Chapter-7: Monster's Gonna Hunt

(Ryu Narsius's Perspective)

I was running, bumping through the crowd, trying my hardest to get to the other side. Most of the students were running away from the place where the sound came from, some were standing still-dumbfounded- looking around as to what to do.

If this was not a dire situation, I would have observed these people, how people react in a panic situation tells you a lot about them. But right now my focus was to get my gun back. One of the perks of joining 'Clypeus' and then the 'Ordinis Ignis', my data-Medical, Dental, Birth-Records, etc,-were not stored on the City Councils Database, hence if someone tried to know from where the gun came from or the fingerprints on the gun, it would create an anomaly. That I can't afford.

I turned a sharp right as I neared the end of the hallway. I was pretty sure the sound of the shot came from here. So far, only one shot had been fired. By my estimate, it would take about 5-6 more minutes for the School Security and The Prefecture Police to get here.

There were two doors, a single door to the right and a double door to the left, the door on the right leading to Junior Girls Bathroom and the door on the left leading to the staircase. Some might call this wrong, but screw it- desperate times, desperate measures-I took a deep breath calming myself. Focus, the person on the other side is armed, and ready. He/she could be baiting you in there, waiting, like a predator, for his prey to enter their trap, and you have to be one better. I imagined how the place would look like, not much data was present so I couldn't do much.

Time for Plan B-analyze, improvise, execute. caution was not needed, who ever was inside knew I was coming and I didn't have much time. I crouched and pulled out a switch blade from the sheath above my socks, it was a Balisong-specially customized for concealment. I flicked it open, and took a deep-breath.

I rushed the door open, inside a golden- haired, with his back turned to me was, desperately struggling to point the gun away from himself against a green-haired girl. There was a odd look in the girls eyes, a crazed look- the look someone has when they don't anything but the other person dead, while the boy was furious. His anger showing on his face, slowly bit-by-bit he was arching the gun point towards the girls face.

I didn't understand what was going on.

The boy was clearly more powerful, elder and more well-built but the girl was almost able to stand against him. What kind of a monster is she?

*Bang,

I flinched at the gun shot, waking up to the situation. I flicked the knife to my off-hand-putting it behind my back in REGO- to obscure it from my view, while slowly advancing. At this point, the boy had not seen me but the girl had undoubtedly noticed the inquisitor, or to be precise the owner of the tool.

The boy was still arching the gun barrel towards her face, and in a flash, she let go of the gun while pressing the small button on the side of the gun dropping the mag out. His hand crashed onto the wash-basin on his left letting of another round, the girl slumped down as the round ricocheted off the wall-hitting her. I pulled my knife out, stooping low, with my right hand grabbed his shirt collar and pulling the knife forward, slashed at the back of his knee. I the same instant, I folded the knife up and tumbled back down pulling him with all my might, throwing him at the back stalls.

The bathroom was a mess, they stalls were broken with a guy inside them(literally inside them), there was blood splattered on the floor. And I lying down on the floor. I closed my eyes for a second, replaying what had happened.

The gun.

I jerked up as I remembered about the gun, the girl had picked up the gun. The guy must have dropped it when I tossed him. She slowly pushed the mag in, with an awkward clumsiness- as if she was enjoying it but didn't how to- and cocked the slide back.

I swear I saw a smile, it made me choke- somehow her aura was terrifying.

It is said, that about 80% of the people(whether they claim they inverse or not) are averse to killing or harming any human being via direct contact, of the remaining 20%- 15% can Induce harm of a mortal status if they need to, 4% enjoy harming or giving pain of a mortal status to others. This is the groups that make the most efficient killers, they don't kill for money or emotions, but because they want to, their drive is unparalleled. They are natural born killers.

But they are not the the apex predator. The Tyrannosaurus Rex of the field, no that's the last 1%. Beings who kill for the sole purpose of killing, psychopaths who once they realize what destructive potential they hold are able to surpass all human possibilities. In short, monsters.

And the girl in front of me.

Is a Monster.

Her killing intent was refined, focused- but a bit of her emotions were showing, leaking. Her sheer pressure was causing me not to be able to get up. My whole body had frozen. I knew my place, I am nothing more than a soldier.

She walked, calmly-dignified as an empress knowing full well she controlled the area-unto the boy. She bent over his face and gave him a little peck on his right cheek. I could hear her sniker as she lifted up the gun and..

* Bang,*Bang

*Bang.

She shot him once more for good measure. She then looked at me, her smile wide, eyes shining. She lifted the gun towards my face. I could try to flick my knife, or try to kick the gun away. But it would be of no use. I was terrified, raw primal fear coursed through me. I could see through the gun barrel.

Is this how they all felt when I killed them?

The fear of death?

I didn't even hear the click as I succumbed to the void.

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I couldn't feel my body, or do I even have a body?

Who am I anyway?

Ah, now I remember I got shot.

Is this....it?

Is after-life just a void?

There is no hell or heaven?

I know that voice. It's that girl from my dreams.

What was her name?

'Faith'

huh?

'Yes'

I screamed as I fell into the oblivion.

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"....so anyway, Jess and I were kinda going to the park, and oh Miley was there too. I'll introduce you to her, she desperately needs friends...."

Where, where am I?

The light flooded into my eyes as I looked around.

I was in my class.

" ...itself is not moving but rather we experience it as moving.....", the teacher was still droning on and on.

Rex was still talking about the park trip of him and his friends.

What was happening?

I have been here....my attention was diverted by the green-haired girl in the second from the front seat. I craned my neck for a better look.

"Ohh, fancy someone, do we? She's Aiko....no Riko. I can introduce you if you want?", Rex asked me, the devilish smile on his face.

I ignored him as I looked at the clock.

It said-12:48.