Tale of Chaos 2: This War of Ours

Chapter 20: Chased

Riverflow's POV

My palms were sticky with sweat. I clenched and unclenched them over and over, aiming to relieve myself from my nervousness. It didn't help.

"I did not know the Janitor came here on WEEKENDS!" Pyroclast hissed.

"How did I not know this?" she complained further.

"Calm down," Mae assured.

"We could get past him quite easily, but sufficient distraction will be needed."

I stayed silent, knowing two conversations were going on at once.

There was one between Pyroclast and Mae.

Another one was between Blackout and Maia.

I switched my focus to the latter.

"...across the floor and down the hall. He might notice me. Stay silent and hide," Maia whispered.

Blackout stared at her, as if she were speaking a foreign language.

"But where? He'll see us all if he goes after you."

Maia looked around. I noticed the shaking in her limbs, and the frantic wiggling of her eyes across the empty school grounds. Her eyes locked on a certain window, pointing in the same direction.

"There. In the office."

Maia then jammed into her pocket and messed around a bit before pulling out the Janitor's key. She reached out to Blackout with the key.

"Take this key, in case the door's locked. When not in use, keep it safely in your pocket."

"How'll I get into Room 15? From the office between the janitor and the Room---"

Maia's gaze switched up to the janitor. She smacked Blackout's shoulder and started to rise up on her knees.

My heart pounded as I realized the janitor was coming our way, the rattling of his equipment echoing through the corridors.

My heart pounded harder as I saw Maia was getting up to her feet and walking out onto the floor.

My bones chilled as I heard a sudden voice whisper in my ear, cold breath caressing my face.

"Run."

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Maia's POV

I skipped to the side as I weaved through the grounds. My gaze was on the janitor, who noticed me too soon.

"KIDS!" The lithe man yelled.

My heart beat hard as I switched from skipping sideward to full on sprinting down the hall. From behind me, I could hear the janitor's surprisingly heavy footsteps. I turned to look at the janitor.

In the instant that he was in my view, he seemingly had a crazed look in his eyes. I didn't want to dwell on it.

I ran out into the open part of the campus.

I was able to catch sight of a house-like structure just a few paces away. I felt my heart in my throat, pounding every ounce of blood I had. Breaths tearing at my chest, I dashed to the house.

Inside the house, it was dark. The shutters at the windows were shut, giving the room a faint yellow haze. Upon frantic observation, this seemed to be the TLE house. There were several couches in the room. In another side, there were counters, a stove, various cutleries, and an oven. Not wasting time, I jumped behind one of the couches, praying the janitor would not see me.

Low, light footsteps rang in my ears.

I felt no will to move, even though I had many reasons to. But even so, I felt paralyzed. All I could do was try and keep my breaths at a minimum and quiver in fear.

The janitor took another step, making it loud and clear.

"Kid, reveal yourself!"

The man did not sound the same. He didn't sound like he did when I had "vomited" and stolen his key. He didn't even sound like a man...

CRASH!!!!

Something shattered next to me. I gulped, shivering against the floor. I had to move.

With a tremulous chest, I pushed down on the floor, propping myself up so that my feet were on their toes on the ground. I shivered while waiting.

Wait...

Now.

I rose from the floor, sprinting across the room. I looked back at the janitor.

I stopped in my tracks.

Chaot stood in the janitor's place, the outfit hanging loosely on her skinny crimson body.

She laughed in her throat.

"Oh, Maia. You ready?"

Her laugh transitioned from internal to external, becoming hysterical, even psychotic.

I needed to escape.

I let my power gather in my back, feeling my bright wings seep out of my shoulder blades.

But Chaot raised a hand, letting it glow with crimson energy. Before I could act, the energy launched straight into my chest. I gasped, the pain stinging inside of me.

My eyelids slid shut as I heard there words ring in my ears.

"I'll make sure you die and stay dead. Forever."

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Spotlight's POV

Unfortunately for us, the janitor turned out to be Chaot.

I couldn't remember much, but I heard this as I lost consciousness.

"You can do better--- PROMISE!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pain. Unbearable pain. Etched into my back.

It felt like a sunburn, but worse. It seemed to penetrate deep inside me, messing with every single nerve of mine.

My eyes opened.

I felt an ache in my wrists, seemingly attached to something.

I raised my head.

My wrists were bound to a large wooden post by thick ropes. I was on my knees.

I raised my head some more---

THWAP!!!

The pain in my back rapidly surged as something struck it. I yelped, my head bonking the post. I felt fiery breaths rack my stomach and chest. With that in mind, I noticed that I was shirtless---

THWAP!!!!!!

Again, immense pain spread through my back. Agony slashed me into bits.

What was happening to me?

"Must... destroy... them all..." a raspy voice rang from behind me.

I knew that voice like the back of my hand.

Chaot.

"Spotlight, dear, just remember..." Chaot sincerely said, circling around me.

I looked at her and found a red whip in her right hand.

It was not the whip itself that was red.

My blood was.

She stared at me calmly, but in a commandeering way.

"The dog only attacks because it loves something."

My rage built up inside me, but I didn't do anything. Instead, I leaned my head against the post, confused, angry, and scared.