Lady Reaper Reianne Rewritten [COMPLETED]

Chapter XXVI: The Fall

The shrill ringing of the bell reverberated across the hallowed hallways of my academy, bringing a scowl on our professor's face and a sigh of relief on the students' lips. Another day of awful intellectual torture done with relish. The professor, an esteemed and generally likable one this time around, bidded us goodbye and went out of the classroom.

I had not informed Michael of the recent developments about my Father. I had not exactly processed how I felt about it either. I could not shake the feeling that something didn't feel right. Something was awfully off, and I could not put my finger on it. Everything was happening so fast. All I know, however, was that I had to get my Father out of there.

"These are the readings for next week." Michael's deep voice snapped me out of my own thoughts. On my right, Marie was looking at me with a puzzled look on her face.

"Are you okay, Rei? You seem deep in thought," Marie asked.

"Uh, yes. I was just trying to remember what was written on the case readings for tomorrow. I read them weeks prior, so I had to concentrate a little."

"Uhm, we don't have classes tomorrow," Marie replied.

"Uhm, next week?"

Marie's eyebrow cocked ever so gently, but she did not press me further about the matter. It was of the things I admired about her. She didn't press for any information out of us, and trust us to tell her things. Not that we did. Heh.

"I envy your photographic memory. If I had yours, I wouldn't have to study all the time," Marie said, instead of asking me more questions.

Unbidden, the image of the dying woman, the one that I had been consciously pushing down since yesterday, flashed on my mind so suddenly that I reeled as cold shivers assaulted my body. I didn't think I would ever get used to that horrific sight.

"... I just have to read them once, and I am all set," Marie rambled on as she put her things in her bag.

"Rei, are you okay? You seem pale." Marie's seemingly distant voice was filled with concern. With a deep breath I willed myself to think of other things-- Quin, my silly sister, Michael in his Major Gasm costume, Gio and today's coffee date.

Coffee date.

With Gio.

Another batch of shivers, the more preferable ones, traveled up and down my body so strongly that I broke in cold sweat. My distress was not lost on my two companions. I could see the worry on their faces as they stared at my shaking frame, my hands instinctively rubbing my shoulders and arms to ease the tension that built up there.

"Are you alright?" Michael asked me as he pushed another batch of readings in my direction. "Exams are two weeks from now. You were absent for a couple of days, you might not have seen the schedule," he continued.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks. I'm fine. I just remembered some things." I cleared my throat. "I'll go ahead okay? I'll talk to you guys later," I continued.

I left my seat with my bags and readings and went out the door like my ass was on fire, leaving my friends with their curious glances. Once I was out of the classroom, I sent a quick message to Matilda about the letter from Master that I needed. Then I sent a message to Michael. I needed to talk to him.