Sophia remained hidden behind the broken door, she could hear the other girls choking on the other side.
"Does this satisfy you?"
"…"
"I'm sure it does. Like it did with Pascal, am I right?"
"…"
Sophia made a small gasp and instantly covered her mouth. Oh no. What has she done.
"Run-!" The girl said before a loud snap was heard and then a thud.
Step
Step
Step
"There you are." A voice said poking their head through the door. The white face was now clearer that it was a mask, hand made with smooth white clothe. It looked almost human, but also not. Sophia kicked at the face with her foot but the figure caught it and dragged her out through the small opening. "What a feisty one." The voice said in amusement, then it stopped when it turned to looked at something. Sophia turned too and saw a old man with a suit and tie. "That is not the way to hold a lady, nor the way to treat one." Gentleman called with a wry smile. Te masked person released Sophia and she back away instantaneously. "Genlteman. Second to third of the Islands strongest. What are you doing here?" The figure asked, their voice muffled. Gentleman chuckled softly and clicked his tongue. "Glad someone knows my reputation." He said standing before the white masked figure. The mask figure tried to jump back but was held down by Gentleman's foot as he brought down his hand sideways down. The masked figure blocked it with a scythe by pulling the strike away. Then they tried to kick Gentleman, but he just sidestepped and punched the masked persons gut. The masked figure stumbled backward so ferociously that it didn't even look like a punch. "Woah." Sophia exclaimed softly before seeing a hand reach down towards her. "Come on. Get up." Gentleman ordered quickly. Sophia took the hand and stood up. "Go." Gentleman said firmly. Sophia nodded and ran.
Gentleman studied the masked figure before him with keen old man eyes. "It seems my time it up, Goryū." He asked calmly.
Goryū chuckled and pulled out a small axe. "Yes, that's right." He said firmly. Gentleman nodded and took a step forward and Goryū did the same. Goryū swung his axe but it hit nothing for Marcel dodged and uppercut him. Goryū stumbled back slightly and kicked in a half circle striking Marcel in the arm. Gentleman grunted and pulled out a knife from his pocket and swiped at Goryū's throat. It miss and Goryū brought down his axe, just barely cutting Marcel's nose. Marcel pulled Goryū's head and tried kicking him but Goryū stopped it with his left hand. Goryū let go of his grip around the axe and struck Marcel in the jaw sending him a few inches off the ground before spinning around and kicking Marcel in the chest which sent him tumbling across the floor.
Marcel stood up slowly, chuckling to himself. "My skills have gotten rusty. Guess it's been a while." Marcel said looking at Goryū. "It would seem so. You weren't this weak when we fought last time." Goryū commented, grabbing his axe and pulling it out from the floor. Marcel tightened his mouth. "It's not I'v gotten weaker, it's just that he's gotten stronger. He still inexperienced, but he adapts quickly. It seems though that he tries implement techniques into weapons, which is odd." Marcel thought calmly, wipping his face. Goryū ran forward and swung down his axe but curving it side ways. This caught Marcel momentarily off guard and he block it with his knife. "Gotcha." Goryū stated holding a revolver pointed at Marcel's liver.
Sophia was ramming up a flit of stair cases heading for her room before hearing a deafening sound. BANG! The sounds was so loud it hurt her ears. What was going on down there?! Sophia shook her head and continued up, seeing her hallway and dashing right through. Nodboy probably heard that shot though, for the school was sounds proof with thick layers. The only place you could hear places at was the stair case. "Come on!" Sophia muttered as he could see her section in the distance. Sophia suddenly tripped and face planted onto the hard floor. She tried to stand up but her ankle started to hurt. Upon looking at it she found herself looking at a long arrow shaft that had periced her leg. "Oh," she whimpered softy grabbing the drive and file hoping the drag herself. "come on, move!"
She dragged and dragged herself, but barley made anyway distance. She could hear footsteps from down the hall and upon glancing behind her she saw Marcel. He was leaning against the wall clutching his side. Blood was flowing onto his hand and drip down onto the floor. He came towards her and lifted her up. "Come on. Let's go." He huffed out in quick breaths. Sophia yoinked up the drive and file and helped Marcel towards her dorm. When they found her dorm room door Sophia wrapped her knuckles on them. "Lace! Please open!" She yelled, glancing at Marcel who looked pale in the but isn't moon light. "Damn it!" Sophia muttered angrily. She would need to pull out the bullet, but where would the tools needed for that be… crap. Sophia realized looking back at the stair way. "The nurses office, but how would I get there with a injured ankle." Sophia said looking at the shaft. An idea suddenly popped in her head, it would be risky but it was her best option. The door opened and it was lace in her pajamas rubbing her eyes. "Move!" Sophia exclaimed dragging Marcel. "Sophia what is happening?" Lace asked still groggy and sleepy. When she looked down and saw the bleeding man her mind went panic mode. "S-Sophia? Did you-?"
"No, I didn't." Sophia said looking up at lace.
"Stop the bleeding and stay here with him." She added, limping over to the bathroom. Lace saw the shaft and winced. "Sophia! Your foot!" Lace yelled, but Sophia waved her off with a hand. "It's okay. I'll be fine. Just focus on your job at hand." Sophia nonchalantly said. "R-right." Lace replied nervously.
Lace knelt by the old man's side and unbuttoned his shirt and took off his under shirt. "S####! He's bleeding to badly. Sorry old man. I'll have to use your clothes to stem the bleeding. My mother taught me somethings, it's just a matter of remembering it." Lace mumbled as she pushed hard on the wound hoping the bleeding would stop. Then she walked into her room and took out some bandages, wrapping them tightly around the clothes on the wound. Now that the Lace was close enough to the hold mans he noticed how well refined his body was. Odd. Plus the old man looked slightly young too. "You white hair looks nice. It's long and shiny." Lace said softly. Marcel looked up at the brunet girl and smiled. "Thank you, miss. Glad you think so." Marcel replied weakly.
Sophia sat on the bathroom seat, looking at the arrow shaft. "I'll need to break it then bandage it quickly. Or I just break two parts off and deal with it later." Sophia told herself. She choose the ladder, taking the two sides of the wooden arrow and snapped them both. Sophia almost screamed but she bit her lip, drawing blood. "Yea, you arrogant piece of trash. How do you like that." Sophia said to the now broken arrow. She then quickly hopped out of the bathroom on one foot, looking for bandages. "Got any bandages, Lace?" Sophia asked firmly. Lace nodded as she had just finished. She tossed the bandage wrapped to Sophia, who caught it and entered back into the bathroom. Marcel was starting to slowly loose consciousness due to blood loss, but he was able to stay on just for a little longer. Sophia sat back on the toilet seat and grabbed a rag. She placed it in her mouth and started to bandage up her ankle. The process was a pain, but she could do it. After a few seconds she came back out and headed for the door. "Lace, watch him. Don't let him die and call the police." Sophia stated firmly, Lace nodded as she helped Marcel onto the couch. Lace then moved towards the phone on the kitchen counter. That was when Sophia exited, they were now on a clock for survival. And that clock started now.
Sophia panted down the stairs. "Freakin stairs!" Sophia thought loudly as she came down the last flight of them. She saw the dark dim lighted hallway and grimaced. Sophia had to catch her breath before running hard down the hallway, her feet feeling the icy cold floor. That seemed to numb the pain in her ankle. Sophia curved slightly and continued running down another hallway towards the nurses office. Then she heard a faint noice coming from up ahead and she stopped to listen. "Crap. He's still here?" Sophia muttered softly, creeping around a corner. The masked man was still there, but he seemed anxious. "Where did she hide them." He muttered to himself. Sophia groaned mentally as she creeped around on the other side of the hallway, hoping g the darkness would cover her. Maybe then could she make it back in time.
After a few minutes she had finally made it pass that section of the hallway and saw the faint glow of the nurses office. Sophia entered and head for the room at the back of the room. She passed bed after bed and then finally reached the room. It was dark, almost completely black. She gulped and grabbed a lantern that sat on a bed, lighting it before entering the abyssal room. Darkness enveloped her like a snake coiling around her throat. It was a feel of the unknown that made her nervous, but the lantern helped with that in some way. She saw a group drawers as she shined her light and search the inside. "Hmm. Some tweezers? Nope." Sophia mumbled quietly. In the distance of the dark room, a white face appeared in the darkness and moved without a sound towards Sophia. Sophia closed the drawer and turned around. As she moved around, finding drawer after drawer with nothing of good use. Then she stumbled into a tray and caught it before it could fall over. She smiled as what was needed was front of her, hemostats. Clamps with rubber tips. "Oh, you found them." Goryū said calmly. Sophia went pale but gritted her teeth as she turned around and kicked him in the chest. Goryū, caught off guard, was sent stumbling and almost tripping, letting Sophia sprint away. Goryū gave chase after steadying himself, unslinging his bow from his shoulders as he placed an arrow on it. "Let me see you escape this." Goryū mutters before firing the shot. Sophia heard the twang of the bow string and looked back, only to a see a whistling arrow pierce her shoulder. "Damn it!" Sophia exclaimed running out of the office and down the hallway. "Go ahead, Run! For what the good it will do you." Goryū yelled loudly with excitment. He looked down at a wound in his stomach. "He got me good." Oni said. (Goryū will now be changed to Onitetsuryū, though there are various versions. Matetsuryu. Ma no Tetsu no Ryu) Onite watched as Sophia ran away, laughing as he walked calmly towards the running Sophia.
Sophia ran. Just ran. That's all she could do. Her footsteps softly patting against the hard cold floor. She had two options. One, keep running and hopefully find a hiding spot. Two, try to fight back and hopefully injure or kill him. Or… she could injure him and then run away. "Yes, that will work." Sophia muttered as she turned and hid behind a corner of the hall.
Onite calmly stepped into the clearing with confidence, not realizing the trap awaiting him. He looked around, slightly puzzled and assumed that Sophia had gotten away. Sophia saw this awkwardness and took action, appearing before Onite and stabbing him in the arm with an arrow shaft. Sophia then bolted away before Oni could do anything. Onite just stood in silence as he watched blood drip down his arm. "Cleaver girl. Hiding to attack with surpise." Onite said mildly as he yanked out the shaft, to him this was quiet amusing in many ways. The thrill and the pain. Onite just continued to walk slowly, waiting with expectation.
As Sophia bolted down to escape she could hear the distance sounds of sirens, hope filled her body as she kept her legs going. She could tell her legs were at their limits from running off and on. Although she eventually made her way back to the dorm room, she was in a lot of pain. Especially her shoulder which was now bleeding slightly faster now. Lace was waiting, sitting patiently for Sophia to return. Marcel was half conscious now, his vision fading. Sophia entered and softly closed to door as to not give away their position. "Sophia?" Lace called as Sophia sat down on a smaller chair. "Yea, what's up?" Sophia replied leaning back her head. "Why are you holding hemostats?" Lace asked with a thoughtful frown. Sophia looked down at her and saw that she was still holding them. Thoughts now they were mere sticks for her hand squeezed them so hard they bent. "I got them for that man right there, but he might not need them depending how close he was shot." Sophia stated. Lace nodded calmly. "Your right. When I was wrapping those bandages I saw the hole of the bullet. It was a straight through shot." Lace commented. Sophia sighed softly. At least for now, they were safe within their home, for now.
When the police arrived and entered the building, waking up the whole school they were soon able to get Marcel to the closest hospital and treat him. Sophia had to stay within the hospital for a while to heal her body and physically take out that small peice of the arrow lodged in her ankle. Lace wasn't treated for she was fine. When the police searched the whole facility and found nothing, just minor blood trails and a broken door. However the police did find a body and they immediately saw the causes — death by strangulation. The neck was so crushed and squeezed it had a dark rim of purple. The police determine that whoever had done this was extremely strong.
Rosto sat in the guest bedroom. His mind was in shambles. He had failed again once more. "I'm such a horrible brother." Rosto said with a chuckle. "Cursed to the bastard who hurt her." He muttered softly. Rosto leaned into the bed, hand on his head as he reflected. He heard a knock on the door and peeked a eye at the door. "Come in." Rosto called out. Isaac entered the room calmly and sat in a chair next to the bed. "How you feeling?" Isaac asked softly. Rosto groaned and rolled over to look at Isaac. "I'm… holding up. What about you? I heard you got injured too and had fallen unconscious." Rosto asked. Isaac nodded and touched the desk next to him softly. "I'm doing fine. Nothing a couple weeks of healing won't handle. Are you gonna visit your sister?" Isaac asked, turning his head slowly. Rosto didn't respond, he didn't want too. He wanted to see his sister, but didn't think he had to privilege. Isaac smiled softly and chuckled. "Ya know. Interestingly enough, some people tend to think to hard on somethings. like right now. Your trying to decide wether you visit or you don't. I recommend doing so, it is right and loving. But even if you don't go, she'll still love you." Isaac told Rosto, grinning. Rosto glanced up at him with curiosity. "But how do I stop people from hurting her? I have to protect her, some how." Rosto protested softly. Isaac patted his shoulder. "There are two possible ways. One, entrap her in a safe house with lots of food. Two, kill anyone you deem dangerous. I wouldn't recommend the second one, but it's been considered by most." Isaac said firmly with a frown. Rosto's eyes widen, then dulled. He couldn't do it. None of those things. Logic and thoughts were clashing in his brain. The failing protector and the logic behind the actions. "I…could potentially help you. It's up to you on wether or not you decide to go through with it." Isaac muttered leaning into the chair.
Rosto thought deeply. Choosing to entrap his own sister to protect her was a interesting idea, but he still wanted to keep her trust. Granted he knew Sophia could defended herself, but he wanted to be there for her. Support her. Like his father, but that seemed to be a failing strategy. Nothing was working. Sophia just kept getting hurt. Bullied at parks, School and even at home. Nothing worked. "Give me some to think about it." Rosto asked rolling onto his right side away from Isaac. Isaac nodded, smiling as he left the room. Rost layed in the bed, contemplating. Keeping his sister safe in on place or killing those who he deemed dangerous to her. Father wouldn't want that, he thought. He will be the strong brother and move on. He will be better — hopefully.
Later that very day in the morning, Lace sat in class. She was worried. "What if who ever hurt Sophia will come for her! What if she those arrows were poisoned! What if she lost too much blood! What if!" Lace thought in a panic. Sophia was Lace's only friend within this school and she couldn't loose her. Not now and not ever! "Take out the Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan and read the first chapter. This book you will write an essay on in two weeks. Understand?" The teacher said, her voice booming. "Yes ma'am." Everyone replied. Lace, with trembling hands, took out her book from a satchel and placed it on the desk. Lace opened the book and started to read the text. Words flashed before her eyes saying "Useless!" Lace shook her head, but they kept coming and coming!
"Weak!"
"Pathetic!"
"Worthless!"
"Mistake!"
Lace gritted her teeth, eyes shaking as tears slowly dripped off her face and onto the desk.
"N-no. I'm not weak. Sh-shut up." Lace muttered.
"You really were the failure of the family."
Lace's eyes went wide and she stood up abruptly leaving the classroom in silence. "She's probably still dealing with the whole situation. It's takes time." A middle class person said aloud. Everyone, but the higher class students, agreed.
Lace ran down the hall, out into the courtyard and towards the tree. She hide behind it, away from the views, the eyes, the torment. All of it was coming to her. "What are you doing here?" Isaac asked smoking a cigarette. Lace didn't respond, just whimpered. Isaac sighed, but chuckled in a sympathetic way. "I see. You're dealing with it too? It's interesting, ya know? Rosto I going the motions too and he's probably doing fine." Isaac commented as he jumped down from the tree, landing with a grunt. "It's not easy. Getting over things like this." Isaac continued. "It just… happens and it goes on and on. Then it's all quiet. Sophia is doing fine, by the way. She doesn't hate you, not least I think?" Isaac said, frowning. "But anyways. I doubt she'd never hate you in the first place. You're her friend after all." Isaac said looking up at the sky with a smile. Lace trembled gently, she wanted anything to take away these memories, these horrible and awful memories. "Hey Isaac? Could you do me a favor and never talk to anyone about this?" Lace asked Isaac as she stood up. Isaac nodded, putting away the cigar pack. Lace walked close to him and pulled his collar down towards her. "Make my trauma go away! Now. I want to forget these horrid images." Lace whispered in a urging shush, voice trembling from word to word. Isaac's eyes widen in surprise, he frowned but didn't refute the favor. "It seems whatever is troubling you is hitting you hard. Lucky you caught me at a good time and this area is very secluded. Nobody will see us or hear us." Isaac said. Lace gently pulled her colar, showing a tad bit of her melons. "Just for a few minutes, okay?" Lace asked pleadingly looking up at Isaac. Isaac nodded.
Sophia lay on her bed. She slowly stirred awake and lifted herself off o the frame. "Man, my arm and ankle. They hurt like hell." Sophia mutters softly as she stretches out her muscles. Sophia then noticed something at the corner of her eye. "Oh, Isaac left a note." She mumbled, picking it up and reading it.
"Sophia. I'm deeply sorry for what happened to you. Im sorry that I wasn't able to come visit due to class and other things. Please be well and stay healthy." -Isaac
Sophia smiled at the note, then rolled it up neatly and placed it under her pillow. "I wonder how Lace is doing." Sophia asked herself. "Probably having fun in class." Sophia acquiesced. "Don't want her blaming herself. I should go check up on that old guy and see how he's doing." Sophia added. She then heard the door to the dorm room open and she slowly made her way out of her room to look into the living room. Lace was there, sitting on couch. Utterly desperate and exhausted. Her breathing was heavily and Sophia could see it. Sophia could see that Lace's body was soaked and sweaty with white fluid dripping down her legs. She looked… broken. "Did she… have what I think she had?" Sophia muttered softly. Sophia walked into the living room, being careful about her foot and shoulder. "Lace? What happened?" Sophia asked in worry. Lace jerked in surpise by Sophia's sudden arrival. Sophia finally saw the tear stains as she sat down next to Lace. "It's nothing, Sophia." Lace answered nervously, not wanting to tell what she had done. Sophia shook her head slowly. "I know you did something. Those tear stains tell me everything." Sophia stated calmly. Lace could only look at her friend with sad eyes. "I'm sorry, Sophia. For getting you hurt, it's my fault. I caused all of this!" Lace exclaimed as she hugged Sophia. Sophia hugged her back equally. "It's okay. None of this was your fault. You're my friend and friends have each other's back." Sophia said, clentching her fist and gently pounding it against Lace. Lace did the same and they stayed hugging each other for a while.
"Glad to see you're doing alright, Genteman." Onite said. Looking down at the old man sitting in the hospital bed. Marcel opened his eyes and stared up at the masked man before him. "Come to kill me now? While I'm recovering?" Marcel asked, chuckling. Onite crossed his legs and arms in a huff. "You're too strong for me as of right now. Killing you here would benefit me perfectly, right?" Onite asked with a curious wave of his hand. Marcel laughed, then winced as pain shot up his body. "Yes, that would be the most beneficial thing for you to do. I don't hate you for it." Marcel said, smiling. Onite just glared at the man. "You're still smiling yet you're about to die? How scary." Onite said as he stood up and walked over to a plug. "You know. I feel like I know you. Weren't the kid that got his town obliterated by us years ago?" Marcel asked glance at Onite. "Yes. I am." Onite said solemnly, he pulled the plug, letting Marcel drift off into a peaceful sleep.