A Striking Resemblance

Scarlet left the school building as the pill’s effects began to fade and made it back to her dorm unnoticed. She eased the door open, slipped inside, and then gently pulled it closed, ensuring it made no sound. She then slumped against the door, sliding down until she was huddled with her knees pulled to her chest, utterly drained. She leaned inward into her metal communicator and talked to Theo about the activities she had witnessed.

Theo exclaimed with excitement, “You did great Scarlet! But please be careful. I don’t understand why they would go through the trouble of reading the pages every night.”

“They also sent the book somewhere. I’m not sure where the location is or why.” Scarlet answered.

Theo folded his arms and pondered. “I will let you know when we will need to make our next move.”

Scarlet slightly nodded even though Theo could not see her. She had something on her mind.

“Theo…?”

“Yes, Scarlet.”

Scarlet hesitated a little; she was still lost in thought.

I want to ask him about his scary side. I want to ask but..

She was debating whether to question Theo. She stared in one spot of the room blankly.

“Are you alright, Scarlet?” Theo asked.

She closed her eyes softly as she spoke.

“Can you stay like this, Theo? I don’t like it when you change into that scary person.”

A look of sheer astonishment washed over Theo’s face.

Theo started thinking to himself.

Did T come out without me knowing? That bastard!

“I see… you have met him... He comes and goes, and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m sorry Scarlet, I’m sorry...”

“You’re fine Theo, it’s not your fault.” Scarlet spoke with sincerity.

“If there ever comes a time, you need to hit me, just do it.” Theo said jokingly.

Both Scarlet and Theo shared a laugh.

The following day came, Pim was still sleeping heavily on her bed.

Scarlet smiled at him and stroked his fluffy belly before leaving.

She whispered, “I’ll see you Pim.”

She made it to the school and was on her way to her new class until she spotted someone in the hallway. She leaned in to study the person and could not believe her eyes. She rubbed both of her eyes and then stared once again. The person resembled her father.

Father? Is that really you...?

She was puzzled at first. In a moment of impulse, she sprinted to him and hugged him tightly from the back. She was overwhelmed with all her emotions. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she spoke.

She cried, "Papa, papa. I've missed you. Are you trapped in this crazy world, too?”

The person froze in place, standing stiffly, not knowing how to respond.

"Excuse me, I don’t believe we’ve met. Could you let me go?"

Scarlet's tears slowly stopped flowing, and she tilted her head back, her eyes were fixed on the person’s face.

At a quick glance, he could be mistaken for her father. When she looked up closely at him, she noticed some obvious differences, especially the facial features. He was a bit older, had facial hair, his black hair was swept to the side of head. He bore a striking resemblance to her father though he was much taller, and more muscular. Her father was thinner and had a voice brimming with enthusiasm. This person’s voice was stern, calm, and unwavering. 

My father is already dead.... I didn't get to see him before he died. Of course, it wouldn't be him. I  just miss him so much. 

She blushed in embarrassment, "I'm sorry." She then hurriedly went to her classroom without looking back.

As all the students gathered in their respective seats, they were curious as to what their new class was going to be about. Their Memory Books that were turned in yesterday were already on the desk that they were assigned to.

The doors were opened gently. She could see the person she had just ran into, step into the classroom.

Scarlet looked at him with slightly widened eyes. He was the very person she just thought was her father.

I wonder if he recognizes me.

She was slightly nervous. She had never made this kind of mistake before, usually she would not dare to reach out to another person, especially not the wrong one.

He welcomed the students, "Hi, I see you all have made it through those other professors." He grinned smugly.

"I'll give you a small chance, if you feel that this class is not meant for you, feel free to leave at this time. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safe return."

The students burst into loud chatter, contemplating on what to do. Faces varied from shocked, worried, and horrified.

Kina scoffed when she saw small groups of students leave the classroom in a hurry. "A bunch of wimps! I tell you, he just wants to scare you off, so he doesn't have to teach."

Scarlet pondered why he had said all of that.

Is he going to put us into some life and death situation?

A balled-up piece of paper flew at Scarlet’s head, ricocheting off her forehead. 

She turned around seeing Kina with a big smile on her face.

"You know, you should go home, too. You won't last." Kina sneered.

Scarlet turned her head away. She thought it was best to ignore her, and she was uncertain of what to say.

Even though I'm scared, I promised Theo, I would help him.

Seeing that Scarlet was not paying attention to her. Kina's face was angry, "Why you, how dare you ignore me!"

After a few minutes, the professor introduced himself.

"I go by the name of Professor Valerius, I take it, whoever is here, wants to be here."

He smiled calmly. He laid his hand flat and moved it down in a chopping position.

The gears within the building were rotating.
The doors in the classroom now had spiked steel bars descending down from the ceiling. The bars sealed the door tightly where no one could enter or even leave.

He moved to the middle of the floor near the podium, he then loudly said "Open."
The floor fractured down the center, the two halves pulling apart to reveal a hidden tunnel.

"Step on down and follow me." Professor Valerius directed.

He led the students down the staircase to an underground tunnel and room.

They walked into the room and noticed weapons left and right on the tables and walls.

"Alright, let's have you each step forward and claim a weapon."

One of the male students, who was confident walked ahead. He decided to pick up an axe. He gloated and swung it around. Then, all of a sudden, the axe swung at him cutting him, he screamed. A burst of light erupted, and he vanished without a trace.

Scarlet was shocked and horrified.

"Keep going." Professor Valerius ordered.

Some students were well received by their weapon choices. While others were disappearing immediately after being rejected.

If they were the rightful owners of those weapons, they would come to them. If they were not, the students will be no more. The other students who were successful at retrieving their weapons did not express any sympathy for the ones that failed.

Kina raised her arm proudly up high. A sharp spear with a flame flickering on its point spun in a circle, ripping off the metal chains that bound it to the wall. The spear then launched right in between her grasp. Kina flaunted her new weapon.

Not everyone was as lucky, the group of students dwindled as time went on.

Scarlet looked around and was uncertain of what weapons to choose. She felt sorry for the students who tried and failed.

She closed her eyes to focus on her other senses, hoping to feel or detect anything.

She tried to contact Theo, but the metal device seemed to not work in the tunnel, the connection was not good, and she could only hear static.

Suddenly, two scrolls flew toward her at a fast pace.

They hovered before her, and she reached out to take a hold of them.

Are these weapons?

She opened one of those paper scrolls and written inside seemed to be a chanting spell.

Fair as a maiden’s beauty,

The dress of woven sun,

Freedom is the wind’s call,

The soul will be released.

She folded her hands together and whispered those words.

Theo talked to her through the metal piece.
"Hey Scarlet, I can hear you now. Do you feel any stronger?"

A radiant light enveloped the students and carried them out from the tunnel.

Professor Valerius was astonished by the immense power that came from Scarlet.

Who is she? He thought to himself.