Chapter 5: 5- Blackmail

For the nth time, silence covers the room.

Ah, the shock on their faces. I should have brought a camera, Trace thinks. This moment is picture worthy, the moment my plans get on track.

She continues smiling, looking at her seven audiences one by one. Oh, all of them will be so worn out by the time this school year is over. Nothing about them will never be the same. The council will never be the same. The school will never be the same. She’ll take this incompetent bunch of misfits and turn them into the council worth fearing, and then she’ll turn this run-down, lawless, wasteland of a school and turn it into a school worth respecting. All in the span of a school year. She can’t help but smile from the excitement. She has so much to do! She can’t wait to get started!

But still, she probably has to do something about the frozen council members. They might die from shock. They’re no good to her dead.

“If you’re asking in your minds, it IS as bad as you think it is. I have full control over your school lives. Obey me or don’t pass. It doesn’t matter if you excel academically or not. I have the final say in your grades. I made sure of it,” she explains further, waiting for a reaction.

Still nothing.

“There’s nothing you can do about it now, you’ve already been elected, the rule is already in place. Just be good minions and follow my orders and you’ll be fine,” she adds.

Nothing. No one is moving. Maybe they’re not even breathing anymore.

“Uh, guys? Peeps? Anyone?” Trace says, looking at her council one by one.

“Boo!” she screams out suddenly.

Half of them scream out in fright, half simply regain their breaths.

“Oh look, you guys are alive after all. I thought I lost you guys before I even had the chance to work you to the bone,” Trace says, regaining her smile.

“You…you can’t be serious. This is…you…” Zion says, stuttering.

“A hundred percent serious, trust me,” Trace replies.

“But…but that’s…” Samier tries to speak out.

“And if you guys are asking it in your minds, no, this year’s SSC won’t be the same SSC that’s the but of every hidden joke, or a useless bunch of idle people who aren’t worth the word supreme. And this year’s school won’t be that post-apocalyptic wasteland full of rag-tagged bunch of misfits who can’t even form a straight line. Under my rule, the SSC will be worth something, the students will behave, the school will be someplace who’s uniform is worth wearing. By hook or by crook, by any means necessary,  I will turn this school right-side-up and fix every broken corner there is. And you’ll be my henchmen in doing so,” Trace says, her hands outstretched as she revealed her plan.

Everyone just looks at her, the blood draining from their face.

“I just revealed my evil plan. You guys should be applauding. You’re my henchmen. Come on, applaud. I’ll lose heart if you don’t,” Trace says with a pout.

“This is a hostage situation,” Lianne says in a small voice.

Trace nods.

“Well, blackmail is the correct word, but hostage will do. But you have no choice, right? You’re all duly elected officials. We’re all, as Loki says, burdened with glorious purpose.”

“But…this school is…your goals…” Austin stutters, bowing his head low and avoiding Trace’s gaze.

“A post-apocalyptic wasteland full of rag-tagged bunch of misfits who can’t even form a straight line, I know, I said that. I also said we’ll fix it.”

“Is that even possible? I mean, I mean, we’re kinda known for being…” Elaiza starts, not seeming to find the right words to finish her sentence.

“A post-apocalyptic wasteland full of rag-tagged bunch of misfits who can’t even form a straight line. Yeah. We’ll fix it. I have a detailed plan with a number of back ups, it’s fool proof. All you guys have to do is obey. And then viola! At the end of the year, you guys pass, the school and everyone is goody-two-shoes, everything is squeaky clean and good to go. No problem there, right?”

“And if we fail to turn this…” Celly starts.

“Post-apocalyptic wasteland full of rag-tagged bunch of misfits who can’t even form a straight line,” interjects Trace.

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“Yeah that. If we fail to achieve your goal?” Celly manages to ask.

“You guys fail. I’m thinking I’ll fail too. We’ll all fail. I made an important bet on this purpose of mine.”

Suddenly, something snaps. Everyone turns their eyes towards Stephen, who has the arm of an armchair in his hands.

“Hey, quit playing with me,” he says in a dangerously low voice.

Oh, I figured he’d be the biggest problem. No matter.

“I promise you, I’m not playing. And I want that chair fixed by this afternoon, or else I’ll give you a point. And you can’t afford getting expelled, can you?” Trace says, her voice suddenly blank.

“You..” Stephen growls, his nose practically flaring.

“What? You think I’d dare blackmail you guys without researching? I’m a proper villain, I do my research. I know all there is to be known about every single one of you, and I will put that knowledge to good use if need be,” she says with a devilish smile.

Everyone turns silent again, feeling the chill in her words.

“What do you want us to do then?” Celly finally asks after the period of silence.

“I said what I want. I want a useful council, obedient students, a proper school. I’ll get what I want, and you guys will be instrumental in it,” Trace replies nonchalantly.

“You do know you’re being obviously tyrannical, right?” Celly asks further.

“I have the law on my side.”

“You..you just admitted to blackmailing us,” Elaiza blurts out.

“Fine, I’m tyrannical. I’m willing to be a tyrant if necessary. You guys will be the first victim of my tyranny. Obey me or fall into the abyss,” Trace says with a shrug.

Trace turns to face everyone, her face full of seriousness this time. For such a small woman, she can exude such a powerful aura. She meant all that she said, everyone can feel that.

“So, will you guys join me in scrubbing this school clean?” she asks, eyeing each person in the room.

No response. Everyone is looking at her with looks of fear, bewilderment, and one of hatred.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Trace says with a smirk.

Well, let’s get this started.  

**********

 

Saint Michael Academy, a ten-year-old academy at the center of Trinity City. Run by the Dominican Sisters, the school is a Catholic school who’s principal changes every three years. Around the city, the school is known for the unruly behavior of its students. The Supreme Student Council is the highest student governing body of the school on paper. However, the students themselves look down on their student council and heed them no mind, and the elected officers are powerless against the behavior of the students. The paper puppets, so the SSC is called by the students, powerful only in paper, frail and powerless, easily torn apart and stepped on.

The school year is 2021-2022, the new principal is Sr. Maria Angelica Dolores, the president elect of the SSC is Aiea Allorein Ambersworth.

Will this year’s SMA be the same school that everyone knew? Or will something finally change?

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