The loud music and crowd cheers were heard inside the campus buildings, like a sold out concert and an event everyone looked forward to. It was only the first day yet what a fun blast everyone was having.

Most of that everyone.

Georgina Benitez had been staring at her wristwatch for the past hour since she arrived, alerting no one about her presence and after logging in the attendance sheet she went straight here in the washroom—the last cubicle was her target, shutting herself inside and after pulling the toilet lid down, she sat on it with her legs up to her chest.

The makeup she put on at home was a mushy ugly mixture of black, dark brown and red on her face—thick black streaking down from where she usually applied her thick liquid liner. The constant wiping of the back of the hand on her lips already removed the red tint and now her lips were quivering dry.

Now and then Georgina would visibly flinched and her shoulders hunched with wide eyes at the sound of the washroom door being pushed open; mind making quick assumptions that she would hear Chanel and Joycar's cackles or their familiar cologne.

A vibration and bell sound from her phone. Georgina took it out of skirt pocket with shaky hands.

'Bitch, where the fuck are you? Get your stupid ass down here already.' The messenger chat brought more convulsive shaking and whimper in Georgina, she almost dropped her phone after gasping. More tears fell and made a mess on her face.

Georgina sobbed, leaning her forehead against her knees. "I don't want to do this...I'm so tired...God help me..." Peeking from her uniform sleeve and bracelets were multiple scars on both wrists. She willed hard to stop the sobbing when she heard the washroom door opening again and hoped they would leave soon.

There was no sound of shoes nor movements beyond the cubicle, only the reverberating echoes of fun outside. Georgina stayed still, couldn't risk being found here in case it was either Chanel or Joycar.

Soon the loud music outside faded after a finished performance and the washroom was cloaked in thick silence.

"Georgie, why are you hiding?" A whisper question on Georgina's left from the side and a satin white gloved hand reached out, placing it on top of the sobbing girl's scarred wrist. "What's wrong...?"

With wide eyes, Georgina unlocked the cubicle door and darted out not bothering to take her bag or fallen phone on the tiled floor, she had gone pale and a hysteria bubbling to be let out.

Only one option crossed her mind that could possibly offer the permanent escape she wished for and considering this, Georgina went to the fire exit and ascended the staircases.

--

Caroline finally got a chance to be relieved in her position of handing out brochures and answering questions from the school fair goers, she filled the allotted time assigned by her group leader Reina so there would be no need to go back which was a good thing. After changing into the prescribed PE uniform in a vacant classroom, the short wavy-haired girl headed into the corridor and was taken by surprise at Georgina who was speeding up ahead.

The waxen face and wide eyes gleaming with fright didn't go unnoticed.

"Hey...! Georgie--" But Caroline's voice did not reach the other girl, the latter was too cloaked in whatever was causing her to feel nervous.

The school festival spirit was set aside temporarily in Caroline's head. Her face grew serious while walking in the venue, the lively surrounding muted as she wondered about Georgina.

"We saved you a seat!" That enthusiastic and brimming with joy tone belonged to Zenji, he shot a hand forward to the girl's wrist and quickly brought her to the Singing and Dancing Area.

Maou was there, watching over the seats reserved for them with bags. The crowd here was gathering again and some chose to stand at the side near the elevated stage itself. "It is Jeson and Filo's time to perform"

"Let's save the good deets to share with Hayato later" With a playful grin, Zenji readied his phone to record their classmates' intermission numbers.

Caroline took the chair beside Maou, for a brief second her dark jade eyes lifted up and caught sight of a building afar. It wasn't that clearly seen from where they were, as she stared longer, she realized it appeared eerie like a huge haunting figure. That structure was long unoccupied and untouched, she didn't know the full details of it since she wasn't a native in Evergreen but there were circulating hush rumors about the building being haunted which was the reason for the school management's refusal to renovate or demolish it. If one would walk closer there, first thing they'd notice were the barbwire fences surrounding it and a signage stating the structure as out of bounds for safety purposes.

"Let's go, biatch, can't be late on cheering for my man!" A flirty bell-like voice was heard loudly in the area, making some heads turned—no doubt Chanel was pretty and she was aware of this.

If Chanel was present, of course Joycar would be—those two were bread and butter to each other but the latter had an appearance that didn't make strong impact on others compare to her bestie.

Joycar was sniggering to herself, holding a digital camera. "Do you remember when we--" Her voice turned lower but their snickers and vapid laughter were enough to make Caroline's blood boil.

She hated those two for a huge reason.

"Hey little boy, don't block the way"

Caroline and Maou glanced at the center aisle where Zenji was standing and taking a landscape candid shots of the venue—the two girly girls were behind him.

Immediately Zenji's demeanor changed, turning embarrassed and blushing. His eyes were mostly on Joycar. "Hey! Nice seeing you two here! I'm just taking some pics--" Then to Joycar, "Do you want to take a photo--"

"Ewww, get a grip already and move on!" Joycar flipped her rebonded hair, those fake lashes she wore making her eyes stood out. Scoffing, she added. "Do me a favor little boy and bury your crush for me six feet under because it's not going to be requited."

A frown sculpted on Zenji's face. "Why do you insist on calling me a little boy? I am by no means a kid, at least call me by my name and I know you rejected me before...but I still want us to be friends" Hurt was evident in his tone.

Chanel and Joycar exchanged sharp, amused glances. This time it was the artificial blonde who answered, even standing up in front of the latter to hide her from Zenji's view. "Because idiot, you have a small thing down there, could barely even call it a man rod." Chanel made a show of her pinky finger, "Even shorter than my finger and a canned sausage"

Patience was a bomb with wires infused in it within Caroline's body and hearing those snarky statements, her anger was the fire that burnt those wires keeping her patience conscious and it exploded. "You absurd and rude--" Caroline stomped forward, ready to give Chanel and Joycar a piece of her mind. Not just a piece, a shard of it that she hoped to pierced through their judgmental eyeballs.

It was no secret in their section that Zenji harbored infatuation towards Joycar, for almost a year he only focused on her and despite the blatant spitfire and destructive remarks from the girl it didn't hinder Zenji. He always reasoned out that Joycar was simply not afraid to speak her mind. This puppy crush led to Hayato getting angry at Zenji before because the latter didn't tell them that Joycar and Chanel bullied him into showing his male organ for fun, which was their primary reason for rudely calling him little boy.

"AAAHHH! She's going to jump!"

"Oh my god, who is that?!"

"It's Georgina!"

"Somebody stop her!"

"Call the police!"

Everything happening in the venue stopped with their attentions now directed up at the rooftop of the high building, gasps of shock and panic from the people while some adults carried their children and made them not look. The music, fun and festivity mood faded out replaced by anxiousness and fear.

Maou got up the chair, "What is she doing?!"

"Georgina!!!" Reina Ambong left the food stall she was manning, still wearing an apron she ran to where their classmate could be most seen above.

Erick was already by Reina's side, panting. "Parfait and Jeson already went inside with our teachers!"

"I hope they make it on time" Tears welled in Reina's eyes.

This school festival suddenly turned a corner Caroline did not bargained for. Georgina was one of the jolliest and sweetest student in the star section although her grades were nowhere near Parfait's but she always tried to be adaptable. She was the only decent member of Chanel's circle.

"Georgina, don't do this..." It was a whisper meant to attempt reassure herself that their classmate wouldn't really do the deed, Caroline tried convincing herself it was going to be okay.

Beside Georgina, she saw a hazy figure—sitting at the edge with legs swinging back and forth.

Caroline froze and tried rubbing her eyes but this was no illusion or trick of the distance. She looked around the baffled, concerned people, all of them were talking about Georgina's safety and hope of stopping her. Were they not seeing the other person up there?

The hazy figure made a waving gesture before pushing off the edge and Caroline gasped at how limp they were! Falling at a rapid speed and looking like a limp forgotten ragdoll. There was no thudding sound nor surprise on the ground, Caroline saw none. What the hell?

"I AM JOKING! I AM NOT JUMPING, HAHAHAHA! GOT YOU GUYS, IT'S A PRANK!" A burst of laughter came out of Georgina as she pulled back from the edge and despite not being clearly seen below, she made cute poses and finger poses. "THANKS FOR GETTING THRILLED!"

--

There were chorus of gasps, displeasure exchanges and negative reactions stirred from most people after Georgina declared it as a prank. Some even cursed loudly, calling her out for the rude joke and she should be sent to Discplinary Office for it.

Maou paid them no mind, detached from majority's mutual reactions. Despite Georgina stepping back from the edge of the campus, his almond brown eyes were still directed at that edge.

"What was that all about? Why would Georgie..." Zenji trailed off, concerned. He was always the one to act worrywart towards his classmates even if they weren't close.

It was evident on the way Chanel's face scrunched that she was pissed off. "That attention seeker, she's going to get it from me"

Maou tapped Caroline's shoulder, leaning a bit. "You and Zenji go get Hayato and Aya, the festival might get postponed." He gave her a polite smile, "Let's drop by our favorite old school snack diner"

"Are you not tagging with us now, Maou?" Caroline blinked, going to their usual hangout was never a boring option.

"I'll just smoke one stick and follow"

Smoking was Maou's primary vice, it didn't provide the befitting good feels but the temporary bliss did okay to swerve his mind from the directions he didn't want it to go. He already got reprimanded for this whenever the faculty members or any of the uptight students caught him in the act but that never stopped him.

Sitting on the grass and taking a long drag, Maou stared at the abandoned structure across him—with only the barbwire fences standing in between. The echoes of turmoil on the other side where the school fair was being held barely bothered him, on the contrary, Maou found it amusing and he wanted to see what sort of 'righteous' acts his section advisors and student council would take.

Maou rubbed his left temple as a subtle ache surged, it wasn't an irritating migraine but like a knocking against the skull.

"Kid, you never learned" A tired voice declared from nearby and rustling sounds.

Turning his head to the direction, Maou found the long time school maintenance with his trusty wooden broomstick and large metal dustpan. There was a huge old sac behind where he stuffed the rubbish and withered leaves he got. "Sir Igayoi, I thought I won't get a chance to see you today"

Many simply called the maintenance as Igayoi, only a few like Maou referred to him with Sir and this would usually incite a hearty laughter from the elderly male. "I am going to pretend I didn't see you with that stick between your lips, make sure they don't sniff that cocaine on you" Igayoi grinned while sweeping the dried leaves and dumping it in the sac.

Maou smiled, he raised his hand into a fist and Igayoi bumped it with his own, "You're the best sir, but I'll make this quick, I'm meeting my friends later" For sure Hayato would give him an earful, heck, he was such a temperamental bastard but everyone in their circle knew that Hayato had his own way of showing care. "I've been meaning to ask--"

"That better not be about my love life, I am too old to feel thrill about companionship"

"Eww no," They both laughed and as their laughter subsided, Maou continued. "Did it not cross your mind to find a new job? Not that I don't want you around here, but I thought you were saving money to get a place in Eden City"

This topic brought an unseen solemn blanket in the air, the lightness in Igayoi's face flickered and was replaced by a strain. "I wished it was truly easy to move from one job to another..." He leaned his forehead at the tip of the wooden broomstick, eyes closed for a second before opening them again. "I wanted badly to get at least an apartment in Eden, the opportunity there is better and I'm going to be closer to where my son lives but..." His lips curled into a sad smile, staring at Maou. "You know Maou, you're the only one who talks to me as a friend and I'm grateful for that"

Hm? That was new. "Hey, what did you eat and you're suddenly cheesy, Sir Igayoi?" Maou sounded joking but with a seriousness underneath because it really felt out of the blue.

Igayoi didn't blame the kid, he was suddenly acting mushy and not their usual lighthearted topics. He shook his head, chuckling lightly. "Since my fellow homies left, I didn't have anyone to talk to whenever I'm on duty." He glanced at his worn wristwatch, "Gotta continue this another time, kid, I need to go to the basement now to clean there"

"Man I hate cliffhanger" And they were getting at the good part of the story, Maou had always shown interest whenever the elder maintenance narrated about his dailies or what it was like being a single dad for a decade but above all, he wished Sir Igayoi would get the chance of moving to Eden City to be near his son. "I'll see you tomorrow, sir, take care" Getting up the grass, Maou finished the cigarette and threw it in the sack.

With fondness in those tired yet wise brown eyes, Igayoi watched the brash teenager go—clearly aware about the bad reputation Maou had in the campus based from the expulsion he got before. Word of mouth was he was so troublesome he always got into fights leading to his pals back to his former home dying. But Igayoi believed none of those, loud and nonstop the rumor mill may have been but seeing the person itself and his actions proving zero.

"You're a good kid, Maou, I hope you did not give up on that thought yet" He murmured to himself, grimacing and continued with his duty. There was no scheduled cleanup in the basement, he only said that to make Maou leave because when he began telling about his homies...something popped from his peripheral vision where the abandoned building was.

Did Maou sense it? Maybe not, he wasn't reacting strangely.

An unseen bony claws seemed to crawl and brushed against Igayoi's forearm when he began talking about his former colleagues. An awful stench clogged his nostrils, coming from his left—the area surrounded by the barbwires.

Igayoi turned his wary gaze to the old structure and a familiar voice replayed in his mind.

'Do you believe in ghosts, man? You should' These were Alan's last words before he went on AWOL.

It used to be five of them working in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the prestigious school. They became buddies but Alan had been closest to Igayoi because they shared mutual intense love for their family and Alan never ran out of stories to tell. A cheerful man he was indeed but after their colleagues began leaving due to mysterious circumstances, Alan suspected something was up.

From afar on the other side of the barbwire fence, a man with messy mustache and hair stood. His long sleeved shirt was a dirty navy blue and wrinkled, his pants were just as dirty and he wore a pair of old sneakers.

Igayoi dropped the wooden broomstick and dustpan. "Alan?!" No freaking way! He was just remembering his best friend and suddenly he was here?! He rubbed his eyes, blinked many times but no, Alan wasn't a made up. "You bastard, where were you?! You've been gone for a while!!!" He couldn't help the excitement and relief that washed over his system, jogging closer to where Alan stood. "What the hell did you do?!"

Those eyes from his colleague stared, unblinking and reflecting no light; haggard lines carved on his face. Alan's lips were compressed shut as he turned away from Igayoi and walked further to a path leading to the abandoned structure.

"Alan, wait! We're not allowed there!" Only more confusion instead of clarity sprouted in Igayoi's head, the entire time he believed the Human Resources department that Alan went on AWOL without stating reason but here he was year later. "Hey!" He tried calling out again but Alan continued walking.

--

Auntie Virginia's Snacks and Diner was one of the oldest establishment in Evergreen, before it bloomed into its current jump in the hype and modern trend, the humble diner was already built however with the new stalls and even restaurants popping around, it wasn't getting as much customers like before.

Aya and her friends would never get tired going here though, aside from the homemade delicious egg creams and other classic affordable menu being sold, the old-fashioned ambiance made it feel like a sanctuary for each of them. Zenji once jokingly said it was their main hideout.

"Here you go, children, the special and got you some desserts, this one is on the house" The owner whom everyone referred to as Auntie Virginia was already in her mid 60s but this never became a hindrance to her or her husband in continuing the shop.

Hayato half stood up from the leatherette booth, "Let me," He took the tray filled with delicious food from the elderly woman's hands and placed it on their table.

Aside from their orders, the additional dessert was a cup of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce for each one of them.

Aya smiled widely, eyes sparkling. "Auntie this is heaven! And you're giving it for free?! No way!" She loved sweets especially strawberry ice cream.

"No Aya you are going to wash the dishes at the back in exchange" Zenji already took his portion and the ice cream intended for him.

Laughter erupted from their table, even Hayato who was default scowling most of the time was smirking in amusement.

Auntie Virginia placed her hands on her hips, looking proud. "You are my best regular customers and seeing you together always feel refreshing and reminds me of my youth."

"Are you sure this face looks like a reminder of a colorful youth, auntie?" Zenji wasn't done with his parody jokes just yet and pointed at Hayato. "Or that brusque over there" Then he pointed at Maou.

Hayato glared at Zenji then playfully hit the back of his head.

"Alright you enjoy your meals and take as long as you want," Auntie Virginia slowly turned around to return to the counter as a couple of customers came in, the murmured words to herself were still heard by the group. "There used to be many of you...where was Yoshihiko? And who was the other pretty girl? Mafuyu?" Then she trailed off.

The laughter and smiles faltered on their faces, turning into a tense awkward atmosphere. Yoshihiko and Mafuyu in one sentence were a subject they tried hard not to pry into again, each one always tried to avoid it not because of disdain but to also forget the pain caused by the missing parties.

Sometimes it was couldn't be avoided.

Departing from his sunny nature, Zenji gloomily stirred the blue lemonade glass before him while staring at it. "...I missed Yoshi, guys, wished he would stop holing himself up in his apartment"

Aya glanced down at the crafted bracelet on her wrist, it was the only accessory she wore wherever she went—even in some photoshoots she downright refused to take it off, without it felt incomplete. The bracelet was white with a tiny dangling charm—everyone of them in the table wore the same thing.

"We all tried..." She stated softly, really at lost about the ordeal with Yoshihiko.

Hayato hated this conversation, making his temper flare up to the roof. He started eating his food to distract himself.

An idea popped in Caroline's mind, as a way of diverting the topic, she brought it out in the table. "Say guys, have you been in the abandoned building at the very back of our school?"

Maou gave a sideward glance, "Hm? Why?" He ate many menthol candies and sprayed perfume to cover the scent of smoke in him.

"Curious is all, we were never allowed there, I mean it was so forbidden why didn't they just demolish the whole structure right?" The announcement was that the vacant building had a lot of broken parts and hazardous to use, reconstructing it wouldn't be an option anymore. Caroline remembered their secondary class advisor Jackie shared that because of the lack in renovation and withering of foundation, accidents were prone to happen.

Zenji snatched some fries from Aya's plate and dipped it on the mayo, "Another rumor is it's haunted"

"Do you believe in ghosts, man?" Maou asked out of the blue.

A shrug from Zenji, he grabbed another handful of fries from Aya's plate. "I don't know, I've not seen one in my life" Next thing Zenji took was the bacon cheese burger he ordered for himself and he didn't notice Aya put some hot sauce in it so when he took a huge bite, his face scrunched up.

"Want to go there? If you guys are bored" Hayato suggested, leaning back on the leatherette seat.

Maou stared at their grumpy friend, smirking. "Do you want to get in trouble again with our class advisors and class prez?"

"Coming from you?" Hayato's face morphed into amusement then laughter.

Aya could only shake her head, sharing mutual expressions with Zenji and Caroline. They all knew Hayato and Maou combined would result to another variant of problem.