Memory Lane

Part 18: Killer

Dumb rarely did anything without Fat and Angry.

From the moment she stepped foot in school to the second she was ushered to her family's car by the chauffeur, she was accompanied by the two other girls. They flanked to her sides, each standing next to one of her pigtails.

She was the prettiest of the three, embodying every aspect of the Japanese beauty standard. Genetically blessed, she had flawless skin and a slender figure which she showed off through subtle makeup and designer clothes. Even though makeup and clothing beyond the mandatory uniform violated the student handbook, the teachers of the school made an exception for her.

Everyone whispered that it was because her family made a sizable donation to the school, but I believe the truth was far more simple. I think no one wanted to see her cry.

Out of the three, she was the least cruel, blindly following the actions of her friends. That didn't make her innocent, but everyone seemed to agree that she was the baby of the school. She was a sensitive, delicate creature who not only struggled with every exam and lesson but balked at any difficult task. During classroom cleanup, she was the one who organized the supplies, a job that kept her hands away from dirt.

She was the one I targeted first. Hurting her wasn't going to be difficult. It was getting her alone that was the tricky part.

I didn't entertain any illusion that I was doing the right thing. My goal was to send a message, not enact justice. I knew better than to take on all three of them at once unless I wanted to subject myself to their violence.

My moment came when she excused herself to the bathroom during lunch. I crept out of the classroom, silently tailing her. With a well-placed foot and quick reflexes, I tripped her and locked us inside.

She collapsed on the tiled floor, landing with a squeak. I pulled out a small knife I stole from the kitchen cabinet at home and placed it between her eyes. Dumb froze, hardly breathing. If she moved, she would risk a cut on her pretty face.

"Stop bothering Airi."

I prayed that my voice sounded threatening enough. It unintentionally dropped an octave lower when I tightened my grip on the knife.

"You can't tell me what to do. Take that knife away from my face or I'll scream loud enough for the teachers to hear."

I lowered the blade, my face heating up. Why hadn't I thought of that? Before I could come up with another way to threaten her, Dumb's leg lashed out.

I snatched her ankle, thwarting her attempt to knock me over.

"If you scream, I'll cut you," I warned.

"You wouldn't dare. I know what kind of girls you and your sister are. Airi deserves everything we do to her."

I slashed the skin of her thigh without thinking, moving so fast that she didn't know whether or not to make a noise of pain. Her lips froze in an o-shape.

"I also know what kind of girl you are. It's not enough to hide behind your friends while they hurt other people. You're an ugly, disgusting thing no matter what anyone says about you."

She whimpered as I brought the knife down for another shallow cut, tears building in her eyes.

"Stop, please."

"Promise that you'll stop hurting Airi." The knife hovered above her skin, poised for a third cut.

"I promise I won't hurt her anymore," she said, echoing my words.

Dumb left school early, giving the teachers the excuse that she was sick. Fat and Angry whispered amongst themselves, occasionally glancing at me. I should have warned Dumb not to tell them what I did to her, but she wouldn't have listened. Those three were as thick as thieves.