She is the Hidden Key

CHAPTER 2 “The pendants are glowing.”

The year 2018

Earth

Author's POV 

“Protect it well, Astyria.”

As soon as she opens her eyes, the light coming from the sun starts to seep in between the curtains hanging on the wall. From only having cold winds yesterday, a downpour came along today. It seemed like the storm had begun and we were about to have very nice weather. 

It is the same image from before; the same person is in her dreams. However, this time there are remnants of tears in her cheeks. Her head hurts while throbbing. She tries to remember what happened in her dreams but the latter phrase is the only thing she fortunately recollects. 

She wanted to punch her head, hoping that by doing so, everything would just come together. There are a lot of questions where answers are nowhere to be found, and today another one has been added. “Who is Astyria?” she asked herself.

The sound of dripping droplets of water can be heard outside. Yesterday there was also grayish weather, but today is a lot dimmer. It is indeed the storm from the forecast last night. She enjoys the rain in this setting, but at some point, it saddens her to think that there are people outside where there is no roof that is protecting their heads. 

She breathed heavily before wiping the tears from her cheeks and removing herself from the mattress lying on the floor. She looked between the cracks in the walls and smiled. Danae thought that, eventually, she was thankful that even though the church was on the verge of collapsing, it stood strong and protected her and the other people. 

Danae went to the kitchen and prepared a cup of tea. She is contemplating whether to take a shower or not because she knows how chilling the water would be in this kind of weather. She sighed at the thought of her bathing while shaking because of how cold it could be. 

She looked through the window and observed how the rain met with the ground. She indeed loves this scent. It is her favorite phenomenon.

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Danae’s POV

I didn’t have the chance to tour and look around the school yesterday. It was so uncomfortable because there were a lot of them asking what school I came from and any other things they could ask. Being rude wasn’t in my vocabulary, so I just politely answered everything while minimizing looking at them. 

The school is pretty occupied despite being a three-story building. It is also painted in a combination of yellow, white, and blue dyes. It is decently lively for a school, as it is also well-ventilated with each room having enough air conditioning and a heater. 

The rooftop is open for students. It is unusual for a school to allow those doors to be opened open, but they put a lot of safety measures to open them, such as heavy and high barricades on every side, and a different security guard that is only designated in that area. 

Thankfully, this time, the clouds rested after pouring their emotion. That way, I was able to see the view from the rooftop. I’m always down for looking at different views at such high places. During the day, there are a lot of colors to look at － the green of the trees, brown mountains, colorful buildings, and all of these are lit by the sun. At night, the city lights and busy streets are the scenery to look for. 

I slowly walked towards the lady standing behind the door. She is wearing the usual uniform for a security guard; blue polo, black pants, while carrying a baton. Her hair is neatly arranged into a bun, making her look so clean and respectable.

A smile formed on her lips when I approached her. She offered a chair beside her and gestured me to sit. I gladly accepted the offer and went towards the chair. She is standing so straight that it makes me feel so numb. Looking at her posture, I knew for sure that she wanted to do her job right. 

“Are you allowed to talk?” I asked her while putting the Tupperware covered with a handkerchief on the small table attached to the chair. 

The morning classes were canceled because of some unannounced emergency. It was then said that we could do anything we wanted as long as our noises were observed. Some went to the cafeteria with their friends, while some did studies at their desks. In my case, I went for a walk. 

The feeling of pain after experiencing how my teacher would die is still fresh in my mind. The car － how it breaks my bones, how I cough blood, I experienced it myself. That is a curse of mine. I can see how people will die after looking into their eyes. When looking at the scenario of their demise, my body would represent them and I will experience the same pain they were about to experience. 

“Of course, I’m allowed to talk. Do you want to eat lunch with me?” she replied while maintaining her posture. 

I looked at the clock on my wrist for the time. It’s one minute before noon. I then realized that she was just waiting for the exact time for her lunch break and spending it with me. I stopped myself from removing the covers from my containers and patiently waited for her. 

“Don’t you think it’s weird that this rooftop is open for the students?” I queried.

“That’s my purpose, that’s why I’m here. I stand here to ensure that everyone who comes here will be safe.” 

－－

I went back to the classroom when it was announced that it would resume. I ran along the stairs and tried to prevent myself from coming back late because I didn’t want to attract any eyes to me. 

Mrs. Antonio, the lady security guard on the rooftop, bid farewell to me when she heard the bell ring. She asked me to come back and visit her anytime, and I gladly accepted her offer. Having to talk to someone older and mature, the time I spent with her, we can say was well- spent. 

“Have you heard the news?” the girl sitting behind me asked her seatmate.

“What news?” her seatmate replied while she continued writing down the notes she took earlier from the self-study session they did. 

Their conversation attracted the attention of the class. The once live and murmuring students are now looking at them and patiently waiting for them to continue talking. 

“Our homeroom teacher was hit by a car yesterday,” the girl who started the conversation carried on with.

Her seatmate was flustered, and it was very noticeable on her face that she was sorry, worried, and engulfed by fear. The class was filled with silence, and they were slowly eating them one by one, not knowing what they had to say.

Suddenly, a long stick was abruptly struck on the table that made the students flinch. A man wearing a blue sweater is standing in front, having that beautiful smile he has.

“Class 3-1. Good morning,” he said placidly.

The class is still unaware of the identity of the man who suddenly entered their room in the middle of their discussion.

“I'm Mr. Ratra and I'll be your new Homeroom Teacher.'

My desk is located near the back, so peeking through the window and immersing myself in the view outside is a possible task to do. The rain had stopped, leaving only wet soil and floors. From the gate, I could see five men standing beside Mr. Francis. I counted them with my eyes and softly muttered, “Five.”

Suddenly, there was this unusual warmth in my chest that took my focus away from the outside. I carefully lifted the shirt I was wearing and looked at it. I am afraid, I don’t know how to explain what I am seeing, but the pendants on my necklace are glowing and I knew for sure that this had not happened before. 

I unconsciously looked at the man standing in front of the class. He is still there, but now looking only at me, smiling widely and wearing that pair of red eyes. I quickly pulled my gaze and clumped my fist under the cold desk, while hoping that all of these things I’m seeing are nothing but imagination.