Only in gibberish she could speak, words to describe what her dim brown eyes saw meant to be not known. Whatever had escaped her chappy dry lips in the past were heard by townspeople as screws loose of her skull, not even once did they know what Shein meant. Forevermore until the time came she completely fell asleep, the girl with infected wounds and scabies was a fleeting mumbo jumbo gone wayward.

"The City of Oz is covered in a glass dome made of sweet, promising lies" Shein sang in a made-up tune, sitting on the dirty pavement under a broken lamp post. "Our faith is nonexistent, burnt into oblivion so they may coat us in red" Unblinking gaze watched solemnly with the singing continued.

Shein sensed the desperation, fatigue and cries to break free from this fragile soul holding a rosary beads. Agonizing scream broke through the night of which only Shein heard, unaffected by the unseen blanket of deceit. The strong coppery scent, flesh being minced and torn without regard. A craft of a madman.

The final conclusion laid on the road motionless barely unnoticeable, the rosary beads clutched by the detached hand melted away.

--

Caroline saw a wrapped bento box on the table, walking closer, she noticed a card where a note was written hastily but with tiny cute hearts as its border.

An appreciative smile graced the girl's lips, "Thank you for the lunch, mom" Taking it with both hands, she placed it inside her bag.

Home was never noisy nor packed with people, the house Caroline lived in was of humble size yet with only her and mom, it was more than enough. She found the silence comfortable, solitude that it brought whenever some whirlwind was brewing internally or when she wasn't up to going out on weekends. Her dad left them for another woman, had no idea where he went or what he was doing now and Caroline didn't bother to know—not interested peeking into the life he chose over her and mom.

They were doing alright with just the two of them anyway, her mom got sufficient pay from being a preschool teacher and Caroline studied hard to acquire full scholarship at Saint Catherine Sierra Academy.

On her way out of the house, Caroline saw a familiar figure passed by, "Georgina?" Odd, she never pegged Georgina to be this early and usually the latter would be driven to school by her father. Maybe she decided to walk today? "Hey, wait"

The tall, pretty girl did not stop to acknowledge her, acting like she didn't hear Caroline. Georgina was walking straight and with a upright posture too. Curious, the short-haired girl followed her.

"Whoa," Following Georgina led Caroline to the street that people barely used, nothing weird here but many regarded it as out of bounds that there were venomous snakes hiding in the tall grasses that were not managed. "No way, is this...the old chapel?"

Once there was a chapel in Evergreen, an old one that the previous residents shared money for and built together as symbol of safety and the people's faith. Caroline heard about the old news but since her mother was firm about not expanding her curiosity about it, she dropped it altogether.

A moment of difficulty passed over Caroline, standing there with jaw dropped open, the news stated it was accidentally burned down but the state it was in today...it looked far worse than being burned.

The chapel was a misshaped failure establishment made of wax, that was the best way to describe it albeit the crisp burnt scent was faintly in the air.

"Georgie—wait!" Dark forest green eyes zeroed in on the slender tall pretty girl again who was stiffly walking ahead through the tall grass surrounding the abandoned chapel. Caroline was a mixture of confusion and annoyance for being purposely ignored. "We are not allowed here! There might be snakes!" Even the faculty made clear during one of their morning assemblies that it was not allowed to stroll or go here in case of accidents.

Not wanting to leave her classmate by herself, Caroline reluctantly followed with a scowl, hoping there were no snakes or any venomous insects that would pop out of nowhere and bite her.

--

A tapping on his shoulder and familiar cheery voice.

Ugh! So annoying!

"Hey, man! C'mon!" A chuckling, "You still have a chance to not get your ass completely expelled! Get back to school!"

Bleary eyes forcing to be opened, Yoshihiko found streams of light passing through the windows—the dark curtains he had put up a while ago was pushed aside. He almost hissed, shielding his face with an arm from the warmth, he felt like a vampire for not being out for a long time.

"By the way, bring Hayato and Maou here, you will need those two to help you with general cleaning, your apartment is a total wreckage" Another side comment, there was a sound of shifting and someone plopping on the sofa. "I can already imagine Hayato is going to be pissed off, he'd say he ain't cleaning material!"

Yoshihiko got up, he didn't realize he ended up lying on the floor the entire night, "Zenji, how the heck did you get inside?" Still groggy and disoriented, he ran his palms on his face. "You even let the lights in"

Another exuberant laughter from Zenji—genuine and not condescending, he would never fail to bring laughter to their circle. A patient and kind friend Yoshihiko was glad to have. "When was the last time you let the lights in your life, Yoshihiko? Would Mafuyu like to see you brooding and stuck in the mad of despair?"

That question had Yoshihiko stiffened, he was halfway getting up the carpeted floor. Whenever his girlfriend was mentioned, the effect never subsided—her name was both a Kryptonite, injecting nostalgia but also loss. And his anger became irrationally uncontrollable when her name was brought onto the table.

As for Zenji, he'd know not to say Mafuyu's name around him easily. He was the most careful among them since she died.

"I want us to graduate together, man" Zenji continued, still sitting on the armrest of the sofa with his back on Yoshihiko but he could be seen holding onto the handmade white bracelet Mafuyu had gifted them before. "My wish is for us to graduate together and explore the rest of our lives intact"

Straightening up, the surge of anger quickly dissipated only to be taken over by puzzlement. "Zenji, what's the matter?" His apartment's turbulent messy state was now seen because of the lights from the windows and the door remaining ajar.

"Come back to school okay? You have not lost everything yet" Zenji stood up, turning around to give him a cheerful smile and peace sign with his fingers. "It is not yet too late" Without waiting for Yoshihiko to reply, he left.

It was then the dumbfounded Yoshihiko noticed his friend's uniform was dirty and some stains, he wanted to ask if he tripped or got in an accident but Zenji left too quickly as if he just glided out of the apartment.

Walking forward to where his friend sat earlier, he bent down as he saw a flower left behind—an unknown yet alluring-looking red flower with whites in the middle.

--

"Maou...are you off to school? You're not going to bash heads against the walls again, are you?" The slur questions came from an elderly rugged man half sprawled on the floor, his head bobbing back onto the sofa and laid before him like scattered toys were packs of cigarette, beer bottles and junk food. His eyes were bleak, seeing nothing despite being awake.

Stuck in a loop whose presence of mind chose not to be present.

As for his son, Maou was halfway out when he heard the questions. His hand was holding the knob but there was no signs of annoyance from him. "Yes" Whenever his father asked questions randomly out loud, his reply would be a curt yes nothing more, this never phased him anymore.

The foundation of his family would not be the same again, that he already accepted.

But just as the red-haired boy was to continue leaving, his father had a followup statement that caught him by surprise.

"Don't go to school anymore, it's not even real education..." The elderly male hiccuped after gulping mouthful of beer so early in the morning. "She said it's all a facade and you knew it too"

Furrowing his eyebrows, Maou couldn't shake off the foreboding blanket over his shoulders. "Who are you talking about? You barely leave the house"

"She told me...whenever you're at school..." Mr. Pulangbuwan raised a limp hand, pointing nowhere, just gesturing. "She would tell me things she said you knew..."

Who was his father talking to? The uneasiness only grew heavier. A throbbing knocks of pain against Maou's temples. He frowned, bring his hand to the side of his head.

His father chugged the beer again, "She said you were classmates...but she looked so filthy, had so many gashes on her skin..."

"Try to get some sleep, dad" It was all Maou could say, he wasn't normally shaken and fazed but today, it was an uncontrollable brush of eerie on his skin.

--

Hayato and Aya weren't the only ones with mouths opened and wide eyes. It was like the time inside the classroom stopped, even smallest of movements and details halted when Yoshihiko Kagami appeared in the doorway clad in his uniform, his hair longer than before and tied in a half ponytail. The morning casual chattering and light atmosphere faded out replaced by a tension brought by their classmate who went incognito for an indefinite period.

"Why bother to come back? No one is missing your emo ass" The scornful remark from Filolix Dos cut through the abrupt suffocating silence. He was leaning against the wall near the windows, his stance was comfortable. "The class is doing great without your unwanted existence"

Like a bunch of mindless beings who jumped in a bandwagon without second thoughts, Filolix's friends backed him up with their sarcastic snickers and smirks—Jeson and Erick part of the group for they felt an oozing superiority to be in the same clique as the handsome Filolix.

Parfait had a soft sullen expression, throwing a pointed glance at the boys and displeased with their loud catty remarks. She rose up from the armchair and approached Yoshihiko. "I'm sorry for their callous acts, Filo doesn't mean it either" Her soft brown eyes were gentle like a doe's.

Her vice president, Reina went to the other side of the classroom to tell Filolix and his friends that they were being rude. But she spoke in a manner that wasn't going over the line or imposing.

Erick Naiteru snorted loudly, unhappy for the callout. "Jeez Reina, you and prez are so straight-laced and too nice, Filo is only spitting facts. The asshole over there did cause headache to our teachers and the section"

"Yeah it's his fault for still coming back to class" was Jeson's additional insight.

Filolix intervened as his eyes flickered at Reina, lingering on her face for a few minutes, taking in the details of the small yet sweet smile that graced her lips. "C'mon guys, vice prez is correct, I went too far." He glanced back at Reina, "Sorry for my outburst without thinking about it carefully, let me make it up to you"

Reina shrugged albeit there was no refusal. "It is not required Filo but if you insist then okay, drop by the Student Council office later, I will need some helping hand"

"We have free period for our first subject, right? Sir Buranko told us yesterday, he would be preoccupied with an important meeting. Can I help lighten up the ad hoc load right now, vice prez?" Filolix smiled.

--

Air was warm and thick.

Gasps, sounds that were tried hard to be muffled with closed lips and hands but if one would leaned their ears against the closed doors of the Student Council Room, they would still hear those sounds.

Sounds not meant to be in public nor heard by someone younger.

Actually, it shouldn't even be heard in a school of all the places.

"Oh my...ahh...ahh..." The air conditioner was not enough to conceal the rise in Reina's temperature as she laid on the floor on her back, uniform top hastily rolled upwards and her bra forced pulled down to expose her breasts in the open. Her skirt was discarded on the floor nearby. "So big! You're so big, Filo!" She moaned loudly, it felt so good not to hold back.

The reason for Reina's euphoric, hazy state had a wide smile on, Filo had the vice president's legs spread apart—as apart as he could get it to be—while he rammed in and out of her wet sheath, driving his hard length to the edge without a stop. "You're taking me all in, vice prez, what a slut you are" Filolix was gasping, panting and his sounds blending with the sensual ones Reina was also letting out.

Yes he was right, her jewel, sensitive spot was tightening around him and her eyes would roll in ecstasy as the tip of his cock completely reached the edge of her womb. Filolix was really big between the legs and no one could satiate her like he do.

"P-please...give it to me...I want to be filled with your seed! Shoot it inside me, Filo!" Her breathing was labored, short and hurried. So close, they were both close to the summit.

That Filolix did, finally reaching the peak of their shared pleasure he rammed herself deeper in between Reina—watching with satisfaction and smugness seeing her legs almost seizure at the intensity of his pounding. He felt his seed spilled inside the walls of her womanhood, pulling away, those seeds were evident and coating her wet entrance. Filolix shot the rest of it on Reina's face. "Open your mouth, vice prez, take it in like the slut you are"

Complying wholeheartedly, Reina opened her mouth with tongue out as she took the remainder of the white liquid leaking out of his manhood and she swallowed. "Mmmm, I'm not thirsty anymore"

"You better be, no one can quench that thirst but me" Filolix yanked her head from behind, leaning closer for a brief carnal kiss.

--

Cries.

Soft, muffled crying and a voice laced with so much pain.

"Get out of here, Caroline...don't come back to this place again if you can..."

A hand brushing its back against a sleeping face and followed by drops of wetness on the cheeks.

"I'm so sorry...I can't help anyone and I can't do anything to save us from this fate"

The heck? Why was it wet?

Caroline felt heavy disorientation and grogginess, she lifted herself off the ground with furrowed eyebrows. She couldn't remember losing consciousness, the last thing she recalled was following Georgina—oh fudge. Her forest green eyes widened.

The inside of the burnt chapel was like a melted and wax museum with an odd shape, she was inside and lying on the dirty, old floor. The walls were already covered by a thick moss and some assortment of crawling vines, plants and whatnot.

"Georgie?" Her voice only echoed, bouncing off the distorted walls but there was no sign of anyone in there but her. Caroline forced herself up, smoothing her skirt and shaking the dusts. "We don't have time to play hide and seek, girl, we are going to be late for school" As she looked around, an object caught her attention almost concealed by the dusts and grass on the floor of the broken chapel.

Picking it up, Caroline inspected it close. A rosary? But just like the chapel, it appeared to be melted by force—the details were barely seen and the cross was folded multiple times.

"...should leave..."

The spark of relief ignited on Caroline upon hearing the voice and seeing the person she followed there—standing far in a corner with her back on the latter.

Caroline absentmindedly pocketed the rosary, "Georgie! I've been looking for you! Why did you go here?" She ignored the shaking of Georgina's shoulders and didn't question why she still didn't turn around.

"No other safe space but here..." The restrain and shakiness were thick in Georgina's voice.

Did she mean the chapel? Caroline didn't look convince, for her, the broken-down chapel with its misshapen structure wasn't appealing as a safe space. "I don't know but it'll be better to go elsewhere, the grasses around this property are so tall and there might be snakes or other creepy crawlies." She glanced at her classmate again who didn't turn around, "...Are you alright?" It was no secret that many really liked picking on Georgina because she barely retaliated, Caroline wanted to be at least one of the few people the latter could talk to and rely on.

"Caroline? What are you doing here?" A deep timbre of a voice rang loudly in the chapel, it was laced with confusion.

Whirling around, the girl was met with a dumbfounded Maou. "Who are you talking to?" He frowned.

Since Saint Catherine Sierra Academy was not far-off, most students would just walk to get there and a few who also preferred to use bicycles. Caroline hadn't spoken a word to Maou since they walked to school and the latter didn't pry, just reveling in the music from his earphones. Nothing strange upon their arrival, everyone was as is.

"Why are they so casual?" A frown etched on Caroline's face, she peered at anyone who would pass by them and some from the same section that she was.

Maou kept his earphones and phone inside his bag, "What are you murmuring about, Carol? You've been acting quite odd"

"I saw Georgina and the reason I went to that abandoned burnt chapel was because of her, didn't you see her? I was talking to her" The green-eyed girl pointed out firmly, wanting to get her thoughts across and also because she couldn't set aside the uneasiness. "She's not okay, Maou"

One of their tall, lanky male classmates happened to hear Caroline and he stopped halfway, "Hey guys, I didn't mean to interrupt..."

"No it's fine, what's up?" Maou turned casually to Jeson Gamboa, the known class aspiring singer.

Jeson had an awkward air around him, "About Georgina...didn't you hear?" His question was directed to the short-haired girl with Maou. "Her home was destroyed and found to be burnt, Georgina and her parents are gone..."

HUH?!

Even Maou's reaction mirrored Caroline, their eyes were briefly on the others nearby.

"That's a lie, I saw her this morning and she even talked to me" Caroline countered sharply, already fuming from annoyance. "And...and this is such a huge case, Jeson, why is everyone unaffected?!" She gestured to their schoolmates. "It wasn't in the news too!"

The awkwardness was gone from Jeson's composure, he only tilted his head and seemed confused. "Are they supposed to be unaffected?"

Maou knitted his eyebrows, expression turning stern. "What kind of question is that, Jeson? While they are not related to Georgina, at some extent, it should still be a news" But Caroline was right, their school even outside, no one was acting like something as big as fire happened recently when Evergreen was not even a big district.

Jeson blinked and then shrugged, "If you don't believe me you can drop by Georgina's home after class, you'll see what I mean" He left.

--

Miss Femante was regarded by most students as a gentle woman with a mother-like tendencies towards the students, they also thought she was the right fit to balance Sir Buranko as he could be quite strict when he wanted to. So for any cases that required counseling or personal talk with a student, Miss Femante would be the preferable choice and afterwards she'd discuss things with Sir Buranko in behalf of a student.

Despite her demeanor, Yoshihiko couldn't placed his gnawing dislike towards their secondary advisor—was it because she liked to treat the pupils as her children and joked about making them call her mom? That was corny but whatever disdain he had went beyond Miss Femante's cringe moments.

"It is shocking to see you back in class, Mr. Kagami but I am not complaining" The secondary advisor of the star section declared, they were in the faculty room—only people inside since the others were already in their respective classes.

Yoshihiko sat on a chair slightly far from Miss Femante's table, he didn't bother sitting nearer. "Zenji knocked some sense in my head today, I haven't seen him yet though"

A mild look of being taken aback but Miss Femante quickly masked her features to curiosity. "Really? That is quite nice but you will have plenty to catch up on, Mr. Kagami and we need to talk"

"We are already talking, Teacher Femante" He didn't intend to sound snarky but only stating the obvious.

There was a sympathetic expression that painted the woman's face, "How have you been faring? Everyone is quite worried during your absence"

"Were they?" It sounded untrue, not in the case of his close circle but for majority of the section? Impossible.

Miss Femante nodded, maintaining the look of empathy and warmth on her expression. "Yes, your section is top of the top and you are close with each other..."

Nothing important to be absorbed. Yoshihiko was hearing the woman but he was not listening, it wasn't new. He also thought before that she was sensible but afterwards realized she would say things for the sake of saying it, placating them so they would shut up. Perhaps this was also the reason he internally disliked her.

Subtly without being noticed, Yoshihiko sent a quick text message to Zenji's phone number.

'Oy, where are you, Zen? I'm here in the faculty. Didn't see you in the classroom.'

--

A phone left on a damp and cold floor vibrated, showing a notification that a text had been received but the device was in the corner of a dark room thick with a dreadful smell of rotting and tangy. The phone's wallpaper behind the text notification was a group photo, the people in the picture had smiles on their faces.

"...Yoshi..." The voice was filled with sadness as the device was picked up by a feminine hand, the back of the phone had dried blood. "I'm sorry..."