Ignite

Counselling Time!! | Chapter Summary

this is a depression-free (ish) gore-free (ish) summary of the previous chapter, skip if you don't want to reread everything

-flashback-

Sitting in a counselling room was a boy with dark green hair and amber eyes. He was a suicidal, filled with hopelessness and dread of the future.

There in the square room filled with plants and posters he talked to the counsellor of his nonexistent emotions, his scars, his worthlessness. He no longer enjoyed what he once loved to do, nor found comfort in his friends. He wanted something intangible, yet he didn't know what it was.

"I want to end everything. But I don't know how."

He wanted everything to stop. To no longer exist. Including himself.

He talked till his mouth was dry and his eyes were wet. Then he stood up abruptly and left the room, leaving behind an awestruck yet hopeless counsellor.

-flashback of flashback-

⸺ Monday, 8.07 am

Two gunshots sounded in the school, jolting Xiao awake. He had been falling asleep in Ningguang's class again.

The students of the school were panicking and yelling. Chairs scraped across the floor and the students in Xiao's class swiftly barricaded the doors, as per how they had practised a term ago. The lights were flicked off and the students sat quietly in darkness, in hiding.

A voice spoke softly in the dark, "Wait. Where are Bonanus, Menogias, Indarias and Bosacius?" It was Heizou, from within the cupboard. He was the first to notice (before he hid inside the cupboard obviously) that there were four missing students in the class.

Bonanus and Menogias had gotten into a fight over a project a few days ago, and had been suspended. However, today was supposed to be the day of their return. Had Bonanus tried to play truant again? Then Menogias was probably in the midst of lecturing her.
Indarias had gone to take a dump in the middle of lesson, but hadn't returned. And Bosacius... had most likely gone after her the second he had heard the gunshots.

"That idiot!" Xiao muttered under his breath, before also sneaking out of class.

It was only when he was in the pitch-black corridor did he mentally slap himself for leaving the safest place in the school. But he was the kind of person that would take stupid risks just to check on his friends. He wanted to know if Indarias and Bosacius were okay.

"Alatus! Xiao! Shortie!" a voice whisper-shouted. Xiao whipped around and saw the bulky figure of Bosacius hiding in the Library right beside Xiao's classroom. He was squatting in between bookshelves and Indarias was by his side. They were shrouded by blackness. Xiao dashing into the dark Library discreetly as possible.

"Why are you here?!" Indarias asked, frowning.

"I wanted to make sure you guys were alright," he responded, almost sheepishly. Bosacius patted his shoulder.

"Aw kid. I'm touched. But next time look out for yourself okay?"

Xiao nodded.

"What about Menogias and Bonanus? Have they reached school?" Indarias said. Bosacius and Xiao shrugged at the same time.

"Wait. What if-" Bosacius started, but cut himself short. Indarias' face had turned deathly pale.

"Don't say it. Please don't," Indarias whispered.

"WHO'S THERE?!" a scruffy voice boomed in the Library. All three students froze. "COME OUT NOW AND I MAY NOT HURT YOU!"

The silence was deafening. Xiao could almost hear his heart pounding against his chest. If they were found, they were as good as dead. Indarias clutched Xiao's hand, as though trying to comfort him. Bosacius' eyes were darting around the Library, searching for the source of the voice.