The Heroine [COMPLETED]

17. Caged

THE WORST THING ABOUT BRETT WAS HIS ATTITUDE, AND HE KNEW IT.

Alexandra was standing before Felix Fisher, who, evidently, didn't support Brett's conclusion. "She deliberately allowed him to escape!"

"If someone didn't barge in, it wouldn't have given him a chance." Alexandra shot back. "Why were you in the GIRLS dorm anyway?" Alexandra added. Brett's face went a little green, but quickly he replied,

"Because I heard about it, the serial killer who has been murmuring people in the Phoenix dorm, and bothering everyone."

"When did you hear about it?"
"Since the first murder." Brett replied.
"And your first instinct wasn't to report it to anyone?" Brett gulps, and rolled his eyes.
"Same for you." Brett hissed.
"That's why I was prepared today. I could've captured him if you didn't barge in to MY room."
"You—" Brett began,
"Enough." Felix interrupts. "It is already identified that the intruder was a Gare high official. His purpose of killing these students was a part of a larger conspiracy to wipe out the seeds of intelligence in the younger generation, as to destroy the future of Arga." Alexandra's was lips pressed tightly against each other while Brett's eyebrows furrowed together in frustration. Gare was their common enemy.  

"Then why not aim directly at everyone? Why only send one killer? And why only in the girl dorm?" Felix nods.

"Your concern is valid. But for all we know, they're after the keys." Felix bits the last word a little harder, as if hinting her something.

"What key?" Brett asked.
"None of your business. You may leave Brett." Felix ordered. Brett walks out reluctantly, and shot Alexandra a warning glare, which Alexandra didn't seem to care. Felix steps up and walked toward Alexandra, leaving two words in her ears.

"Be careful." And walked out behind her.

Sword Arts continued on as usual, except Brett gave her occasional glares. Everyone's attitude toward Alexandra transformed from the original discontent to a neutral, even curious attitude. Felix broken the news that the Final Draw will happen the following week Tuesday. Currently, Alexandra was placed first in her Sword Arts department. But eventually, the final draw could change everything, as she will be going against the brightest of everyone at Arga Lorraine.

As soon as Sword Arts ended, Alexandra ran back to her dorm, not bothering about all the different looks behind her. She opened the door and plopped herself down onto the only wooden chair next to her bed. Jeffrey.... isn't he dead? Wasn't that what Felix said? Why didn't he come and find her? Why now, why like that.... and was he human? No, he wasn't. What does that mean? Click click clunk.... there was something rapping at the window. Alexandra stood up abruptly and saw a grey pigeon holding a small piece of scrolled up paper.

Come meet me in the church.
Leon

Alexandra crumbled the paper tightly around her balled fist and walked out the dorm room.

The church was empty, as last time. But in the front row, two heads peaked out. Alexandra sprinted forward, at once confused and anxious. When the figure turned around, it was indeed Jeffrey. Next to him, was Leon, calm and tranquil as always. There was a light scar on his neck, but his features, his familiar smile all assured Alexandra that he was indeed the same person Alexandra had always seen like a brother. Excited, Alexandra ran up to him, and they hugged. It was a long and awaited one since Alexandra thought she had lost everyone she was familiar with. She still had family left. But the relieve didn't come just yet. Alexandra released herself from the hug, her eyes fixed on Jeffrey's.

"Jerry, I expect some explanation." He nods, slowly. His face, up close has sagged a bit, as if he has aged ten years since the last time they met.

"Yes. I'm not human. I'm a Gare. But... we're not bad people. Please, Lexi, trust me. Our true enemy is Lord Lucifer and.... worst.... Felix Fisher."

"What?"
"You've been brainwashed, Lexi. Felix Fisher has been lying to you! General died under his hands!" Alexandra's eyes widened in disbelief. "And I... almost died."

"How? Why?"
"He killed General when he refused to cooperate with him, and me, for overseeing everything. However, I was a Gare, so one stab in the stomach didn't kill me."

"What about the green blood, didn't he suspect it?"
"At that time, he was in a rush, it seemed. He didn't even bother to look and walked away as soon as the sword got deep enough."

"What's his purpose?"
"He wants the keys. He wants the riches. For no one else, but himself. It's all his conspiracy!" Jeffrey exclaims.

"What about him?" Alexandra asked, pointing directly at Leon.
"He's a true one. He saved me." Leon, peaceful and unchanged, strolls over, while asking Alexandra

"Are you free now?"
"Depends what you want."
"Come, come with me." Leon leads the both of them to a door, that led to a stairs. The icy wind blew towards them as they stood by the entrance.
"Are you sure, you can... walk down there?" Alexandra asked, as Jeffrey was immediately helping Leon up and handed him his cane. She didn't see Leon's face drop that slight bit.

"People call me a cripple, but I thought you believed otherwise." With that, Leon walked down with Jeffrey. As they walked, Alexandra felt guilty for being too attacking.

"Sorry. I didn't mean it that way, you're... just as good as any one else. Sorry." Leon didn't reply, rather brought them to a dungeon, where tens of hundreds of people were rounded up. They growled, and screamed when the three of them walked through. It was a truly frightening sight.

"Who are they?" Alexandra asked, as all of them, male, and female, children and elder, elf and human trembled and screeched as they walked further across the cages.

"They're all victims of Felix Fisher and Lord Lucifer." Jeffrey stated.