The Water

Chapter Five: Alice In Bloodland

Before I knew it, Blaine, Jessica, Vicky, and myself made our way down the hall. As we passed near the scene of the crime, we saw that the girl's body had been removed. Thank God, I thought to myself. The last thing Jessica needs is to see that again. As we continued walking, we came to a small staircase. Blaine flew up and we followed on foot. As we climbed, an eerie silence filled the school. Not a sound was made by anyone. That was until Blaine knocked on the door at the top of the stairs.

Before I knew it, Alice, Vicky's professor opened the door. She wore a blue dress and had long, jet black hair. Her eyes were as blue as the ocean itself. She looked us all over and smiled when she saw Vicky.

"Hello, Alice," Blaine said, hovering in front of her. "May we come in?"

Alice nodded gently as she let all of us into her classroom. As we walked in, I instantly felt calm. The feeling of relaxation came over me. I looked around the room. There were enough books around that it felt like it was a mini library.

"So, I take it you've heard the news?" Blaine asked, calmly.

Alice nodded. "Yes I have unfortunately. It's a horrible tragedy. What happened today never should have happened. Sarah was a bright young student, from what her teacher told me. She had such a bright future in front of her."

Sarah huh? I thought to myself. She sounds like she had one hell of a future ahead of her. Who the fuck could have done something like this?

"Alice, do you think it's possible that a water elemental could be responsible for the attack?" Blaine asked, getting straight to the point.

"Do you mean that you suspect the use of blood control?" Alice asked in return. "Because if that's the case, it's even more likely that today is only the first attack."

"Are you saying that there may be a serial killer in the school?" I asked, my thoughts slipping out verbally.

"It could be a possibility, yes." Alice said back to me calmly. "Usually when a water elemental turns to that kind of power, they do it for a dark reason. It's only on rare occasion when they do it for a moral purpose. And nine times out of ten, that darkness consumes that person, leading then down a path they can't come back from."

Hm. I thought to myself, looking at Vicky. I know it could help us for her to learn it but how could I ask the love of my life to do that? I crossed my arms and took a step back.

"Given how the victim died," Blaine said. "It is highly likely that a blood controlling elemental killer her. The victim-"

"Her name was Sarah, damnit!" Jessica yelled, her face turning red. "And whoever did this to her will pay with their life!"

I gently grabbed Jessica's shoulder. "Hey. Listen to me. As someone who's let rage and vengeance consume him before, I don't think it's a good idea to go out of your way to kill someone."

"You're one to talk! You went completely out of your way to kill Xorale, didn't you?!" She exclaimed back at me.

"I did. And while it was for a war, it almost killed me. I felt there were times where I lost myself on that journey. I was more angry at Xorale for killing my father than anything. It was my strongest emotion at the time. And at the end of it all, I killed him. But you know what? I haven't been the same since. I still have constant nightmares and visions. And the worst part is that no matter what I did to him, none of it could bring my father back. I understand wanting the killer to die. I really do. But it's not what Sarah would want. The killer will be brought to justice and we will handle it accordingly."

Everyone in the room stood in silence. Vicky hugged me tightly and the two teachers smiled. I hope she doesn't do anything rash, I thought. She doesn't need the guilt of being a killer on top of her grief.

"So what do you think?" Blaine asked again. "Do you think it could have been someone who went down that dark path?"

Alice nodded, holding back tears. "Unfortunately, I do. And what's even worse is that we're gonna have to use that technique to defend ourselves and those around us."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Blaine responded. "I was even talking to Vicky about potentially learning it."

"Hold on a moment, professor," I said, turning to Vicky. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to, love."

Vicky looked at me with a tear in her eye. "Yes I do, sweetie. I have to do anything I can to help the students in this school."

"As long as you're sure," I replied, hugging her tightly.

She nodded as she buried her face in my chest. I kissed her forehead and held her close.

"Okay love. As long as you're sure, I'll help you every step of the way." I said, still holding her.

"I warn you, Vicky," Alice stated. "This will not be easy for you. It's a tough journey to learn this technique. It's dark. You're going to have to learn to restrain yourself. Because once you learn how to do it, it will be very difficult not to do it constantly."

"I understand," Vicky said boldly. "When do we start?"

That's my girl, I thought to myself. Even when it could damage her, she still chooses to do it. She's always willing to help, regardless of what happens to her.

"Well, we'll start tonight," Alice replied. "Meet me on the battleground tonight at 10."

Vicky nodded before we left the classroom. We made our way back to my room. Jessica went with Blaine to his classroom since she was a potential target and hostile.