Hell University-Chapter 22 - 21: Weird

Zein’s Point of View

I left the dormitory in a daze. I needed fresh air to calm my mind. They already knew HU’s secret, what would happen to the six of us now?

As I walked, I heard students crying; some were embracing one another as if it were their final day in this world.

Is this because of Hell Week?

"I don’t want to die yet..."

"There’s nothing we can do anymore..."

"They truly are monsters..."

Those were only some of the things I heard from them. They truly are monsters, merely toying with us while lives are at stake. Sigh.

I sat down on one of the benches, beside a woman who appeared dazed, staring into nothingness, and seemed to be lost in deep thought. She did not even seem to notice that I had taken a seat next to her.

I leaned back against the bench and observed the people passing by.

All students are suffering from the insanity of their leaders and yeah, we are now included.

"Heartless..." I turned to look at the woman beside me when she spoke. "They have no hearts. They are worse than monsters," she said.

My gaze remained fixed on her while her own eyes were directed toward the distance.

"You are like them as well... heartless."

A chill ran through me when she looked at me. Only then did I notice that half of her face was badly burned, something that had earlier been concealed by her black hair.

My eyes widened when she suddenly pulled me. I did not know why, yet I allowed myself to be led by her. She brought me behind an abandoned classroom.

"You!" She pointed at me. "You can do something about this... but you are afraid," she said, as if blaming me for everything that was happening.

"You’re wrong. I can do nothing about what is happening right now. I am still a powerless secretary."

She laughed loudly, almost as if she were losing her sanity. I was frightened by her outburst, but I did not show it.

"Then why her? Why did she manage to do it? You are just afraid! Weak! I thought you were like Samantha, but that was a big mistake."

"Samantha?" I asked, confused.

Who was this Samantha she was referring to? Why did Madame Violet also call me Samantha? Why was I being compared to her?

"Sam was one of the new ones back then. She was one of the three fools who entered here, but unlike you, she actually did something for us," she said, boasting to me.

Was Samantha the "past newbie" Jane was referring to? The former secretary who caught the attention of the former Supremo?

"Ahh!"

She screamed, clutching her head as if she were in excruciating pain. I tried to help her, but she pushed me away.

"What’s happening to you?!"

Worry was evident in my voice. She had dropped to her knees on the floor, holding her head tightly. Was she in pain?

"I’ll ask for help," I said, but before I could move, she grabbed my arm. Even though she was struggling, she still managed to shake her head. When she stood up, I supported her.

Her eyes were bloodshot, as if they were bleeding. Her lips suddenly went dry. What was happening to her?

"Sorry for that," she apologized.

"Are you okay?" I asked. She was still weak and breathing heavily.

"I won’t last much longer either, because I know the formula they injected into me has already spread," she said. My brow furrowed at her words. What formula was she referring to?

"They also used me as a human tester for that imperfect formula," she added.

They made her a human tester for a formula they were still developing? Even though it wasn’t yet complete, it was unjust to use students as test subjects. They should have tested it on themselves.

"They are still searching for that secret formula. It is frightening to think that they might complete it, because I know they will only use it for evil purposes."

"Do you know where their laboratory is?" I asked, causing her to stop.

She frowned, as if displeased by my question.

"Do not meddle with them anymore if you do not want to end up like me."

"But I want to help!"

"I cannot tell you. Leave now," she said calmly.

"But-"

"Leave now!"

I could do nothing as she pushed me away. I left, too, realizing that I could gain nothing from her since she refused to reveal the location of their secret laboratory.

"I warned you..."

I was startled when Nicky suddenly appeared in front of me, her expression was very serious.

"Stay away from that Alvarez, don’t do what he says. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"What’s it to you?!"

"Stupid."

I simply brushed past her without looking back. Shit!

It was already afternoon, so I went to the cafeteria to clean. There was no one else there. I had no motivation to pick up the scattered plastic bottles.

"Still slow, huh?"

I ignored the Supremo, who was once again there to scrutinize everything I did. He always found fault with me.

"What’s bothering you?" he asked, but my lips remained sealed.

There were simply too many things on my mind to pay attention to such a nuisance. First, that bloody week; second, my friends now knew HU’s secret; third, the female human test subject who refused to tell me where I could find their hidden laboratory; and lastly, Nicky, who kept interfering in my affairs.

I glared at the Supremo when he grabbed the rag I was using to wipe the tables.

"Are you alright? Why aren’t you answering me?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. I grabbed a new rag, but he snatched that one too.

"Hey! What’s your problem? Why won’t you pay attention to me?"

"I don’t have a problem. Look, I’m just tired. Can you stop interfering until I finish and get some rest?" I said irritably.

So many things had happened today. I was utterly exhausted, and it felt as though I could collapse at any second. I was already sleepy, yet I was still cleaning. I just wanted to finish quickly so I could rest.

"Fine! Let me help you!"

My eyes widened when the Supremo suddenly started wiping a table with his lips pouting. I wasn’t being dramatic, but it was the first time I had ever seen him sulk, he was pouting while cleaning a table, of all things. Was this really the Supremo? Maybe he was possessed. It was strange.

"I can do it by myself. I don’t need your help," I said, but it seemed as if he hadn’t heard me and didn’t stop.

I approached him to take the rag, but he suddenly left and moved to another table.

"This is the last time you’ll do it. No more cleaning after this."

What on earth was going on with him? It was as if he had been possessed by an angel. Where was the Supremo who had no heart? The one who didn’t care about anyone around him?

We finished quickly, so I was now walking back. We silently made our way along the quiet path to our dorm.

"T-thanks," I said shyly.

"I don’t need your thanks. Just... d-don’t... don’t do it again."

I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but I could tell he was embarrassed to say it. I looked at him, but his gaze remained fixed on the path ahead.

"Don’t do what?" I asked.

"Slow."

Slow? I really didn’t understand what he meant, or what he wanted me to never do again! "Slow," he said! It was so confusing!

Good thing he helped me, otherwise I would’ve snapped when he called me slow.

I quickened my pace irritably. I didn’t know why, but he was still able to keep up with me, even though I was practically running while he was just walking. Was he that big? Or am I just walking too short?

Sigh! I’m just tired!

"Let’s stop here," I said, just a few steps away from the dorm. "You should go now, or you might get caught in the bloody night," I added.

"Are you worried about me?" he asked unconsciously.

My cheeks heated at his question. Worried? About you? Me? I even pointed at myself.

I laughed, though it was obvious I was forcing it, while he simply stared at me seriously.

"Why would I worry about you? You’re assuming, aren’t you? FYI, I don’t care if the Bloody Night catches you and you die!" I said, waving my hand in the air.

Ambitious! Full of himself! Assuming!

"Don’t worry about me, I can handle myself," he said innocently.

I ran out of words and explanations to clarify that he had misunderstood what I said. Gosh! And there he was, acting as if nothing was wrong, while I was already flustered trying to explain my side. Ugh!

"W-what I said earlier..." he said, avoiding my gaze slightly. "Don’t do that again," he added.

"What exactly are you telling me not to do again?!"

"D-don’t ignore me like you did earlier," he said seriously. "This is an order from the SSG President. When I speak to you, you should respond immediately. Are we clear?"

It took me a moment to understand what he meant. The only reason I hadn’t spoken to him earlier was because I was tired and wanted to finish quickly, something I wouldn’t have been able to do if I had kept talking to him.

Why is it such a big deal to you, Ace?

I was pulled back to reality when he flicked my forehead. I glared at him.

"I’m asking you, are we clear? Answer!"

"Yes!"

I didn’t know why, but I found myself answering, and he smiled broadly. I was taken aback.

He smiled. The Supremo. The President. Ace Craige.

He smiled.

"Sleep well. I have a lot of tasks for you tomorrow, Zein."