Lookism: What Am I Even Doing?

Chapter 103

(Daniel's POV)

Monday I returned to school as if nothing happened. The bandages on my face remained the only reminder of what had happened the past couple of days. I'd seen someone kill themselves, Hostel burning, an old friend who was supposed to be dead, and strangers who supposedly wanted to help me. I was overwhelmed. Confused. Scared. Angry. Tired.

But there was too much to do to rest.

Before I switched bodies this morning I allowed myself a couple minutes to think. All of this was too much for me to question on my own but I did realize something new.

This entire time we've been asking what Ila had to do with the Bird Garden but what if she had nothing to do with them. Instead, what if they had something to do with her? Our assumption was that Ila somehow got involved with them and then was forced to join them.

That night Doc and Mr. Han had an interesting conversation. One that made it seem like it was always her fate to get involved with those people yet Mr. Han was trying to prevent that. Ila could've remained oblivious to this fate but her Uncle didn't. What was it about her that the Bird Garden wanted to take her against her own will?

Jong-su was a crazy man. We've only met once but based on everything he's caused or done since now made that obvious. Why would a crazy man want to take control over her? It's nothing to do with information since she didn't know about them.

Drugs...Ila was medicated? The blog post that leaked all of her personal information did show a picture of someone like her taking pills in the girl's restroom. I didn't actually believe that was a hundred percent real. Yet they can't be regular drugs for stress, depression, or hormones is Mr. Han was acting that way. Regular medications are efficient and can be obtained pretty easily. So why be so upset that they weren't working? What was she being treated for?

There was also a part about Mr. Han's brother and sister-in-law taking her in. I thought it was just an exaggeration at the time but...Doc mentioned how they practically saved Ila from two different types of death. In the literal sense or being trapped by some other party I don't know. They just referred to him as 'that evil man'. Though if they were referring to Jong-su they would just use his name.

I frowned, why is there so much I don't know? I'm already stressed as it is with finding out the secrets of my own bodies and trying to dismantle the Four Major Crews. Is it so hard for them to give me all these answers instead of letting me suffer all by myself?

Zack tapped my shoulder. I stopped in my tracks once I realized we'd made it at the Fashion department already. Earlier Eli asked us to come visit his department after school. He wanted to tell us something apparently. I didn't know how to feel about this. Hostel's history was still partially a mystery to me but it seemed like...there was a somber mood about it all. And...someone did ultimately die a few days ago.

"You're zoning out again. I'm not going to save you if you end up running into a wall, dumbass."

I gave him a sheepish smile, "Sorry. There's just a lot on my mind."

Zack leaned against the outside wall; his gaze falling outside the window. Students flooded out of the school on their way home. Their laughter carried all the way up here but it felt so misplaced.

"...this has all gone to shit, hasn't it?"

My chest tightened, "Yeah. Probably."

"Hey, Daniel." He smiled at me then gave me a quick punch on the shoulder, "Don't worry too much. I still have a lot of fight left in me and I ain't going nowhere."

"Thanks." I huffed.

Vasco came up to us in his orange jumpsuit and Burn Knuckle Jacket. Looks like Eli asked for him too. It makes sense that he did. Vasco's gang helped us out a lot that day. Not to mention, they also helped anyone who was injured get out of there before the fire department and cops showed up.