Zein's Point of View
I took a brief moment to feel out the area, waiting until I heard the signal. Before heading out, I took a quick look at Mia and Vanessa. They were fast asleep, with Mia's arm still wrapped in a bandage. I turned the doorknob to our room as quietly as I could, not wanting to wake them. Because if I did, they'd stop me again, and I'd be stuck and useless.
Once I successfully slipped out, I headed over to the boys' room. I expected it to be empty, but seeing it actually empty still filled me with sadness and fear. This had been eating at me for days. I just wanted to know what was going on with our guy friends, and it was only now that I'd actually summoned the courage to do something about it.
This time, I wasn't chasing danger the way I usually did. Curiosity wasn't my driving force, but the urge to help my friends. There must be something weighing on them—something that made them choose this dangerous course. I stood right in front of the front door, determined to go out. Nothing could stop me anymore, yet even so, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of dread.
I pulled my jacket tight around me and flipped up the hood. Slowly, I turned the knob. A rush of cold air, total darkness, and a path that led to God-knows-where greeted me. Finally, I took a step outside, carefully shutting the door behind me. I scanned the area. Everything was dead silent. I let out a long, heavy sigh before finally walking away from the dorm, making sure my shoes didn't make a single sound. Still, my heart wouldn't stop racing.
Nicky's words suddenly replayed in my mind. If I truly wanted to know the truth, I had to find it on my own. The only way to know the truth was to see it for myself. I froze in my tracks when I heard a rustling sound coming from somewhere nearby. My hands went cold, so I shoved them into my jacket pockets. No. I'd already come this far. There was no turning back now.
I whipped my head around just as a black cat went darting past. I squeezed my eyes shut. Damn that cat! It nearly scared me to death. I looked around again, checking if there was anything else weird out there besides that hell of a cat. Once I realized the coast was clear, I kept moving.
Shit, Hell University was massive. How was I supposed to track them down in this hellhole? The sun might come up before I'd even covered half the grounds. I ducked behind a large trash can, breath caught in my chest, as I heard laughter not far off, two guys maybe, closing in. The blade Supremo gave me flashed through my mind. I should have brought it, but it slipped my mind in the rush. Dammit. I was completely unarmed, so I had to be extra careful.
"What does Boss even see in that guy?" one of them asked. "I am better than him."
"Better? Whoa! Have you even seen the trials he went through? He's better—I mean, you're not even in his league."
"Asshole."
I couldn't tell if they were doing it on purpose, but they were chatting right next to me. I was barely breathing at this point, trying not to make a single sound that would definitely get me into trouble.
"Bro, he's a huge advantage for us. With his help, we actually have a shot at beating the Devil God Warriors."
Seriously? Did they have any plans of leaving this place? My legs were starting to cramp up, my knees feeling like they were about to give out any second.
"Tss. Let's go, the others might already be th—"
My elbow bumped a small trash can near me, making a loud, echoing clang. I squeezed my eyes shut at my own clumsiness.
"Who the hell is there?!"
My heart started thumping wildly as I cursed over and over in my head. No, I couldn't get caught. Not now! I just started!
"Meow."
My eyes widened when I saw the cat at my feet, just staring at me. I glared right back at it, remembering how it nearly gave me a heart attack earlier.
"It's just a cat! Dammit!"
"Hey, you two! You want to get in trouble with Boss?"
"Coming!"
The sound of their footsteps faded, and it was only then did I let out a breath of relief. Once I was sure they were gone, I grabbed the cat. I thought it would put up a fight, but it stayed calm and stared at me. It looked like it wouldn't even care if I tossed it. Somehow, it reminded me of Supremo. I quickly shook that thought away and gave the cat a dirty look.
"Any last wish?"
"Meow."
"You almost gave me a heart attack, you know that?! Huh?!"
"Talking to a cat, huh?"
I spun around fast when I heard a familiar voice. It was Nicky, standing there, looking casual. I couldn't tell if she found me weird for talking to a cat or if she was amazed.
"What do you want?" I asked her coldly.
"Finally..." She smirked. "I've been waiting for you to come out at this hour for a long time. I wonder why just now?"
"None of your business."
"But you made it just in time."
My brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"
She looked up at the sky as if she were admiring the stars. I wasn't gonna lie—Nicky somehow amazed me. For a woman, she was way too brave. The other gang members were men, yet there she was.
"I want you to know everything," she said, still looking up.
"What do you mean?"
She finally turned to me. "Your days are numbered. You need to know everything now."
I frowned. "You... you know?" I'd almost forgotten about that. Right. My days were numbered. This Saturday...
"I want you to see everything with your own two eyes," she said, pulling a black mask from the shadows, something I hadn't realized she was holding. "Just a friendly reminder. Don't let your curiosity drive you to hell."
Then she tossed the black mask to me. I got a strange shiver when I caught it. The black mask of the Black Blood Gang.
"Follow me."
I let go of the cat I'd been holding to put on the mask Nicky gave me, making sure to tuck my long hair deep into my hood. As far as I know, Nicky was the only female member of BBG. They'd get suspicious if they saw my long hair. I just followed behind Nicky. There was no turning back now. I'm finding out everything tonight.
An unexplainable surge of nervousness swept through me as the crowd of people in black masks grew. I gripped the edge of my jacket tight. Calm down, Zein Shion. If you want to make it to Saturday, get it together, I thought to myself.
"Mistress Nicky. Boss is calling for you," a guy who approached us said, keeping his head down like he was too scared to meet Nicky's intense gaze. Nicky looked at me and nodded before picking up the pace. I tried to keep a bit of distance so it wouldn't be obvious I was following her. Some people stared at me, like they were sizing me up. It was getting hard to move, but I kept my cool. I couldn't afford to act suspicious.
I slowed down when a puff of warm air breathed against my neck. But when I realized it wasn't just a breeze, my feet froze in place.
"Whoa. You smell good, bro," a guy said with a smirk. I had to stop myself from punching him and slapping him. What the hell did he just do? "Are you wearing girl's perfume? Or did you just score a chick?"
"Don't talk to me," I said, deepening my voice.
"Whoa! Easy there! Pfft."
Red hair. Damn it, I knew this guy. I turned around and started walking away from him. If I stayed there any longer, he might recognize me, especially since he'd seen me before.
Everyone went silent when a group from BBG arrived. Their leader, who wasn't wearing a mask, easily grabbed my attention. Nicky was clinging to his arm, occasionally glancing my way.
"Tonight, we officially welcome the newest member of the Black Blood Gang," Nazzer announced. The crowd remained silent, waiting for what the leader would say next. He scanned every single person there. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when his gaze landed on me. I didn't look away. I stared right back until he smirked. Did he recognize me? No. Impossible.
He quickly looked away from me and turned to Nicky, kissing her... right in front of us. It wasn't just a simple smack. A fucking wild one. What the fudge? Nazzer Lumia looked like a fragile nerd. But beneath that nerdy exterior was a complete jerk, a devil hiding in plain sight. Looks can truly be deceiving. Thank God they finished. I honestly thought I was about to watch a live bed scene. Psh.
"Boss is really something. Now I kind of want a kiss too," the red-haired guy next to me whispered. Fuck! Him again? And he said what? He suddenly looked at me with a teasing smirk. "Your lips look so soft."
I quickly averted my gaze. "Are you gay, bro?" I asked, making him chuckle. Good thing he didn't tease me any further. I might not have been able to stop myself from busting his lip. Jerk!
"A moment of silence as I introduce the coleader of the Black Blood Gang," Nazzer said. Murmurs suddenly filled the air.
"Coleader? Boss has never had a coleader."
"He must be strong enough."
"Shit. I wish that were me."
And a dozen more reactions like that from the members around me. I was getting confused. Why did Nicky bring me here? I shouldn't be here. I only went out to find my guy friends.
"Who is not in favor of my decision?" His voice was emotionless. It wasn't a question. More like a threat. I accidentally caught Nicky's gaze. She wasn't wearing a mask anymore, but I couldn't figure out what her expression was trying to tell me.
"Very well. Please introduce yourself to everyone."
We all watched as a guy walked toward the center. His posture, his aura, the shape of his silhouette. Even though he was wearing a black mask, I recognized him instantly. It felt like a hard slap to the face. I was in utter disbelief.
"Matthew. Black Blood Gang, coleader."