Rin was spooked at the sight of Amber light glaring at the door and quickly rushed to it. When she opened. No one was there but she was certain it was him. She hurried down the hall, looked left and right. But she couldn't see him in sight.
"Madam President"
A distinct voice called from her side.
"Is there a problem?"
"No."
She paused.
"Not at all"
Her eyes kept searching the halls as the boy walked ahead of her. His uniform Sharp and neat. Every bit of it has if calculated and tucked with intent. He had short dark hair that elevated upwards with one large spiky strand at the front that laid on his forehead.
He looked over his shoulder at her, with a stern look on his face and His voice, painted with venom as he spoke.
"Shall we?"
Rin snapped back to reality, quietly nodding as she trailed ahead towards the council room. The boy followed, His on eyes set on her with hidden disdain.
They stepped into the room filled with eight other student council members, Aria included. Documents and stationary rested on the table and beside it the wind blew gently at the Window blinds. Orange Sun light poured into the room, bouncing off its edges.
She walked up to the end of the table, the rest positioned themselves beside it in response. However, Aria quickly approached her, curious at the sudden outburst.
"Why'd you rush out like that?
Aria beckoned her.
"Its—"
"She was distracted."
The boy interrupted.
"Just like the day before."
Rin tensed and Aria's brows knitted.
"I don't remember asking you, Charles."
"It was a pointless question."
He replied with no remorse.
"Excuse me?"
Aria straightened, arms crossed.
"Yes"
Charles slid into his seat.
"Clearly, Miss Hartwell has been distracted."
"Today makes yet another example of her—."
He put one foot over the other.
"Incompetency."
Rin's gaze dropped. A quiet breath escaped her.
"Don't you dare."
Aria warned, palm's hitting into the table.
Charles didn't flinch.
"Don't be so uptight, I only speak the truth."
"We have Students vanishing, behavioural declines, drug incidents, a death and our president is....elsewhere."
Rin gently gripped the edge of the table as her eyes narrowed.
"That doesn't make her incompetent"
Aria shot back.
"You're seriously ignoring all she's done for Valley crest?"
"I cannot deny"
Charles said, leaning forward.
"Her past Efforts but… the past is worthless if the present doesn't hold its fruits."
Aria scoffed.
"Oh? And you're more suited for the job?"
"I said no such thing"
He responded calmly.
"But your reaction suggests you already agree the council needs—"
Charles fixed the collars of his blazer?
"Reshuffling."
Aria leaned over the table, eyes blazing.
"Bullshit!"
"Pardon?"
Charles rose from his seat.
Rin's grip on the table tightened as silence fell around them.
"Everyone knows you've always been a jealous bastard."
Aria's voice struck like a viper.
"Outrageous!"
He waved his hand.
"We were dismissed from classes to focus on council duties, and all she's done is sit quietly trying to summon a genie from her pendant while the rest of us solve actual problems!"
His voice turned bitter.
"You saw her… She just run out the door a minute ago! Prancing about the halls like a wild horse!"
Aria rolled her eyes.
"She has her reasons, how jealous could you be"
"Jealousy?"
His voice lowered.
"All I feel… is concern… and love!. for this place."
Aria laughed coldly.
"Concern and love? Nobody is buying your act"
His jaw tightened.
"YOU—"
"Enough Charles!"
Rin's voice cut like a blade. Sharp and Commanding. Her rose coloured eyes hardened as her white-pink hair stirred in the breeze.
Aria smirked and Charles bit his tongue.
"You too Aria"
Rin added.
That pierced deeper than any insult. Aria's posture faltered, she glanced at Rin for a moment before sinking into her seat. Her chest tightening. Charles followed, though not without a final glare. Silence folded over the room like a heavy blanket as the tension finally began to settle.
Rin took a breath, her heart wrenching at calling Aria out. Her hands were steady, but only because she forced them to be.
"Charles is right."
Aria's head snapped toward her while Charles straightened with a smirk.
Rin kept her eyes down for a moment, gathering herself.
"I have been distracted,"
She said quietly.
"And I know how that must have looked."
Her voice was soft, almost apologetic but there was a quiet strength underneath it.
"Shoko has been consuming my every thought… and I didn't even notice how far I drifted. I'm letting them down"
She thought to herself before finally looked up.
"But that ends now."
She steadied her breathing, forcing her composure back piece by piece.
Her tone sharpened, losing its tremble.
"Valley crest is slipping. Students are scared. Rumors are spreading. People are going missing."
"I am part to blame."
Aria opened her mouth, but Rin raised a hand gently.
"I am here now… and I promise to devote myself fully to the tasks at hand."
"And I expect you all to do the same."
"You will put your differences aside, because I need all of you with me."
She looked between them.
"Every perspective…every strength…every critique… Without that, we can't steer this school forward."
"If we fracture, we fail. And failure isn't an option."
"Valleycrest needs us now more than ever"
Her back straightened.
"We… will not let them down."
She stepped back, taking a file from the table as she walked toward the whiteboard. All eyes followed her like metal to a magnet.
"Charles…"
Rin paused.
"You questioned my authority."
He stiffened, his eyes eager for her next words.
"Thank you."
She smiled.
Charles breath was caught, A stunned silence swept across the room.
"Rin…"
Aria blinked.
"Enough of that… Aria, what did you find out about the rumors"
Aria responded, her usual excitement leaving her briefly.
"It took a while gathering everything but here it is."
Everyone looked at her attentively as she began to read her from her tablet.
"They say if you see a student with black veins around their wrists…pale skin…dark eyes."
"Those are the same symptoms Nurse Claire mentioned."
A member noted, gesturing towards the tablet.
Aria continued.
"Don't talk to them… or they'll drag you into the brotherhood."
Everyone looked at each other in awe.
"The brotherhood?"
Charles questioned.
"They say it's a secret afterschool club. The Dark brother hood…and they meet in the school basement 6pm – 9pm"
"That's weird."
Rin interrupted.
"The only people allowed to be here at those hours are—"
"The Sports club."
Charles finished.
"Right"
"They might have seen something"
Aria fixed her glasses.
"Ben, I'll trust that to you."
Rin gestured towards one of the members.
"And what exactly do they say about this brotherhood?"
Charles brushed his chin.
Aria took a glance at her tablet before continuing.
"Supposed to be some kind of cult…they scout amongst students"
"And when they find potential members… they start to torture them… with visions of the dead."
Quiet unease went across the room, fingers crawling on their backs.
"Then when you start to break…they make an offer."
"An offer?"
Charles asked, raising a brow.
"What offer?"
Rin's body shifted to the right.
"I…I don't know."
Aria replied her voice stained with regret.
"They also say… if you see a two-faced creature with a twisted tongue."
Aria and Rin locked eyes.
"Then they consider you a threat…and death follows swiftly"
Everyone gasped except one.
"Nonsense"
Charles leaned back.
"These rumors are completely ridiculous, we are wasting our time."
Everyone else silently starred at Charles.
"No"
Charles shook his head.
"You are not considering this as a possibility."
"Nothing is certain"
Rin replied a hand on her hip.
"One more thing."
Aria placed her tablet on the table.
"Once you get in you can't leave. If you try—"
Aria paused to catch her breath.
"They close up loose ends"
She finished.
"They are basically hostages… its either die or join them. And if you join them… you are forever bound to them."
Aria's face drenched with urgency.
"It's cruel and i think it explains the disappearances and odd behavior."
"We need to do something."
The weight of students' lives weighed on their shoulders as the Air became thick and bitter, their minds overstimulated.
"As much as this information sounds concerning, it simply cannot be true"
Charles spoke out, bursting the bubble.
"The principal and the nurse already debunked these rumors and the school has become aware of their own foolishness."
"Sure… but you can't tell me I'm the only one who finds it fishy how every time a student goes missing, the principal conveniently has the perfect answer and solution to everyone's questions?"
Aria fired back, firmly taking her stance on the situation. Charles held his tempo, for a moment the room was silent. The whistle of the wind bouncing from wall to wall.
"Still it is completely out of question to assume the principal and the nurse are lairs even with the clearly defined cause and effect paired backed up by the police report."
Charles insisted.
"You're right"
Rin spoke up.
Aria turned to face her, clearly disappointed.
"The best bet is that the rumors and what principal Edmund said have some correlation."
Rin continued.
"My thoughts are as follows."
Her hand grasped the pendent as if it hungered for it. All members sat at the edge of their seats except for Charles who laid back and Aria who couldn't be more indifferent.
"There is a group of students probably influenced by external parties to steal this drug from the medical Centre for leisure but most probable money"
An odd realization struck the room as faces started to light up all around.
"But how are they being influenced? A student of Riverton wouldn't be involved with such."
She continued.
"Unless they are being forced"
Michael, who sat beside Aria suggested.
"That could also explain the rumors around a 'brotherhood'"
Another member added.
Everybody spent a moment to reflect.
"And these creatures… must be hallucinations from the drug as it does affect mental activity."
Charles concluded.
"Not bad deduction Madam President"
He turned to Rin with a smile.
Aria just took a short breath and begun to scroll on her tablet, her eyes drowning in worry. Rin glanced at her, empathy weighing on her face.
"But still"
Rin caught everyone's attention.
"It wouldn't hurt to act on the rumors… there is a possibility the principal lied… in order to protect everyone from the truth."
"Yeah that makes sense, if the rumors are true he would try to not get any of us involved and leave it to police."
Another member named ben spoke up.
Aria lit up, chest and shoulders raising up as excitement soared back into her.
"So then what are you suggesting miss Hartwell?"
Charles questioned, his arms crossed.
"You, me and Aria will go to the basement at 6:30pm, let's see if this brotherhood truly exists."
Rin replied.
"And ultimately when our time is wasted?"
He questioned.
"Then we go with my deduction and work accordingly"
Rin replied, turning back to the white board.
Charles responded with a smirk.
"Alright Rin!"
Aria's exclaimed a fist in hand.
Rin smiled at her before proceeding with the meeting.
A few hours later, students in sleeveless vests and shorts and where racing rounds around the school track, some stepping between cones and others stretching as their club patron cheered them on. Like a clocks tick the sun descended past the horizon. Aria and Rin watched them train a little longer until Aria's patience started to fade.
"He's not yet her?"
Aria complained walking back and forth as Rin laid on the wall her hands around her pendant which seemed to glow slightly in the dark.
"It's only been a minute, relax"
Rin responded her voice echoing with comfort.
"Exactly! You know how Charles is… his always on time."
"We all have our days, its nothing"
Rin rose her back from the wall.
Aria gasped, her eyes bulging out as she turned to Rin.
"What if? The brotherhood got him?"
Rin laughed at her.
"You're laughing!?"
Aria held her shoulders.
"Im serious!"
Rin held her laugh back but every word knocked on the door.
"I…I know…it's not"
"Excuse me"
Charles interrupted.
"Took you long enough"
Aria turned, a fist on her hip and eyes turning sharp.
"Isn't that a little harsh miss Kurosaki"
Charles turned to his watch.
"It's only been five minutes."
"For someone who called Rin incompetent no."
Aria crossed her arms.
"That doesn't matter"
Rin stepped forward.
"I need to be home soon so let's finish this."
"Of course madam president"
A stern look stroke his face as he stepped forward too but not without glance at Aria.
Aria laid back for a bit, talking to herself in a silent voice as she punched the air around visibly infuriated.
"Aria!"
Rin exclaimed now quite a distance ahead.
"Coming!"
Aria responded with an innocent voice before rushing towards them.
They slowly approached the ends of the school grounds, some members of the sport club paused for moment, shocked to see the council going in that direction especially at this hour.
They entered a small building, inside it there were steps going down into the basement which was unusually big with halls left and right. It was so dark they had to turn on flash lights from their phones.
Every step echoed in the halls, as started to look around.
"The heck, why have a basement this big"
Aria asked as she lifted her light to the ceiling, the corners dripping.
"Is It really surprising? Its Valley crest academy."
Charles responded, he seemed somewhat amused as he opened a door to a room filled with old school equipment.
"That's not too stupid."
Aria responded as she walked ahead towards Rin who was searching the walls ahead for a light switch.
"Found anything?"
Rin asked as she spun her phone light around the walls.
"Nothing."
Aria's voice was filled with disappointment.
Rin stepped a little further ahead.
"Its funny how until now, we've had no reason to come here."
Rin spoke out.
"Right? But the weird thing is this place almost looks deserted."
Aria added as they both turned around looking at the spider webs, dust and leaking ceilings around.
"Yeah…are basements usually like this?"
A hard and cold finger dug into Aria's shoulder. She jumped. Phone slamming into the ground and her scream loud enough to shatter glass. They quickly held each other, Aria shook with terror staring into the darkness while Rin bit into her teeth, grabbing her pendent tight.
A figure slowly emerged. With its every step, Aria and Rin held each other tighter. They could hear each other's heart beat as Rin forced her hand to raise her flash light. The light flared blinding them momentarily.
"Could you turn that down?"
"Charles?"
Both of them spoke in unison.
"Yes?"
He questioned, using his hand to shield his eyes.
They both took a relived breath as the light lowered. Tension escaping their muscles. Aria took as much air in as she could before her face tensed and she punched Charles shoulder.
"Why did you turn off your light?!"
Charles looked shocked by her reaction.
"I found this book, I simply thought you might be interested, apologies if I scared you."
Rin nodded her head as she held her pendant, easing her breath.
"What? Last thing I'm doing is taking a book from a creepy place like this."
Aria fixed her hair.
"It's about the legend of Izanagi."
Aria fought with her thoughts for a moment before grabbing the book away from him in an instant.
"Gimme that!"
She exclaimed with excitement. She begun talking to herself as she turned the pages, eyes burning with fire.
"You are really one of kind."
Charles nodded his head.
"What!"
Aria turned to him with ferocity.
Charles swallowed as he held his composure at the brim.
"I mean it as a compliment really."
A sweat fell at the side of his fore head.
Aria's eyes narrowed at him.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH"
A someone cried. They all turned to each other in a second.
"HELPPPP MEEEEE"
They all caught their breaths, then rushed forward in the direction of the scream. The closer they got the more odd sounds they heard. Like something tearing, something rolling, objects rattling. They looked at each other as they run questioning they choice to follow.
They stopped at a door. There was a feint light escaping at the bottom. The Screams where loud as ever. Rin squeezed the pendant to her chest. Aria pointed her light with both hands to the door and all sounds went mute. Charles had fists in his hands. Tension folding his face. He slowly approached the door. Aria and Rin watched in suspense.
Whispers started to echo as he got closer, his hand now reaching for the door knob. It felt like minutes past before his hand finally grabbed the knob. He took a breath and turned it. Creeeeekkkk…The door opened wide. It was pitch black. Charles hand searched of a switch and found. He flipped. Like a snap the room lit up.
There were 3 Students in uniform, seated around a round table. On it was a board with dice resting on it. There were pieces of characters and Dragons on it and a large book seated face up and wide open in front of one the students.
The room was small surrounded by dust shelves, decorated with fantasy themes. At the back a poster that read Dungeon and Dragons, A dark brotherhood.
The student's mouth's where wide open, utterly shocked at the site of their President, Vice and DC. Seconds past as the students quickly looked at each other and nodded.
"OPERATION D!"
They exclaimed.
Before Charles could react, the large book crushed into his face and they run past him. They all run after them.
The once quiet halls were now filled with thunderous footsteps.
"D..U..C..K!"
A student's voice echoed.
Aria and Rin ducked but Charles pressed forward. He crushed into the floor as a bucket filled with water swung straight into his face.
"Charles!"
Rin stopped to check on him and helped him up. Aria continued on, now out of sight.
"They'll pay for this!"
Charles rubbed his right eye as he begun to run ahead.
"Wait Charles!"
Rin reached forward. But it couldn't be helped, she just run ahead behind him.
They finally emerged from the basement. Aria stood, hands on knees gasping for air. Charles was outraged as the students where no were insight. He kept looking around vigorously holding on to the feint hope of spotting them.
"You're wasting your time…gasp…they went over the fence."
Aria started to ease her breath. Rin went to check if she was alright.
"Damn it!"
Charles tensed, veins on his skull refusing to settle.
"Hey!"
Aria called out to Charles.
"What!"
Charles responded viciously.
She threw something at his chest. He grabbed it and turned his palm to see what it is.
"This is…"
"Yep…"
Aria stood up straight.
"I simply thought you might be interested."
"Way to go Aria, you got one of their Student ID's"
Rin held her hand.
Charles shoulders eased and he smirked with his eyes closed.
"Well played."
Aria fixed her glasses soaking in the moment with a smile.
"So I guess this means the brotherhood exists…just not as expected."
Rin faced the both of them.
"Seems like it…"
Aria's tone lowered.
"Just Like I said…"
Charles added.
"But it wasn't a waste of time, we've found students on school grounds at illegal hours. They must be punished."
He held his eye, now red and swelling around the edges.
"Well, I'll leave that to you… head of the disciplinary committee"
Rin gave a soft smile at him.
"I will not disappoint."
Charles said with determination.
A Camera flashed at Charles.
"What the!"
Charles looked, only to see it was Aria's phone that flashed.
"I'm so sorry I just couldn't resist."
Aria confessed, slipping her phone away.
"You delete that now!"
Charles demanded with a firm stance.
"Delete what?"
Aria smiled raising her shoulders.
"What you just took!"
"I didn't take anything!"
"Yes you did!"
"No I didn't"
"We clearly saw, im not fool!"
"I don't what you're talking about."
"Miss Hartwell, you saw the flash right."
"I—"
"She didn't see anything"
Aria interrupted. The two continued to argue as Rin just watched, nodding her head as she turned to her phone.
The time moved from 7pm to 8:30pm. She was home, waiting for her parents to arrive. Shoko already locked himself in his room.
Then her phone buzzed. Her face stretched. She quickly picked it up.
"Hello"
"Good evening Hartwell, sorry for reaching out to you at this time."
"No…no its fine principal Edmund"
"Is there anything wrong?"
"Yes actually, I didn't have time to see you earlier and I wouldn't want to disturb your long weekend but."
"That new boy you recommended, kaoji was it?"
"Yes…"
Worry took her throat. She glanced in the direction of his room up the stair before continuing.
"That's correct."
"He's caused quite a ruckus in only two days."
"Really? I was not –"
"You were not? You were not aware?"
Rin swallowed.
"That better not be your next choice of words."
"You are President, Id expect you to have a tight hold of valleycrest knowing every curve and edge."
"Yes Principal Edmund."
Rin replied, forcing the voice out of her chest.
"Good, Where was i?...right Kaoji"
"I went through a lot to have him here, so you better keep him in check."
"If not… then you know what happens. Like we discussed earlier"
"And you and I both know what that would do to your parents."
"Under…understood"
"Great, are they home by the way… Your parents?"
Rin finally caught a breath.
"Uh… no not yet."
"Busy as always I see, pass my regards to them."
"I will."
Rin held her pendant.
"They are lucky to have daughter like you, don't disappoint them."
"Ri…Right"
"Oh and Rin…"
"Yes."
Her stomach twisted.
"Enjoy the festival."
"You too Principal Edmund."
"Something tells me this year's…will be unforgettable."
CHAPTER EIGHT:
THE FESTIVAL OF HE WHO INVITES.