One after Another

Chapter nine

After the stressful sick leave, Natalie and Kenneth were back at school. Despite feeling slightly better, she was resting her head on the desk. While Kenneth filled her in about the suggestion Ali had made the previous day.

"Huh? End at school? What does Ali mean?" Natalie furrowed her brows.

"Umm, we should tell the principal?" Kenneth randomly made a guess.

Natalie took a sharp breath. "No. Do you remember how she banned the students from talking about the deaths last year? She will be no help at all!"

"Well. Ali requested another sick leave. We can't ask her what it means." He sighed.

"Let's just tell Miss Johnson about it. I don't care if I die." Natalie closed her eyes and dipped her head slightly.

"Everyone, get back to your seats!" Their class teacher, Miss Johnson, walked in and gazed sternly. "I know we lost three of our students. Dead can't come back to life. You should put your studies first, along with your safety. Also, Miss Towing and Mr. Madom have already suffered from their friends' death. Thus, do not burden them further."

"Hmph, I bet those two were responsible for the three deaths," a student commented, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Miss Johnson clicked her tongue disapprovingly and glanced at that student. She flipped open the book and started the lesson. Natalie stared at the teacher, waiting for the class to end. This hour seemed like an eternity. The bell finally rang, but Miss Johnson showed no sign of ending the class and continued reading her book. Unlike the teacher, the students were at the edge of their seats, expecting their break. She finally tore away from her supposed-to-be-interesting textbook and dismissed everyone.

Natalie and Kenneth approached the teacher's table warily. The other students shuffled out of the classroom to enjoy their break. The two's hearts were pounding furiously. They were like a child getting caught stealing candies.

Meanwhile, Miss Johnson was still jotting down words in the textbook, not aware of the big news.

"Um... Miss Johnson? Can we tell you something?" Natalie asked cautiously.

Johnson paused her writing to show she was listening.

Natalie hesitated before speaking. "Four boys and one girl died last year. They went into the forbidden hallway, didn't they?" Natalie paused, purposefully waiting for her reaction.

"How did you know? Don't tell me..." she trailed off, staring at them with horror. The two said nothing but continued to stare at their teacher intently.

Johnson gulped. "The Grim Reaper killed them. I didn't believe it at first. But it nearly took my life. It's real."

"Why didn't you leave this school?" Kenneth gaped, eyes widened.

"I am scared. You cannot escape. But this school can protect me."

Kenneth snorted after his eyes went back to a normal shape, "It does not exist."

By this time, Johnson was already hysterical. "IT EXISTS! IT TRIED TO STRANGLE ME!"

"The Grim Reaper does not strangle others to kill. It kills them with its scythe." Natalie pointed out. "The so-called Grim Reaper is a human. This is a murder." She sighed after stating her observations and left the classroom.

As she was walking along the corridor, three menacing classmates blocked her way. The three big figures towered over her, forcing Natalie to a corner. The fat person on her left lifted a strand of her hair and started sniffing and rubbing. His plump fingers pulled along her hair. It was really random for Natalie, and took her off guard.

Natalie stood still and glared at the boys, sweat streaming down her neck. She knew she could not escape, looking at the situation she was currently in. The boy with curly hair smirked and held on to the collar of Natalie's shirt. Slowly, he traced down her chest with the side of his palm.

Someone yanked his hand away before his fingers could get any lower. Kenneth came just in time once again.

"Why the hell did you do that? She was responsible for Max's death!" He yelled, staring at the boys with a death glare.

"Not only Max but Patrick and Joyce as well..." the guy who played with her hair muttered.

"She is not responsible for anyone's death. Scram!" Kenneth's cold aura radiated everywhere.

"Don't." The classroom door slammed open. "You three, get in. NOW!" the class teacher yelled. Johnson turned to the two of them as the three students scampered inside.

"Thank you for telling me it does not exist. I will help find who is behind it." She cracked a smile and went back into the classroom.

As soon as she left, Kenneth called Ali to inform her about their events.

"Hey, Ali! Are you ok?" Kenneth exclaimed once she had picked up the call.

"You seemed rather enthusiastic," Ali commented.

"Ah well, we want to let you know we told Miss Johnson about the Grim Reaper thing."

"So... she knows it is a murder?"

"Yes." Natalie cut in.

A sense of foreboding flashed across Ali's face. For a split second, she looked shocked. Natalie noticed the sudden change and pursed her lips.

"Oh well, I got to go. Thanks for telling me," said Ali, before Natalie had the chance to say anything. 

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Author's note: Thanks for reading! I  published this later than usual, sorryyy. Go and drink a cup of coffee or tea or whatever,  come back and don't forget to Vote and Comment! See ya!