16 Chapter 16: Night of Blood

"CLASS DISMISSED."

AFTER hearing those words from  my Science professor, my classmates stood up from their chairs and fixing their things. Iyong iba ay nagmamadaling lumabas na waring may hinahabol na appointment.

I shooked my head and then suddenly I throw a glance at Kris, Sehun, and Junmyeon's seats. They are not around here because their gangs have a meeting with the student council.

I flinched when I think of those twelve together with the sinner people. Baka kung anong ang  gawin ng mga council sa labingdalawang iyon. Knowing them, they are a wolves pretending to be a sheep so that they can easily get their prey and the worst thing is they are not just the wolves that you may know. Student council is dangerous especially that Cedric Delacroix.

But despite of knowing how dangerous they are, somehow I can't feel fear and frightened. I don't know why but I'm sure that it's my instinct to win. Though we had only zero percent to win, I am willing to take a risk to make it one hundred.

Speaking of taking a risk, we are already had our plan in exposing the university illegal doings. Junmyeon and Chanyeol are true to their words because some of their co-members even in Dark Ravens doesn't know about this. And it's better na kakaunti na lang ang nakakaalam ng plano namin dahil baka mabulilyaso at kung sakaling may magtraydor, kilala ko na agad kung sino ang dapat sisihin.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang maalala ko ang lalaking nakabungguan ko kahapon. Sayang lang at hindi ko masyadong makita ang mukha niya pero pamilyar ako sa pabango niya. Sigurado ako na siya ang taong iyon. Kailangan ko lang ng sapat na patunay at sisimulan ko iyon ngayong gabi kasabay ng aming plano.

Pero may isang bahagi sa isip ko na humihiling na sana hindi na lang siya iyon. Sana mali ako.

Tumunog ang speaker na nakakabit sa poste ng bawat sulok ng campus dahilan kung bakit napahinto ang mga taong kasabayan kong naglalakad. Pati iyong naglilinis na janitor ay napahinto rin nang marinig ang boses ni Jake Li, the Public Information Officer.

"Calling the attention of all students in this university. Please proceed to the covered court for the further precautions for the biggest event tonight."

That's what he said. I mentally smile. They are really have a party, huh? Well, it's our perfect time to move. Tonight is the time when we can do our plan.

"Ano bang meron mamaya, besh?"

"Hindi mo ba alam? May party mamaya. Birthday celebration kasi ng headmistress ngayon kaya kasama siya sa party."

"Oh. Kaya pala busy iyong iba."

"Yeah. At alam mo ba ang maganda? Walang namamatay ngayong araw. Bakit kaya?"

Napaisip din ako sa sinabi ng babaeng nasa harap ko. Nakakapagtaka rin. Usually kasi may mga nababalitaang namamatay na estudyante dito. Isa o dalawang tao ang namamatay sa isang araw at madalas ding hindi nalulutas ng mga police. I wonder kung anong panunuhol ang ginagawa nila para mapahinto ang mga pulis sa pag-iimbestiga just to protect the school's name.

Sinasabi din nila sa mga estudyante na nandito na suicide ang nangyayari o di kaya'y may may killer na pumapatay na nakapasok sa loob ng campus without announcing to some studens na legal ang pagpatay dito. Yes. Madami pa rin ang walang alam sa history at rules ng school na ito. They were all feeding up with some lies at iilan lang ang may alam at kung alam man nila ay wala na silang pakialam doon. They  just want to achieve freedom in this school so that even the rules are against the human rights, they don't care because it can't stop them from doing what they want.

Nalaman ko ang lahat ng mga ito kina Yuri at Taeyeon nang minsan ay magkuwento siya tungkol sa background ng school na ito. I just want to punch those faces of some stupid students for being a illiterate person. They don't want to leave this university because it gives what they want? Tss. Masyado ng nalalason ang isipan nila at hindi nila alam na parte na pala sila ng experiment ng mga Delacroix.

Curse them!

Anyway, why did the Wall of Defense didn't kill just a single person this whole day? Is it have something to do with the event that is going to happens tonight? Why are they planning to do?

I feel something bad about this. I must be ready for what will going to happen tonight. And I'm sure this night will become bloody.

"I must informed Kris about our mission for tonight.." I whispered to myself then leave.

***

THIRD PERSON'S POV

AN EVIL smirk escaped from the man's lips. He was hiding behind the leaves of the plants, looking at Jessica who was talking to one of the Elites named Junmyeon.

He was following the girl these past few days. It feels like the girl was hiding something from them and he was not wrong.

There is something interesting negotiations happening between those four. He couldn't help but to feel betrayed. All along he thought that Jessica was trusting him. He thought that he was her friend but he was wrong and it made him mad and feel anger!

He took out his phone from the pocket of his black hoodie jacket and dial the number of his master.

"Yes, Sixth?" A baritone and cold voice spoke in other line.

"I have something to tell you, First.."

"What is it?"

A smirk appears on the man's lips.

"Let say it was very interesting. I'll tell you everything. Let's meet in the student council room. Call the other member of Sixth Knights and let our Almighty One be here so that they will hear what will I am going to say."

"Are you ordering me, Sixth?" May bakas ng amusement sa himig ng lalaking nasa kabilang linya.

"Yes. But I'm sure that you will be happy if you hear their plan."

"Okay. Do you think we'll include Cedric and the council?"

"It's up to you."

"Oh. Okay. Why I can sense that you are doing this for yourself, Sixth?"

"I am. You know that I want to seek for resurrection for my family, right? Plus I am mad right now and I want to kill all of them for betraying me." Anger was dripping on his voice.

The man from the other line chuckled. "Really? You spoke like you never betrayed them. You are also the one who betray them and pretending to be a sheep. How could that words coming from a traitor like yours?"

Natahimik ang lalaki. Tila tinatantiya nito ang sinabi ni First.

He heard the man sighed and spoke. "But it doesn't matter right now. All you have to do is to get a revenge to them. And don't forget that, if you are on our side, you will get what you want." Pagpapaalala nito at agad na pinatay ang tawag.

Suddenly, guilt was flowing from the veins of his heart up to his head. He remembered that he is the one who betrayed them for a long time. He was feeding them up with some lies especially the girl he like, Jessica.

What will Jessica do if she found out that he is the one who betrayed her? Ofcourse, she will get mad.

But what will Jessica do if she found out that he is the one who killed the whole Montecillo family and the one who killed her father?

And then suddenly, a tear escaped from his eyes.

"I'm sorry.." he mouthed while crying in guilt and in a deep sadness from what he done.

***

JESSICA'S POV

"Jessica, nakahanda na ba ang lahat?" Chanyeol asked to me over the phone.

"Yes, Chanyeol.." I answered while dressing myself with the long puple gown that Yuri brought me. Nag-aayos ako ngayon sa kuwarto ko plus pinag-uusapan din namin kung ano ang gagawin namin mamaya sa party ni Headmistress Delacroix.

"Is that Jessica?" I heard Junmyeon's voice.

"Yes, Junmyeon."

"Can you hand me your phone? I just want to talk with her."

Natahimik ang kabilang linya. Marahil ay ibinigay ni Chanyeol ang phone nito kay Junmyeon. Ilang sandali pa bago magsalita si Junmyeon.

"Are you okay?" He asked first. I can sense something in his voice. Like he was worried at me at something.

"To tell you the truth, I am not fine. But I will do it for all the victim's sake."

Wala akong kasiguraduhan kung magagawa ko ba ang gagawin ko mamaya. As an exchange for Tiffany's mission, I am the one who will get information from the council to locate the labyrinth that being hidden in the university. At para magawa ko iyon ay kailangan ko munang harapin ang Wall of Defense at ilan sa mga tauhan ni Cedric Delacroix, ang mga miyembro ng student council.

The labyrinth I was talking for is known as the place where did they doing their stupid experiment. It's like a labaratory but it has maze inside according to the info does Kris get. It was hidden inside the school campus and no one knew where to locate it except for those stupid evil doers, either the council nor the Delacroix.

And the actual plan that we are going to do later is while the Delacroix and the council are giving their speech in the stadium, Chanyeol and I will sneaked into the student council's room while Junmyeon and Kris are the one who will guided us on what to do or what we will do next since they are the one who knew the entire campus. Junmyeon and Kris will be on the gang secret basement so that kung may masamang mangyari sa amin ay malalaman din nila kaagad at hihingi sila ng tulong sa mga kamiyembro nila. And we will going to communicate using earpiece that Chanyeol invented.

Alam kong delikado dahil tiyak na nakaabang ang Sixth Knights at sa bilang nila ay paniguradong dehado na kami pero wala akong pakialam as long as humihinga pa ako, hindi ako natatakot na kalabanin sila even we are 2 against 5 dahil wala na si Sunny roon.

"Bakit hindi tayo magpalit? Ako ang kakalap ng impormasyon at ikaw ang sasama kay Kris? It's too dangerous for you, you know."

"No. It's final and I am not that coward even though I die, I will never thought of backing off."

I heard him sighed. "It's your choice so I'll better leave you at that. Just promise me you wouldn't die, okay?"

"I wouldn't. I am Jessica Jung and trouble is my middle name. Just remember that."

After I said that I already ended our conversation since Yuri was knocking me on my door and telling me to go outside dahil aayusan pa daw nila ako.

I sighed at kinuha ang silencer na bigay sa akin ni Kris kanina na gagamitin ko for my protection kung sakaling naroroon ang lima. Inilagay ko ito sa hita ko at tsaka inayos ko ang sarili ko sa salamin.

Kapagkuwan ay lumabas na ako ng silid. Bumungad sa akin sina Taeyeon at Yuri  na gayak na gayak sa kanilang suot. Yuri was wearing a pink off shoulder dress and her hair was braided, exposing her light brown neck while Taeyeon was wearing a blue gown and she didn't remove her eyeglasses, her hair was in ponytail and I could say that she was like a living doll.

Sabay silang napatingin sa akin pagkabukas ko pa lang ng pinto. Yuri gasped as she saw me dress up like a woman now. Madalas kasi mga jeans at sneakers ang isinusuot ko sa tuwing may lakad akong pupuntahan.

"Oh my gosh! Is that you, Jessica?" Yuri exlaimed as she ran towards me. She look at me from head to toe, examining my whole appearance. "You look like a goddess." Puri pa niya.

"An ice goddess to be exact." Taeyeon commented at tumabi kay Yuri. She even give me a genuine smile and she greeted me.

"Hi, bitch."

"Hello there, living doll bitch." I greeted back.

Napailing na lang si Yuri habang nakatingin sa amin. "Kayo talagang dalawa, hindi na nagbago. Ganyan talaga ang tawagan niyo?"

I nodded. "Yeah. At masanay ka na doon." Sabi ko at nilampasan sila. "Let's go. Magsisimula na." At lumabas na pagkatapos.

Hindi ko alam pero ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko ngayon. It looks like something bad was going to happen and I couldn't help but to worry.

I hope it was just my imagination.

Madaming tao na nang makarating kami sa covered court. Elegante at pabonggahan ang mga suot ng mga taong naririto. Nakita ko pa ang grupo nila Kai masayang nakikipag-usap sa grupo nila Luhan. And based on their looks and outfits, I could say that they are dashing and charming tonight because of their tuxedo suit. Well, lahat naman yata babagay sa kanila dahil guwapo sila.

Napalingon sila sa gawi ko nang mahagip ni Baekhyun ang titig ko at itinuro ako.

Sinalubong nila kaming tatlo. Nagkaroon ng kaunting batian at may iilang bumati sa akin ngunit ang aking mga mata ay may hinahanap. Hinahanap ko silang dalawa, Kris at Junmyeon pero ni isang anino nila ay hindi ko makita.

"They are already in their assigned place." Chanyeol whispered and I nodded. Now, kailangan lang naming hintayin ang paglabas ng council at sisimulan na ang plano.

"Jessica, where are Kris and Junmyeon, anyway?" Luhan asked me, eyeing me for some fish of information.

"I don't know." I replied and turn my gaze in front.

"Yung dalawang lider ba? Nako, nasa business meeting daw sila." Si Baekhyun na ang sumagot at hindi maalis ang titig sa katabi kong si Taeyeon.

"Hey, Baekhyun. You look like a lovesick dog. Stop staring at me!" Iritadong bulyaw sa kanya ni Taeyeon na mukhang kanina pa napansin ang hindi maalis na titig sa kanya ng lalaki pero pansin ko ang pamumula ng magkabilang pisngi niya. Well, I smell something fishy. This bitch could be in love at this guy.

Baekhyun just chuckled at what Taeyeon said. "Is it something wrong in staring at the girl that I want?" He asked making the boys teasing him.

"Shit, pare! Iba ka!" Kyungsoo.

"Upgraded na ang Baekhyun natin. From version 2.1 naging 3.1 na. Hahaha." Chen.

"Tss. Congratulations, anyway." Xiumin said and rolled his eyes.

"Ayiee. Si Taeyeoniee, may lovelife na." Yuri teases Taeyeon while poking her cheeks.

"Ano ba, Yuri? Bakit kayong dalawa ni Kai? Nakita ko kayo kahapon na nagdedate ah! Anong ibig sabihin non?" Walang prenong sabi ni Taeyeon dahilan kung bakit na kina Kai at Yuri naman napunta ang atensyon nila.

Hindi na ako nagulat roon. I knew it from the start. Kai was being playful towards the other girls except from Yuri. Kai had a deep crush on Yuri and the feeling is mutual. Kai confessed it all to me on that day when I rejected his affection for me.

"Talaga, pare? Akala ko si Jessica ang gusto mo?" Nagulat pa si Tao nang sabihin niya iyon.

I saw Kai flushed when he was torturing with too many questions by his friends. Iyong iba ay inaasar siya at ang iba ay tahimik lang tulad nina Yixing at ni Xiumin na ngayon ay iritado sa nangyari.

"You look gorgeous tonight." Napalingon ako sa likuran ko nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon.

And there I saw Sehun. He was all in a black suit. Inaayos niya ang tie na nasa kanyang leeg at pumuwesto sa tabi ko.

"Thank you." I replied while looking at the other Elites who are currently busy teasing each other together with Yuri and Taeyeon. Seeing them like this made me smile. It feels like they  are not chained in this university cruel law. I wish their happiness could last long.

Muli kong naalala ang kanilang mga rason kung bakit sila naririto. They all want justice for their family, for their love ones that are no longer existed. They want to seek the truth just like me that's why they study hard and work hard, they become stronger para makuha ang posisyong inaasam nila ngayon. Tulad ko ay pinatay rin ang kanilang pamilya at lahat sila ay may kaugnayan sa paaralang ito kaya sila naririto. We are all have the same goal, to seek for justice.

"I hope this day will never fade away." I said out of nowhere. I saw Sehun looked confused on what I said.

"This happiness that I am feeling right now. I hope it will stay still until the end of our life." I said and a small smile escaped from my lips.

"Yeah. I wish for it too." Aniya at pansin ko ang kalungkutan sa kanyang mga mata.

"May problema ba, Sehun?" I asked.

He shooked his head. "Nothing. I just remember the first day that we talk. I talk about that girl that I've met when I was in a darkness of times, right?"

I nodded at lalong nagtaka sa naging tanong niya.

"To tell you the truth, that girl was you."

Nagulat ako roon. "Hindi mo lang maalala siguro dahil may amnesia ka." He said and a small smile formed on his lips.

"I'm sorry." Malungkot kong sabi. That explains why I am sad when I heard his story on that day. The girl he was referring to was my old self.

"No. Don't be. I hope your memories will came back." Aniya at tumingin sa mga kasamahan niyang naghaharutan ngayon.

"Tsk. They are so annoying." I heard Xiumin whispered beside me.

"Since when did you got there?" Gulat kong tanong sa kanya.

He hissed at my questions. "Since the time when you and Sehun talked." Masungit niyang sabi.

"Oh, anong tinitingin mo diyan?" He asked.

I smile at him. "You're so cute."

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko at nakita kong namula siya. I smirked. "You are also blushing."

Iniwas niya ang tingin sakin at inirapan ako. "I am not. It was because of the party lights."

I chuckled at his reply. Such a child as always. Nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Yixing na kasalukuyan kaming pinapanood.

Nahagip ko ang kanyang mga mata at nginitian ko siya kaya nginitian niya rin ako pabalik. Nagpatuloy kami sa pagkukuwentuhan at pag-aasaran at naputol lang iyon nang biglang magsalita ang emcee sa harapan. And the emcee was no other than, Cedric Delacroix.

"Greetings everyone!" Tumahimik ang crowd nang magsalita siya. His evil voice was currently devouring the light atmosphere around us and turned it into dark.

I gritted my teeth pagkarinig ko pa lang ng boses niya.

"Chill." I heard Chanyeol whispered and I calm myself. Good thing that Chanyeol was there to stop me when I was in the urge of losing control of myself.

"I knew that all of you have a pleasure for inviting you to my mother's birthday party. I am pleased to hear that all of you are having fun here and I couldn't help but to feel envious to all of you."

"The whole council was here.." I heard Chanyeol murmured in a silent voice.

Napatingin ako sa harapan. Nakita kong kumpleto na silang lahat. Nakaupo sila sa monoblock chair at pinapakinggan ang speech ni Cedric. Isa na lang ang wala, si Mrs. Delacroix. Siya na lang ang hinihintay namin bago namin sisimulan ang plano.

"And let's welcome our headmistress and my mother, Mrs. Zylene Delacroix.."

Nagpalakpakan ang lahat nang ipakilala ni Cedric ang kanyang ina. Tinanguan ako ni Chanyeol kaya sabay kaming dahan-dahang umalis sa lugar na iyon na hindi napapansin ng iba.

Pero habang kami ay dahan-dahan sa pag-alis ay pinakinggan ko muna ang sasabihin ng headmistress.

"I know that all of you are confused kung bakit ako nagpatupad ng ganitong uri ng event. Well, to celebrate my 50th birthday, I've just want to make it more memorable and more interesting." And then a playful smirk appears on her elegant face.

Napahinto ako nang makita ko ang mga ngising iyon. Napahinto rin si Chanyeol at nagtatakang nilingon ako.

"Jessica? Are you okay? Let's get out of the crowd."

"This night is called A Night of Blood. Why? Because I want to celebrate my birthday in other way, by the use of weapons. You don't get it? Sa madaling salita, kailangan nating maglaro ngayong gabi. Let's play my game, my death game."

Matapos noon ay tumayo ang mga miyembro ng council at nagsuot sila ng mascot and the worst is may hawak silang mga patalim sa kanilang mga kamay. Nagsimulang mag-ingay ang buong paligid at ako naman ay kinabahan sa mangyayari.

Crap! Hindi na maganda ito!

"Chanyeol, contact Kris and stopped this mission."

"What? Why?" Takang tanong nito.

I met his gazed and spoke.

"Dahil alam na nila ang pinaplano natin. At ngayon mukhang may masama silang binabalak sa mga taong naririto."

"What?!" Kita ko ang pagkagulat sa kanyang mukha at kasabay noon ang pagbuka ng bibig ng headmistress at lumabas sa kanyang mga bibig ang mga kataga na tuluyang nagpadilim sa buong campus.

"Let's play the game of death.."