Chapter 40

In the dark alleyways, the wind howls along with their voices. The flame beside the metal bin threatens to die together with their fading footsteps and laughter. The night is long for the both of them as they chased each other. Smiles of sweetness carved on their faces, simply longing for the things to stay on what is it.

"Don't run too fast, Nancy!" He laughed as he chased the girl who was wearing her long apparel due to the weather. Instead of stopping, the girl named Nancy teased him playfully and then proceeded to run quickly.

"You're saying that because you can't keep up with me!" Nancy yelled.

"You win! Alright! Stop running now!" Nancy halted before walking back to the guy who was panting non-stop. She leaned at him and then wrapped her arms around his shoulder. Nancy embraced the man, making him do the same by his light as a feather hand.

"I love you." He whispered through her ears, sweetness laced in his voice. She cannot compare it to anything else. Nancy was too indeed enticed by everything about him.

It's all romantic. Perfect. Moonlight showered down at them. Wind swaying along with their hair and even their clothing. A waltz could do.

"I love you more, Dusk," Nancy whispered back.

"I always wanted you. But the time is over." Nancy stared at his handsome face, eyes wide in full of horror. She gathered her remaining strength to cover her mouth as she coughed. He watches the thick liquid with the color same as the ruby. He too glanced at the knife pierced on her back.

"W-Why?"

"Nothing much. Just business, my dearest girl." His brown and lack of empathy eyes followed how the girl fell to the ground. The edge of the knife on her back shines as the moon hits it.

"I was supposed to tell one of my men to do this or even hire from the hitman organization but I prefer doing it for myself this time." He smiles in a gentle manner, hiding the true maniac behind his mask, "It's no longer a surprise for me at all. I expected everything as such to you." He caressed her head using his gloved hand.

"Roses bloom and withered when the season comes. You're my rose. But I need to throw you away. Even you're already withered."

"Why do you need to do this, Dusk?" She asked even though it was just a whimper. Dusk watched her. He stared into her eyes while on her breath, the life drains out from her lips.

"We both knew it. We are just taking advantage of this. No catching of hard emotions."

"You're a psychopath." She said, relaxing her eyes. The tiniest warmth of her fingertips slipped away, resembling her life.

"That's pretty offensive."

Trance groaned, pulling the blanket all over her. She suddenly senses someone is staring at her. She can tell it was standing in the corner of her room. Half a minute passed, and Trance can't bear with it anymore. She harshly removed the fabric and madly open her eyes.

"Nine?" Trance almost jumped when she met the glowing amber eyes. Nine is just standing at the corner, staring at her until she wakes up.

"I made a bomb." Trance's gaze dropped on Nine's hand. Even though the room is a bit dark, she can determine that it is a bomb. Her drowsiness washed away in realization. It is truly a bomb.

'We're fucked.'

"What?"

"Let's check if it's working."

"Do you know what time is it?" Trance asked, trying not to get nervous.

"I'll teach you how to detonate a bomb after this." Nine replied.

"It's bloody 3 am." Trance covered herself with a blanket again. Not closing her eyes, letting herself feel the surrounding. Most of all, not letting her guard down.

"I guess I'll try this inside your room right now."

"I'm calling our Captain." Trance reached her nightstand. Tapping her hands for the search. She can't find her phone, causing her to stand up quickly.

"I've lacked materials so maybe I'll use your phone as a replacement. Since I don't want to go to the headquarters right now. Don't worry, I asked Hermes to buy you a new one. I also have a backup of your files on my flash drive." Nine mumbled. The blonde pulled out a small flash drive from her pocket. Based on how she acts, Trance can tell that she's already sleepy.

"Where's your phone? Why mine?" Trance asked, pissed.

"I don't have a phone anymore. I..." Nine squinted, "I used that to the bomb I made before this new prototype."

"Are you drunk, Nine?"

"Huh? I'm not." Nine walked on the opposite side of her bed, "I drink booze once in a Blue moon." The blonde slumped herself against the mattress.

"What happened to your room?"

"I don't sleep at all." Nine pushed the inactivated bomb on Trance's side. Trance cautiously moved away while staring at it. The blonde remained to stare at a bomb, scanning its very detail. Trance didn't know if Nine is aware that she was wary of it or if she just didn't bother to notice.

"School of Elites means it's the Priam Videlle, right?" Trance asked out of the blue. Ignoring the existence of the bomb nor her sleep.

"Yeah."

"Let's try investigating those persons our suspicions. Perhaps one of them is the heir." Trance stood up. Nine pushed herself off Trance's bed and then head towards her door.

"Alright, go to the kitchen, I'm bringing my stuff there."

"Sure thing." Trance rubbed her eyes before marching toward her bathroom to wash her face.

"So?" Nine learned on the chair with eyes glued on the laptop's screen.

"Not one of our classmates," Trance commented.

"Why don't we try on those who are not part of the class?" Nine took a sip of the coffee cup.

"How can you be so sure?" Trance raised a brow, eyeing Nine in her profusely doubt. The blonde placed the empty cup in front of her with a small smirk.

"Just trust me, they'll probably pique your suspicions too. Aside from that," Nine tapped her fingers against the table, "You keep your status low in spite of sitting at the top of the power. Hiding your true self to lure some of them out, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Trance frowned, secretly bracing herself for any movements that Nine will do. However, Nine just shook her head as she laughed.

"That makes me wonder why I found a fondness of you," She glanced at Trance, "Still I don't think it's a good reason to be considerate enough to get you out in fortunate situations."