The Forgotten Heir

Chapter 2: Grim Reaper
Arnett woke with a start, a light sheen of sweat glistened her face as she raised herself from her mattress. Wiping her matted bangs away, she rubbed her eyes in frustration at the horrific nightmare as she controlled her frantic pants. Copper orbs opened to notice her familiar desk and drawer, her closet cluttered with clothes, and school notebooks splayed about on the periwinkle carpet. Warm sunlight splashed into her bedroom window, birds chattering happily in the nearby trees, as if signaling another day of spring has come.
Just a dream, she thought to herself while she moved to the edge of the bed, rubbing her bare arms as she realized her back was drenched with sweat. Plush, light blue carpet welcomed her feet as she slowly stood up, toes curling in mild satisfaction at the soft tingling sensations. Looking down at the small nightstand next to her, she noticed her crimson cellphone right where she left it.
Before everything happened.
Her head throbbed painfully as memories surged in. Meeting at the tree, running for her life, watching in horrified silence as he split open like a ripe pomegranate, soulless depths watching her with bloodlust, then finally, molten amber. Arnett’s knees began to shake as one horrifying thought echoed in to the depths of her mind.
She…Arnett McMillan…had died last night.
Arnett clamped a hand across her mouth as she raced towards the bathroom, fluidly opening the toilet seat as her knees loudly knocked onto the marble floor. Retching sounds could be heard from down the hall as she relieved the contents of her stomach. Every image she continued to remember sent more bile up her throat, her esophagus burning minutes after she forced herself to stop dry heaving. Arnett cursed herself for acting like this; she’s seen classmates get torn apart by Nova. Hell, even she’s torn some of her classmates to pieces…and yet…this was the second time she would ever admit she saw a true monster.
She silently lowered her head onto the marble floor, the cool stone relieving the heat from her flushed face. After a few deep breaths, Arnett cautiously touched her chest to not feel the hard nub of metal from last night, nor any type of searing pain around the chest. She placed a hand over her heart as she listened to it beat, the frantic thumps slowed to a normal calm pace.
That’s right, she couldn’t have died. If she did her heart wouldn’t be beating anymore.
But then…what exactly happened last night?
Sounds from her favorite video game screeched in the bedroom, shocking Arnett out of her thoughts as she groggily picked herself up off the floor. Picking up the now annoying device, she flipped it open and immediately shut off her morning alarm, which she didn’t remember even setting. She squinted at the bright blue screen until her eyes adjusted, noticing right away someone had texted her. Scanning it, she realized Creo messaged her earlier, asking if they could meet up for breakfast before class. Glancing at the bottom corner of the screen to check the time, she quickly shot a confirmation text, and slowly went back into the bathroom for a well needed shower. A loud moan of relief escaped her lips as hot water drenched her ruby tresses; the steam immediately calmed her as she washed herself. The memories still fresh, Arnett viciously scrubbed herself, the water stinging her fresh raw skin.
As she stood there, the memories slowly died down, until all she could feel was the delicious heat of the water that simply encased her. Copper orbs slowly opened, the tears easily blending in with the shower as light sobs racked her form. She promised him things would be better this year; he was so patient with her, it was only a matter of time until it would finally bear fruit.
Now, she thumped her head against the wall, all that waiting was in vain.
Golden orbs passed through her mind, stopping her slight spiral towards destruction. Arnett immediately straightened herself, realization crossed her features. If she could find only find him, then maybe he could answer her questions.
He shouldn’t be too hard to find. It’s not every day you try to find golden-eyed students dressed like a ninja in their spare time.
With newfound resolve, Arnett finished up in the shower and dressed for the new day. Setting her still damp tresses into a sloppy high ponytail, she left her room and set off to the cafeteria.
o.O.o
“You look like shit.”
The cafeteria hall was jam packed with students from all years, obnoxious yells and rambunctious laughter echoed throughout the main room. It was a guaranteed one-way trip to a splitting headache in Arnett’s mind, much to her irritation.
Arnett gave Creo a blank look from across the wooden table as she gnashed up her scrambled eggs. “Good morning to you too,” she sarcastically mumbled to her blue-eyed friend, shoving a bite of the cheese covered substance into her mouth. Creo said nothing as she slowly bit into her bratwurst, carefully watching her red-haired friend bulldoze through her breakfast. Normally she wouldn’t say anything about Arnett’s bad habit of rushing, Creo noticed that she appeared…tense. As if the girl in front of her was looking for someone while eating, making indirect eye contact with every male student in the vicinity.
Ocean blue orbs glanced back and forth at the small groups of people at the tables beside them, heavy gossip ringing incessantly in her ears. Hating to spoil the moment, Creo sighed as she propped her elbows on the table, her expression soft as she looked at Arnett.
“I just want to say…I’m so sorry about Morrison,” Arnett froze, the forkful of eggs she almost pushed to her mouth immediately dropped back on the plate, “I knew you guys were close, and it was just plain awful what happened to him. I mean, when I saw the accident on the news, I had to call Goro to make sure he was-“
“Th-the news?” Arnett quietly asked as she looked up at Creo, confusion shown on her features as she struggled to comprehend her friend. “Well… yeah,” Creo slowly continued, unsure of Arnett’s response, “it was all over the news last night. I thought you would’ve known by now. Morrison had a surprise visit with his family, and they …were in a really bad accident. Some drunken bastard t-boned them while they were taking him back to the grounds. Morrison and his parents…they were killed instantly…his sister’s still in critical condition…Goro was supposed to go with them, but he wasn’t feeling well. And after all that,” she growled, her tan fists shook with anger, “the guy who did this drove off without a care in the world.” A long silence passed between them as Creo seethed, while Arnett’s thoughts grew wild by the second. In her haze, she began to notice the not so subtle whispers surrounding the hall.
“Did you hear? About that Ford kid?”
“Poor guy. His whole family too. What a damn shame.”
“The sister didn’t make it either?! Damn, I thought she at least had a fighting chance.”
“He was…her partner, right?”
“Yeah...I heard she kissed him before winter break.”
“You mean like a kiss of death?” Copper eyes narrowed into slits as she listened to the others.
“Maybe instead of the ‘Slashing Trickster’ she should be called the ‘Grim Reaper’.”
“Don’t even joke about that. What if that sticks?!”
“Grim Reaper, huh? Sounds interesting.”
Arnett suddenly stood up, her breakfast forgotten as her boiling anger snapped. The whole cafeteria became silent as death as they watched the Mad Dog murderously glare at the other students. “If you all have something you want to fucking tell me, THEN SAY IT TO MY FUCKING FACE!” her yell bounced off the walls as everyone dumbly stared in shock. In a blind fury, Arnett stomped over to the ones who gossiped the most, while desperately tried calling her back. Arnett towered over one of the second-years, the girl’s jaw slack and green eyes widened in fear as Arnett glared at her with all her being.
“Listen you little bitch,” Arnett growled, her anger reaching to new limits, “know that I would never, ever hurt a hair on my…my…Morrison’s head. And if you really want me to become this ‘Grim Reaper’, like you say, then I can certainly arrange that!” With a snarl, her scythe almost made its’ presence as the girl made a silent scream, only for her movements to be stopped by a large tan hand.
Arnett turned around in anger, only to raise her eyebrows in shock.
Apparently she didn’t need to search. He came to her.
Calm golden orbs twinkled in the morning light as he stared at her, a small smile placed on his angular face. Tan skin seemed to glow while donning the West Genetics uniform, his tall frame fitting the blazer and pants perfectly. Midnight black bangs were attractively mussed up along his forehead, the back of his hair lay flat against the nape of his neck. He said nothing while gold clashed with copper, not paying attention to the hushed whispers surrounding the duo.
With a gentle squeeze, he let his hand off her shoulder, unnoticed by Arnett, and shoved both hands into his pockets. Arnett still looked at him in shock before realizing her fists were clenching air. Knowing that was for the best, she glanced away from the golden-eyed strange to look at the scene before her.
The second-year girl she just threatened was a quivering mess on the cold marble floor. Yellow streams soaked her snow white socks, a small steaming puddle pooled beneath her feet. Gasping sounds came from her mouth as tears fell like waterfalls down her face. Arnett felt no guilt as she watched the girl cry.
In all sense, she got what she deserved.
“What’s going on here?” Arnett groaned as she recognized that voice, hoping her ears deceived her. Turning towards the entrance, all spectators made space for the young woman as if she split the Red Sea, pairs of eyes watched with intrigue as the newcomer walked towards the scene.
Tichy Phenyl, Vice President of West Genetics, was not happy with what she saw.
“Tichy.”
“Arnett.” Students immediately scattered after the curt exchange, unable to handle the thick tension between the two third-years. A frown was set on Tichy’s face, disappointed such a scene was happening on the first week of school. Grey-green orbs looked down at the young girl in pity, passing the redhead as she bent to one knee; a kind smile graced her face as she reached her hand to the girl. The second-year didn’t hesitate with the gesture, easily pulled to her feet by her upperclassmen. Tichy guided her to her worried friends, ushering them to get the girl back to her dorm to change.
Once she watched the small group of girls leave, Tichy’s frown returned as she turned back towards the redhead. “Care to explain this one?” she coldly asked, dead set on getting an answer from the ‘Mad Dog’. Arnett crossed her arms in defiance; irritation set in that she was the one getting in trouble.
“For your information, the people you just let walk away were the ones who started it.” Arnett growled, her copper orbs glaring into unfazed grey-green. “It doesn’t matter who started it. You were the one who almost broke the Academy rules.” Tichy countered, “If Akira-kun wasn’t here to stop you, who knows what you could’ve done.” Arnett only glowered at the floor, hating to admit the third rank was right. However, she wordlessly tucked away the new information about the mystery student.
Tichy sighed again as she looked towards the male, her expression immediately softened. “Speaking of Akira-kun, what are you doing in the cafeteria? I thought I told you I would meet you at the office?” A light chuckle escaped from the taller student as he rubbed one hand across the back of his neck, surprising Arnett with the warm tone.
“Sorry Tichy-sempai,” Akira apologized, his hand still rubbing against his neck with embarrassment, “I got pretty hungry while waiting in the office. I remembered you showing me the cafeteria yesterday, so I just came over here.” At the mention of food, his stomach answered with a huge protest, causing the young man’s cheeks to explode in pink. Arnett couldn’t help but let out a small giggle, until her stomach protested along with his.
Tichy only stared at the blushing duo, until she quietly cleared her throat. “Well since there wasn’t any harm done, I guess I’ll let this one slide.” Arnett mentally sighed with relief as she looked up to the golden-eyed boy in thanks, eager to ask him the questions she desperately wanted answered. Their silent conversation was short-lived when Tichy took a light hold of Akira’s sleeve.
“Creo. Arnett. Be sure you two aren’t late for class. Excuse us.” With a quick step, the vice president had the taller man almost trip over himself to catch up, his curious golden gaze still set on Arnett. The two friends watched the pair leave their line of sight before they too walked out of the empty cafeteria hall.
“Is there something you should be telling me?” Arnett paid no mind to Creos’ suspicious tone.
She was just glad he wasn’t some figment of her imagination.