is to distract AC and Lana, then I have no problems.

•

Dismissal.

The teacher dismissed us and I feel like I have no other things to do. If I would go home now, I'll just be stacked with unnecessary chores in my house.

I remembered two days ago that I told Kanae that we'll hang out in the library. Geez, why is Maths so hard?! Ms. Sabin told me that if I don't pass the Maths test, she will call my parents. I don't mind her calling them but the fact that I feel humiliated and lost because of it, I mind it. I should keep my reputation or else other people will pity or make fun of me. Especially the Audens...

Since Kanae and I had a fight, I should go to the library alone. I got my things packed up and ready to go.

I dashed to the library, slightly panicking. I don't know how to teach myself but maybe by reading some foreign books may help.

I entered the library filled with fear and panic. I keep gulping my saliva and my body keeps trembling as I turned the knob. As soon as I entered, there were no people there, not even the librarian...or so I thought.

I passed the Maths aisle and saw a lone girl sitting at the table, silently reading. She looks so indulged in the book that she has forgotten all about her surroundings. So this is what a real smart person does. Study and study, even when it's not the time. I applaud her diligence.

I took a book about Maths and sat down near the diligent new student. She quickly noticed me. I honestly did not expect that.

"Maths, huh." She read the book that I took. I blushed in embarrassment. "I saw how you answer every question that the teacher has to ask! Maths is your Achilles heel, huh. What are your scores?" She enthusiastically asked, taking advantage that there are no people and librarian to stop her motor mouth.

"I-it's not important..." I turned away, still blushing and covering my face in embarrassment.

She giggled at my reaction. "Is that so? Do you want me to teach you?"

"N-no need. It's ok. I c-can just read and I can understand it perfectly!" I proudly told her yet I don't understand any of these. Rational Expressions? Fractions? Is this supposed to be easy? I don't even know how to multiply, divide, add or subtract with whole numbers alone. How am I supposed to do these with letters?!

I continue on complaining and groaning. My eyes are feeling heavy and my head starts to spin. I can't keep up with this. How can Emily still be calm and focused at this time? Or whatever time it is. I keep losing track of it anyway... I still have to go home...

My eyes closed shut the moment I couldn't even lift a finger.

•

"Hmm... Missy? You're still here?" I heard a faint voice in the distance.

"Asleep. I should've known." The book that I was reading was raised up high as the guy reads it. "Algebra?" I felt his stare at me for a few moments before he drops the book.

"Idiot. You shouldn't have been afraid to talk to me. I can easily forgive you." I felt a warm cloth wrap my back. I feel more relaxed...

"Mr. Baade! Ms. Sabin wants to talk to you."

"Roger, Ms. Librarian!" He says. I can hear his footsteps fading away each step. But the warm cloth stays on my back.

"Ms. Auden, it is improper for you to stay this late and carelessly sleep in here." I heard the librarian's sweet and gentle voice. She is, no doubt, reprimanding me but it sounds too gentle to take it seriously.

Suddenly, I heard a horn that pierces through my ears, instantly waking me up and my consciousness.

I screamed as I fell down the chair. I think I hit my head on something.

"It's already this late, Ms. Auden! If you do this again, I'll have to tell you to the principal!" She puts her hands on her hips while looking down on me.

"I'm sorry. There was not a librarian earlier so I kind of took advantage of it." I indirectly put the blame on her.

"You shouldn't take advantage of a librarian's absence!" She didn't take the hint, huh.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Who was absent in the first place?!" I raised my voice at her, hoping this time, she could get the message.

She was about to slap me. I know this pattern. She will slap me and then continue to scold me for a thing that I didn't do! So I grabbed her arm to stop this pattern.

"Don't try and backtalk me. You're only a child. I have the authority against you." She glared, struggling to get out of my grip.

"Who has more authority outside of school?" I retorted, referring to the position in society. I'm rich, she's not. Clearly, I have the authority against her.

She stopped struggling and clicked her tongue. "You're lucky this time, Auden." She stormed off. Boy, that was something to wake up. It's not an ordinary alarm clock.

I groaned and complained while I try hard to get back at my feet. I left the book where it was and jumped off the window. I can feel the cold wind. Afraid that the blazer is going to fall off, I clutched it tightly as I continued to fall down.

I was expecting that I will levitate any second now...but I felt a warm body caught me just a second away before I was about to levitate. I opened my eyes in confusion and was speechless when I saw his face.

"What are you doing, Auden? Trying to commit suicide?" He attempted to joke.

"Heh. My plan failed." I decided to play around, smirking unnoticeably.

"Don't tell me--" he gasped.

"I'm just kidding." I giggled. "Put me down now." He immediately obliges. "I still have some business with something. You should go now." I bid goodbye at the hopeless gentleman.

"Ok. See you tomorrow, Auden~~!" He playfully waved goodbye.

•

I successfully entered the Marco residence. If I'm not mistaken, Eskar and Kunai's last name is Marco.

I casually entered the residence by the window, stealthily entering their house. I waited in a room.

The door then slowly started to creak. Once she turned the light switch on, Kunai jolted back and screamed. Her brother of course, rushed to her. He was surely fast. He was about to charge to me but I playfully let him chase me around the room. He's having a hard time to be successful. It looks like he's not even familiar in the room.

Always winning is boring so I paused for a second, letting him pin me to the ground. That was a long time for Kunai to determine who I am.

"Ah! Kanae's friend!" She says, walking up to me.

Eskar was surprised to know that she knows me. While he was off-guard, I shoved him away with ease. Now, Kunai is the one who's surprised.

"What do you need from us?" She asked, slightly trembling.

"Oh, nothing. I just need your knowledge." I casually answered.

She assumes that I was going to use her. She began to distance herself away from me, holding what looks like a taser. "Oh relax. If you want, I can just visit you here, while your brother is here, trying to protect you. This way, you'll feel more secured. Is that alright with you?"

While I was talking, she was already dialling someone in the phone. Assuming it was the police officers, I quickly snatched the phone from her hand and ended the call without making a sound.

"What do you think you're doing?! And here I am, trying to propose a proper teamwork with you!" I turned and scolded her, almost throwing her phone to the wall.

"I-I'm sorry but I just cannot...i-i-ignore the fact th-that y-y-you're scary..." She stuttered, backing away each second.

I glared at her, noticing how different she acts when Kanae is not with her. It makes me feel angry for some reason. Maybe because she's not being true to herself?

I dashed to her, making my presence translucent for a while so that I can avoid anything while I levitate to her in a straight path. She has no time to react. I didn't let her.

I whispered in her ear, raising my voice a bit to remind her that this not a nightmare. "The more you're scared, the more that we will scare you."

She broke down, kneeling. My plan was a success. This will calm her down a little. I was going to drag her to her bed but Eskar grabbed my ankle. I was about to kick his hand off but I thought of something else.

Instead, I sighed like I was bored. "You know, I just want her to teach me how to make poisons but you guys make a big deal out of it. I'll talk to you two tomorrow." I dismissed myself, leaving the two of them lying down. Kunai was lying down on top of Eskar. As I dismissed myself, Eskar easily lets my ankle slip through.

As if on cue, I jumped through the window, exiting. It's already night. I shouldn't stay out so late. Angelo and Sebastian will surely kill me once I get home.

With this thought in my mind, I proceeded to go to my house.

I entered the grand doors, and casually went in. It was dark and empty. Which reminds me, there was no light in the garage. I wonder where those two boys are... Or maybe it was only Sebastian that went out. Maybe Angelo is still in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Yeah, that may be it.

I walked to the kitchen because I'm hungry. I could eat souls to satisfy my hunger but it would be suspicious to go home so late and not eat anything.

I walked to the hallways, trying hard to ignore the sounds of my footsteps because that will make it scarier.

I finally reached the kitchen to where I felt like I have been walking for days. The light is on and there's a silhouette inside.

"Angelo, are you tired? Look, you can stop for a while, ok? I'll take care of the rest here..." My voice cracks in fear and guilt. He didn't reply... I was afraid that I have angered him and now, he's ignoring me because of it. "Angelo?" I called out.

Irritated that he's not answering me, I slammed the door open, hoping to see Angelo inside the kitchen, about to attack me with a pan or ladle. But it isn't him.

I stopped at my tracks as the unfamiliar guy's image burned in my mind. I don't know him and how he got here in my house. I only know one thing about him: he's an intruder and I'm in trouble.

The intruder started to slowly approach me. How stupid. He's giving me a chance to escape.

My reaction time slowed a bit but I just had enough time to grab a weapon because of his slow approach. Not wasting this time, I stealthily grabbed a nearby kitchen knife and as he approached me, I pointed the knife at his throat. He effortlessly slapped it away from my hands. That's when I started to panic.

It was his turn now, raising his knife. Not wasting this opportunity, I dashed upstairs, to where my room is and to where it's a safe place. He easily tracked down my steps. I can hear the heavy footsteps coming to my room. I feel like I'm safe. I locked and boarded my door so tight that I'm positive a mere human cannot break it without using a certain machine.

I then ran near the window then sat down on a foetal position. I'm scared. I'm scared and I don't want to admit it. I should hold back or else I'll be sloppy with my work, carelessly splattering blood in the house. That would just make it harder to clean.

The footsteps are getting heavier and louder each step. It's either that or it's just because I'm being more aware of my surroundings since I'm terrified. That feeling you have when it became scary and quiet that you actually hear your heart beat... Maybe it's some kind of illusion, who knows?

"Fee-fi-fo-fum, where's the victim's long dead mom?"

I flinched. There was no mistaken it. I heard that line loud and clear. Too loud and clear, perhaps.

"I know who the culprit is, so please open this door, Miss."

I was reluctant. I don't know him, I don't know him!

"Why would I open the door for a stranger? Who knows, I might be in danger!" I played around his rhyming sentences.

"If you refuse, I have no choice. I'll just have to break this door. This will cause a lot of noise, and you will have a door no more!" He threatened.

I can hear a machete stabbing it's way to my door. Oh, my poor dark brown wooden door.

After some time, the intruder finally managed to get himself in. He didn't let go of the machete.

I didn't notice that I was trembling in fear as soon as I see him, walking to me. He raised his machete up high, trying to either cut me or just plainly kill me. I can see a lot of openings in this guy, and I think he's doing this on purpose. I wonder what will happen if I stay in my position.

I gulped my bitter-tasting saliva in fear and curiosity, waiting for something to happen.

The machete swung. I unconsciously covered my head and eyes and screamed loudly. I regretted not taking the chance while I had it.

As if on cue, I heard heavy footsteps coming towards me. I could hear it despite my screams almost piercing my ears.

I kept my eyes shut despite this, despite the false security that I'm feeling right now. I stopped screaming and the noise subsided quickly.

I can't stand the silence so I raised my head to see a frozen intruder with a machete reaching only an inch away from my head. I looked to the my doorway and my "saviour" was there, standing in the corner. A guy wearing a blue hoodie, a bit taller than me, with blue eyes brilliantly glowing. I thought he is still brainwashed, I thought he is still in control.

I slowly get up on my feet and rushed to him. I hugged him tightly, not holding back my strength.

"Ce...leste...?" He says.

I ignored him and responded by hugging him tighter.

I heard the machete heavily damaging the corner that I was. I turned to that direction. Still, I couldn't distinguish his looks. I don't know if he's even human or not.

He stared at me with dead eyes. The two of us felt like we are the only ones in a vacuum, where nothing else exists.

He then sharply turned away, rummaged in my drawer and jumped from the window. That was the weirdest intruder I have seen. In fact, he was the only intruder I have seen.

I dropped down on my knees and tried to analyse what just happened.

"Are you ok, Celeste?" Zan crouches down to reach me.

I have a lot to say but my mouth feels like it's stitched up.

While I'm trying to think of what to say, he sits down and leans his head on my shoulder. "You're troublesome..." He whispers.

"It's Angelo and Sebastian's fault for leaving the doors and windows unlocked." I blamed.

"Right, right." He responds in a casual manner. I guess he really is tired, huh. I wonder where he was.

I need to lock the doors and fix my bedroom door and window. I couldn't work if Zan is sleeping on my shoulder. Though I don't want to wake him up.

I levitated him and gently placed him on my bed. I'm so glad he's sleeping. I don't know the reason why but when a human is sleeping, it makes them drastically lighter than when they're awake.

I first went outside of my bedroom and locked the entrance door. I checked the kitchen again. It seems like nothing has been damaged. But before I exit the kitchen, I noticed a small note hanging beside the pans and utensils on a high shelf.

I took it because it's suspicious. When I opened it, the writing looks like that they used a black marker. It says, "Deane Ryan." Deane Ryan. That name sounds familiar...

I shoved the note in my pocket and continued on to my business. I need to contact a worker to fix my bedroom for me again.

I sighed as I remembered about the first time my bedroom broke. It's because of that other intruder. Although it was only my window that broke, I still contacted a worker because I have no idea on how to fix it. Why don't they teach carpentry in school? Or they do and I wasn't listening? I'll never know.

I took my phone on top of the drawer. This triggered my memory. The intruder rummaged in my drawer. I wonder what he took.

I opened the drawer that I rarely open and noticed a lot of my stuffs are missing. But what could he be stealing at this time? The necklace that Flame gave me...is gone. Along with the documents and files regarding TCM666D. Wait, those are the only stuffs that I put in my drawer! He took all of it?! I wonder why. Is he-- wait... Don't tell me... The intruder is.... Deane Ryan?

It makes sense since he's a thief who doesn't care about riches because he completely ignored the phone just on top of the drawer he just rummaged!

I wonder how he get his informations from. He just trespassed in my house like it's no one's business and then jump from my window while taking some things that I clearly do not need anymore. Or do I?

Argh! These problems are making my head spin! I really didn't understand what Joan said about me not doing anything and then I'm getting all the things I wanted. Aren't I the one supposed to say that? All she can do is pray and bless whatever beings in Earth and she'll have a fortune! Did she ever think how demons need to systematically plan out all their killings before they get something to eat?

Ugh, enough. I need to cool my head off for a while.

I sat on the bed. I glanced at Zan, who's sleeping peacefully in my bed. I placed Kanae's blazer on him and stared into the ultramarine sky through the broken glass window.