"So, Ethan gave you that book?"
"Well, more like borrow."
Maxine clutched the Percy Jackson novel to her chest like a precious memento. We talked in the classroom, and Aliana and my parents silently observed. I wanted nothing to do with Ethan Takahashi, but I needed to know more about him.
"When did you meet him? Ethan, I mean."
"Oh, I met him on the day he invited me to the cafeteria."
(What?)
"So... wait, what? He just approached you? And you decided to follow him?"
"Well... he's great at talking. He can lead a conversation. Uh, I think he's one of those extroverts," Maxine whispered. "You kinda get swept up around him."
"Oh, it's like that."
(So, Ethan coerced her, right?)
"No one ever talks to me unless they need to," she whispered again. "Since coming here, Ethan was the first one."
Throughout the entire conversation, Maxine had a neutral expression, but she smiled when she mentioned that.
"We began talking about books, and he gave this novel to me. He said that I should diversify the genres I read."
(That's how Ethan got closer to her. He used a conversation about books as a pretense.)
"He also said I have to take care of it."
"Why?" I asked.
"Oh, his mom bought it for him when he was younger."
Maxine examined the novel and caressed it lovingly. I saw the paperback book and noticed it was the first of the Percy Jackson series. The pages were somewhat yellow and frayed at the corners, but I was still skeptical. Was it Ethan's book? Did his mother actually gift it to him?
"I know you're suspicious of Ethan," Maxine stated.
"Uh, no, I'm not-"
(Crap, she's sharper than she looks.)
"I can't really explain it."
Maxine turned her head and looked outside the classroom window. Ethan was out there right now, probably fighting for his life. Almost everyone was talking about his mental breakdown and his resulting punishment. Being forced outside on a scout mission was a punishment reserved for older people, so it was a shock that a teenager received it.
"I- I don't know how to say it," Maxine said meekly. "It feels like I've known Ethan for a long time. Like he was always there, watching over me."
(Like a guardian angel? Maybe a guardian demon? Or is it more predatory?)
I had to do something gross; I had to think from the perspective of Ethan Takahashi. He seems calculating, so if I were him, why would I want to befriend a random girl?
(He wants something from her.)
I didn't know what it was, though. Was he a hormonal teenage boy? Maybe giving her a book was some weird pickup tactic, I didn't know.
(I don't know, trying to think like Ethan is making my head hurt.)
I tried to reorganize my thoughts, but I suddenly heard a loud knocking on the door.
"Is Maxine in there?!"
Then I heard a harsh voice, which sounded like an older woman.
"Ah, shit!" Maxine exclaimed while scrambling.
"I heard her! She's in there! Open the door!"
I wondered if I should open the door, but it seemed someone else on the other side forced it open. Two people barged in, and my father was shocked.
"Hey, what is this about?"
"Maxine McFarland!"
A Caucasian woman who seemed to be in her late forties stomped toward Maxine and grabbed her by the wrist.
"Always wandering around! Meeting ungodly people!"
She glared at the item in Maxine's hand and snatched it from her. It was Ethan's book.
"And reading these disgusting, unholy books!"
"Excuse me, but who are you?!" My mother asked.
With a smug attitude, this old woman turned toward my mom and said, "I'm Maxine's caretaker while her father is away. He's the King of the Congregation, and I'm his deputy."
"What? Where's her mother?"
"That woman can't take care of herself, much less her daughter."
With a forceful tug, this woman yanked Maxine by the arm and dragged her out of the room.
"Hey!"
My dad tried to deescalate the situation, but an imposing man stepped in front of him. He was probably the one who barged through the door.
"I'm sorry, sir, but this needs to be done."
"What do you mean? Who are you? What allows you to take children?"
"Sir, that girl is the daughter of Mathew McFarland, the King, and leader of the Congregation. She can't wander as she pleases."
"That woman already said that!" My dad said while pointing at them. "It doesn't excuse this situation!"
While saying this, Maxine was taken outside of the classroom.
My dad's face paled, and he asked, "Who is that woman then?"
"Her name is Emily Pearson. As Mrs. Pearson said, she's a deputy of Mathew McFarland. Don't worry; she'll be safe. We apologize for the inconvenience; we've been looking for Maxine all day."
After saying that, the man left and closed the door behind him while my dad was still objecting. I was left stupefied. It happened so fast.
"What the hell just happened?" Aliana asked.
I didn't know. Although, I finally figured it out. Ethan befriended Maxine to get close to her father for some unknown reason.
(He also got close to Marcus. He's trying to befriend kids who have Kings as parents.)
***
We carried Logan's body back to the school. Before we did, we looted a house and found a cloth sheet to cover his eviscerated torso. We wanted to treat his body with respect, at least. The trek was solemn, and we were met with shock and anger when we finally returned. The squad leader got the brunt of it.
"What the hell were you doing out there?! How could you let this happen!? Fuck! Someone, report this to the King!"
Another scout was sent to fetch Adler Santiago. We waited outside and placed Logan's body on the ground. Shortly after, we saw another man approaching with a dark-colored flag hanging from his back.
(That's him. Marcus's father.)
He's shorter than I expected.
"Marcus."
"Dad."
"You're dismissed."
After saying that, Adler Santiago spoke Spanish to his son, probably giving extra instructions. Marcus looked as though he wanted to argue, but he conceded. He looked back at me, but it seemed he couldn't do anything.
(It's strange, though.)
Marcus shouldn't be here right now. If the current events followed ASS truthfully, then he should've been with McFarland. Adler Santiago traded his son to McFarland because he couldn't control Marcus too well. In exchange, McFarland traded several young men that he kidnapped. At the time, Santiago thought he was making a brilliant deal. Trade one person and receive a dozen.
(It seems something changed the course of events. Did I cause it?)
Adler Santiago inspected the body and heard the report. Soon after, everyone was dismissed.
(I feel so damn sleepy. I should go check up on Max. I wonder if she was concerned for me. Did she even find out about my mental episode?)
I began wandering the halls aimlessly. Max was nocturnal like me, so she should be awake now. I usually find her in the library, and if she's not there, I can check Marcus's hiding spot.
(Although, I am closer to the classroom that Alicia and Aliana live in. Maybe I should go there first.)
I thought it was a good idea, but I reconsidered. I made a scene, and by associating with them, I would put a target on their backs. I should probably avoid them. That's what I thought, but the world loved to defy my expectations.
[Constellation "The Black One, Lord of Muspellheim" sees your compatriot.]
[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" congratulates your victory against the mantis.]
I saw the system messages and turned around to see Aliana running towards me.
"Ethan!"
"Aliana? What are you doing?"
"Ethan, some people took Max!"
"What? Who?"
"Some random white guy and this Karen. She's old, and her name is Emily something."
I froze in place and processed the information. Afterwards, I clenched my fist and remembered the words of a wise man: "I hate bitches named Emily." I believe it's sage advice. I never met an Emily, but it's good to trust your elders.
I wanted to storm the building and find Max, but it would be unwise. I had to calm down and bide my time. Everything would be under my control soon enough. I checked some system notifications; the first half of the King's scenario would end tomorrow. Acting now would be dangerous; it'd be advantageous to do so before the big reveal.
Right now, I had to deescalate the situation and look defeated. It wasn't hard to pretend.
"That was probably her guardian; if it was, we can't do anything about it. We'll check tomorrow."
(I'm sorry, Max. I'm sorry I can't rescue you yet.)