Our Malevolence

Alerted Public

October 15th

It's Friday at New Sol High School. Arsenio sits in math class, confused and stressed out of his mind. The air in the room feels tense yet relaxed, likely due to it being a Friday. Everyone's just looking forward to going home for the weekend. Arsenio fiddles with his pencil, unsure of how to answer a particularly tricky question on his work packet. Arsenio gets an idea. He quietly and as carefully as he can, pulls out his phone and snaps a quick picture of the math question. He puts his phone away and raises his hand.

Teacher: Yes?

Arsenio: May I go to the bathroom?

Teacher: Make it fast. Don't forget to take the hallpass.

Arsenio gets out of his seat, a few eyes follow his movements. By the door, Arsenio grabs the hallpass. Which is a wooden card attached to a ribbon necklace. The words "Bathroom Pass" artificially carved into the wood. Arsenio tries to make the least amount of physical contact with the pass as possible. Grabbing only where he needs to. Arsenio leaves the classroom and begins walking the mostly empty hallways. Every step he takes, makes an echo across the entire hallway. As Arsenio nearly reaches the bathroom but while doing so, he begins to hear radio chatter. He slows his pace and walks closer to the noises. He reaches a corner. Arsenio turns the corner and encounters two police officers. The two officers glance at Arsenio and resume their walk. They appear to be going to the front office. Arsenio finds this slightly concerning but continues his journey to the bathroom, which is right across the hall. Arsenio grips the door handle. But just as he is about to open the bathroom door, he overhears the police officers conversation.

Police Officer #1: They told us they hadn't seen her since Tuesday.

Police Officer #2: Any reason to suspect foul play?

Police Officer #1: I was told she wasn't particularly well liked. That could be a motive.

Police Officer #2: A broad one at that. Anyone could've easily done it.

Police Officer #1: When we completed the welfare check, the house was clear. We'll besides her dog. It was barking like crazy. The poor thing prob.........

Their conversation becomes too distant to hear clearly.

Arsenio, still gripping the door handle, listens with worried curiosity. Arsenio is quickly snapped out of his gaze by the bathroom door suddenly opening. Arsenio releases his grip on the door handle and takes some steps backs. A student exists out of the bathroom and gives Arsenio a weird look. They walk away and Arsenio is once again left to himself. Arsenio decides to abandon his original plan and instead chooses to follow the police officers. Arsenio almost runs down the hall in order to catch up with the officers brisk pace. He runs a corner and then another and then another and then....Arsenio bumps into someone!

Jose: Watch where you're going!

Arsenio: Oh my god, I'm so sorry.

Jose bends down to pick up his folders and binder. Arsenio offers to help.

Arsenio: Here, let me help you with that.

Arsenio picks up a folder and notices something on the front. The seal of the New Sol Police Department. Arsenio realizes something.

Arsenio: Are you a detective?

Jose: Yes. I'm detective Jose Castellanos. I work with the New Sol Police. Why?

Arsenio: I heard two police officers talking about something. I think they mentioned someone being missing.

Jose: Things are pretty confidential right now but yes. Someone who you may be familiar with has gone missing.