My Classmate is a Killer (Unfinished)

Chapter 4: Missing In Action

Well, this is dull, I groan internally as I watch Mark and Lily play "Dance-dance revolution" for the 500th time today. I never understood the fun of these games.

As I observe them play, the door behind us suddenly swings open, revealing a younger, much more female looking version of Mark. His sister, presumably. She, similar to Mark, has brownish hair and purple eyes, but instead of a hoodie is wearing an oversized T-shirt.

"Mark! Mum and Dad said there is pizza downstairs!" the young girl chirps, Mark's ears suddenly perking up. Lily, overly-focused on the game, barley notices Mark leave his dance pad and literally cartwheels down the stairs. I continue to watch her play, amazed at her skill and dedication; dancing with both grace and fluidity, seeming perfectly in-sync with the game's instructions. Her movements seem robotic, yet full of joy and life. A small smile travels across my face as I admire her from the back of the bedroom. Like a dove.

***

As the game's results are projected onto the screen, Lily wipes the sweat off her face. And she is sweating literal, non-hyperbolic buckets of water. Her energy and enthusiasm remains regardless. "A new high score! In your face Mark-" she turns to see that Mark is no longer present in the room. Confused, her gaze lands on me, her emerald eyes interrogating me. I sigh and stand up, brushing myself. "He went downstairs. There is pizza apparently." "Pizza?!" Lily's expression immediately lightens up, and she sprints towards the door, swinging the door open so suddenly that the hinges nearly snap. "C'mon Jordan! Pizza awaits!" she yells as she too cartwheels down the stairs. I sigh, amazed at her passion, and too follow in suit.

As I enter the living room, I see Lily, Mark and his family surrounding the coffee table, enjoying pepperoni pizza. Mark's father immediately notices me, and gestures me to sit. As I take my place on the carpeted floor, Mark's mother offers me a slice of pizza. I take it as Mark's father pours me some lemon juice. "So Mark, introduce us to your friends please." Mark nods, and as expected, starts with Lily's introduction. If you hadn't met either of them before, you would have thought they were dating given how much praise they exchanged between each other. "Lily and I have math, science and history in common. She's good at sports and academics. In other words, a model student!" Lily blushed slightly with this praise but waved it off regardless. "As for Jordan-" Everyone's eyes set on my already  nervous wreck of a teenager. Mark paused and thought for a moment, recollecting what limited information he had extracted from me. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "Ah, right! Mum, Dad, this is Jordan. He is a cosplayer!" I sigh and facepalm internally at this statement. Better than being known as a trained killer, I suppose. Mark's parents seemed intrigued by this. "Really? What do you dress up as?" Mark's mum asked. I choke on my saliva a bit and open my mouth to answer, but Lily cuts me off. "Mainly military stuff! It looks pretty realistic, wouldn't you say Mark?" The emerald-eyed girl chirped. Mark nodded and I sigh. Mark's father looks at me with speculation, and further interrogates me. "Really? What symbol was on his shoulder?" Mark and Lily again stopped to think. "I think it was a viper? Yeah, a black viper." Mark's father's eyes further widened. I decided that enough was enough. "Yes, I am a cosplayer, haha. My Dad was in the military so I know a lot about it, that's all..." Mark's father's gaze softens and a smile appears on his face. "Ah, I see. I must meet him someday. I too was a military man." I nod and pretend to laugh. Human logic really amazes me sometimes.

Suddenly, my phone starts buzzing. I check the number. General. I pause and look at the people around me. They are quite indulged in their conversation, so I excuse myself and duck outside. I pick up the call, and instantly hear a familiar, grungy voice. "Spectre, you're needed." I sigh and pinch my nose. "With all due respect sir-" "Hammer Squad is MIA." My eyes open and my heart races. "What do you mean? When? How?" A coarse sigh is audible, and I can imagine the general closing his eyes and sinking into his chair. "12 hours ago, 3 SAS units, including your former team, was ordered to directly assault and destroy what we believed was the final Hive stronghold. We believed that once this building was knocked over, Hive would be gone for good. Captain Davis tried to call you back, to which you denied," I wince at the recollection. That was the last time we ever spoke. And it was him begging me to come back. "What happened?"