9:19 P.M.
get a call from Jim.
"He escaped." He said with a cold voice, but a hint of fear too. I never heard him speak with fear, not once.
My eyes widen, my body, frozen.
"What…?" I asked rhetorically with fear in my voice too. "How..?"
Jim doesn't speak for a moment.
"The security guard was found killed. Camera footage from the hallway showed a figure. A female body, athletic. She almost resembles Blackpool…but instead she was Violet…" his voice trembled a little. "Kurt… I think there's gonna be more of them.." he continued.
I listen.
"I'm scared, Kurt. I'm scared."
11:00 P.M.
I hate my mom.
I hate Blackpool.
I hate everyone who makes me feel like shit.
I hate everyone who doesn't even try to understand me.
I hate everyone who believes yelling at me gets their point through.
When it doesn't. It just makes me feel worse.
I wipe my tears as i leaned against my bed, sitting down.
My throat hurts.
I look to my window. Then jolt back at the sight of Ben somehow having amazing grip on the edge of my window.
"BEN!? WHAT—HOW THE HELL!?" My loud voice startles him, making him lose his grip.
Thud.
I rush to the window and open it, I look down just to see Ben laying on the concrete floor…somehow…perfectly fine?
But how? No blood… nothing.
"Ben?" I whispered softly.
I watch him hop back up on his feet like nothing happened then he looks up at me.
"It's alright! I'm fine," he smiled "why weren't you at school?" He asked, tilting his head.
I don't get why he does that all the time.
"Uh…I just had an accident.." I glance to the side a little, embarrassed. "Why'd you go to school late?" I asked.
He puts his hands in his black sweatpants pockets.
"Well because when I woke up, my friend, Violet, was waiting for me to wake up" he said casually. Despite how weird it sounded.
Violet? What kinda name is Violet? That sounds like a girl name…
Why does he have a girl in his room.
I thought I was his only friend…
The only friend he really had that didn't only talk to him at school…
"Oh…okay…"
11:10 P.M.
I don't know why Blackpool suggested I stay in this school. It's just full of young, nasty humans.
Sigh.
2 HOURS EARLIER…
"Alright, Violetpool, since Ashley isn't here, I'ma dip. You're gonna stay here and learn a little about these dope-ass humans, got it?" Blackpool said with a smirk, in his human form.
I roll my eyes, also in human form.
"What's the point of learning about these humans? They don't serve a purpose. They're quite literally the most useless yet somehow the most advanced lower life forms in some universes." I cross my arms in annoyance.
Blackpool puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Just have an open mind, alright? Anyway! I'm gonna swing by Ashley's house and try to build up my relationship with her some more." He speaks like there's no doubt things won't go his way. Then he spins around and walks out of the classroom.
The only reason I'm able to be here without being questioned is because Blackpool and I threatened the principal that if he didn't let us through, we'd kill everyone on Earth.
Easily enough, he let us through.
That's how weak humans really are.
I stay seated at my desk as the teacher shakes her head after Blackpool rushes out the door.
"These kids bro. Mad annoying." She said under her breath. She seemed like a young adult.
The teacher continues her lesson.
"Freddy, can you pass out the papers, please?" She asked the boy who sat behind me. He stood up and went to the back of the room to get the worksheets.
On the board it says something about 'CER- Lord of the Flies'
Doesn't that mean 'the devil'?
I thought the human education systems never brought religion into this stuff.
That's strange. Humans are pretty interesting after all.
What's a 'CER'?
LATER THAT DAY…
Me and Ashley head towards a carnival.
"I always liked going to the carnival when I was younger" Ashley said with her hands behind her back as she followed next to me. "But I never really got to go on many rides because of how expensive it is… only ever went on 3 rides minimum..".
Now I gotta make sure its all the rides.
I look up at the big wheel thingy.
"Woah!" I looked up at it with amazement "THAT LOOKS SO COOL! LETS GO RIGHT NOW!" I grabbed Ashley's wrist tightly and ran to the enterance at full speed.
"Ben— WAIT!!" She spoke up
I make a complete stop in my tracks, then immediately check her wrist with concern.
"Did i hurt you? Im sorry…".
"No… it's just that.. you have to pay first" she says as a crease forms between her eye brows and put a hand on her own shoulder. "did you play track in your old school..?" She started fixing her hair.
I stare at her for a moment.
"What?" I tilt my head.
There was a pause. Her brow creased in disbelief.
"Uh… track… you know? The sport where you run? Train your speed and all that…"
"Oh! Right, track. Yeah, yeah. I went there before!" I nodded with a smile.
Track sounds fun, to be honest. Probably more fun than football!
As we head to the entrance, I take out a wallet I stole from some old guy a few weeks ago. I glance to my side and see Ashley wince slightly as she holds her shoulder.
Maybe she's just so shy in my presence that it hurts. Can't say it's never happened before, so I'm not surprised.
"Cash or card?" the ticket attendant asked gently.
"How much money is enough to get on all the rides?" I ask, just before Ashley looks at me in shock.
"The highest one is literally 186 dollars! Are you insane?!" She points at the price board "Not to mention you'd have to pay for both of us! Which would be 372!"
Ugh…
Why is she acting like I'm broke like her parents. But I'm not. Unlike her parents, I actually do a good job making money.
"Ashley, don't even trip. I got this." I wink at her and hand over the exact amount.
It's all thanks to an old dude that I'm getting closer and closer to finally making you mine, Ashley.
I actually kept this money in the wallet for this occasion. Well, he had more than 186 dollars, but still — I kept it there after making my way home from being locked in a cell.
I found an old man walking by my house, knocked him out, took his wallet like it was nothing. If he didn't have a lot of money, I would've just killed him right there. But luckily for him, he did — so I spared him, like a good hero should.
"Ben where do you work at that pays you this good? I wanna work there too…" she asked with a curious look on her face.
"Uh…I work.. at a..uh uh uh…uhm.."
Shit.
Wait…
I think I have an idea.
"If you have enough self respect, you would pass on taking this job!"
Her face cringes a little.
"Oh…" she glances to the side.
Why did the vibe change all of a sudden?
The ticket attendant just hands me our ride cards and we head inside.
The first game we play is shoot the bottle.
"This is gonna be easy" I said as i held the fake revolver.
The game starts
I look away and then pull the trigger 9 times, each time to the right.
I look back and see all the bottles knocked down.
The guy behind the counter mouth drops from the sight.
"…How the fuck…" he said under his breath.
Ashley looks at me with hidden impression on her face. I don't know why she would try hiding it but whatever.
"I bet you can't do it again!" She challenged with a slight smile on her face.
I have a mock taken aback look on my face and scoff.
"Hey!" I turned to the man behind the counter "ima play again! And this time, ima use my hands as the gun!" I smirked "is that allowed?"
The man shrugs.
"I mean…sure? But you won't win a prize if you do this so…but, I don't mind watching. This is pretty entertaining not gonna lie!" He puts his hands up with a soft chuckle.
"Watch this shit" i said after he fixes the bottle. "Without looking."
I look away then whip the fake bullet, purposely next to the bottles, it hits the corner then bounces around, knocking the bottles down anyway.
Both Ashley and the man's face drops, including the audience that were quietly watching.
I flick my hair back then smirk.
"Too easy for me" I shrugged with nonchalance.
"How are you doing that?!" Ashley said loudly, amazed.
I shrug.
"I'm just too good. That's all I can say."
The second thing we went to wasn't even a game — it was a ride called Zero Gravity.
We both swipe our cards and lean against the wall. The harness swings down in front of us, locking us in place as we wait for the ride to start.
"This is my favorite ride," Ashley says with a smile.
"Ohhh! Me too!" I match her energy.
The thing is… I've never been on this ride before. I've never even heard of it.
MEANWHILE…
After searching, me and my team checked Blackpool's home and realized we'd missed him again.
Now all that's left is his school.
Once we arrive, I head in first to avoid unnecessary panic.
"Sir, can I see some security footage? I'm with the—" I start professionally before the guard cuts me off.
"Kurt?! Holy shit — it's really you!! I'm a huge fan of your work, Mr. Robertson!" The security guard stared at me in awe. "You took down that criminal organization all by yourself a few months ago! You saved hostages and stopped criminals in under four weeks! And—"
He cut himself off, his behavior instantly changing when he realized how unprofessional he sounded.
"Sorry. What do you need, sir?" he asked, regaining his composure.
I rubbed the back of my neck.
"I just need to see camera footage. Blackpool goes to this school, and since he's on the loose… I need to check if he came here." I slid my hands into my red jacket and rubbed my eyes.
The guard paled.
"He does…?" he whispered. "I didn't know…"
I sighed, exhausted.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it — you're scared. Just give me the keys to the security room so I can wrap this shit up already." I dragged my hands down my face and stopped at my mouth. "I'm so fucking tired," I muttered through my palms.
We head into the security room. The guard powers on the monitors and lets me scrub through the footage.
I finally spot Blackpool entering the school in his human form, walking beside a girl.
"Are you new here?" the guard on the footage says. "Where's your nametag?"
Blackpool places a hand on his shoulder.
"She forgot it. Move." His voice is cold.
The guard jerks back, offended, then grabs Blackpool's arm.
"Hey. Both of you — principal's office. Now."
I watch as Blackpool hands ball up then before anything happens, he sighs then brings the girl to the principals office.
Now that I know he's here. I just need to find out if he still is.
20 SECONDS LATER…
"AHHH!!" One of the soldiers screamed in agony as I ripped his arms off.
These low lifes should've known better than to try arresting a higher life form like me.
I allow all the soldiers to shoot me with their rifles, not flinching.
These bullets feel as weak as a baby hitting you.
It's pathetic.
I slash a soldiers stomach open then grab him and throw at the next soldier.
My eyes dart at the man in the red Jacket, he looks back at me with fear in his eyes.
I dash infront of him and he jolts back.
"Shit…" he whispered.
I stare into his eyes.
"Why are you the only one without armor? Are you stupid?" I asked.
He stays frozen.
I clutch my fist and sock him across the cheek with mild strength, it sends him into the lamp post and he goes limp.
I super jump onto the building in front of me, then I leap building to building.
11:17 P.M.
Me and Ashley ride the Ferris wheel.
Convincing her wasn't easy. She kept talking about heights, about how unsafe it looked — but I reminded her that if anything did happen, at least she wouldn't die alone.
That seemed to do it.
Her legs shake. Mine don't.
Is this my chance?
Honestly, I don't know why she hasn't confessed first, especially when I'm in this form. If I were a girl, I'd literally beg for myself.
Dammit, Ashley. Why are you making this so slow? I know you want me too — just say it already.
Maybe I should ask vaguely. Yeah. I'll do exactly that.
"Hey, Ashley… who's your biggest crush in the whole school? Like someone you'd submit yourself to."
Her head jolts back.
"Huh? Uhh… I don't really have a crush on anyone. Like, at all. It's kinda hard for me to find people attractive. I can acknowledge they're good-looking, but I don't really fall for them."
She stops mid-shrug and puts her hand on her left shoulder.
What.
Does this mean she doesn't like me?
Dammit.
I did all of this for nothing.
"Oh." I stare at her with half-lidded eyes.
She notices the shift.
"What's wrong?" she asks. "Did I do something wrong?"
I don't answer right away.
Her fingers tighten around the safety bar. "I—I didn't mean anything by what I said. If it came out weird, I'm sorry."
Whatever.
"No," I say quickly, but there's no reassurance in my voice.
She nods, but keeps glancing at me like she's waiting for something else to drop.
The rest of the ride was quiet.
So was the rest of the date.
LATER THAT DAY…
The walk home is silent after I drop her off. I help her sneak back inside, though I don't really care what happens after that.
Hands in my pockets, I keep walking.
I feel like no matter how hard I try to love, it always goes to shit.
Suddenly Violetpool runs out of the house, only one of her dual blades holstered at her hips after I shattered the other one.
"Blackpool, we have to go. Humans are hunting us again. I fought off most of them, but I assume they're bringing backup."
"Oh. Okay. Let's hide in the sewers," I say. "Let's use your teleportation to get us there quicker."
"I will."
Why does she even care so much?
They're just humans. They're not even strong enough to defend themselves.
I stand next to her, putting my finger on her shoulder and she teleports us away.