Chapter 30:
YOUR ONLINE READER KILLER
I’m Hestral Gern, 17 years old, a student at Torinay High School. I transferred here from Metro City for some uncalled reason—though maybe it helped me… or maybe not? Honestly, moving to this province, thinking I’d finally find some peace, turned out to be a huge mistake.
At first, I hated this place because it’s so isolated, far from the city life I was used to. But I didn’t have a choice. Living in the city and going to Clairene Academy was a nightmare. Bumping into Bethina, the total bitch, every single day was the worst. I thought nothing could be worse than that. I hated that school full of shallow people obsessed with fame, money, status, and looks.
I’ll admit, I used to be like Bethina, but now I can’t stand myself for ever being like her. So, I changed. Instead of being the center of attention, I became what everyone called a snob, cold and distant. I gave up my crown as queen bee and passed it to Bethina. I didn’t care about being nobody anymore, as long as I had my three amazing friends, Anikka, Neilsen, and Jethro. They accepted me for who I truly was.
Things went smoothly until the new queen bee started bullying me, using my past against me to make people hate me. I didn’t care about what others thought, I just wanted peace.
Not long after, my parents made the decision. They told me we were moving to my dad’s province. At first, I hated the idea. I wasn’t used to living in the countryside. But when I arrived at the quiet, secluded place, I actually found myself. Being away from my real friends hurt, but I realized maybe it wasn’t so bad.
I lived quietly, like any Grade 11 student should. I made new friends, Nicole and Lloyd. At first, I thought they were annoying because they pushed me to open up about my life, but I found who I was in this new place. I met all kinds of people with different attitudes and backgrounds. People in the province are different from city folk.
Somehow, I was happy. Living simply was good. I wish I could stay here forever.
Well, that was my wish… until everything changed.
The village I thought would be my safe place, where I could finally be myself and embrace the real me—the province I thought was paradise, ended up shattering all my hopes.
“Winwin!” I startled, didn’t expect my sister to shout like that.
It was Tuesday morning, and I was supposed to be heading to school. I was feeling lazy, but then my mind snapped back to Hestral’s case.
Not just the case itself, but that one document was the only thing that showed Hestral’s life here in the province. I have lately realized that it might be like a diary or something. This is a huge help and crucial evidence for the investigation. I’m glad that Hestral is clever enough to do something like this, making the case closer to the truth we were seeking and closer to the justice that her parents are fighting for.
I hadn’t read it all yet, so I didn’t know everything inside. I decided I had to get home early and read it soon.
I hopped into the car.
“Winwin, how’s school?” Vea asked as she drove.
Mother was taking a break after everything that happened in our car accident, so Janey and I were getting a ride from her.
I sat in the front seat while Janey was in the back.
“It’s okay,” I mumbled, staring out at the trees passing by.
“Is that so?”
“Mm,” I answered boredly.
“Your grades might be fine, but I know your brain’s not.”
“Huh?” I asked, still looking out the window.
“I know you, bro. I can tell when something’s bothering you.”
I turned to her. She smiled.
“What do you mean?”
“If you’re stressing over something you can’t figure out, you can always talk to us. Mom, too.”
I sighed. I couldn’t tell them. I made a promise to Sir Johace and Mr. Sergio to keep it confidential. I had to keep that promise to be worthy of Hestral’s parents’ trust.
After dropping Janey off, I said goodbye to Vea and stood outside the school.
This school is still the same, but this place feels small compared to the first time I went here.
I sighed again, thinking about how to talk to Lorean and Vance about their siblings’ deaths.
I headed inside early because I wanted to catch them before class started. There weren’t many students around yet. I spotted Lorean sitting and reading a book while Vance was scrolling on his phone.
Okay, Lewin, you got this!
I walked over.
Vance glanced up and greeted me. “Lewin, good morning. You’re early, ah.” He smiled, a smile that felt fake.
I didn’t hold back. “Vance, Lorean, why didn’t you ever tell me about your sister and brother?”
The room went silent, or maybe it just felt like it. Vance froze, and Lorean kept reading like she didn’t hear what I asked them.
“Haha, where’d you hear that, Lewin?” Vance stood and approached me.
I feel sorry for them, honestly. But we need to settle this awkward silence every time we hang out.
“Vance, I’m serious. I know it still hurts both of you, but you can trust me.
“It’s not like that…” Vance’s voice turned soft. I can see the sadness that filled his eyes.
“What are we even, guys? I thought we were friends. And friends don’t hide secrets from each other. I know we’ve only known each other for several weeks, but it doesn’t have to be like this. You can be transparent with me.”
“Lewin, I’m sorry.”
“I can understand if-”
“Then what?” I gazed at Lorean, who interrupted me. “What would you do if we told you?” She stared at me while closing her book.
“I’m here to help. Why can’t you tell me? What’s the reason?”
“Do you really want to know?” Lorean glared at me.
Vance patted my arm, hinting that I stop asking Lorean. “That’s enough, Lorean.”
“Fine, Lewin. I’ll tell you. We can’t tell you because your schoolmate killed our brother and sister.”
She finally spilled it. I had a clue, but I just want to hear from them. Their confession statement simply confirmed my assumptions after Sir Johace and Mr. Sergio revealed to me the case of Hestral.
The dots are connecting little by little.
“Yes, we were schoolmates, but she had nothing to do with me. Is it just because she went to Clairene Academy like me?”
“Yes! We don’t want anyone involved with Hestral around us because she caused us nothing but misfortune.”
“You think I’m cursed or something because I’m acquainted with her?”
“Yeah. She’s been long dead,” she scowled. “Karma, I guess. And since we’ve come to hate her, it means one thing…”
“What does it mean?”
I didn’t get her point.
“We don’t like anyone who’s been around her, too.”
“Lorean,” Vance stopped her, grabbing her arm.
Some of our classmates were watching. Some are whispering, turning into gossip.
I didn’t imagine causing such embarrassment at school like this.
“Let me go, Vance. Why can’t we just be honest? Right from the start, you didn’t want us around him because of Hestral.”
“Enough of it, Lorean. Lewin’s right, he had nothing to do with this.”
What?!
So, they hate me just because my former schoolmate killed their brother and sister? They even think I’m cursed because Hestral has cursed their lives.
Has everything been fake since I got here? What am I to them? If they hated me so much right from the start, then why did they even bother befriending me?
“Is that so?” I mumbled, clenching my fists to stop myself from punching something.
“Lewin, let’s just drop it for now. Please try to understand Lorean.”
“That’s why I confronted you two, to understand you better. But now…I understand even less.”
I was about to leave for some fresh air because the tension between us was getting heavier when the teacher showed up.
Perfect timing, right?
I wished I could disappear from their sight.
I saw some of our classmates staring at me. Maybe they were thinking how the heck a newcomer quarreled with Lorean and Vance. And how bold of me to cause them distress.
“Okay, class, take your seats,” the teacher started the class.
I had nothing to focus on. I wasn’t in the mood to learn. We all just ignored each other, pretending nothing happened.
I just wanted the day to end and planned to skip school tomorrow.
I’d rather not have friends than have them who are pretentious.
“Welcome your new classmate…” The teacher’s voice faded as I stared out the window.
The trees outside were way more interesting than the drama inside this room.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Girl, look, he’s cool!”
“Finally, a good-looking classmate. He seems smart too, don’t you think?”
“Hmp, just by scanning at him, I’m sure he’s a snob. I’ll bet my 100 pesos here. Deal?”
“Ew, don’t be a killjoy, will you? Nobody wants your money!”
“Okay, so something about myself is that I have been travelling a lot locally, but it is my first time living in this province alone. I hope we’ll all get along, and please be good to me. Thank you.”
I stared blankly at the guy who was standing in front of us in the middle of the classroom, beside our teacher.
“You forgot to introduce your name,” the teacher said.
“Oh, how absentminded of me, haha,” he chuckled.
“Please share with us why you transferred,” a girl classmate intervened.
I came back to my senses when I heard my classmates laugh.
What are y’all laughing at? Do I look that funny to them?
Ah, yes, it’s because of the scene I caused earlier, that must be it.
“By the way, I’m Jethro. I’m here for a sole purpose of seeking the truth that has long been hidden.”
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