12 Aster Has To Die

They heard a loud bang on the door. The headmaster asked Aster to open the door. Aster walked towards the door, slowly, thinking about getting expelled from the school. He opened the door and saw a familiar figure. It was Dr. Schwann. He came in straight and sat in the chair opposite to the headmaster. He looked less like a doctor that day. His respect seeking face had given away to red anger. His face was completely red. He looked at Aster and then at the woman beside him. He did not know her. She was beautiful and was the female version of Aster. He guessed that it would be his sister. The headmaster looked at the doctor in complete distaste of his uninvited arrival.

"I'm doctor Schwann from the City Hospital. You might have seen me yesterday. What made you to decide that Aster was to be expelled? "

The headmaster tried to keep calm.

"You have no reason to know that Mr. Schwann. The school authorities have already decided. "

The doctor could feel his blood boiling. He clenched his fists and slammed his strong fists on the desk. "I want to know the reason for you expelling Aster from the school."

"He beat up some boys in his class day before yesterday. We hadn't believed that then, as we thought Aster was weak and could never do that. But yesterday's events are a clear evidence that he did that."

"I did not ask for cooked up reasons Mr. Scott. I want the real reason."

" I don't understand what you are speaking. "

"Then, let me tell you something. It was not Aster who beat up those boys. It was me. I saw them bullying Aster and couldn't take it. Aster did try to use his sword but he didn't. They ran away from him in fear. I caught them afterwards and eat them up. Now you can remove the expulsion."

"That's impossible Mr. Schwann. He will be expelled whatsoever."

The situation was getting more tense.

"What's the real reason then?"

"He is a threat to the school. If we think a bit more deeper, even to the world. Our school has a reputation to uphold. We cannot have students who are involved in conspiracies attending the school."

Doctor Schwann couldn't contol his anger anymore.

"So you are going to ruin a boy's future for your goddamn reputation? "

"Mr. Schwann please try to understand."

Amelia's blood was boiling. She was red with anger. She looked at Aster who was frowning. He was distressed. She took a step closer to the headmaster. Now she was standing near one of the sides of the headmaster's desk. She could see the doctor's and the headmaster's faces clearly. They were shocked by the sudden behavior of the woman. She looked at them furiously. She could have killed them with her looks.

"Stop this now! You, doctor Schwann, you were the one who dragged my brother into this! You're a brilliant actor. You dragged my brother into all this shit and now! Now you're acting as if you are his savior. What heck do you want from him? Nobody will expell my Aster from school! He did nothing wrong. You both better shut up and let him attend the class."

"Amelia you know the situation. Our school has a reputation to hold. You have yourself..."

Amelia. So that was her name. She's bold. The doctor was awestruck hearing those words from a girl.

"Don't speak about that bloody reputation again. Or else you will know the power of my spells."

Aster was burning from inside. Now he had dragged his sister to this mess too. He felt that he was the worst brother in the world. He wanted to run away from everything, everyone. He wanted to dissappear from the world. He had remained silent all this while, but now he thought that hehad to speak up.

"I'm ready to be expelled. I don't want to cause anymore harm to anyone here."

"But Aster..."

"No Amelia. It's done. I'm done. I will cause harm to dozens and hundreds of people if I stay. No, if I live. Those mages came here for me. All they want is me. Just because of me, my friends are in the hospital now. They would have died yesterday. Sir I'm ready to leave. Give me my dismissal letter."

The headmaster was already taking out the letter, when he was stopped by a strong, muscular hand.

"Aster, do you really think that those mages came here only for you?" Schwann asked.

Aster didn't know. So he kept silent. Why would they come here for him? What bad did he do to them?

"Aster, the mages will strike again. You die or live is not their matter. What they want is something else. You are just their tool to reach their aim.They want to use your powers. That's it. Tania cannot hold them off for long. She's strong but, her emotions will decieve her. She will have to open that door again. But, the next time they strike, they will probably announce their ambition."

"Doctor Schwann, please get out. He is ready for a dismissal. We cannot keep a student with such a dangerous background here." Mr. Scott said.

Aster did not fully understand what the doctor mean't. But he was sure that the mages will strike again and if they are not prepared, that will be the end of their world.

Just then, the door opened with a thud. A lot of people in formal suits came in. Hogman was one of them. One of them took out a card and showed them. 'MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WELFARE' it read.

"Aster Brown, we have got an arrest warrant for you."

Amelia exploded. "WHAT? WHY?"

"Who are you to ask that ma'am? "One of them asked.

"I...I'm his sister. I want to know why you are arresting him."

"Oh! So you are Amelia Brown, huh? Listen, miss, he is a public threat. You might have come to know of the event that happened yesterday night. Those mages came here only for him. We have assessed the situation well and have found out that he should be arrested and trialed in the court."

"What did he do?" Amelia's voice was pleading.

"Miss please try to understand."

Amelia was red with anger.

"Understand what? That my brother is a potential threat to this world? He doesn't even know how he got those powers or why they are after him. And you want to arrest him?"

"Miss Brown, your brother, he has to die. For the good of this world."

"WHAT?" Dr. Schwann and Amelia shouted together.

Aster was shocked to hear that. He couldn't come to terms with what they just said. He felt that he was fainting.

Amelia was so angry that she went upto the officer who was speaking until then, and landed a hard punch on his face. The other officers pulled her away. That was when tha doctor noticed that Aster had fainted. He told the officers that Aster had fainted. They hand cuffed Amelia, picked up Aster and asked Dr. Schwann to get in their car. The headmaster watched this in utter shock. In his 30 years of teaching experience, he hadn't witnessed such a scene.

Amelia shouted all along. She cursed the officers for their ruthless behavior. The officers asked her to shut up. She didn't. Just then she saw Dr.Schwann wink at her. An assuring wink. Somehow, she felt that he would get them out. She felt that, he wouldn't let Aster die. Aster had not regained his consciousness yet. Everyone in the car was silent.

Aster slowly opened his eyes to find that he was in an unfamiliar place. He was cramped in the seat beside Dr. Schwann. He saw his sister sitting opposite to him. She had handcuffs on her arms. He was shocked to see that. He felt dizzy. He tried to remember what had happened. Yes he remembered. He thought about his death. He was sure that he would die. He had to. For his friends, parents, sister, everyone.... He felt that his death was inevitable. But before he dies, he wanted some answers. He looked at his sister who was lost in thought. The doctor held his arm tightly. He whispered in Aster's ears, "I'll get you out. Don't worry."