♥♡ CHAPTER 43 ♡♥

♡ Author's POV  ♡

The student council president, Fortune Beatrice Rosenheim sat on her chair inside the secret room. Since the day that Dean Carson and Julez weren't able to bring their way back to the highest supreme territory building, hindi na rin binuksan pa ni Fortune ang pintuan ng secret room kaya't hindi maiwasang isipin ni Syden na malaki ang posibilidad that the council or the president itself has something to do with it. Ever since that day, hindi na rin nagkita-kita ang mga officers except for two people. Fortune and Phoenix. Surely, they have plans kung bakit silang dalawa lang ang palaging nagkikita sa secret room, but no one knows kung ano ba talaga ang pinaplano nila. 

As Fortune heard the back door, napatingin siya dito ng pumasok si Finn. He immediately locked the door once again reassuring na walang makakakita sa kanilang dalawa. They don't have relationship, hindi rin sila magkasundo dati but now, they have decided to work together in order to achieve their goals. 

As soon as he saw the president with her beloved mask on her face, napangiti ito ng masama at umupo sa harapan ni Fortune. Nakakibit-balikat ang presidente habang nakatingin kay Finn, hiding her expressions through her mask. Why would she hide her face? Maybe because of her emotional reasons, it doesn't have to do with her physical expressions. She hides someting emotional, wala siyang itinatago physically but everyone thinks that she might be ugly kaya tinatago niya ang itsura niya. But they got it all wrong. 

"So, did you bring him there?" tanong ng presidente kay Finn. 

"Of course. Buti naman at pumayag ka sa gusto niya without any conditions?" tanong ni Finn. When Bliss Syden asked for the president's help, may kapalit. Even Dean Carson na bago pa man pumunta sa Curse building, may kapalit na rin ang pagtulong ni Fortune. But why all of a sudden hindi siya humingi ng kapalit kay Sean Raven?

"I was just thinking earlier..." napahawak ito sa baba niya na halatang malalim ang iniisip lalo na't hindi sumasagot ang presidente, "Is it because dahil pinadala mo siya sa maling building kaya hindi ka humingi ng kapalit?"  

"And so?" pabalik na tanong ni Fortune that's why Phoenix looked at her dahil mukhang hindi interesado ang presidente sa usapan nilang dalawa. He knew that was the exact reason. Hindi humingi ng kapalit si Fortune kay Sean dahil pinadala niya ito sa maling building. 

"Miss president, nasa Curse building ang dalawa taong hinahanap niya. Then why did you ask me na dalhin siya sa Death building? I could only say na hindi ka tumupad sa usapan." Finn was stil confused that time. Hindi niya alam kung bakit hindi tumupad sa usapan ang presidente but one thing is for sure, the president is planning something...again and again.

"Then let me tell you this, Finn." ipinatong ng presidente ang kamay niya sa lamesa at bahagyang lumapit kay Finn. 

"Why did you even tell Bliss Syden na wala si Dean Carson sa Curse building when in fact, you witnessed Dean Carson's situation that time?" pabalik na tanong niya. Phoenix did feel something, his conscience even his guilt of lying to the girl whom he really likes. It is completely understood na nagsinungaling siya kay Syden. 

Because of that, he wasn't able to respond kaya napangiti ng masama si Fortune even though he wouldn't even notice the president's expression but only through her demonic voice that time, "May usapan tayo na magtutulungan tayo para sa mga plano natin. Yes, I have plans kung bakit sinadya kong hindi makabalik si Dean sa building na 'to and I lied to Sean Raven na dadalhin ko siya sa Curse building. This is not just only me at alam kong alam mo, kung bakit ko ginagawa ang lahat ng 'to. That's why susunod ka sa gusto ko at sa utos ko kung gusto mong magtagumpay ang mga plano natin. I know you're guilty, but don't ever try to tell them the truth kung gusto mo talagang tumulong. Do as I say and I promise, we won't fail. You won't regret this. Hindi tayo pinalaki ni Mr. Wilford na palpak, as you know he is a perfectionist." even though naguguluhan pa rin si Finn, he completely understood kung bakit kailangan niyang gawin ang lahat ng 'to.  

It's really better for her to forget him. He said to himself. 

"Nakuha mo na ba ang tiwala niya?" Finn snapped in a minute ng itanong ng presidente 'yon.

"I still don't know, but I think...unti-unti na siyang nahuhulog sa mga patibong ko." he asnwered. 

"I didn't know Bliss Syden before pero ngayon nakikilala ko na siya. Hindi mo ba naisip na sobra ang galit ng grupo ni Dean sa atin, they really hate us, especially you na dinidikitan si Syden. But why do you think all of a sudden, ng mawala si Dean kinaibigan ka ni Syden just like she didn't hate you before?" she intertwined the fingers of her both hands together at ipinatong ang baba niya doon. She smiled devilishy but still, Finn didn't notice it because of the d*mn mask. 

Ganon na lang ba 'yon? She really hates us but in a second, naging magkaibigan na sila ni Finn?The president told to herself while waiting for Finn to respond to her question. 

Nakita niya ang itsura ni Finn and because of that, alam na niya ang nasa isip ni Finn. He looks dissappointed but also proud because it only shows that their plan is working. Hindi niya maiwasan na madissappoint just because they became friends for the purpose of using each other. "Through your reaction, you already know why. Kinaibigan ka niya because you are one of us, so she needs you in order to find her boyfriend. She will use you just like how we're going to use her."

"Sa isip niya, nagagamit niya ako but on the other side, alam ko ang motibo niya kung bakit hinahayaan niya akong lumapit sa kanya when in fact, pinagtatabuyan niya lang ako dati. She thinks that I'm falling for the traps she set against me, pero ang hindi niya alam. Siya ang unti-unting nahuhulog sa mga plano natin. She's still hoping na babalik si Dean but just like what you said, I am trying my best for her to forget everything for a minute. Kung makikinig siya sa akin, it will help her pero kung hindi. I feel sorry for her especially sa kalagayan ni Dean ngayon. She's still unaware of this thing."

"Everything is going smoothly according to our plans." Fortune said. 

"You shouldn't have given him the pill. He looks so ruined, what did we do to him?" he is aware of their goals pero ang hindi niya alam, kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng dapat gawin in order to achieve those goals, ang pinakamahirap at pinakamasakit ang kailangang gawin. He is also guilty because of Dean's current situation. 

"We won't be able to control him as long as he will stay just like how he used to be before. We need him to feel nothing, to go numb and completely void of emotions. Since the day na inutos ko sa'yo na huwag mong hahayaang inumin niya ang gamot niya, good to know na nawala sa isip niya ang tungkol sa gamot na 'yon. Did you give him the pill just before he entered that Curse building?" 

Ang nasa isip niya, gamot niya ang binigay namin sa kanya but wrong, pinalitan namin ang mga pills na nakalagay doon. Fortune said in her mind. 

"Of course. He did not hesitate to take it dahil nag-uumpisa nanamang sumakit ang ulo niya noong mga oras na 'yon."

"Just because I told him to believe us."

"Pero kailan ba siya makakabalik? Should I stop them from coming back?"

"No. He is already in deep pain. He had been suffering for weeks and I think it's now time for us to execute our plans. Habang unti-unting nahuhulog si Syden sa mga sinasabi mo, we're going to use him against all. Through his sufferings his weakness will become evident. That way, magagawa na natin ang lahat ng gusto natin and he will now be controlled by us." the unpredictable president said. 

We agreed to do this together, I had no choice but to make you suffer. She said. 

She will make his life miserable until all of her plans will succeed. 

.................

On the other side is all about Mr. Augustus Wilford and Mr. Arthur Schulz together with the general of the army, General Auberon Fernando Voughan who came all the way to Heaven's Ward High to visit his friends after the army retreated from a battle. 

The three of them were inside Mr. Wilford's office because for a long time, ngayon lang ulit nila nagawang mag-usap, "So, how was the battle? Why did you choose to retreat Auberon?" tanong ni Mr. Wilford bago ininom ang kape na hawak niya. He's in the middle, Mr. Schulz on his right side while the general is on the other side as the three of them sat on the chair earlier. 

"I couldn't risk the whole army for this battle. Alam niyo namang anytime lulusob ang mga terorista. The only way for us to survive is to retreat." this time, ibinaba ni Mr. Wilford ang hawak niyang tasa at napatingin kay Mr. Schulz when he started to talk. 

"As we both know you, you have a soft heart, Auberon. It's really hard for your position to sacrifice the whole army against the terrorists. If ever you need help for weapons, don't hesitate to tell us, we're willing to help...for the safety of our country and for the people." pahayag nito kasabay ng pagngiti. But behind those smile, the general is completely aware of his two friends. No one can deceive the general. 

"You are such a kind person, Mr. Schulz. I hope your name won't be tainted with any wrong doings. Alam naman natin na sa panahon ngayon maraming naninira, especially for the both of you." the general said habang nakangiti din ito. 

Sana nga, mali ang hinala ko. He said to himself. Hindi niya magawang mapagkatiwalaan ang dalawa niyang kaibigan, dahil alam niyang may ginagawa silang dalawa behind his back. They have their dirty games inside but outside, they look so humble, kind and have a soft heart to the poor.

"Don't worry. Walang makakagawa niyan sa aming dalawa ni Arthur. Especially we have you, Auberon. You will be our witness to the court to deny that wrong statement against us kung sakaling may manira." dagdag pa ni Mr. Wilford. 

Of course I will be the witness. The general said to himself. Kung marunong magpanggap ang mga kaibigan niya, kaya niya ring magpanggap hanggang sa malaman niya kung ano ang totoo. 

"How about the students? How are they?" tanong ni Auberon and the smile on his two friends' faces slowly dissappeared at nagkatinginan pa silang dalawa. 

The general knows na hindi niya dapat buksan ang usapang ito but he desperately wants to see their response and reaction towards this matter. 

"Don't worry. They are fine. We're taking care of them." sagot ni Mr. Wilford na ikinatango naman ni Auberon. 

"Oh, I see. Usap-usapan kasi ngayon, hindi niyo raw pinapayagang makausap sila ng mga magulang nila. They think that..." sandali siyang natigilan at maayos silang tinignan. He was thinking kung dapat niya pa bang ituloy ang sasabihin niya but after a second he started to speak again, "You might have did something to them kaya pinutol niyo ang koneksyon ng mga estudyante sa mga magulang nila. This never happened before, right?" 

Mr. Wilford and Schulz look uncomfortable dahil sa sinabi ng kaibigan nila. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa until Mr. Wilford smiled at hinarapan ang general, "Don't worry about it, general. We are just protecting them. They are in good hands." he said. 

"But of course you can just defend the two of us kung sakaling may mag-file ng case against us because of that matter, right?" Mr. Schulz voice turned serious, it was like he was giving the general a threat and a warning kaya't mas napangiti pa ang general.

"Of course I will, alam ko naman na hindi kayo gagawa ng ikasisira niyo. I've got your back, trust me. I will do whatever it takes to defend both of you." sagot ng general making his friends comfortable towards the situation if someone might file a case. 

"Oh, I think I need to take my leave now. It's almost time. I still need to report." saad ng general habang tinitignan nito ang relo niya at tumayo siya, "Thank you for the coffee and for the time. I hope, we see each other again so soon." nakipag-kamay siya sa dalawa niyang kaibigan na tumayo na rin naman.

"Thank you for giving us the time to have a little conversation with one another, general. Take care." Augustus responded and so, the general left the office leaving both of his friends inside and after that, someone approached him. One of his army na kakatapos lang ikutin ang buong campus, "Have you found out something?" mahinang bulong nito habang naglalakad sila palabas at nasa likuran niya ang kasama niya.

"Yes, sir" mahinang sagot nito sa kanya. 

They took their leave kasama ang iba pang army until they reached their camp. The general dismissed all of them pero kasama niya pa rin ang isa sa kanila na inutusan niyang ikutin ang buong Heaven's Ward High just to find out something mysterious or something wrong inside the campus. They quickly went inside his office at nadatnan niya ang isang babae na mas mababa ang ranko sa kanya, her name is General Ali at isa pang lalaki na kapantay niya sa ranko, it's General Rowen. 

Nadatnan nilang nakaharap sa lamesa ang dalawang ito at seryosong nag-uusap habang may nakalagay na mapa sa harapan nila ngunit natahimik sila ng mapansin ang pagpasok ng heneral, "How was it? Have you found out something?" ipinatong ng general ang kamay niya sa lamesa at maayos na tinignan ang mapa. 

"Actually sir, we checked the whole size of Heaven's Ward High but badly, the calculated size of the whole campus doesn't match with their record." sagot ni General Ali dahilan para magsalubong ang kilay ni Auberon. 

"What do you mean?" 

"General Voughan, what we mean is....mas malaki pa ang size ng lupang binili ng Schulz at ni Augustus, half of that part is consist of that school." sagot ni General Rowen ngunit sinundan pa ulit ng babae. 

"The other half is the missing part. For as we think na meron pang mas malaking space sa likod ng Heaven's Ward High but it was enclosed with higher walls." sabay turo nito sa kabuuang mapa ng eskwela at itinuro ang kalahati which is nasa likuran ng Heaven's Ward. 

Napatingin si Auberon sa kasama niyang sundalo na inutusan niyang mag-ikot sa Heaven's Ward High. It was the main purpose kung bakit niya binisita ang dalawa niyang kaibigan, for one of his soldier would do the work na hindi niya magawa dahil  nakabantay sa kanya ang mga kaibigan niya, "You said you've found out something wrong. What was it?" tanong niya. 

"Sir, the Heaven's Ward High is consist of walls which protect the school from any harm but as I went to the back of the school, there was a myterious wall. What I mean sir, kung ikukumpara natin 'to sa ibang walls, that one is higher than the other."

"Then there must be something behind that wall. I think we should go there and check." saad ng babae. Auberon didn't plan to accept the suggestion of General Ali because the three of them and some of the other generals are just secretly working together to find out what's really wrong dahil marami na rin sa mga mayayamang pamilya ang pasikretong nagrereport sa kanila dahil hindi na sila pinapayagang kausapin ang mga anak nilang nag-aaral sa Heaven's Ward High. Kapag nagpumilit sila, Mr. Schulz and Wilford will threaten them at ito ang naging dahilan for the other members of the army to find out what's really wrong. May ginagawang mali ang dalawang owners ng eskwelang 'yon but they can't move easily dahil maraming galamay si Mr. Schulz sa loob mismo ng army, even the highest one in the position of the generals na sumusunod sa gusto niya. 

"There's more...I touched the wall and it has an electric barrier...I even saw lightning coming out of it when my body had a direct contact to it. The wall is consist of static discharge, sir." sagot nito na nakapag-pabigla sa kanilang lahat. 

"Why is there a need to put something like that inside a wall?" tanong ni General Rowen. 

"Putting a static discharge into a surface is completely hard to destroy. They must be protecting that wall itself kaya naglagay sila ng ganon, but for what? The wall itself is higher than the others, without a barrier, it can still stand and protect its own." pahayag ng babaeng kasama nila.  

"You're wrong, General Ali..." saad ni Auberon habang nag-iisip at nakatingin sa mapa. Tinignan niya ang dalawa niyang kasama at nagsalita, "They are not protecting the wall, they are protecting what's inside the wall." 

"Then what do we need to do now, sir?" the girl asked. 

"Isang tao lang ang makakapag-patunay sa lahat ng hinala natin."

"But how, sir?"

Tinignan niya ang babae at sandaling napaisip, his eyes were so serious, "Someone who had an experience inside that wall. Isang taong nanggaling na doon." he answered. 

 Kasabay noon ay bumukas ang pintuan kaya napatingin sila doon at isang nurse ang pumasok, "General Voughan, our patient responded." the time she said that, nagmadali ang heneral na puntahan ang pasyente na matagal na nilang inaalagaan. Kaagad itong pumunta sa kwarto kung nasaan ang pasyente nilang matagal ng na-coma because of what happened to her na sila mismo, hindi nila alam dahil hindi pa siya nagigising. 

Pagkapasok niya doon, nadatnan niya ang isang babae na nakahiga. Maraming nakatusok dito na iba't ibang klasi ng gamot para lang masiguro nilang magigising at makakaligtas siya. They even put an oxygen mask on her to support her breathing. They badly need her para malaman kung totoo ba ang lahat ng hinala nila. Nilapitan niya ito and he couldn't help but to feel happy and shock ng makita niyang unti-unting bumukas ang mga mata nito ngunit nanatiling nakatingin sa kisame, "Finally..." at dahan-dahang napatingin sa kanya ang babae, "We were waiting for you, Nashielle."

To be continued...

Hi guys, let's go back to book 2, The Bleeding Love. 

So if you still remember, Nashielle was already mentioned in book 2. Obviously, the sister of Nash and Zorren's girlfriend. She's Zorren's vice president in Chained school whom he fell in love with. According to Nash and Zorren, SHE DIED because of an explosion caused by Jackson Claude, the leader of the group Venom if you still remember. That's why Zorren came back to join Vipers and end Venom to avenge the death of his girlfriend, right? So that's it.