Guardians: Remastered

Chapter 3

"How could this have happened? I mean, yeah, Tyler and Marissa ar-...w-were grumpy and rude most of the time, but still. I don't know anyone that could possibly hold a legitimate grudge against them," Axel stated, pacing back and forth across the kitchen floor. The vibe of the night had changed in an instant, from fun to tense. Cat stood in the middle of the kitchen, where Tyler and Marissa were killed just moments ago. Although their bodies had been moved outside, the scene was still stained with the sight and scent of blood. A scenario like this would make most sick or panicked. But it honestly didn't bother Cat all that much. She stood amidst the pools of red blood, her arms crossed as she thought over the situation with care.
"It is an odd thing, for Tyler and Marissa to be killed out of the blue. On this particular night, too. It's almost as if this was...planned. Who would plan a murder against them? Who?"
"I might know who," An unfamiliar, quiet voice called out from the kitchen doorway. Cat turned around swiftly, her gaze resting on the person who must've said this. It was a person she had never seen before. It was a young woman, most likely late teens, with an average figure. Her hair was dark blue and her loose pigtails rested on her shoulders. She wore a navy blue schoolgirl uniform as if she were from a Japanese high school in an anime. As Cat walked over to the girl, the girl stared at her with violet eyes shining with an emotion that was unreadable. Cat stopped in front of her and took a deep breath. As much as I hate to admit it, this strange girl has me...Intimidated. I can't read her. What is she feeling? Fear? Shock? Cat could see the girl's lips curving into the tiniest little grin. ...Pride?
"I should introduce myself. My name is Haruka," The girl greeted, bowing down for a moment. Well, that confirms my one thought. She's certainly part of the Japanese culture, whether she actually has Japanese heritage or she's just some weeaboo.
"Hello, Haruka. I'm Catherine."
"Oh, I know very well who you are, Catherine. Do you not remember me?"
"...W-What?" Cat backed up a little. She's talking to me as if no one else is in the room!
"Hehe, nevermind! That's not important. What's important is finding the person that killed your friends...right?"
"Yeah. Right. Uh, why don't we talk about this in the living room? Would that be better?"
"Certainly!"
"Terrific," She took a glance at the others and was somewhat comforted that they looked just as anxious as she felt. This night just keeps getting more and more strange by the minute.

"So, Haruka. You say that you think you know who did this?"
"Yes."
"Who is it, then?"
"I can't just tell you right away! You'd jump to conclusions without even considering other possibilities."
"Oh," Cat sighed. Creepy AND clever? The hell did this girl even come from?
"Exactly," Haruka beamed with a hint of pride in her voice. Cat was trying to keep her full attention on Haruka, but she couldn't help but notice the way Mai was acting on the other side of the room. Despite it only being from the corner of her vision, Cat could detect the pure expression of anxiety that was plastered on Mai's face as she stared intensely at Haruka. Oliver was standing beside her, trying to comfort her, but it didn't appear to be working. Does Mai know something we don't? Cat asked herself as she saw the intense glare that Haruka was giving back.
"I'm sorry if I caused any unnecessary trouble. You're already dealing with a lot, obviously, and I wouldn't want to make matters worse. Look, I'll be around if you still can't figure out this situation on your own. You'll just have to come find me," Haruka said, standing up from the couch. She quickly walked over to the front door, turning the knob and taking the first step outside. As she closed the door behind her, she called out one last thing: "I'll see you all very soon!"

"What do you think she even meant by 'I'll see you all very soon'? She must be planning on running into us in the future. But...why?"
"I'm just as lost as you on this situation, if not more," Michael chuckled in reply. Cat and Michael were walking back to the ocean shore, taking the path through the forest as they usually did. Under the stars and moon of the night sky, it felt somewhat eerie. As Cat looked around, even she had to admit she was in a position of unease. She locked hands with Michael, holding his hand tightly as they continued on. They were the last two to leave Hazel's house, and the others were most likely home by that point. They were mostly silent for the walk. However, as soon as the crash of the waves could be heard in the distance, Cat broke the silence.
"H-Hey...Uh, mind if I ask you something?"
"No, of course I don't mind. What's up?"
"Do you think something else is going to happen? To one of our friends? Or even to us?"
"I-I mean," Michael stuttered, starting to feel a tad anxious. "Not really. It's a possibility, but I don't think it's very likely. Why do you ask?"
"I hate to say this, b-but...I'm scared. I don't want anything to happen to the people we know," Cat tightened her grip on Michael's hand and locked gazes with him. "And I certainly don't want anything to happen to you". Michael was honestly taken aback by Cat's statement, unsure of how to respond. He gave her a gentle and comforting smile and chuckled a little. 
"Wow, it's surprising to hear you admit to being scared about something! I don't plan on dying anytime soon, scaredy-Cat."
"Shut up, this is serious. Don't even joke around about this," She retorted, clearly irritated. Michael let out a sigh as guilt washed over him.
"I was just tryin' to lighten up the mood. I'm sorry."
"It's alright, I guess."
"I won't let anything happen to the two of us, Cat," He stated, wrapping his arm around her. Cat looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkling in the night.
"Promise?"
"I promise."

So, I left this Chapter off a little shorter than I usually make them, for a significant reason. The conversation Cat and Michael have is pretty important to the story as a symbol of foreshadowing, if you all remember correctly from the original Guardians. I didn't even put much thought and planning into this chapter and I still love it. Anywho (why did i say that), I'll try to get the next chapter out in less than 2 weeks! If I start slacking, just yell at me.
Now I'm screaming because i had to read over the chapter to fix any mistakes and the conversation is actually really sad. :c