Chapter 31: Lying Truth
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Even though David covered his ears tight, the crowd's cheers still boomed. Kadic Academy's indoor stadium may have been half-filled with supporters (that's because most of the students are at the soccer field) but it was still as loud as ever. A strident blast of the whistle encouraged the crowd to shout even louder, stronger as the game broke into half-time. David caught sight of Cornelia, heading towards the bench as she sprayed water in her face. It was the Volleyball Championships and Kadic Knights were battling against the mighty Cross Caribbean.

Yesterday, David could recall clearly, Tiadora didn't want Cornelia to be the only guardian alone in the stadium, and since Jason was having soccer finals as well and Kiara was the cheerleader for that game, there were only Tiadora and David left. In the end, David volunteered to stay by Cornelia's side. He saw her head lift up, trying to look through the crowd for him. Eventually, they made eye contact. David was seated right behind, the highest row and right at the end, almost secluded. Cornelia winked, having no strength to wave frantically at him. Having seen her, David fished out his iPhone and texted Jason, whose phone is actually with Tiadora right now, curious to know the soccer finals' scores. In the mist of his text message, David noticed that someone had sat right next to him. At first, it was just him at the corner, a space, and then continued with the many rows of the crowd. He looked up from his black fringe to see a blond girl looking back at him with huge eyes. "Cool! An iPhone!" her gaze moved from his face to the gadget in his hands, "Mine is Nokia 5800. Also a touch-screen phone, but not as cool as yours."

David looked at her again. Her short straight blond hair seemed to look a little bit like Cornelia's this girl's hair was much longer and Cornelia had some curls. Her eyes are so pure black with a bubbly face. She was wearing a red hoodie with extremely short shorts. She must be one of the new kids, David figured, remembering that they were four other new students besides Tiadora, because David knew that no girl would just go up to him like this. Reluctantly, David replied, "Uh... Thanks, I guess."

"I'm Chloe," the blondie held her hand out, smiling gleefully, "What's your name?"

"David," he said dully, realising that his sixth sense had triggered a surge of adrenaline with Chloe's presence, "you're... You're one of Xana's minions, aren't you?"

Her shock didn’t seem to look real, but she must have realized his doubts and smiled cunningly, “Very good. How did you guess?”

“Instincts,” David said and turned his face away from the court, and away from the villain’s disguised face. “I’m turning you in, whoever you are.”

“And if you do,” she called after David right after he jumped off his seat and landed on the ground, still able to hear her words, “I’ll too. I guess your pitiful friends don’t know about your horrible fate yet, haven’t they?”

“You better shut your mouth, snake,” David seethed. The crowd didn’t seem to have noticed the commotion as they were intrigued in the starting of the games again. “Let’s make a deal, shall we?” Chloe dangled her legs over the bench and acted like a small girl, “you won’t mention my ‘existence’ to the other guardians, and in exchange, I won’t tell about you.”


“My time’s already up anyway,” David shouted back, “Vitani told me.”

‘Yes yes yes. But are you prepared,” she hissed, and also jumped off the bench, standing in front of David. “Cyrus has told me so much. You may have a strong will, but remember it’s better to be wise than foolish.”

By that last sentence, David was already walking away, heading towards the stadium exit door when he heard her last few words that stung. He knew every bit was right and he had to endure it alone till the time was right. David dashed out of the stadium, not wanting to recall the mistake he had made before. “It’s today, David!” rewinding the words that Chloe had yelled, “You’ll become one of us today!”

♂

So what’s the score??

A text message flashed on the screen of Jason’s Samsung Phone. Tiadora tried to press on the intended buttons just like how Jason had taught her to, but it had seemed to have slipped away. Instead, the message turned out weird, Thie sprnonaccee gigss twonn come twonn. Irritated, she decided not to click send, as she knew that David will eventually know the results of the game anyway. Tiadora glanced up from the blue phone and faced the muddy soccer field where Kadic Knights are desperately trying to tackle away the ball from an opposing player.

The score looked alright so far. Three-to-three. But she knew that by Jason’s expression in the field, it wasn’t much of a victory. For the past fifty minutes, the three goals were not even made by Jason, the playmaker, the captain. One of the goals was shot by Ian and the other two by Ulrich Princeton. Many of the supporters, mainly girls, were still continuing to cheer for Jason, although Tiadora realized that the cheers for Ulrich have gone into a loud noise level. She had been analyzing Jason’s techniques, skills and power. Jason is a very good player, Tiadora knew as she saw him kick the ball away from the opponent’s best player, but Ulrich was new, fresh and different. If someone were to be bored of something, they’ll throw it away and get a new one. But to Tiadora, it didn’t matter if the ball was not scored by him, so long as he did his best in the game.

Among the many whispers in the game, one ran towards the opposition’s team leader saying, “Now is the best time to tackle the King.”

“Do your worst, and this match shall be ours,” the leader, Travis, smiled wittily, unknown to the gazes of the spectators.

Then it happened. Jesse, the opposition team’s best striker, charged into Jason’s direction and punched Jason’s chest with a hard blow. The crack of his rib cage breaking was audible and the whole crowd was silenced by the incident of their star. Jason feeling weak, helpless and tired collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain as he clutched his jersey. The referee held out a red card to Jesse, disqualified, but he didn’t look to be disappointed. Tiadora was on the edge of her seat, trying to look over at the commotion.

Jason was kneeled on the ground, hugging himself tight. But then he stood up straight and firm, with a confident face. The whole field was in silence, shocked by Jason’s reaction to his injuries and attack. The opposition leader stared up in awe, not believing that Jason had survived that blow. The paramedics were already halfway across the field but halted when they saw Jason stand. Jason looked up and faced Travis before staring at the crowd, and smiled.

The entire field roared with cheers of their strong soccer captain. The host boomed through the microphones, “Amazing! Jason looks like he didn’t feel anything at all from Jesse’s bone-breaking attack! The sound of his bones breaking must have been painful especially if he’s braving himself to carry on!”

“Captain,” Kyle, one of the soccer members of the opposition team headed towards Travis, “Jesse’s efforts were in vain. How about I give it a shot?”

“No,” Travis frowned, fuming in Jason’s happy expression, “The referee has eyes on us. It’s too dangerous.”

And the whistle blew, demanding a break from the incident. Paramedics still rushed to Jason’s aid even though Jason declined the help, and many spectators who were seated in the front row were leaning onto the fence worrying for him. Tiadora heard them squeal, ‘Oh Jason, are you alright?’ and ‘Is it painful?’ Jason just smiled at them, and caught the eager gaze of Tiadora’s locked into his. He winked, hoping that the message got through to her. At first, Tiadora didn’t understand why Jason didn’t seem to feel any pain, but soon realized that it was because of something in his body, the Sapphire Crimson.

She remembered now, that he had accidentally swallowed a piece on their trip to Oceanatic and that the crystal does have drastic side effects. And one of them was, replacing his blood with the Sapphire Crimson crystals. As in now, he’s body doesn’t rely on blood to keep his life up to beat. The Sapphire Crimsons in his body will maintain his life. Other side effects include allowing him to regenerate simply at once, just like when Oberon stabbed him, and also as magic spells. Although, Tiadora thought, it would be very useful to apply his Sapphire Crimson abilities into battles, it would be dangerous as the Sapphire Crimson is supposed to be his ‘blood-supply’. If he were to use it up too much, it might be fatal for Jason.

For self-defense, and only as a very last resort, he may use it. Somehow, Tiadora felt, it was a good thing that she didn’t say anything about the Sapphire Crimson at that time. He would have been too eager to try it out. But lucky for him, he doesn’t need to worry about getting bitten by vampires. Tiadora smiled back at him in return, before the soccer match continued into the next round, and this time, Tiadora didn’t need to worry much about him getting hurt.

♫

“Three cheers and three cheers and three cheers for Kadic! Hip Hip! Hooray!” Kiara shouted into the microphone, making everyone cheer wildly. The basketball court, which was now turned into the party area, was filled with almost every Kadic student. Kiara was then ushered down by Ian and Bobby before celebrating the many victories that took place today. One thing’s definitely for sure.

Kadic Knights emerged as champions for the Soccer match and also in the Volleyball Championships! When the match was determined, the newspaper crew had announced through the microphone that there was a party to commemorate the victory of both teams at night. Everyone was excited and was practically trying to get as close to the boys to congratulate them.

At the party, which had just started, Jason was mainly the centre of attraction, partly because of the accident that he had on the field. He had just grabbed himself a cup of orange juice when a group of cheerleaders crowded around him and began babbling on. Kiara noticed that Tiadora was isolated at the corner of the basketball court, sipping her glass of orange juice alone. At first, Kiara had half-expected Cornelia to be with Tiadora but then when Bobby and Ian left her side, she saw them heading towards Cornelia, flirting with her.

Expected so, Kiara thought, Ian had always been hitting on her. Giggling, Kiara decided to accompany her but then Daniel stopped her tracks, “Hey beautiful, dance with me?”
“Danny?” Kiara exclaimed, “Aren’t you supposed to be with Bobby and Ian?”

“Nah!” Danny stole a gaze back at his soccer team members and stuck his tongue out at them, “Corny’s not my type. Too boyish. Plus, Sally’s entertaining Jason so I’m all alone. Let’s dance!”

Without reluctance, Kiara took hold of his hand and danced to the techno beat, totally forgetting about Tiadora. Soon, more people stepped into the dance floor and at the fourth song, Kiara felt dizzy and decided to stop. Danny just winked in approval and went to dance with another random girl. Kiara headed to the food table and found Jason hiding on the other side of the table, placing a finger on his lips to shush Kiara. “What the hell, are you doing over there?” Kiara whined after she went around the table and kneeled down beside him, noticing that he was trying to get out of sight again.

“I’m improvising. Sheesh! Even with powers, I can’t seem to get rid of Sally,” Jason spoke after taking another gulp of orange juice, “Non-stop talker.”

“Hey too bad you’re too gorgeous,” Kiara teased, punching him on the shoulder, “And luckily her ‘not-so-evil’ twin isn’t that bad.” Kiara said and smiled at herself when she realized that she had forgotten about Tiadora, “Oh Shit! I totally forgot all about Tia! She’s all alone!”

Kiara quickly stood up, wanting to get out of there but Jason caught her wrist and pulled her back down forcefully. “Ouch! What’s that for?”

“I’ll get Tiadora,” he winked his charms, “I kinda miss her.”

Shocked, Kiara just let Jason pass, walking towards one direction. Kiara pouted to herself, “Geez. Tiadora’s so lucky. At least, Jason seems to be paying attention to her. By the way, where’s…”

That’s when she realized that she had not seen David anywhere. Sure she knew that he’d avoid coming for these types of parties, but even before preparations, she didn’t see him. Where is he? Kiara asked herself and scanned across the party room. There wasn’t anyone with jet black hair, and a baby blue collar tee on. She rushed to the nearest jock, which was unfortunately Bobby, and asked, “Hey do you know where Goth-zilla is?”

She had to use that kind of language as most of these soccer players don’t even know David’s name. Bobby gave her a puzzled look and groaned, “How am I supposed to know? Oh wait. He was heading to the boys’ dormitory, I think.”

“How long was that?”

“Right after the match,” Bobby finished his sentence in time as Kiara dashed out of the basketball court. The boys’ dormitory was on the other side of the school from the basketball court. She slides to her right several times before reaching the boys’ dorm. But before she could climb the staircase, Kiara realized that the principal’s office, which is at the foot of the boys’ dorm, had a dim green glow inside.

She felt it urging her to bust in and check it out, but her intentions focused on David. Just on Wednesday, David had dropped a bombshell saying that he knew who had bit her neck that day. When she had prompted him to continue, he just erases everything off with a smile and said, “Just joking! I can’t believe that you actually thought that I knew.”

However, Kiara knew very well that David never jokes around, especially if it’s about her. And for the whole of their journey back to Kadic from the modeling studio, David had kept awkwardly silent the whole time. And for the rest of the week, never spoke a word to her. She got even more frustrated when he just dodges the question and escapes without a second look. At some point, Kiara sometimes wonder if he did knew who the culprit was.

Second floor, was where his room is. Her heels brought her to the level and guided her towards his room which was situated right at the end of the corridor. As she was about to grab the doorknob, a surge of energy flowed through her fingers and shocked her. Involuntarily, Kiara let go and rubbed her polished fingers. What was that?! She freaked out, even more keen on discovering what was going on inside.

Kiara knocked on the door and shouted, “David? Are you in there by any chance?”

There was no answer, and yet she was determined to enter but slightly frightened of the doorknob. “Mokona?” Kiara decided to call for the sacred animal, “Mokona, I’ve got some biscuit for you!”

Kiara tried lying, but still, there was no answer and no one answered the door. Irritated, she breathed in and took out a tissue from her left pocket of her cheerleading skirt. She covered the doorknob with the tissue and gripped the doorknob. No shock and no energy so far. Slowly, she turned it and opened the door without grace.

Inside, the room lights were not switched on and the room seemed to be rather empty. As usual, she saw the neat bed and his usual flat-screen television. I guess he’s not here then, Kiara muttered to herself and turned away from the room, heading outside when she heard heavy-breathing. The shivered breaths sounded so vague yet painful and sore at the same time. Kiara looked back into the void, and that’s when she saw David.

Crouching at the edge of the dent of the wall, David was on the floor, hugging his knees to his face. As he was facing down, Kiara realized that he must have been deaf not to hear her call from outside or too engrossed in something to bother. And this time, as what she had felt before, he had been concentrating on pain. Kiara didn’t have to ask to see him in agony. His fingers were practically clutching tightly onto his jeans that creased the material and his breathing felt too deep.

She walked forward and kneeled in front of him, wondering if he knew of her presence. Kiara was unsure of what to do, whether to ask him or just get Tiadora and the others. Ignoring her options, she placed her hand on his ruffled black hair, scared that he might react in a terrifying way and her other hand reached behind his fringe and onto his cheek. “David?” Kiara whispered hoping that he was alright and just had stomach cramps, but again, David didn’t move from his position and continued not to answer her. “David, are you okay? David, look at me.”

Still no response, Kiara noticed that he had continued to ignore her. “Please, David! At least look at me and tell me that you’re alright, for god’s sake! What’s wrong?!” her voice croaked as beads of tears started to trickle down from her face, “David, c’mon. I’m serious! Stop joking around. Do you want me to get Tiadora?”

Again, Kiara didn’t hear any answer. She stroked his smooth cheek even though she can’t see it or his face, hoping that it would at least encourage him. That’s when she felt the same surge of energy on her fingers just like she did from the doorknob. But instead of letting go, her mind flashed an image quickly. As the image took over her view of David, she couldn’t believe what she saw.

Behind her eyes, Kiara gazed upon her vision. A dark room filled her mind, reminding her of the reality. That’s when she realized that it was the same vision as she had before. The environment, the ambience of utter shock and hurt, the feeling of her dying, it was all coming back to her in that same vision that she had on Monday. Only this time, it was crystal clear, it wasn’t as blur as her original vision.

In that vision, she recalled, had a dark room when her ‘future’ self came in and looked at the person she was in the vision as. It hit her. Everything looked the same! The dark room was an exact duplicate of David’s room, and from where David was crouching, was where she had remembered suffering. Everything was forming into place! The room, the aura, everything. Her vision was coming true right now! But that would mean that…

David’s dying.

Her vision vanished and Kiara gasped at David as he had finally lifted up his head. Kiara quickly let go of his cheek and his hair as her brown eyes interlocked with his. David’s head rose from his knees and his expression, as always, expressionless and mundane. Despite that, his eyebrows furrowed in anger and his gaze was full or rage and frustration. Icy tremors shivered down her spine making her feel metaphorically like as if there was a stab in her heart. There was one thing that scared her the most. One thing that was out of the ordinary was his eyes. They were different, strange and petrifying. They weren’t their usual luminous romantic green eyes anymore.

When they stared into her own eyes, his eyes were the colour of death, of blood, of hatred, the gory shade of shocking red. They were the eyes of a vampire.