Chapter 7

Tragedy is like a butterfly effect. There is always one tragedy following the other. Many believe that evil only started when the first death occurred - however that viewpoint is naive . Evil was always there. Just waiting for the time to infect. To weaken, To destroy, To eliminate. Zeal high was tested and it failed.

Rule 5: Beware for evil lurks around.

Weeks had passed since the death of Jade McNeil and nothing had happened. No sign of the gruesome and elusive killer. As if they had fled to wreck havoc elsewhere. Everyone at school was anticipating Jade's memorial which was happening in a few days.

The media had consciously  swept everything under the rug labelling her death as sucide but we all knew the truth.

Jade McNeil made an image the moment she stepped her foot into Zeal high not only were they wealthy but she had the beauty, charisma that was undefinable, desirable. Aidan West could recall the moment they first met and talked at the freshman orientation. He could recall the confidence that endowed her anywhere she stepped her foot but he knew he wasn't what she meant to be. She was the queen of the school. But power came with an uncanny sacrifice and Jade had to pay the ultimate price. Aidan liked her the moment he saw her which made her death had taken a huge chunk of his heart.

But where those feelings true?

Aidan gazes at the her picture at the school hallways as he came out of the Principal's office, it was now a daily routine now since he was one of the suspects but still didn't mind.

Her picture was enclosed in a cabinet with flowers with two others who had tragically lost their lives the same way. Aidan could remember how he loved the picture because it was captured on her 18th birthday, it was ironic how her liveliest picture was used to commemorate her death.

Maybe he should have listened to her, maybe he should have picked up the call the day she asked him to see her. Not knowing that would be the last of her. Familiar words drifted to his mind, words of regrets.

A intense stare burns his back as he notices someone's reflection in the glass but couldn't decipher who it was because the person had moved quickly.

Nate walked in haste. He tried as much as possible to avoid that picture which sent unknown chills to his spines. It was as if the picture was magnetically pulling him so he couldn't help but stare at those blue eyes which once made his heart sour. The eyes of the girl he once loved and maybe after her death. That same eyes that followed him to his dreams begging him to bring justice to her death. Nate knew Jade had enemies which had lot of motives. He didn't know where to begin from and weird questions kept popping in his head ' what if she deserved death?'

What if it was meant to happen?

He quickens his pace heading to the deserted place in the hallway. His breaths were shallow and his heart throbbing as he leaned on the nearest wall to support his wobbly legs. He clutches his chest tightly as he had trouble breathing, nothing seemed to help. His chest tightens and the perspiration glides down the back of his neck as it clutches it in panic.

"Nate..." He heard a faint and familiar voice call nearby as if it was echoing from a distance.

He turned his eyes to the figure who looked blurry but familiar.

"Nate focus on me " he stared at the familiar green eyes as a hand is placed firmly on his shoulder. "Breathe in and out" He immediately followed the instructions without hesitation.

He repeated the instructions as he could feel his heart beating normally and slowly stopping his hands which was shaking excessively.

His hands and shoulders dropped in physical and mental exhaustion. It had been years he had a panic attack.

"Are you okay?" A soft voice asked recovering him from his quick trance.

He looked up and saw a familiar person. His savior.

Ariel.

"Thank you" He didn't know what to say as he slowly stood up.

"How did you know what to do?"

She gently smiled as she leaned her body on the wall while crossing her arms.

"I get them alot" she explained. "Ever since I was a kid."

They enjoyed a moment of uninterrupted silence as they slowly gathered their burdensome thoughts . He thought he had moved on after her death but he still wished he could find out who murdered her for all he knew was that it wasn't sucide.

Not that it will bring her back.

"Am sorry about Jade... you loved her and lost her , I know what it feels like." Ariel said breaking the silence.

He turned to her.

"You do?"

"I do...I know what's like to lose the one you love. My mom died last year"she sighed as her heart clenched in sadness at the memories.

Her mind flashed back to the bloody memories which she had hoped to never come back.

"I'm really sorry" He said sincerely as he glances at the wall in front of him. "I guess we all have our shit to deal with"

"Life merry in making us suffer" she noted. "It's sadistic that way"

Nate nodded in agreement ignoring the school bell that rung as she walked down the halls. Ariel stared at the unmoved figure blankly.

"Aren't you coming?" She asked.

"I will be there soon" He replied and she chooses not to argue but bidding him a gentle goodbye before hurriedly walking to the class because she knew she was really late for class.