The Unfinished

Chapter 10 - Stepping Stone

As John and Kim walk through a school hallway, John thinks about his situation. "Dear? You seem a little lost in thought." said Kim. "Ah? I guess. I'm just considering my options." replied John. "Do you have anyone in particular you think might have done it?" asked Kim, causing John to stop. "Dear?" she asked, worried. "One person. There's only one person who I think did it." said John with an angry tone. "Who is it then?" asked Kim. "Evangeline McDowell..." said John, causing Kim to step back in shock. "What? What's wrong?" asked John. "THE Evangeline McDowell?! I'm sorry, dear, but why would she go after you?" asked Kim, trying to precess it. "Let me explain it simply...What type do you think I am?" asked John. "What type...?" asked Kim. "Yeah. From what you've seen of me, what type do you think I am?" asked John again. "To be honest, I haven't seen him do anything that would hint me towards guessing his monster type...!" thought Martina as her eyes widened. "You finally got it, didn't you?" asked John.

                 "I'm human."

said John. "H-human?! No way! I couldn't have fallen in love with a human!" said Kim in disbelief. "You can leave now. I know you despise humans, like everyone else here. I won't force you to do anything..." said John, tightening his grip on his chest and gritting his teeth. "I'll deal with it myself. Thank anyway." said John as he began to walk, turning his back on Kim. John begins to hear quick steps from behind him before feeling his uniform getting tugged on.

"I don't care..." whispered Kim. "What...did you say?" asked John, turning his head towards Kim. "Who cares what you are...I like my John the way he is!" said Kim with rage in her voice and tears down her eyes. "I want to be of use...! Ever since I transfered here, guys have been all over me! When I met you, you felt weird to me, so I wanted to experiment on you...I was amazed when you were able to outplay me in my own game! I fell in love with you!" said Kim, yelling in John's face. In silence, John let go of his chest and looked at Kim. "You're going to help me?" asked John. Kim nodded, flustered, unable to say a word. "Do as you please. It's not my fault if you end up disappointed." said John as he took a small step backwards. "I'm sure I won't be!" yelled out Kim. "Fine. I get it. Choose a personality and stick with it already." said John as he began walking down the hallway. "Okay! Wait for me!" said Kim s she began walking after John.

"Okay then. Let's think. All I know about that girl is that she's the principal's daughter. What do you know?" John asked. "Well...That's the problem. She's considered to be the most powerful student in the entire school. A King Type that has the power of Magic Types and Illusion Type at the same time." replied Kim. "But her power goes beyond illusion. She's erased Shawn, Martina, and everyone else's memories of me..." said John. "You're wrong, actually." said Kim, causing John to turn his head in surprise. "The power she's using is indeed illusion, but what I this she's doing is she's covering their memories of you with some sort of...Mist?" tried to explain Kim. "If we consider it that way, wouldn't there be a way to clear that "mist" away?" asked John, entertaining Kim's idea. "Maybe trigger something in them?" said Kim with a smile. "Trigger something, huh? Maybe we can try it?" said John. "Well, to be honest, dear, you are the only one who can do that! Not "we" It's you this time!" said Kim, taking John's hand, trying to give him confidence. "Is that so...? I suppose you're right then." said John. "Thank you." said John, putting an surprised expression on Kim's face. "What?" asked John. "Ah--Eh...It's no big deal! Of course I'd suggest my ideas to you...!" began to ramble Kim. "Annoying..." thought John as he got surprised. "The ache in my chest is become less and less painful..." thought John. "Okay. Let's try of then." said John as he cracks his fingers with confidence. "It doesn't suit you acting cool, dear..." said Kim, a little disappointed. "Whatever. Just move already." demanded John.

As they began looking for Martina and Shawn through the school, they separate. "If you spot one of them, call me and tell me." said John. "Of course!" responded Kim. As they separate, John begins to think. "Was it a good idea to give that girl my contact in for at all...?" he thought as he rushed to the classroom. "Martina Courts?" John said as he entered the classroom. As he looked around, he didn't see her anywhere. "Damn it...Where the hell is she?" John thought as he ignored all of the looks his classmates gave him. Exiting the classroom, he begins to wonder where she could be. "Damn it, Damn it, Damn it...Think for once..." John thought as he went around a corner, bumping into something. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" said someone with a familiar, childish voice. As John opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of Shawn. "There you are..." said John without realising, scaring Shawn. "Please don't hurt me! The bulli--I just managed to stop getting hurt!" blurted out Shawn without thinking. "No ,no...Listen to me, Shawn..." John began. "Eh...? What?" asked Shawn, seemingly scared. "You don't seem to remember me. That's obvious, but tell me something...What happened the other day?" asked John, leaving Shawn speechless. "Well...Uh..." Shawn said, apparently not being able to say. "Called it. You were leaving the academy with someone, bullies came, the person you were with got hurt, and you commuted murder in self defense...Right?" said John. "H-how did yo--Ahg!!" Shawn couldn't finish, before beginning to hold his head with both his hands. "Good. What's that person's name, Shawn?" said John, trying to remain calm. "His name...? Uhh..." said Shawn, unable to finish. "...Look at me!" said John, raising his voice, startling Shawn. Shawn's eyes widen as he looks at John. John takes off the bandage on Shawn's forehead slowly. "I knew it..." John said as he saw a small, almost unnoticeable red rock, sitting on Shawn's forehead. "She's using this to suppress your memory..." thinks John as he carefully removes the small rock with his fingernail. The moment John did that, Shawn stepped back. "A-ah...?! John?" said Shawn, clearly confused by his situation. "Finally..." said John as he sat down in annoyance. "Wait! I just entered the academy and I felt a little weird, then I found myself here...What happened to me?" Shawn asked, confused. "I'll explain later. We have to go right now." said John in rushing tone. "Eh--Okay!" said Shawn, quickly crutching onto his trust towards John with a smile. "We have to find Martina..." said John with worry in his voice as they both began walking down the hallway.