Chapter Text
I blink awake slowly.
I’m tucked into an unfamiliar bed, with an unfamiliar blanket wrapped around me. I sit up on one arm, staring around the tiny room with confusion before my eyes settle on the red curtains of a tiny window.
Oh. I'm still here. Yesterday's memories come flooding back, and I flop back onto the pillow with a groan. That’s right. I died yesterday. Or maybe I didn’t. I’m either still dreaming or stuck in the afterworld. I don’t want to think any of this is real… but I’m still here after sleeping. That’s gotta mean something.
I rub my eyes while yawning. I can’t believe it’s morning already. I don’t think I slept much… but I do feel a little less fatigued. Better than before I slept for sure. Although I guess to be fair I'm always tired in the morning, so that might not have anything to do with the school.
I stare up at the plain depressing ceiling, unsure if it was time to get up or not. As far as I could tell there weren’t any clocks anywhere and no real way to differentiate time. The sky was the same glaring red all throughout the day yesterday. I reach over and tug on the edge of the curtain, revealing a streak of the red sky. Yup, still here.
I sit up with a grumble, kicking in annoyance at the blanket. If I am dead… it's not fair that I still have to get up early. I should be able to sleep in.
I stare down at the crumpled school uniform on the floor where I had tossed it last night after finally getting to the dorms. My coat is draped over the back of the desk chair, and my planner and that slim yellow book from the library are sitting on the desk. I had felt bad about accidentally taking the yellow book, but since I'm a student here I figured that it was okay for me to borrow it.
I reach out a hand, picking up the yellow book. It's about the size of my hand and not very thick, less than 50 pages I’m sure. I flip through it, absently studying the contents. It looks like an origami how-to book. An old one. I'm not sure what to do with it, I haven't done origami since elementary school. but I get the feeling that in this place hobbies aren't really recommended.
Well, I think rebelliously, I’m a prefect, right? So it's okay if I start a new hobby; rules or not.
Yesterday, while Whitemask had been showing me around the school we had run into Satoru again. He’d settled himself into an empty classroom and was making notes on flashcards when Whitemask had given him a warning.
The final bell had rung, and when Satoru didn’t move he was promptly ‘corrected’ again and told to return to the dorms. It was awful. Satoru had shuffled away without argument, leaving all of his stuff on the school desk and making comments about how it all didn’t matter. I didn’t understand why he had to be corrected, but Whitemask didn’t understand why I was confused. So rather than argue I had simply followed along behind him quietly.
After that Whitemask took me to the cafeteria, an art room, the door to the roof (which is to be locked at all times), math and science hall, the senior's floor. He even took me outside to the back of the school grounds where the furnace sat along with a set of wooden dungeon-esque doors that lead to a basement.
At that point, though I was so tired that I’d begun stumbling, and Whitemask finally took us to the dorm building, pointedly explaining that the first floor is a mix of hangout rooms, (which are against the rules to use) the second floor is girls, third-floor boys. And the fourth floor is where prefects sleep.
Whitemask had given me a room marked with a ‘2’, which I figured was meant to go along with my new designated name, before disappearing down the hall into a room marked with a ‘7’. I wonder if I should call him Seven? He did say that we were supposed to use the numbers as our names, and I get the feeling it's rude to be calling him ‘Whitemask’ even if it is just in my head.
I shrug after a moment, not really concerned and feeling slightly rebellious. It’s okay, as long as it’s just in my head. I set the book back down on the desk and stand up, stretching my arms out over my head.
There's a single closet dresser in the room that I make my way over to and when I open it I’m not expecting to find much. There is a set of three more school uniforms, hanging neatly, exactly the same as the one crumpled on the floor. A second coat, just as large as my first one, is also hanging up. I wonder if this means that this room was made for me and my… accident was always going to happen… or if these uniforms were for someone else and they've been recycled and given to me instead. Either thought is depressing.
I wonder if there's a washing machine or laundry room here in the dorms? Actually, I wonder if the prefects have their own bathroom and laundry room on this floor or if I need to go down to the first floor? Wait. Where am I supposed to get laundry soap? Ugh, it's too early to be worrying about chores. Especially in this weirdo school.
I close the dresser with a click and slump into my desk chair, giving a half-hearted glare at the hand broom sitting in the center of my desk. It looks harmless enough, actually, it even looks kind of cute. Bright blue against the dark wood. But I know I'm expected to use it to fight against bad apples. I don't want to do that. Ever. I… don’t want to correct people.
Maybe... I don't actually have to fight? Maybe I could read the school rules and find a way around them or something? I know Whitemask is really into correction but I don't have to be right? That's what I hope anyway.
I suppose I should get dressed, read the rules, and find some breakfast. I have a meeting that I'm supposed to attend before class right? In the guidance room, I think.
At least I know to expect crazy and scary things this time around.
With that decided it doesn't take me long to shake out the uniform on the floor and put it on. It's a little wrinkled but I figure that underneath the bulk of my coat no one is going to really notice anyway. And until I can figure out where the laundry room is I don't want to use a clean outfit.
I carefully stuff both the yellow book and school planner into my left coat pocket and my hand broom, bristles down, into the right pocket. Yesterday I noticed that when I had the broom upwards, the bristles kept hitting my hand every time I swung my hand too close to my side, making my fingers go numb. Something that I’m hoping to avoid today.
I click open the door and look down the hallway, noting with relief that it’s empty. It was far too early to talk to Whitemask. The central staircase wasn’t too far away from my room, and with a quiet prayer that no one sees me, I proceeded to dash over to and down the stairs.
It doesn't take me too long to reach the first floor and I’m proud of myself for not tripping over myself. I slip out the front doors, pointedly ignoring a small group of black-masked students lining up in the lobby, next to the front door. I don't know what they are doing, and I don't want to stick around and find out either.
Despite the strange red sky, I can feel myself relaxing in the heat of the sunlight. I move away from the doors, crunching the gravel of the path beneath my shoes.
The cafeteria… is just past the gym on the main floor of the school. I'm pretty sure that I can get to it if I go through the atrium passage from yesterday. I'll be able to look at the plants if I go that way. Or I can go around to the front of the school, where I was at yesterday with Mr. Rabbit. I suppose it doesn't really matter. either way, I’ll still end up inside.
Taking a deep breath, I straighten my back and turn towards the front part of the school. I'll have to cross through a small tree park and go around some supply sheds, but it shouldn't take more than a few minutes if I walk fast. And I don’t want to walk fast. Time not spent inside around anyone is better for my nerves.
I set off on my way, doing my best to not rush. Unfortunately, my quiet stroll is interrupted the minute I step into the little park by someone shouting.
“Hey watch it!”
“It is against the rules to loiter in the garden. Furthermore, your outfit is not the regulation uniform. You will be corrected.”
“I'm not wearing that dumb school uniform for a reason! It's ugly and I refuse! Besides I'm not loitering, I'm actually here for a purpose!”
I hurry forward with a frown, my heart beginning to race. Sounds like someone got caught by a prefect. The voice is wrong for it to be Whitemask. Please wait until I get there! Turning a sharp corner, I see one of the black-haired prefects advancing on a girl with beautiful long blond hair. I don't have time to see much of her other than she's wearing a bright blue dress, with lots of ribbons and ruffles before she steps back and hunches her shoulders with a scowl. The prefect steps towards her, raising his hand and his ruler into the air.
“Wait!” I shout. Both prefect and girl turn to look at me with surprise.
“I'm sorry I'm late. I got lost on my way here, what with everything being so new. Thank you for waiting for me.” I don't have time to think, so I paste a fake smile on my face, moving forward to place myself between the girl and the ruler. He was going to hit her, with his ruler. Just for standing here. For some reason having that girl make the same expression as Satoru did yesterday… it makes my stomach queasy.
“Prefect Two, do you know this bad apple? Please explain.” His voice is monotone, but I can still hear his confusion. Good, because if he’s confused maybe he won’t correct her.
“Yes, I apologize for causing trouble. She was waiting for me, to take me to the cafeteria this morning. We were going to go over the school rules together. And I asked her to meet me here and she mentioned that her uniform…” I glance over at the girl, her eyes are wide and she staring at me with her mouth open like a fish. If the situation wasn't quite so serious I would have laughed at the gobsmacked look on her face. I shoot her a small smile and continue. “She mentioned that her uniform has been stained and isn’t wearable, and I told her not to worry about it. That she could borrow an extra uniform from the office.”
I nod at the prefect, hoping that my false cheer is enough to make up for my strange and clearly fake story. I nudge her with my elbow, giving her a pointed head tilt, which makes her blink, as though suddenly waking. She nods vigorously, long curly hair seemingly to float around her shoulders in her enthusiasm.
“Right! I was waiting for her! I'm not loitering! Better to wear this cute dress then waiting around naked right?” Her chuckle is forced sounding, but I nod along with her.
The prefect lowers his arm and seems unsure of what to do. “You will be escorting her for a clean uniform? She… doesn’t need correction?”
“That's right.” I chirp pleasantly. “I'm sorry to have caused you trouble, we'll both be on our way now.”
“I… see. You have convinced her to become a good apple than...”
“That’s right! Sorry about not explaining properly earlier; got to go, bye!” She grabs my arm and twists, pulling me along behind her. Both of us hurry away from the prefect not giving him a chance to question or speak further. As soon as we pass by the corner and out of sight we break into a run, both seemingly wanting to escape quickly.
When we reach the storage sheds I stumble to a halt, breathing heavily. I lean against the side of the warm metal building and wave a hand in my face, trying to catch my breath. The girl slows to a stop a few feet away from me and after a moment turns to face me in a swirl of the frilled skirt.
“I won’t become a goodie.” Her back is straight and she’s glaring at me with a haughty expression.
I shrug, unconcerned. “I figured. I just didn’t want him to correct you.”
That answer seems to not be the one she was expecting, the glare melting into surprise and her body relaxing minutely. She frowns, “And I wasn’t lost if that’s what you're thinking. Even if it is pretty easy to forget where the dorms are, considering I hardly ever go there but…” She bites her lip, frowning fiercely at my shoes.
I offer her a tentative smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to take you away from whatever you were trying to do. If you wait a few minutes I’m sure you can head back. We’re not supposed to linger in one spot while on patrol, so he should be gone soon.”
Her eyes flash. “And that! It's way too quick for you to be wearing that uniform! What about the other guy? Is he-” she waves a hand towards me, and I shake my head.
“No, he refused outright. Mr. Buckethead asked us both to join yesterday, and I’m mostly on a trial basis.” We both study each other for a moment. Her eyes… are gold-colored. How unusual.
She puffs her cheeks out, pouting. “Ugh. Well, at least he had sense.” I stare before I start giggling helplessly at the look on her face. She looks over at me surprised.
"What?" She demands.
She’s so cute. “ I think this is my first normal conversation since I’ve been here… so thank you for that.”
She crosses her arms over her chest with a huff and gives me a reluctant smile in return. “That’s what you get for joining with those good apples you know." She lectures firmly. "You should definitely join us baddies and have some proper fun. Oh!” She exclaims suddenly, “I could make you a new outfit! Something other than the uniform. Something… in green, you’d look really cute in green.”
I can feel my cheeks start to warm as I shake my head. “I… appreciate it, but I said I would give it a try and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone with my actions. Whitemask has been very patient with me so…” Not that I think anyone else would notice if I DID decide to join the bad apples. “Thank you though.”
“Hmm. I see, well I don’t think you’re cut out to be a goodie but if that’s how you feel I won’t push you. But promise you’ll talk to me again later okay? I think you're really interesting and it’d be nice to have tea together later.”
I beam at her. She seems… really normal. I’m so glad I got to meet her. “Okay! I look forward to it.” I tilt my head to the side, wrinkling my brow in thought. “You said you’d make me an outfit? How would you do that? Is there a store at the school.”
She huffs out a surprised laugh. “No my totem is a sewing machine, I make lots of cute clothes with it. Like my dress!” She poses for me, showing off the blue victorian style dress. “But it’s against the school rules to use totems brought into the school from the outside so when I make you something you have to promise not to be mean and take it away.”
“I… don’t know what that means. Sorry, what’s a totem? And I wouldn't do something like that and take away your stuff!”
“Well, it’s kinda your job Miss. Prefect.” She replies, teasingly. “But to answer your question, when people show up at the school they come with an object. Something that was important to them when they died. It always finds its way back to them if the totem gets taken away, as long as it’s needed it’ll show up.”
Something important… that always comes back to you. “I don’t have anything like that. I wonder why?”
She blinks in surprise. “You don’t have one? What about that?” She points at my coat, where the broom handle is.
“Mr. Buckethead gave that to me. He said it was apart of the uniform… I don’t think I can… call it?” Or maybe I can, it really wasn’t explained at all.
She stares at, stunned. “I’ve… never heard of someone that didn’t have a totem. Are you sure you didn’t come with something? It would be in the shape of something that you held dear in your heart.”
I shake my head. “No, that might be why… I don’t have anything important to me. Not like what you're describing; nothing that I hold in my heart anyways. I’m…” I cough, a bit embarrassed. “I wonder if that means I’m really empty on the inside?”
She hums absently while staring at me, before stepping forward. “Listen… thanks for saving me earlier.”
I blink at the sudden change in conversation. “You’re welcome! I’m glad I got to you before he corrected you.”
“Me too.” Another step closer. “My name is Naraka, what’s yours?”
“Rinka. It’s nice to meet you Naraka.”
She smiles, pleased. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
She’s standing directly in front of me at this point and I realize that she’s actually a bit taller than me. I have to tilt my head back to properly look up at her. I wonder if her hair is as soft as it looks? I should ask her where she finds proper shampoo in this place…
Naraka opens her mouth to say something more, when a loud bell rings out, interrupting the conversation and making both of us jump. She takes a step back and offers me a sheepish smile. “Aw, bell. Means classes will be starting soon. You said you were going to the cafeteria right? You should come to the clubhouse for a proper breakfast instead.”
My lips twitch as I fight a grin. “Next time I will, but I can’t be late on my first day.”
“Hmph. I’ll hold you to that.” She waves her hand nonchalantly towards the school. “Very well, off with you then. I’m very busy, doing lots of things. Do you like purple?”
“I like gold.” I blurt and blush at the smirk she shoots me. “I like purple. Why?”
“No time to discuss. Go on! Unless you’d rather come with me?”
I laugh and shake my head, moving away from the shed and towards the school entranceway. “Okay, fine don’t tell me. But -”
The sound of footsteps on the gravel behind us sends me into motion, and before I’ve thought about it I lurch forward, pushing Naraka backwards into the trees. With a startled yelp she stumbles and falls, disappearing beneath the cover of a bush. I whirl around, facing the path and can hear her swearing from behind me. I scuttle forward, heart pounding, as Whitemask steps around the corner of the shed.
“What are you doing here two?” His voice is quiet, and slightly suspicious, and I’m grateful that the sounds behind me had gone silent. I get the feeling that it would be bad for Naraka to get caught by Whitemask. Forgive me for pushing you Naraka.
“Oh! Hi, uh good morning. I was on my way to the cafeteria, for breakfast.”
“...I have been looking for you. You left without informing anyone of your whereabouts. Since you are still unused to the school and lack your patrol map I was… concerned.”
“I see.” My smile wavers for a moment before I straighten my shoulders back. “I didn’t mean to make you worry, I just thought I’d get started on the day. No time like the present.”
“Indeed. Make sure you come to the guidance room soon, there is something that needs to be discussed.”
“Oh? Yes of course.” I nod, letting out a short breath of relief as he turns away from me. He didn’t hear me talking with Naraka. Thank goodness. He pauses, before casually calling over his shoulder.
“Please remember that when you see a student breaking the rules that you are to promptly warn them to stop. And if they do not comply, correct them. That is our duty. The duty you agreed to you when you became a prefect.
I flinch minutely, eyes widening in surprise as he turns and stares at me - his mask suddenly feeling cold and ominous. I swallow, my throat was suddenly very very dry. “I, yes. Of course.”
“Of course.” His voice is like ice, sharp and cold. “And you will confiscate any objects from a person that they might be using to break said rules.”
“Right. Confiscate… things.” I bite my lip and let out a surprised gasp when warm fingers slid beneath my chin and lift my head up. I stare into the eyeless mask hovering just inches away. He’s so tall… and close! How did he get so close without me hearing?!
“You sound uncertain. I do not know what was said to you but you must not be led astray.” He strokes my cheek, fingers gentle. “We are shepherds, guiding lost sheep. We convince them to follow the rules, and if they do not listen, we correct them. It is for their sake so that they might find salvation.”
“But… It didn’t sound like it was helping when Satoru was corrected.” I blurt out, heart pounding. In for a penny, in for a pound. “And if the… the totems are theirs anyway; why would the academy even forbid them from having them in the first place? And the totems just go right back to their owners afterward!”
I try to pull back but his hand grips my chin painfully, while his other hand clutches my upper arm, locking me in place. His voice is quiet and calm but there is an underlying growl to his tone as he responds to me.
“If you do not understand your position I will instruct you. Listen to me carefully, to break the rules is taboo. Committing such an action will earn a corresponding punishment. Souls that have broken a taboo bear an invisible karma as punishment and suffer agony for all eternity. To prevent that from happening we must guide them to the correct path.”
I pull on my arm, trying to loosen his grip but I can’t escape. I can feel myself beginning to shake when a strange icy sensation begins to roll down my spine. “Do not be afraid of me. I am helping you.” The more he talks, the more the ice forms. His mask hasn’t moved but… it feels like the symbol is different. Like maybe… it’s spinning.
“Do not fight me. We must be strong, for them. If you were to stray from the path, then you too would need to be corrected.”
“I… I…” Exhaustion, heavy and floating, seeps into my bones. I feel loose and cold, and a bit like there’s something important I should be focusing on.
“It’s alright, everything will be okay.” The hand on my chin is gone, and the gentle fingers on my cheek are back. My arm is released and even though I waver in place his hand on my face keeps me locked in place.
“All you have to do,” he says quietly, gently; “is listen to me. Don’t look away, you are the one who asked to know more. Open your mind and heart, do not close your ears to my words!”
I shiver, giving a slow blink in response.
“Are you still afraid of me?”
Was I afraid of him? I don’t remember… “No. I’m not afraid.” My voice sounds too slow when I respond, and I don’t understand why that’s wrong.
“Good.” He nods, pulling his hand away. I stumble forward and he catches me with a soft sigh. “It is okay. I will guide you carefully down the path of the just.” My hand reaches up and settles palm down onto his chest. I frown at it, unable to feel anything through the cold. My teeth… should be chattering from how cold I am…
A flash of sunlight in the corner of my eye distracts me, and I turned slightly to face it. What… What is that? I suck in a breath as thousands of cherry blossoms swirl around us. Pink, red, and white petals lazily dance on the wind; it almost looks like snow. Startled by their sudden appearance I step away from Whitemask, towards a beam of warm sunlight, hand outstretched to catch a flower.
The moment my hand leaves his chest I feel as though I’ve surfaced from the bottom of a lake. My mind is clear and I suck in a harsh breath. What’s going on? Why…? Where are the flowers?! As warmth seeps back into my body I spin around, looking around the clear and empty pathway.
They’re gone! I can’t see a single blossom anywhere. I don’t understand, where did they go?
“That is my answer to your query. Do you understand me?” I twist, looking up at Whitemask as he stands there calmly.
Was it just me that saw them? “Um… I…”
“Do you have further questions?”
I glance around once more, at the flowerless expanse of the park. “...No, nothing else.” I don’t want to ask, he’s scary when he gets close. And his mask… definitely did something to me.
“Then let us make for the student guidance room. The meeting is about to begin.”
“...Okay.” I cast one last look around, before turning to follow after him. Was that just my imagination? Why did I see those flowers…?
For some reason, it only takes minutes of silently following Whitemask to arrive at the guidance room. Why does the path here feel shorter today? I step in through the doorway quietly while Whitemask greets the other prefects already seated.
Something white is thrust in front of my face and I jerk backward in surprise.
“Great your here right on time!” Mr. Buckethead waves the mask in his hand closer to me. “This is for you! I forget to give this to you yesterday. Can’t have a prefect running around without their proper uniform.
I carefully take the mask from him, eyeing the flat white surface with a frown. “It’s blank.”
“Yup.”
I look up at him, brows furrowing. “Everyone else’s masks has a picture on them.”
He tilts his head to the side, rubbing at the edge of his collar while there are several surprised murmurs from the table. “Do they? Are you sure?”
Am I sure? “Yes, I mean…” I look over at Whitemask, who seems frozen in place. “Right? It’s…” At his head shake, I look around the table, noting the confusion of the others. They… don’t see them? But how?
“Hm, it’s what? All the masks look the same blank white to me.” Mr. Buckethead declares while I hesitate. Another thing that’s weird about this place. Why am I the only one who sees the marks?
“...My mistake. It must just be the shadows playing tricks. Thank you for my mask.”
He nods, pleased, before clapping his hands together. “Right let’s get this meeting started. Everyone sit, sit. Take your places.
I quickly slide into a chair between two black haired prefects, ignoring the way Whitemasks full attention seemed focused on me.
“Now normally a newbie would be sent along on patrol with a senior member in order to learn the ropes, but I understand that you did a walk through the school yesterday with Seven.” At my nod, he continues. “Good, I have your patrol map all ready for you then.”
“Sir, I don’t mean to disagree but I do not think she is ready to patrol alone -”
“Now now… gotta let the chick fly from the nest sooner or later.” I watch as Whitemasks fists clench. His head bows for a moment, before straightening back out with a sharp nod.
“Apologies. Of course sir.”
Mr. Buckethead waves him off with a laugh. “Here.” He places a folded, glossy pamphlet in front of me. I flick it open, staring at a map of the school and grounds. A red dotted line is drawn from the dorms, circles the back of the school where the furnace is, to the far side of the track field. From there the path swings wide, cutting through the main entrance and going back towards the dorms.
“The club buildings? Do you really think it’s necessary for her to patrol there?” Whitemask demands in his calm voice. He’s really not happy about me going on patrol by myself. And I shouldn’t be calling him Whitemask… it’s Seven! Distracted by my thoughts I miss Mr. Bucketheads reply.
My new blank mask feels heavy in my lap, my knuckles white as I clutch at it. Patrolling by myself. That means correcting people. Ohh please. I don’t think I can do this.
The school bell chimes, pulling my attention back to the meeting at hand. Seven stands, giving a nod to the other prefects. “It’s time for classes to begin. Watch over your classes vigilantly, and should you encounter any bad apples do not hesitate to offer corrections.”
The other prefects nod in unison before standing from the table. I’m a few seconds too slow in standing up with the others, but nobody mentions it as we all file from the room for which I’m grateful. Mr. Buckhead offers a cheerful wave as he leaves.
“Two.”
I step to the side of the hall, turning towards Seven. He reaches out a hand, before catching himself and dropping it back to his side. “Your mask. Do not forget to wear it.”
I nod in agreement. “Yes, alright.” I take a breath, lifting up the mask with a sense of disquiet and set it against my face. It takes a moment of fiddling with the thin string along its sides before I’m able to get it tied behind my head with a simple knot.
I’m not sure what I expected, darkness mostly, because the mask was eyeless after all, but it wasn’t. Dark. I blinked in surprise, my mouth falling open in surprise. I can see! Through the mask!
Standing before me is Seven, his shoulders stiff as he stares back at me. Thin blue wisps of smokey light drift about him lazily. What is that? Why can I see that? Did… is the mask showing me that? I want to ask how I can see, but after the question about the marks… I’m not sure I should.
I glance at his mask. A deep blue swirl with a red center drip. It was just a gray swirl earlier… the colors must have shown up because of… something. Ugh. I don’t know, another one of this places weird and creepy side effects. At least I can see.
I give a nod at Seven. “Thank you, I think it's on properly now. I… will see you this afternoon?”
He stares at me for a moment, before giving a slow nod. “Yes, after class you will patrol and then give your report at the 5th bell. I will meet you here.” He gives a final sharp nod before turning on his heel and striding away, leaving me alone in the hall.
Well, that was strange. I had thought he’d be pleased with me, wearing the mask-like everyone else. I give a shrug and turn, marching myself up towards Mr. Rabbits classroom. I’m not looking forward to the lesson today. That Rabbit makes me nervous!
It doesn’t take long for me to make it to the classroom. The halls are empty after all and there aren’t any students around to have to push through. Sliding open the door I absently note that the other students are in fact all sitting in their chairs already, despite the early hour. Looks like it’s just me and Satoru that are not here yet. I huff quietly. I mean, just Satoru that’s not here. I give the room another look, noting the black masks with colored marks. None of them have that blue smoke. I wonder why?
The moment I settle into the empty desk the classroom door smashes open and a cheerfully whistled greeting has me nearly jumping back up again. That Rabbit! I glare at the teacher, grateful for my mask in hiding my expression.
“Oh HO! I am glad I have such good and prompt students, ready to begin the day!” Mr. Rabbit claps his gloved hands once; a cloud of glittery green light puffing outwards from his hands. He moves to stand at the front of the classroom, and the shimmer twists midair, darting to follow him as drops into the chair behind the teachers' desk causing it two swirls in a circle twice with a disgruntled creek sound.
Just as suddenly as he started he stops. His mask seeming to focus in on me. Why do I get the sense that I'm in danger? A shiver works its way down my back. Good thing my coat is big, he can't see my reactions to his creepiness.
"Today's lesson will be on the worthlessness of trying! Aren't you excited? The main point of the lecture will be 'Why bother?' So make sure you remember that for the test. Oh and maybe for the quiz. Such fun we will have! You see, there is no point in trying because we are all worthless! Empty inside and out, nothing you do will amount to anything so why bother trying!" His gleeful shriek at the end of this speech is in sharp contrast with the stillness of his body.
What is he saying?! This is the lesson? And he hasn't stopped staring at me, why? I suck in a breath and try to shrink down into my seat. Look at something else… please! I drop my eyes to the empty desk in front of me. Where is Satoro? He didn't seem like the type to skip class especially with all the studying he was doing. I wonder if he got lost? Right! That must be it and as a prefect I should go get him. I look back towards the front of the room, where Mr. Rabbit has begun singing something involving empty chasms and uselessness. I should go... I don't really want to stay here and listen to this. So I'm just going to stand up and leave to go get Satoru. I… can do that.
I hesitate, shivering in my seat for a few heartbeats before pushing back my chair and standing. I wasn't planning on interrupting his song but his sudden silence was deafening. "I… excuse me Mr. Rabbit. But there's a student missing."
He chuckles softly. "Yes, and what a shame it is. This lesson would have done that bad apple seed a world of good. Are you off to fetch him? I see your mask is on. I knew you would be a good one."
I edge away from my seat, breathing out a silent sigh when he waves a hand at me, his ears flopping to the side as he finally looks away. "Yes, yes. Go on. I understand, work never ends. Even for those who have ended."
With that dismissal, I nearly run from the room. I hate how scared he makes me feel. Now. If Satoru got lost… should I start looking for him in the dorms? Or maybe the library again?
I pull out my patrol map from my pocket and carefully study the school layout while walking forward slowly. Would he really go to the library? I mean he knew we had class today so if he's in there then that would mean he's skipping and skipping would definitely be a correcting type situation. I huff. So we are going to pretend that's not what he's doing! He probably went to the wrong floor or something. Maybe he forgot that we were on the second floor after getting corrected so many times yesterday and he went up to the third? Right so let's go up there first and check that out.
With that decided I shove the map back into my pocket and quickly navigate over to the stairwell. It doesn't take long to climb up the stairs to the third floor but before I can pull open the exit doors a gentle breeze ruffles my hair. Surprised at the sensation I lean over the railing to look up at the top of the stairwell and note that the roof door is propped open, a glimmer of red sky barely visible. That's not supposed to be open. I think with a frown . After Sevens lecture about the keyring I definitely remember that being a no go zone. Maybe that's Satoru? I should check it out just to make sure. If nothing else I can close and relock the door.
My feet take me upwards to the roof and I step onto the tiled, flat top. The area is large, and surprisingly clean, with no leaves or litter anywhere. A single large continuous chain link fence sits on top of the knee-high concert edge, wrapping around the entire roof, or at least as far as I can see. It doesn't look like anyone's been up here though I wonder why the doors unlocked.
I hesitate, shifting from foot to foot before walking forward. "Hello? Anyone out here? The roof is… uh off limits!" I groan. Way to sound confident. Hope no one is here, I don't want to deal with that.
I make to the fence, before spinning in place to try to look towards the different corners of the roof. Not seeing anything I heave a sigh of relief as I turn back to peer through the fence. From here I can see the front gate, and the tops of the trees just on the other side of it. I wish I could get out of here somehow. The gate is right there after all. I lean forward, resting my forehead against the cool metal. At least there's a breeze up here… it almost feels like spring. Even though it was fall when… when I died.
"You going to jump?"
"Oh!" I jerk around in surprise, heart pounding in fear. There leaning casually in the door frame is a male student. It's that guy, the red-haired one from the gym. I scrunch my nose. Wait, what did he ask me?
"Hey, I wouldn't even think of doing something like that! I was just looking at the gate below!"
"Is that so?" He shrugs, straightening up and taking a few steps forward onto the roof. Slashes of red light seem to shift slowly around his head. It's like he has a halo… or a crown of fire on. Can anyone else see this? His eyes… are really intense.
I stiffen, pressing back into the fence. "What? What do you want?" This guy just shows up out of nowhere and asked a question like that! He's rude! And... he's kind of scary.
"I was just passing by, you're the one who looks like she's about to jump. Mumbling about dying and whatnot."
"I keep hoping that this place is a dream... but if it's a dream I should have woken up by now. And the teachers told me I was dead, so I was… working through it. Not that it's your business. But either way, it doesn't mean I'm going to jump." I cross my arms over my chest. I know he can't see my face through the mask but I hope my glare still gets through to him.
He rocks back on his heels, studying me casually before shrugging and slipping his hands into his pockets. He's wearing a white coat, and the fact that it looks soft just makes me glare even harder.
"You are dead. We all are." His head tilts. "There is no escape from this place, even if you do jump. Death won't help you here."
"What?" I blink, startled.
He lifts his chin towards the gate. "You could go out the gate, jump the fence, dig a tunnel… it doesn't matter. You can't leave. You can push yourself off the roof, slit your own wrist or stand around waiting forever. You can't die here. Those are the… rules. No leaving, no dying."
"Is it because we're already dead?"
He shrugs, seemingly uncaring. “I guess. At the very least we definitely don't have normal bodies around here.”
I nod. That’s sort of similar to what Shikishima said. Well, not the dead part… but the not being able to leave part. Why is this guy staring so intently at me? It’s a little unnerving...
He shrugs once more, before striding forward. I squeak and jump, making the fence rattle behind me as I try to press deeper into it. He ignores me, stepping to stand just to the left of me and gazes out at the gate himself. He’s close enough now that I can feel the heat radiating off of him, and the desire to curl into it wars with the need to step away.
Slowly, worried that he’ll lash out, I begin to scoot away from him. Bad apple. Not wearing the uniform. I should leave now. His quiet murmur of “Looks like you can't sense it,” stops me though.
“Sense what?”
“You must have been in an accident of some sort right? Came here pretty painlessly? Died quickly?”
“Yeah, how did you know that?”
He snorts, an unhappy smile twisting his face. “So it's true then. Well, that's why you can't sense it.”
I take a step back, hunching my shoulders trying to make myself smaller. I bet if I run I can make it to the stairs before he grabs me. “How do you know what I'm feeling or what not? Maybe I'm sensing stuff! you haven't bothered to ask or answer any of my questions! You don’t know.”
He rolls his shoulders with a deep sigh, twisting to face me while leaning against the fence. “If you could sense it you would have said something. Since you haven’t attacked or threatened to ‘correct’ me I can only assume that means you have no clue as to what's going on around you.”
I take another step back. Why does the door have to be so far away?! “Maybe I don’t want to correct you? Or, or you haven’t done anything for me to correct?” Don’t let my voice break, don’t let him know I’m scared!
His crown flares, spitting red light out in angry flashes. He holds out his empty hand and raises an eyebrow at me. With a hand flex, I stare in surprise as red string suddenly appears. Wrapping around his fingers and wrist. Or… maybe not suddenly. The red light, it turned into the string. That's what he was using when he fought against Seven during the opening ceremony. I wonder how he made it show up like that? I take a step forward and reach out a tentative hand to gently touch the thread where it wraps around his thumb. He stiffens, sucking a breath at the gesture but doesn’t otherwise move. The thread… it’s warm too. Why? What is it?
No more importantly why is he suddenly holding it?
Faster than I could follow he snaps forward, grabbing a hold of my wrist so hard that I know I’ll have bruises later. I let out a cry and pull back trying to free myself. “No no no no! Let go! I’m sorry, please!” The panic and fear wrap around me as surely as his red thread is wrapped around his own hand.
Another flare of fire and thread burns away, leaving a box knife in his fist instead. I whimper at the sight, the pulsing red seeming to drip down from its edge like blood drops.
“Watch.” His voice is mild, but the command harsh. He puts the knife to his neck and makes a violent slash.
“NO!” I push forward, pressing against him and shoving his arm with the blade away. I put my hands against the cut. His blood is hot and sticky and I’m pretty sure I’m sobbing as I try to keep his neck closed. “Why did you do that! Oh no no no no! I don’t know what to do!”
I squeeze my eyes close, shaking while I slump against him.
Heat wraps around me and I just cry harder against his unmoving chest.
“Shh, it’s okay. Open your eyes.”
No! There’s blood everywhere and I didn’t get his name and now he’s dead, it’s my fault no nononono-
A sigh and the cold mask covering my face is lifted away. I blink, startled at the sudden light, hiccuping tearfully. What ? Arms, blood-free, are wrapped around my waist holding me up as I lean slumped against the (dead, blood-free) guy. He’s staring down at me with a furrowed brow and a strange look in his eyes.
What’s going on? I saw it! His own neck, h-he cut it without flinching! Blood gushed out of it and I even felt it hit my mask. I can still feel the warmth of it on my hands but… it’s gone now. There isn’t any blood anywhere and his neck is whole. I don’t… Oh I don’t understand!
“It’s alright, I told you didn’t I? We can’t die here.” He hesitates for a moment before starting to rub circles against my back. The motion is soothing, but as the fear leeches away I start to shake. My teeth chatter, and I can feel myself practically vibrating against his chest. I’d push away but I’d probably collapse against the ground.
“It’s alright now, really. Just… breathe. With me. Come on. In.” He sucks in a breath and I follow. “Out.” We both breathe out together. “I was going to ask if you wanted to feel it for yourself, but I didn’t realize you’d be so upset.”
“Of course I’m upset! Anyone w-would be! You just, and you were, and…” I choke, furious and cold and frustrated as more tears slide down my cheeks. I glare at his chest, seeing the edges of the red light shimmer back up his arms towards the crown.
“No matter how badly you get hurt it will immediately heal up afterward. No scar or anything. I-”
I move my glare up to his face, jerking backward in his arms. He lets go instantly and the flicker of red flares for just a moment before he steps back. Away from me. I slide down the fence slump on to the ground. I was right, my knees can’t hold me at the moment. “ I don’t care! You shouldn’t just do stuff like that! You scared me! And I didn’t know what to do!” I can feel myself getting ready to start sobbing again but he drops down onto his knees next to me, he dips his head down staring at the tiles.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d take it so hard. Breathe. I’m okay now. I promise.”
I scrub my face with my uniform sleeves. How else am I supposed to take someone hurting himself in front of me? Jerk.
“Does it hurt?” My voice is quieter than I’d like, but the shaking and crying is slowing down.
He stares at me for a moment, taking a deep breath before nodding. “It hurts.”
“Then why would you -”
“I'm more afraid of forgetting pain than feeling it.”
“Forgetting it.” At my flat tone, his shoulders droop.
“What's your name?”
“Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”
“I'm curious.”
“You should have asked before you did the knife thing then.” I cross my arms, holding my stomach protectively. “It's Rinka. What's yours?”
“Alma.”
“Oh. That’s a nice name.” I drop my eyes down to the concrete. I should try getting up. I’m not sure I can handle more of this. I mumble. “It’s nice to meet you Alma…”
A hand, warm and gentle, cups my cheek. I look up, wide-eyed and startled into Alma’s concerned face. “This place, this school takes everything from us. Our memories, our names, and eventually even our pain. I didn’t mean to scare you, I thought… I thought you would understand. The people here are not kind or gentle. I didn’t think my showing you would scare you like that. I am sorry.” His thumb strokes my cheek, wiping at the tears.
A breeze of wind ruffles through my hair, warm and inviting. I can smell the cherry blossoms, and I’m certain that if I looked away from Alma’s eyes I’d see a cascade of blooms everywhere. A bell chimes in the distance and I suck in a slow breath. A thick warmth spreads across me from the point of his hand. And the sky backdropped against Alma isn’t red anymore. It’s a deep deep blue. Sparkling and clear.
I suck in another breath, fear gone and breathing in time with Alma. A serene calmness drifting through me.
Which is promptly ended with a jolt as the roof door bangs open. We both jump and twist towards the doorway in surprise. I didn’t even know it had closed! Alma stands, placing himself between me and the door. I peer around his legs, watching as a guy dressed in a biker outfit stomps onto the roof.
“Yo! Alma! You’re late! We’ve got to get back to the clubrooms before those assholes start lunch patrol man, come on.”
I watch as Alma rolls his shoulders. “Right, of course, Higa. I’m coming now. There isn’t any reason to shout.”
“Aw come on! I’m not shouting. I’m just ready to get out of this place.” I watch as Higa grins, bright and carefree before turning and heading back down the stairs. Alma takes a few steps forward to follow before turning and looking back down at me. I meet his gaze silently before he offers me a small smile.
“The only way to survive in this place is to fight. If you want, you can come with us. To the clubrooms.” He looks back towards the open door. “I would protect you.”
Protect me? I… I don’t know why but that feels like he’s telling the truth. “Thank you, I’ll… I’ll think about it. Be, uh safe.”
He gives a nod, walking over and disappearing down the stairs with Higa.
I close my eyes and slump against the fence, ignoring the way it rattles with the motion. I can probably stand now. Today… is not great. And I’m not sure I’m going to be able to handle this place if people are going to be… cutting themselves. I’m glad he’s alright, but really that's just too much. I open my eyes to stare up at the red cloudless sky. It's back to red. I wonder why? Is… it because he was touching me? Earlier too, when Seven was touching me… there were those flowers and sunlight. I wonder what it means.
And why do some people have colored lights around them and others don’t? I let out a low groan. Maybe Shikishima is wrong. Maybe it would be better to graduate.
I huff out a breath and look back to where Alma had been. There against the fence is my mask. Before it had been blank, just a flat white surface. But now just under the corner of where the left eyehole should be is a small gray dot, with two matching dots on the right side of the mask. I frown and pick it up, studying it closely. I wonder what it means. I check the inside, making sure it’s dry and slip it back on over my face.
A loud gong sounds and I use the fence to pull myself to my feet. Crap, the kid was right. That’s the lunch bell. I’ve gotta find Satoru.
It takes a few minutes, to convince myself to leave the fence. I’m positive that the rest of today is going to be awful. Finally, I push forward, making it over to the stairwell and slipping the lock on the handle, pulling it closed behind me. With a gentle push I test to make sure the lock is actually clicked into place before heading down the stairwell. Right, third floor. Checking there for Satoru. At least I know he’s not on the roof. I frown at the stairs as I walk down them.
Thankfully the third-floor entrance door isn’t locked, and it opens easily when I push on it. I step into the silent hallway and proceed to walk down the hall, peeking in windows as I pass. This is the senior floor, and the lunch bell just rang but all of the students are still sitting in their seats! I wonder if not wandering during lunch in a rule? Probably. Each room is full, and everyone has the black uniforms and masks on. I can’t imagine Satoru having paid enough attention to the uniform rule so I focus more on looking for a purple coat than anything else.
A left turn later and 11 more classrooms checked I’m near to the end of this hall. I’m pretty sure if I take a left turn again I’ll loop down the other half of this floor. Which should be all of the senior rooms. Great and still no sign of a purple coat anywhere.
I turn, trying to remember if I’d passed the senior music room already when a solid and heavy form crashes into me. I let out a startled squawk as I tumble to the ground, the other person letting out a grunt as they land back on their butt.
“Oww. Sorry, are you okay?” I look to the side, not really surprised at a samurai staring back at me.
“You! Enemy prefect! You have attacked me!” He scrambles upward, waving a sheathed sword around. The bright teal lights wrapped around the sword and his elbow shake and shimmer at the motion.
I grunt, pulling myself up with the wall. “You ran into me. I didn’t attack you.”
“I… oh. Well maybe. But we doth enemies. While I hath failed to keep the stealth required for this mission I shall not allow myself to fail further! I will defeat you!”
I squint at him. I’m not sure he can tell from behind my mask. Honestly, ‘doth’? What is this guy talking about?
Misson? DEFEAT?! “Wait!” I hold my hands up, in a defensive manner and step further back. He freezes in place, squinting suspiciously back at me.
“Look, students aren’t supposed to wander the halls. I’m pretty sure. And I don’t want to fight you so could you… put your sword away?” I nod towards his hand.
“I will not allow you to correct me. I will fight to an honorable death!”
I shudder and rub my forehead. Definitely getting a headache. I’m going back to the dorms after this. “I’m not fighting you. Or correcting you. Please put your… weapon away.”
“You… are very strange, you do not wish to- OOF!” He lets out a pained grunt as a swirl of ice air wraps around me. He stumbles past me and slams into the wall breathing heavily.
“Seven!” I stare in shock at Seven. His arms are crossed and I can practically taste his displeasure.
“Are you coward! Attacking while our backs are turned like that!” He raises his sword defensively, shooting glances between me and Seven. “Whatever torments you concoct none will turn me on my friends.”
“Insects playing pranks, I may actually vomit.” Seven snarls stomping closer. “Two. Why have you not corrected this bad apple? Are you planning on letting him go uncorrected? Did I not communicate earlier how important our jobs are?” I flinch as Seven stomps over to me, not the samurai. He leans close, his fist clenching as I try to shrink back.
“I, I can't, I can't just hit someone like that. And I was, I was working out what kind of punishment he needed.” Seven stops and I can feel the icy fingers of his blue light wrapping around my throat.
He flicks his hand and the samurai is pushed back against the wall. Hard. “Ugh if you're going to do it than do so quickly. My spirit will not be so easily broken!”
“Explain yourself Two.”
“Well, I mean… I.” What can I say? Wait, the rules! I was going to check my rule list, to see what he was breaking. And, I didn’t want to punish him too hard if it wasn’t something serious.” I nod trying to punctuate how much I was going to do that.
“...I see. So your hesitation is that you are unclear of how hard you should be correcting.” He reaches a hand out, stroking the edge of my mask and I swallow nervously. “I understand. You are gentle, and new. The blame is not yours. It will take some time to get used to it. Soon, you’ll be able to respond quickly to situations. In time I will teach you to be an excellent disciplinarian.” In time… I’m going to be doing this kind of thing a lot huh? Having to face corrections. No. I won’t be good at this, not ever. I hope I never learn to hit someone properly.
“Very well, I will correct him. Watch me and see how it is done. There is no need to show them your mercy Two.”
A loud explosion rocks the hall and Seven hisses, pulling away from me and turning towards the smoking corridor. Alma and Higa are there, Alma with his knife and Higa with a baseball bat.
“Yo! Enishi get over here man!”
“My friends! You came!” Samurai scrambles forward, limping and running towards the other two boys.
Higa scoffs. “Of course we did, you missed check-in man.”
I meet Alma’s eyes and watch as he takes a step forward. No! Don’t! Seven... Seven is really mad! I shake my head and Alma stops, wary.
“Worms! Do you think you will avoid getting corrected now? Two’s mercy will not save you from your own rotting corruption!”
“Shut up man! No one cares about your dumb ‘mercy’!” With a crack, a baseball is lobbed in our direction and I suck in a breath as I watch it hit the wall next to Seven… and explode. The force knocks me backward and the pain is burning bright down my side. I choke on the smoke, and I can hear someone scream over the ringing in my ears. Oh, that’s probably me.
I can hear shouting and voices fading as I curl into a ball. A cold hand touches the side of my head and I whimper in pain. A snarl, sharp and furious is the response. “Stay here Two. I will take care of the insects.”
I don’t think I could move anyways. I focus on breathing through the pain, willing the smoke to leave my lungs.
It’s probably no more than a minute, but it feels like it could have been an hour before the pain fades. The smoke smell is gone, and when I open a weary eye and push myself up into a sitting position the walls are unscathed. I’m alone in the hallway. A perfectly clean and not on fire hallway. I hate it here. I look down at myself, confirming that my coat is fine and that I’m not on fire.
Come on. I have to get a move on before one of them to come back. I stand, wobbling only slightly. I don’t hurt, but my legs are weak and I can feel exhaustion pulling at me. I just want to sleep for the next week . Or rather for forever.
On unsteady legs, I make it the stairwell on this side of the building, having no desire to follow in the direction the others had gone. It takes probably twenty minutes to work my way down the stairs and out to the first floor. Lucky, the back exit is right here too. I check the sides of the door, making sure that an alarm isn’t going to sound when I open it, and not seeing anything I slip out of the school with a sigh.
I’m in the back, near the fire furnace. It wasn’t the most direct route to the dorms, but it was quiet and more importantly empty. Ugh. Please, let me get to the dorms without running into anyone else.
A box with a pile of red papers catches my eye, pulling me slowly towards it. It’s next to the furnace, in the burn pile, and I wander over to it. I hesitate for a moment, before straightening my shoulders. I’m alone, I can look. Plus it’s going to get burned anyway. I lean over, rifling in the box, the top inch of paper is bright red, and as far as I can tell - blank. I scooch the pile to the side and see a whole rainbow of colored paper. I bet these are all blank. Why would someone throw away perfectly fine paper? I chew on my bottom lip, frowning at the box.
Well, I suppose no one will miss it if I take them. Right? I’ve had a hard day. I deserve this box of trash paper. With a nod I pick up the box, grunting at the weight. Heavy! Don’t fall box!
Box in arms I scuttle forward, following the fence. At the edge of the building, I stop and listen, resting the box against the stone wall. I don’t hear anyone. It should be fine. I take a deep breath and stride out. The dorms! I can see them! With a prayer that no other Prefects can see me I sprint forward, racing towards safety.
With a pounding heart, I’m panting by the time I slam into the front door. I stumble inside and nearly cry in relief at the lack of anyone else being around. Well, I’d probably cry if I could breathe. Now, upstairs to my room. March! No time to relax yet. I push forward, ignoring my burning lungs and legs. If I can’t die from an explosion I won’t die from a heart attack.
I hope.
Ten long minutes later I’ve dropped my box onto my desk, locked the door, and shoved the chair underneath the handle. I tear off my coat and uniform before ripping the mask away and throwing it into the wall. Collapsing onto my bed I pant heavily for a moment before I let out a rough sob and pull the edge of the blanket over myself; rolling over to face the wall and crying until I finally drift off to sleep.