Chapter 12: Dead Man Walking the Halls

•National Academy of Science, 1st ward•

Ana

It has been about 10 minutes since they were both stuck in the hole. The hole was about 6 feet deep-she could easily propel herself using the walls and climb her way out but Ana thought it would be best not to look too suspicious.

She had to admit she had made an AWFUL mistake last night. She let her emotions take hold of her as her body moved before she could think.

So far, there has been no sign of any monitor robots floating around, that was to be expected since they were a bit far from the testing grounds.

Ana's train of thought came to an abrupt stop when she felt a glare from the back of her head. She turned and locked eyes with a VERY furious Valerian. His brows were furrowed, and although his face had its usual calm facade his aura exuded one of a predator ready to pounce on its prey, and his eyes--if looks could kill, she'd be dead.

"Well, on the bright side-" She tried to lighten the situation.

"There IS NO bright side!"

"There is always a bright side." Ana was so done with this whole loner-emo-sad-boy character of his. It took all her patience to even talk to him but the more he talked to him the more she hated him. He was violent, rude, and unnecessarily pessimistic (not to mention he was a killer) 'All for the mission' she consoled herself.

Valerian's temperament darkened. "Then you clearly haven't experienced the atrocities of this world."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic!" She exhaled.

He shot her another glare. "Such a ray of sunshine aren't you," Valerian said with contempt and sarcasm mixed in his voice.

"Ok. So...Maybe I took a wrong turn there...or maybe here..." A familiar voice said from above. "Ambrose." They both said at the same time.

"Huh?" Ambrose asked confused. "H-hello?"

"Ambrose, move towards the Diospyros ebenum. The tree with black wood." Valerian ordered.

"Oh, mysterious voice of the forest! I ask for your guidance! Guide me!"

"What the fuck?" Valerian muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

Ana stifled her laughter. "Ambrose! It's us!"

The rustling of leaves above signaled approaching footsteps. "What? Ana? V? Where are you?"

"Oh, there you are!" He laughed frantically as he saw their predicament.

"Ambrose! you idiot! Get down here!" Valerian snarled.

"You sure? You both could use a little alone~ time."

Valerian rolled his eyes. "I'd rather die." She could help with that. 'Don't worry, you will' she thought to herself.

"See? I'm stuck with such a drama queen" She complained as she reached out for Ambrose's outstretched hand. "I mean he's been complaining since-"

"Quiet" Valerian cut her off.

Ana turned her head and shot him a glare. "It's rude to interrupt-"

Valerian clasped his hand around her mouth. "Shhhh. Do you hear that?" He asked. His voice sounded confused-worried. It sounded genuine. Ana could feel his hot breath against her nape as he said those words. She realized how close they were.

Ana calmed down and tried to listen closely. There was nothing. Perhaps he was making fun of her again?

"Shit. Move, Sunshine!" He ordered, pushing her up while grabbing Ambrose's hand the moment she reached the top of the hole.

"What's wrong?" Ambrose asked confused.

Valerian dusted the dust and dirt off his uniform. It was a mystery how his hair still managed to look smooth and pristine after all that chaos while Ana was sure hers was a complete mess. "We better get back to the course. There's still about 20 minutes left."

It was clear there was something wrong. "What's going on?" She asked placing her hand on his shoulder to draw his attention. He visibly flinched at the action, perhaps he was not used to human contact. "What do you hear?" She added.

For the first time since they met, Valerian looked straight into her eyes. It was not a look of arrogance, it was not a look of annoyance, it was not a look of amusement. It was a look of concern. "He's coming." He whispered.

As if on cue, a boy sprung out from the trees behind them, giving them all a scare.

Judging from his uniform, he was a student, but he was covered in blood. "Are you ok?" Ambrose asked.

"Ambrose get away from him!" Valerian yelled and before Ambrose could retort the boy lunged towards him, growling and grinding his teeth.

Valerian pulled him away from the boy just in time to dodge. She got a closer look at the boy and noticed a familiar chestnut hair and a familiar would at the back of his head. "Kalix Dyle?!" Ana gasped in realization.

"I thought he was dead!" Ambrose shrieked.

"He looks dead!" Ana replied equally confused. He was in the same state the night they found his body cold and lifeless below the clock tower. His wounds were still there and his joints were twisted all in the wrong places.

"What happened to dead people don't go walking around?!"

"Normally, they don't!"

"Quiet, you two. Let's get moving." Valerian scolded as he kicked Kalix square on his stomach causing him to stumble backwards. Losing his balance, he rolled to the ground.

They followed Valerian as they made their way past the forest. "ARGHHHHHH" A deep voice screamed from behind them as they saw Kalix closing in on them.

"AHHHHHH" Ambrose yelled. "Why is he chasing us!" He asked.

"Just a wild guess but probably because we're with the person who killed him?" Ana said sarcastically.

"Well, you didn't do a very good job of killing him, V!" Ambrose shouted.

"Quit talking and start running" Valerian scolded as he picked up a nearby rock. Ana saw him take his aim and throw the rock at Kalix, effectively hitting in between his eyebrows.

Kalix instantly stopped in his tracks and fell face-first into the ground. "You killed him?!" Ambrose shrieked. "AGAIN!" he added.

Kalix gave an unhuman growl as he got back on his feet. His face now had a terrible wound. Blood came gushing out of his forehead wound and Ana was sure she could see the flesh peeking out from behind all the blood.

"God, how many lives does this man have?" Ana asked as Kalix charged toward them.