Playable Minds [On Hold]

Chapter 1: Not Afraid

It started out as a simply cruel joke.

Where everyone would laugh and apologize in the end. That is before people starts to put their personal feelings into it, and used it as an excuse to hurt each other. Anyone would know that the things they did were cruel, it wasn't normal, at least not for those with common sense. But that's just it, the moment feelings like jealousy, hatred and greed took over, something like common sense means nothing to them, nothing at all. I watched as my friend insert the red paper into the box, her eyes once reflected warmth and kindness, now reflects nothing but cruelty and hatred, she changed, everyone involved changed. As soon as the paper slipped out of her hand, she lets out a chuckle, and I know she's not normal, not anymore. For someone who is about to hurt others, she seemed way too calm, way too satisfied. I tapped her shoulder, and she turned her head, her eyes finding mine, I looked away.

"Let's go" I said, my eyes still avoiding hers, her stare was too cold, it was something I couldn't handle, not from her. She looked at the box one last time and lets out another chuckle before walking away, I followed her from behind. Tomorrow this school is gonna lose one student, and no one would notice, even if they do, they know better than to say anything.

Those who disappeared are not worth remembering after all.

-00-

I watched as the wind blew the picture in my hand, along with my memories and hopes. I don't need them anymore, not here.

" You're gonna be late for class Sher" Tiffany was standing behind me, she had been for a few moment, though I acted like I didn't know.

" I'll be right there, you go on ahead." She nod and I watch her walk away. I feel the breeze one last time, calming myself before I follow her into the building. I walk through the dim hallway, just like how it's suppose to be, the hallway was empty with no sight of students, typical. It's time for homeroom and all students are suppose to be inside their own classrooms, no one was late, no one's supposed to be. I opened the door to my class, and Ms. Kate was standing in front the board while my classmates were standing, meaning they were doing the morning greeting.

"You're late Sherry" At that everyone in the room turns their head towards me, but no, I don't feel like I'm afraid nor do I feel like I'm guilty for being late. I scan the crowd and I see what I normally see, their cold and empty stare, it's like they're not human, not ones who has a mind of their own, not ones who has feelings, my fault. Even at a glance people should know that there's something wrong with them, but no teachers seems to notice the strange atmosphere surrounding the class, at least that's what they want us to think. In truth, it's not that they don't know, it's just that they don't care, there's no teacher who wouldn't be happy, having a class full of students who would only do things that they're suppose to do. It's true that as students we are bound to study in school, but that's not all there is to it, and everyone knows that. I gave Ms. Kate a glare and walk towards my seat, no one says anything, no one would dare to, that's not what they're suppose to do. Ms. Kate too knows better than to say anything, every teacher knows that there's no use in arguing with me, I hate them and they hate me, that's enough to make us stay out of each other's way.

"Everyone sit." She didn't need to tell them twice to sit, they would sit even if she didn't tell them to, and quietly too, isn't that great? having such great students, though if It was me, I would feel terrified instead. Once everyone was seated, the door of our classroom was once again opened, and a boy marched into our class. A replacement had arrived, another doll to replace one that was lost.

" Please welcome our new friend, he transferred from the standard class to this class due to his high grades during the mid-term exam." Ms. Kate didn't seem pleased, she must've gotten tired of introducing new students every now and then.

" My name is Matthew Foster, nice to meet you all." From what I can see, this guy had no idea what he had gotten into, just another guy who feels so proud to be transferred into the special class, without knowing that rather than a blessing this might turn out be a curse for him.

" Nice to meet you Matthew" Everyone says at the same time, way too synchronized.

" There's an empty sit right there, go ahead and sit so we can begin our lesson" That sit Ms. Kate pointed out, happens to be the one next to me, and yes, it's a burden for me to have someone new sitting there. Matthew walk towards the sit next to mine without looking at his new classmates, not that they were looking at him, they entered their 'homeroom mode' or something like that.

" Hey, I'm Matthew, let's get along well" He might not realise, but I'm pretty sure that I'm making a face that doesn't reflect friendliness at all.

"kay." I didn't even glance at him, and I know he might think that I'm rude, but I don't care.

" Let's begin" Ms. Kate starts to write something on the board, and everyone starts taking notes, everyone except me. Any moment now I would be dragged out of class, I made some trouble for myself yesterday, one that might throw me out of this wretched place. As if on cue, the door slammed open and Elliot enters the classroom, no one shifted as he walks inside , he's also a student from the special class, one that's next door to ours. His eyes scanned the classroom till it landed on me, I instinctively look away.

"Sherry. You need to go now." I turn my head to look at him, the face of my childhood friend, one whose voice reflects nothing but terror right now. I know he's worried, and we probably should be, but I'm not running, this is the price I have to pay, and I'm facing it.

" I'm not going anywhere." I say, avoiding his eyes one more time.

"Please.. They're gonna make me do it! Just go! Now!" He's desperate, I can feel it, but I too am desperate, the guilt of everything that had happened is consuming me bit by bit.

"Sorry, But I'm not going anywhere, I can't." I glance at him one last time before the announcement bell rang and the deadly melody filled the classroom. Everyone listening fell asleep, their mind is being wiped, everything that just happened between me and Elliot, none of them would remember it when they wake up. The melody stopped and another melody is played, this time it's calmer, but I know better. Elliot's body began to move towards me, he looked at me with eyes full of concern, but it's no use. He might be aware of what he's doing, but his brain would tell him to do anything the melody told him to.

"Sorry" He whispered, and I smile at him approvingly. He grabbed my hand and pushed me hard towards the wall, my back throbbed from the impact, and I can hear myself whimper as his hand find it's way to my neck, pressing hard blocking the air from entering. I close my eyes, waiting for the moment that my life would be drained out of me completely, all of my regrets telling me to go and die.

"What are you doing?" I open my eyes in shock as the grip on neck seems to loosen, and air find it's way back into my lungs. Matthew stood behind Elliot, grabbing his shoulder, he's awake when he's not suppose to be, and it's not a good thing, it might be for me, but it's not for him. " Let go" Elliot's eyes no longer reflects concern, he's been taken over, completely.

" I'm asking you, what the hell are you doing?" Matthew's grip seems to tighten, but Elliot shows no interest in him whatsoever. He fixed his eyes back on me and began to tighten his grip around my neck once again, without realizing tears starts to roll down my cheeks, but not because I'm scared, that much I'm sure.

" You should at least answer when someone's talking to you." This time Elliot loses his grip completely and I fell on the floor, I grab my chest trying to breathe as much as I could to regain my composure, but it's no use. My Chest felt tight, my ears are ringing and my eyes felt heavy, I raise my head to see the situation, and I saw Elliot across the room, his back leaning against the wall, eyes closed.

" Are you Okay?" Matthew kneeled in front of me, but all I can see is Elliot's figure, collapsed across the room, he'll wake up any time soon, and his brain would receive another command. My eyes travel back to the boy kneeling in front of me, my hands tremble as I grab his collar and for a moment I can see fear in his eyes.

" You have no idea what you have gotten yourself into" that is all I manage to say before everything went black.