Chapter Nine

"He committed suicide?" Korah could not believe his ears. Sammy was probably the first person to commit suicide at Preston Prep Academy.

Esther nodded, "He came to Preston Prep in Year Eight and I came in Year Nine. It was my first term at the school by then. We were having some sort of... what was it? Grade hiking?"

"Yeah. It was a school tradition for each grade to go hiking yearly. We usually went hiking in the forests that surround the school because they have a mountainous area. The principal said it was a way for us to get fresh air and not stay locked up in the school. The tradition was banned though."

"It was the Year Nines' turn that day and as usual, we went hiking," Esther said. "I spent my time with my other friends that day. We had a lot of fun that day but when the time came for us to return to the school, our class teacher discovered that Sammy was missing. We went searching for him but after two hours we gave up. The police was called and we were sent back to the school. We were told that the police would continue to search for him."

Korah listened to the story intently. How could he possibly have forgotten the date when all that happened?

"The next day we were told that Sammy had been found," Esther continued. "But he was not found alive. He was found dead and with several broken bones. Apparently he had jumped to his death. He was alone and I didn't know about it. It was entirely my fault. He had got into a serious fight with some boys the previous term (according to what I heard) and was being bullied, and I wasn't even there for him. He was always there for me. He was there for me since we were seven. He would have been seventeen this year. Today is his death anniversary. Tomorrow would make it the day that he was found dead by the police four years ago."

Esther started to weep again. Korah put her locket back into her hands and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's okay, Esther. You're not at fault, but how come the school doesn't ring the bell like they do every year on the death anniversary of the students and teachers?"

On each death anniversary the school would ring the bell ten times in a period of ten minutes. They would then mention the name of the dead student or teachers as a form of remembrance.

"His mother refused to let them do so," Esther explained. "She said that it would bring back unwanted memories. She said that she would rather have them do it every five years."

"But she won't be here to hear the bells. Why would the bell ringing affect her?"

"Maybe because she works here."

"Who is she?"

"Miss Greene," Esther replied.

Korah was taken aback. He did not know that Miss Greene had been married before, let alone have a son. No wonder she's such a miserable woman. She was a widow and she had lost her only child. It was then he remembered that Samuel's last name was Greene.

"That's why she hates me," Esther said. "She thinks it's all my fault that Sammy's gone."

Korah hugged Esther even tighter.

"Come on, don't cry. Have you eaten anything?"

Esther freed herself from Korah's hold and nodded her head, "I had some honey tea his morning."

"Then how about you go back to your room and rest?" Korah asked. "It's cold here and you haven't even taken your shower this morning. Don't hate me for saying this but you stink."

Esther playfully punched his shoulder, "I'm certain I don't smell that bad."

"Your flu must be really bad. You can't even smell yourself."

Esther glared at him for a while before putting the locket back around her neck and standing up, "I'm going to freshen up and then have something to eat."

"Will you be around for afternoon classes?" Korah asked.

Esther shook her head, "No. I'll go straight back to the dorms afterwards."

Korah nodded his head and then stood up. He dusted his trousers and motioned towards the doors, "Then I guess we should leave the church."

Esther nodded, "Let's go."

---

Korah went straight to his next classroom from the church. He still had about thirty minutes left for lunch but he preferred to be on his own for the time being. He wanted to rest his head and clear his thoughts.

He really hoped he would not be found out. Well, at least not for now.

---

After her bath, Esther returned to her dorm room. She would eat when lunch was over. If she went now all the students would be there and she didn't want anyone to see her looking the way she did. She was sure that she looked like a mess.

Esther dried her hair with her towel and then threw it on the chair that stood by her study desk. She grabbed her hair brush from the drawer of her study and began to brush her slightly damp hair.

As she brushed her hair she thought back at how Korah confronted her. Begin confronted caused her to relive the painful memories but at the same time she felt like she was not alone. She was happy to pour all her pain out. She had a shoulder to cry on. She was pleased to have a friend like Korah. How would she survive at Preston Prep without him?

The following day, Esther was back to her normal self. She woke up with a headache but she did not let it stop her. She was a lot happier. She dressed her bed, took her bath, brushed and then dressed up in her school uniform.

She returned to her dorm room, said her morning prayer, grabbed her bag from off her study desk, and slung it over her right shoulder. She left her dorm room after closing the door quietly. Most of the school was still asleep because the morning bells had not been rung yet.

Esther made her way downstairs and checked the time on the wall clock in the hallway. It was thirty minutes past six. Breakfast was at seven. Why hadn't the bells been rang yet?

She was initially on her way to the cafeteria to make herself Dexter's famous honey tea but a figure caught her eyes. She could tell that it was a male's figure by his stature and slightly muscular build. However, she couldn't tell who exactly it was because the person was wearing a black hoodie and used the hood to cover his head. He also had a black mask on his face.

The hooded figure opened the school doors and exited the building, closing the doors behind him. Esther was sure he hadn't seen her.

Due to her curiosity, Esther followed quietly behind. She walked to the school entrance doors and placed her hand on the door handle but a voice from behind her made her jump in fright.

"Hey, Esther."

Esther turned around immediately and came face-to-face with Dexter. He was dressed in his full uniform and had his black hair gelled back neatly.

"Oh, hey, Dexter," Esther laughed nervously. She had no reason to be nervous but she didn't want to give off any suspicious vibes. "Are you doing well?"

Dexter nodded his head but then looked down to study his appearance, "Do I look bad?"

Esther shook her head, "Not at all. You look very smart actually."

"Why, thank you," Dexter said with a satisfied smile on his face. "What are you doing?"

"I woke up early, I guess. How about you?"

"Breakfast is at seven and it's already six thirty-five. I was supposed to ring the bell at five but I woke up late and took too long in the shower. I am on my way to do it."

"Let me follow you," Esther said immediately. She wanted to see if she would spot the hooded and masked figure who exited the building. When she noticed how desperate she sounded she calmed down. "I mean, may I escort you outside?"

"Of course," Dexter said and opened the doors. "Let's go."

The two stepped outside and made their way to behind the church – where the bell was located, Dexter walking ahead of Esther. All the while Esther kept her eyes open for the person she had nicknamed 'The Masked Hooded Guy'. Not a very creative name.

Esther followed closely behind Dexter but kept her eyes on her surroundings. Dexter began to talk but Esther zoned out on everything that he was saying. After concluding that The Masked Hooded Guy was nowhere around them Esther gave up her search and focused her attention on Dexter.

"-since then, my great grandmother has never got into another car," Dexter concluded his sentence with a loud bark of laughter. Esther did not know exactly what was so funny but she joined in with an awkward nervous laugh.

It was weird hearing Dexter laugh. Esther and Dexter had never gotten along well before, so this was a second. The first being the making of the honey tea.

Dexter stopped walking once he reached the bell and picked up the rope that hung from the bell. He tugged at the rope thrice, casing the loud sound of the bell ringing to fill both he and Esther's ears. Esther had not expected it to be that loud and could feel herself going deaf.

Dexter than dropped the rope and turned around to face Esther who was blocking her ears with her index fingers.

"Loud, isn't it?" He asked with a laugh.

"Really loud," Esther agreed, shocked that she was still able to hear, despite her blocking her ears.

"Come on," Dexter said and grabbed Esther's hand, "let us go to the kitchen. I have to make you my famous tea."

Esther dropped her free hand and used it tear off Dexter's hand from hers. "You do know that I know how to make the tea, right?"

"But no one makes it better than the original person," Dexter said.

"Your grandma is here?" Esther asked in an attempt to joke but Dexter did not understand the joke and looked at her with a poker face.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Esther sighed. "Let's just get back inside."

"Right," Dexter said and led the way back into the school building.

Once inside, they could hear the footsteps of the other students and the splashing of water from the showers. The other students had definitely noticed how late they were, or how late they were going to be for breakfast.

"Come on," Dexter said, "let's go to the kitchen."

Esther followed Dexter to the kitchen. The lunch ladies were still preparing breakfast. Dexter asked Bertha for permission to use the kitchen, and once he was given that permission, he began making his grandma's famous tea for Esther.

Esther zoned out completely from her surroundings. Thoughts of all that was happening in the school filled her mind.

Did The Rebels gain a lead on the case of the missing students? What about Principal Winter? What was he hiding? Who exactly was the Masked Hooded Guy?

She had a lot of questions and she wanted answers.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Dexter. He stood beside her with two coffee mugs in his hands.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," Esther replied with a forced smile. "Why do you ask?"

"Your throat was sore just last week and you were absent from classes the whole day yesterday," Dexter stated.

"Oh, you noticed?" Esther asked.

How did he even know? They were in different classes.

"Almost the entire school did. You're Esther Brown. You're the Vice Student President and people keep their eyes on you," Dexter explained and handed her one of the mugs. The aroma of the honey tea hit her nostrils as soon as she brought the cup to her lips. She was about to answer his initial question but then realised that he had actually regarded her as the Vice Student President.

"You actually respect me as the Vice Student President?" Esther asked, her eyes widening in shock.

Dexter took a sip of his tea and nodded his head. He licked his lips before replying.

"I mean, people still see you as an influence in the school. I personally believe that I have more influence than you and I do almost all the work, but the other students still show you respect," Dexter replied, looking her straight in the eyes. "Now, was Samuel Greene the cause of your sorrow?"

Esther shoved her coffee mug into Dexter's free hand, "I really just can't believe you. You self conceited and selfish brat. Keep your tea to yourself... On a second thought, give me that tea. I deserve it. Thank you very much for the tea!"

Esther grabbed the cup from Dexter's hand and stormed out of the kitchen. The eyes of the lunch ladies were on the door even after she left.

From behind her she heard Dexter yell: "I'm sorry. I won't mention Samuel again... Dang! I just did."

She was incredibly angry with him. Not only did he brag about how superior and more hardworking he was compared to her, but he also mentioned Sammy to her. She was done with his bratty behaviour. She was just going to go straight to class and forever stick with her small friend group. She was not in desperate need of new friends.

She still let out a heavy sigh because she knew she was nothing compared to Dexter. He was wealthy, smart, knew how to play an instrument and most of all, he was from Saint Liane. She was just a creature who originated from Mamar.