They Called Me FIVE

LANCE

"Wait you're the - " the girl, Ava, didn't let me finish. She walked past me and joined the others. 

"Hey, wait!" I grabbed her hand and separated her from the crowd who went to the end of a white fluorescent lit hall. I grabbed her shoulder and slip her back to where the receiving counter is. 

"You're from yesterday right?" I stared right into her eye. Trying to see past the motionless, expressionless face staring right at me. There must be some resemblance. The more I look closer, the more I'm convinced she has the same air Moon rose has around her. 

"Yesterday wasn't the first time we met, isn't it?" I prodded further. She didn't bat an eye. "Are you perhaps...."

"Ava!" I was startled by  the voice of Meira echoing from the other side of the corridor.

"What are you doing Ms. Henna? I don't have enough time to waste here. We'll leave you." The campus tour guide scolded.

"Please wait, my muted friend Ava isn't here. I'll look for her. So please -"

Ava grabs me by the hand and ushered me to where Meira's agitated voice is. We cut to the right corner and come face to face with the group.

"Oh, look. It wasn't just her who intentionally separated themselves from us. The boy too. Sorry if we ever disturb your flirty - getting - to - know - each - other - moment."

"It's not like that -" I started to say but tour guide didn't let me butt in.

"I'm warning you, no kissing, no PDA, and absolutely NO SEX in school grounds, you understand?"

"Yes," we grumbled except Ava.

"Good." The tour guide clicked on her heel and moved on to her tour as if nothing happened. Meira ran to our side, took Ava's hand holding mine. Then she pulled her away from me. Letting herself squeezed between us.

I don't mind. What bothers me is Ava's lack of reaction. She looked at Meira like she's a little squirrel at the top branch which she neither fancy as cute or interesting. Ava is only staring because no moving object caughts her eye.

I can feel, in Ava's eyes, all existence are nothing but noving animals or props. Only there to give color and noise, no use whatsoever.

I shuddered. How cold can this girl be?

The two other burly guys glanced in our direction. They almost look exactly alike. Empty black eyes that seems to seep directly down to their soul.

Now that I get a closer look, they don't appeal as highschooler to me. They look professional and...a bit adult like than they let on.

And those eyes...there is someone around me who wore those eyes. I only got a glimpse of it one time.

Who was it...?

The tourguide showed us to the different floors and corridors of the building having a big U- shape around the field. They're connected. Each floor and sides have departments and year level assigned to them.

I think it will get one week for me to remember all of it. The buildings, from the outside, are made out of solid gray block. Sometimes it's brown made with brick.

Getting lost is probably slim in this school. The area that accommodates the place the most is the field. Football, baseball, track and field, and there's the pool on the right side. Shrouded by the tent like roof and fences.

The gym is bigger than I thought. It can accomodate three club practices. Basketball, volleyball, even taekwondo. But I only saw few students around since its morning. Classes are going on.

The last place to stop is the cafeteria. By now, we have toured every nook in the building and crook at the yard. Believe me, their yard is too big the cornfields probably run short with this one.

My feet are aching from all the walking. This is the first time, I meet a dedicated school tour guide to even tell us every piece of history this campus has.

So when the chance of break and we are free to go to our respective classrooms after eating snacks came up, I didn't hesitate and bought the whole box of pepperoni pizza which the old woman intended to sell by slice.

Of course I'm not selfish enough to delve it by myself. I shared it with the others. But the only people who stayed behind is Meira and Ava, the other burly guys disappeared.

"Hey, you want some? I don't think I can finish this by myself." I offered. My timing was great. They haven't bought a food for themselves.

"Yay, pizza. Wait, let me buy us some drinks. Is coke okay with you Lance?" Meira asked. Ava is nowhere to be seen in the vicinity.

"Wait, you're treating me?"

She produced a killer smile that made every guy drool for her.

"Of course, you paid for the pizza, so let me pay for the drinks." And then she winked. God, I think I just felt my heart crushed from that wink.

I was about to offer I'll take the drinks. But Ava suddenly materialized beside Meira. Taking the two colas from her and proceed to the nearest empty table. Ava is eyeong my chest suspiciously. As if she wants to take it away. I couldn't understand it at first. Her expressionless eyes take form of a hungry lion eyeing her prey.

When we sat down, Meira and Ava are on opposite side. Ava's eyes narrowed like a hawk, at the pizza I unhook the cover to open.

Ava waited for me to take the first slice. Waited for me to say the go signal. I observed her.

"Have some," I finally said. Her hand flew to the nearest slice and shoved it into her mouth before Meira could react.

"Woah that's fast." I said. Meira laughed.

"Yeah, she's always like that. Can you imagine the first time we met, I have an ice cream at my left and offered my right hand for handshake after I introduce myself. She didn't take my hand, instead the ice cream? I mean who does that?" Meira giggled.

"Ava here isn't interested in anything except food you know. My mother even ask if she's really human or a pet. Of course it's silly."

Meira started to share about the brief time they spend together with Ava. And I find out they met about a week ago. On a roadside, after Ava's brother got caught in a car accident. When I ask where, Meira said it was in a small town called Opra.

The slice of pizza slip from my fingers. Then Meira stated Ava's brother's wounds are very strange. It wasn't made by a car or truck, but a wild animal attack. His clothes are tattered and clawed as if a monster's talons tore them. Blood kept oozing out of his wounds, and in his chest... Is a strange circle tattoo with intricate drawings on the outer circle.

I hastily pulled out my blue sleeve and showed her my mark.

"Was it like this?"

Meira pondered.

"I'm not really sure, because blood covered the most part but yes, it's more or less shaped like that. Without the number five of course."

A cold sweat run down my spine. It's Magnus.