Everything was leading to the worst possible scenario. How the fuck did Viktor get Emma, of all people, to run with him? She hates the student council. This is bad, she is one of the most popular girls in school, she's the social leader of the most popular cliché of girls. If people aren't easily influenced by her, they definitely were by one of her friends.
Viktor's pulling crazy strings behind the scene, and it hurts not being able to do anything. TJ and I only really have a shot to win this, and that's by somehow outperforming Viktor at the debate on Friday.
The student council president elections are very simple. On Friday, Viktor and I will get up on two opposing podiums and present our cases to the audience, which is the entire school. All seniors and juniors will be present in person, and the rest of the school will watch through a live broadcast. After we're done with our debate and speeches, the students will go to a website provided by the school to vote for who they want more. The person who gets more votes, wins. Simple as that. Unfortunately, it wouldn't end there, however.
The student council president has full control over the student council, meaning no teacher involvement. Only Principal Meyers can remove a president if he has good enough reasoning, but over half of the teachers have to agree with his decision. I would be hopeful that Principal Meyers can come up with a good reason and have the teachers side with him, but it's never happened in the history of the school before. So, safe to say, my hopes aren't high.
Viktor's appearance also caused me to forget to continue investigating the watch. I want to think that was almost intentional, but that would beg the question: how would Viktor know? Then it hit me. Of course, he knew I got it, that's probably what sprung his plan into motion.
Things made more sense now that I started thinking about our past, but…
He's supposed to be dead. How the fuck did escape that place with his life?
No time to think about that for now, I need to focus on the present. I already thought up a plan for what to do with the watch later, but now I need to figure out my counterplay against Viktor and his campaign. I had some ideas for how the debate would go, but those would be useless if I couldn't make a case for myself in the first place.
Actually, I've changed my mind.
Thinking about it, I had no case against Viktor, meaning I would have to try to pull an unexpected comeback, but that's not the main issue here. I have been blinded by Viktor, perfectly manipulating me indirectly. He knows I can't step down from a competition, especially against him.
He purposefully did all this, not only to further his goal, but also keep me busy while he sweeps away all clues to that secret organization. I had to do some research before it was too late, chances are he didn't account for me figuring the truth out in time, and if he did, I doubt he'd be able to do anything. He purposely tried to distract me from the research, by indirectly challenging me and knowing my competitive nature, so that means it'll take time to get rid of whatever it is he doesn't want me to find. I had to act fast, since I don't know how long this'll last. First, it's time for school.
I spent the entire bus ride staring out the window, deep in thought. I'm starting to think I know what Viktor's final objective is, but how is going to get there? Nonetheless, I have a plan. I would have to give TJ the watch.
The bus finally stopped, and I dragged myself off, the cool autumn breeze brushed my hair. I saw the multicolored leaves fall all around me, almost looking like rain. It was a pretty sight, and brought me a small moment of peace.
I dragged myself to Ms. Smith's class, hoping to try and catch Viktor off-guard, but it seems he is always 10 steps ahead of me. He was already talking to Ms. Smith about work and problems in class, likely to keep himself busy until the bell. Girls were already fawning over him next to me. Give me a break.
The class flew by with nothing interesting happening. I started honestly praying for Friday to come so we can at least try some mind games. Lunch finally came, and I decided to inform TJ of my plan.
"Alright, TJ." I started. He put down the hot dog he was about to eat and looked me in the eyes. "I have a plan. I've already figured out Viktor's intention. This plan is not only to give him influence over the school, it's also to keep from researching something. But, there's something I've been keeping a secret from you. You remember the day you came into Principal Meyers's office? The one where we tried to use the watch to infiltrate the tech room? Well, while I was in Principal Meyers's office, Principal Meyers said something interesting. He mentioned an 'Arcane Synd-' before Mr. Thorne cut him off and hit him. I'm gonna entrust the watch to you while I deal with Viktor head on. It's entirely possible he sees through this, but I doubt you'll have struggles if it comes down to a test of strength."
I handed him the watch. He took it and looked back at me, stunned.
"What does this mean for me?"
"It means I'll have you do whatever digging you can. Research as much as possible. I can only assume he meant 'Arcane Syndicate', as that's the only continuation that makes sense to me. He's doing this to distract me from research, among other things. So I'll leave you to it, fake getting sick so you have as much time as possible. I'll take the rest of this onto myself."
This plan wasn't foolproof, and I was certain Viktor would see through it easily once he heard TJ magically got sick out of nowhere. I'm just banking on him needing to distract me from the research because it takes time to erase the tracks he doesn't want me to find. If I'm wrong, then this'll all be for nothing, but if I'm right, then it could lead to the best possible outcome for us.
TJ slowly nodded, trying to understand everything.
"Alright…" he began. "So, you want me to report being sick and just do as much digging as I can. About this 'Arcane Syndicate' you think you heard?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Hearing him say it like that felt pretty stupid, but it was the truth.
"I'm in." TJ looked up and gleamed.
The rest of the day went by with me trying to come up with more ideas for the campaign. Wednesday and Thursday went with me using some of these ideas. I talked about my extensive experience with the school and how I knew the school better than nearly anyone. Among other methods, I gained a few followers and supporters, but it seemed like I was still light-years away from Viktor. His ability to charm everyone so effortlessly was annoying, but it's no use. I'll have to give it my all tomorrow.
I decided to go outside for a walk, to clear my mind and get some fresh air. After walking around the block for a bit, I saw a strange figure in the distance, walking slowly towards me. I decided I might as well go see who it was, maybe it was someone from Viktor's side deciding to change to mine and leak some important intel. What, or should I say who, I saw, was far worse than I could ever imagine. Viktor himself stood right in front of me, alone. I pulled myself up.
"Viktor, what a pleasure. Came here to gloat already?"
Viktor sneered and managed a slight chuckle.
"Jeffrey, seems you haven't changed in the past few years."
"So…" I twirled my fingers. "How are you alive?"
"So you knew I'd die?"
"Listen man, I really didn't want to do that to you. It's just I- I- I didn't really think I had a choice."
"Save your excuses, you left me to die. You abandoned me. I put my trust in you and my life in your hands. What did you do with it? You threw it away, like it was an unwanted gift."
"Viktor, you seriously cannot blame me, it was a high stress situation, we were only 12-"
"Shut it! You and I both know we could've easily escaped together. Now I don't have a heart anymore. I'm only alive thanks to a certain living condition he agreed on."
A certain living condition?
"Never mind that, why are you here now? What's your objective?"
"Well, isn't it obvious, Jeffrey? You've always been extremely sharp, go on, why am I here?"
"Obviously, you want revenge. You're probably going to say something like you want to strip me of my dignity and all my loved ones and see me suffer like you did, then kill me or something. How about that?"
"No, Jeffrey. I don't want to do any of that. Do you want to know what I want?"
"What's that Viktor? To see me grovel?"
"No, we're going back for round 2."
"WHAT?" I shouted, and took a quick step back. "You want to go back THERE? After what happened last time?"
"That's right Jeffrey. We are going to fix our mistakes, then I'll have to kill you, but that'll come later."
I couldn't believe it.
"Is this really all for that, you want that stupid magic object?"
"No, there are other reasons I have that I'm going to keep for myself. Speaking of which, you have realized that there are more of them, right? Do you know why I didn't tell you about the others?"
A sudden realization dawned on me.
"It's because you pre-"
"Correct! I predicted all of this would happen from the beginning. I was really hoping I would have been proven wrong, but alas here we are, my dear Jeffrey."
I fell to my knees. I should've known. Throughout our entire relationship, there wasn't a single time when I truly had the upper hand. He has always been 2 steps ahead of me.
"Well…" I struggled out, barely keeping myself from passing out. "What does the school have to do with all of this?"
"It's for another little side project. I have a friend that would greatly benefit from all this, but you'll learn about all this in due time."
"So, what now? Why'd you come all the way out here to talk? What'd you want?"
"I just wanted to let you know what will happen. As I'm sure you've learned by now, my predictions always come true."
"Yup, you have that right."
"Good, I predict one of us will die in the next 3 days."