"Why are you staring into oblivion?"; A voice suddenly cut through. I regained my senses and when I had looked around, everything was back to normal. To be more precise, it was like nothing had happened.
"I thought you said you didn't have any time to spare to waste on this nonsense, and yet, you're here, why is that I wonder?"; continued Emily. "So, will you go ahead, or do you want to have a chat, a serious one, this time?". She raised her eyebrow and signaled me, asking me whether I was up to the task or would I just run away, though running away was never an option. That much I understood.
"What...what was that? What...what did you do?"; I stammered around. I couldn't comprehend what I had just been through. Everything just happened within the blink of an eye that I couldn't figure out what just happened.
"That's strange. People who've been through this hyperloop normally end up dead but you, on the other hand, you were able to figure out this was all my doing? Who are you?"; I thought she would just deny it and act like she didn't have anything to do with it since I had the lack of evidence but on the other hand, she just outright admitted it on her own.
"I wish I could say and act like that to amuse you but sadly, I can't. You see, wild accusations at the end of the day need evidence, and as far as I'm concerned, you have none."; or so I thought. I was wrong to play her off. The cold aura, plus the sharp intuition and strong observation skills that she had possessed already just strengthened her guard. Normally someone couldn't go up against her. Normally that is.
"You know, I just asked what did you do to me? I never mentioned anything as a hyperloop. How do you explain that?"; I didn't know what this hyperloop meant but I felt that was an intentional slip-up from her side. There's no way she would just say something like that so casually, especially to a stranger.
"Well, looks like the rumors were true. You are someone who can't be fooled. You indeed have a good knack to break down stuff and red in between the lines. I must say I am impressed."; What's the deal with this woman anyway? I thought she wanted a conversation with me but all I can see is she's just spurting out nonsense.
"I don't mind having a conversation with you but don't you think this isn't getting anywhere? Besides you're well sought out, so there must be people searching for you right as we speak, and I don't think we have anything to have a chat about, so I think it's better to go our separate ways? Oh yeah, before I forget, I will make sure that this conversation has never happened and that we've never met. I wouldn't want to impose myself on you in any way."; I had to be mindful of that fact. If anyone were to spot to find the both of us together, then it would mean the end for me. The fact that I already had a rough time here because of the rumors, and would just add fuel to that burning fire.
Who knows? I may even be suddenly held guilty for manipulating the WHITE ANGEL of this university. Yeah, that's a thing, sadly. Putting that aside, it would just involve more people breathing under my neck, that I would involve innocent bystanders into some mess that would certainly unfold down the line. It was just a matter of when not if.
"Why would you say such stuff?"; she replied instantly. I glanced a look at her, and she held one of her arms while looking down. Until now, she was just joyful and just mocking me but suddenly she just changed. I couldn't figure it out properly. But still...
"Isn't that obvious? That's just you. Irrespective of what you think or feel, at the end of the day, it's my duty to safeguard the reputation of my senior, irrespective of who that person may be. It may be the most popular girl or just an ordinary girl but it's still my duty to make sure that they aren't troubled as long as they're involved with me."
"Why...why would you care for my reputation?"; She snapped instantly. "You don't care about what others feel towards you so...why, why would you go so far?"; she desperately tried to keep herself in control of her emotions. She was almost on the verge of shedding a few tears.
Oh, please don't. I wouldn't want to face the wrath of those idiots just because of this. Control yourself. But on a serious note, I understood the sudden shift in her behavior.
"That's the dichotomy with popularity, I believe. Even though you wouldn't see to it, the people sharing the space with you, the people glancing and taking looks at you, and people talking to you, all have to be mindful of you. That's just how it is. Even if I don't like it, even I have to adhere to it just so that I can live to see another day."
"You're pretty mature for your age, even though you are my junior."; she rubbed her nose. It was a while since I had since this side of a woman. "I showed you an embarrassing side of mine. I'm ashamed of myself, even though I was the one who invited you. I just wanted to test you out and..."; she just murmured in a low voice. I couldn't hear anything after that.
"I don't mind your honesty but don't you think it's strange that your fellow peers and classmates haven't shown up yet? I mean, it's been more than 15-20 minutes since we've been here."
"What are you talking about? It's barely been a minute or so."; Again what's with her? Is she dumb? No, she definitely is dumb. I gave too much credit to her. She continued, "Look around you."
I didn't understand what she was referring to. When I looked, everything felt normal till I noticed something baffling. Even though there were birds flying around in the sky, they were moving at a considerably slower rate that I could see the mechanism of them flapping their wings crystal clearly. And yet, they didn't move an inch.
I looked back at her, speechless. She then cleared her throat. Tossing her blonde, glistening hair behind and illuminating her scarlet red-eye;
ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. I AM EMMA VLATZCHRAVY! THE FUTURE QUEEN OF THE DEMON REALM!