The Silver Lining Of The Wretched Cloud (4)

"Swamp, perfect. Now the swamp trap is a bit of a misnomer. While it may look similar to a swamp at a glance, there are some key differences. First of all, a real swamp will…." His voice fades out as my concentration moves back to Shinobu. I don't know why, but I'm starting to get really scared. It feels like something terrible is going to happen if I don't do something to help her. I can't help but think of Ashley. Maybe she'd still be alive if I'd done just a little more.

Travis moves on with the lecture, but I don't catch a thing. The hair behind my neck now stands erect. I look at the clock on the wall and pray for class to end so I can talk to her.

"That's it for today, everybody. I'll see you all next time." Everyone gets up and shuffles for the door, but I quickly make for the back of the room.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tyrion stands in my way.

"You're just going to stand by and watch? You're disgusting."

"You have no idea what is happening. You have no idea what she's going through."

"I'm about to find out." I move to the right of Tyrion, but he places his arm in the way. I grab his wrist hard and move it out of the way.

"Ahh." He pulls his arm back in pain. I ignore him and keep walking.

"Shinobu?"

"I didn't do it; I was just trying to get something to eat. He was the one who–"

"Shinobu!"

"Wha?!"

"What's going on? Are you okay?"

"Go away, don't touch me!"

"I'm not going to touch you. I just want to help." Seeing her in this state, I know that something is very wrong.

"Go!"

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what is going on."

"No!" She gets out of her seat and makes for the door.

"Wait!" In a panic, I reach out and grab her arm.

"AHHH! Go! Don't touch Shinobu!" Her lexicon is deteriorating. I've heard this happens to children when they are under severe stress.

"Just let me help you." She tries to pull away, but I don't let go; I can't let go. My mind is made up that I can't let her leave this room.

"STOOOP!"

"Shinobu, please!" My eyes are watering. I don't know how much more I can take.

"POTENTIAL BURST!" Her whole body lights up with electricity. She is preparing an attack, and I'm the target. I lower my head and flex my whole body. My only recourse is to use my skill.

"IRONFLESH!"

'zzzzt BANG!'

The entire room goes white, with searing pain coursing through my body. I've managed to raise my Ironflesh skill to level two, but I haven't worked out exactly how much damage it mitigates. My blood boils, and my skin burns, but I hold on. The attack lasts only a moment, but it's all I can do not to lose consciousness. I can't feel anything. I'm not sure if I'm still holding her arm anymore, but I keep my grip anyway. I look up and see the outline of a person in front of me.

"I'm sorry." I need to say something. "I'm so sorry."

Shinobu doesn't respond.

"Whatever happened to you, whatever you're going through, I'm so, so sorry. You don't deserve any of it."

"Stop it." I can barely hear her speak. My vision is fading, so I don't know how she is reacting to my words, but I keep talking. I have to keep talking.

"It's not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. Whatever is happening to you isn't your fault."

"Please stop." Her voice is getting quieter.

"I just want to make the hurt go away." I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. Everything fades to white.

"Please."

"I'm sorry..." And with that, I lose consciousness. I have a bizarre vision of a woman holding my face. Her deep violet hair is complimented by her purple eyes. I can see her arms stretched out, caressing my cheeks. It looks like she's smiling and frowning at the same time. Happy and sad. Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt someone? She doesn't answer, and her gaze doesn't change.

"NICK!" I wake up to Sakura's face inches from my own. I have no recollection of what happened or where I am. "Oh, he's awake!"

"Where am I?"

"You're in the classroom. You were attacked by Shinobu." At those words, everything comes flooding back.

"I have to get to Shinobu. I can't let her leave the room." I struggle to sit up, but something is holding me down.

"Woah there, slugger, you're lucky to be alive. You took quite a hit. Why don't you just lay back down?" Travis's calm voice pulls me back to the ground.

"No! I have to get up. I have to do something. I can't let her leave."

"She's done been gone. Her stepfather came a few minutes ago to take her home."

[It's too late. I couldn't save her. It's over.]

A wave of grief washes over me, and I allow Travis to push me back to the ground. I want to cry, but no tears well up in my eyes. I just feel dead. It seems I can't help anyone no matter what I do. I can't even save a crying child.

"Oh, I'm too late." I stare up at the ceiling. My vision returns to focus, and I see several people standing around me. Including Travis and Sakura, I see Josh, Shelly, Hugo, Jezabel, and the receptionist whose name I've long since forgotten. Several students are mulling about it, but I don't know any of them.

"Harassing a girl to the point that she attacks you. I hope you're happy with yourself," Jezabel chastises me.

"I was trying to save her."

"From what?"

"I don't know. She was a wreck, and I had to do something. I didn't know what to do." The room fills with silence at my words.

"Well, the electricity clearly fried his brain. Hopefully, the damage isn't permanent." Jezabel turns to leave.

"Wait!" I sit up and reach for her.

"What?" She flips around with a scowl.

"Thanks for checking up on me. It means a lot to know that you care." A devilish grin spreads across my face. I can't help but crack a joke to soothe my aching heart. I know I'll regret this later, but I can't help myself. Her cold expression drops into a disgusted frown.

"How can I not check on the guy who just wants to make the hurt go away."

"Oof, low blow." I can't help but cringe as I remember what I was saying before passing out.

"Try not to die before our next session," Jezabel says as she walks out of the room.

"Okay, bye. Love you."

"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!" Shelly falls to her knees, laughing as Jezabel leaves the room. I also notice a very satisfied smile on Hugo's face as he follows after her. I just wobble in place as I'm still a little out of it. Travis helps me up, and I exit the room; the sound of Shelly's cry-laugh drifts down the hallway along with me.