Unsolicited School

Everything I've known

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.

- Anais Nin

Robbie

The answer that came from his mouth made Robbie shocked. His eyes dilated as he knew someone knew about the mystery as well (As the shadow person said so). The only thing is he can't believe that the person is right in front of him – the person he didn't expect. Directly, Robbie asked him once more to confirm it.

"Y- You know everything about the school, sir?"

The homeless man nodded. Obeying the shadow person's word, Robbie asked him.

"Can you tell me about it?"

He silenced for a bit while his eyeballs tracked to Robbie's eyes. The rain has soaked the atmosphere as no one's talking.

"Sorry, kid," the man shook his head – refused him, "I can't tell you,"

Robbie's facial expression suddenly frowned like sudden rain. He lowered his right hand to his chest while holding the umbrella - confused and a bit disappointed as the man won't tell why.

"Why? Why can't you tell me?"

"You're a North Yamai Student, kid. In the end, you guys are the same," answered the homeless man.

"Look, I'm not one of them. I'm a transfer student," Robbie explained, but the homeless man just shut his mouth – didn't say anything, "I just want-"

"Even though you're a transfer, you don't have enough time," the homeless man cut Robbie's words.

"I'm not finished," Robbie replied sourly, "I want to get out of here. And I promise, I will not tell anyone," before continuing, Robbie pulled out his wallet – bribing him.

"You said you wanna money, right? I'm gonna give you money if you tell me."

The homeless man silenced. He stares at Robbie again to confirm that he is a transfer student, "Promise me you'll not going to tell this to everyone?"

"I swear," Robbie nodded.

"Give me your student card," the homeless man reached his palm to Robbie. Robbie took out the North Yamai School student card from his wallet, then he lent it to the homeless man. He examined the card thoroughly by looking at the front and backside of the card. Suddenly, the homeless man chuckled for no reason.

"Sir," Robbie asked.

"Oh, sorry," said the homeless man, "Man, time's changed,"

"Huh?"

"I can't believe I met a younger student as the time's changed," The homeless man returned Robbie's card.

Robbie looked at his card before continues. The pink-colored card has the same size as an ATM card. His photo's on the left, and the identity is written next to it. Robbie focused on his date of birth as the homeless man mentioned "Younger student," where his birthdate was written July 15, 2002.

"Yeah, I know right," Robbie giggled while he saved his card into the wallet.

"Follow me,"

Robbie followed the homeless man. He shared his small umbrella so that the homeless man doesn't get drenched by the rain. He leads Robbie to a slum alley. The splashing puddle they stepped replaced their footsteps sound but suppressed by the sound of the rain. The cold breeze hits both of them as the time reached 7:30 PM. They kept walking through the alley until a dead end met them both.

"C'mere, kid,"

The homeless man led him to an abandoned garage on his left. The garage is neatly abandoned by the actual owner. The shabby garage door is left open, where the latch is broken. The garage is now converted into his house, and the alley is his front yard. Robbie walked into the garage. The atmosphere inside the garage dried Robbie as he closed his umbrella.

"Take a seat, kid. Make yourself at home,"

Robbie takes a seat on a sturdy chair while the homeless man sits on a computer chair. Robbie looked around the garage, where everything merged into one. The doorway on the left was blocked by his shabby spring bed. The garage has a tool cupboard that has converted into a wardrobe, a desk, a dirty circle table with three chairs (including one that Robbie sits on), three gas canisters, four dirty backpacks, dishes, cutleries, a pan, and a kerosene stove. This garage is wealthy enough for homeless people like him. I guess he worked hard for this. So lucky.

"Well, I guess it looks like a home for me," Robbie smiled.

"Yeah," He replied, "So your name is Ryou Nakata, right? Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Kunio Watanabe. Most of my friends and people called me Alco-san, short for alcohol because I always bring some alcohol into the house. Not only beers but pure ones for fun. And I want you to call me so,"

"For fun?" Robbie repeated.

"Cleaning my hands and some stuff. You don't have to worry about it," Alco-san rejoindered, "Oh yeah. People like you have a nickname, d'you have one? Tell me,"

"Look, just tell me right away, okay? I'm running out of time," Robbie cuts his words.

"Come on, kid. I need that too,"

"Fine, mine's Robbie,"

"Why?"

"Everyone called me so. Just like you." Robbie sighed. He was too lazy to explain.

"Okay then. I call you Robbie for now. By the way, let's get right into it," Alco-san took a deep breath before starting the topic, "I wanna ask you first. Are you the only one who knows about this?"

"No," Robbie shook his head, "There's another one,"

"Another one? Well, I want you to bring him when you meet me again, okay? Don't rush yourself. But, I want you to keep this secret between you, me, and your friend." Alco-san repeated his message, "And because you are the only one who came here, I guess you can tell him about this later. But I want you not to let this be known by everyone. I mean everyone. Now I want to ask you. Have you experienced something weird as long as you were in that school?"

Robbie nodded, "Yeah. Me and my friend have experienced something off in the school since we're North Yamai students. On the second day, we fought with the bullies. After it was over, one of them asked us to go to the rooftop. But when we get there, he possessed. He warns us to leave this school while we can. And the next day, someone welcomed me to hell. I don't know what he was talking about, but I guess I was late, and I fell into it,"

"Mmhmm," Alco-san nodded.

"Now, please tell me about the school, sir," said Robbie.

"Where should I start?"

…

"Okay, now tell me from the beginning," Robbie answered.

"Alright, then," Alco-san interlocked his fingers in front of his stomach, "This is the crucial question I want to ask you. How many days have you guys been in the school, including today?"

"Err…. Fifteen days," Robbie answered after he silenced to think how many days he lived in that school.

Alco-san felt a bit shocked. He dropped the pen on his right hand like he just heard a piece of bad news, "Fifteen days? Oh well. You really don't have any time left. You only have 60 days to get out of here. If not, you guys will be one of them, and you're not gonna like it, Robbie,"

"Why? Why I'm not gonna like it?" Robbie asked.

"Well, you're gonna be like them. Sending nightmares, killing another student like another person, and even worse, you'll be killed, and your existence will be forgotten," Alco-san explained, "You should've known that,"

"Oh, great," Robbie put his hands beside his temple, "It's gonna be forever if I stayed there for two months,"

"Yeah," Alco-san nodded, "It would be faster if you killed someone during your probational period. Killing someone just makes you like one of them instantly. So I tell you this message, kid. Don't kill and don't be killed,"

Robbie fell speechless as he heard Alco-san's message. He paused himself to ask another question for a moment. After Robbie digested all of the words spoken by that homeless person, he spoke up.

"How did you know about this? Everything about the school?"

"I used to be a teacher at your school, Robbie," Alco-san smiled, "I used to be a beloved teacher. Science teacher. Everybody loves me because I have no intention to hurt my students both physically and mentally. I want them all to succeed and help them more if they're in trouble. It feels like they're all my children, and they think that I'm their father. Good god, what a good old day,"

Alco-san showed Robbie a photo from his wallet. It's a photo of back when he was a science teacher. He is standing between the students at the front. He's wearing a green sweater vest with a white long-sleeved shirt, black chinos with black oxfords, and added with neatly combed hair making him looked like a classy teacher. Dude, he's so awesome.

"No offense, but why did you quit being a teacher?" Robbie asked, and his expression changed abruptly.

"Well, this is the sequel. Do you know Tommy-sensei, right?"

Robbie nodded.

"He is a man full of hatred. I used to help him too, but he doesn't want to listen to me whatsoever. I always see him angry for no reason. When I asked him, he refused it, and so with the other teachers. I find it out, and the reason is he holds a grudge against one of the students. Her name is Shion Nakagami, a second-year student and a daughter of a politician. Duh, she has a huge power to take control of all of us. She might be a student council president, but she's nothing than a rotten heart."

"Wait, are you tried to sidetrack this story?" Robbie cuts him.

"Just listen to it, Robbie! Darn," Alco-san scolded him softly, "I'll continue it again. She hates Tommy-sensei because of his existence. She wanted to get rid of him. I always saw them quarreled with each other, and Tommy-sensei lost. In the end, he always got received threatening letters from Shion as I peeked at his drawer. One day, Tommy's son was killed, and the rumors about his son being killed by her commands spread across the school. But again, she has the power to do anything. She clarified that she didn't kill Tommy's son and her clarification defeats it. At that point, his limit was crossed, and he had enough. However, I already know that Shion was the murderer,"

Alco-san took a deep breath before continuing, "The night after his son killed. It was a coincidence. When I walked through to his house shed, I saw an unsettling red light inside. I am curious at that time, I peeked at one of his windows, and an unexpected thing happened that night. He's doing a demonic ritual. The candles, the circle, and the black magic, I saw it right in my eyes."

"Whoa," Robbie shuddered in fear.

"He called the demon and asked him to get rid of Shion. The demon granted his wish, but the stakes are his life and the school. The demon will kill her, and her existence will be forgotten. Also, the demon told him that the school had long been cursed. I already knew it, but I just kept the info for myself, but I was wrong. The demon made a pact with Tommy. I know some of its contents."

Alco-san took another breath again, "First, he will use some student as an intermediary for a homicide in the school. The victim will be forgotten, and so with everyone's memory about it. Second, the pact is vulnerable. If it's destroyed or the school's mystery was leaked, the demon considers it a breach, and Tommy will be killed. I don't know about the rest. Maybe you guys should find out."

Alco-san took another photo before continues. It's a photo of Shion. The picture was taken at the school grounds. Her appearance is cute. She's wearing the school uniform and her sleek black hair neatly flowed down to her back. She smiled at the camera and showed a peace sign with his right hand.

"This girl is the innocent one," Alco-san sighed, "The day after Tommy signed the devil's pact, she was found dead at the school backyards. The students said she jumped from the roof to her death. Her midriff was torn by an antenna, and her intestines burst out. The police cased this as a suicide. You know what I'm saying,"

Alco-san's expression frowned deeper as he continued, "She was the first victim of these curses in the last 23 years. And as you experienced, everyone forgot about her death, even her parents. Her existence has been forgotten. But, she and the killed students are suffering. But I'm not the only one who knew about this. A student named Jimi knew it too,"

"Jimi?" Robbie asked.

"A school bully, the infamous one. He told me that he saw Tommy at the house shed too. He met me after school, asking me what he should do. So I asked him to leave the school forever,"

Alco-san took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it up. He showed another picture. It's his family photo. He sat next to his wife while his two young children stood at the front, "I've managed to leave the school, but I had to leave my family too since they could track us down. And so with Jimi,"

Robbie felt speechless after he heard the Alco-san story. His mouth that wanted to ask a question closed as he knew the scary fact spoken by that hobo. After a few moments, Robbie took a breath and asked him.

"So, what should I do?"

"Destroy the pact. Then leave the school while there is still time," Alco-san answered, "For your information, you and your friend landed in the unsolicited school. You guys should be transferred to another school. Duh, the devil does the job. But as long as it rained like now, he couldn't do anything. So make the most of it. And one thing, Robbie. Do you know where the food you eat every day in the canteen comes from?"

"No," Robbie shrugged.

"It comes from rotten ingredients,"

"WHAT THE?!"

The food that was already in Robbie's stomach rose up quickly and made him extremely nauseous. Robbie ran out of the garage and puked out the foods that he had eaten before. He bowed down and let the raindrops hit his uniform before he turned back.

"Alco-san. You know ignorance is bliss, right?" Robbie asked.

"Mmhm," Alco-san nodded.

"Dagnabbit, you shouldn't tell me then," Robbie scowled.

"Haha. It's okay, kid. It's better for you to know," Alco-san snickered, "Here, drink this,"

Robbie took the canned chocolate drink from him and drank it instantly to replenish his stamina. He can't believe that he has eaten rotten foods at school. It's worse than eating some foods in the trash can, darn.

"I think you better go home, kid. Your parents are waiting for you," said Alco-san like a father figure.

Robbie looked at his watch. It's 8:10 PM. He spent 40 minutes at the Alco-san garage and forgot to go home. Plus, he had to rush to the bus stop as the next bus would be the last one. Otherwise, he had to walk home.

"Sure thing. As I said about the money, here." Robbie took 10.000 Yen from his wallet, "Thanks for the information, Alco-san,"

"Thanks, kid. I've never received such things like this from students like you," Alco-san smiled.

"You're welcome," said Robbie while he saved his wallet, "Anyway, see you again, Alco-san,"

"Yeah," Alco-san waved at him, "Don't forget to bring your friend, alright?"

Robbie opened his umbrella and walked away from the garage – leaving Alco-san, who closed the garage door and decided to sleep. The rain now is less heavy than before. But enough to soaked him if he didn't use an umbrella. Five minutes later, he arrived at the bus stop as rushed to it. Now he had to wait 15 minutes for the last bus home.

Day 16

Another day of school. Robbie walked through the wet roads as the rain stopped at midnight (Robbie woke up at midnight as he wanted to pee). Some of the puddles were evaporated and shrank by the sun's heat, while some were totally disappeared.

Robbie directly walked into the bus stop as he saw the metallic white-blue bus arrived. He took the back seat as usual. But this time, he sits alone. He didn't see his friend, Mullet, sits next to him. But he knows if Mullet is probably late for it. Well, that's okay. I got my peace this time.

Robbie walked away from his shoe locker after he changed his shoes. The crowd of students filled the first-floor hallway like human traffic. He looked around while walking to the lobby to buy a snack from a vending machine. But no signs of Mullet arrived as he went there.

Without waiting, Robbie walked back to the hallway to get into his classroom before the first bell rang. While walking to the shoe locker again, Mullet appeared in front of his sight. He just changed his shoes and walked to the stairway as well. But Mullet didn't recognize him. Nevertheless, Robbie felt relieved. He had to say something to Mullet, but as Mullet already walked to the stairway, Robbie decided not to chase him.

Robbie looked at his wristwatch while listening to the current class. The time showed 11:58, two minutes before the class was dismissed. The sunlight from the window warms the class's atmosphere and his body. Added with the tranquility inside made him stay focused. Suddenly, his watch is dead just after he divert his sight to the blackboard. Quickly, Robbie looked again at his shiny 1997 watch. The hands don't move at all. He hit the watch a few times to make it moved again, but nothing happened. Man, my battery's fried.

Right before the time reached 12, Robbie's ears focused on Sonoda-sensei as she was about to close today's lesson. But something odd happened. The teacher didn't close it or even say something. She just looks at the blank teacher's desk for no reason. And the school bell rang via the class's intercom, but it stopped abruptly. The intercom crackled for a moment, then the intercom played a chanting nursery rhyme sung in a terrible tone with a frantic violin screeched along with the song – making the situation becomes morbid.

All of the students stared at Robbie with deadly smiles. Those sitting far from him stood up and approached him slowly, including Sonoda-sensei, who walked like a zombie. As everyone approached him, Robbie tried to leave his seat. But he couldn't make it. It feels like super glue attached to his chair, not letting him escape.

As everyone crowded him, they talked to Robbie one by one.

"Why did you do that?"

"Please don't leave us,"

"You made your decision,"

"Stay with us, play with us,"

"We won't bite,"

Robbie leaned back, tried to stay back from the students. The sky became crimson red as he blinked once. Again, Robbie tried to struggle. But even worse, he couldn't move at all. Almost of his body was petrified, only letting his head be moveable. Felt desperate, Robbie looked around the student who already crowded him, but he didn't see Nino. He looked at her desk, but she was not there. Only some students looked at him in the hallway with a psychotic stare, and the dreadful nursery song became louder than before.

"Mullet?! Mullet! Help! Mullet, help me! They onto me!"

Oh no, they knew about this.

"He will not help you. We already took care of him," said a student.

"What the? Don't you dare touch him!"

The students stepped aside, letting Karen walked to him. She brought a black cloth and a cleaver. She puts them on Robbie's desk and holds the black cloth with both of her hands.

"What you did right now... will affect your fate... and your decision," Karen spoke after blindfolds Robbie with the cloth.

Everyone inside the class and the hallway started chanting Stay repeatedly. The frantic nursery rhyme from the intercom became louder and louder – deafening Robbie's ears. The sky became more b****y than before, and the classroom atmosphere became utterly dreadful. Robbie shuddered in fear as he had no idea what would go down next while he blindfolded. Suddenly Robbie heard Karen took the cleaver and swung it backward.

"Oh no. No, nononononono,"

Karen charges his power before hacking Robbie's head with the cleaver. Just before she swings it, She screams loudly to unleash his anger and bloodlust.

"NO!"

Suddenly, the noise from the class vanished, and everyone was gone. He didn't feel the sharp blade from Karen's cleaver. All he felt right now was a dead silence. Not even a howling wind flew into his ears. However, Robbie feels his whole body is moveable now. He opened his blindfold and looked around. Everything is pitch black. Not even a single light was visible in his eyes. Am I dead?

A few moments later, a strange light illuminates the classroom. Robbie was in his current position - with the difference, the class got consumed by darkness. It has no student and teacher desks. Only his remains inside. His thoughts changed, knowing that he got teleported. After he felt ready, Robbie left his desk and looked around. Suddenly, the shadow person arrived again.

"Good god, kid. I can't believe you made such a suicidal move. Thank goodness I've managed to bring you here. You almost got caught," the shadow person facepalmed.

"What?"

"I saved your life, kid. Yours was almost at the edge back there," he rejoindered.

"Oh thanks," Robbie smiled.

"You're welcome. However, have you got any person you can rely on?"

"Alco-san, I guess...," Robbie nodded, "Oh yeah. I want to ask you something,"

"Go ahead,"

"Was Alco-san said true? About I don't have enough time left?" Robbie asked.

"Yes. Like he said. You don't have enough time left. Once you're there, you have to make your way out. Leave, turn off. This is all the work of him. Tommy-sensei. But don't let him knows that you know," warned the shadow person.

"Thanks,"

"Now, I have someone for you,"

Suddenly, a faceless student arrived next to him. He wears the school outfit neatly. His blonde hi-fade hair combed neatly. He stands sturdily like a toy soldier.

"Search this kid. You already know him. He will help you out from this hell. And again, don't let anyone know about both of your secrets," said the shadow person, "Now it's time for you to leave. I'll meet you later,"

The faceless student left them both to the infinite darkness, followed by the shadow person – leaving Robbie alone in the empty classroom. Just after they left, the class shakes violently. It feels like an earthquake. And suddenly, the floor that Robbie stood on collapsed, and he fell down.

Day 17

Robbie suddenly opened his eyes and woke up quickly. He lies on his bed. He recalled that he fell down from his class as the floor collapsed - consumed by the darkness. His heart pounds intensely like a machine. Robbie looked at his alarm clock, wondering what just happened. It's Tuesday. Robbie realized if he skipped Monday after that accident happened.

After Robbie left his house to go to the bus stop, his mind was still roaming about what just happened last night, about how he could skip that day. It was a perfect time for him to tell Mullet about everything he knew from Alco-san, but it was nixed due to that accident. I guess now it's time to explain to him. But not at school.

Robbie reached the bus stop. There are only 5 passengers today, including Mullet, who stared at him as he walked towards the sheltered post. The sunlight made the day more delightful for everyone, apart from the fact that Robbie just skipped last night.

"Hey, Robbie. Where happened with you last night?"

"Oh. Err… I don't know. I don't really remember," Robbie lied as he had to hide about what he saw before.

"Don't know? All I remember is that you collapsed just after the bell rang at 12 noon. You didn't respond to anyone, so a teacher sent you home," Mullet rejoindered.

"That's what I wanna ask from you," Robbie whispered as no one's looking at them, "By the way, I want to tell you about the truth, but I can't talk about it right now. It's too risky,"

When Mullet was about to reply, the bus interrupted the duo and asked them to get on the bus to proceed to the school. Without saying anything, they walked onto the bus and took their favorite seat.

"The backseat. Empty," Robbie and Mullet spoke simultaneously.

"So Robbie, What d'you wanna talk about?" asked Mullet in a whisper.

"First, I wanna talk about the truth that happened to me last night. And second, I want to talk about a person I met last Monday,"

"Well, go ahead, Robbie. Tell me,"

"Well, this is what I saw in front of my eyes. Right in front of my eyes,"

To be continued…