MATTHEW'S POV
My mind went blank once I heard those words come out of Zed.
'I... Triggered bad memories?'
I opened my mouth to speak, but it seemed like my voice was lost. I closed it again and took a deep breath. "What kind of memories?"
Zed shook his head and his black orbs softened with sadness. "I don't think it's my place to say it, Matthew. You should talk to Samuel or Samantha about it." The captain stood up, an empty soda can in his hand. "After all, she was their sibling."
Zed left me alone with my thoughts, but mostly to throw away the empty soda can. I was sitting there, mouth agape and speechless. I wasn't expecting that.
Who was Zed talking about? Samuel had a sibling? What happened to her? Why did my stunt bring back bad memories?
Some of my questions were answered, but new ones appeared, and it's even worse. Now, not only did I have to face Elijah, but I also wanted to find out what happened to Samuel's sister so I could apologize for the whole event last week.
But I felt like I was asking for too much. The way Zed reacted when he told me I may have triggered bad memories already meant I shouldn't be prying into it. I had to be careful to not let curiosity get the best of me. I would also act the same way if those 'bad' memories came back to haunt me.
I poked a sausage using my fork and placed it in my mouth, chewing slowly to enjoy the delicious food, and to keep my mind off of all the new findings.
While eating, my mind drifted to years ago, when I was still in middle school. If you told me I'd be facing a creature who wanted to destroy the Earth because of a fight, then I'd call you crazy. Well, I wouldn't even imagine that ventifios exists, or the soul protectors for that matter, also the Night Fog Forest. When I was still unaware of the elites, I used to think the unexplained accidents reported on the news were just small coincidences or the reporters not doing their jobs right, but when I found out about this life, it all made sense now.
I sighed at the difference between my current life and from before where I was still clueless. A lot of bad things had happened the moment I joined the elites, and I was starting to wonder if my parents underwent through the same thing. The injuries, the unanswered questions, and the deaths. I knew, for one, death was a possibility in this kind of life, since my dad probably died being an elite.
What I also thought about was the 'normal' friends my mom had. I knew she didn't tell them because she could control herself - the secret, I mean. I predicted that I wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for long. One proof was my mouth acted on its own when Samuel and I were in the Night Fog Forest. The night ended with me having three, deep scratches on my foot. What would happen if I accidentally let the secret slip out? It wasn't that I didn't trust Elijah or Sasha. It was because this was like a test to prove I could do something as simple as keeping a secret. And now, I didn't even know if I could do that.
I swallowed the last bite of my lunch, patting my stomach that was satisfied. A lot of students had entered the gym by then. Zed also came back, but dirt was smeared on the left side of his cheek. I blinked repetitively to confirm if there really was dirt splattered on his face. There was, rest assured.
I stood up and went towards him. I stopped abruptly when I started to notice the stares other students were giving. I played it cool and looked like I was heading for the lockers. As I passed by Zed, upon closer look, the dirt on his face was actually a bruise forming. He hurriedly whispered in Hakel language. "Ad Metig Hivan Liqer a Naoyuo." I got hit while stopping a fight.
I stifled a laugh before realization dawned on me. My head whipped back to Zed as he asked mister Jacob if he could go the nurse's office to handle his bruise.
"Sure, kid. Don't take too long. And you should bring someone with you." Mister Jacob scanned the students who could. escort Zed to the nurse's office.
The girl from earlier who attempted to flirt with Zed raised her hand and waved it around. Mister Jacob scrunched his nose up in disapproval. Then, his eyes landed on me.
"Matthew! Come here, kid."
I did what the gym teacher said. I stood next to Zed but faced mister Jacob. "Can you keep Zed company to the nurse's office? Just to make sure he's okay." He gestured to the captain. "Also, I doubt you need any more running exercises." Mister Jacob chuckled.
The students groaned in unison when mister Jacob picked me to go with Zed. The teacher shot everyone a glare. "Matthew here can actually compose himself around one elite! And you guys aren't halfway near Matthew's stamina!"
I let a smile escape when mister Jacob said that. It made me believe in myself even more - or the fact that I could run for miles.
The students pouted and bowed their heads. I looked at Zed and asked if he's ready to go. The captain smiled at me as we walked out the door. "Wow, talk about opportunity. Even though I got hurt, it gave us a chance and a place to talk."
I laughed at the events that led us to a way where we could talk privately without having to worry about the people around us. As for the realization earlier...
Zed said he had stopped a fight, resulting in a bruise on his face. What he did was kind and brave of him. He got hurt so the fight wouldn't escalate. I got it now - why the 'normal' students said that the elites were kind and independent. The fight shouldn't have been Zed's business, yet he interfered and...
"So, about the fight you mentioned... Was it solved?"
The black-haired boy nodded.
'Yep. Peace was also settled.'
What a reputation the elites had. I wonder if I could uphold it.
Instead of going to the nurse's office in one of the buildings, Zed and I headed straight towards the elite building. That was when I realized I left my button back in the gym lockers.
I notified Zed of my stupidness and he just laughed it off. "Don't worry, I can take care of myself. You mind waiting for me though?"
"I don't mind."
And so, Zed plucked the red button off his collar. Since the button sticks to any fabric, you could put it anywhere on your clothes. But I guess most elites preferred the sleeves.
I hid beside the elite building to avoid anyone seeing me. As I said, I didn't want anyone knowing I was an elite.
I clasped my hands together and rubbed it, heating my palms up. It was something I often do when I was bored or if I was alone and needed to wait for someone or something. I developed this mannerism when I had to wait for my mom to finish her work shift.
I continued to rub my hands and slapped them both on my cheeks, cherishing the heat. I was about to do it again when an elite stood in front of the building. My eyes swerved to who it was. I saw the familiar mid-length black hair and aqua blue eyes - Ashley.
I inspected the perimeters to make sure no one was near. I confirmed no person aside from us was out right now. So, I stepped into Ashley's line of sight.
"Ashley!" I yelled out to make my existence know. The girl turned to look at me, confusion visible on her face. "Where did you come from?"
"Oh, you know... Just hiding from people."
Ashley couldn't contain a chortle. "Why?"
"It's complicated." I shrugged, not wanting to go any further.
"Then answer this, why are you here?"
Ashley's question was answered when the door of the elite building opened, Zed being on the other side. The captain noticed Ashley and waved. "Hi, Ashley."
The blue-eyed girl nodded. "Hello, Zed. What happened to your cheek?"
"This?" Zed motioned to the band-aid that clung to his cheek. "I saw two guys fighting and it looked like they were about to get serious. I stepped in before they could raise their fists."
The girl shook her head in disappointment. "I should have dad hire someone to stop these fights. For some reason, the amounts of students getting sent to the nurse's office increased - and it's only the end of the month!"
Both Zed and I raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"
Ashley huffed and crossed her arms. "I'm the next to inherit and own this university once dad retires. You could say I began observing and doing research."
I forgot about that. Ashley would be the one to rule this university and to chaperone the next generations of elites to the Night Fog Forest. Such responsibility was bestowed upon Ashley, and she's taking it like an elite.
I was both admiring and envious of Ashley. The elites were really on another level, higher than mine. And I didn't mean the level of my soul protector. I meant the way they act, think, and handle situations.
Ashley, for example. If I wasn't an elite, I would be out having fun with my friends and living a carefree life. She, on the other hand, was both an elite and the next to own the school, meaning she would have to throw away the fun and focus on how things work around here while balancing trying to survive fighting in the underworld.
Next, Samuel. That guy wasn't a captain for nothing, and I failed to realize and understood that more. At such a young age, he had to watch over his batchmates and the way he thinks was incredible! Just like a true captain. I looked up to him for that, I hoped he knew. Whatever Zed said that Samuel had it rough two years ago and the bad memories, Samuel still managed to lead us at the Night Fog Forest. Samuel was a clever and strong guy. The respect I had for him doubled.
"Always so serious, huh, Ashley?" Zed smiled. "I'm not surprised though."
Ashley snapped her fingers. "You should be used to by now." Then, her eyes wandered to me. "So, you came to watch over Zed? He can take care of himself you know."
"I know. Mister Jacob just ordered me to."
"What about you, Ashley?" It was now Zed's turn to ask. "What are you doing here?"
"I was about to see Samuel." My ears perked up at the name. "He's in there, right? I couldn't find him in Chemistry class, the one he's put in."
"Yeah, he's there." Zed pointed at the building. "He lectured me for a minute when he saw I got hit."
"Huh, I wonder why." Ashley's voice was laced with sarcasm. "You were always the one to stop these fights. I thank you, by the way."
"No problem."
I wasn't listening to their conversation anymore. Once I heard Samuel was in the building, I wanted to run back to the gym, get my red button to enter, and finally talk to Samuel.
'Maybe I could. I mean, I run fast anyway, right?'
I was starting to consider it. But did Samuel wanted to talk to me? I think I shouldn't force him. He seemed to have a lot in his mind.
"You should have been more careful." Ashley said. "It's you and your batch's turn to go down the underworld tonight."
"Relax, Ashley." Zed smirked and poked the girl's forehead. "Did you forget it's a full moon tonight?"
I whipped my head up to Zed. I was pretty sure I had sparkles in my eyes. I always wanted what it felt like to fight in the underworld when it was a full moon - a time where we would be at full strength. Sadly, it wasn't my turn to go.
"Oh, I lost track, I suppose." Ashley mumbled. "Well, I need to talk to Samuel now. You should probably get back to your class." The blue-eyed girl eyed us up and down. "Which I assume would be gym class."
'She got that right.'
Zed and I said our goodbyes before walking away from the building.
"Oh, man. I wanted to feel what it's like to fight in full power." I whined.
Zed chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Don't worry. You'll get to experience it soon. For now, though, think of ways to endure the new moon once it comes."
I pouted and looked up. The sun was high up in the sky, shining down at us. Soon, when night falls, that big ball of fire would be replaced by a yellowish-white circle that the moon goddess had gifted us, enabling the batch of elites to fight off more ventifios than usual.
"The new moon, huh?" I looked down from the sky since the sun's rays were hurting my eyes. "Will I be able to survive that? I don't think I would get away with a few scratches this time." I tried to joke around to hide the growing fear and nervousness inside me.
Zed took a glance at my left foot and back at the elite building. "I don't blame you if you do. I've seen people on the verge of death whenever a new moon appears. I guess that's how I got good at analyzing wounds."
The fear just grew, tenfold.
'Verge of death? When a new moon appears?'
I could barely fight two ventifios in the first quarter. How could I battle in a new moon?
Suddenly, Ashley's voice rang in my ears. 'You can strengthen your soul protector by bonding with them.'
I didn't specifically know how to do that, but I had some time to think about it before the new moon.
I looked at Zed to ask more about his experiences. But I heard him mumble most likely to himself. "Not just on the verge. I've seen someone lose their life."
My eyes widened at what he said. Who could he be talking about? "W-What did you say?"
My question remained unanswered again as Zed announced loudly to cover up his mistake of trying to speak lowly. "Oh, look. We're here! Mister Jacob is waiting for us."
Zed pushed the gym door open. I didn't follow after him. I was too shocked by what came out of his mouth earlier.
I knew I said death was a possibility when you're an elite. But when Zed said he had seen someone die, it just sounded unbelievable. It must have been hard trying to save someone who, in the end, didn't make it. One question lingered in my mind, desperately wanting an answer, but at the same time, I was scared to know.
'Who was it?'