Demon Hunters: Last Class

Episode 25: Lyric- The General's Visit

On the last day of classes, the entire student body was required to attend a lecture by an Organization general. As if finals weren't enough of a headache.

Larry and I walked down the hall, past pockets of other students preparing for or recovering from tests. Relief warmed me like the hellfire furnace burning in my chest. With Di and Tucker's tutoring, the finals were a breeze. She remembered nearly everything she heard and he was very likely a genius. Tucker had a way of tying all of our academic courses together so that they seemed like one connected tapestry. Their lessons made the questions on the tests feel like child's play.

"What is it?" Larry asked. "You look like you've had a eureka moment."

"I think I did..."

"Well, share."

"I think Tucker should become a teacher."

"Wow... that's a great idea."

I nudged him with my elbow. "If you think it's silly, just say it."

"No, it's not that. It's—"

"Speak up."

"It's just that he's already applied to be a teacher when he graduates next year." He shrugged apologetically. "So it's a great idea, but it's a little late."

I sighed. It felt like I was always playing catch-up.

"Don't make that face. If it wasn't a good... idea..."

I followed his gaze to the front door where Blair stood shivering and wet. Her clothes were soaked, water still dripping from her bag. The only thing dry on her was the composition notebook she held high over her head. An upperclassman rushed over and wrapped a towel around her. Larry and I shared a concerned look as we ran to her side.

"Blair, what happened to you?" I had a sinking suspicion that I knew the answer.

"No... y... yeah. She... threw a b... bucket of water on me, but I knew it... it was coming and I saved my book."

"Who?" Larry asked. "Who threw water on you?"

"Bloatski," answered the upperclassman. "I saw it happen and I went to tell Dean Reed."

"Piggy." Just saying the name made my blood boil. "I fucking warned that bitch."

"Lyric, wait!"

I was already rushing through the front door. I caught sight of her having a good laugh up the road. Ignoring Larry's pleas for me to stay calm, I took off. Her eyes bulged as she saw me coming and she ran for her life, shoving people aside in her mad dash. Despite her stocky build, Olga was fast.

She led me on a chase around the main path and down a less-used side path. I gained on her as she ducked into The Brutewood. She pulled away again when I tried and failed to grab her collar.

"I told you to leave her alone!"

"We told her to stay away from losers! She had to pay the consequences."

"Well now it's your turn!"

I picked up my pace and tackled her as we entered a clearing in the woods. Branches and stones poked through my uniform as we tumbled through untrammeled brush. I landed on top of her and I slapped her across the face.

"I'm done playing nice with you!" I slapped her again. "From now on, every time you fuck with her, you're gonna find out what it's like to have someone stronger ruin your shit!"

I slapped her again and she surged forward, headbutting me. I reeled back and she tossed me aside by my collar. Piggy charged, head lowered like a bull, as I rolled to my feet. I braced myself, but she took me off my feet with a football takedown. We hit the floor and I drove my elbow into her shoulder and head. She rolled away, screaming and I pursued her, hitting her with knees and elbows at every opening. She tried to get her hands up to defend herself, but I had the advantage and I didn't relent. This wasn't like sparring or tournament fighting. No one was there to hold me back.