Chapter 66 - A Scheme Covered in Blood (1/2)
Lydis quickly made her way into the lounge area. From the upper floors she saw Bianca dragging the brat from her room as well as Owen and Bennox with her. Crill was hiding at the edge of the lounge area but his people would have the perimeter secured.
Clearing her throat, Lydis stepped up on a small leg chair.
”Listen up kids, I was just told that we have a killer on the loose at school!”
There was a pause before panic. The ones smart enough to understand Lydis's words started to shout and push each other. The ones who didn't understand got angry at the others for pushing.
”Stop, stop. We mustn't panic, that will only draw it here. All the grown-ups are gone too.”
No one seemed to care about Lydis trying to direct them. The pushing and shouting soon spread to all of the kids in the lounge and to the kids hiding in their rooms. Crill pressed himself against the wall in order to avoid the elbows and falling bodies of kids trying to leave the lounge. At this moment Bianca appeared with Owen, Senri, and Bennox.
”Lydis, what's going on?” Bianca released Senri's ear and moved toward Lydis. Like magic, the frantic children parted for Bianca's group. Their white uniforms subconsciously formed a better image in the children's minds than Lydis's black uniform.
”Bianca, Dorm Head Hal left to capture a killer inside the academy. I felt that the students should know in case they saw the killer or meet it in the future.”
Bianca's eyes twitched.
”You have to know that this would cause a panic. Kids barely ten are bound to freak out. Not everyone is as calm and composed as the elites.”
”Yes, I know. That is why I've asked you to come.” Lydis turned away from Bianca and addressed the buzzing crowd.
”Children, now that Bianca and her group are here, we can be safe! The Horoscope of Cancer, the Horoscope of Aries, and the Horoscopes of Gemini!” Lydis made a grand sweeping motion and stepped aside for Bianca to face the crowd of kids.
”Ly-”
Before Bianca could grab her, Lydis did a quick spin, almost as if It was a natural thing to do, and continued to move away from Bianca's group. The moment Bianca turned her back to go after Lydis, the crowd of anxious kids swooped in on Bianca's group.
”Hey! What's going to happen to us?”
”Are we going to die!”
”I don't want to die.”
”Mommy!”
”Do you know what going on?”
”I'm scared!”
All at once Bianca became surrounded. Unable to push them aside nor ignore them, Bianca gave up on trying to finding Lydis in the crowd.
”N-now now, calm down first then I'll answer your questions…”
Owen pressed himself against Bennox's back. Now that they were the center of attention it wouldn't be good to get separated. Senri involuntarily found herself clutching to Bianca's jacket. Some of the smaller kids had grabbed her and tried to pull Senri towards them so she needed to hold onto something or someone.
Lydis looked back at her work and smirked slightly.
”Now what?” Crill had flopped onto one of the many chairs in the lounge and was staring at Lydis.
”Now we open the doors, all of them.”
”Wait what? Isn't what you said true? About the killer?”
”Yes, and?”
”We can't just let the killer inside! Are you crazy?”
”Maybe, are you willing to trust me?”
”This isn't about trust Lydis, it's about the safety of my people. My brothers and sisters, do you understand that?”
”You seem like a good leader, well, maybe not a very smart one but one that cares nonetheless. So, do you trust me or not?”
Crill wanted to continue his protest but he held his tongue. Lydis had had a different air about her ever since he met her but now, some part of Lydis felt threatening. Something dangerous. Something he didn't want to wake, not then nor in the future.
Taking in a deep breath, Crill placed one hand over his face.
”… Fine, I'll ask them to open the doors but if they're too scared they might not. You can't blame me or them, got it?”
”As long as most of the doors are open, it's more than enough.”
”Qian…” Crill motioned for Qian to come over and whispered into his ear. Qian reacted negatively but eventually Qian took a few kids to go open the doors.
”Lydis, what are you planning?” Crill's eyes were hard but Lydis could see the worry and slight fear behind them.
”Nothing you need to worry over. Just let me run this game for a bit.”
Crill opened his mouth but Lydis was already walking away, her hands clasped behind her back. Crill felt hopeless against Lydis. Yes, they were both ten but something about Lydis led him to believe that she held the power to move the world. Crill sat up and reached for the note in his pocket. It was the note from their caretaker for him after Crill's group went into the academy. They had said that if there was ever a time he felt lost, doubted his decision, and felt extremely conflicted, to open the letter and then decide.
Lydis walked around the edge of the lounge area, keeping one eye on Bianca's group and the other on the kids surrounding them. On purpose, Lydis bumped into a small child walking past her.