TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 3: The Puzzle

Apart from being the receiving end of her classmates’ oppression and discrimination that made Alora pretty aloof and distant, this young artist, otherwise known as my target, is reasonably normal. Perhaps being a killer is normal, too. She’s got a habit of scribbling on paper or anything white and clean, sighing whenever something bores her, not paying attention to other details except from art and replying only when necessary or sometimes, not talking and replying at all. Aside from discussing about art, we have never had any other small conversation and it is now getting me off. I’ve only moved a little to no progress at all. This deal should be trouble-free since I know who to kill now but the thought of not being able to use my full capability as an assassin is the trouble. I might randomly hit someone if my temper weren’t kept right on check.

“She’s here.” I mumbled to myself the moment I have heard the unique clicking of her one-inch high doll shoes. It’s also about time she arrives. I nodded and rested my chin on my hand while its elbow is placed on the table. The other students arrive at least 10 minutes before class starts, so I had to wake up and go here earlier than everyone. What should I do? I am getting all giddy to start the day and finally discover something. I yawned to fake my boredom.

She entered the room on my peripheral vision, but I kept my sight as if I weren’t aware. Some girls came after her, chuckling and chitchatting until they sat on their seats. Alora approached our row with a smile plastered on her face. The girls disappeared from my sight after glimpsing at Alora once, rushing to go outside. They must have disliked me now. I thought, hiding a grin. Make sense, I don’t like them either. I only like money and work.

“Got anything on your mind?” Alora asked me right after she reached her seat. I glimpsed at her and she indeed looked more enthusiastic and excited than yesterday. Something must’ve happened. I thought.

I pretentiously flinched as an act that I was surprised and completely turned to her. “What, why? Nothing.” I countered my surprised acting by trying to look like I’m calming myself down. How could I get startled when my instinct is sharper than any normal human? The moment she stepped inside this room, all my senses were already focused on her every move. “Why did you ask? You look happy. Something happened?” I asked next. I had the urge to keep this conversation going on, although I don't like talking at all.

“Yeah.” She nodded with a smile underneath and placed her bag on her chair. It is college application season now; I assume this is about her upcoming university. I presumed as I wait for her answer. Alora scratched her nape and pursed her lips. Her cheeks were slightly reddish as she takes her eyes off of me. “You see—oh, but this is not a friendly update, okay?” I chuckled when she turned to me while waving her hand as she disclaims. I wonder why she’s telling me this now. What about Manasseh? Or her other friends? Maybe she doesn’t have any more because she murdered them all? I kept my lips smiling genuinely as I kid myself while assuming. I felt some people entering the room but I focused my eyes on this target who rarely talks to me. Maybe today is my lucky day. “I just want you to know, since I don’t have anyone aside from Dad to say this to, that I got accepted in GMU as Math–”

Alora stopped talking half-way when her stares pierced upfront. Her expression changed, as well as her eyes. I knew it. I irately looked at what she’s looking at and I saw the girls and their whole squad holding the portrait that she drew yesterday. Oh, what an annoying sight. The portrait was vandalized by red and black markers. Why the heck is everyone not letting us to have a f*****g proper conversation? I watched the girls as they chuckle and show their force by ruining a f*****g masterpiece. My eyes roamed around the half empty room and suddenly wondering why is Manasseh late. If he arrive earlier, he could’ve saved this girl’s hurt ass.

“This is the proper art, Alora. Why did you have to draw Miss Cherrie every time? To get something, like her approval? Is this your way of getting the top spot?” One of them asked multiple questions like she’s some kind of machine gun with her face covered in foundation with a lot of red-shade colours. Women are scary creatures. I thought, nodding to myself. They are very wild. I glimpsed at Alora and she looked flustered and about to cry. She cannot even save herself though she did not do anything wrong.

Talia stepped up and snatched the canvas, waving it like it’s a f*****g flag. “I can’t believe you even fooled Grei into liking this piece of shit.” Talia turned to me and smiled a little. I raised my brows while watching them. Are you trying to win me over after mocking my art yesterday, you snake? “How did you trick Grei into drawing you, too? Is this out of pity? Huh, Grei?”

What a f*****g pain.

I snapped my fingers and sighed to ease up the tension. This was supposed to be my lucky day. I grumbled as I think. “Girls, why are you even fighting over me? Please stop for I don’t deserve any of you.” I winked at the mean girls as I reply. Some of them squeaked and blushed.

Manasseh sloppily entered the room while rubbing his eyes. Fina-f*****g-lly. I can now step out of this chaos. He entered through the main door and stopped when he saw the commotion. “What—”

The other girl who was holding the portrait earlier snatched back the canvas from Talia’s hand and stared at it, then looked at me. “Grei, you need to stay away from Alora. She will only betray you like what she did to—” And even before this leader-looking chicken could finish, Alora went rushing her way out of the classroom, with her friend following her. It’s the white knight’s time. Everyone laughed instead of feeling sorry towards the real artist. Now I have completely lost my chance and I am contemplating to whether let these snakes pay for my loss. “Stop trying to be her acquaintance, Grei. She is an out-of-this-world kind of a setback. You do not—”

“Oh, honey, may I ask you what your name is?” I cut her off and caressed my hair with my fingers, then stood up.

She pursed her lips and headed towards me with nothing but lame seduction, “I am Betty and I would like to be your friend, or you know, something more interesting that just being friends.” Betty twirled her curls and bit her lower lip. The girls behind her back teased her from being snug and she just shut them up.

Fucking boring, really. I chuckled, leaned towards to her, and fixed her hair, “Betty, I’d love to.” I smiled and withdrew my hand then sat down on my table. “But you know what? I still feel sad that your portrait came in the 3rd to the last place, Betty. How could you draw my nose like that? That’s very rude of you.” I pouted and watched her bright face changed into dejection. “You need to do better and make yourself deserving to use a canvas, okay? Practice more, harass less.” I smirked, inclining closer to her right ear. I hate to stoop this low but I am f*****g vexed. “You do not even deserve to touch art pieces like this, Betty. You disappoint me. Quit this art class already if you’re not going to do something with your pen-holding ability.” I whispered and grabbed the stained portrait of Miss Cherrie made by Alora from her grasp.

I went out while holding the portrait and looked for Alora’s shadows. I left everyone bowled over what I just did and I felt fulfilled by doing such petty things. I feel so f*****g cheap right now.

“Please calm down, Alon.”

I paused before going down the stairs when I heard Alora’s friend. Alon? What an interesting nickname. I thought and leaned on the metal holding bars, intentionally eavesdropping.

“I am calm. Don’t get anywhere near me.”

Alora doesn’t sound calm at all. Moreover, her voice is in fact deeper than her usual one when she answers me. She sounds firmer, which is unexpected for someone who lets her useless classmates belittle her. I peeked in and saw Manasseh talking to Alora. He’s even handing her a drink and she’s not actually exerting any effort to care. Manasseh seemed to be fond of her. Why did Alora act like she’s never had any friends? And why are the two of them so distant in the class? For sure Manasseh is also a missing piece on this f*****g huge puzzle.

“I don’t understand, Alon. Why are you letting them do this to you?”

I don’t understand as well, Alora. Why the heck are you letting yourself be piteous when you can do something? My brows met as I listen to this one-sided conversation. Alora is not even caring at what this guy has been saying.

“Who are you to care? I came here for lessons and art, not friendship, not anything else anymore. If you want to push me to be friendly and all again, then just don’t talk to me, Mister Tylor.”

Alora is awfully hostile towards this Manasseh. I thought she will at least show her cute side when she’s with him. Meanwhile, Manasseh sounds desperate whenever he’s saying something. I thought he is the cold type of guy.

“I am not. Please don’t think of me as someone who wants to take revenge. I will never do that to you.”

Fuck, there sprouted the word revenge from Manasseh’s mouth. I covered my mouth to prevent chuckling out of excitement. My tummy’s tingling by thinking that I am finally getting something from my eavesdropping.

“Shut up, please. What are you talking about? Yes, you were once my friend; both of you and Hanie were, but you’re not anymore. Do not show me your fake remorse, okay?”

She sounds different and this is not a surprise at all. A murderer cannot be kind most of the time. I am certain that the other side of her moon will surface soon.

“I’m sorry, Alon, if my presence reminds you of Hanie. I am sorry but after losing her, I could not just…”  

“Leave me alone for a while.”

After all those tough talking, Alora still looked and sounded like a fragile glass, fallen into the ground with some rifts, ready to break in a minute.

I think I am seeing the deeper part of this already, although their conversation doesn't make sense to me. Alora, Manasseh, and Hanie—the center of attraction of this puzzle. Although I’ve heard the other side of the story before all this, from Mister Park, I’m by now excited and thrilled to hear your sides. I wonder who the sheep is and who the boy who cried wolf is.

Manasseh left Alora sulking in the first floor’s staircase alone. I crossed my arms as I watch her drowning in her own thoughts again. I’d like to know how did you kill Miss Hanie Park, Miss Alora Shyrie Weller. I am very curious of why Mister Kenshin Park is so mad at you. I raised my head to match Manasseh and his stares for he's already standing before me.

“The class is about to start. Why are you here prying on us?” He asked me in a whole different tone from when he spoke to Alora. He sounded very sweet and charming earlier and now he is completely rude. This indeed is an unrequited love.

I furrowed my brows and breathed, “It’s not proper to assume things. What if I were a passer-by and here you are, calling me nosy? That’s just rude.” I grouched and grumbled, then stared back as deeply as I can to counter his suspicious eyes. Manasseh smiled and nodded, then patted my back before walking past me. That was an obvious suspicion towards me. I thought and grinned, then headed down to Alora. “I wonder if Manasseh can make this deal less boring.” I mumbled and reached for Alora’s right shoulder.

“What?” She did not even flinch and turned to me. Her expressions have altered a lot from what she looked like when she first stepped inside the classroom. I wonder if I were to see that bright face again.

I stood in front of her and patted her shoulder gently. She should learn to protect herself more. She’s not even budging from my touch. “Congratulations on getting admitted in your new university, artist girl.” She raised her head and I showed her a smile she could never forget.

“Forget it.” She brushed my hand off of her shoulder and climbed up the stairs, leaving me blinking like a f*****g fool. She did not even react on what I did.

I admit that I have been defeated in my 3rd day. And I will definitely slit someone else’s throat if I were not to move a single step forward tomorrow. This f*****g deal is f*****g me up now and my Reisun mind is coming to overthrow Grei anytime already.

I was about to head up to the classroom when my work phone vibrated in a familiar pattern. “And then here she goes again.” I exhaled in annoyance as I get my phone from my pocket, for I already have a clue of to whom the notification came from. There is a message from an unsaved number on the screen, asking me if I were free. I immediately deleted the message and climbed up the stairs. Reisun, don’t you ever get distracted again, ever. I whispered to myself, thinking about that woman who dared to ask me out again. “Plus, she is also an assassin, for your f*****g neck’s sake!”