156 The Old Church
Adam found himself hesitant to set foot outside the car upon arriving at their destination. With its walls overgrown with blackened vines and withered grass, the church seemed to be more ominous in person.
"Uh… guys? Mind if I stay here?" [Adam]
"Don't be a wuss. There's no such thing as ghosts." [Orion]
Adam looked at the church after hearing those words. It's old cobblestone walls and dry wooden doors told him otherwise.
"I don't mean to say you're wrong, but your opinion is wrong." [Adam]
"The hell? You just- what?" [Orion]
"Quit fighting. We've got other things to do." [Felix]
Walking past them, Felix was the first to approach the church.
"Wow~. Quite some guts you've got there, Felix." [Roy]
"Shut it." [Felix]
"As a matter of fact, you should- huh?" [Roy]
Cutting off his words, Roy suddenly turned to the buildings far in the background.
"Huh… would you look at that?" [Roy]
"Uh… Roy?" [Adam]
Watching Roy gaze far into the distance kind of freaked Adam out. So much so that he began to think that Roy saw a ghost.
"Nothing. Just daydreaming." [Roy]
"O-okay…? So you coming or what?" [Adam]
"Nah. I just realized I've got other things to do." [Roy]
The three looked at Roy with confusion.
"You literally just whined about not coming along a few minutes ago. You're acting kind of strange right now." [Felix]
"Yeah, but I just remembered things I've gotta do." [Roy]
"Then why were you looking over there?" [Adam]
Raising a hand, Adam pointed over Roy's shoulder.
"I said I was daydreaming, was I not?" [Roy]
"Whatever guys, let's just go. I don't want to miss our chance." [Orion]
"Wait. I think it would be better for Roy to join us though." [Felix]
"What?" [Adam] [Roy]
"Hold up, why are YOU surprised?" [Adam]
Roy shrugged his shoulders.
"Why wouldn't I? The kid hates my guts. In fact, you both do." [Roy]
"So you're aware of it." [Adam]
"Ah… I dunno what you're talking about." [Roy]
The conversation dragged itself out, causing Orion to become impatient.
"Okay, whatever. Talk all you want. I'm going in." [Orion]
"W-wait!" [Adam]
Ignoring his words, Orion approached the church and pushed on it's doors.
"Urgh…! Why are they so heavy!" [Orion]
The wooden doors creaked open, revealing the nave inside.
"Who's there?!" [???]
A voice called out, clearly cautious by it's tone.
"It's probably Toban. Though, he's usually never late." [???]
Orion looked down the hall, only to see three people standing near the chancel. They each wore a student uniform colored with a mix or black and blue, indicating that they were from hostile schools.
"Huh? That doesn't look like Toban. Hm… I kind of recognize him though." [???]
Orion glared at them, for he recognized the people before him. The three stood in a row, each wearing a strange mask by the side of their head.
"Liam, Bruce, and… Dante. It's good to see you guys again." [Orion]
His vision seemed to narrow on the middlemost person, ignoring Bruce on the left, and Liam on the right.
"...Why do you know our names?" [Bruce]
"Ah! I remember! He's the kid who got his ass beat a few weeks ago!" [Liam]
Orion clenched his fist in irritation.
"Maybe things would have gone differently if you guys didn't gang up on me." [Orion]
"Or maybe you could bring some friends? Oh, wait." [Liam]
Placing a hand above his head, Liam motioned as if he was scanning his surroundings.
"Looks like there are no friends in sight, again." [Liam]
Thinking he had the upper hand, Liam smirked at Orion.
"I could say the same to you. Haven't you heard what happened to your schoolmates?" [Orion]
"...What do you mean?" [Bruce]
"Toban, Gael, and their friends aren't here. Now why could that be?" [Orion]
"You…" [Bruce]
Stepping forward, Bruce almost lost his cool if not for a hand holding him back.
"...Dante?" [Bruce]
"Orion." [Dante]
"Oh, I'm "so" honored that you remembered my name." [Orion]
Speaking sarcastically, Orion spat at the ground.
"Twat." [Orion]
Ignoring his behavior, Dante managed to hold back an angered Bruce.
"...Where's Toban?" [Dante]
"Why do you want to know? So you can get your pseudo-boosters from him? Too late." [Orion]
Hearing that was all Dante needed to hear.
"Liam, Bruce. Get him." [Dante]
"With pleasure." [Bruce] [Liam]
The two charged at Orion, only to find themselves blocked from reaching Orion the next moment.
"What?!" [Bruce]
"Eh? Who're you?" [Liam]
There stood Adam and Felix, slowly pushing Bruce and Liam back in a battle of strength.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Liam, I brought my friends. I hope you don't mind." [Orion]
