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2024-10-29 19:42:56"It is a chip," Grace revealed.
"W-what? Why did you stick this on my nape? What is it for?" I exclaimed in panic while rubbing the object at the back of my neck. Clara glimpsed at Grace and cleared her throat.
"Darling, listen. It won't injure you," Clara calmed me.
"On the contrary, it is used to protect you," Grace added.
"From what?" I snarled. "Am I in danger? Or are all intelligentsia in danger?"
"No…, It's nothing like that," Clara looked at Grace for more explanation.
"I can't tell you more, dear. I am sorry. It is better if you know nothing," Grace said uneasily. Her face got paler like the dead.
"But, it doesn't make sense that this tiny thin object can save me!"
"Well, I can feel how much you dislike it. However, you have to trust us. And yes, all the intelligentsia are equipped with this chip," Grace honestly clarified.
"How can you prove to me that it wasn't solely your trick to jeopardize my life?"
"If this chip is a thread, why are you still alive and your body doesn't react to it?"
Clara's defending words lulled me. There was no negative effect on my physique so far.
"May I leave? I will have a morning class tomorrow. Coming late on the first day will be too risky for my performance record."
"You can. Clara will drive you to the dorm. And please… don't spill any information you heard today. Again, it is for your good."
Hesitantly, I ducked my chin in agreement. I slowly got out of the bed and slipped my cloak on.
"We are sorry but you have to blindfold your eyes before leaving this room."
A protest nearly came out of my mouth; I resisted the desire to do so. Debating with these two women wouldn't benefit me. They would stand their ground to force me to wear it.
Clara covered my eyes with a black blindfold. My world switched dark immediately. That woman guided me out of that place.
Considering the short time I arrived at the dorm, the place where I was kidnapped wasn't that far from the academy.
The night had fallen when I reached the front gate. The breeze sent a shiver down my spine. After climbing out of the car and getting my sight back, I sprinted inside the dorm immediately.
The receptionist scrutinized me from top to toe, inspecting nothing bad happened to me. No single word fled his mouth. It was only his smile that garnished his lips.
My appearance didn't change; my uniform was as tidy as it was. Not a strand of my hair tangled. My fresh face indicated that I hadn't been through a disaster today.
I managed to suppress my uneasy feeling of being kidnapped behind my nice demeanor. Anticipating the unpleasant consequence, I kept the incident today for myself.
I turned the light on and found my room clean and well-organized. The maid did her job well. Dangling my bag in the wardrobe, my hand randomly scraped the object on my nape, that chip. It wasn't there.
I ran to the mirror, trying to peep my back through the mirror, the chip disappeared. How? Wasn't it good for me?
I lied on the mattress with contentment. When my neck touched the bed, it felt like something pressing against it. I swiftly used my finger to spot what it was. It was the chip. So, the chip would only arise when I sat or lied.
Phew… it was annoying when you knew that your life was under surveillance.
**"
The routine was in the line; the Chemistry class early in the morning, the academy tour, the annual social event, and the Intelligentsia union meeting. Wait! I wasn't selected as a member of the Intelligentsia Union, I could skip that part. I didn't have to join the tour as Lanzo had brought me to look around the academy on the first day. So, I omitted that from my schedule too.
"And this one…, " I mumbled.
"What?" Lanzo grasped a chair near me and settled himself on the seat. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing…"
"Why did you eliminate some lists on your schedule sheet?" His eyes set on the paper in my hand. This boy came and went like a ghost.
"I didn't see you during lunch yesterday," I randomly asked to change the subject.
"I was in the room, I noticed you but it seemed you were too busy with your new friend."
"That's Marin. By the way, …." I doubted to question him about the chip, whether or not they kidnapped him and installed the chip on the back of his neck.
"What are you trying to say?" I shook my head. It was a secret I had to conceal from anyone including Lanzo; I couldn't bear the risk. Letting other people discover it might be able to put me into trouble.
"Ehm...are you in Chemistry's class too?"
"No...I am not interested in that subject."
"I see." I faced down the paper on the table.
"I am going to take part in that social event, anyway. Why did you remove it from your agenda?"
"I...just don't like to be in the crowd. I mean, I don't feel comfortable mingling with many random people."
"But, this event will be different. I bet you will like it if you give yourself a chance to participate."
"I'll think about it. My class will get started in ten minutes. So, I'll excuse myself."
"Good luck." I stood up.
"Thank you for being kind and nice,"
"That is not a privilege, I guess."
"It is!" He furrowed his eyebrows. "Only you and Marin, I find it friendly and accept me in this academy. Most of the intelligentsia here think of others as their competitors. I hope you are not one of them."
"Of course not! What is good in it, being someone's rival?" My lips flattened, creating a grin. "See you at the social event," he said.
The Chemistry laboratory was on the fourth floor of the right-wing building. I slid through the door, entering the lab where all the other intelligentsia had gathered and prepared for the practicum.
It was our first meeting; the academic instructed us to do the practicum right away. Without any prior knowledge in Chemistry, I was skeptical that I was able to get along with the lesson well.
A tall lean guy with sleek black hair and dark eyes came into the picture from the open door. His cold intimidating countenance surveyed all the faces before him as if he was studying our traits through our complexions.
"I am eager to know why you are enrolled in my class after the bad rumors spreading out there."
"The bad rumor? What's the bad rumor? Does Lanzo know about it too?" Another speculation circulated my mind.
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The murmurs filled the room like bee sounds, creating an uncomfortable situation. The academic who just introduced himself as Antony fumed in anger, criticizing the intelligentsia. His cynical quip stopped the small commotion."It seems gossipping is your only skill." It was merely one sentence but enough to get all the mouths shut and our gaze landed on the floor. "I have one rule in my class; hold on to your curiosity about everything."The others might think it normal, their intention was just to study and graduate from this academy with honor. That was all they ever dreamed of. However, it was odd for me. It just emphasized that my assumption might not be fully wrong. The Academy of Haut hid a secret behind its luxury and resplendence."And those who are with me abide by the rule," he continued. "If you break it, you'll bear the consequences." His threatening words stung me. "If you choose to bug out, the door is still open for you."He backed off to his table, observing our reac
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After a struggle of scampering through long passageways of several buildings, I halted at the wide far-end area of the academy. Sitting on one of the benches at the backyard park, Marin was sobbing and griefing her unfortunate fate. The white chrysanthemums and the wild orchids witnessed her sadness. The huge trees around the park shadowed my pace, sauntering toward her.She brushed her swollen red eyes as soon as realizing my presence. I took a seat on her side and handed her a bottle of drink. Marin accepted it, opened the lid, and sipped the water. The freshwater flowed down her esophagus and soothed her for a moment. But, it didn't last long. She burst out of tears. Her effort to endure it ended up futile. The incident in the lab had devastated her a lot.With care, I reached her hand to give her comfort and support. It didn't work since the tears kept welling up her eyes. As a friend, her pain broke my heart. "I feel you. It must be so hard for you," I sighed and tapped her shou
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It occurred too fast like a flash. Lanzo punched Ron in the face, hit him again when he was trying to rise. Yanking one of his hands, he twisted it mercilessly. Ron shrieked in unbearable pain. I shielded my eyes with my palms while biting my lips in a grimace. I could imagine how painful it was with his crooked hand.Knowing Ron was in danger, the other three who were with him attacked Lanzo in a fast raid together. Their effort ended up in futility, Lanzo knocked them down one by one with his fists. Only my scream stopped him from making them black and blue.This boy's high level of martial art fascinated me. His capability was beyond my expectation. Lanzo still froze in his place, watching them staggering away. They escaped after struggling to push their body off. Among them, Ron was in the worst condition."Why did you do that? I protested and that put shock on his face. We were standing under the dim lit of the half-moon, just a few centimeters apart so that I could see his face.
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An unmoving body of an unknown person with his face down sprawled under the bridge that connected the central building and the front building. Blood pooled around his head; no one dared to get nearer.The academics instructed us to stay away from the dead body. The head of the academy had contacted the police station and the hospital. I pinched my nose, so did the others because of the bad smell. Most of the intelligentsia watched in horror while removing the tears. Even some female intelligentsias yelled in shock the first time they spotted the body. From his uniform, the perished boy was one of the intelligentsia. My heart fluttered in the atrocity. He had red hair. Uneasy feelings shoved into my heart. "Ron...It couldn't be him," I mumbled. I wished that Lanzo wasn't the one who took his life. It wasn't him. However, if it were Ron, it was only Lanzo he had a conflict with.I almost subsided in my place if only the pillar didn't prop my body. He wouldn't do something stupid, wo
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Ron's case was closed. The cause of Ron's death was a suicide act, the police spokesperson confirmed. The news spread through the Academy that he was involved in the biggest mafia group in the city. He was the courier in smuggling the drugs to the school areas. Two witnesses who were also the user declared that.That night, Ron ended his life after the head of the academy summoned him to his room and warned him to bring his case to the police. Still, for me, it was too unusual that Ron would do such a thing. Nevertheless, no matter, I refused to believe it, the police officer clearly stated that based on the autopsy result, Ron killed himself.Days after Ron's death, the nightmares haunted me almost every night. Ron came into my dream with his snow-like pale face. He would just stand and watch me from afar in a sad expression. He then disappeared and changed into Lanzo. That was solely a dream. I didn't believe in a dream."Ms. Dawson, are you listening to me?" I was clueless about h
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It was winter. The white snow rolled down from the sky. Like a kid, I caught it with my hands, the habit I used to do with my mother when I was a little girl. Ten years passed upon graduation day. I will be 28 years old this year. And for the last ten years, not even once, I was able to forget his face, Lanzo. If he were alive, he would be 33. I rose at my feet while wiping the tears on my cheeks.The snow fell on my head and scarf. Despite freezing me, I didn't intend to shift from my spot. It was only through its cold temperature, I could stir my yearning for Lanzo away. I faced up the sky with my eyes closed. Giggles that came from a child drew my chin to my chest. He just threw a ball at me. That round object glid near my feet. He innocently pointed to the ball. Smiling at him, I bent, picked the ball and tossed it to him. He happily snatched it. "Thank you," he said in a cute tone. I just responded with a slight nod and a small smile. That kid joined his parents and played
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"She just passed out," Brad whispered. "She will regain consciousness in an hour. Lanzo will take you out of here." There was a gleam of happiness in my eyes if only Brad could read that. "You didn't even react. Wait! I will inject the antidote serum so that your senses will work normally." He needled the syringe onto my arm. Unlike the pink poison, the antidote was clear liquid. "Done." It was like he just stung my skin with something hot that burned the whole me. Gratefully, it only lasted five minutes. The rest, chill bathed over me. "Unfortunately, it took one hour for you to be fully conscious. I'll ask someone to carry you away from this place." I couldn't even blink my eyes yet. But, at least I could breathe in relief.Two men in hoodies hesitated duckling inside. Ensuring that the area was clear, they took off their hoodie. I glanced at them in surprise; Lanzo and the head of the academy were the ones who managed to slip inside the room. "Lanzo, carry her." An instruction
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First Meeting
SueThe door intimidated me through its silent stare. I was supposed to be in my class ten minutes ago but the trouble on the way to school impeded me from coming on time. The professor must have been inside, giving the lecture. I could sense the quietness in the room; no one had intrepidity to make a noise in his class. Lateness was the worst of all mistakes. I dropped my gaze to the floor in front of the door, hesitating whether to stay or leave. Compelling to bark into the classroom meant that I had to take the risk of being punished and scolded; the professor wouldn't easily let me free of the punishment. On the other hand, my father would label me as a loser if I missed this class. He was so strict that I couldn't even breathe under his surveillance. Doing anything as he required was compulsory. That weighed me down like putting piles of stones on my shoulders. However, as his daughter, obeying him was a must. There was no time for me to complain as the time was running. I had t
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SUE
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Beauty Laboratory
The megaphone no longer bombarded me with that woman's huge voice; I removed my palms from my ears and subconsciously flopped on the freezing floor. Who brought and detained me here actually? Who was that woman and what was her intention? If it was the head of the academy's idea to trap me in this remote place, why could he do this to me? Imagining how cruel he was, kidnapping and imprisoning me in this remote place churned my abdomen with terror and loathe at the same time. No matter what, I wouldn't let this situation suck all my hope; there had to be a door to flee as there was a way to take me into this room. Having this thought, my motivation to look for a clue of getting out of this room boosted. With my right hand propping my shivering body, I kneeled to stand on my feet. I did it in my third attempt. Feeling mentally exhausted, I wobbled close to the wall so that my hand could grope on it to help me keep stable. I carefully followed my feet ' lead with my palms sticking on
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Unexpected Surprise
"Is it you, Mom?" With my palm on my mouth, I walked toward that woman whose body kept moving forward. "Mom…" I called her again but no response I heard from her. Nevertheless, her smile hadn't gone even until our distance was only one meter away."I am not your mother, darling." Her smirk frightened me even though she did nothing which could harm me. "You must be yearning to meet your mother so much that you hallucinated.""No, your face….""My face? Sometimes, someone's face can outwit people, darling. I may look like your mother. But, I am not her." I stuck where I was in silence, enchanted by her words. Then, her hand gradually groped jer face, peeling something from it. She wore a mask. In less than a minute, that mask unsealed and revealed her real face. A woman with purple orbs popped up. I moved backward. "Who are you?" "Does it matter for you to know who I am?" Her eyes dilated while her head leaned toward me. It was as if her mouth wanted to gulp me whole alive. This woma
