Project LOTUS: Beautiful Monster

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

SSG Office

I THINK I saw a figure emerged from nowhere.

It's like a silhouette of something... or someone.

My steps wavered as I stared at it. But then, I felt a sudden skin-tickling sensation spread over my nape down to my toes. It was like an electrifying air that spread through my core in a brief manner.

Why don't you show me your face, coward?

The blinking of the lights persist to slapdashly scintillate in the gloomy hallway. It seems like the bulbs have gone mad and if I let this affect me, I would surely get dizzy.

"Arylle..."

I suddenly heard a faint voice from my right so I absent-mindedly direct my head there but all I saw was a closed and empty classroom.

I gaze at it for a couple of seconds more before returning my eyes on what's in front me. And just like what I expected, the shadow I saw earlier is now gone.

"What a piece of coward..." I mumbled boredly.

In the middle of the confusing lights, I tried to reach for my phone inside my pocket. However, no matter how hard I try to open the thing, it won't budge. I even pressed the power button of my phone but to no avail so I just put it back.

Playing dirty, huh?

The last time I checked, my phone was still ninety percent and I was able to use it earlier but now it would not even open. There is only one acceptable explanation in this kind of situation.

It's because of them...

...and whoever they are, they are a bunch of stupid weaklings.

I inhaled deeply as I alerted all my senses, my eyes are trying to absorb all the information around me. I tried to look behind me but just when I stretch my body to face the back, the bulbs stop flickering again. My posture remain in awkward twisted position as I tried to feel the environment again.

Silence filled the deserted hallway and darkness seems to reign the enigmatic scenery. I quietly withdraw from my awkward position and face my front again but before I can resume on walking, another foolish thing happened again.

A single bulb at the bottom part of the floor died.

"Oh come on, no other tricks than this?" I irritatedly whispered under my breath while staring at the darkness of that bottom part due to the absence of light there.

But before I could utter another word, another light beside it faded too.

I stepped backwards because my instinct says so, just when my foot touch the floor at the back, another bulb cease to light.

It was like the darkness is gradually stepping closer to me.

I did not wait for another bulb to vanish because I decided to continue walking--or more like--run towards the Student Council Office.

I sped up my pace when I was a few meters away from the office. I know that I am not a bit scared of darkness but my intuition says that something bad will happen if this kind of darkness will devour me now.

I quickly closed the distanced between me and the door, my fingers are questionably shaking when I tried to twist the door knob and open it but it did not budge at all. My eyebrows knitted as I try to do it again but I still cannot open the door!

Then realization hits me that it must be lock! And... and I got the key!

I immediately fished the key in my pocket and as soon as I've found it, I hurriedly inserted it in the knob to unlock the door despite of my trembling hands which I don't know the reason why.

I unconsciously glance at my back again and there I witnessed how the lights are fading one by one. The darkness is nearing... there is only one light bulb before the blanket of blackness will embrace me.

Before that happens, I heard the knob clicked open so I hastily opened the door and entered the room without wasting any more seconds. I felt a dubious fear erupted within my chest. Because of my sudden movements, I ungracefully lost my balance and slump down the cold floor of the Student Council office. But I could not almost process the pain on my butt because my eyes remained nailed on the closed door in front of me.

My heart is beating like a wild drum and I don't know why! I should not be scared and I don't usually feel that kind of thing but... my whole body is already trembling in fear!

Whoever they are...they must be--

"Arylle?" I almost had a heart attack when someone tapped my shoulder.

I aggressively look to see who it was and my breathing almost hitched when I discover the foolish creature.

"Tangent Reyes!" I swear I could almost curse his whole name as I utter every syllable.

My fingers are still shaky when I tried to point him accusingly on the face.

"I... I almost had a heart attack because of you!" I furiously spat.

His eyebrows met in an equally irritated fashion before staring deep into my eyes.

"What the hell? You think you are the one who has the right to have a heart attack when you look like a maniac who suddenly enters a room and abruptly collapses on the floor! Tell me, are you taking drugs or something?" He countered, his voice laced with restrained annoyance.

"W-what?" The only decent thing I can utter about his stupid rantings. But he just shook his head with disappointment and ignored me. He quietly went to the long table where his books are neatly resting.

I inhaled a chunk of oxygen before deciding to get up and fixed my probably withered and stressed appearance. I gently tap away the dusts that dirtied my clothes.

"What time is it?"

Tangent seriously ask out of the blue. His eyes are still fixated on the book he's holding.

"What?"

"I said... what time is it? Is that hard to comprehend?" His irritation dripping in every word.

I felt a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. I begrudgingly picked my phone to check the time.

"Five twent--"

My voice trembled and failed to finish off the words that I need to say when I noticed something.

My phone is already working...

"Five what?"

Tangent probed.

"Five twenty"

I unconsciously answered before incognizantly walking towards the long table while holding my phone.

I realized that the lights here are harmlessly open. I can't help but to wonder if the lights outside are already in their normal state as well.

Without feeling anything but curiosity, I turned around and walk towards the door instead and opened it.

I don't know what will I feel when I saw that the lights are in their normal state, in contrast to what actually happened. As if it did not witness my desperate sprint earlier.

I quietly closed the door again as series of questions flooded my brain when I tried to sit to a nearby chair.

Whoever--or whatever they are... acting and playing like this, I don't know what they are up to.

I unconsciously touched my chin while thinking all the possible reasons behind this unusual event.

Because of how bizarre the things are, I suddenly thought that maybe... they are like me. Specially because of the familiar presence that I felt. The only persons that can wield that can kind of presence are us.

But what I am more concerned of is the fact that they are here... in the school where I happened to study. Are they after me? Or are they actually also studying and I just failed to felt them for the past years? But what kind of guts or motives do they have to choose this exact moment to unravel their existence and right in front of my face, huh?

I have too many questions running all over my mind. If feels like an unending waterfalls, but I can't seem to find an acceptable answer that will sate the turmoil deep inside me.

"Here..."

My train of thoughts disappeared when Tangent suddenly materialized in front of me while holding something.

"Thanks..." I curtly said before receiving the thing he's giving me.

It was a cup of hot chocolate.

"Honestly speaking, this is just my second time seeing you looking so messed up..."

He said coolly, his eyes focused on his book again.

If I was in my normal mood, I would probably smash this table on his face because of his foolish statements.

How dare he say that in front of Arylle Zullien Andino? Messed up, huh? Do I look messed up in his eyes? If I am not really thinking too many things now, I would possibly throw this scalding chocolate on his pale face!

"Oh, yeah? And what's the first time then?" I asked in a controlled sarcasm.

But instead of answering me, he just smirk and closed his book.

I was about to ask the reason behind his smirk when the door suddenly opened.

I glance at the door and the person seemed to be a bit shocked.

"Oh, you guys are early." Nimsan, the student council secretary, pointed with a mixture of amusement and mild anxiety.

I just nodded at her, not in the mood to say anything at all. She just briefly smiled too.

Nimsan gently closed the door behind her before picking a sit inside the room. Then, she fixed her long, jet black hair in a pony. I can't help but to creased my forehead when I notice how sweaty she is. It's like she joined a fun run before going here or something.

"Nim, you look harassed..." Tangent brutally commented.

Nimsan just shyly smiled at him and did not utter a single response. She seemed a bit embarrassed of Tangent's sudden irrelevant remark. It's obvious that she just doesn't want to take his words seriously so she just tried to timidly brushed it off.

I rolled my eyes at Tangent's insensitivity.

"Ugh. Can you stop criticizing everyone for once?"

No matter how hard I try, I just can't help my growing irritation for him.

"I'm just stating my opinions..." he said reclusively before proceeding to get something from a nearby drawer.

I just shook my head of the arrogance of this organization's vice president. I have no idea how he gained the trust of the student body to vote him for this position.

I just heaved a sigh and tried to

block the thoughts about what happened earlier. I remind myself of the reason why I am here and it is to finish our friggin' Chemistry project.

So I stood up and also opened a drawer to get the unfinished project and smoothly put it on the table so I can start what I have to do.

While laying down all the materials needed, I accidentally hit the hot chocolate with my forearm causing it to spill on the table. Luckily it was a bit far from my project but the fact that I was like a clumsy toddler makes me want to slap my face.

"What the hell--sorry..." I hurriedly reached for a paper towel so I can fix the mess I caused.

"Tsk. Tsk." Tangent shook his head like a disappointed dad but with no intention of helping at all. Meanwhile, Nimsan alertly stood up so she can aid me on wiping the spilt chocolate.

While wiping the table, I notice something in her right hand.

Black blotches that seems to be ... burn marks.

Nimsan glanced at me and when she noticed that I was staring at her hand, she immediately hid it on her back. She used her left hand to clean the remaining chocolate on the table instead.

I found the gesture weird.

After helping me wipe the table, she immediately picked up her things again.

"I-I gotta go. I forgot that... I-I have to do something on our classroom..." and with that, she left the room. Even if she's not over 5 minutes here yet.

"Why are people so weird these days?"

Tangent inquired in the air with a tone of mock confusion.

I rolled my eyes at him but while trying to look irritated, I also notice something in his right hand... it has two band aids.

I tapped my fingers on the long table.

There's something wrong here.

--

-C.N. Haven-