Malefis: Her Thoughts are Silent

"So the girl you were meeting was Sara? Figures"

"Yeah.... It kinda ended up that way. And what do you mean by 'figures'?"

"That you're still not popular, *pfft—"

"I'm my defense, Sara's still one of the most popular girls in my year and she chose to spend time with me—"

"She probably wanted to cash in on her IOU"

"Eek"

"Seems I'm right, hihihi"

The insufferable brat on the other end of the call giggled in a victorious tone. I had gotten home from school hours ago and was on the phone with Liz, who had just returned from her day at the arcade with Rachel and Adrian.

"So, how was the arcade?"

"It was fun, really fun. See, there was this rude guy who no one could stop cause he was unbeatable at SF 4, however, big sis tore him a new one then wiped the floor with him. He lost so bad he actually started crying. Also....."

She kept on narrating her day with glee as opposed the monotonous manner of speech she had when we first met. I felt almost like a dad watching his kid take her first steps.

"Glad you enjoyed yourself. I hope you didn't give Adrian's wallet a hard time"

"Who?"

Oh, he's definitely paying me back double!

"Silver"

"Ohh, ofcourse not"

"Somehow I find that hard to believe"

"I'm serious, he only spent 30 bucks. Your wallet is the only one I choose to bleed dry"

"I'm so honored"

I retorted with a sarcastic tone.

"So, how much did you have to pay the piper?"

I told Liz everything—about Sara's request... and her plan.

"Hmmm"

"Well, what do you think?"

"I think accepting was the right choice. Even if you refused, she could've gotten someone else to do it and someone if that someone finds a huge skeleton, the results could be a lot worse. With you on the case, you can make sure the information Sara receives isn't anything too fatal"

"Yeah, that was my reasoning too. Glad we agree"

"I'll help you out if you wa—"

"That won't be necessary. I'll prefer you keep Rachel company this weekend"

"You sure? The only reason you're stuck doing this is because you had to save me"

"Quit blaming yourself, if I could go back in time, I'll do the exact same thing. I have no regrets.... And neither should you"

"Still though....be careful"

She said in a low voice. Her reply surprised me a little and I caught myself blushing for a sec.

"Oh? Is the little brat worried about me?"

"I'm being serious here!"

"Hahaha— don't worry I will"

"If there's anything I can do to help, do not hesitate to call, I mean it"

"Hmmm.... Now that you mention it, there is one thing you can do for me"

I gave specifications on what I needed and she quickly understood my intent.

"Do you really think it'll come to that ?"

"Probably not. Still though, it's best to be prepared for the unexpected—there's no such thing as excessive caution when it comes to Sara. That's why you told me to be careful, isn't it?"

If I had covered all my bases well, I could've gotten info about the mastermind of the Munroe and chameleon murders from Sara. Because I was careless, that chance slipped away.

"You read minds through phones now?"

"Nah, just a feeling"

"Alright, I'll have it ready by tomorrow"

"Thanks, Liz"

"Goodnight"

I smiled a little

"You too"

I cut the call then checked the time, It was 9:34.

I ate dinner before hitting the books—namely, the supernatural text I borrowed from the library... and they were boring as hell! I guess the embellished ones are the ones people find interesting.

Less than an hour into my studies, I started dozing off to sleep.... right before my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Your favorite supernatural buff here, how are you doing, failed genius? You fall asleep yet?"

"I'm hanging up—"

"—You sure you don't someone to keep you awake as you go through those books?"

What is this girl, psychic?

"I'll manage somehow"

"I know just how boring those texts are, Adam. I'll give you some fun commentary on it's contents as you read so you'll understand it better. C'mon.... it'll be fun"

"Why go to such lengths?"

"Well, it's nice having someone I can talk to about the occult, none of my friends are interested and aside from Richard, no one else in the club even cares about the theory behind these things. It makes missions a pain since they're always consulting me like some sort of encyclopedia, *sigh"

"I see..... well, I guess I could use the help"

"Yayyy!"

Our reading session carried on till dawn and I didn't get a wink of sleep.

*****************

I arrived at school feeling a little drowsy as a result of my overnight study session with Sara. Her commentary sure made a lot topics stick but I wish she could've at least let me get some shut-eye.

"Adam, Hey!"

"Hmmm? Good morning"

The queen bee was a little surprised that I responded to her greeting for the first time since we met.

"What's this? I guess I was finally able to melt that ice cold heart of his. Seems that huge sacked bimbo was useful for something after all"

Poor girl. She has no idea that huge sacked bimbo is the one pulling her strings, not that it's any of my business.

"So..."

She put on her cute girl facade—twirling her hair with her finger and pretending to be anxious with puppy dog eyes.

"*Sigh— I'll be at your party"

"Really?!"

She tried grabbing my arm to sink in her chest but I dodged it like a boss. My fatigue keeps rising and I don't need anything else to do so as well.

"Teehee, sorry about that, I just got a little excited"

Like hell you did! This mind knows that was a calculated move.

"I'll text you the deets later"

She said, pulling out her phone. We exchanged contacts and she happily skipped off to class completely unaware her downfall had already been set in motion.

Well at the very least, last night, Sara gave me her word once again that she would extend a hand of kindness to Michelle when the time comes—bringing the queen bee into her circle and making her a loyal "friend".

It was the best possible compromise I could ask for. That way, she doesn't go down a dark path, she'll be relieved from having to put on an act for everyone and I'll finally have her off my back. In exchange, I promised to do nothing besides watch—while it means I don't have to snoop around for the secrets, I also can't evade any of Michelle's antics.

"So that's what she was getting at when she said Michelle will do all the work for me, *sigh—what a pain!"

"You chatting with Michelle? That's a first. Did hell freeze over or somethin' ?"

Adrian asked as he approached me from behind.

"Oh, look.... It's the guy who owes me ten grand"

"Hey, that's not fair! I didn't even use your five grand"

"Not the point. You failed to make Liz remember your name so you're paying me double. And I gave you the perfect opportunity too, disappointing."

"C'mon, don't be like that"

I moved ahead, ignoring his plea.

"C'mon bro, please..... How am I supposed to get that kinda cash?"

"I don't see how that's my problem"

"C'mon, have a heart"

"*Sigh— fine. You don't have to pay double"

"Really, thanks bro!"

"Instead, you're coming with me to Michelle's party"

"Huh?! I can't, I have plans"

"Cancel them"

"What?!"

I stopped in front of Lizbeth's class

"It's one or the other pal, take your pick"

"*Sigh—"

"I'll see you on Saturday"

I said with a car salesman's smile. I then turned facing the door of Liz's class

"I'll try to get you a second chance with her. Don't screw up this time"

I motioned for him to go ahead without me before calling Liz to talk. She handed me 4 vials with the thing I requested inside.

"I was only able to get four ready, sorry"

"Nah, this is plenty. Besides, best case scenario, I won't have to resort to this"

I put them in my pocket.

"Oh, one more thing. If possible...."

I made another request of the detective.

"That might be right up my alley but it's still embarrassing"

"You won't do it?"

"I didn't say that..... I'll do it"

"Thanks. Oh, I know, why don't we all go out somewhere to celebrate the end of mid-terms and thanks for this. You, me, Rachel and Adrian"

I'll keep Rachel busy so Adrian can be alone with Liz, ofcourse.

"Hmmm? Who's Adrian?"

"*Sigh—You'll find out later"

"Your treat though, right?"

"Yeah, Yeah. I'll see you later"

I said, bidding farewell to the detective as I headed to my class. However, she grabbed on to my hoodie and said—

"Adam?"

"Hmmm?"

"Seriously, be careful"

"Quit worrying so much, what's the worst that could happen?"

She smiled softly as she let go of my hoodie

"Yeah.... You're right"

I headed off to class leaving the little detective to get some shut-eye—she pulled an all-nighter to get these things ready, I'm grateful for that.

Thanks to her, even if something unpredictable happens, I have a dependable ace up my sleeve.

Nothing all that eventful occurred that day—once I was done with my papers, I met up with Rachel and secured her cooperation in giving Adrian and Liz alone time by telling her I wanted increase Liz's circle of friends by having her interact with someone aside from the both of us.

"Hmmm... I see your point. I'll be graduating soon so it'll be nice if Liz makes for friends before then....I'm in!"

We were joined by Adrian and Liz soon after and we hit Daiki Mall for our celebration. I and Rachel made up an excuse to split up from the other two and I informed Adrian he could treat Liz with the $5,000 and doesn't have to pay me back.

A couple hours into my "date" with Rachel, I received the details of the party from Michelle.

Apparently, the party runs 10:00 am on Saturday till 12 noon on Monday, each day with different themes— apparently, on the night of each day, a lottery will be conducted and the winners get to sleepover.

"A lottery, huh? I already know she's going to rig it somehow"

And thanks to Sara, I can't stop her, what a pain!

"Hmmm? Did you say something, Adam?"

"Huh? Nah, don't mind me"

"C'mon, let's go there next"

She pointed to a rock climbing gym. Doesn't she get enough workout from climbing mountains?

We headed in where I saw someone I didn't expect.

"Fancy running into you here, Adam"

I didn't respond. Rachel noticed my sudden annoyance and answered in my stead

"I think I remember you from the music room, I think your name was...."

"Sara, Sara O'Neil, nice to meet you"

What do you mean "nice to meet you?" You know where she lives, her hobbies and that she takes the train every Saturday at 10 to go mountaineering.

"So? Why are you here?"

I asked the psycho politician before me.

"Hmmm? Is it a crime to exercise?"

"Maybe"

"Fufu, I just felt like exercising a little with my cute senior"

"You saying you knew we'll be here?"

"Quit being so paranoid, I wasn't talking about your girlfriend—"

" —girl... what?"

Sara's remark made Rachel blush a little. A few seconds later, I understood what she meant when she said "cute senior"

The student council VP and library girl returned from "powdering their nose" . Apparently, they were all here together.

"Why don't the two of you join us? It'll be fun"

Rachel had no problems with it so we agreed. I didn't object because I caught an evil glint in her eye that suggested she wanted to discuss something with me.

Might as well get it over with. We had our talk while watching the others climb

"Any new developments?"

She asked. I showed her Michelle's text on my phone.

"Hmmm....yeah, that's good. Good luck soldier, fufufufu"

"Is that all you had to say? You wouldn't have suggested we join you guys if that was the case"

"C'mon, why do you always have to be so guarded? live at little"

She responded with a smile. I maintained my pokerface, looking her dead in the eyes.

"*Sigh— nothing gets past you, does it? Your job is to observe and report, that's all....also—"

Her eyes turned cold all of a sudden

"— Don't you dare withhold information when reporting to me cause I'll know. You wouldn't want to put your Rachel in harm's way, would you?"

"Is that a threat?"

"No, just a suggestion—"

She switched to her kind smile

" —the world's a dangerous place, you never know what could happen"

She got up to join her friends. She shut down the advantage I had as the observer so I had a choice to make— Do I want to risk the safety of someone who matters to me just to protect the reputation of a girl who only saw me as a prize to be won?

Ofcourse not. I'm not some kind of deluded hero who thinks he can save everyone. The people close to me take priority over everyone else. Sorry Michelle, your reign as queen bee will come to an end soon.

I wonder, what will my past self have done in this situation—the Adam Graves before getting cursed? The arrogant genius who could achieve anything?

"There's no point thinking about that, he wouldn't have even let himself get caught in this situation in the first place"

I decided to stop worrying about it so much and let things play out.

***************

The day of my mission arrived and I was heading to Michelle's home with Adrian. It was in the same neighborhood as the Munroe mansion where Liz solved that murder.

So she's a rich girl, huh? I'm starting to get all sorts of bad feelings.

"By the way...."

I said, looking at Adrian

"..... How'd your date with Liz go?"

"Eek"

"Huh?"

"It went....great. we both had a good time"

The moment I asked, his memories of the date flashed through his mind so I knew exactly how it went.

I couldn't help but facepalm myself and sigh

"Failed again, huh? What the hell?"

"C'mon bro, cut me some slack. I don't have much experience with the ladies, this is all new territory for me—"

"— You're tall, strong, handsome, on the football team and your curse is more like a fucking superpower! *Sigh— watching you fail just makes me wonder if everything in this world is pointless. *Sighhhhhhh"

"It's nice of you to say but... I'm not all that great"

He responded with a slight sadness in his eyes.

"Sorry for bringing up your curse like that, I lost my cool for a sec"

I looked at me and started laughing a bit

"Hmmm? Oh, it's not that. I don't have some kind of tragic backstory like the other members, and like you said, my curse has far more advantages than drawbacks"

His eyes sank before he continued

"It's just.... The rest of you guys are far more amazing than I am.....you, Rick, Liz, Sara, and Judas are just much more smarter and dependable, I'm a little jealous, y'know?"

I ignored his sentiment cause something else got my attention

"Who the hell's Judas?"

"Hmmm? Haha, I keep forgetting you transfered in last semester. He's our club's VP"

The one on suspension? I kinda assumed he was some kinda delinquent, getting suspended for a two semesters.

"What's he like?"

"Well, I guess you could say he's ruthless and cunning.... probably even more so than Sara"

"That's hard to imagine"

"I know right? Haha, you just had to be there. I mean, he got suspended for planning a terrorist attack on school grounds—"

"What?!"

"Yeah, it was a huge event last year. Thankfully, no one died, only a few injuries. The student council president figured out his plan and stopped him before things got out of hand"

So that's why the four eyes hates our club so much

"Shouldn't he have been expelled for that?!"

"Haha, his family's loaded so they worked out a deal"

Corruption and bribery exists everywhere. Well I'm one to talk— I'm about to commit espionage, after all.

"Why did he do such a thing, though? If he's as smart as you say, I assume he didn't do it just for kicks"

"Well, he figured out someone in our school was a witch. His plan was meant to reveal who"

"Did you guys ever find out?"

"We're here"

We had arrived at Michelle's home. According to his thoughts, they never uncovered the identity of the witch— Sara carried on his investigation but hadn't turned up much yet. Although, it's not like there's all that much she can do under the council's watchful eye.

Oh well, right now, I have a teenage girl's reputation to help ruin.

I rang the bell and the automatic gate opened shortly after, we stepped into the huge, classy compound with a mansion similar to Munroe's and caught sight of a somewhat beautiful blonde running to greet us at the gate in an apron.

"Adam! You made it— ugh"

She noticed Adrian standing beside me and stopped in her tracks a little embarrassed. I stepped forward and asked

"No one's here yet?"

"Huh? N-No, you guys are the first one here. Come on in"

"I thought the party starts at 10"

It was 9:50 now

"Huh? Is that what I told you? Sorry, that was a mistake. The party starts at 12"

She gave me the wrong time on purpose, figures. Well, her plan for alone time backfired with Adrian here.

"We're still setting up, so feel free to explore"

She said as she opened up the chamber of secrets— the door to the mansion with an almost extravagant interior behind those doors.

"You sure you don't need any help?"

"What kind of host would I be if I made my guests work at a party they're supposed to enjoy?"

I don't know, maybe the type who views the people around her as dogs?

I didn't say those words out loud though. Instead, I "fell" for her tactic as promised— her intention was to impress me with the mansion's interior and her parents wealth by having me look around, then follow it up with other annoyances she's prepared throughout the day and night. *Sigh—

Well, I'll agree it's a good tactic in hindsight—people only associate with people who can potentially benefit them, while some do it consciously, most aren't even aware.

Whether it's a person's knowledge, academic standing, social skills, intelligence, athletic ability or looks, for another person to even take an interest, they must see at least one thing they believe to be desirable and might be beneficial to them.

Michelle King already has all the unconscious points mastered to an art form and I didn't take the bait. So, she's switching to something most people can't ignore—money. Once I acknowledge her potential usefulness as a wallet, she'll begin showing her other "good qualities" while also creating plenty of chances for us to interact so I recognize her as someone convenient to suck up to.

While it's true money can't buy true friendship, it can buy followers and superficial friends, exactly what Michelle King wants.

The problem with superficial friends is that they can be easily manipulated into betraying you and can turn on you at the drop of hat, given the right conditions— conditions currently being set up by Sara O'Neil.

She plans on interacting with me as much as possible, raising her chances of slipping up—both in her actions and her thoughts

"*Sigh—Guess it's the beginning of the end for Michelle King"