Someone is dead - 1

Morning comes rough for me, I woke up soaked in cold sweat and headache. I'm pretty sure I had taken all the safety measures to avoid getting sick from coming home drenched in rain yesterday. But, I guess the incident had messed up my immune system.

I have serial nightmares of Mr. Bong chasing after me, and I couldn't forget his sinister sneers that keep echoing in my mind.

Forcing myself out of bed, I get ready for school.

The whole process takes a ton of my energy, one moment I wanted to give up for school today but then Luca will be home earlier, and afterward, mom will be restricted to go out to spend time with Luca.

The therapist said bonding time with Luca is important for his recovery.

Go to hell with the advice, Luca would be glad to torture me for the rest of the day, and then mom will be coming over blaming me for the mess he creates. I guess our age gaps that make the difference, we can't get along well, no matter how.

I have to get to school no matter what, I told myself, I just have to avoid bumping into Mr. Bong.

Putting my bag on my shoulder, I ascended down for breakfast.

My family was already seated in their usual place.

"Lana, Samuel said he is going to school with you today. Come have your breakfast faster, it's impolite to let someone wait." Mom said over the table.

What?

I know I didn't listen to it wrong.

Why?

"Just get to your seat and eat. You should have let him know what time you are ready next time, don't catch on a princess disease. " Mom repeated her order. Annoyed by my ignorance.

"But, mom... "I tried to defend myself. But then, I sigh to no avail deciding not to because, in the end, it will be hopeless.

Samuel is really someone persistent. I have told him over and over again, dad will be sending me to school.

Oh, that brick head!

"Don't treat him that way, Lana. I'm alright with you and Samuel. You have been a friend for like forever." Dad added. "With him, your future is guaranteed."

"Have they kissed, dad?" Luca innocently asked sending pulsating nerves to my temple. My brother is only 10 years old, where does he learn something like that, huh?

My dad laughed, taking it as a joke. "No, Lana doesn't like him, don't you see."

"You better improve your grade before you let someone kiss you, Lana. Idiot girl will only be a toy for man, nothing special," Mom interfered, bluntly voicing out her cold thoughts.

"Shhh... honey, you shouldn't talk down to your daughter."

"Well, it's true. Look at her grades. Lana isn't fond of studying, if she only cares about falling in love, and having babies, this is way too early. We must correct her before she made the biggest mistake for her future."

"Honey, I haven't even mentioned a baby. Don't say that." Dad objected. "Na-na doesn't need to mind your mom, eat something."

Huh, that is my family, perhaps I'm really don't belong to them, since the day Luca born I somehow become a stranger to mom. The rest is history, I don't bother to listen anymore. Ignoring their discussion, I take a piece of toast and gulp it down with cups of milk.

"I'm going," I said without even looking at them.

"Goodbye, my dear Na-na." Dad grabs me by force and plants a kiss on my forehead.

Dad is the only one that feels at home to me, Dad had been the one who always been with me when Mom is too occupied with Luca, but dad never noticed that I have fallen in love a little bit with Samuel. I guess only mom sees it.

"Bye, Dad, " I replied briefly, with a forced smile across my face.

I still can hear mom complaining about my rude manners, yet I just proceeded to the front door, heading towards the same black sedan I got in yesterday.

Samuel is driving today, pulling down his black tinted window, he signaled me to sit in front by his side. Being in senior year we are allowed to drive our own vehicle as long as we get the authorized license.

"Gosh, you look awful. Are you sick?" Samuel runs a scan at me as soon as I get in the car. Casually putting his palm over my forehead, "You got a little feverish. Are you sure you alright?"

"Halt." Avoiding him from touching me. "I'm fine. I will just take a rest in the infirmary if it's getting worst. Don't simply put your hand on me." I warned him, lightly pushing his hand away. His touch might get me a high-grade fever and a heart attack

"Gosh, you must be really sick. You are unusually being this cold to me."

"Sorry, I think because I'm unwell." I tried to say nicely to him through the dizziness that is getting intense now.

Samuel didn't bother to talk more as if he understands my characteristics.

A piece of soft music fills our silence along the way to school.

Samuel maneuvered the sedan into the designated parking area for students, his movements smooth and practiced. As I stepped out of the car, I couldn't help but notice the unusual presence of a fleet of police vehicles and an ambulance in our school grounds.

"Is there a safety drill today?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

Following the crowd, we soon realized that something more serious was afoot. A rumor spread like wildfire among the younger students: someone was dead. My heart pounded uncontrollably, a sense of unease washing over me.

My sixth sense, often dismissed as a quirk, was screaming at me. There was a connection, I was sure of it.

The situation turned chaotic as a team of paramedics emerged from the school's main entrance, pushing a stretcher. The sight sent chills down my spine. The white linen covering the body was stained with blood, a stark and horrifying contrast to the vibrant school colors.

A wave of guilt washed over me as I remembered the incident with Mr. Bong the previous day. Could this be the tragic outcome of my actions?

My heart raced, my trembling hand instinctively reaching for the white linen. With a trembling breath, I pulled it aside, revealing the lifeless body beneath.