"Well now, isn't this just marvellous?" The devil smiled as her hair moved gently caressing her inncocous face which was anything but inncocous.

"I see. But you certainly made your move earlier than I thought you would. Just who are you ?"

4 days ago
6th  July ,2011
Wednesday

6:00 pm

We all had around one hour before we had to go back to dormitories because we get to stay till 9 pm when we enter third year , but for initial two years as you already know, till 6:30  pm.

So I had called Mike and Kate both at Raul's place at this time. I had several plans before even asking them but I thought my emotion are nothing more than a hindrance and I am just utilising them for my comfort and not giving importance to logic as much as I should. That is the reason I lost against her.

Now I was sitting along with Mike amd we were awaiting Kate's arrival who immidiaetly had confused look seeing Mike there .

"So Wanna tell us why you called us here?" She asked as if I want going to if she doesn't ask . Oh well . People love to state the obvious.

"The plan which I have devised includes both of you . Of course Mike is already there but as for you , you can still decline. I would accept that because what I am suggesting is no small feat .." I tried to assure her but it seemed that had opposite effect .

"Listen! I joined of my own will so don't give me preferential treatment here too." She looked away . Is this coming from you , Kate.

"Alright! As you know we have to break in Axis library which is located in North Block. Obviously we can't do that in day because teacher would catch us soon . In night too , there are two guards but generally inside senior wing.  They take 15 minutes stroll in each floor and then coming back to ground and then carry on till 5 am before dozing off . So we don't have to worry about .." As they interrupted me.

"I get that we are planning to break and all but just how do you know about strolling pattern of guards in senior wing? You are a first year , aren't you ?" Kate asked . Well! That is true. I couldn't exactly tell them that in fourth year in my previous timeline, I observed their action to plan to avoid them while sneaking out .

"I have my ways ." I answered vaguely. Mike just chuckled . Kate looked as if she wasn't satisfied but sighed accepting it. Great! Looks like internet tip came in handy here. They told me that you can generally avoid questionning by answering vaguely to the very first question.

"Now ! Still I am not sure when guard start . What I mean let's suppose they go to first floor at 11pm or are at ground or what floor . If we figure out what floor they are strolling from 9 pm, which is the curfew for fourth year , then we can calculate on what floor they are at 11 pm and plan accordingly . Because we will only break in when they are at top floor so we have enough time to get Inside and then lock it so as to conceal our presence ." I explained .

"It makes sense I suppose but how are we going to find that out ? Aren't we supposed to go to 7 pm and then how are we supposed to ..." Kate began.

"Don't worry about dorm wardens . We have to get out at 11 pm . Around that time , wardens of your dorm and Mike's are on my floor so you can sneak out then ." I told them as they sighed relieved.

"Hey ! Then when will you leave.." As she quietned down seeing my face. She knew I had a plan so need to worry.

"So basically we can't break tomorrow or day after tomorrow. It would be impossible to prepare by tomorrow or get reading patterns and all . We will break in on 10 th July and sneak out dormitories around 11 pm , exactly 4 days from now .

So currently I am assigning your missions to you

Mike , travel a lot in North Block and figure out about locks and all and how Axis library is sealed. And try to find out patterns of guard strolling as you are talkative guy and people generally talk to you , seniors could help you but be discreet." I told him as he nodded and left.

"Now as for you Kate ,try to get the following materials I have laid down on paper ...

Wait! It is July. Yeah you are fine . Sure order them " As she took the note skeptical. The reason I talked about July was basically to figure out because in original timeline, it was in end of  July that I used her and others to form the second plan and around that time , she had blown off through money due to which her dad was mad at her and all. Well leaving aside old stuff, the point was this Kate still hadn't wasted her money so she could get the materials I asked for .

Of course! She wad still skeptical but that is to be expected. I come off as vague and keeping things to myself even after involving her in dangerous situation guy . Should I tell her the facts or should I keep it with me? I am not currently sure what is the right course of action .

"Max ! Tell me something.... have you ever trusted anyone?" Kate asked out of blue as her voice reverberated through my brain.

Trust ! Love! Hate! Apathy! Cold

"None of these feelings are gonna help you . Certainly you shouldn't admonish these feelings when possessed by others because humans aren't made to be fixed but certainly if you want to be great detective, then don't accept it as part of yourself but always try to project it in your consciousness even while non believing in such things. Max! Feel nothing but indifference and curiousity. With these two ar your hands , you can see through all people, who they trust, why they trust , why they hate or love or do anything. And if you can't see that , then just keep yourself growing more and more until you can erase any such shroud in your reality."

"Of course! I have trusted Claude , Selica and all ." I smiled at her.

"Oh ! I don't know both of those girls but alright. I am glad.... because it seemed like you are just keen to move on from one piece to another figuring out what you want rather than enjoy these feelings." She smiled. You aren't wrong, Kate but you are also not right. To be honest with myself , I don't know ...even myself.

No one's POV

Isla was sitting currently in a cafe . Nawe Kero . She didn't know what that meant but couldn't care less . She was just here for her usual black coffee . It has been three days since her confrontation with Max Ryder .

"He probably is back in Wonavilla again after his vacation ended. It is truly a shame. I wanted to play with him a bit more." She sighed pouting to herself. Isla .... that is what he called her .

She wondered why ... since age of four , she had always thought of discarding names . She had to since her first name ..was well ..she didn't wanna talk about it . After she broke away from their clutches , she knew that they would never stop coming after her . There was just no way that anyone would let their child go . But running away from those uncouth people sure felt good . Even though she was tired, she felt a sense of exhilaration within her for first time.

"Finally caught you. Where are you running off to ?" A tall leaning figure approached her . Someone she was supposed to call her father. She knew it that if she get herself caught, she would again be trapped in a plain old life that she so despised . Pretending not to notice what they do .. because she was supposed to be a kid. Pretending to look away blood stained clothes everyday. She was supposed to be a dumb kid blindly following her daily routine.

But ...but

The light flashed in her eyes as she saw a material glistening in that dark alley. Even within this desolation, there was a light. Was she supposed to be feel happy? Was she supposed to feel hopeful seeing a ray of light in darkness? Why was that metaphor a source of inspiration for so many kids . Why did adults just keep teaching .... light is always there to guide you in darkness. Why does it matter that there is hope? Why is despair so ... unsatisfying for them ?

As she took the shard of glass teeming out from the crack in wall , before the man had even chance to react , she was already there ....at his judgement.

The look of despair on his face , the look of shock, the look of trembling as blood oozed out with him losing consciousness was  .... exhilarating.

Yes! She had no desire for hope , no light, no warmth ... this was so much more satisfying. The sense of satisfaction at ending someone who sits down at table every day after ending someone else was just fair.

But she couldn't care less about fair or right or wrong. That is why she had no hesitation in erasing...  the other person connected to her past ...but just to be fair , her end was quicker . Feelings! Could be the factor.

After that , she set out in search of that exhilaration again but each time she ended someone, the charm wore thin. What was ...so wrong now? She soon found out that breaking down people was even more satisfying and was quickly admitted to the organization keeping tabs on her .

No one asked for her past as long as she was useful. But it was other way around. Isla kept them as long as they were useful. When she got to know about how this organization used to keep tabs on children with potent talent, she already started her plan in motion by taking Selica in . She would say it was tiring to act all apprentice and nice to her for while but it ended quickly so she couldn't care less. She knew she had to find Max Ryder.... not because he was a possible threat to organization and they were keeping tabs on him and others but she was just exhilarated to finally get a chance to meet someone who was not dumb in this world.

And after the facts on Vincent Rodger were released all of sudden.. she knew it . She had Selica search who released it  and knew that if the connection was too encrypted for her to get through...then it can only be through official channel and who would bother to release facts about Wonavilla , a student of that , simply ... one person comes into mind .

"Max Ryder
It was nice using your uncle as cover but you have to be better than that " She almost wanted to send it to him but that would compromise her intentions in front of organization and as much as she was confident in her capabilities , she knew that she couldn't take them on by herself. Then it clicked in her. It was the perfect time to set her plan into motion and suggested to them to kill Vincent Rodger...and two couples related to them .

Of course, the organization thought it was to tie up all ends but she couldn't care less. All she wanted was to know....how Max would react . To get a chance to ...see despair on his face...to get that exhilaration.

After all , it is sure to catch his attention . She just snickered as he tried to delude the organization...if she wasn't there , they would definitely be done. Well ! They still would die ...after all that is why she needed him to believe that his plan is working.

Even after Max arrived in this situation, he looked calm . Either he was just calm or confident because of plan he had set in motion.  But she was surprised at being called Isla. She couldn't exactly see special meaning behind word to describe her....so why did he call her that? And she still wasn't sure that how he came to know about Rodger in first place. She was sure that he was hiding something that even she can't see. But it probably was all for nothing as things still went her way .

Even while splattered with blood , he was not panicking as she thought he would. Sure! He stuttered ..but she still felt that he was disappointed in himself for feeling that way . She still wasn't truly sure if she would have been able to shoot him if he didn't answer...but of course... someone who fascinated her...can definitely comprehend her actions. Or she just wasn't worth her intentions .

But ..Max Ryder ..you are still an enigma to me . I thought you would try to deviate...I thought you would abandon Selica .. to eliminate any possibility of being invaded by spy even though she wasn't going to ...but still you couldn't have possibly know that for sure she wasn't lying .

Should I keep Isla as my name? Would it please you .. before I break you ..as she smiled sipping her coffee. Hot! As her tongue burnt at taste... this is truly exhilarating.

6th July ,2011

Isla was currently reading a book in library. After all , she had to do something to pass her time.

"Then the enemy with whom the hero was fighting, both shook their hands because at end of the day , they were able to understand that bloodshed was no answer."

Isla sighed at ending.Well! If I predict you right, you would have been frantically searching for the thing that is searched by organization in Wonavilla.

"Who knows! I might just lend you a hand this time?" She laughed to herself putting down the book. As long as you make it worthwhile... Max.

Au revoir readers! Keep posted for the next chapter.