Chapter Sixteen
1436 Words
Chapter Sixteen
The Days
IT WAS a photo of a black rose with a single petal clinging unto it. Another disturbing thing about it is the stain of blood on its slightly withered thorny stem.
"What the hell..." I muttered under my breath.
I remembered the black rose that I received the other day. It was also black. Why do everything that's happening seems so parallel to each other. It is more than just a coincidence... it was as if everything well-orchestrated for a still vague reason.
But... why would she post something like this, anyway?
"A-According to the rumor, that was posted an hour before Cathrina committed s-suicide," Jimmy uttered in a shaky voice.
I immediately shot my head to him when he said that. What did this bloke say? Committed suicide? This girl... killed herself?
"How did you know that--" before I can finish my inquity, our adviser suddenly entered our classroom leaving without any choice but to reschedule my interrogation.
"Class, please settle down," our adviser instructed.
I just bit my lip before throwing the phone at Jimmy which he hastily catches.
"Thanks for the info," I muttered curtly before returning to my seat.
Mr. Mercado started the class with the usual routine, prayers first.
"Lord, we thank you for this brand new day that you have given to us. We praise and exalt your glorious name everyday, we are thankful for the infinite blessing that you are giving us..."
As the prayers proceeded, my mind continues to wander everywhere... trying to make sense of this all. First, Vanessa died a mysterious death and the only person that is a valuable link to her death also happened to be dead now due to what they presumed as suicide. I still do not know about the details yet but everything just seems to be off. That reminds me of the basket of black roses that I received the other day... who sent that, anyway? And why did that Cathrina girl posted the same rose but only with a single petal attached on it?
It makes me wonder if it is a clue or something... it is odd to just post something like that in the social media and then after an hour you will commit suicide? That just does not make sense it is meaningless. It must be a code or a clue... something that will decipher the true nature of these weird incidents. My head is spinning madly with these untamed thoughts inside of me. I felt the familiar pounding of my head as my internal turmoil devoured my mind.
"The prayer ended and then the whole class was embraced in complete silence for a couple of minutes, even our adviser did not talk for awhile too. It feels like a deja vu or something.
"Alright, class..." Mr. Mercado finally broke the silence with his tone marked with exhaustion. "Our school is with a heavy heart due to the loss of our two beloved students Miss Vanessa Aragon and Miss Cathrina Garcia. Yesterday, the faculty have received the news about the death of Miss Garcia. Her parents saw her body at around 11 a.m. with a cut in her wrist indicating that she took her own life. She also left a rather brief note upon her death..." Mr. Mercado removed her glasses to wipe it off using his handkerchief.
"...it is rather frustrating to hear this kind of news that your fellow student took her own life. So if there any of you here who are suffering sadness of any kind, please approach your friends or perhaps us teachers and let us talk about it. Remember to value not only you Physical health but as well as your Psychological health," our adviser preached.
That was very kind of you sir but... a part of me does not believe on this.
Suicide, huh? Why does it seems so unbelievable.
Cathrina Garcia is one of our school's mental advocate. She is very active in extra curricular activities that involves mental awareness and the such. We had some few casual interaction back then and from those I can conclude that she is a person with strong principles. So why would she do something that will sinfully contradict her advocacy?
Those thoughts meandered all over my mind as the day progresses. The school was also quiet just like yesterday. Students are walking in groups while holding their phones and whispering with each other. Yeah, right. New death, new gossip.
After our last period, I decided to go to the Student Council Office again. But before that, I tried to take a peek to the greenhouse first and there I saw that the yellow tapes from the authorities are still restricting anyone who will try to enter it. I gave it one last glance before proceeding to go back to our building.
As I am walking my way to the office, someone suddenly pulled me causing me to be mildly surprised.
"The hell..." I mumbled before turning my head to the person who did that.
Then I realized that it was Guinevere, one of my group mate to our research. She is also with Sheena, a short-haired girl with glasses who also happened to be my group mate.
"I-I'm sorry for abruptly pulling you. U-Uh. We just want to ask you if you want to finish the remaining chapters of our research later since it will be due next week and you'll probably be busy for the Student Council outreach program." Guinevere said in a enthusiastic but slightly nervous voice.
"Y-Yeah... W-We d-don't want to be a b-burden you know. A-And besides, I-I brought my laptop today so... I-I hope w-we can do it later." Sheena stuttered all the way.
I arched my brows at them. Hmm, I appreciate their initiative to approached me about our research paper.
"Alright. Probably 2pm later. I just have to run some errands in the SSG office and probably change my clothes later in the house. Where'dya wanna do it anyway?" I asked casually, trying calm the stuttering nerves of poor Sheena. Well, what can I do? I am just effortlessly intimidating in the eyes of people.
"U-Uh... we can do it in a nearby convenient store that is just a few blocks away from school." Guinevere answered snappily.
I nod at them curtly before fixing my backpack on my shoulder.
"Cool. 2pm in that convenient store. Just inform the other members and I hope none of you will be late," I emphasize the last word lethaly.
I caught Sheena swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Y-Yes. O-f course!"
"Well... uh, see later, then?" Guinevere's lips stretched in an awkward smile.
I nod at them before turning my back and resume my walk towards the office. I guess every day is a busy day for me.
After a few minutes, I finally reached my destination. The office is not packed as usual. Only some few officers are there. I can't help but to notice the absence of Tangent and Nimsan here.
I saw misa Quen fixing some files in a drawer.
"Good noon, miss." I greeted her formally.
She briefly glanced at me before giving me a weak smile.
"Oh, you're here," her voice is marked with resigned strength. She looks more stressed than the last time I saw her. I can't help but to pity her. This is too much for her... losing two of her beloved students.
I gracefully stride inside the office before calmly putting my bag on a nearby table.
"I see that some of the officers are not here?" I tried to start a casual conversation.
She fixed her tangled hair before nodding at me.
"Ah, yes. Nimsan said that she is not feeling well..." she trailed off to carry a stack of paper and put it on the table.
Nimsan is not feeling well?
"Why? What happened to her?" I asked curiously before helping her with the papers.
"I'm not sure, I just received a message from her saying that she can't go to class today so she can't help in the task here in the office. Well, meanwhile, Tangent and the rest of my advisory class decided to visit the house of Vanessa and Cathrina..." her voice faltered when she muttered the names of her late students.
"I told them that I just need to finish my errands here and then I'm gonna follow them to pay respect in the departed souls of my students." She bit her lips, trying to muster the courage to speak. What a brave soul she is.
-C. N. Haven-
- Writer
