The Mask: 1

REDEEMING

Despite being threatened by a mask yesterday, Nico still decided to go to school. He had nothing to do in their house, so he might as well go to school where he can learn something. Nico has been up all-night thinking about what that mailman has said, about him slaughtering his grandparents if Nico and his mask were to defy his threat and fight them. They can’t fight them but they couldn’t just sit in a room watching those evil masks doing what they want. Nico now named his mask so that it would not be weird to just call it mask. The name bestowed upon the mask is sin. Nico felt that Sin is a great name for a being that devours both humans and his own kind. The mask liked it, and for now on, his name is Sin. Nico who is done wearing his uniform flung his bag over his shoulder. He left his room and locked the door, he said good bye to his grandparents and left them with the hope to see them again as he comes home. Sin assured Nico that if something would happen to his grandparents, he will immediately sense it since he left a tiny part of him in that house. And as usual, Nico took the same route to their school, he had a lot of students to walk with even though he does not know them. He doesn’t have any friends except for Mikey. But Nico is too embarrassed to face Mikey, she had been protecting him for years and it is no joke. It is no joke that a high school student is still being protected by a girl. However, things are now different, he now has the ability to protect her but if he keeps it a secret and Nico right now has a reason to become strong, it is to protect his loved ones, and he may hate to admit it, but working with Sin is the choice he has. As he walked down alleyway headed to their school, a bunch of students blocked his path. Sin didn’t react to it which means that they’re not harboring any hostile intentions. Nico looked up and saw the guy who bullied him for years, the guy who is known as the number one pitcher, it was Gerard and his gang. And this the thing that Nico completely forgot, he forgot that someone had seen him become a monster and there’s a lot of them. And Gerard himself was nearly eaten by Nico and Sin. Now, Nico had understood what Sin was talking about, Sin had intended to kill these guys because if they’re still alive, then Nico’s secret might spread and it will be the end of him. But he couldn’t, and he won’t. Nico won’t kill anyone except for the masks, these guys has done many crimes, but those crimes are punishable by law and therefore they don’t deserve to be devoured no matter how wicked they are. But things always defy the expectations, Gerard did what Nico wasn’t expecting, Gerard and his goon squad all bowed to Nico and started to apologize.

“I, we, apologize for what we did to you. We’ve been bullying you since your middle school days, and we now offer our humble apology. Hope you forgive us and we promise that the things that happened in the warehouse, stays in the warehouse.” Says Gerard then raised his head, hoping to be forgiven by Nico.

Nico sighed. He had no grudge against them even if they were bullying him for years, nonstop. “I feel no anger towards you guys. But please promise me, don’t let my secret spill, or I guess you know what’s going to happen?” says Nico.

Gerard nodded and then reached out his hand to Nico and they shook hands. But Gerard felt some changes, the grip of Nico isn’t this strong before, this grip is enough to shatter a bottle of wine. He is curious but he did not dare to ask. Because Gerard knows that Nico is the one who is very confused at the moment.

Gerard then invited Nico to walk alongside them till they reach their school. In just a matter of minutes, they’ve reached their school. Students with their uniforms all neatly done are entering the school. And as they entered the gates, someone is rushing towards them. It was Mikey, she quickly grabbed Nico’s wrist and pulled him out of Gerard’s pack.

“Didn’t I said that don’t you ever lay your hands Nico? Are you an i***t who doesn’t understand anything?!” Mikey snapped.

Gerard and Nico tried to explain but Mike didn’t let them. She keeps on yelling at Gerard and it’s getting the attention of the students passing by. Well, it’s only natural since it is early in the morning and yet Mikey is here delivering an early series of cursing and yelling in front of their school. Since he had no idea how to shut Mikey up, Nico gathered all of his courage. He grabbed the face of Mikey by her cheeks then kissed her. It was a effective but the end of this won’t be good. Nico finally finished kissing her and the only expression you can on Mikey’s face was shock and disbelief. Deep down, Mikey is thinking why did Nico do that kind of thing, why would Nico kiss her? Yes, she admits that she likes him, but it is too sudden to be kissed by him without knowing his own feelings towards her. And because of Nico’s actions, and just like Nico expected. Mikey slapped his face hard and entered the school, running. And now Nico regretted kissing her, that might be the trigger for Mikey to not talk to him anymore. But Gerard and his men found it hilarious. The Nico who normally had no courage at all and is always nervous has kissed the idol of this campus in front of hundreds of students, it made him jealous, but Gerard knows that Nico and Mikey are a much better couple than he and Mikey, but he got to admit, Nico’s actions may be bold, but that is also the stupidest thing to do. There are tons of things to do in that situation, and yet, Nico chose to kiss her. Gerard then approached Nico who is just frozen in that spot and was holding the cheek that he has been hit by a mega slap. He threw his arms around his shoulders and laughed,

“And now you’re a bigger i***t than I am, come on, we’re going to be late.” Says Gerard.

Nico nodded and all of them went inside the school. A day has passed and Mikey repeatedly avoided Nico throughout the day and even after school, he hadn’t seen her which he thought that she might have gone home early. But that disappointment was met by a good happening. For some unexpected reason, Gerard and his gang befriended Nico. And it made him happy, because the one who bullied him for years is now his friends. Then Nico and his newly found friends walked together again, and this time, they’ve planned to eat at a restaurant to celebrate their friendship. And while they’re on their way, Nico felt Sin slither under his uniform. And he knows what this means. Nico excused himself and said to them that he forgot something, Gerard then told Nico that they’ll wait for him and Nico nodded and ran back to school.

“Is it your kind? Where?” asked Nico as he ran.

Sin then emerged from Nico’s uniform “Run a few more meters so I can sense it.” Ordered Sin and Nico followed.

After a few meters, Sin vibrated and this time he had sensed it.

“Can we beat it?” Nico asked.

“Of course, it’s weak, but it would be a hard battle since you’re still inexperienced, but trust me.” Sin says.

But Nico got a bad feeling, the direction they are heading is none other than their way to his school.

“I think I know where that monster is already, but I need to confirm. Is it in our school?” nervously asked by Nico.

“Yes, and that mask is devouring 3 students while there are almost 2 that is trying their best not to get eaten. Some teachers are cowering inside the faculty, but I am sure they they’ve already called authorities, so we must hurry before the hunters get there first. The students are in a classroom. The third floor and in the room 306.” Says Sin.

Then it was like cold water has been poured over Nico. His heart started to beat fast. He knows that room. So, Nico ran as fast as he can to quickly get there. The fact that he hasn’t seen her yet since after school, he expected the worst. The third-floor room 306 is none other than the room of Mikey.