Hide and Seek : Redemption 2

N/B : Hey, guys. I noticed i haven't been treating you guys fairly concerning my publsihing schedule but I've fixed it. I'll be uploading chapters on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. I hope this sits well with you all. Also, don't forget to support your author with gifts and goldrn tickets. The chapters will be locked soon.

******

Music recommendation : Pidgin and English by BNXN.

(Author's POV)

(AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED BEFORE HIDE AND SEEK.)

The students walked into the classroom like they had done a thousand times. Ready for the interview.

'You mentioned traveling to Britain some time ago, what was your experience there?' The interviewer asked.

Lin crossed one leg over the other. 'Living in Britain was a step backwards. Honestly. I now realise it was a bad decision on my part.'

'So did you enjoy your stay in Britain?' asked the second interviewer.

Levi scoffed. His eyes cooly appraised the woman before replying. 'Spending holiday in Britain wasn't a prospect I found appealing. It sucked.'

Jacob dragged a hand through his hair. 'Britain was horrible. I try to blank out the whole experience.'

Charlotte wiped her sweaty palms on her laps. It was apparent from her face that she was really nervous.

Gina, the interviewer approached her. A smile animating her face.

'Don't be nervous, darling. It's only a few questions and we'll let you run off home.'

The sound of her voice was so calm that it nauseated Charlotte.

Gina asked, her eyes flashing. 'Your family emigrated to America. The environment and culture is different from what you're used to. Tell me. What experience makes you like America? I need your honest answer.'

Charlotte began. 'Traveling to America is something of an anticlimax after the years I've spent in London. I'm disappointed.'

'Sorry?' Gina said with a confused look on her face.

'Who is your friend in class?' Jimmy, the second interviewer asked.

Jacob smiled. 'Levi.'

'And how would you describe your relationship?' Jimmy inquired again.

The question clearly angered him as the smile on his face died. Jacob spoke in a Sottovoce. 'Arid. Like the desert.'

'How would you describe yourself?' Hermoine asked.

Levi seemed pleased by the question. 'I'm a babe magnet.'

Lin was positively beaming with joy. 'What beautiful timing! I am the bee's knees.'

'I consider myself a delinquent. My parents are concerned at my lack of enthusiasm for school.' Lenin replied.

Charlotte smiled at the camera. 'I guess I'm Queen Charlotte.'

'Is there anyone you like in your class? It's you and I here. For the cameras only.' Asked Hermoine.

Lin gave a shy smile. 'It's Levi.'

'Is it possible to like myself?' Lenin looked up.

Jacob cleared his throat. 'That's secret.'

'That's simple. I like Charlotte Melbourne.' Levi smiled.

Jimmy leaned back into his seat. 'But someone said she already liked you. A girl named Lin.'

Levi rolled his eyes. 'The girl with the weird speaking voice?'

Jimmy nods. 'Yes. The girl that speaks with the weird accent.'

'Tell her to fuck off.' Levi said.

'The only guy I liked is in London now. His name is George. I liked him a lot.' Charlotte said silently.

Gina pried further. 'You used the word "liked." Wanna tell me what happened?'

'Turns out here was a jerk.' Charlotte sank back into the plush leather seat.

'I hear Levi says he likes you. What do you think?' Gina quirked an eyebrow.

Charlotte gasped but no sounds came out. Finally, she replied. 'Levi drives me nuts.'

'Sounds like a jerk.' Gina laughed.

Charlotte palmed her face. 'You don't know the half of it.'

'I say give him a punch in the face after this interview.' Gina suggested.

'Sounds like a great plan.'

'Why do you like Levi?' Hermoine asked.

Lin's cheeks were flushed pink as she spoke. 'He's cute. He cares alot about me even though he acts like he doesn't. In fact, Levi is all soft on the inside. That's what I like about him.'

'Why do you hate Lin?' Came the question.

Levi scoffed for the third time that day. 'Come on. We both knows she's a scum of the earth.'

'You hate Levi, don't you?'

Jacob and Lenin answered simultaneously. 'Who doesn't?'

'I don't hate Levi. It's just that his attitude sucks.' Charlotte stated.

Jimmy kept his Ipad on the table beside his chair. 'What statement will you give in your year book?'

Lenin sat up. 'We are a generation of angst-ridden adolescents.'

Lin looked at her perfectly manicured fingernails. 'I'm really having a bad day.'

'The world is suffering what I call global schizophrenia and it's spear-headed by America.' Jacob said in a flat tone.

'My statement would be "Money can't buy you happiness but it can buy you a change of pace."' Levi smiled at the camera.

There was an Irresistible urge to ask her question. Gina felt it too and cajoled Charlotte to ask.

'My statement would be 'Who is the school director?'

Present day.

'Get in here now!' Matty bawled out.

Scottie bit his lips to hold the tears at bay. 'Shit. I can't do this, Matty. She's bleeding. That's real blood.'

There was a lot of background noise and Adolph needed to concentrate. 'Will you please just shut up?! I can't listen to your constant babble.'

To Gracie, he said. 'Bathe the wound and apply a clean dressing.'

Charlotte watched them silently. She had red eyes from crying. Lying on the bed was Lin. Covered in her own blood.

'Get up off your backside and do some work.' Gracie yelled.

2 hours earlier.

Dominic strode past Levi without a backwards glance.

'You don't seem surprised that I don't want to fight you?' He asked.

Levi was unconcerned. 'I don't care.'

'Don't spoil my appetite by opening your mouth.' Dominic had a scowl on his face.

Levi chuckled. 'So this is what frustration feels like.'

'Shut up.' Dominic flared.

'No, I won't.' Levi retorts.

Dominic laughs. 'You've borne a grudge with me ever since.'

'Why wouldn't I? You made me put my brother in a hospital.' Levi replied. Anger boiled in his.

The tension thickened as students hurriedly try to make their way to both of them. The atmosphere charged with unease as the heated argument between two students escalated into a full-blown fight.

In the center of the lunchroom, a group of students form a menacing circle around the two individuals. Shouting filled the air, accompanied by occasional push or shove, as the mounting anger reaches its tipping point.

'I'm gonna murder you, Lee.' Dominic roars at him.

'I'll love to see you try.' Levi spat blood from his mouth.

The surrounding students instinctively created a ring. Some watching with curiosity, others anxiously urging their peers to stop.

'Someone should stop them.' A female student cried.

A harsh reply came. 'Fuck you. This is a million dollars we're talking about.'

'No, she's right.' Another male student supports the sobbing girl. 'Lenin said we should bring Levi alive and not kill him. What if Dominic ends up killing Levi? I can't go to jail.'

Trays of food were scattered haphazardly on the floor, making it difficult for anyone to intervene or escape the brewing confrontation.

Adrenaline pulses through the Levi's' veins, and the pained expression on his face is mixed with determination. Dominic, on the other hand, fists clenched, raises his arm and throws a punch, connecting solidly with Levi's face. A collective gasp escapes the crowd, intensifying the chaos and drawing more attention to the fight.

The once-unified lunchroom is now divided, with students taking sides and fueling the conflict with their own jeers.

'Levi's gonna lose.' A student bawled.

'No. He's never serious in a fight. It's just a plan. He'll win.'

'Lenin's gonna win.'

*******

'Can you please explain the meaning of this?' Amy slammed her hand on the ebony desk startling Ratcliff.

Turning around in his swivel chair, a smile spread across his face. 'Why, hello there. Didn't hear you come in.'

'Fuck you, asshole.' Amy cursed.

'Well, thanks.' Ratcliff returns to his assembly of computers.

Amy hears indisntict screams coming from the computers and wondered what the hell he was watching. 'You replaced me with an ass when I'm in charge of a student?'

'You're been bitchy today. Watch your tongue.' Ratcliff says without taking his face off the screens.

'Watch my tongue? What kind of jerk fires a person on short notice?! What are you gonna tell Charlotte's parents?!' Amy yelled.

Ratcliff stood to his feet and faced her. 'I am sore. I am frustrated an I am tired but I have power that can be taken from me at any moment. Do you think I'm happy I hired a fool? He comes from money. Parents want him to do something and it's up to the school director. I'm not willing to lose my job as long as the pay is good. If you're dissatisfied, go meet him yourself.'

Amy gave him an infuriating look.

Ratcliff attempt to turn off the computers by pushing the button underneath his desk when suddenly, Amy stopped him.

'Wait! What were you watching?' she asked.

'None of your concern.' Ratcliff pockets his hands.

'Move aside.' Amy pushed past him. A shocked gasp escaped her lips. 'Holy shit.'

Ratcliff heaves a sigh. 'It wasn't long till you found out anyways.'

'You let the kids fight each other? For what?!' Amy yelled.

When Ratcliff was silent, she grabbed his shoulders and gave him a shake. 'Dad! What's going on?!'

Ratcliff gave in. 'That's hide and seek.'

Amy gave him a puzzled look and he explained further. 'It's a game that determines weak and strong students.'

'So they engage in fisticuffs for a fucking status? Is that it?' Amy was clearly angered as he didn't bat and eyelid when she spoke.

'Yes. That's it.' The corner of his lips quirked into a crooked smile.

'Bloody psycho.' As she tries to leave, the doors were shut automatically.

Ratcliff took slow strides towards her. A menancing look replaced the smile on his face. 'I'm sorry, kitten but I can't let you leave.'