Zein's Point of View
Within a few hours, subjects passed, nothing strange happened. It's like an ordinary day, there's no trouble, the surroundings seem calm.
"Good Morning class..." Greetings to us when our Physics techer, Teacher Kath, just entered.
No one bothered to greet him back. I didn't even bother to open my mouth. So boring.
"Before anything else, I have a big announcement." The excitement is obvious in its eyes.
He quickly got everyone's attention. He is happy, but why is that? I'm not feeling well. Am I just being paranoid or is there really something to his news?
"It's been a long time since this event happened. But now, we are happy to announce that there will be an Acquaintance Party!"
A deafening silence prevailed in the four corners of this room. Our teacher's previously wide grin widened even more.
Acquaintance party. It's an announcement that should have everyone jumping with excitement. But, instead of that, it was as if a dread enveloped each of us.
Now, can it still be called good news?
"Teacher Kath?" One of our classmates, Celine, stood up, based on what our classmates called her.
I just noticed now, our classmates seem to be close to each other, but they are elusive to us. Why?
"Yes?"
"I don't think we should have a celebration yet, less than a month since our latehead master Dominique Valdez died." he said in a polite tone.
"late headmaster?" Jerome asked in a whisper.
"I am sorry to say this but we can't do anything about it. Madame Violet had finalized it and it will happen this coming Friday at the Wide Space."
"You can do something about it because you have the higher positio-"
"Enough Celine. Okay class, let's start."
Celine did nothing but sit. The woman next to him patted his shoulder.
Why is that? Seems like something is missing? Shit! They make us fools! What are they planning?
I grinned involuntarily. I just felt this feeling now. You feel that they need to fear us too. Whether you make a mistake or whoever is behind it, we don't take it lightly. Whatever you are planning.
We will prepare it.
--**--
Break time. HU only has one cafeteria but its size is more than triple that of a normal cafeteria. The only difference from an ordinary cafeteria is that it's like a restaurant, there are waiters who will take your order and you don't even have to stand up to pay because they will take your payment themselves so we didn't have to do anything else if we sat down. It also has a take out section where you have to line up before getting it.
"Matt, are you feeling okay?" I asked Matt who was eating spaghetti.
Mia, Vanessa and Dave looked at him while Jerome gave me a puppy dog grin. Because he knows that I have a crush on Matt. Psh.
"Ahh yes. I'm sure the poison has died because of the chili." He answered with a laugh that made me laugh.
They frowned because they didn't understand what we were talking about.
"What's up guys? When can we get out of here?" Vanessa asked with a grimace.
"Dave and I went back the way we went when we were admitted but it was amazingnothing. It's just a very high wall there." Jerome said in confusion.
They were really playing with us, not only us but all the students here. They locked us in a cage where the only way out was hidden. They made us spin and there planned I don't know.
"They are planning something.." Not in Matt's own words.
"Something? What do you mean?" Askedsaid Dave to him.
"Something that I can't explain." this is a vague answer.
"I have a plan," I said. They all turned to me. No one bothered to speak to them or ask questions because they were waiting for me to come up with the plan I was talking about.
"Don't you notice? We entered HU without knowing it. We don't know its history or who runs it. They make us look stupid.." I started.
"What do you mean?" Dave asked.
"Matt is right, they are planning something that we can be the part of. We can't get out of here anymore so the only thing we can do is fight. Kill each other to survive, we have to be ahead of them in their plan. We need information."
If we don't act and act stupid,we may live in danger.
"Celine. She knows something." Mia said, deep in thought.
Mia and I had the same thoughts. Based on what happened earlier, that Celine really knows something, we just need to talk to her, to get an idea.
"How? They are elusive to us as if they are afraid of us. How will we approach her?" Vanessa said.
"I'll take care of it." I said.
"What about the gangs here? What steps should we take?" Matt asked.
Yes it is. The two clashing gangs in HU Black Blood Gang and Devil God Warrior. How was this group formed and what are they fighting for? But I only know one thing, it is related to the history of HU.
"Don't. Don't mess with the gangs!" We frowned at Dave's in-law as if he was very scared because of his shouting.
"These events are connected Dave, once we know the history of HU, they will connectEveryone's gone, including the gangs." I said.
"Why are you not?" Mia scolded him. "
N-It's not about that." Dave stuttered. "But, we have to focus first. pay attention to the history of HU before we enter the gang." he added which somehow has a point.
I suddenly thought of Nicky. He is a BBG member. He knows something more than others but I know that it is impossible for me to get information on her and I might become a cold corpse knowing that she is a dangerous woman.
After we talked we didn't waste time and broke upthat we are to get information. Mia and Vanessa were in the library while Matt, Dave and Jerome walked around hoping to get a clue.
I quickly stood up from the bench when I saw Celine walking with another girl. They backed away when they saw me in front of them.
"Wait! I'm not going to hurt you or anything. We need your help." I stopped them.
"H-Don't come near us, you'll just get hurt." said the girl with him, frowning at me.
"We've been together since entering HU. So please, I need your help, Celine." I almost knelt in front of him to get him to agree.
Looking atWe are also people who think that what we talk to them is a big deal.
"Please..." I tried. Sighga Celine before motioning to follow her.
I followed him and left the girl with him who was worried. We entered their dormitory and he locked the doors as if he was afraid that someone would hear us.
We sat on the sofa and faced each other.
"I'll ask you Zein, can you trade your life for this information?" he asked seriously.
My chest tightened as I thought that the information I was about to get would forever trap me in this hell. I don't want to but someone is pushing me to do it.
"Tell me everything you know." I answered bravely.
"You're brave Zein, but you're just like them. It's just your curiosity."
I couldn't answer. Yes, I admit that I was only dominated by curiosity THEN but I know NOW that it's not just that. It's not just pure curiosity.
"Hell University, this is not the former name of this university but Philippine High University or better known as PHU(fu),"Panimuhe
Right from the start, many questions immediately popped into my mind.
"A famous university where only the rich can enter, until a greedy leader took over this university, he was a mad scientist who was rich, his cunning caused him to get the wealth of everyone here. Until a day, everyone was surprised, there was no way out, the leader was able to hide this university in the whole Philippines, this school was never mentioned on radios, televisions and newspapers, everyone's parents did nothing. It's sad to think that I'm one of those trapped in this hellish school."
I couldn't open my mouth in surprise. I feel Celine's sadness and grief. Very greedy leader but..
"Why did he close the PHU?" A question that makes me frown.
What did he plan to close the PHU?
"After PHU was closed, it was renamed as Hell University. We felt a lot about what happened, we were only small when we were imprisoned in this hell until now we are still here. We could not avoid harboring resentment towards our parents We didn't even do anything. Many rebelled, many gangs were formed, including the two gangs that are clashing now. The Black Blood Gang and Devil God Warrior."
I swallowed when I heard that. The members in it are only rebels? I couldn't help but feel annoyed with them, the brains are so narrow. Psh.
"That scientist is Dr. Quizon, because of his so much intelligence he has lost himself. Before he became the leader here, he made many medicines that confused the whole world. The answer to your question why he closed the HU is because he made us all experiment with a formula that before succeeding many lives were wasted. The liquid formula that can revive a dead person."
I was shocked after hearing what he said. A formula that can revive the dead? Impossible. That creature is an animal, his experiment is inhumane.
"Did you hear me Zein?! Dr. Quizon succeeded! He managed to complete that formula."
"Is Dr. Quizon still at HU?" I will ask.
He shook his head.
"Dr. Quizon died without anyone else knowing that formula, he did not use it himself but he had a student who knew that formula. But no one knows that student, so until now it is closed the HU is because the officials here are looking for that person, they want to get that formula."
Celine stared at me in the eyes as if she was scared.
"That's HU's secret that they don't want to get out. What I'm sure about is the person who knows the formula, Zein, that person is in danger, I'm sure now that the officials will soon find out about that person. You know the I fear more than anything? That person will take demons and know the formula, they can use it for evil."
I got up because of my headache. Everything still doesn't want to sync in with me.
"I'm leaving." I say goodbye. Celine grabbed my arm and stared at me like I was a criminal.
"You already know the secret of HU. You can't get out, you'll die too." Out of fear I pushed Celine away who was now laughing.
"Zein Shion, do you know the person they are looking for? If you know him, stay away from him. You will feel sorry for him."
"Stop! I don't know him!"
I ran out of their room when I heard his loud laughter.
I sat behind the tree. My body feels weak. The secret of HU is that they don't want anyone to know that there is a formula like that so that others can get ahead of them. Shit!
"You really don't know how to listen."
Nicky suddenly appeared in front of me. He smirked but I knew he was annoyed. What's the problem?
"I know everything." I said making him laugh.
He sat down so that we were level. He brought his face closer to me as if he was going to kiss me. He looked me in the eye.
"Not yet Zein, you only know half, not the whole. You're about to die Zein, you're their target. Get ready."