Some of the many scariest things about man — is their unending hatred and cruelty.
Isaac watched Rosto charge past him like a dog chasing a intruder. "Out of my Hobo!" Rosto ordered. Jackie still tried to claw her way out, it was of no use however. Rosto got closer and closer, but suddenly Isaac grabbed onto his shoulder. "Why don't we settle this over a cup of tea?" Isaac asked calmly. Rosto in his anger struck out at Isaac hitting the boys chest. Isaac was unfazed by this. "I don't want to fight you." Isaac stated, smile gone like water vapor. Rosto didn't care and struck out again, hitting Isaac's liver. Isaac definitely felt that as he stumbled sideways, face held in pain. Though the facial expression was very…mild. Isaac stood firmly and calmly however and he did not care. Rosto sped towards Isaac with a growl of anger. Isaac though decided this was the best time to dodge a punch. When Isaac ducked Rosto's punch slammed right into one of the lockers. Rosto yelped in pain but was suddenly caught off guard by Isaac grabbing his shoulder and smacking him. "Wake up you buffoon." Isaac said calmly. He smacked him again, then another time. "Wake up. Wake up." Isaac repeated. Rosto was so surpised by the sudden slappings that he pretty much did get his bearings back. Rosto stood in front of Isaac, guiltily. "Sorry for punching you earlier." Rosto muttered under his breath. He didn't want to admit it. He hated being under the spotlight. "As long as you apologize to the Sister and Yeist. Then were fine." Isaac replied with a smile. Rosto grinned softly, but didn't feel the spark.
When the whole event was over Sophia was sent to the nursery, where Rosto would be watching her and protecting her. Yeist wanted to come, but Rosto refused not being able to look at his friend in the face. Guilt had washed over him like a train and it didnt help that he had also attacked his only friend. Maybe even future best friend, but that seemed so far away now to Rosto. Rosto glanced down the long nursery hall, looking at the line of beds and seeing people coming then leaving. They were there for the nurses for he assumed it was because they looked pretty, but being pretty is a fautly. People take advantage of that and use it for heinous acts. Rosto knew this because he experienced it first hand when he was younger. When he was seven he had a huge crush on a girl. She was a middle class person, much like himself. She was so pretty, like a swan or a peacock. Rosto was able to become friends the girl and they soon become close, but that instantly changed when Rosto had to defend himself. During his time in school he was bullied a lot. Picked on, but the bullied had seemed to died down when he met the girl. Unfortunately it had only gotten worse. Rosto remembered that horrible memory. Being left alone, beaten and unable to move. The girl stood over him with a smile. He hoped she helped him, but she just pocketed his money and left with the people who beat him.
"That whore." He muttered. His sister would berate him for saying such profanity— he smiled at that thought. Despite that though — he had failed. Rosto never wanted his sister to experience the abuse which he endured. He was her shield and sword, but even a shield and sword needs to be mended. Rosto wondered how that girl was now. "Probably dead. Pfft, Hahahah!" Rosto blurted out, laughing in pure malice. As Rosto laughed and slowly calmed himself, he noticed Isaac coming towards him. "What do you want, Make up boy." Rosto asked with a scowl. Isaac chuckled and sat down next to him. "It doesn't hurt to be nice, huh?" Isaac said, grinning. Rosto's face softened slightly. "Sorry. Had a bad memory." Rosto replied with a gentle scoff. Isaac nodded but didn't say anything. The awkward silence had entered like house guest and it made it hard for Rosto to say a few words. "S-sorry for punching you. H-how did the speech go." Rosto asked roughly. Isaac thought for a few moments, then after a minute he answered. "It wasn't too bad. I had some stage fright however I got through without a hitch." Isaac said calmly. "Where's your friend if I dare ask?" Isaac asked looking around. Rosto's face sunk deeply and he leaned into the chair. "I don't have to courage to face him. Not after what happened." Rosto said. "Sometimes we don't have the courage to do things, but we must do it cause it's right." Isaac said. Rosto glanced at Isaac with a inquisitive look. "In my opinion, what brings courage is the ability to admit something. If you hit someone, but you knew it was wrong. Then it would take courage to go up to that person and apologize. Granted I'm not saying you should do that all the time, but you get what I mean." Isaac elaborated. Rosto turned away, thinking. Isaac gave a sideways glance with a small smile. "Take you time. It's never too late to say sorry." Isaac added, patting Rosto on the shoulder.
Meanwhile Yeist was in Jackie's room. Yeist sat on a chair next to the balcony with a towel on his head while Jackie was curled on the bed, tears staining her pretty face. "You bring disgrace upon our families name, Jackie." Yeist scornfully said. "Why do you cause problems for us. Especially me. It's good that our dad is friends with the principal so that we won't be expelled. Hopefully the situation will blow over and you'll learn from this." Yeist added. Jackie only curled more into the bed, her face showing her vulnerability. "I'm sorry, brother." Jackie whimpered out. Yeist's face only grew more angry as he stood and headed for the door. "You lost the right to even call me that anymore." Yeist said, one small tear dripping down his face as he left the room. Leaving Jackie alone to cry herself to sleep. Yeist stood outside the door, leaning against it and slowly sliding down the frame. "Idiot. That will only hurt her more." Yeist muttered as he smiled with tears.
"Sherif Paul, awake up."
"I'm awake, jeez can't a man sleep for a minute."
"Not when there's a murder case involved no."
"Alright, Alright." Paul said taking leaning up from his chair and twisting around, popping his back. He let out a groan of annoyance as his back didn't pop. "Man, growing old sucks. Wish I didn't have to work sometimes." Paul said letting out a sigh as he reached for the small boxy computer at his desk. "Like the rest of us, but you have a goal and we have orders that come with profit." The officer said glancing at Paul. Paul sighed, he knew that and while he didn't like his collages all that much and planned to get rid of them later, he still needed their helot to achieve his own goals. "How did the press take the story that Goryū chalked up?" The officer asked staring at his computer screen, which was black and green. Paul groaned as remembered those old geezers. "They suprisingly took it well, though I had to improvise. Goryū did tell me after to say it differently however it still had to include the miracle part." Paul said with a scowl. The officer chuckled at that and tapped a button on the computer. Paul glared at him with a sideways stare. "It wasn't funny." Paul growled. The officer zipped his mouth shut after that. Paul noticed a figure walk into the computer room and he smiled. "Ah, Elise. How are you today?" Paul asked the woman. Elise saw Paul and smile at him with her beautiful face, to which Paul almost gaged. "Why, I'm doing fantastic today Sherif Paul! Thank you for asking!" Elise excitedly proclaimed. "DisgustIng woman." Paul thought, but he kept smiling at her without showing the annoyance boiling over. Many of the other officers gave glances at her, some with intrigued expressions while others who knew the truth were utterly disappointed. Elise walked over towards Paul and leaned down to look at his computer. "Is the caption is having trouble?" She asked, her face calm. Paul looked back at the small box PC. "Yea, it's been acting up lately. Probably because it's old and it needs a replacement." Paul said, pointing at the date. Elise looked up at the date and her face went to shock mod. "Sir, this computer was made 15 years ago." Elise said slowly turning towards Paul. The went into a awkward silence with Paul having a drop of nervous sweat. "R-really? I totally didn't know that." Paul said letting out a whistle. "No you didn't." Everyone within the room said. Making Paul let out a anguished yell.
Back with Isaac and Rosto, they were now walking down one of hallways. They were in silence once more and it made Rosto a little nervous. Especially since Isaac was taller then him, by one foot. Rosto was six feet tall while Isaac was seven. Yet Rosto noticed how broad Isaac's body was. Lean torso, broad shoulders and arms, a strong neck and even the legs looked mighty. "How did you get so muscular?" Rosto asked Isaac. Isaac looked at Rosto with a questioning smile. "How did it I myscular? I trained and worked my body to the core." Isaac answered plainly. Rosto nodded slowly. He quickly leaned back and his face went pale when he saw the back. "A-a monsters back?" Rosto stuttered out. Isaac laughed and glanced at Rosto. "Yes. A lot of people say that, but it's usually not that noticeable cause of the clothing we wear." Isaac said tapping on the school uniforms. Rosto nodded his head in agreement. "What time is the speech today?" Rosto asked curiously. Isaac took out a pocket watch and looked at it. "It's about five minutes pass eleven. The speech does start until twelve due to the sudden events of this morning." Isaac answers as he glanced down with a raised eyebrow at Rosto. "Sorry." Rosto replied softly. Suddenly a girl bumped into Isaac. Rosto went to help her up but was shocked to see who it was. "Lace? What are you doing here? I though you'd be in the dorm room?" Rosto asked calmly. Lace looked up at Rosto, her face obviously stained with tears. "R-Rosto? Is that you?" Lace asked as Rosto helped her up. "Yea, it's me? Why what happened." Rosto asked calmly. Lace trembled slightly and looked behind her. "I need to say sorry to Sophia, for cause this mess!" Lace blurted out in a yelp. Rosto wince at the sudden yell but kept his composure. "It wasn't your fault, Lace." Rosto replied with a groan. "Plus, Jackie was the one who started hitting you. In your case, you were being defended by Sophia." Isaac chimed. Lace shook her head. She couldn't believe that, not after what happened. "Blaming yourself won't get you anywhere, Lace. If you start blaming yourself for things you can't control you'll lose mind and it will drive you crazy. Chasing an unattainable goal will drive you insane." Isaac said calml, face firm and full of energy. Lace looked at him with awe, but she still couldn't help the feeling that it was her fault. "I-I can't! I'm sorry!" Lace said running away. "W-wait! Lace!" Rosto said as he begins to follow, but Isaac held him back shaking his head. "She needs to find her own path. Let her come to see truth." Isaac said calmly. Rosto could only watch from a distance as Lace ran away down hall. He then turned back around and walked away, leaving Isaac. Isaac could only watch with a frown plastered on his face. "Poor boy. Many life lessons will be needed, but he will learn them in his own right." Isaac muttered.
When Twelve o'clock came and everyone had gathered in their respective seats, Mrs. Rose entered onto the stage. "Welcome back, students! Hopefully all of you settled in and became great friends. Some more than most, but with time it will happen! However today we will be having the second years of this school give wonderful encouragement to the younger students!" She exclaimed loudly. Everyone clapped and cheered with excitement. Rosto sat within the crowed and looking around. He noticed Yeist sitting someway on a different row, but didn't head towards him. Yeist didn't seem to notice the stare and was oblivious. Jackie stood next to Yeist, slightly trembling. Then suddenly Jackie moved through the crowed and left the auditorium. Rosto watched, confused.
"Please welcome… David Qoute, Isaac Ofter, Wesley Harris and Michelle Whicker!!!" Mrs. Rose yelled pointing to the four people entering the stage. Everyone cheered and waved at the figures. In the background Hank and Marcel stood at the door of one of the entrances, they were both deep in thought.
Jackie sat in a restroom stall, holding her legs and trying to calm herself down. She heard someone enter and walk towards her stall. "Jackie? You in there?" Lace asked softly. Jackie jolted at the sound of Lace's voice, but she refused to respond to her. "I person like me shouldn't talk to a middle class person like her!" Jackie thought scornfully. "I know you can hear, but I want to apologize for bumping into you. I may have already done that, but I just wanted to say it again. It may sound dumb, but… I forgive you." Lace said calmly. Jackie jerked at that. Forgive her? After what she's done? No, that's a lie. Jackie didn't respond. "I'm pretty sure you think I'm lying, but I'm not. I really mean those words. A lot of people say I'm soo nice and they weren't wrong. Anyway, I just wanted to come and say this. Bye." Lace said before leaving the restroom, leaving Jackie with her thoughts. "Did that commoner just try to consult me? How…ironic." Jackie voiced to herself. "I'm I really that pitiful that I need a commoner to console me?" She said with a tearful smile.
About two hours went by before it was Isaac's turn on the microphone. Isaac stepped up with a confident smile, not cocky but cool. Everyone waited and some even whispering. The other three on the stage only sat on a chair, staring daggers into his back. "Ahem. Welcome my fellow comrades of this beautiful collage. I am Isaac Ofter. However many seem to recognize me as the sheriff's adopted son. I know that a lot of you people don't like me, but I don't care. Cause what does that have to do with anything." Isaac walked around the stage holding the micro phone. "When I first came here I was bullied and isolated from a lot my peers and that was very discouraging. So I do want a lot of you higher class people to try and understand the middle class and even the lower class. They went through vast amounts hardships and work to get where they are. In fact, most of us wouldn't be here right now. You see, when I watch my other people belittle and criticize the middle and lower class I view as a shameful label on us. This is a collage ment for understanding others work and progress, not bullying and discrimination. This isn't a encouraging message, this is a statemet. Stop discriminating others just because your rich or you have more intelligence than others. Do hope that all you have the best time of your lives here, cause things will only get better." Isaac finally said as he placed the microphone back and walked away towards the group of chairs where one of the people, David had moved Isaac's chair. Though everyone seems to suddenly cheer and applause for Isaac, the group on stage didn't. Almost like they hated him.
When everyone started to leave and head back to the dorms, Isaac was behind stage where Rosto would find him bruised and beaten. "Woah, dude. What happened?" Rosto asked entering the area. Isaac glanced at him and chuckled. "You found me, huh? The other three didn't like my speech so they took out their anger on me." Isaac replied, pulling out a small box and a lighter. "Do you smoke?" Isaac asked. Rosto shook his head, he had done it once or twice but never really touched them again. "Pity. They relax the nerves ya know?" Isaac said lighting a cigarette and puffing out a circle of smoke. "Do you smoke a pack per day?" Rosto added sitting next to him. Isaac shook his head calmly. "Nah, I do it only when I really need it. Like right now. I used to smoke one cigarette per day, but now it's just once a month or every two weeks." Isaac replied with a smirk. Rosto stayed silent after that, leaning onto the chair behind him and sighing. Isaac glanced at him with a questioning look, but smiled after realizing something. "Your worried, aren't you. About Jackie and Lace." Isaac said reading Rosto's face of surpise. "I notice you watched Jackie leave with a odd expression. However I won't press the matter. It's your thoughts and actions, not mine." Isaac bluntly said. Rosto's face grimaced but then curled in a frown. "Anyway, why aren't you at your dorm. Yeist might get worried." Isaac asked calmly. Rosto shivered vigorously and looked at Isaac. "C-could I sleep in your dorm room tonight. I still dont have the courage to face him yet." Rosto asked with a saddened face. Isaac was surpised by the sudden request and had to think about it for some time. "I suppose so and it isn't against the rules to have sleep overs. So I don't see any reason to refuse." Isaac slowly told Rosto with a calm, reassuring smile.
Yeist was waiting inside the dorm, hoping Rosto would enter so that Yeist could greet him. He had already grown fond of Rosto the moment he met him. He didn't want Rosto to be alone like he did and he certainly wanted to apologize to him. Yeist waited and waited and waited, but Rosto never came. "Maybe he's just in a different form recouping with what happened with Jackie?" Yeist asked himself as he paste around the room in nervousness. "I guess I'll talk to him in the morning." Yeist said, succumbing to the reality that he would have to talk about it the next day.
Sophia woke up slowly in the nurse bed, stirring at the dim light and soft voice that spoke softly. "Lace, is that you?" Sophia softly called out. However it wasn't Lace, but Jackie. Sitting in the chair next to Sophia. Sophia jumped slightly at the realization. Her eyes widen at meat balls and she tried to move, but couldn't. Jackie noticed the now quickly awaking up Sophie and tried to calm her down. "Woah! Calm down or you'll hurt yourself." Jackie exclaimed with a worried expression holding Sophia down gently. Sophia jerked once more at the touch but slowly had to calm down. "W-what do you want?" Sophia asked nervously. Jackie sat back in her chair and looked at Sophia. "I-I just came to check up on you. You know, after what happened." Jackie solemnly answered, looking away. Sophia glared at Jackie like a shark searching for prey. She didn't know how to respond to this though. "Are you telling me that your sorry for what you've done?" Sophia asked inquisitively. Jackie nodded slowly. "I know I shouldn't have reacted like that and I was acting like a jerk. I will understand if you don't forgive me for hurting you and your friend." Jackie said gently. Sophia nodded her agreement. "Your right, I do hate you. However that hatred can only exist if I decide to act immature and not be myself. I hate you, yes. Would I want to be you friend, of course. Rosto probably feels the same, he keeps grudges but he's a nice person at heart. Me hating you isn't going to change anything, the only thing left for me to do is forgive and accept." Sophia said looking up at the ceiling. Jackie gripped her leggings tightly and smiled softly. "Thank you." She whispered as she got up and left the nursery room. Sophia could only watch as Jackie slowly walked away and disappearing around a corner of the door way.
"Dude. Is the really how upper class get treated?" Rosto asked Isaac with disdain. Isaac's room was massive compared to the other rooms. Bigger kitchen, a nice bathroom, a larger bedroom, balcony, paintings and even a TV. Isaac scratched his head as Rosto gave a side glare. "Well, yes. Upper class people do get treated better then most?" Isaac said shrugging. Night time had come and Isaac had to help Rosto settle in for the night. They ate dinner and watched TV, though the channels were few. When it came to closure time, Rosto headed towards the guest bedroom. "Good night Rosto." Isaac called to Rosto. "Night." Rosto groaned out as he closed the door, leaving Isaac to watch TV.
Later that night
Sophia was awake in the nursery. She had failed on numerous occasions of trying to fall asleep. She just couldn't get that imange of Jackie out of her head. Sophia turned to look out the doorway, the night sky was shining in and the moon was like a bright star. "How beautiful." Sophia voiced out, but her eye suddenly caught movement in the dark. A shadow figure was running across the opening. "Hey wait!" Sophia called ou trying to get off the bed and walk out. Pain shot through her body as she hadn't fully healed, begrudgingly though she carried on taking small steps with her bare feet. Upon stepping out into the hallway she say only darkness lighted by the dim lanterns that didn't seem the light up a lot. "Odd. Where'd she go?" Sophia muttered looking left and right. When looking left she saw a person holding a lantern in the distance. A person? Suddenly she left a arm grab onto her and Sophia whipped her head around to look at them. It was a girl with blonde hair. "Y-you need to run!" The blondie exclaimed softly into Sophia's ear. Run? Why would she-
An arrow shot past her, landing sharply into the ground behind her. The blondie grabbed onto Sophia's arm and pulled her away in a dash. "W-wait! What's happening!" Sophia asked. "No time to explain! Just run as hard as you can and hide!" The blondie said. Another arrow zipped by cutting the blonde girl. They ran down the hallway, cutting a corner and enetering a classroom. Gently closing the door and squating down behind it. "Shh!" The blonde girl shushed Sophia. She made a hand gesture that told Sophia to listen.
Nothing
Nothing
Footsteps - hard, heavy yet quiet fooetsteps. They echoed gently across the room. Like high heels. That clip clopping sound. Boots would be a better term to describe them. Light shined in and who ever was out there was searching for them. Sophia clenched her arms tightly waiting for the moment to burst into another run. The footsteps came closer, closer and then stopped. "F.O.U.N.D Y.O.U." A low growling yet metallic voice said as a hand busted through the lower part of the door and grabbed onto the blonde woman. Quickly the girl tossed Sophia a file and a hard drive. "Take it." The hit said before being shoved through the door. Sophia would only stay on the other side, grabbing herself tightly along with the file and hard drive. "Please help."