8. I will make you pay for killing Gramps!

He was practising his Judo in the evening, after school when he was sure most of the school had gone home or to their various engagements. Even if anyone was lingering behind, his practising what everyone thought was loose punches would not make any difference to them or raise suspicion.

Suddenly, he felt he was being watched but ignored it. It could have been anyone and it didn’t matter what their intentions were since they did not approach him, or so he thought. From that day forward, he kept feeling that peculiar gaze. The person was highly skilled because they managed to conceal themselves well from him. One day, he was finally able to use a detour to identify the stalker and it turned out to be the new student, Cecile!

He ignored her initially, when her curiosity of his poor condition waned, she would naturally stop following him but she never stopped. He had to readjust his routine because of her to avoid mistakenly revealing his proficiency with Judo and martial arts. Despite changing his routine, she did not stop following him, the lady seemed to enjoy burrowing a hole in his head with her gaze all the time but rather than upset him - which if it had been any other person it would have - he didn’t mind it at all, gradually, he even began to anticipate it.

One day, the entire Civil Engineering and Construction Major went on an expedition and had to camp out. He was fishing in a nearby river for food with a bare torso when he felt her stare again but this time, rather than ignore her, he fixed her with a straight gaze, teasing her a bit with his eyes. A call from his friend broke their little staring contest and she retreated into the shadows. From that day till that night at the roof, she never followed him again…

Leonard’s voice cut through his thoughts abruptly, bringing him back to the present.

“Why are you here? I thought you would have dropped out by now”

Sebastian tapped his pen lightly on the table, repeatedly but didn’t say anything.

Leonard’s anger began to rise, “Again with ignoring me! You really don’t learn your lesson, do you?”

“You are not worth learning from” came Sebastian’s cold words.

“Every single time, you always find a way to deeply irritate me. You really are asking for death”

Sebastian finally turned, with a cold glare he gritted out these words,

“I will make you pay for killing Gramps”

Leonard laughed, “I wonder how you would do that in jail”. He waved his hand and policemen entered the classroom, there were at least seven of them.

“What is the meaning of this?” Sebastian asked, his eyes darting between Leonard and the policemen with fear.

The Commissioner of Police spoke up,

“You’ve been charged with the murder of Giuseppe Ricci, the gateman of the school. You have the right to remain silent or everything you say will be used against you in the court of law. Arrest him.” The policemen held him and cuffed him admits his struggle.

“Hold on! What are you trying to do? Why would I kill Gramps? There was a fight that day and so many people were involved including Leonard, why are you just arresting me? I’m the bereaved!” Sebastian asked in a panic as the police officers restrained him and cuffed his hands.

“If I were you Mr Sebastian, I would remain silent till I get to the station.” The COP glared at him.

“You are abusing your power! You cannot do this!”

Leonard smiled with a wicked grin as he watched Sebastian struggle against the officers, “If you keep resisting Sebastian, you’ll be charged with obstruction of justice. You should be reducing your crimes not increasing them.” He kept laughing.

“Leonard! You will truly pay for all this, mark my words” Sebastian shouted out amidst struggles with the officers who had him kneeling now.

“Will I really?” He walked closer to Sebastian, and for the second time since his conflict with Sebastian, he punched him, hard! Blood was dripping from Sebastian’s mouth.

“What is going on here?!” A voice laced with authority resounded.

Everyone’s head snapped to the door where the voice came from.

The COP spoke first, “Excuse my actions Doyenne, but a case of murder was filed this morning and Sebastian here is the chief suspect. We have to take him in for questioning.”

“Did you ask for my permission COP? Do you need me to remind you what the law says on trespassing Evertrise?” She fixed her gaze on him.

The COP stepped closer to her and spoke in a tone only both of them could hear, “Doyenne, someone was indeed killed and he was present in the scene. Besides, I do not want to offend the Consortium Empire needlessly over a mere gateman and a poor orphan. It doesn’t matter whether he did it or not, as long as Leonard said he did it, then he did it.”

“You would rather offend me then COP? Are you sure you want to make that decision?” The lady smiled, despite her old age and greying hair, she still had a liveliness about her, one that people mistook as a ticket to mess with her.

“I dare not Doyenne, you are clearly powerful to be the Head of this School but compared to the Consortium Empire, even you don’t stand a chance”

“Thank you for your candid response. Then I don’t need to feel guilty about this” The lady brought out her phone and placed a call.

“Hi Grayson! Ah, you know this old one, running here and there, ensuring fires are quenched and scoundrels are beaten – she glares at Leonard. I want to make an official complaint about a corrupt official and file a murder case. Yes, a murder case. Do you think you could take it away from the jurisdiction of the COP? Afterall, it happened within the school premises. Alright, please investigate the case thoroughly without fear or favour. Yes, once you investigate, you will naturally know the corrupt official. Yes, you can come down for tea and snacks! Sure, greet my daughter for me! Bye!”

She faced the COP, “You will get a notification soon about the case being transferred. Evertrise gets special treatment with the law and even the Federal Ministry of Justice can try cases from my school, no matter how minute. If I were you, I would focus more on my impending impeachment and punishment.”

She walked forward and gave Leonard a sound slap on his face!

“How dare you bring the police in here without my permission? I did not mention the little stunt you pulled just now and the punch you gave Sebastian to the Minister because I want to save some face for your father. If you dare act recklessly in my school again, you will be expelled!”

Leonard bent his head and grit his teeth in anger, his hatred was boiling, at Sebastian and now the Doyenne. He was going to make them pay for the humiliation he’s currently facing. But first things first, he needed to save his skin and avoid being found guilty of murder. He loathed that he was now forced to speak to his dad after trying so hard to avoid him since the incident of that night. 

She turned to the police officers, angry, “Remove the handcuffs now!” They quickly moved to obey and Sebastian stood up, looking at the Doyenne of his school with mixed emotions.

Everyone cleared out or more accurately, ran for their lives afraid of being implicated further and Sebastian was left alone with the Doyenne.