Core Part I

Monday, August 22nd

"​Lecture will begin on Wednesday, and make sure you read your textbook ahead of time," the male instructor said, logging off from the computer. "Okay. That's it for today, folks. See y'all on Wednesday."

He then took his belongings and left the room as the rest of the students got up from their seats and headed to the door too. Alone, while holding a large, white binder with the textbook inside it, I walked out of the door towards Serena, who was waiting for me.

"How's your first day in class?" she asked. "I hope your instructor is not harsh on you."

"It's... not bad," I replied. "Maybe it's because I haven't been in school for a year, but this is nice. The instructor seems new though."

"Right! He's very nice, and he reminds me of your uncle a lot."

"I see. ​Do you like Uncle Travis, Serena?" I asked bluntly, stopping myself and looking at her who immediately turned red.

"N-N-No! Not in that way, of course! Travis and I are just friends, Serenity!"

"​Then why are you blushing?"

"​I'm--Er, well, the thing is...!" Serena stuttered in embarrassment and fumbled with her fingers, unable to answer me. "Boy, it sure is hot today! Are you not hot, Serenity?" She then uses both of her hands, fanning herself while avoiding the subject.

"This weather is fine for me," I replied, following along–changing the subject for the flustered Serena. "Have you ever imagined being who you are today?"

"Nope, not exactly!" Serena immediately replied.

I did not expect the sudden answer she blurted out, but it made me wonder about the next question I had thought about until now.

"Then how did you become the principal at this school?"

"I applied to many jobs, and little did I know, I applied here!"

What kind of major did she even major in?

"Oh, enough about me! Let's talk about you, darling!"

"Since when did you call me darling?"

"Since we are on the subject, do you know what you wanted to do, Serenity? I noticed on your schedule that you are taking your general eds, and they are not related to any of the majors here. By any chance, are you still deciding?" Serena asked me curiously.

"I… guess you can say that," I said, slowly turning my head away, looking up at the sky. "Since I still have time, I am in no rush, right? Maybe one of the classes I am taking might change my mind."

Maybe. I looked away then glanced at Serena, whose eyes sparkled and gave me a double thumbs up.

"Got it! Also, it's okay if it takes a long time for you to decide. Not a lot of people know what they want to do until they get older."

"Are you implying that I'm old?"

"Eh?! I didn't mean it like that! What I'm saying is, you're still young, and you still have time to decide!"

"I wonder if I'm getting any younger."

"What does that supposed to mean?!" Serena said with tears in her eyes.

"Pfft…! I'm joking."

"Huh? Just now, did I hear–"

I quickly walked away.

"A-Ah! Wait for me, Serenity!" Serena almost stumbled walking trying to catch up with me as we headed towards my dorm.

A few minutes later, when we arrived, Serena got a phone call from the school, and because it was urgent, she ran there, leaving me alone. As I walked up the stairs, I noticed a small rectangular brown box in front of the door. I hesitated, but I quickly picked it up and unlocked the door.

Why did I pick it up? I thought and locked the door behind me as I took off my shoes, heading towards one of the couches to sit. I placed my binder beside me while putting the box on my lap.

I took out my phone from my purse and texted, "By any chance, did one of you order something and leave it with me?", and sent the message to my group chat with Serena and Uncle Travis.

I wonder if the mail person made a mistake.

I placed my phone down, holding the box in front of me, and turned it around to find a name. But to my surprise, I found mine and the dorm's address on the right side of the box written in black sharpie. I also noticed that the parchment tape that sealed it was not professionally done.

Curiously, I lightly shook the box, but I could not hear anything moving inside.

"Is it stuck? Broken?" I asked myself, trying to figure it out. But then, a realization dawned on me as I immediately checked each side of the box.

Who's the sender?

I thought back to any of the people I've met, encountered, and closed with. But besides Uncle, Serena, and the Corrines, they're the only people who know I'm living here and attending Crimson High. I didn't include my mother's side of the family because they cut ties with my uncle and me a long time ago. I was also not close to anyone at my old school other than Hanako.

But if this rules out everyone I've known, who else could it be?

Somewhere in my mind, I was skeptical at the idea of someone following me here, but given the circumstances, it's not possible.

"Whoever sent this must have a lot of time making silly pranks on me," I sighed.

Even if this is a prank… why do I suddenly feel uneasy?

I clutch my chest at the thought, hearing the sounds of my heartbeat making slow yet loud thumps. Matching my ragged breathing, my hands moved to their own accord to reach the parchment tape. And slowly, I peel the tape off.

A part of me was curious about what was inside, but the other told me to throw it away. Perhaps it was right of me to believe my instincts. Or, maybe it was wrong of me to be overly paranoid. Whatever the case may be, I knew the moment I opened it, I instantly regretted it.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Immediately, I threw the box away from me as the sound of glass shattered on the floor, revealing an old rusty metal picture frame. Inside it is a photo of a bloody Hanako colored in red with black circles scribbled on her eyes with lines drawn down as if they were her tears. Besides her was me with my face cut off and a thick red and black line harshly drawn on my neck.

My rapid beating heart thumped louder than before as I grabbed a fistful of my hair, brimming with tears. Sudden flashbacks appeared in my mind as I saw the illusion of a silver-haired girl lying on the ground in blood.

"Hana...ko…! Hanako! HANAKO!"

As if in a trance, I ran toward her without any hesitation. But little did I know, a red string suddenly wrapped around my neck, chaining me like a dog. My surroundings instantly were covered in darkness as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked behind me and froze at the sight of a faceless, ghostly figure with a circle on its chest glowing with light, releasing numerous red and white strings tied on my wrists and ankles.

"What... is this? Who are you?" I asked, confused, and looked at the sudden strings on my wrists and ankles as I faced the faceless figure. "Wait," I paused. "Do I... know you?"

The figure did not say anything; however, the red string around my neck broke and disappeared. And with it, the figure faded as well. For some reason, I panicked and reached my hand towards it.

However, my heart abruptly stopped as I fell onto the floor, leaving me lifeless.

Maybe I heard it wrong, but I could have sworn that I heard a familiar ding sound somewhere far away within the darkness.