Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

VEZMONT MANSION, 10:15 PM

“Aya, what took you so long?” her brother Chris asked.
“Sorry, my professor made me stay late in school.” Aya answered.
“Aya,” her brother Andre just came out from the bathroom with only a towel. He opened his arms and Aya gave him a big hug.
“Kuya!”
“Aya, you’re soaking wet…” said her Kuya Andre.
“I was caught up in the rain.” Aya said.
“You better put on some dry clothes or else you’ll get sick.”
“Yes, Kuya Andre.”
“You better put on some clothes yourself Andre, “said Chris.
“Yes, kuya.” Andre said smiling at Chris.
“Hilarious…” Chris said sarcastically.

Aya went to her room and changed into some dry clothes. Aya was so exhausted; she fell on her bed and went fast asleep. Not too long after, her brothers slowly opened the door to check on her.

“Aya’s tired,” Andre said. He went to her little sister and pulled a blanket on her.
“Hey Andre…” Chris was leaning on the door frame with his arms folded.
“Yeah…”
Chris hesitated for a while, and then he asked, “Do you think the prophecy is true?”
There was a long silence.
“I just hope it’s not.” Andre looked lovingly at his sister, “for Aya’s sake…”

THE NEXT DAY….

“Ah…” Aya stretched her arms. “It’s Saturday.”
Aya got out of bed and went down the dining hall.
“Good Morning!” Aya greeted her brothers cheerfully.
“Hey…” her brothers greeted her bluntly. They were so absorbed at what they were doing. Chris was polishing a knife and Andre was busy reading a book entitled “How to Kill Your Enemies Softly.”
“It’s Saturday.” Aya said.
Her brothers automatically froze. Andre took off his glasses and said, “Gosh, It is Saturday.”
“What do you wanna do, Aya?” Chris asked.
Saturday is the day where the Vezmonts would spend their time together. They usually spend their brutally earned money on Saturdays. Saturday is the day when Aya is spoiled by her brothers.
“I don’t know…” Aya said, deep in thought.
“How ‘bout the mall?” Chris suggested.
“I’m bored with the mall.” Aya said.
“How ‘bout a movie?” Andre suggested.
“There’s nothing good to watch.” Aya said.
Then a thought came into Aya’s mind. “Kuya, how about we go to the beach.”
“The beach?” her brothers said in unison.
“Please kuya…” Aya said, pouting.
Her brothers can’t help it when Aya pouts. “Okay…” Andre agreed upon her little sister. “Fine with me…” said Chris.
“Yehey!!! We’re going to the beach.” Aya was so happy. She gave her brothers a big hug.
“I’ll get ready,” she said and she quickly dashed out the dining room.
“We spoil her, don’t we?” Chris asked.
“It looks like it.” Andre said smiling.

Aya was busy preparing for her things.
“Oooh! I’m gonna wear this one,” she held up a red, 2-piece, string bikini.
Aya also brought sunblock lotion, towel, clothes and a beach ball. She slammed them all in one beach bag.
“There, I’m done…” she said. She put on a loose shoulder-off shirt, which hang loosely to her thighs. And underneath her shirt was her red, 2-piece, string bikini. She put on her hat and her sandals and went outside their house.
Outside, Aya’s brothers were packing all their things in the car.
“Don’t forget the beer.” Chris called out to Andre.
“Yeah…” Andre said.
Andre and Chris were wearing plain swimming shorts and those Hawaiian-floral shirts.
“Kuya, I’m ready!” Aya said.
“Okay let’s go!” Chris said.
They went inside the car, with Chris in the driver’s seat and went on their way.

THE BEACH

“Amazing…” said Aya in awe.
The sea was shimmering in the rays of sunlight. The sea was crystal blue and people were frolicking around, enjoying their stay in the beach. The wind was gently breezing and the coconut leaves were rustling in the wind
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been here,” said Andre.
“Yeah, it has been a while,” Chris said, admiring the beauty of the sea.
“Come on,” said Aya, excitedly.
The Vezmonts set up their things not far from the shoreline. Aya could hear the gentle sound of the waves being pulled by the sea.
“It’s so relaxing,” Aya said.
“Come on, let’s play volleyball.” Chris said, tossing the beach ball, “Me against you two.”
“Okay,” Aya said. “We’re going to beat Kuya Chris, won’t we Kuya Andre?”
“Yes, we will,” said Andre smiling.
“Okay,” Aya pulled off her shirt. “Let’s start!!!”
The three started to play volleyball at a medium pace.
“Yah!” Chris served the ball.
“I got it,” Aya hit the ball.
The ball went heading towards Chris, then Chris suddenly spiked it hard. The ball was spinning rapidly and it was darting towards Andre. Andre did a spinning kick and hit the ball hard. The ball was heading fast for Chris.
“Oh, you ask for it.” Chris punched the ball from below and sent it shooting up the sky. The people were already staring at them, amazed. Then the ball was heading back to the ground. It was falling fast.
“Now it’s my turn,” Aya jumped up high and put her hands together, wrapping her fingers tight. She hit the ball hard and sent it darting towards Chris. It was so fast that Chris missed it and the ball bounced hard on the ground and it went heading towards another guy, who had his back turned.
“Look out!" Aya shouted.
The man quickly spun with his light-blue hair gently flowing. He raised his hand forward and spun it rapidly in a cycle, creating a little whirlpool of wind. It reduced the speed of the shooting ball and he was able to catch it effortlessly.
The people applauded for him.
“Rye…” Aya said softly. She was in surprise.
Rye went and returned the ball.
“Thank you.” Andre said, smiling.
“No, it was nothing.” Rye said. He took a quick glance at Aya and went off.

“I’m bored…” Aya said.
Chris opened a can of beer and handed it to Andre, “Aya, why don’t you stroll around on the beach. I’m sure you’ll find something interesting.”
“Maybe…” she said. Aya had nothing to do anyway so she stood up and followed her brother’s advice. Aya walked around the white sand shores. She just stared at the sand, hoping to find something interesting.
“Seashells…seashells…seashells, they’re all seashells,” she said irritated.
Aya wasn’t looking at where she was going. She didn’t notice a small bump in the sand. Her foot
got caught in the bump; she then lost her balance. “Aaaahhh!!!” She fell on a guy who was seating in the sand. The guy’s face sank directly in between her breasts as Aya fell down.
“Ow,” Aya said, squinting in pain. Aya didn’t notice the awkward position she was in for a while until the pain started to slowly ease off. “Oh, my God.” Aya quickly lifted herself up. “I’m so sorry,” she said, red in embarrassment. As she looked up, light-blue hair and green eyes quickly struck her.
“Rye!” she exclaimed.
“I’m sorry too…” Rye said.
“It’s completely my fault, I wasn’t looking,” she said blushing.
“It’s okay,” Rye stood up and brushed sand off himself.
Aya tried to put some weight on her foot but it ached real badly.
“Ow…” Aya said.
“Could you stand up?” Rye asked.
“I don’t think so…”Aya said, gently massaging her foot.
“Well, couldn’t you heal yourself?” Rye asked.
“I could, but I didn’t recharge with Kanaya…” Aya said. “But don’t worry, I can handle myself.”
Aya tried to stand up, but her foot ached and she lost her balance. Rye just caught her before she fell on the ground.
“Come on, I’ll better take you to my house?” said Rye. Rye carried Aya in his arms.
“Your house?” Aya asked.
“Yeah, we own this place.”

RYE’S HOUSE

Rye’s house is not as big as Aya’s, but it is nicely decorated and fully furnished. Rye laid Aya on the sofa.
“Wait here, I’m gonna get a bandage for your foot,” Rye said and left the room.
Aya noticed Rye’s family picture on the side table beside the sofa. Rye was still a kid in the picture. He was on his father’s back, who Aya presumed was a military man from his posture and stance. Rye’s mom is beautiful. Now, Aya knows where Rye got his unusual light-blue hair.
“I see you’ve noticed my family picture,” Rye said as he entered the room.
Aya quickly put down the photo. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“No problem,” Rye said reassuringly. “That’s our only family picture. That was taken when my dad got back from the military. But after my mom died, my dad and I never took pictures together. He thinks it’s just not right to have a family picture without mom.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Aya said.
“Don’t be,” Rye placed his hand on Aya’s foot and gently massaged it. He then wrapped the bandage around Aya’s injured foot.
“Here…” Rye said, “Much better.”
“Thank you,” Aya said blushing.
Then Aya just remembered about her brothers. “Oh, no! Kuya Andre and Kuya Chris are gonna be looking for me.” Aya said. “I need to go Rye.”
Aya tried to stand up and again lost her balance but Rye was there to catch her. Rye laid Aya back on the sofa.
“Careful, Aya,” Rye said. “I’ll just call your brothers to come here.”
Rye whistled and called his dog.
“Popo!”
A fluffy, yellow-haired Labrador came rushing into the living room.
“Popo, I need you two find guys.” Rye said carefully, “I need you to them back here.”
“Woof!” the dog barked.
The dog sniffed Aya, since their Aya’s brothers; they must have the same scent as hers. The dog barked and ran off.
“Do you think he’ll be able to find them?” Aya asked.
“Don’t worry; Popo’s a professional,” Rye said.

The dog ran fast into the beach. He then stopped and started sniffing. The dog finally got a trace of the scent and followed it.
“Andre, I wonder where Aya is.” Chris said.
“Yeah, it’s already getting dark,” Andre answered, “But don’t worry, Aya’s a big girl now.”
“Woof, woof!!” a dog was heading towards them.
“A dog,” Chris said.
The dog stopped in front of them and started barking non-stop.
“I think he wants us to follow him.” Andre said.
“Maybe he knows where Aya is,” Chris presumed.
So the brothers followed the Labrador.

Back at Rye’s House...

Aya lied down on the sofa with her head on a soft pillow.
“Are you feeling okay?” Rye asked.
“Yes, thank you Rye.” Aya said, “but you know, I really should be going.”
Aya pulled herself up. As she pulled herself up, her bra started to loosen. Rye put his hands on her shoulders trying to lay her down and Aya’s bra completely fell off.
The door suddenly slammed open.
“Aya!” Aya’s brothers had just arrived and they were shocked at what they saw.
“Get away from her,” Chris said angrily. He summoned a dozen of knives in one hand and sent them darting towards Rye.
Rye quickly jumped up and evaded the knives.
Aya quickly wrapped her arms around her and shouted, “Kuya, it was just an accident!” she shouted.
Chris wasn’t listening. He was too angry.
“Aya, are you okay? Did anything happen?” Andre asked, concerned. He took off his shirt and wrapped it around Aya.
“Kuya, please stop Kuya Chris. It was just an accident,” she pleaded.
“I didn’t do anything to her.” Rye said evading Chris knives.
“Shut up, you jackass!” Chris continued throwing knives at him.
Andre finally stood up and took out his whip. He hit it hard on the floor and it created a loud whipping sound.
“Chris, stop it. Aya said it was just an accident.” Andre said.
“Kuya Chris, please…” Aya begged.
Chris finally calmed down and stopped.
“Kuya, it’s okay; he didn’t do anything wrong.” Aya reasoned. “He actually helped me with my foot.” Aya showed them her bandaged foot.
“You’re lucky this time kid.” Chris menacingly glared at Rye. “If you hurt my sister, I swear I will hunt you down.” Chris threatened.
Rye just kept silent.
Then not long after, rain started to fall.
“Come on we better get going.” Chris said.
“Wait,” Rye said. “It’s not safe to go out in the beach right now. According to the weather forecast there’s gonna be a heavy rainstorm. If you go outside, the waves will swallow you.”
The rain fell harder and the waves were crashing violently on the shore.
“I can let you stay here overnight,” Rye offered.
“Really?” Aya asked.
“Yeah.”
“Yehey! Hear that kuya? Rye’s gonna let us stay here for the night,” Aya said cheerfully. Aya met her shimmering blue eyes at Rye. “Thank you, Rye.”
Aya’s lovely eyes struck Rye. “No problem…” he said, blushing.
“How do we know we can trust you?” Chris asked, still doubting Rye.
“Aya trusts him…” Andre said smiling

Rye led them to the guestroom. Andre carried Aya in his arms on the way.
“Here’s the guestroom, but there’s only one king-size bed,” Rye said.
“Don’t worry; the three of us can fit here.” Chris said.
“Actually, I was also going to offer my room,”
“And what? Leave you to sleep with Aya? You wish!” Chris said, very furious.
“I’m gonna sleep on the sofa.” Rye said defensively.
There was a moment of thought.
“Kuya, I think it’s better for me to sleep in Rye’s room, with my injured foot and all.” Aya finally said.
“She has a point, Chris.” Andre said, smiling calmly at him.
“Okay, but no monkey-business,” Chris said.

Andre went into Rye’s room and laid Aya on the bed.
“Are you sure you’re gonna be alright?” Andre made sure his little sister was convenient.
“Yeah, I’m gonna be fine,” Aya said reassuringly. Aya then gave his brother a big, warm hug.
“Just call if you need anything.” Andre said.
“Okay.”
Andre then left the room. Moments later, Rye went inside the room with an ice pack.
“Rye…”
“I just brought an ice pack for your foot.” He snapped the ice pack and placed it on Aya’s foot. Coldness seeped into her aching foot.
“Thank you…” Aya said.
Rye stood up and was about to leave, but Aya held his hand and halted him.
“Wait, could you please stay here…just for a little while?” Aya pleaded.
This surprised Rye.
“I don’t like thunder,” Aya said.
“Aya…” Rye was about to say something, but thunder suddenly boomed.
“Ah!” Aya tenaciously coiled her arms around Rye’s arm. “I hate thunder…” she said fearfully.
Rye pitied Aya. He then sat beside her on the bed. Aya was still gripping his arm tight.
“It’s okay, Aya,” Rye said comfortingly.
Aya then slowly let go of Rye’s arm. “For an assassin, you sure are scared of a lot of things,” Rye said.
“Yeah…” Aya said. “Sure, I have experienced a lot of intense training, but it still doesn’t make me let go of my fears.”
“I see…”
Then there was a brief silence.
“Rye, what do you do?” Aya suddenly asked.
Rye hesitated for a while and then he said,” I hunt…”
“Were you assigned to hunt us?” Aya asked incidentally.
Rye instinctly said, “No.” But of course this was a complete lie.
“Okay,” Aya smiled at Rye and said,” I completely trust you.”
Rye saw no doubt in Aya’s eyes. He felt guilty about this. “Why does it have to be her?” he thought.
“I’m tired,” Aya then slowly rested her head on Rye’s shoulder. “Goodnight, Rye…” She gently closed her eyes and went fast asleep.
Rye could feel Aya’s warmth tingling into his skin. Rye knew this wasn’t supposed to be, but he yearned so much to be this close to Aya. “What is this?” he wondered. Rye just sat there with Aya sleeping on his shoulder. Then, Aya’s head gently fell onto his chest. Rye wrapped an arm around Aya and gently glided his hand on her beautiful blonde hair.
“Aya…” Rye softly whispered her name. He then closed his eyes and went fast asleep…

NEXT MORNING…

Aya woke up in the morning. She had a good sleep last night. Her foot was feeling better already. She sat up straight and heard people talking outside.
There is a balcony just outside Rye’s bedroom. Aya slowly lifted herself out of bed. She gently placed her injured foot on the floor and put some weight in it. Her foot tingled in pain but it was bearable that she could walk limply outside the balcony. Aya leaned on the railings and saw her brothers talking with Rye.
“Really,Aya did that?” Rye said.
“I heard my name…”Aya shouted from above the balcony.
“Aya!” her brother, Andre, said.
“Are you okay?” Chris asked.
“I’m fine,” Aya said. “I can finally walk, but it’s still a bit painful, but don’t worry; I can handle it. I’m going down now…”
“Okay…”said her Kuya Andre.
Aya went back inside Rye’s room.
“Aren’t you gonna help Aya?” Rye asked her brothers.
“Nope. Cause, she might get mad at us when we baby her.” André said smiling at Rye.
Aya went outside the room and into the hallway. She walked limply down the stairs, gripping the stair handle tight. Her foot still ached in pain but she was able to make it down the stairs. She winced as she reached the last step. She went to the front door and opened it. Rye and her brothers were there on the other side, waiting for her.
“Kuya!” Aya hopped with her good foot and hugged her brothers tight.
“You’re finally here,” her Kuya André said gladly.
Aya finally let go of her brothers.
“Aya, you’re friend, Rye’s not such a bad guy after all,” Chris said.
“See, I told you so…”Aya said. She then faced Rye and smiled at him.
Chris faced Rye with a dark look in his eyes and said, ”But I’m still not taking back what I said before. I’m still going to hunt you down when you do something to Aya.”
“Yes…” Rye, said blankly.
Aya leaned forward towards Rye with her eyes shimmering gladly at him. “You finally got my brothers’ trust…” she then smiled at him.
“Yeah…”
“We need to go,” Chris said. “We still have lots to do.”
“Thank you, Rye,” André said smiling.
“No, its nothing…” Rye said.
As the Vézmonts walked on their way, Aya turned around and waved at Rye. “See you in school!" she shouted and they were gone.
“Aya, may I ask you something?” her brother, Chris asked as they were walking in the sandy shores.
“What?”
“Do you like Rye?” he asked.
“Yeah. We’re good friends,” she said.
“Hmm…” her Kuya Andre looked at her. “If that’s what you say so…” he smiled at her.

Rye went back inside the house. He thought about what Aya said: “You finally got my brothers’ trust.”
“Am I suppose to be happy about that?” he said to himself.
He sank down into the living room sofa and stared at the ceiling. “I’m gonna end up hurting them…” he thought.

VEZMONT MANSION, 5:45-SUNSET

“Kuya, I’m home!” Aya walked through the entrance hall and into the basement.
Their basement is full of weaponry hanging on the walls. A huge portrait of a headless body, drenched in blood, hang above the fireplace. A candle chandelier illuminated the room. And jars of amputated body parts shined creepily in the candlelight. A long table stretched across the room and there were Aya’s two brothers.
“ Aya you’re finally here,” Andre said warmly.
“Aya, we have an assignment,” Chris said. “We are going to assassinate a French businessman here in Harp City. Apparently, he is here for a meeting.”
“Who is he?” Aya asked.
“His name is Luke Bujor.” Chris answered. Chris opened their portable laptop and typed Luke Bujor in the search engine. Luke Bujor’s profile appeared in the monitor instantly.
“He is a rich successful businessman but apparently many are jealous of his success.” Chris continued. “We are payed $50,000,000 to kill this guy. But his pretty well guarded, Luke’s bodyguards are highly-paid.”
“We can kick their asses.” Aya said. “They never trained with papa like we did.”

The Vezmont children underwent intense training around the world to be professional assassins. With their father, they would walk through a sandstorm in the middle of the desert, pulling 150 bricks (100 for Aya). The children would sleep upside down in the trees. And when it was time to eat, they would hunt for their food without the use of weapons, only with their bare hands. They endured lots of pain in their training. Everyday, their father would whip them 1000 times until their backs ached and bled.
“Endurance is the key in strengthening your Kanaya,” their father used to say.

“So are we up for this?” Chris asked.
“No problem.” Andre said.
“Okay, let’s go!” Aya said.

BUILDING ACROSS MILTON HOTEL, IN THE HEART OF HARP CITY, 6:25 PM

The Vezmont children were on the rooftop of a building across Milton Hotel.
“It’s 6:25, their meeting’s almost done.” Andre said.
“You all know the plan, right?” Chris asked.
“You worry too much, Chris.” Andre said.
“I’ll better be going then.” Aya said. “See you later.” Aya jumped off the rooftop and landed softly in the alley besides the building. Then a gush of wind swept from behind her.
“Who’s there?” Aya sharply turned around, but found no one. “That was strange,” she thought. She walked outside the alley and into the moonlight. “Time to change costume, “she grinned.

INSIDE MILTON HOTEL, 6:32 PM

Luke Bujor was seating comfortably on a soft comfy chair in the waiting lounge in the entrance hall of the hotel, waiting for his coffee. His bodyguards were securely guarding him.
“Oh, no!” a cute girl, with pigtails, wearing a very mini-skirt and a tube top, seemed to have lost something.” Where is it?” the girl searched around her place and bent down revealing her thong underneath her skimpy skirt.
The guards noticed this and made them very horny and unaware that two guys just two meters behind them were about to attack.
“Now!” Chris shouted.
Andre took out his whip and whipped the guards giving them fatal and deadly cuts. Andre’s whip stretches as long as he wants and he directs it in any direction he wills.
“Sorry,” Andre said smiling at the dead corpses of the guards.
The people in the building were frantically screaming and were rushing out of the building.
Aya kicked bodyguard a** real bad. She uses every martial arts technique known to Earth and she kills with her bare hands.
“Wh-what’s happening?” Luke Bujor stood up and rushed to the door. But Chris suddenly appeared from nowhere and blocked his way. “Where did you come from?” Luke asked, shivering, scared to death.
“I’m sorry, but I have to kill you,” Chris twisted his hand and there appeared a knife, it appeared as if like magic. Chris summons knives out of nowhere anytime at his will. They come in different numbers and styles he desires.
“No, please…” Luke begged. Then suddenly, there was a gunshot.
“A gunshot?” Aya wondered.
A man in a black hood suddenly appeared out of nowhere behind Chris. The man kicked Chris’ head, but missed. Chris was too fast for him, he quickly ducked just as the man was about to hit his head. Chris turned around and threw a knife at the man. But the man got his gun so quick and shot the knife heading towards him. The knife shattered in an instant.
“No bullet…no, it couldn’t be,” Aya thought.
Luke got his chance and hid cowardly behind the chair.
“Who are you?” Chris asked. The man did not respond. “Oh, you asked for it.”
Chris twisted both his hands and five knives appeared in each hand. Chris swung his left hand and all five knives went heading towards the man. The man ran to the side of the hall and the knives just missed him and jabbed on the floor. The man ran up the wall and got out two guns in each hand and shot the Vezmonts. The Vezmonts were able to evade the shots. Andre ran and got Luke Bujor by the collar.

“Why are you doing this?” Luke asked.
“because if he shoots you we don’t get paid.” Andre said smiling.
Chris then swung his right hand and all five knives went heading towards the man. The man was able to evade most of them but one grazed him in the leg. The man landed on the floor and his leg started to bleed, but still the man was able to stand up. The man jumped high in the air; it was as if he was flying. He raised both arms above his head and as he was pulled headfirst by gravity, he shifted his body weight to his side making him spin like a torpedo. He pulled the trigger of his guns in both hands and wind shots were flying everywhere in the room.
Aya barely missed the shots. She was to busy wondering in disbelief. “No, it couldn’t be him,”
she thought.
Andre ran quickly to the corner of the hall, dragging Luke Bujor. Andre then got his whip and swung it so quickly shielding them from the wind shots.
Chris evaded the shots but one hit him in the arm. The wound was pretty deep and it bled profusely.
“Kuya!” Aya rushed towards her brother.
The black-hooded man landed on the floor and his wound bled even more.
The man saw Aya near her brother, Chris, who bled from the wind shot wound. He noticed the worried look in Aya’s eyes. “Aya…” the man whispered to himself. The man’s wound was hurting him. He lost too much blood already and he was feeling weak. He needed to go. The man swung the cape of his hood around him and disappeared.
“He’s gone.” Andre said in relief.
“It’s gonna be okay, kuya,” Aya said to Chris.
“Aya, I can handle myself. It’s only a scratch.” Chris said.
“Nonsense…” Aya then put her hand over Chris’ wound. Yellow light glowed around Aya’s hand and the wound recovered completely. After that healing, Aya became tired and weary.
“Aya…” Chris said.
“Don’t worry; I’m just tired; I just want to sleep.” Aya said weakly.
Andre kneeled beside Aya and gently placed her head on his lap.
“Kuya…” and Aya went fast asleep.
“Are we good to go, Chris?” Andre asked.
“Yeah…just one last thing,” said Chris. Chris went to Luke who was cowering pathetically at the corner of the room. Chris twisted his hand and a knife appeared in an instant. Chris stood in front of the businessman, his shadow casting over him.
“Please, have mercy on me. No, no, NO!!!”

VEZMONT MANSION

Aya woke up in between her brothers in their bed. She sat upright in the glaze of morning sunlight through the window.
“Aya, you better get ready for school or else you’re gonna be late, “said her brother Chris, his eyes closed, topless in bed and his body flat, chest first, in bed.
“Do I have to?” Aya asked.
“Yes, you do,” said Chris.
` “No, she doesn’t,” said Andre, who was also half-asleep in bed. “It’s her decision.”
Aya just remembered about last night. “What happened last night?” she asked her brothers.
“After you fell asleep, we just did the finishing touches in the assignment.” Chris said.
“You were able to kill him,” Aya said.
“Yes, it was pretty easy. And the fifty-million dollars is already in our bank account,” Chris said. “Only if that guy didn’t show up, it would’ve been much easier.”
“Kuya Andre, I’m going to school,” Aya said unexpectedly.
“Good decision,” Andre said to her little sister.
“I’ll better get going then,” Aya bent down and kissed her brothers on the cheek. “Happy sleeping!” she jumped out of bed and went outside the room. And there was a long silence.
“Andre,”
“Yes,” Andre answered, half-asleep.
“I wonder what made Aya go to school,” Chris said wearily.






SCHOOL

Aya didn’t really want to go to school. It really is a hang over after last night’s assignment. But she really needed to find out something. Something that concerned about last night’s assignment.. “Is it really him, no it couldn’t be.” But Aya saw proof with her own eyes- the guns, the wind bullets. “Who else could it be?” Aya thought. She is really confused.
Aya arrived early in school. She went to her seat near the window.
“Aya, are you okay?” asked her classmate, Kara.
“I’m okay….” Aya said.
“Oh, Aya! You’re so lucky to be Rye’s school buddy,” said Kara.
“Wh-what?” Aya said, surprised.
“Rye is so cute and hot!” said another of her classmates, Nikki.
“Not to mention a perfect gentleman,” said another.
“Oh, please tell us what he’s like Aya…” the girls begged. Then suddenly a whole bunch of girls were crowding around Aya’s place. “Please, Aya. Please…” they begged.
“What…I don’t know, I just met him too.” Aya reasoned. Aya looked outside the window and saw Rye, who just arrived school.
“Look, there’s Rye!” Aya immediately said.
“Where?” the girls wondered.
“Over there!” Aya pointed outside the window.
“Ah!!!” the girls ran screaming outside the classroom, heading for Rye.
“Sluts…” Aya said to herself.

Rye was just thinking about his father’s words:” You must kill that family…”
“Aya…I’m sorry” he whispered to himself.

“Rye!!!” A stampede of girls was heading towards him.
“Hi…? Oh, s**t!” Rye ran quickly ran away from the stampeding girls. He ran twice around the school building to distract the girls, and hid behind a tree.
“Where’s Rye?” the girls wondered. “Let’s spread up.” The girls took separate ways in searching for Rye.
Rye leaned back against the tree and looked up. He then saw a window and jumped high up for it. He grabbed the window sill and he pushed himself up. As he pushed himself, he saw Aya through the window. Aya was so surprised to see him.
“Open the window!” Rye shouted, knocking at the window. Aya stood up and placed her hands on the window’s frame. She was about to lift the window, but she hesitated for a while. “Should I let him in?” she thought. “Open it!” Rye banged the window so hard that it shattered. “Ah!” Aya placed her arms against her face to cover herself from the flying fragments. Rye lost his balance and he fell on top of Aya.
Aya looked shocked. “What the hell is happening…?” she thought. Aya was blushing profusely. After thirty seconds of the awkward position, Rye finally got up. Rye pushed himself up and his eyes met with Aya’s.
“I’m sorry,” he said blushing. He then stood up, but as he did he felt his wound open. It ached excruciatingly, but he still managed to stand up.
“I’m extremely sorry.” Rye said again, lending a hand to Aya.
Aya was still in shock. She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know whether to hold his hand or to chop it off.
Aya held his hand and stood up.
“Thank you…” Aya said blushing. There was a long period of silence, and they still weren’t letting go of each others’ hand. “Why am I still holding his hand?” Aya wondered. Aya seemed to like holding Rye’s hand. Her heart is beating faster, “What is this?” she thought. Rye was also holding Aya’s hand, it’s like he didn’t want to let go either.
The whole class were staring at them intently, but then the bell rang-“ding-dong.” The two finally got back to their senses and let go of each other. They silently went back to their seats. But as Rye walked back toward his seat, Aya could hear blood dripping from his wound.
“A wound…” Aya thought.

Aya avoided being in contact with Rye for the whole day. She tried her best not to be close to him but in Chemistry Class…

“Today we are going to pair lab partners,” said their professor, Mr. Lee. “Ms. Vezmont, since you have outstandingly good grades, I think it would be a good help for Mr. Leigh to have you as a lab partner.”
“But sir…” Aya tried to object.
“Any objections, Ms. Vezmont?”
Aya was about to say yes, she wanted to say yes, but…
“None, sir.” she said.
“Good.” the professor said.
Aya and Rye sat beside each other in one table. As the professor was lecturing, Aya couldn’t help but hear the dripping blood of Rye’s wound. She looked at Rye and saw him turning pale. Pity took over Aya. She slowly slid her hand over Rye’s thigh…
“What the…?”
“Don’t worry.” Aya said softly. Yellow light glowed from Aya’s hand, and Rye slowly felt the pain of his leg fading away. His wound had completely healed.
“Thank you…” Rye said softly.
“Is there something you want to share with the class, Mr. Leigh and Ms. Vezmont?” the professor look irritated at the two.
Rye and Aya just fell silent.
“If you have nothing to share, please listen and keep your mouths shut… And as punishment for this unruly interruption in class, I shall make you both stay late in school and help me organize report papers. None compliance of this and I will automatically fail you in chemistry.” said Mr. Lee.
“Oh, s**t!” Aya thought.
“Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” Rye said, but Aya just kept quiet.

SCHOOL LABORATORY, 6:15 PM

“I’m so proud of you both for complying with my little disciplinary action,” said Mr. Lee as they were walking towards the lab. “I hope next time you’ll think about the consequences before you talk in my class.”
The group went inside the school laboratory. In the lab, two columns of lab tables ran across the room. The room is full of tubes and flasks with unknown substances. Body parts and animal specimens were inside jars that stood in shelves. The blackboard at the end of the room is full of equations and the room is slightly dim. It glowed with soft blue light, which flooded on the floor.
Professor Lee led them to the closet just at the left side of the room. Professor Lee opened the door and report papers were randomly scattered everywhere in the cramped closet. The closet was small with a single light bulb that hung from the ceiling.
“Okay, I need both of you to arrange these papers in alphabetical order,” said Professor Lee.” I don’t care how long it’ll take both of you to fix all this crap. I just want you to finish the job, okay?”
“Yes, sir.” Aya said, looking quite worried at the mountain of report papers in the closet. “How long will I have to be with him…?” Aya couldn’t wait any longer.
“Oh, and by the way, I don’t know if this is true but, I might as well tell you…”
“What is it professor?” Aya asked curiously.
“They say there was a girl who died in this very laboratory,” the professor said.
“Died?”
“Yes, they say that she drank acid because she was so depressed when her boyfriend dumped her. The acid killed her from the inside and all her organs ruptured and blood splattered everywhere. It was such a violent death.”
“Oh, really?” Aya said sarcastically. Aya wasn’t scared of blood. She was used to it.
“And they say her spirit dwells in this very laboratory at night…” the professor continued.
This freaked out Aya and Rye.
“Really?” Rye finally spoke for the first time in a while.
“Maybe,” said the professor. He closed the closet door and left the two totally freaked out.
“Oh, no…” Aya thought.

The two were stuck with each other in the cramped closet.
“Tan, Allen, Zwick…” Aya browsed at the report papers. “This’ll take us forever!” she complained.
She was about to pick up one of the papers but she accidentally placed her hand on top of Rye’s hand. Aya blushed and quickly lifted her hand, “sorry…” Aya said quickly. Rye just kept silent. Aya went back to sorting the papers, but then Rye suddenly spat angrily, “Why were you at the Milton Hotel last night?"
Aya froze at this statement. Aya finally spoke and said, “So you were the man who attacked us. How could I be so stupid in doubting this?! I should’ve stabbed you when you landed on me a while ago!” Aya said in anger.
“Then, why didn’t you?” Rye asked.
Aya fell silent. “Why didn’t I?” she thought as well.
“Rye, I just want to finish this, okay?” Aya said.
“Fine with me,” Rye said plainly.
There was a long silence between the two. The two were busy sorting and alphabetizing papers. They minded their own business for a while. Then Rye finally spoke and broke the silent gap between them.
“Aya, do you think that story about the ghost girl is true?” Rye asked.
Aya actually forgot about the ghost girl. She was too busy suppressing her anger at Rye to be able to think about the so-called “ghost girl”. She thinks it’s just some stupid joke that the professor made up to scare them.
“I…” Aya was about to speak. But then there was a sudden blackout and the cramped closet turned dark.
“Aahhh!!! The ghost girl!” Aya is terrified of the dark. She felt for Rye and hugged him tight. Papers were flying everywhere and the room became so disoriented in the dark.
“I’m so scared…” Aya said, in the verge of tears
“Don’t be.” Rye said comfortingly, gently putting his arms around her.
The blackout lasted for a long time and they just stayed that way. Aya felt the warmth of Rye’s body as he embraces her. This warmth was different from the usual warmth she felt with her brothers. Aya wanted to stay this way. It gave her a nice feeling.
The lights went back.
“Aya, are you okay?” Rye asked, concerned.
“Yes. I’m so sorry…I’m just so afraid in the dark.” Aya said. She gently lifted herself from Rye and gracefully wiped a tear from her eye.
After many hours, they finally finished sorting and alphabetizing the report papers. Aya stretched her arms releasing all the tension in her tired muscles. “At last, we’re finally finish.” Aya said in relief. Aya stood up and she placed her hand on the doorknob but she hesitated to open the door.
“Why?” Rye asked.
“The ghost girl…” Aya said
Rye stood up and took out his gun. He held Aya’s hand and said, “Follow me.”
Rye opened the door and walked outside the closet with Aya. They went outside the laboratory and into the dark corridor.
“It’s dark…” Aya said.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you.” Rye said comfortingly.
Aya felt useless in the dark. She was just too afraid of it.
The two went down a flight of stairs and made it outside the campus.
“See, no ghost girl.” Rye said.
This made Aya laugh.
“No ghost girl…” she said.

Aya and Rye walked along together in the cold, breezy night. Rye was busy admiring Aya’s beautiful, long hair fluttering in the breeze. “Why does it have to be her?” he thought to himself.
“Aya.”
“What?” Aya looked at Rye with her lovely blue eyes.
“Why do you do it?” Rye asked.
“Do what?”
“Killing…” Rye said.
Aya stopped walking. She looked up in the sky and said, “I don’t really know…I sometimes do it because it’s fun. Or maybe because it’s what I’m trained to do.” Then there was a moment of silence. Aya then faced Rye and said,” No… I think I do it because of my brothers.”
“Brothers?”
“Yes, Kuya Andre and Kuya Chris. I’m sure you’ve met them.” Aya said. “And I still can’t forgive you for hurting my kuya.”
“And I still can’t forgive your kuya for grazing my leg.” Rye said.
This made Aya red in anger. “Well, it’s your fault for butting in our business.”
“It’s my duty.” Rye said.
“Duty? What duty?” Aya was already scowling.
“Oops! I said too much already.” Rye said. Rye didn’t want Aya to find out about it.
Rain started to fall over them.
“Oh, no it’s starting to rain.” Aya said. “I need to go home, bye Rye!” Aya left and ran fast towards home.
Rye stood alone soaking in rainwater. “That was close,” he said to himself.