After what had happened, he buried Mohawk's and Cole Elbarin's bodies deep in the forest, piling dirt and leaves until no trace was left.
He did the same for Lamine and Robert,both of them once his classmates, now lifeless and gone.
He didn't let himself think too much about it, he just kept digging until his hands felt numb.
When he was done, he carried Samantha on his back.
Her body was cold, but there was still a faint sign of life. He walked in the dead of night, until he reached her home. He dropped her gently in front of the gate, stepping back into the shadows.
Ash stayed there for a moment, hidden behind the metal bars. His heart was pounding, but he forced himself to keep his mind steady.
The bullet hadn't killed her, it had passed clean through her head, somehow missing her brain and any vital spots. The wound was deep, but not fatal.
She probably curved it… Ash realized. She used her telekinesis. That's the only reason she's still breathing.
A small wave of relief came over him, but it was crushed just as quickly.
The truth remained.
He had ended four lives today. And now, he didn't know if the Knights would track the killings back to him.
His stomach twisted with fear.
He turned and walked home under the moonlight, his mind already racing through possible alibis. What will I say? How do I make them believe me?
He replayed fake stories in his head, searching for one that sounded real.
When he entered his house, his mother was sitting in the kitchen. She looked up from her sewing and frowned.
"Ash? Why are you out so late? And… why do you look so pale?"
"I said I'm fine," Ash muttered, kicking his shoes off and heading for the stairs.
She stood up. "No, you're not fine. Did something happen? You're shaking—"
"I said I'm fine!" he snapped. His hands were trembling. "Just… leave me alone, alright?!"
His mother froze.
"Ash..."
Ash didn't wait for her to respond.
He rushed upstairs, slammed his bedroom door shut, and locked it. His back slid against the wood until he was sitting on the floor. His breathing was heavy, his mind replaying every death, every scream, every face.
He buried his face in his hands and stayed like that for the rest of the night.
For days, Ash forced himself to act normal.
He greeted neighbors, helped his mother with chores, and even laughed when the village kids played in the street.
Inside, though, every second stretched tighter around his chest.
Lamine and Robert's parents had already started visiting the local leaders, demanding search parties and asking questions. He avoided their eyes whenever they passed by, afraid they could see right through him.
Samantha's parents had long left the Elbarin estate, but that didn't make him feel any safer.
The news spread that she would be in a coma for months. He didn't know if that was a blessing or a curse. If she woke up and remembered, everything would be over.
That morning, he sat in his classroom, pretending to read from his notes.
His pen tapped against the desk in a steady rhythm.
Then, Vander walked in with Perro and Robertson trailing behind him. All three were dressed like they owned the place.
Vander leaned close to his desk, his voice low but sharp enough to cut. "So, Ash… what really happened to Samantha?"
Perro chuckled under his breath.
Robertson smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah. She ends up like that, and you're her new friend, right? Sounds suspicious."
Ash looked up, forcing his voice steady. "I don't know. I wasn't there when it happened. I only heard she got attacked."
Vander tilted his head, studying him like a hawk. "Hm. You're either a really good liar, or you're just useless."
The three of them laughed as they walked away, Vander tossing a mocking wave over his shoulder.
Ash sat there, silent, gripping his pen so tightly it almost snapped.
He didn't look up. He just waited for the noise around him to fade so he could breathe again.
His heart was pounding so hard he swore the people around him could hear it.
What do I do? Do they know? No, no, they can't know. But what if someone saw me? What if the Knights have already been told? What if Vander's just pretending not to know and they're all setting me up?
His fingers curled under the desk, nails digging into the wood.
I buried them deep, no one should find them. But what if animals dig them up? What if—
"Ash."
The voice cut through the chaos in his head. He looked up and saw Marine standing there.
"We need to talk," she said, her tone low but firm.
He swallowed. "About what?"
"About Lamine and Robert." She stepped closer. "I know you had something to do with them."
Ash forced a calm expression even though his stomach felt like it was twisting in on itself. "I don't know what you're talking about. They just… disappeared."
"Don't play dumb with me." Her voice was quiet but every word carried weight. "You were with Samantha too, weren't you? And then she ends up in a coma while those two vanish? What happened?"
"I told you—"
"You're lying, Ash." Her eyes didn't waver.
"Tell me the truth, now."
He hesitated, glancing around at the other students before muttering, "Not here."
Marine led him behind the school, far from the noise of the classroom. The air felt heavier here. Ash's legs felt like they didn't want to move, but he followed.
Once they stopped, she crossed her arms. "Alright. Talk."
He looked at the ground. "I can't."
"You can, and you will. I'm not going to just walk away. Whatever you did, I need to know."
"I…" His breath caught in his throat.
If I say it, that's it. She'll never look at me the same. She could tell anyone. She could ruin me.
But—
"I killed them."
Marine froze. "…What?"
"It was self-defense," Ash blurted, his voice breaking. "They attacked me and Samantha. I—I didn't mean for it to happen, but I fought back, and I just… I didn't stop in time."
Her eyes widened, but she didn't speak, so he kept going, words spilling out in a rush.
"And it wasn't just them. There were two more people I killed. They were a mohawk guy and Cole Elbarin from the Elbarins. They were part of it. I didn't have a choice."
Marine's face was pale now. "Four… you killed four people?"
"Yes," he said, his voice low. "And you can't tell anyone. No one, Marine. If the Knights find out, I'm done. You have to promise me."
She shook her head slightly, looking away. "Ash… the Royal Knights are coming this week. They're going to search for the killer, and they'll find the bodies. You don't understand what that means."
"I do," he said quickly, stepping forward. "That's why you can't say anything. Please. You're the only one I can trust with this."
Marine's jaw tightened, and her hands clenched at her sides. "…You don't realize how dangerous this is."
"I know," Ash said, his voice almost desperate. "That's why I'm begging you."
He forced his gaze down, trying to steady himself, but then the corner of his mouth twitched upward into a grin that didn't feel like his own.
It was creepy and terrifying.
He stepped a little closer to Marine.
"You know, Marine… if you tell someone…maybe you'll be next."
Marine's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't step back. "Ash… are you threatening me?"
"I'm just saying that there are some things you can't take back once you say them. And I'm not going to let my life get ruined because someone wants to feel righteous."
Marine's voice wavered. "You think I want to tell anyone? I'm trying to keep you alive—"
"And I'm trying to keep myself alive," he cut her off, leaning in just enough so she could see the seriousness in his expression.
"If the Knights find out, it's over for me. So if you even think about saying anything, then you'd better be ready for what comes next."
She stared at him for a long moment. "…You've changed, Ash."
"I've just learned that people like me don't get to make mistakes. And when we do… we make sure no one finds out."