Sparks Of Hatred

7. After Her Death

Because of Hilda's death, Starlight High School was canceled for the next week, in order to quell the uproar. Of course, the news had already spread widely, and had even become the talk of the town.

Everyone was horrified and scared, especially with the fact that the girl's death was gruesome—the neck was slit by a knife before her body was hanged. Blood was, of course, everywhere. It pooled thickly on the floor, which was already something that gave the students who attended the school goosebumps.

Angie, who was currently watching television accompanied by potato chips, listened to the news on the television. She stared, listened, and paid attention with focus.

"Some people call Starlight High School a cursed school."

The words of the female presenter with a blonde bob haircut who was on television made Angie's hair stand up. She rubbed her arm, but that didn't stop her from continuing to listen to the news that was currently airing on the television channel.

It was not without reason that Angie wanted to hear the news that was currently being aired. She rarely watched the news, but the topic currently being raised was about her school, plus the news that aired was Hilda's death, which was so shocking, making her interest immediately soar dramatically.

"Of course, as we know, before the tragedy of the death of one of the students that happened last night, Starlight High School had experienced a similar incident."

Angie listened again, interspersed with munching on her potato chips.

"Mr. Damar died at Starlight High School with a series of events that confused the police. He was murdered in a very heinous manner. The perpetrator of the crime, who is none other than the principal, has been found guilty and confessed that she killed the poor, kind teacher."

Recalling the incident, Angie let out a long sigh. According to her, Mr. Damar's death would be difficult to erase from her memory because she had been implicated in the case. She had been one of the suspects in the murder case. And the real culprit was only revealed three months ago, but now blood was pooling at Starlight High School again, for the second time.

Of course, it made everyone, especially the students and their parents, feel terrified. Even Angie didn't lie to herself, saying that she was also horrified and scared.

Just imagine, there had already been two deaths in the school. How could people be at ease with such a scary fact? It's not unusual for people to call Starlight High School a cursed school.

"I just need to survive one more year," Angie said, whispering to herself.

This was Angie's last year at Starlight High School. It only took 12 months before she finally graduated and was free from the school, a school that was now labeled a cursed school.

"The perpetrator of Mr. Damar's murder has, of course, been charged and imprisoned. And let's get back to our main topic, a student with the initials H was found lifeless in one of the classrooms during a party held at the "cursed" school. Everyone thought, at first, that the poor girl committed suicide, but the police have informed us that it was not suicide, but murder."

Murder...

The word made Angie's stomach twist. She felt uneasy. The case of Mr. Damar's death really impacted her and shook her mentally, not to mention the fact that she was almost in jail for being accused of killing the teacher. It could be said that Angie was a bit traumatized, but even so, it did not dampen her spirit to stay and continue listening to the news that was currently airing.

"The girl's neck was brutally torn, bleeding profusely. There was no evidence of the knife that sliced her neck at the scene, which proves the fact that she had been brutally murdered by someone who had no feelings."

Angie tightened her blanket.

"The blood on the floor of the hallway has been confirmed to be that of the poor girl. It is suspected that she was murdered there before her body was dragged to the classroom and her body was hanged."

Yesterday night, during the party held at Starlight High School, Angie had no idea that a tragedy involving blood, death, and murder would happen and happen again. After all, who would have thought it would happen, right?

But, Hilda's death actually happened there, inevitably leading Angie to remember the incident of Mr. Damar's death, which actually made her keep trying to divert her mind from thinking about it again.

"The police have investigated the case and will follow up to find and arrest the killer. Justice for the girl must be served."

Angie wasn't close to Hilda, but she knew her. And although she once hated her because she was in a gang with Alice, who was her enemy, the girl still didn't deserve this kind of cruel treatment, especially when it came to the loss of her life.

"We don't know what really happened yet. What did that girl do to end up like this? And what was the killer's motive for taking her life? And is it true that Starlight High School is a cursed school because two deaths have occurred there?"

Angie shook her head. She didn't know. That was all she could say about the questions that came out of the reporter's mouth. She didn't know anything. At least not now.

"We'll discuss everything we know so far, but before that, follow these impressions first, we'll be back in a while and stay with us."

The screen changed with the television news reporter's words. Now the commercials came and went, making Angie let out a long sigh. By then, her interest in continuing to follow the news had waned, and she decided to turn off the television.

Angie put her jar of potato chips on the table, and then, just as she was about to go into the kitchen, the front door opened and her dad walked into the house.

Roger, Angie's dad, smiled at his daughter for a moment, then said quietly, "Hey, I brought something for you."

"What did you bring?"

"Come here."

Angie followed Roger, who had sat down on the couch first. She sat next to her dad and was curious about what he had brought for her.

Roger opened a plastic bag and took out the contents. "This is for you, take it."

A sunflower-shaped keychain was handed over to Angie. With a big smile, she eagerly accepted her dad's gift. It was a small surprise that made her happy.

"Oh, this is so pretty. Thank you, dad." Angie said honestly, then hugged her dad for a few seconds.

Roger, who was relieved that his daughter looked so happy, of course returned Angie's hug no less tightly.

Their relationship was now getting closer, and Roger was determined to try to keep his relationship with Angie better. He had long disappointed and angered her because of his actions, and now he wanted to make amends. Slowly, he would fix everything. There was still time to change for the better. It's never too late for something good and useful for ourselves.

"Do you like it?"

Angie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I like it a lot. Where did you get this?"

"Well, on my way home, I saw that keychain in a shop, displayed in a window. As I looked at it, I suddenly thought of you and decided to buy it. And now I'm grateful that you like it."

"It means a lot to me. Thanks again, dad. I'll hang it in my bag. I'll take care of it, I promise."

"It's just a keychain."

"But it's a gift from you, it's special."

Roger rubbed his daughter's shoulder. "Well, whatever you want, but by the way, you said this morning that your school is closed for the next week because of the... Well, you already know that for sure."

"Yeah, I know. I'm actually still shocked by it. I mean, I didn't expect that there would be any more blood pooling in my school."

"You never know what's going to happen. To be honest, I was pretty shocked too, especially since your teacher's death didn't happen long ago, but now..." Roger paused his sentence, then chose to remain silent and let out a long sigh, instead of continuing his words.

Angie knew what her dad was saying. Sadly, she replied, "let's pray for the best for Hilda, hopefully she does get the justice she deserves. She doesn't deserve this cruel treatment."

"Yeah, you're right. Although we don't know what that girl did to cause her own death, but I think it's very unfair that she got this. It's too brutal, too creepy, and it shouldn't happen."

"She's a pity, dad."

"I know. You have to be careful from now on. Don't make enemies with anyone, be good friends with your friends. Create peace. Avoid quarrels and disputes. A conflict can create hatred, and if someone already hates you, they can do anything to you. You must remember that, Angie."

Her dad's words left Angie transfixed. She strongly agreed with his sentence. Then, she immediately hugged her dad tightly. She rested her head on his chest, while her dad stroked her hair.

"I will remember your words, dad."

"Yeah, you should."

Roger smiled slightly. He loved his daughter. Angie couldn't disappear when he was about to right all the wrongs he had done in the past.

"By the way, do you know her?"

Angie looked up, then asked, "Hilda, you mean, dad?"

"Yes, she's the one I mean."

"Yeah, I know Hilda, but that's about it. I'm not familiar with her. I don't know much about her. Why do you ask?"

"Ah, no. I'm just curious, that's all. You're okay, right?"

Angie nodded briefly. "I'm okay, but I'm sad about what happened."

"This will all pass soon, and everything will go back to the way it was."

Not with the people who felt lost because of someone they cared about.

Angie wanted to reply to her dad with that sentence, but she chose to remain silent. Instead, she just smiled slightly, then nodded.

Then, there was a knock on the door. Angie and Roger looked at each other.

Angie stood up. "I'll do it," she said, moving quickly. She stood up and approached the door.

And once the door was open, Angie had no idea who was visiting her home.

Someone was standing in front of her, someone Angie hadn't expected to see right now, right here.