A New Killer's Diary

Chapter 9 - "O.M.C."

   Did you know that Butterflies eat pollen. Well I know a Butterfly that has a prey and her prey's name is David. She waited for him to get out of the party and follow him until home. Then, she left a note for him: "Do you have what it takes to become an assassin?"
David picked up the note and read it, but the owner of the letter wasn't there. The owner has now returned to its own lair.
   - Butterfly! I gotta talk to you! - Said Lion.
   - What is it, boss? - She asked.
   - Do you have something to tell me? - Asked Lion.
   - N-No, why?
   - That's the question I make. Why? Why don't you tell me what happened? What truly happened? - He asked.
   - What do you mean?
   - I talked with Panther, he said that Dog asked you to meet at the building, in the middle of the night. Why would he ask you to meet him in the middle of the night, considering that Friday is a day of school, only to say no? He accepted didn't he?
   - He doesn't have what it takes to become a good assassin!
   - That decision is not up to you!
   - What if he ended up killing you?
   - Then he would be a good assassin. You know I'm not a guy that dies easily.
   - Neither am I. I just don't like him.
   - Let's make a deal then. If Oliver wins against David in the Obstacle Maze Competition, then he is the one who joins. However, if David is the one who wins, then he is the one that joins our clan. What do you say? - Asked Lion. - Cheating isn't allowed.
   - Deal! - She answered. - And you should know I never lost a deal...
   The following night, Butterfly returned to David's room, however now with two different notes. The first one said: "Have you ever believed that a random subject would come to your bedroom's window and offer you a large amount of money? You only got to do something to get it. Sabotage Oliver's performance in the O.M.C., I'm counting on you!"

   I've never thought I would study as much as I did for tomorrow. I was so excited that I couldn't even sleep this week. While I am relying on the Academic Obstacles, Emma's relying on the Talent ones... She wants to become a singer, but let's keep it our own secret.
   I entered Donna's Office.
   - Hello, Oliver!
   - Hello!
   - You seem happier today. What is it?
   - I'll be participating in tomorrow's challenge. - I said.
   - Oh! My daughter is participating too!
   - Your daughter? Who's your daughter?
   - Her name is Constance and she's from class 10-C.
   - Oh! I don't know her!
   - Don't worry about it... - She said. - She's a little shy when it comes to talking with new people and making friends.
   - Can I tell you something? - I asked.
   - What is it?
   - I kinda heard your conversation with Caroline last week and I just couldn't hide it anymore... Is everything ok with her? She is in my class and I'm getting kinda worried...
   - Caroline's fine. She passed through a tough moment just like you did. However, I can't tell you that... Would you like me to tell my other patients about the secrets of your life? - Asked Donna.
   - No, I wouldn't...

   - Panther! I gotta ask you a favour! - Exclaimed Butterfly.
   - What is it? - He asked.
   - Remember that house party where that boy called David was last week?
   - Yup!
   - How much do they get for each party?
   - Around one million bucks. - Told Panther. - Why is that so?
   - Umm... I think he knows something about us... - Said Butterfly.
   - Are you planning to go there? Because they have an advanced security system that only isn't working when there is a party... You're not planning to make a scene in front of rich people are you?
   - Do you really think so? I'm planning on staying there hidden and when the clients get out, I ask them what they know about us, got it?
   - Listen, I hope you're not lying to me... And I... Oh! My father's calling me I gotta go! - He said, leaving Butterfly alone.

   - See you next week, Oliver! - Said Donna.
   - Bye! - I said, running in the direction of Emma's house. My house.
   I couldn't stop thinking about the competition. I ran...ran...ran...ran until I finally got home:
   - Mother! Emma! I'm home! - I said.
   No one answered.
   - Hello?
   I was afraid. What if someone just entered my house. What if it is The Order of Silence because they discovered I knew about them... I was so scared... I took a step to the kitchen. At the table, there was a note: "Hello Oliver! Me and mother are shopping, don't forget about the Maths' Test tomorrow!"
   OH MY GOD!!! THERE'S A MATHS' TEST TOMORROW?!?!?! Forget it... Tomorrow's Saturday... Emma's just messing with me.
   I returned to my room, so I could rest a little... I needed energy for the competition. Everything was so silent without Emma... It wasn't that bad actually... Sometimes I need these moments... Alone... Without any noise... With only myself for my company...
   After some time, I listened to the door opening. I jumped out of the bed thinking it was Emma. It wasn't her...
   - Lion, what are you doing here? Was I accepted in the clan? - I asked.
   - We're discussing that... I just want to know one little thing. - He said, getting closer to me.
   - W-What is it?
   - What did you talk with Butterfly that day? - He asked, pulling a knife.
   - S-So, she told me I wasn't ready for that. I told her I was but she disagreed. Oh! And she asked me to prove her wrong. I didn't know what to do because I was so nervous. Then she left... I swear that's all...
   - Okay. - He said, putting the knife in his pocket.
   - Was a knife really needed? - I asked.
   - Tip number 1: "A person will always say the truth if their life depends on it. Unless you're dealing with a psychopath". It was nice seeing you're okay after the Orphanage's situation.
   - How did you know I was in the Orphanage? - I asked.
   - We know everything... - He said.
   Suddenly, Emma's steps could be heard after the entrance door.
   - Quick, hide under my bedroom's bed. The room is the last on the corridor! - I said.
   They opened the door.
   - Hello, Oliver! Can you help us bring the stuff inside? - Asked Emma.
   -Yes, just wait a minute.
   I rushed through my bedroom.
   - Listen, you're going to the roof and then, once we finish bringing the stuff inside, you go down. Got it?
   - Ok! Not a bad plan at all. - He said, smiling.
   The plan wasn't that risky... With this, I could say it was my first plan that worked well... Lion was able to return to the Redeemers' Lair. I helped mother and Emma with everything. Until I went to bed... However, today's dream was a whole different from those I had before...

   "Father, it is not sister's fault... It is mine! Punish me instead of her! I was the one that was late, not her! So stop hitting her like she deserves it because it is my fault! Besides, I am the older one..."

   I woke up... The dream was a little strange. It was sad too at the same time... But it doesn't matter right now! I got a challenge to win!
   I got dressed real quick, however I still needed to wait for "Sleepy Emma". There were a lot of people waiting for the bus at the school's entrance. There were five buses. When they arrived, everyone rushed to their favorite spots of the bus. Even though everyone was hoping for a short ride, it took a little bit more than 2 hours. By only looking at the maze I could tell he had probably 10000 meters of area. It was huge! The bus stopped.
   - Welcome students! We're at the most awaited event of this year! The "O.M.C"!!! Also known as the "Obstacle Make Competition"! The rules are simple: Try to get as many points as possible and be one of the 100 players reaching the crossing line. The first 10 players crossing the line receive a bonus of 500 points. If you pass an easy obstacle you get 10 points, a medium one is 50 and a hard one 100 points. There will be Mystery boxes that may give you good things or bad things. However, they may be decisive for your win. You can't go to the same obstacle two times. Cheating will eliminate you. You'll have 2 hours to do it! The challenge will begin in 5 minutes. Make sure you're ready! - Said the Principal.
   - Emma, are you ready? - I asked.
   - More than ever! - She answered.
   Suddenly, Carol appeared on my left side:
   - Break a leg for you both!
   - Thanks! - We asked.

   She wore her Butterfly mask and got ready to go to the Party House. She was ready to the steal the money she promised to David. Just like the last time, the house was full of people, so she decided to enter through another entrance...The second floor window. Lion didn't know about any of her plans.

   The countdown started.
   - 5... - Said the Principal.
   I'm ready right?
   - 4... - He continued.
   I can do this! Right?
   - 3...
   Why am I so nervous?
   - 2...
   Why is it taking so long?
   - 1...
   Oh my God! I'm not ready!
   - 0!!! - Screamed the Principal.
   Everyone started running into the maze, I did it too: First left, then left again, then right, then right again and then right
   I found the Maths Obstacle!
   There was one staff member sitting in front of a table and I went there. The table was full of papers. He said:
   - Choose one paper.
   Just like he said, I took a paper.
   - Solve this equation: "x² - 4x - 12 = 0".
   And there I went, trying to solve it...

   Butterfly made it to one of the rooms on the second floor. The room was empty, filled with photos on the wall. She started looking for money... Behind the pillow... In the cabinet... Under the bed...
   Suddenly, the room's door opened...

   - I got it! The answers are 6 and -2!
   - Correct! - He said touching a button. - You got 50 points!
   When I left that direction, I followed this direction: "Left, right, right, right, and then left".
   I found the karaoke challenge. Wanna guess who was right there?
   Emma.
   I turned back and repeated going in random directions. I found it... I found one of the Mystery Boxes. Should I open it? I may win 100 points, but I may lose them too... I don't have that many points... But what if the box eliminates me? Oh no! Someone's approaching! I gotta open it!
   I opened it.

Oliver Mathews
Saturday, 5th October, 11:08 am

P.S.: Try not to risk your points if you think you're winning the game. Or the game might win you... That's what is wanted... The game can turn against yourself. People can turn against you. Everything can turn against you. So don't count on everyone like your life depends on it. Your life is only yours.