dUsK

Daxter

Sundown is my favorite time. Was my favorite anyway; Probably because that's when my inspirations bombard my little mind or because of that lovely veiw of the orange sky dimming into dark blue clouds with a pale moon to compliment it and sometimes maybe stars. So many reasons…

But sundown was also when that one tragedy struck---not only in my life but in several others.

Nobody knew what started it or how it had started.

Nobody knew where it had come from…

An unknown illness...spreading like wildfire over a small town. Killing many---leaving others in pain.

People died---many survived---while some had been lucky to not have even contacted it.

But the loss it had left had been greatly felt…

I had felt it.

✴...✴

It was another school year. One, i wasn't anticipating. I've never anticipated the school year anyway but this was a bit different. It was senior year. I was a senior now.

Things might not change but they certainly will be different.

Summer was over...that meant a lot of hot gossip and tales.

People were back...bodies had changed.

Some of the girls had grown hot over the summer. Most of the boys had gained extra muscles...even the ones no one had expected.

The hallways was noisy as usual and i in my usual style,tried to walk the halls without being noticed.

Boys were talking, girls were swooning…

It almost felt as if the town hadn't been struck with some kind of illness five years back.

But it was all facade. Everything. No matter how everyone tried, we were always reminded.

Even as new people moved in, new things happened, it was still there.

Fear…

Fear that it will come. Fear that the veil that was upon us will come crashing down soon and what was 5 years back — will happen again.

I sneered inwardly as i passed by one of the twins, Olivia—i think, talking to one of the soccer jocks.

Peoples looks might have changed but they still had the same shit ass character.

The wealthy trying to prove who was more wealthier,the usual bullies trying to stake a stupid claim on their weak preys,the jocks and the cheerleaders.

I was an object to the bullies. They taunted me,made life miserable,tried to get a reaction out of me and no matter how i wanted to yell at them or fight back,i remained quiet denying them the satisfaction but giving them the drive to continue.

“Mr Dior—you're summoned by the principal.”

I looked up from my journal and stared at my physics teacher. The Principal's secretary stood beside him, staring at me.

Now why was i being summoned on a monday to the principal office in my senior year.

Did i vandalize school property last term? Or is it another one of the reports about me?

I closed my journal and stood up, a frown taking over my face as whispers of “what has he done again?” followed me out of the class.

I locked eyes with my cousin, Iann Dior, just as i reached the door. He rose a brow and i rolled my eyes at him.

One would think as cousins we would be like brothers since i had no other family but it was the exact opposite.

And i knew why.

The secretary yapped tirelessly about how i should be good this school year and not get into trouble as we walked the hallways to the principal office. It was the same old advice.

Be a good boy, you're not the only one who lost family.

It's not the end of the world.

Yes, i wasn't the only one who had experienced the tragic event but i was the only one who lost a father,mother and three sisters to it.

Humans are so selfish to think peoples pain are the same.

We finally reached the principal's door and i exhaled a relieved sigh as i got ushered in. At least being inside the office was better than listening to his Secretary voice.

The 40 year old man with receding hairline that we called our principal sat behind his massive mahogany desk that right now held series of student files on it.

“Principal Tanner,you called for me.” He looked up and smiled.

“Ah! Dax! Yes, yes—i called for you indeed. Have a seat.”he said and returned back to the file he was checking.

I eyed him skeptically from the corner of my eye as i took my seat. It was very strange; being summoned to the principal office on the first day of school during second period.

“Um…i don't know why I'm here but i do hope it's because i did something good and not because of last term.”i spoke up and he looked up from the file to stare at me.

“Oh no! No boy. Actually, i was waiting to see if your partner in this assignment I'm about to give you might be free but i guess not. You'll be escorting our new student and giving her a tour of the school.”

Wait a minute! Did i just hear ESCORT? and HER?

I chuckled slightly. “Principal Tanner…um…you know…you know I'm the last person who you should ask to do this.”

“Why?”he asked dryly and i gave him an incredulous look.

Is he seriously asking me why?

I gave another slight chuckle and leaned in. “You know the whispers about me that go about right? I think escorting this new student that you're talking about will bring them back up like never before…even more than last time. Besides…escorting and tourism isn't really my thing.” I explained,whispering the last part to myself.

The last time i had volunteered to do that,it ended up being a disaster.

Principal Tanner let out a tired breath and leaned back into his chair. “Well i don't care about the rumours Dax. I feel you're the best option since you write for the school newspaper. It's a new session. Give the students something to talk about rather than a stupid list of who did shit with who during the summer break.”

Oh…the list. I smiled within. If only Tanner knew the people behind it. He would definitely loose more hairline.

I stared at him for a while before looking away. The door opened and the secretary came in,an oddly familiar face following after. I tried not to stare to much so as to not come off as creepy but she seemed familiar in some sort. Her eyes reminded me of someone.

Principal Tanner stood up with a wide smile. “Miss Swift! A pleasure to finally meet you. Your escort is here already to show you around the school.”

SWIFT?!

I turned my wide eyes onto the girl as she interacted with Tanner. No wonder she looked familiar. Those cat like eyes couldn't be mistaken anywhere.

There was a new Swift in town and nobody knew?

I scoffed inwardly. Swifts…terrible snakes. I tuned in back into their conversation.

“Thank you Principal Tanner. Pleasure to meet you too although Eddie had informed me that I'll be having two escorts.”

I looked away. Right! As usual they needed to be treated specially because of their status and the massive donations to the school.

I frowned deeply. Of all the humans that populated this world,another poisonous Swift just had to come back to Greenland.

Althoughthis Swift looked innocent, the eyes were the same as the others.

“...and this is your only available escort, Daxter Dior.”

I turned to face her again. “Dax is just fine.”

She flashed a bright smile. “I'm Laura.”

“Your second escort would not be available. Probably something about chee…”

“I'm here! I'm so sorry!” A very familiar voice yelled from the hallway and bounded into the office.

My mood soured instantly.

Of course they had to pair me up with the last person i wanted to be beside.

“Miss Casino! Glad you're available. You both are now in charge of Laura Swift here. Make sure she knows her way around by the end of the day.”

I saw the breif shock in her eyes as we locked stares. Of course she wasn't expecting me to be the male escort.

Typical Astrid…

✳❇✳❇✳❇

I kept mute as Astrid took over the tour, explaining the inner and outer workings of the school and just doing whatever a tour guide did.

Ugh! This is pure torture! Who the heck likes doing this!

Rolling my eyes, i cut Astrid next words shut. “I've had it! I actually have better things to do than this so, that's the girls bathroom and the boy's at the other end of the hall. The juniors are upstairs,the cafeteria is just beside the school assembly hall which is by the entrance and the basketball court is after the soccer field which is behind the school building. And we have a green house that was built by your family,you probably know that and finally,keep away from the smoothie vending machine early in the morning unless you wanna be the laughing stock of that day.” I finished my short description and bowed as if i were a gentleman. “You're welcome.”

Laura laughed while Astrid scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“That's not a proper tour.”she snapped and i scowled.

“Actually, it's fine. I'm sure I'll be able to make my way around with his description.” Laura cut in and Astrid faced her.

“But…”

“Come on loosen up. I only wanted escorts because i didn't want to start classes immediately.”she revealed and my brows rose.

Oh! Crafty! First I've seen in a Swift.

We continued down the hall. “So….are you two friends?” Laura voiced out and both Astrid and i replied at once.

“No!”

She stared at us. “No? But you've been going to this school for about…”

“We were friends.”i cut in sharply and Astrid looked away.

“Yeah,we were.” She muttered and Laura bit her lower lip in embarrassement.

“Well, my cousin, Eddie I'm sure you both are friends with him at least…he's throwing me a welcome party tonight and I'm inviting you two.”

Friends? I soffed within. Eddie? I'd rather eat my own shit.

“I'm not coming.” I dropped and Laura faced me.

“Why?”

“Cos i don't like your cousin or any of your relatives for that matter. And news flash, he hates me too.”

She stared at me as if i had just spewed rubbish.

“But you're a Dior and Eddie talks about your cousin all the time.”

I laughed. I actually laughed. Does this girl even have a bit of the Swift's poison in her blood…

“He rolls with my cousin not me. Heck nobody apart from my bestfriend rolls with me. Even the one who you had thought to be your forever.” I replied dryly and watched with satisfaction as the look in Astrid's eyes hardened.

Good! I want her to actually suffer emotionally. She deserved it.

Laura continued her persuasion unaware of the building tension. “At least come on my behalf. You seem like a very interesting person.”

Astrid scoffed. “He's not gonna come. He's a quitter and a coward. But unlike him,I'll be there.”she said and gave one of her fake sweet smile.

I smiled thinly. “Why not? You're infact fucking Eddie aren't ya?” I attacked back and her smile wiped off instantly.

Laura stared at me with wide eyes as we stopped by the assembly hall where the cheerleaders were practicing.

Astrid took hold of Laura's hand. “Come on,I'll introduce you to the girls.”

“But…Dax…you won't really come?”

I shook my head and Astrid tugged her arm. “He's not gonna come. Just leave it. You shouldn't be seen with him anyway.”

I laughed in disbelief. I was right. She was still the same Astrid. Everyone's shitty character was still in them.

“She's right Laura. You shouldn't be seen with a freak or weirdo like me,your cousin won't like it and Astrid over there doesn't want to witness another fight like the one which landed me in jail last term.”

I turned around and stalked off in annoyance.

✴·°·✴

I'd promised myself that I'd never attend any social gathering and i wanted to keep that promise so badly.

I would have kept it…

Would…

If i hadn't stumbled upon gold information. Information i was sure that no one else knew about.

It was lunch time. I was in the little space that i used for the school newspaper, four corner gossip; eating my lunch and rearranging old files that Tanner's secretary thought might help me get juicy news for the first day of school when i saw it.

An old article. Something I'm sure was written when i was in my first year. I would have ignored it but my Father's name was boldy shining in the brown wrinkly paper.

And our family name too.

Most of the ink had blotted out but i could read out some of the words.

Experiment; clash; money laundering; secret ties;

The more i picked out words, the more confused i was. Why was all these words in an article about my father?

I sat in my chair in a confused daze. Was there something Iann's Dad was hiding?

I stared at the paper again. Then i saw it… The Swifts…conniving little shits. The article hadn't been about my father. It was about them and what my father had accused them of.

Ignoring the bell sigalling lunch being over, i shut the door,lit a cigarette and started to go through the paper again until i found what i was looking for. The publication date.

Two weeks before the first wave of the illness…

I looked up from the paper and smiled. My first ever satisfied smile since the wave.

I needed to know the full story concerning what had gone down between the Swifts and my dad and what better place to start than the accused house itself.

I was definitely going to that party even if there were certain people who didn't want me there.

❇°·°❇

I arrived with the loud ones so i could blend in unnoticed. I stayed at a corner,holding a cup that held just water in it. I watched…observed and planned my timing.

Noah Platt and his Twin, Sofia, the school's queen bee were the most crowded as they went on and on about something they did over summer. The Swifts on the other hand,were also trying to gain peoples attention. I mean it ws their party afterall but as usual,the Platts always found a way to announce they were way wealthier. Eddie and his younger brother,Mason, had been in the who is wealthier battle with Noah and Sofia ever since kindergarten and the Platt twins always emerged victorious.

The McApline Twins on the other hand, were already drunk in the drunkest way possible. Always the firsts to either cause a loud drunk scene or puke on whoever they were making out or dancing with. I wonder why they're still flocked even with their gross party attitude.

My gaze strayed to Astrid. She was beside Eddie,wrapped around him like cotton candy leaving her 15 year old sister I'm sure she'd been told to babysit on the sofa behind them. I rolled my eyes at the sight and wished i had a cigarette on hand.

A tap on my shoulder immediately informed me that I'd been caught. I turned slightly to find a beaming Laura.

“I knew you'd come. Astrid kept trying to convince me to forget it but i just knew it.”

I let out a soft chuckle. If only she knew i was only here for information and nothing else.

“I actually don't want to be noticed thank you.” I replied and straightened away from the wall.

“Too late.”she chirped and nodded at Astrid's direction.

I turned and found her staring at me. Great! Just when i thought i had everything planned out. We stared at eachother and i silently dared her to snitch on me. She held my stare stubbornly then broke it off when Eddie asked her a question.

My phone chimed just as Laura started to speak again.

“You know,i asked my cousin why i couldn't relate with you and he nearly chewed my head off but i don't care….”

I stared at my phone. Nasir had sent the signal. I sighed and faced Laura.

“I'm sorry but i have to use the bathroom.”

She stopped her story. “Do you need help finding it?”

I shook my head. “I'm sure I'll be fine.”i replied and left her almost immediately.

After making sure i wasn't being watched, not that it was necessary anyway, i slipped up the stairs and started my search for the Master bedroom.

I followed Nasir's GPS trail and finally found it.

“You're crazy dude.” He commented as soon i was inside. I shook my head with a laugh.

“You're the crazy one here deciding to help me. I mean it's already crime that you're my best buddy but you helping me to look for evidence against your team player is dead ass stabbing in the back.”

Nasir chuckled. “I would do anything to help you bro. Now hurry up, Florence promised me a treat tonight.” He smirked and i gagged.

“You're still on that?” I started, moving towards the drawers. “Those girls are the school worst daymare.”

“I'm getting my own piece of cake Dax. Who am i to complain.”he drawled and i rolled my eyes. “Besides,why here and not the study?” He asked as i ventured to the closet and opened it.

“Because if it's valuable information,they would keep it where their sure no one will go to and that is their most private place…”

“Their bedroom.”he completed and i nodded before walking into the closet.

“The first wave came from the east side and this house is located on the east side. For a place where the wave had hit first,how can only a single member of the family die? Is it strange?...not at all. They're hiding something and I'll be sure to prove it.”

It took me only a minute to lay my hands on what i needed. I brought out my phone and scanned the files page by page.

“I got what i need.” I announced as i left the closet and shut it.

“Are you sure?”

“That's the only file in there. It says abandoned project and a glance at it told me it's part of what I'm looking for. Let's get out of here.”

We'd reached the beginning of the staircase when a loud scream tore through the house. The music had stopped and everybody went dead silent. Even the drunks.

Nasir and i rushed down the stairs,pushing through the sudden muddled crowd.

Why was everyone silent and shifting back?

I pushed my hood away from my head and immediately got stunned into silence as soon as i reached the foot of the stairs.

Right in the middle of the room, was Astrid on her knees. She was crying and asking for help while holding her younger sister whose fingertips were…green.

And so were other parts. Eyes,nose,the tip of her ears,the corners of her mouth…

I took a step back as a flashback went through my head.

I was holding my sister…just like Astrid, begging for help but I'd been ignored.

It was back.

What everyone feared was back…and It was definitely worse looking than 5 years ago.

“Dax…Daxter…”Astrid called out to me in anguish ,stretching out a hand.

“Please…”she begged.

I watched her silently,torn between answering her or punishing her for her betrayal.