Moments before the Takeover
1634 Words
"Is it time to move now, sir?"
"Wait a little more. The trap will sprung soon."
The fake chairman and his henchmen were waiting outside the entrance for quite some time.
The other four, who were still invisible, are few meters away from them. They're sweating bullets, worrying about their well-being as well as the other two who separated from them to continue the rescue mission.
One of them was about to speak when her companion puts her hand to shut her up. She then shook her head, telling her to not utter a single word or their only means of escaping might dissipate from their grasp.
The secretary who got her mouth muzzled reluctantly nodded. In her mind, she just want to help their saviors by acting as a bait.
But after thinking it through, she realized...
If she did that, it would waste that guy's effort to save them.
The four secretaries could only wait for the outcome of this intense scenario -- and hoping that this nightmare would come to an end.
•••
This is--!
"FINALLY! It's time to go boys! They're caught in the trap!"
It's only two of them. But that's enough waiting!
Maybe the other three are at the room's entrance, shocked to see their companions slowly dying in front of their very eyes.
Ah, I would love to see their despair!
"As expected of our boss!"
"They shouldn't have mess with us in the first place. They deserve it!"
We immediately went inside with vigor.
... A decision we eventually regret.
•••
'Snow' and 'I' entered one such dark, spacious room.
The ominous vibe enshrouded the whole area. An overwhelming foul stench envelopes as well, something that could easily make anyone faint. Snow is pinching her nose with her hands in hopes of nullifying it.
It won't help at all.
It'll help you suffocate though. If you're breathing, that is.
"W-who's there?"
A weak male voice broke the silence. The source comes from the center of the ominous room.
"It's me, director."
"Snow? I thought that that scumbag banned you from coming here?"
"I still am."
We approached the director, who's severely injured and got his eyes blindfolded. He's tied to a chair by a faintly glowing rope. He looks like a guy in his 30's, got an afro hairstyle and has a good physique. He might be taller than I am based on his sitting height. He's already at my shoulder's height.
Anyway, that rope is enhanced by a rune card, no doubt about that.
"Huh? You still are? Then that means..."
"I'm getting you out of here--"
"You fool! Your life would be in danger once more! This time...that guy won't spare your life again even if I plead!"
That guy has a point.
This would be the end of her life if she'll get caught.
As if I'd let that death flag to activate after being raised by the director. It's her sister's wish to see her safe. I can't afford to let her turn into a corpse after this request.
I don't want to fail.
Yes, I definitely won't. I'm pretty sure that if Cory were here, she would be infuriated if that were to happen.
"Director, please don't worry about that--"
"You're still young, and got a bright future ahead of you. Of course I would worry. I am the chairman, after all. If only I noticed it sooner..."
•••
It was just like any other day.
I'm in my office, reading at some confidential documents while enjoying a cup of coffee. The academic year is about to start, so as the chairman, I must do the obligations and necessary preparations for the students to be comfortable in this school.
The faculty is as busy as I am.
They're preparing their lesson plans and started sharing good teaching techniques they could think of.
We got our hands full, that we didn't notice that something wrong is happening.
"Hello~"
"Huh!? Wait, who are you and how did you get here!?"
As someone with good motor abilities, I immediately distanced myself from the stranger. Judging from the voice, this intruder should be a male. He's at my chest's height, but that's all I could describe him; his face is covered with a mask and is wearing a cloak. He looks unarmed, but I don't think anyone who could intrude in my office unnoticed is an ordinary guy.
Moreover, every part of my body is telling me...
That I should run away.
This guy is dangerous.
"You see...if you're deep in thought while in battle, you'll die you know~"
"What the f--"
He punched my abdomen.
With that single attack, I could tell.
This guy isn't using any reinforcement. That punch's force solely comes from sheer strength.
This guy...is strong.
I was taken aback after receiving such preemptive strike. He may beat me in unarmed close quarter combat, but I won't falter when it comes to dual-wielding!
"Manifest in my hand, oh swords! [Twin Blade of Salamander]!"
Huh?
Why didn't my rune card activated? I already casted it!
"Oh~ a weapon from a Salamander eh? That means you're at least A-class!"
The guy, with his easy-going attitude, clapped in front of me. This guy's done pissing me off.
Something's odd. I'll try another one. You may be strong, but I have lots of rune cards to use!
"Heed my call! Come forth, [Salamander]!"
"Wow~"
Again...?
"You...what did you do!?"
"Nothing really~ it's not me, actually. It's one of my friends."
This psycho, of all people, got friends? Wait, maybe he's referring to his colleagues. Tch.
I ran out of questions.
So this is what it feels like when a mouse is trapped inside a lion's lair.
"What's your purpose of doing this stupidity?"
"Oh? Stupid? Nooooooooow, nowwwwwww~"
In just a blink of an eye, the intruder got behind me, putting his index finger just above my neck. I could feel his nail. But this sensation...I could tell. This nail of his is sharper than any form of blade.
"We...don't recognize any of you worthy of using rune cards. I'll do anything necessary for our plans. You...are just an ant about to be squished by my fingers. We'll slowly but surely eradicate the fools who falsely acclaimed that rune cards are but tools for humanity. Rune cards are to be used by the holy men, like us~"
"Just which part of you is holy? Everything you do--"
"Silence. Lowlife."
He then smashed my head straight to the ground. I endured the pain. I'm trained for this.
But the mental and emotional damage that I received isn't endurable. I'm just a random pebble on the pavement, occasionally being kicked by these monsters in human flesh.
His tone also changed. He stated those words with deep, ominous voice. He's indeed a psycho.
"Since you asked earlier, I'll answer what you want to know", he said as he lifted my head. "We'll use this place as a place for lab rats."
"Wha--!? That means...s-stop! You can't do that to the youngsters!"
"Why not?"
"It's because--"
"Meh, I don't care."
He quickly snapped my head and my vision immediately went blank. My consciousness, however, is still intact, and I was able to hear a different voice this time.
"Why...kill...h...?"
"You can re@$#ve...okay? I leave...you~"
That's the last thing I could recall before I got myself locked in a room.
How am I still alive?
This question remains unanswered. Not that I want it to be revealed nor that I care.
Two months have passed. I'm pretty sure that it's around this period that classes will officially start.
And here I am, still inside this room full of stench.
I tried to use a rune card but it still didn't work. This time however, I feel different.
It feels like...I've been emptied, as if I'm some fruit juice pack squeezed dry. I came to a conclusion that perhaps my rune cards were somehow snatched.
I've heard rumors about it. There are people who got their rune cards ripped out of their body by using an apparatus. I didn't believe it at first, but I guess that I experienced it first-hand.
I waited for help during those two months, but to no avail. That person might've made some arrangements in order for their scheme to stay concealed.
I'm sorry everyone. I'm truly sorry.
"Kyaaah!"
A voice?
It's been a while since I've heard of one.
"Well, if you want to report this case to the authorities, I wonder if your conscience would take it if that guy's life won't be spared?"
Aside from that female voice earlier, I could hear several other sources, mostly boys who were mocking and bullying the poor child.
I'm sorry for not helping you out little girl. With my current state, I can't do anything.
"Who...?"
"That's the REAL chairman."
"What...what did you do to him!?"
"Oh shut up!"
I heard a loud slap and a thud.
The girl is in danger...but what could I do?
... Nothing.
"You b***h don't have the rights to talk back at me. Well, I'll be a good guy and give you an opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
"Yeah. See that guy? Take care of him. I don't want to have any of my goons to waste energy and bring him something to eat and drink."
The mean guys started walking away. Their laughs echoed within the entire room and then dissipates.
I then heard footsteps coming towards me.
What I heard next is the most gentle voice I've ever heard in a while. Her voice, though shaking, calls out to me--something that I cried for.
"Are you alright!? I'll take care of you. Don't worry. I won't let you suffer more than this. Help will surely come."
- Writer
