Masquerades

Chapter 11

After sending the message, the familiar announcement tune resounded all over the campus, followed by Ellie’s voice. Just like what Arcane ordered, she listed down the five underdogs’ complete names and declared that they should be found alongside her or else the reward would be null and void.

Warren Dong: Wouldn’t it be better if you were all separated?

You: No, I have a plan. Meet me at the rooftop with the five. Text me if you’re already with them.

Whatever Arcane is planning next, she needs to put a stop to it now. Her patience is running out, and she’s too exhausted to keep playing with him.

She continued watching him as he reached out for his suit, before wearing it again and going straight to the door. She was about to breathe out a sigh of relief when he suddenly paused as he was reaching out for the door’s button. And just like in any movie thrillers, his head slowly turned to the closet where she’s hiding.

She suddenly felt suffocated as her heart almost came out of her chest. It felt like he was looking straight into her as he observed the immovable furniture with a frown on his face. He let his outstretched arm fall down on his side and started walking towards her direction.

Unconsciously, she slid deeper towards the back of the wardrobe and covered her mouth with her hand in utter terror. This moment, right here, will forever haunt her dreams. She won’t ever forget what this devil put her through, and will make sure he will pay the price.

If she’s caught now, then she can just use the element of surprise and run out of the room. She’s a fast runner, there’s a higher possibility that she could outrun him and anyone who could potentially chase after her.

His hand was already holding the closet’s handle when the door suddenly began to open, catching his attention. Hunter walked in, as he eventually let go and stepped away from her hiding spot.

Thank God.

“Section 12-B is helping two of the underdogs and they’re heading to the rooftop as of the moment. I also heard they’re looking for the three others,” Hunter informed the latter.

Arcane scoffed, “Calista Song’s class, right?”

“Yeah. I think she may be communicating with one of her classmates and giving out all these orders, too.”

“So she’s getting all the help, huh?” The taunting tone in Arcane’s voice didn’t escape Cali’s ears, she was certain the bastard is already planning something against her class. This is another reason why she should hurry and end all these. She can’t have any more people getting involved and being targeted alongside her. “How about William’s little crew?”

“They’re just loitering around the campus, giving zero effort to finding Song. I think they’re waiting for someone else to catch her and snatch her away from her original captor.”

“They aren’t chasing after Class B?”

“No. Almost all the other students are now focusing on finding the underdogs instead of Calista, except William and Dakota’s crew.”

“Hmm…” Arcane nodded. They shared a meaningful look before going out of the room together.

At last, she could breathe normally now. She didn’t leave the closet right away and waited for a few more minutes, just to make sure the two are not coming back. When they didn’t, she carefully stepped out of the stuffy wardrobe and took another calming breath as she fanned herself.

Remembering Arcane and Hunter’s conversation, she took out her phone again and started typing another message for her best friend.

You: I’m in the Admin Building, spread the word.

Warren Dong: What? I can’t do that.

You: Just trust me, i***t. Tell everyone in the class and let the others hear.

Warren Dong: You’re insane.

You: I’m counting on you.

The Administration Building is on the other side of the campus, and the distance would ensure her more time to leave Hall M. Now, she just had to wait until the Populars hear about it and go there. She went towards the window again and took a peek inside.

Luckily, a familiar pair was standing right in front of Hall M – Connor Lee and Maddox Yao. Her mouth twitched. Are they thinking of looking for her inside? Hmm… that’s smart of them.

All of a sudden, Connor took his phone out of his pocket and checked it. He then passed it to Maddox, before both of them started walking towards the opposite direction – to where the Admin Building is.

A smile immediately stretched on her face. It’s time.

She wore her sneakers again, before pulling the bed sheet off the bed and the duvet filling off the blanket – leaving only its cover. She tied them together, successfully making some sort of a rope. She made sure it was tightly tied together before heading towards the blinds and opening them. She then completely slid the window open and willed herself to move faster.

She moved one of the bedside drawers under the window and used it as her support, tying the end of her customized rope on one of its legs. To make sure that it wouldn’t give in to her weight, she also carried the other and stacked it up the first one.

“If I fall, the worst thing I could get is broken bones. This isn’t high enough to kill me,” she mumbled to herself, trying to reassure her panicking mind, while she looked down the grassy ground below.

Without wasting any more time, she threw the rope out. It was over half a meter short, but she could just jump down once she was close to the ground. Then she climbed over the window, and sat on the sill with her legs dangling out. Good thing she decided to wear sweatpants under her skirt today, or it would be such a hassle doing all this work.

She was already holding the rope, when a voice resounded from behind her.

“Don’t jump.”

She hastily whirled around, almost going off-balance. Good thing she was able to grasp the window with her free hand.

When her eyes collided with Arcane’s, she could almost swear he was alarmed for a second there, before his expression went back to a cold one.

“You caught me,” she smirked.

“You were here all this time… smart move.”

Her eyebrows rose, “is that a compliment I hear?”

He shook his head, also smirking. Then, unexpectedly, he looked straight into her eyes with an emotion she wasn’t able to figure out – longing? Fear? But that’s impossible, we’re talking about Arcane Wong here! And why would he show it to her, of all people?

“Are you Calista Song?”

“What?” What’s with him now?

“Was it really just simply having the same name as her… or are you her?”

Cali stilled, her expression also turning serious. He’s asking me that now? After everything he put me through?! Is he f*****g serious?

To mess him up mentally some more, she finally replied:

“And if I am?”

Before tightening her grip on the rope and jumping out of the window.