Saving the Villain

Since they weren't students in the school, Cosette, Luke, Maxen, and Remo had to stay in the cafe for a couple of hours until all students and teachers leave the premises. Obviously, while they were waiting, they planned out everything they should do. Fortunately, Remo had some information since he knew the delinquents and also knew their secret way out whenever they skip school.

When the sky turned orange and the number of students walking on the street significantly reduced, the four of them execute their mission. Thanks to Remo, they didn't have to go through the school gates and get chased out by the guard. But when they reached the secret passage, the four of them hid because some delinquents — familiar ones with all the bruises on their faces and bodies — were hanging out there.

Fortunately, the delinquents didn't stay long. But as they walked away, the four heard a bit of their conversations. These delinquents were still angry with them and wanted to get even, but alas, since the four of them had been taking the long road to Luke's apartment, they hadn't encountered them just yet.

They didn't dwell on this information, though. They knew these delinquents wouldn't be at peace until they get beaten the second time. And so, they snuck inside like thieves.

The school premises were almost the same as their school. However, the offices were put in different places. Hence, they have to search for the principal's office to slip the second report about what was going on with the students here.

"There!" Luke's voice startled Cosette as it echoed, warranting a slap on the shoulder from her. "Ouch!"

"Keep it low, okay?" she clicked her tongue, looking around cautiously, only to notice Remo and Maxen were far too calm as they were simply having a walk in the park. "Hello? Am I the only person who is nervous in here?"

"I'm nervous too, but I can run fast — ack!" Luke clenched his teeth when another light slap landed on his biceps.

"Shut up, Luke. I don't want to hear your nonsense." She rolled her eyes and let out a huff, scanning the hallway where they found the principal's office. Since it was getting late, the surrounding already getting dark. And because of it, plus the silence, the hallway felt eerie.

"Sneaking inside something isn't new to me," explained Remo, his side of the story and the reason he wasn't nervous about getting found out.

"Cozie, want to hold my hand —"

"Max, seriously, man. Do you think she's really scared?" Luke jumped to Maxen's side and hooked an arm around him. "I mean, look at her. At this point, I won't be surprised if she's faking it so she can cling to you."

Maxen blinked at Luke. "She's my girlfriend, though."

"Hah…" Cosette let out a dry laugh, looking at Luke from head to toe. "Luke, you have three seconds to get your hands off of my man. I swear you're getting on my nerves."

"But don't you enjoy teasing me and Maxen?" Luke squeezed himself to Maxen's side, eyes on Cosette.

Her expression instantly died as a layer of frost coated her eyes. Since teasing Luke had been her habit, Luke somehow found a counter to this. And that was flirting with Maxen, even though Maxen was like a statue every time.

"Two…"

"Fine! Gosh! Why are you short girls also has short temper?" Luke snapped his tongue in irritation, holding his hands up, whilst creating distance from Maxen.

"Just slip that letter inside, okay? I don't want to stay here when it's dark. It's really scary," mumbled Cosette as she walked closer to Maxen while Luke marched in front of the principal's office.

"I'm hungry. Let's buy some street food later — Cosette's treat," Luke shamelessly suggested, reaching for the doorknob to check if it was open. Obviously, it was locked, so there was really no way to leave this report aside from slipping it through the gap between the door and the floor.

"Ahem!" Luke cleared his throat as he took out the folded report from his pockets. He slowly squatted down, and in one flick, the letter went into the office.

This time, the report paper was properly put in an envelope. So even if the person who cleans this room found it on the floor, they would think it was important and put it where the principal could see it. When Luke stood straight and faced them, he shrugged.

"Mission accomplished?" he asked. "That's a little anti-climactic."

"True." Cosette agreed with a sigh. "After all that buildup, we're done. How disappointing."

Remo didn't say anything, but in his head, he was judging these two. There was nothing to be disappointed about! Wasn't it good that things went smoothly? Were they expecting an apocalypse from happening? Or some vengeful ghost showing up?

"Let's go and grab something to eat," Maxen proposed. "It's almost night. I don't want to be a character in a horror film."

"Max, what are we having tonight?" Cosette asked sweetly as the four of them walked away from the principal's office.

"What do you want?" Maxen returned, only for Luke, who was walking idly beside him, to answer;

"I want some extra spicy noodles and some deep-fried tofu."

Luke cocked his head back while his eyes fell to the side. "Cozie, do you want candy?"

"You will buy me one?"

"Mhm. Just buy me dinner."

Cosette scrunched her nose up. "Since when did you become a cheapskate?"

"Since the day I realize I have to work if I want money?"

"Gosh… fine, but I don't want a candy. I want a super duper freezing ice —" Cosette abruptly stopped as her brows furrowed. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear, what?" Luke's steps slowed down just like the other two until they stopped to face her.

"I heard nothing. Did you, Remo?" Maxen glanced at Remo, and the latter shook his head.

"Oy, Cosette. I know you're disappointed we accomplished today's agenda in an anti-climatic way, but you shouldn't make up…" Luke trailed off as his pupils dilated.

"You can hear it?" Cosette clutched Maxen's arms. "Someone… there's someone crying."

The four of them went silent and soon enough, they heard these faint sobs echoing in the silent and dimming hallway.