IDENTITY: ELEVEN

ALEX POV

"Good morning, class!" greeted our first-period teacher. Everyone stood and greeted him with a respectful bow. "Take your seats."

I glanced at Maica's seat, which had been empty for a long time. I still couldn't believe she was in the hands of that guy. Sky and I were sure Richard Osaka was behind this, and I would do everything to bring him to justice as he deserved.

"Alex Rischon?"

"Alex!" two voices called to me, and I realized it was Prof and Sky. I looked at them, and they were all staring at me. I didn't know why. I looked at Sky, who signaled to me to sit down using his eyes. It was then I realized I was the only one left standing. I let out an embarrassing smile and slowly took my seat. I just bowed my head, trying hard not to dwell on what happened earlier.

"He's getting weird each day," whispered a female classmate.

"You said it. This might have something to do with his friend Maica."

"You know, I was thinking. In the first place, I can't find any reason for him to kidnap Maica. She doesn't have any enemies."

"Just say your point."

"I suspect Alex has something to do with Maica's disappearance."

"He probably wouldn't do that."

"Think about it. Maica is Alex's only friend."

"That's right! Only Maica! So Alex can't harm someone he considers a friend. And look at him! He's so depressed and sad."

"But did you forget? Alex killed one of the students here before."

"Girls!" our teacher shouted, silencing the group. "What gossip are you discussing there?"

I sighed when I heard their whole conversation. I didn't really want to listen, but their voices were too loud to ignore.

"Don't listen to them, Alex. They don't know the truth," Sky suggested, using his telepathy. He was right. They didn't know the truth, and neither did Maica. I didn't think this had something to do with Trisha. I had a strong feeling that I was the cause of this turmoil. And if it's true, then I should be the one to end this.

"Alex Rischon!" our professor shouted, making me stand in surprise.

"Yes, sir!"

"Answer."

Answer what?

"Pardon me, sir?" I apologized.

"Hays," our teacher sighed disappointedly. "The question was, what is the Quantum Zeno Effect."

Quantum Zeno Effect? Like in the movie Escape Room?

"Uhm... uhh... The Quantum Zeno effect is a principle where a system cannot be changed when being watched or monitored."

"Very good," praised the teacher. "I thought you were going to be dumbfounded again," he teased, and I sat back down, wearing a forced smile. Our professor began discussing the Quantum Zeno Effect, which really caught my interest. I don't know why, but unlike earlier, it felt like a weight was lifted off me.

******

We were on our way to the canteen for lunch, and even here, I still couldn't be at ease. Knowing Maica's location had made me more determined to rescue her. If only there were something I could do to help her.

Actually, I can. I am a psychic! I can use my telekinesis to save her. The problem is I don't know how to use it. If only there were someone who could help me learn those techniques. I looked at Sky, but it seemed he didn't read my thoughts. I said if only there's someone who can help—

"Look who's still here!" shouted a girl, making me stop in my tracks. If I was not mistaken, it was Trisha Osaka, the daughter of the so-called kind Richard Osaka. Since we were in the hallway on our way to the canteen, quite a few people were around. Which meant many were looking at us. In a matter of seconds, the sound of her heels echoed through the entire hallway.

"Let's go."

No!

I noticed Sky suddenly looking at me. I clenched my fist and slowly turned to face the girl approaching me. I stared at her as she walked toward me. She had this bully look, with her right eyebrow raised and a mocking smirk.

"I thought you wouldn't be coming anymore," she assumed.

"Actually, I wasn't planning to, but then I realized your life would be boring without me."

"Pardon me?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Think about it. If it weren't for an inferior like me, you wouldn't be this superior right now."

"So you're telling me I should be thankful because if it wasn't for you, I can't be like this? Tsk! How silly." And she laughed.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm trying to tell you that you should know everyone's worth because, in the end, we are all humans. And there's this one thing that we are all afraid of."

"Tsk! What is it, loser?" Trisha let out another smirk and stared at me with her deadly glare.

"You'll know if it's your time."

"Oh my god! Are you threatening me? Daddy was right! You are indeed capable of killing someone! How scary. I wonder what Maica saw in you and decided to befriend you?"

"Yes! I did kill someone—"

"Alex!"

"I know what I'm doing, Sky."

"You finally admitted it! See, guys!" Trisha turned her gaze, looking at the students who had been staring at me. "The truth has been served! My god, Alex! I've been waiting for this! Now tell me, Alex, the murderer. Who would you kill next?"

"Is it okay if it's you?" From that moment, fear engulfed the entire hallway. Gasps and murmurs echoed throughout the place, and I could feel the girl in front of me trembling. Even Sky couldn't believe what I said.

I felt my body start to relax. The tension that was trapped inside me earlier suddenly disappeared. I felt so light and confident, like I could do anything!

"Let's... let's see about that! Come on, girls!" Trisha stammered, making me smirk. Stuttering was a sign of anxiety. If I'm not mistaken, she was scared. Good for her. Because I really wanted them to be afraid of me.

Trisha and her gang left us, and others started entering the canteen. Only Sky and I were left in the hallway, except for the newcomers, unaware of what had just happened.

"I need some fresh air," I said, quickly walking toward the school's garden.

"Why did you do that?"

"What do you mean? Confronting that girl?"

"Telling the truth."

I stopped walking when I heard what he said. "Isn't it better that I told the truth?"

"Telling the truth is not always right. That's why we have white lies! What you did earlier is a wrong move."

"What's wrong with that? That I told them I'm a murderer?" I argued.

"Yes. You're making our plan difficult! More eyes will be watching us, and that will cause problems with our plan."

"Fine! I was wrong! So please, can you give me some space?" I asked irritably and quickly walked away from him. That was our first fight, and it felt kind of heavy. The tension from earlier came back, but it was worse than before.

I was in my room, lying down. I'd been staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours, thinking about what happened earlier. Sky was right. What I did earlier was a wrong move.

"Argh! This darn life!"

"Alex?" a voice called from outside the door.

"Yes, Lola?" I answered, then stood up and opened the door.

"Is Sky there?"

"No, Lola."

"Aren't you together?" she asked with surprise.

"For now, no," I replied, enveloped in sadness and regret.

"Did you fight?"

"Not really, Lola." I quickly put on a forced smile.

"Don't lie, Alex, especially to a psychic like me."

I let out a defeated sigh and then faced her. I allowed Lola Vemine to enter my room and had her sit on the chair while I stayed on the bed. I told Lola Vemine everything about what happened in school earlier, and it seemed she was also disappointed with my admission.

"I only did that so no one would get close to me. I didn't want them to get hurt because of me. If only she didn't befriend me, this wouldn't have happened to her."

"You're blaming yourself. Do you think you're the reason this happened to Maica?" Lola asked. I felt her hand grasp mine, so I looked at her. "Alex, how many times do I have to tell you that this is not your fault? You didn't want this to happen."

"Then how will you explain what happened ten years ago?"

"What you did that time was out of your conscience. Maybe you should ask your Alter about it." A loud shout of a woman calling Lola Vemine's name disturbed the house. "Alright, I'll leave you for now. You take care of this, okay?" I just nodded at her, and she stood up and closed the door. I let out a big, deep sigh and lay back on the bed.

"Maybe you should ask your Alter about it," I recalled Lola Vemine's words. Since it wasn't clear to me how I killed a student back then, I thought it was better to find out. I sat cross-legged and closed my eyes.

I learned from the internet that meditation was the best way to connect to the psychic world. So, with total concentration, I transported myself from this empty, familiar white space. This was the place where my conscience almost killed me.

"What brings you here, weakling?" it asked, but I couldn't see it.

"I'm here to know about what happened ten years ago."

"Can you be more specific?" it annoyingly requested.

"The killing incident."

Suddenly, I felt like someone was standing behind me. I quickly turned to look, but I was disappointed to see no one.

"So, you want to know what really happened back then?" it asked.

"Yes," I responded determinedly.

"Let me think about it."

"Please. I really need to know the truth." I didn't hear any response from it. I was disappointed that my conscience refused to help me. I just bowed my head and stared at my feet.

But then, I was surprised when the ground I was standing on suddenly changed. The once-white floor was replaced by muddy soil. The whole place transformed until I saw a familiar building wall to my right and a fence to my left. However, what caught my eye were the four boys ahead of me. Three of them were standing, smiling, and looking at the guy lying on the ground. Their uniform made me realize that we were inside a school campus. Our campus. This was the deepest back portion of our school, an excellent place to beat someone in secret.

"Look at yourself, Alex. Look how pathetic you are," my conscience said while standing beside me. I was right; the guy lying on the ground was me. "Every day, they made you feel like you were nothing more than just someone to bully. A ragdoll. A toy." The three started kicking the old me, and I couldn't do anything but pity him. "Not a day passed when they didn't bully and beat you. It was always their routine, and you didn't do anything to stop them."

Now, I was more disgusted when I saw them directly pissing on me. They all laughed in amusement, and it seemed like that was the happiest day of their lives. I looked at my past self and noticed the clenched fist, but it didn't last long.

"He's scared," I pointed out.

"Yes, you are. That's why I have to do this."

A loud scream escaped the guy in the middle. The two others looked confused, watching their friend. Without hesitation, the guy floated in the air while still screaming. Because of fear, the other two quickly ran away from their friend and left. Only I and the guy remained in that place. The rain started to pour, making the scene more dramatic. But what caught my attention was my slow rise. Despite writhing in pain, I managed to stand and face the guy who was still floating in the air. He looked at me, and I shivered when I saw my past self smile while looking at the guy who had bullied him.

"Watch closely, Alex. See how strong you are."