This chapter, and the new cover, was made possible with the help of nike_selene — do check out her books!

Ayano stood at the corner of the top floor nervously, biting her lip until a metallic taste filled her mouth. She flashed a nervous glance at Midori Gruin, the girl with bright green hair all the way down her back. Pretty.

"It's only one life. There'll be much more to end. " She muttered to herself as she hides the knife in her pocket, stolen from behind the sink. Taking a deep breath, she paced towards her 1st victim and lunged, aiming at her chest.

"Wha-" was what Midori Gruin managed to say before Ayano clamped her sweaty palm over her mouth. Patches of red blossomed on the bright, white tiles and Midori fell to the ground, unconscious. Her limp body was struck by a violent blow with a knife to the head. And another to the neck. And another to the stomach. Ayano's heart was pounding as she stabbed her knife from Midori's body, again and again. Each sickening noise of the blow of a knife was music to Ayano's ears. A lump of indistinguishable flesh lay in front of Ayano's knees, the warm, thick blood staining her uniform in such vibrant colours.

"One down. Ninety-nine to go." She thought to herself, spinning a lump of flesh between her bloody thumb and index finger, relishing the sensation of playing with a dead body.

For the first time in years, Ayano smiled.