The Deception's Rage

Chapter 3

Trigger warning: violence

Aurelia

"I'm scared," I said, frustrated.

I don't usually deal with kids. The reason for that is because I don't hold back. I don't give a single f**k about the environment they grew up. They'll get what they deserve.

As I walked into the classroom, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. The students stared at me blankly, not bothering to greet me as I introduced myself as their substitute homeroom teacher. My gaze fell upon a girl in the back row, her face and arms covered in bruises. When she noticed that I was staring, she gave me a sly leer. I assumed she was Kelsey, since that was the name on her tag.

"Good morning, everyone. As you all know, Ms. Olivia is no longer your homeroom teacher." I informed them even though no one seems to be interested. "I'll be filling i—"

I was interrupted when a shoe was thrown at me. I caught it, but my anger was rising.

"Substitute homeroom teacher? You're better off as a prostitute," Kelsey taunted from the back of the room.

Everyone in the classroom laughed, except one. It's the girl next to Kelsey, the one with glasses and long wavy hair, who gave me a small smile and a nod of welcome. It was a small gesture, but it seemed sincere.

"Shut your trap, Kelsey," she said. "We don't need any more trouble today."

Kelsey pretended not to hear what she said, and continued. "What's with the eye patch? Are you blind in your right eye?" she asked, pertaining to my eye that Zale cut.

"Why? You also want this?" I retorted.

She scoffed. "You're funny, really, let's see if you can last long here."

The bell rang, a sign that it's already their break time. Kelsey gestured me to follow her. This kid is really something. Sa tingin niya ba ay lahat ng tao mas mababa sa kaniya?

Without a word, I followed her. Let's see what she has, then.

Umakyat kami patungong rooftop. I pursed my lips to refrain myself from laughing. Halos lahat ng kaklase niya ay nandito, even the girl who told her to shut up a while ago.

Hinigit niya ang braso ko para itulak ako papuntang gitna, ngunit bahagya siyang nagulat dahil hindi man lang niya ako napagalaw sa pwesto ko. "Oh, am I supposed to act weak?" I sighed wearily.

Mas lalo siyang nainis nang may narinig siyang tumawa mula sa likod niya. She looked around to check if someone from her classmates were laughing, but she found none.

"You're a f*****g b***h, aren't you?!" She approached me and tried to stab me with a scissors she was hiding in her skirt. I easily dodge her attack. As for my attack, tinuhod ko ang sikmura niya. "Ugh!" she screamed in pain.

I am kinda enjoying the idea that I made her kneel in front of me. Hinila ko ang buhok niya at kinaladkad siya sa isang corner ng rooftop. She was asking if I am a b***h.

Am I? Maybe worse than that. Like some petty woman who likes to f**k up kids and make them feel miserable.

"It was nice playing with you, fake Kelsey," I whispered to her ear. She started crying, which I already expected. Hinatak ko ang name tag niya sa blouse niya at humarap sa mga kaklase niya. I slowly walked to the direction of the real Kelsey who was smiling the whole time.

It was the girl with glasses and long wavy hair, who were acting nice a while ago. She asked the other student to deceive anyone who'll substitute their previous homeroom teacher. Too bad for her, I already knew it from the start.

"You're not a real teacher," aniya habang kinakabit ko sa kaniya ang name tag niya. It wasn't a question, she was so confident about it. I bet she does this all the time.

I smirked. "So what is it to you if I'm not? You see, you're not the only one who can lie and manipulate others."

She was still smiling, but it was evident in her eyes that she's hesitant. She flinched a bit when I tried to take a step towards her. Mukhang hindi siya natuwa sa pang-aasar ko kaya sinipa ang tagiliran ko.

That stings.

Hinayaan ko lang siyang umatake sa akin. I didn't bother to avoid all the attacks she made. Hindi rin naman ako masiyadong naaapektuhan nito. She's still a kid, after all.

When she finally got tired, I took that opportunity to slap her. Some of the students already ran away, but some stayed to watch. I assume they find this satisfying as much as I do.

Sa sobrang lakas ng sampal ko ay bumagsak siya sa sahig. It took her a minute to stand up again. Like the fake Kelsey, she was also hiding a weapon. "Interesting," I muttered. She has a dagger.

She attempted to stab me with her dagger, but embarrassingly missed. Perhaps it was due to the force of my earlier slap. I was able to snatch the weapon from her hand, but in doing so, I accidentally cut myself on the blade. I heard the gasps of everyone around me as blood continued to drip from my hand.

I was about to make a cut near her eye to match my own, when suddenly someone threw water at me from behind. To my surprise, the water also contained trash. I was furious, but Kelsey found it amusing and laughed at my reaction. This is really pissing me off.

Kelsey cockily said, "Giving up already?"

I laughed hysterically and threatened, "If you want to live, run." I wasn't just talking to her, but to everyone still watching. Everyone except Kelsey ran away. Although clearly scared, she didn't show it. I had to give her credit for that. I approached her, but she didn't flinch. It was as if she was ready to counter my attacks.

I grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the wall. "Since you see everyone as lower than you, I'll give you the view," I said as I hung her head over the rooftop railing.

"s**t," she cursed.

Binawi ko ang ulo niya at muli itong iniharap sa akin. She instantly avoided my gaze as her eyes were already teary. But it didn't stop me from making her suffer.

"Where's Carleigh?" I whispered on her ear. I kinda felt it when she shivered. "So, you really know something?"

"No! Wala akong alam!" she exclaimed. Kumunot ang noo ko nang magsimula siyang umiyak. "I don't... know anything." A few seconds later, she stood up and snatched my eye patch.

"Woah," I said, surprised. What's with my eye patch at parang kanina pa nila tina-target? Napa-awang nang kaunti ang bibig niya nang makita ang sugat ko sa mata. "It looks cool right?" I asked.

"You look like a f*****g monster that you are," Kelsey grunted.

I'd take that as a compliment. I think I need to thank Zale. Tinitigan ko muna siya saglit bago bumuntong-hininga. I wonder if she'll already talk if I hit her head once again.

I looked at my watch, "I need to finish this in five minutes. Someone's waiting for me."

She scoffed. "Do you think I care about tha—"

I didn't let her finish her sentence as I kicked her stomach. Napabaluktok siya dahil sa lakas ng pagkakasipa ko sa kaniya. Serves her right. She's so damn cocky. Students are f*****g hard to handle.

"You'll talk or I'll just sew your mouth para hindi ka na makapagsalita kahit kailan? You're lucky, I'm giving you choices."

She mumbled something, but I didn't hear it right.

"What the hell is this?!" The director came at us, looking furious. I looked behind him, it was Kelsey's underlings. "Ms. Lim, care to explain?"

"Hmm?" I hummed. "I'm sure those students already explained to you." Nginuso ko ang mga estudyante na nasa likod niya. Those little rats.

"I already called an ambulance," he informed me. "Don't let this happen next time or I'll fire you."

I walked past him and smiled to those students who thought they'll easily get rid of me. "Nice try, girls. But if I were you, kumaripas na ako ng takbo kay Kelsey. She's having a hard time breathing. And who knows? Baka hindi na siya abutin ng ambulansya."

I tried to hide my little laugh when they all ran to Kelsey. "Cute," I murmured while walking down the stairs. Nakasalubong ko pa ang iilan na estudyante at teachers na paakyat din sa rooftop.

When I got out of the building, I immediately turned my gaze to Zale. His brows wrinkled when he saw my state. Plus, the ambulance arrived really quickly. That's quite amusing.

Before I even stepped inside, he bombarded me with questions about what had happened. I told him once again that I was scared, but not for myself. I was worried about those students. As I wiped my face, I couldn't help but feel disgusted. I let out a muffled laugh when he asked me if I'd killed Kelsey. He was clueless. If I'd actually done something like that, I'd be behind bars by now. I didn't bother explaining the details to him. I knew he'd just judge me. Besides, I'd already given him a warning, hadn't I?

When we got home, Axel was sitting on the couch. "Yikes," he shuddered when he saw me. "You stink. What the hell happened?" He covered his nose.

Ang arte.

"I've been asked the same question a while ago." I rolled my eyes.

I immediately went up to my room without bothering to tell them everything that happened. I was extremely sticky and smelly. I swear, I will look for the student who threw water with trash on me.

I stared at myself in the mirror, and for a moment, I felt like I was looking at a monster. That familiar feeling of horror crept over me, and I couldn't shake it off. My eyes wandered over the scars on my body and the one on my eye. I couldn't help but wonder how I had survived bullets and knives, but couldn't handle this overwhelming feeling of vulnerability.

Life has a way of knocking you down, no matter who you are or where you come from. It can make you feel like you're drowning in hopelessness and despair. Even when you think you've hit rock bottom, it can find a way to push you even further down. It's like the universe has a sick sense of humor, enjoying our pain and suffering.

After I finished, I immediately went downstairs to eat. I thought Axel had already left because he's not fond of staying here. He was sitting in the kitchen, while Zale had his back facing me. I bet he's cooking something.

As I wiped my wet hair with a towel, I approached Zale and sniffed the food he was cooking. Usually, I'd be angry if someone used my things without permission, but he cooks well. I might give him an exception.

"Saan ka natuto?" tanong ko.

"Sa tabi-tabi lang," walang kwentang sagot niya.

After he finished cooking, he gestured for me to sit down. He scooped rice and the dish he prepared for the three of us. I snickered. What a show-off. When I looked at Axel, he was already eating.

I took a bite, and I don't know if it has been a while since I last ate homemade adobo or if this is just really good. "Bakit hindi ka na lang nag-chef?" I poked. Axel nodded as a sign of approval but didn't say anything as his mouth was full of food.

"Bakit hindi ka na lang manahimik?" he retorted insolently.

His attitude was so irritating that I couldn't resist the urge to annoy him. There was something about him that just rubbed me the wrong way. But as I tried to provoke him, I quickly realized that he wasn't going to let me get the upper hand. In fact, he seemed completely unfazed by my attempts to rile him up. Nakakainis.

We finished our food, and Axel volunteered to wash the dishes.

As Axel finished washing the dishes, I decided to bring up something on my mind. "Hey Zale," I said, "I need your help with something tomorrow. And Axel, do you mind keeping an eye on the CCTV cameras in that school?"

Axel simply nodded and mouthed "Done," as I expected he would.

Zale looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Go there disguised as a repairman or something. I don't care how you do it, just let me know when you're inside. I have a feeling that there's something strange going on in that school, not just with the students."