E L E M E N T A L S

Chapter 16: A after-school field trip

Nothing happened after a while. With exams consuming our social lives and rose over the sides, we didn't obsess our latest development. It still appeared in my mind with flashbacks here and there but when I think about the pressure of doing well, and getting at least an average in my grades, those worries were put aside.

I was never good at subjects like math or Science, so I had poured all of my extra energy to having at least a fraction of a better grade. Getting tutored by the guys and my other friends helped a lot and life was relatively quiet.

Despite the over looming stress and thoughts, I was happy. Surrounded by my friends as we studied together and we joked and socialized in our breaks, it almost seemed like everything that had happened beforehand didn't happen.

Looking at Jessica and Stella, who were talking about a topic that went along the lines of "boys", latest gossip, and issue, I almost forgot they tried to kill me.

Well, that was extreme...it was more of like it almost seemed like they were possessed and were thrown into a state to harm me immensely...

I was mid-way feeding the accumulation of chips in my mouth like a squirrel when that thought sunk in. My eyes blew wide and I choked; which didn't help that the chips were spiced.

"Kai? You okay?" asked Stella as Clara reached over and helped me rub my back.

I was trying not to choke and chew at the same time, gratefully taking the soda from Kalonice; successfully swallowing the lump of chips and washing it down with several gulps of fizzy goodness...which did not go well because of the carbon.

I have the others a thumbs up as I went through a series of cough and wheezing.

My hand covered my lower face as everything weighed on me. I was hunched over as I was facing away from the group, my eyes seemingly going everywhere.

Was that the answer all along? Was it really that simple? Was it possession that took over my friends? Flashes of memories hit me as they seemingly made more and more sense. A new heavy weight appeared in my gut and I took in a deep breath.

This changes things a bit.

I turned back to my friends who were concerned to me and looking at two of my friends who were possessed, I had to play it safe till then. It could be a fluke. It could be an act and they were still hostile. I didn't have all of the facts and I needed to play it off.

"You okay Kai?" asked Azalea worriedly.

I immediately gave a grin and slammed my chest a few times in emphasis. "I'm fine~" I said before laughing a bit, "Just the combo of a mouthful of chips and fizzy soda when you're choking is not a good mix."

I made a blanched face while scrunching up my nose; my eyes turned slight upwards and to the side.

I heard a snort and then I felt the mood being lifted and I felt myself relax.

'I can't say anything' I thought to myself as I picked up a Pocky piece. I stared at it for a moment before my eyes fell onto the individuals at the table.

I knew for sure Stella and Jessica were my primary concerned since they did attack me. And if they are possessed, it would stand to reason they could be possessed again. However, that brought me another concerned.

If they were indeed possessed, by whoever or whatever it was, then what's stopping the mastermind from possessing my other friends? I looked at Clara and Azalea. They weren't the type of people to have some beef to deal with and Kalonice was more or less in the same boat as well.