Jay-jay's POV
"Can't this go any faster?!" I asked frantically.
"Even if I speed up, if we don't know where we're going... it's useless!" Percy snapped in frustration.
I had no idea where we were anymore. We'd been circling around near the school for a while. I knew they couldn't have gotten too far yet. Where could they have taken Ci-N?
"Call your classmates! It'll be easier to find the kid with their help!"
I shook my head. "My phone's not with me! I left it in my bag."
I didn't go back to the room after all. I ran straight out of school and didn't even realize Percy had followed me.
He stopped me and asked what was wrong. I told him Ci-N was with Mykel, and I had a bad feeling about it. He immediately made me get into his car so we could look for them—but even now, we still couldn't find them.
"Use my phone—" He didn't finish his sentence.
He dropped the phone he was about to hand me and screamed for some reason I couldn't understand. I was scared by how he reacted.
Worse, he lost control of the steering wheel.
"P-Percy?! W-What's happening to you?!" I cried out in panic.
The car was still moving. We were going to crash if he didn't stop, so I grabbed the wheel and stepped on the brake.
We both lurched forward from the sudden stop.
"Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh...." he groaned, like something was hurting him.
What the hell is happening?!
I'm scared! I don't understand what's happening to him. I looked at his whole body—he seemed frozen. His fingers were stiff, and his legs were fully stretched out.
"P-Percy!"
His eyes were shut, and he was sweating buckets even though the car's air conditioning was on.
I pulled at my own hair. I didn't know what to do.
"P-Percy..." I called to him through tears. "...I-I'll get help."
I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to step out of the car when he suddenly spoke.
"D-Don't..." Even speaking was hard for him. "...G-go now! F-find... the kid!"
He wanted me to leave him and go after Ci-N. I shook my head repeatedly.
"I can't leave you like this!"
I was completely lost! I had no idea what to do anymore!
I glanced at his phone lying on the floor. I picked it up and started tapping on it. I already knew the password, so I had no trouble unlocking it.
As I scrolled through to find a contact to call, he suddenly smacked my hand hard, making me drop the phone.
"Percy!" I scolded him.
He stared at me with frustration despite his obvious pain. "Go... n-now! I-I can... still manage!"
I wiped my eyes, fighting back the tears. "I'm not leaving you!"
He stared straight into my eyes. He looked so frustrated that I wasn't listening to him. We stayed that way for a few moments until he suddenly took a deep breath.
"I-I can..." he said in almost a whisper. "...I-I'll call... for help. Go."
But what if he can't call for help?!
"I'll get help first... then I'll go find Ci-N."
I tried to reach for the phone again, but I couldn't see where it had gone. Then I felt his hand touch my arm.
"Go now!" he yelled and pushed me. "...F-find... the kid!"
"Come on, Percy!"
He pushed me again. "I-I'll... g-get... help! Go!"
The tears I'd been holding back finally fell. I didn't want to leave him, but I needed to find Ci-N.
I opened the car door and stepped out.
I looked at Percy. He forced a smile at me. As if telling me he was going to be okay.
I nodded at him and shut the door.
I quickly wiped my tears. I trusted Percy. If he said he'd be okay—then he would be okay! I didn't waste a second. I sprinted away.
I started thinking about all the places Mykel's group might be hanging around. I stopped at the edge of a pedestrian lane.
Think clearly, Jay! Where does Mykel usually hang out?!
I was about to cross when I saw two students on the other side of the street. They were from HVIS too—I recognized their uniforms. I stared closely and realized they were from Section D.
I rushed across the street, nearly getting hit by a car. The driver honked loudly, drawing the attention of the two Section D guys.
It looked like they recognized me because they suddenly ran away.
You better brace yourselves when I catch up with you! Raaawwrrr!
"You little jerks!" I shouted after them.
Those rascals punks ran into an alley. People they passed had to step aside. I was starting to run out of steam from chasing them.
I slowed down a bit, and the two of them took that chance to slip into a narrow passageway.
They probably thought I didn't see them. Before I stepped into that alley, I grabbed a nearby trash bin drum that was empty. Even if it stank—I didn't care!
I saw them clearly, resting against the wall. Without hesitation, I threw the trash bin at them. One of them even fell face-first on the ground trying to dodge it.
"You jerks! You gave me a hard time!" I snapped and started kicking the one on the ground.
One of them tried to run again, but I quickly grabbed him by the collar at the back of his neck.
I slammed him against the wall with all my strength.
"Where is Ci-N?!"
No one answered. Each of them just groaned from the pain.
Wasting time with their silence.They don't want to talk! Wait…
I stepped on the face of the one on the ground. "You won't talk?!"
"O-ow! It hurts! It hurts!" he screamed.
Then I turned to the other one. I pressed his face against the wall. I still didn't remove my foot from the other guy's face.
"Ow! Ow! Stop it! It hurts!" he shouted.
"WHERE IS CI-N?!"
"W-with Mykel!" the one on the ground replied.
Oh, I know! Obviously!Would I be coming after you if you weren't connected to Mykel?!
I pressed my foot harder on his face. "Where exactly?!"
"Aaaaaarrrggghhhh!" he screamed along with his sobs.
Then I turned back to the one against the wall. I shoved his face harder against it.
"Kiss that wall!" I yelled. "Where is that Mykel creep?!"
His face was practically fused with the wall. His mouth was so smushed he could barely speak. I pulled him slightly away to give him a chance to answer.
"A-at Mykel's ancestral house. Two blocks from here." he said.
I let them both go and was about to leave, but I gave them one last parting shot. I kicked the one on the ground in the gut and punched the one standing. Both of them writhed in pain.
I didn't waste any more time. I ran and ran until I reached a large gate with a high fence looming in front of me. From the outside, I could see Mykel smoking and laughing.
The gate was covered in plants and rust. Inside was an old, big house. I was about to open the gate to barge in when someone grabbed my mouth and arms.
"We've got a visitor!" the one holding me said with a laugh.
These pests!
They opened the gate and dragged me toward Mykel. I tried to break free several times, but it was useless. I knew more than one person had a hold on me.
Mykel was smiling as I was brought closer to him. He even flicked away his cigarette.
"Look who's here!" he said, leaning his face close to mine. "...I knew you'd come."
I wanted so badly to smash my fist into his face, but their grip on me was too tight.
"Take her inside... a new toy," he ordered, pointing to the house behind him.
Damn it!
I tried pulling my arms away, but at the same time, they dragged me inside the house. In my struggle, one of them let go of my mouth.
"You idiots! Where's Ci-N?!" I yelled, but all I got was their laughter in return.
Laugh at me now! Go ahead! I'll be the one laughing later!
When we entered the house—oh! A chandelier! Not huge, but fitting for the high ceiling of the place. All the furniture was covered in white sheets, the floor was wooden, and the thick curtains were closed.
I saw Ci-N lying face down on the floor. One of the Section D guys was stepping on his head, but he was facing me.
"Jay-jay!" he cried out hoarsely.
As I got closer, I finally saw his full condition. His nose was bleeding, the side of his eye and forehead were starting to bruise, and he had scratches all over. His uniform was dirty.
"Ci-N!" I shouted and tried to rush over, but they held me back. "...let me go!"
I heard the door shut. It echoed through the entire house because of its size and weight.
"Stand him up." Mykel's voice came from behind me.
They lifted Ci-N, but he quickly fell to his knees, too weak to stand. I felt devastated seeing him like that. It was clear they ganged up on him and made sure he couldn't fight back.
"Ci..." I called out to him.
I bowed my head when he forced a smile out of me. It was hard for me to see him like this.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my jaw and forced my head up. "Look at him." Mykel ordered me as he walked toward Ci. "...look at him closely because this is what will happen to your classmates too."
He suddenly punched Ci-N in the gut. Ci-N's body nearly collapsed, but because he was being held up, he remained standing.
"You jerk! Fight me instead!"
The idiots laughed at me. Someone suddenly kicked the back of my knee. I fell to the ground, and they forced me to lie face down. The bastards didn't waste any time. They held both my arms and legs.
"I won't fight you. A princess like you deserves to be...pleasured," he said, sending chills through my entire body.
You freakin' Maykeliling! Just let me go, I swear…
I felt three fingers brush against my thigh. The idiots surrounding us burst into laughter.
"Stop that! You crazy freak!" I screamed, struggling to break free.
"Tell me..." Mykel whispered near my ear. "...has Keifer had a taste of you yet?"
"Get off! Stay away from me!"
My heart was about to explode from the fear. My chest ached and I could barely breathe. Tears were starting to pool in my eyes.
"Let me go!"
"Hey, kid!" Mykel called out to Ci-N, and they forced him to look at me. "...watch what we're going to do to your friend!"
Aaaaagghhhh! You freaking monsters!
What was just touching my thigh earlier was now starting to grope. I flailed around like a fish out of water. That hand was moving upward until I felt my skirt being lifted.
"She's wearing cycling shorts," one of them said in disappointment.
Next time I'll wear briefs so you'll really be disappointed!
"It's fine—" Mykel didn't get to finish.
He was suddenly thrown off along with one of the guys holding me, which freed one of my arms.
I looked to see who did it— Ci-N had collapsed on his knees in front of me, looking weak. It seemed like he forced himself to fight off the one holding him just to help me.
I didn't waste the chance. I yanked my arms and legs away from their grip. Maybe they were too shocked by Mykel's fall that they didn't even notice me anymore.
I got up and kicked the one closest to me in the face. That's when the others snapped out of it and quickly charged at me. I stayed alert. I punched one of them, but he dodged. I took the chance to grab the back of his neck and kneed him in the gut. A few others came at me, but I took them down with punches and kicks.
Before the rest could get close, I rushed toward Mykel, who was in the middle of standing up and wiping his mouth. I punched him, then followed it with a kick to the chest. He fell and looked completely drained. He even coughed several times.
Finally got you back!
I glanced at Ci-N and saw him leaning against a post. He gave me a thumbs-up and a smile.
Then I noticed the man behind him, about to charge at me— when something hard suddenly struck my head.
I was thrown by the force. Everything seemed to slow down, and my surroundings blurred in confusion. The ground felt uneven.
I shut my eyes and felt the wetness on my head. Some kind of liquid was pooling under it, and I was pretty sure it came from me.
"JAY-JAY!" I heard Ci-N scream.
My head throbbed.
I stayed unmoving for several minutes where I fell. Something heavy weighed on my body, refusing to let me rise.
"Should I finish her off?" I heard a man say.
"No! I can still make use of her!"
I forced my eyes open. The first thing I saw was Ci-N, being kicked repeatedly.
Get up, Jay! Ci-N needs you!
I forced myself to get up. They were all facing Ci-N, so barely anyone noticed me. My body felt unbearably heavy, but if I didn't do this, we might both die here.
I could feel the liquid from my head trickling down.
I knew what it was. But I didn't want to look. I wasn't done here yet, and besides that, Ci needed me more. If I let the fear of blood take over again, the same thing might happen as before, when Rory and I were attacked.
"Whoa! The girl's still alive!" one of them shouted.
They all looked at me, including Ci-N. Some were in awe, while Mykel looked furious.
We have to get out of here! Why are you weakening now, Jay?!
I'm not weak. Not now, after everything? Would I have made it this far if I were weak? I'm not letting people like you be the reason I fall apart.
One of them approached, reaching out to grab me— but I kicked him in the chest with all my strength. The others were alarmed and backed off slightly.
"Damn it! She's still got strength? You didn't hit her hard enough on the head!" Mykel snapped at the guy holding the metal pipe.
Then stop yapping and attack already!
I raised my arm, ready to charge at them— but that turned out to be a mistake. My entire arm was soaked in blood coming from my head. Even my uniform had turned completely red.
My breathing grew heavy. I dropped to my knees as my legs weakened. My heart pounded uncontrollably. My vision started to blur.
Not now! I thought I was over this… wasn't it supposed to be gone?!
I shut my eyes to shift my focus away from my hand. I closed my fist tightly and pressed it hard. There's not supposed to be anything left! Why is this happening now when Rory's blood didn't even affect me like this back at that time?
The voices started again. Voices that seemed to come from the past, reminding me of who I was.
Maybe I really am going crazy!
"You're worthless!"
"You're just a burden!"
"What are you all waiting for?! Go after her!" Mykel yelled.
I opened my eyes. For the first time, I'd be thankful for what I could do to these people. I looked at my blood-stained palm. If this is the only way we can survive…
Blood really does taste good.
My fingers were already at my mouth. I looked like a vampire, desperate for the taste.
Only seconds passed, and my body began to move— as if I were no longer myself.
And then, everything went dark.