Chapter 6

"Oh my God, who's next?"

"I'm getting scared, guys."

"I don't want to die! Where are teachers when you need them?"

"This is no normal school. Teachers don't interfere, remember?"

"We're all gonna die!"

Lucia stood frozen, staring at the horrifying scene, her eyes wide with panic, hands shaking, heart pounding. Was the message meant for her? Why did she have to see that? Why was she a witness, and now a potential victim?

"Lucia," Alisha called, and Lucia's gaze locked onto hers.

"Is something wrong? You look pale. Let's get you away from here," Alisha urged, gently pulling Lucia away. As they walked, Lucia pressed a button on her watch. She couldn't stay here, not when a supposed killer was haunting her. She knew the message was for her, but she didn't want to admit it, didn't want to delve into the truth, because once she did, it would become a reality.

"Sit. I'll go get you a drink," Alisha offered. Lucia nodded. A few minutes later, Lucia felt an unsettling sensation, as if she was being watched. She looked around, but no one was there. She shook her head, dismissing the feeling, but it lingered. Why did she feel eyes on her? All the other students were outside, as the cleaners cleared the body. So who was watching her?

"Here," Alisha said, returning to Lucia. Lucia took the drink, gulping it down. She felt better after that.

Somewhere in a hidden corner, a pair of eyes watched Alisha and Lucia. The person's eyes looked rather crazed, red and psychotic, as their lips curled into a grin. Their gaze fixated on one of the girls before they vanished like dust.

Soon, a commotion erupted outside. Girls were screaming, some squealing with delight. Alisha and Lucia exchanged a look before deciding to investigate. The moment they stepped outside, they understood the reason for the uproar.

Sebastian leaned casually against a black Bugatti, a vision in black. His shirt, with a few top buttons undone, was tucked into black trousers.

His hair was tousled, a lollipop in his mouth, and dark shades covered his eyes. Girls were pulling up their skirts to make them shorter; some even had the guts to approach him, but he dismissed them all with a single phrase:

"Sorry, girls, I'm here for my Princess." All the girls who had dared to approach left disappointed. Lucia inwardly smacked herself.

The button she'd pressed on her watch was connected to Sebastian's phone, and she was only allowed to use it during emergencies.

"Oh my God, who is he? I don't know who's hotter, him or Professor Liam!" Alisha exclaimed, fanning herself as she stared at Sebastian. Lucia shot her a look that screamed, *Not you too!* Lucia began to walk through the crowd, with Alisha holding onto her arm.

"Why's Moreno walking towards him?"

"She's trying to seduce him, of course, but she'll only be disappointed."

"An outcast trying to get this kind of hot dude? No way!"

"I wonder why Alisha became friends with her."

"Maybe she doesn't know Lucia is a killer, just like her dad."

Lucia reached Sebastian, and he abruptly pulled her by the waist, drawing her close. Lucia gasped, her hand instinctively landing on his chest.

"Hey, Princess," he said with a smug smile. Lucia rolled her eyes.

"Oh my God, he touched her!"

"Touched her? He grabbed her *fucking* waist!"

"She's his Princess?!"

At this last comment, Lucia looked up at Sebastian, confused. He looked back at her through his dark shades, then removed them.

"Yes, she is," he stated loudly, and the girls screamed. Debra, in a corner, rolled her eyes.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Lucia asked, her hand still on his chest, his hand still on her waist.

"Very much," Sebastian replied. Lucia scoffed.

"Yeah, and I'm a stick," Alisha suddenly blurted out. Sebastian turned his lazy gaze to her, and she blushed, looking down.

"Mind introducing me to this Angel, Princess?" Sebastian asked, and Alisha blushed even deeper; he had called her Angel. Lucia moved away from him, rolling her eyes.

"You're not important enough for me to do that," she retorted. Sebastian leaned closer to her face.

"You don't have to be jealous, Princess. You're the only one for me," Sebastian whispered, then realized what he'd said. His eyes widened slightly before he quickly returned to his neutral expression. Lucia was left speechless, his words echoing in her mind. Alisha looked at Lucia, then back at Sebastian, wondering what their relationship was.

*What did he mean, 'I'm the only one for him'*? Lucia wondered inwardly. She was about to ask him what he meant.

"Hey there, Angel. Name's Sebastian Reyes," he said, pointedly ignoring Lucia. He had deliberately cut her off, knowing what she was about to ask, and even he didn't know what he'd meant by that; it had just come out involuntarily.

"Alisha Queen Gonald," she replied, shaking his outstretched hand. Sebastian smirked.

"What a beautiful name for an Angel like you," he purred, kissing the back of her palm. Lucia looked away, while other girls still watching screamed.

"I do want to be in Alisha's shoes!"

"Look at those lips!"

Alisha blushed at his gesture, then glanced at Lucia, who wasn't even looking at them. *Was she okay?* Alisha wondered inwardly.

"Okay, enough. I want to go home," Lucia announced. Sebastian released Alisha's hand and looked at Lucia.

"Wait, home? Why?" Alisha also asked, confused, as they still had two more classes and school wasn't over. Alisha then realized why Lucia wanted to go home—the vase. She had almost died, so it was understandable.

"Take care," Alisha said, hugging Lucia, who hugged her back.

*I think you're the person the killer is targeting next,* Alisha thought inwardly, remembering the vase incident. She then let go of Lucia, who entered the car without sparing a glance at Sebastian. He was also confused but got into the car and drove off.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, but Lucia didn't answer. She had a distant expression on her face, a thousand-yard stare. Sebastian looked at her, then touched her hair, pulling her out of whatever trance she was in.

"What?" Lucia asked. For the first time, Sebastian felt genuinely worried for the tiny girl sitting beside him.

"Did something happen?" he pressed. Lucia gulped, sharply turning away from him.

"Nothing," she mumbled, barely audible. Sebastian knew something was wrong, and he planned to find out. Lucia stared out the window. She was scared, terrified, but she didn't want to tell anyone. For the first time, she wanted to be useful and catch this bastard of a killer… Soon.

The Mansion

Lucia was about to get out of the car when Sebastian stopped her. She looked at him, wondering why, but his gaze wasn't on her; instead, it was fixed on her leg.

"You're bleeding," he stated. Lucia looked down at her leg and, indeed, she was. She hadn't noticed. A piece of glass from the vase must have cut her.

"How? Why?" Sebastian demanded, looking at her, but Lucia remained silent. He grew annoyed, gripping her chin harshly and turning her face towards him.

"When I ask a question, you fucking give me an answer," he growled. Lucia slapped his hand away.

"Why? Who do you think you are? My dad? My dead mom? None! So you don't get to tell me what to do, I don't even listen to my father, so tell me why I should listen to you, huh?" Lucia retorted angrily. She wasn't mad at him, but at what had happened. She had been on the verge of death, and she didn't want to cry, so she channeled her sadness into anger. Sebastian looked at her; he could see the fear, but what was causing this deep fear?

Lucia got out, ignoring her bleeding leg, and began walking into the mansion. Sebastian followed her, then swung her over his shoulder. Lucia gasped, hitting his back.

"Put me down!" Lucia demanded, throwing a tantrum. Sebastian ignored her, but when she hit his ass, he spanked hers in return, and she instantly fell silent

Sebastian clenched his jaw, his fist still tight from the spank. Lucia didn't know what to say after that awkward situation; no words were exchanged.

Sebastian reached the door of her room and kicked it open. He carried her to the bed and unceremoniously dumped her onto it. Lucia yelped his name, but he just smirked at her and went to the bathroom to get the first aid box. He returned and knelt in front of her.

"No," she suddenly said. He looked at her, confused, and she blushed.

"You… you knelt down, so I… I thought… don't worry," she stammered, and Sebastian smirked.

"I'm not proposing, Princess," he said, and Lucia looked away, coughing awkwardly.

Sebastian began removing her white socks, tossing them to a corner. He then started treating her injured leg. Lucia stared at him, wondering why he cared.

"Why do you care?" she asked. "Why do you care if I get injured? Why do you care if I'm down or in a bad mood? Why do you care about me?" Lucia pressed. Sebastian gave a straight answer.

"It's my job to… as a bodyguard," he said. Lucia knew that was the reason, but she thought maybe… just maybe it wasn't actually the reason

Maybe he cared. But no, she knew she was nothing but a job to him. Why did that sting? Lucia pulled her leg back before he finished, and he looked at her, trying to grab her leg again, but she moved away.

"I can do the rest myself. Thanks," she muttered quietly, collecting everything from him before turning away and beginning to treat her leg herself

Sebastian stood up and began walking away when he turned, staring at her for a few minutes before leaving.

"Not like you behave like a bodyguard. Bodyguards are meant to be beside their protectee at all times, but you just leave immediately. Maybe if you were there for me in school, I wouldn't be in danger," Lucia muttered. She dropped the supplies on the ground and lay down on the bed, hugging her pillow.

"I'm so scared," she whimpered, crying into her pillow.

Hours Later: Sebastian's Suite

He removed his shirt, revealing all his tattoos, each one holding a unique meaning. His mind drifted back to what had happened two hours ago in Lucia's room

He wondered why her mood had suddenly changed after he answered her question. Had he answered it wrongly?

He walked to his table, took his sleeping pills, and lay on the bed, knowing he wouldn't sleep, but what was the harm in trying?

Next Day

Lucia woke up very early today, walking down the stairs on edge, ready to fire or hit someone. A maid bumped into her, spilling tea. Before the maid could say a word, Lucia pushed her down the stairs. The maid screamed as she tumbled.

All the other maids rushed out, gasping. Lucia only stared as the woman rolled to her death.

"If anyone helps her, yours will be worse," Lucia threatened, noticing some maids trying to move forward. The maid reached the bottom of the stairs, blood flowing from her head; she was unconscious. Sebastian walked in, witnessing the scene. He strode to Lucia and grabbed her arm harshly.

"Are you insane?! What the fuck is wrong with you?! Try to keep your spoiled and pompous attitude in check sometimes! Not everyone is born with a golden spoon!" Sebastian yelled at her, then signaled some maids to help the unconscious woman.

Lucia slapped him. Sebastian's jaw clenched. He turned to her, flames in his eyes.

"Don't touch me," she hissed, walking past him, bumping her shoulder into his. Sebastian poked his tongue into his cheek, staring at her retreating back. She didn't bother having breakfast.

"Mind your business. Do your job and drive me to school," she said without looking at him, walking out.

"What's fucking wrong with her today?" he muttered to himself.

Poseidon High

Lucia walked into the school, having woken up really late today due to how much she'd cried the day before

She walked quickly to get to class, but couldn't shake an eerie sensation running down her spine. She walked fast, and as she took a turn, she was grabbed.

"Ahhhhhh!" Lucia screamed as a hand covered her mouth. Slowly, she looked up and saw…