Dad.
Yes, it's really Dad.
But what is he doing here?
Does that mean he saw everything earlier?
Noor ran, but stopped again.
Oh… I forgot. He isn't the same person anymore. I wonder if he even cares.
"Mr. Noor," Rahim called out.
"Yes," Noor replied.
He went there.
Noor's father, Arman, stared at him for a few seconds.
"Hey you, you can go now. I don't need servants like you eavesdropping on our father and son conversation."
Wait… didn't Mr. Rahim say he knows my father? Maybe they worked together… but why is Dad so rude to him?
Mr. Rahim left without saying anything.
"Dad, how are y—"
"Noor, do you have any little shame? How did you even come up with this ridiculous plan for the race? They made you a leader and this is what you did?
I had to hide my face in the audiences. Ashamed.
I expected something great from you… guess I was wrong."
"But Dad, I have never done anything like this… also it's not like anybody complained about this. Even the principal appreciated—"
"Shut up, Noor."
Arman snapped.
"How dare you talk back to your father? Looks like you forgot your manners. Don't make me teach you a lesson like before."
Noor stayed silent.
"Ah, I forgot. Is it true you're hanging out with notorious kids from this school? Cutting classes, threatening students, making chaos. Some students from your class called my number and complained this."
Noor was silent.
"ANSWER ME!" Arman snapped.
"Ye… yes, the cutting class part is true… but we didn't threaten anyone. I was bullied, beaten, and Suvro and Ashraf helped me. They warned the bullies… that's it," Noor said, shaking.
"Suvro and Ashraf, you say? Don't talk with them from now on."
"But they are my friends… I can't—"
"Friends? You say? Do you want to see your friends get thrown out of the school? Noor, I can do that. I have the power.
I also heard they are from middle-class families. Their parents begged the school management to let them study in this top-tier school. Do you want to see their future turned into ashes?"
"No Dad, please do… don't do this. I beg you…" Noor teared up.
"Then do as I say. Do you know why I brought you here, Noor?"
"No."
"To get along with the only daughter of Kevin Leonheart — Jenne. I wanted you to learn how to serve them. How to treat nobles with respect. I gave you an opportunity, but all you did was hang around with some fools doing nothing."
Noor was confused.
What is Dad even saying… I don't understand a thing.
Arman's expression darkened.
"Perhaps your little brain can't catch up with everything I'm saying.
Don't worry, you will learn soon. At least make your useless self a little useful to your father. Would you, Noor?"
Noor shook his head in disbelief.
Did my father just call me useless?
"Now get out of my sight."
Noor began walking. His legs were shaking — not in fear, but in pain.
Pain that his father inflicted on his heart.
What is the meaning of this…?
Who is this person?
He isn't my father…
He wasn't like this…
Noor began crying.
His heart was being torn apart from inside.
---
Some time passed.
It was already past afternoon.
Noor was sitting on the rooftop of the school.
The heat of the sun was gone.
Birds chirping.
"I don't know what my father wants… but whatever he's up to is not good. I may be a 14-year-old kid, but I can understand he wants to use me as a tool to achieve something. And I really have a bad feeling about this.
Should I tell this to Mom?
No… things can go way worse. I should keep my mouth shut and see his true intention.
But what about Suvro and Ashraf?
I can't explain this to them…
And some students from my class have my father's number. If they complain again, both of them will be in danger.
I have to think something fast."
Noor stared at the blue sky.
"Shit, my abdomen hurts… I forgot I needed to use the washroom."
---
Meanwhile…
Suvro and Ashraf were still standing in the hallway.
"Bro, where did Noor go? It's over an hour we're standing here."
Suvro yawned.
"Did you forget? He said he needed the washroom. Maybe he's still there."
"Well, let's go get some snacks from the festival. Noor will find us. He isn't a baby," Suvro said.
"Yes, he's grown up a lot," Ashraf said proudly.
"Let's go."
---
Sometime later…
Noor was in the dark hallway — already past evening.
"The hallway is empty and dark… well, not darker than my life," he muttered.
"I wonder what those two are doing. Maybe they went to the festival, expecting me to find them there.
I told Mr. Rahim I will stay till 8, so he won't be coming to pick me up soon. And still an hour to go…"
Noor came across the library door.
Thud
Smash
Shatter
Heavy sounds came from inside the library.
Noor was shocked.
"Looks like something fell in the library… none of my business though."
Smash
Shatter
"What again? It's like someone is in the library… but who is breaking things?
I know ghosts aren't real… it's definitely someone."
Noor tried to peek from the gap of the door—
Suddenly a hand grabbed him by the collar and tossed him inside the library.
Thud
"Ouch…" Noor groaned in pain.
"Who is this?" he asked, terrified.
Ria came out of the shadow, breathing like a feral beast that lost its senses.
"Eek—" Noor gasped.
She grabbed him by the neck and smashed him into the bookshelf.
Shatter
"Ack— Miss Ria… what are you doing— ahh— gasp— I can't breathe…"
Ria choked him harder.
Her eyes began glowing yellow, her body becoming hairy.
Her big fangs were visible.
He froze in pure terror.
What in the world is this…?
What is really happening…?
Why in the world does everybody hate me…?
"Just go die…" she growled.
"Miss Ria… do you hate me because you lost because of me? If that's really the case… kill me…"
Ria suddenly got knocked back to her senses.
She let go of his throat.
Noor dropped to the floor, coughing.
"Cough… cough… Arrgh…" Noor winced in agony.
"What have I done…" Ria whispered.
Noor slowly got up, grabbing his throat, coughing.
"Wait… I didn't want to do this. I'm sorry… Please… I am really sorry…"
Ria yelled.
"It's okay, Miss… It was my fault you lost. I know it was all my fault," Noor smiled, mocking himself.
"Don't worry… I won't tell this to anyone… even if I die."
Noor walked away.
Ria sat on the floor silently.
Her eyes became teary as she stared at her bare hands.