Chapter written by Ara (illumins).

Night has blanketed the vast skies in darkness and diamonds. The high peaks of the gothic prestigious school casted an umbra against the first quarter moon. September no longer holds the essence of summer as fall has taken root. The green fields were partially coated with dead leaves and twigs. But in the space of night small glow of light brightened the cobblestone paths down below. Because of the school being so wide and its fields being larger. The school has opted to make some paths to the different sections of the school. Causing the flow of students to move along like calming waves. Aside from the old vintage street lamps that resembled all too well the Victorian era. In some paths stood various art statues that students of the past years have made. The Principal enjoyed passing by them as he believed it represents the talent and hard work of his students. Jaemin detested them.

Even now as he sat in his usual spot, against the window's edge in the observatory tower, he hated them. To most, it looked like art. Fine craftsmanship; delicately carved and chiseled edges which accentuated all its details. But to him they all resembled tombstones. Most of the statues' sculptures have died. Now, this is left to remember them by, a sign of relevance in this school.

As he watched from above small droplets hit the window. Scattering and then trailing down like tears. Jaemin focused on each one as he pushed the unamusing conversation the group was having not too far from him. Unlike before, Minhee and her friends aren't around. Just the seven boys in this small abandoned semi dusty room as they planned for the Halloween party ahead. One would think it's absurd to plan so early in advance but it wasn't. Sure, the school held its annual 'Danse Macabre' to celebrate. But the boys knew what the students really wanted, a party. One without supervisors, rules, and the orchestra department being the only source of music. They wanted drinks and freedom. Music of their time and that could tremble the walls and floors around them. No formalities and cheap facades hiding who they actually were. They want the freedom that chaos brought. At least Jeno and everyone else does. Jaemin never cared for such things as he was always focused more on keeping Jeno alive and in line.

"I think we should have Lee Seojun be the DJ," Chenle suggested amongst the boys who sat around the old worn-out desk.

They all wore their pajamas as they knew running back to their dorms past curfew was risky. So whenever a meeting is called (which only Jeno could do) they stay for the night in the observatory tower.

"I don't know if she'd want to," Mark snickered.

Furrowed eyebrows, Chenle nudged him on the shoulder to explain. Mark looked up at Jeno who smirked and waved his hand for the boy to speak.

"Jeno threatened to make her his first kill during astronomy class." Mark couldn't help himself and let out a laugh as he remembered it. The others then too laughed and playfully hit Jeno on the arm.

Through small laughter, Chenle questioned Jeno, "Why would you do that, man?"

Instead, Mark answered for him, "Because every time Mr.Han would ask Jeno a question, she would answer instead. Never once letting him answer until the teacher told her to shut up. But even when Jeno got the chance to answer he got it wrong and this time she corrected him."

Jisung rolled his eyes, "How annoying."

"Yeah. And Jeno couldn't help himself and snap. He slammed his textbook down BAAM-" Mark imitated with his hands "-and cursed her out," Mark finished.

From the six of them, Haechan noticed the lonesome boy at the window. Dirty blonde hair resting over his eyes as he hugged an old throw pillow. It irritated Haechan, to say the least. He's tried before to befriend the boy but nothing ever happened. Instead, it left a bad taste in his mouth. He believes he's better than us, Haechan thought.

"Aye! Jaemin-ah! Why not help us out here?" Haechan's voice cut through the giddy members' atmosphere.

Everyone stayed quiet and turned back to look at the nonchalant boy. It startled Jaemin for a moment but quickly gathered his composure. Jeno had noticed it but stayed seated in the large brown leather armchair, watching. Without a bat of an eye, Jaemin turned down Haechan's offer.

"No thank you. I don't do parties."

Sighing, some even dismissing him annoyingly turned back to talking or looking down at the thrown pieces of paper across the table. Some being a list of things that need to be bought; foods and drinks; and people not allowed in. Haechan wasn't having it. In fact, it sparked the small anger he already held. Biting his inner cheek, he breathed heavily through his nose to try to calm down. Renjun noticed and reached for his shoulder to calm him down. "Just forget about it Hyuk."

But he didn't. And Jeno watched as one of his friends snapped. "Yah!" Haechan now walked away from the others and a few feet closer to Jaemin. Still unfazed, he stays seated, waiting to see what Haechan would do next. He knew Jeno wouldn't come to his rescue as he'd done so long ago. For Jeno believed in power, and to have that one must earn it. That's how Jeno maintained himself in the school. Never wavering between his lies and the truths that emerged from those lies. And even now, as one of his boys stood up against Jaemin, he watched like a crow. And it irked Jaemin, this amuses him.

Instead of fighting back the daring boy, Jaemin faked a smile and looked at the other six boys, who also expected the worst. "Don't worry about Lee Seojun, I can get her to DJ the party. And no, I don't think we should have themed Halloween cups, it's childish. Just get regular cups."

Chenle huffed at Jaemin's opinion on the cups as Renjun pointed at him saying 'told you so'. Turning back to Haechan, Jaemin leaned in slightly, "Happy."

Haechan stayed there in silence as he let Jaemin's mocking tone sit in. But the sparks that had inflamed him before now settled. He scoffed and walked back to the group, who preoccupied themselves with more details of an endless night. Before Jaemin went back to his small space he glanced in Jeno's way. His best friend sat with unwavering eyes on him. Although he didn't show it, Jaemin knew he was being studied by him. Whatever, I'll deal with his questions tomorrow.

—

The morning came like dew; it settled and nestled between the leaves of the oak trees and thorn bushes of crimson roses. It left its soft touch in the form of fog in the vast clean-cut fields of the academy. It almost resembled the clouds of the heavens, as it had fallen from grace. The rows of statues that led the path from one building to another wept. Humid tears cascading down from their eyes and cheeks.

Jaemin watched entranced; he'd forgotten how crying felt. He has made himself believe that some of these moments were but a dream. At least that's what it feels like to him.

" 'If I could sleep, truly sleep, not this flickering haze of wakefulness. If I could plunge headlong down to the floor of my pitch-dark consciousness. If I could hide in dreams. Or perhaps memories,' " He recited a line from Han Kang's Human Acts that he's recently been reading.

He wiped one of the fallen tears from the statue; a sad woman who held a basket of lilies. As the tear fell from his fingertip he remembered how he once did the same for a hurt Jeno. Two young boys raised by the elite, pups made to be wolves. When have we become the wolves?

"Is it yours?" a faint females voice called from behind.

"No..." he didn't bother turning.

"Is that your favorite then?"

"Yes."

He heard the gravel path shift as the person neared him. Although he hasn't faced them he could feel their gaze on his back.

"It's a sad statue..." the females' voice showed uncertainty.

This time he did turn, "It's the truth."

The girl he'd come to know as Yoonah stood and gazed at his serious demeanor and to the sadden woman.

"You'll come to know of it soon," he simply stated. Reaching down for the leather messenger bag that leaned against the lamp post, he made his way back to anatomy class.