Thankfully, everything went well that day with no issues, though there were more patrons than before. So their shift ended up getting later than before.
After saying their farewells to the owners, she and her new friend Loraine make their way home.
Clouds shrouded the sky, covering the moon’s shine and shrouding the entire street in darkness. Even with the streetlamps, their glow focused on the road and nowhere else.
If it wasn’t for the lively companion Selene had right now, she’d have a hard time walking alone because of how eery it became.
“I can’t believe you know Lucas Mandel?”
Loraine squealed in delight, uncontrollably jumping while clapping her hands non-stop. The girl looked like a child that had too much candy, continuously prancing around without a sign of tiredness.
“I’m not sure of his surname, but I only met him a few times.”
Thinking back on the people she had a conversation with that day, there was only one person with that name. Also, seeing how the woman was ogling the fellow this morning said a lot.
“So you know him?”
Loraine’s eyes grew wide, along with her smile growing.
Again, the girl let out a deafening squeal, so loud it caused Selene’s ear ring from the shrill.
Selene ended up hushing her, taken aback by her friend’s reaction. She was keen to look around to see if they had bothered anyone’s sleep, as the noise her companion made was enough to wake anyone from their slumber.
She heaved a sigh, when it seemed nobody was there. As the entire neighborhood remained silent.
The only sound she could hear was the incessant chattering of her friend.
“Sort of.”
She finally answers when the girl continued repeating her question.
That made Loraine roll her eyes in disbelief, scoffing with a playful grin.
“Stop being so modest.”
She fanned a hand toward her.
This got Selene shaking her head, heaving another sigh, as she cannot understand why her friend was acting this way.
“I swear, I just recently met him.”
She says again.
Though her skull was throbbing from all the asking and squealing of her companion. Her tone remained calm, along with her demeanor, since her fear of offending etched deep inside of her.
“Still, him talking to you. That only means one thing!”
Loraine jump in front of her, leaning forward so that they were looking eye to eye.
The girl’s eyes were so close and wide, she can see the glint of joy from within the very depths of it.
This gave her the idea that her new friend was crushing on Lucas. Of course, she can’t blame her, considering how gorgeous and kind the guy was.
“Not really.”
Yet she remained confused why the girl was giving this so much thought and attention.
“Oh, my gosh! Are you serious?.”
Loraine gasp in disbelief, her brows suddenly furrowing along with the flash of burning rage in her gaze.
That got Selene to pause for a moment, swallowing hard from the sudden awkwardness. She considered what she was going to say next, seeing the fanatical manner of her companion.
“Is there something I need to know?”
She chose this question cause it was the safest she can come up with.
That was true, because she’d only been there a few days, and she hardly gotten to befriend anyone. Even with her job, it did not make it easy to talk to others since she now became more cautious after the last incident.
“Duh, besides being from one of the richest and known family, he’s also made a name for himself. At his age, he built up a business from scratch that can rival his family’s, thus becoming the most eligible bachelor in the entire town.”
Loraine again rolled her eyes, as if everyone who was there should know of such a thing.
“Wow, I’m aware he was well off. But I didn’t think he was such a person.”
Selene’s mouth ended up in a wide gaped upon hearing this. With how casually the guy talked to her and how their age was the same, she wouldn’t have found out the fellow had achieved so much.
This got her admiration but also spark envy in her, as she too wanted to be like him. But with how she was, she accepted it would be impossible for her.
She heaved a sigh, biting her lips in embarrassment, now remembering how she talked and approached Lucas before. She noted that, not wanting to make such a mistake again.
“This is where we part.”
Loraine points to the other end when they reach the crossroad.
Unlike where Selene was going, the area seemed darker, longer, and shrouded by tons of trees and shrubs. Also, the path didn’t even look finish with the pavement ending, leaving the rest of the way with a muddy route.
She somehow became worried, noticing how the place looks like it’s unused, but in the end she shut her mouth, not wanting to offend her companion.
Also, she was certain her new friend had taken that way plenty of times without a problem.
“Oh, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
She waves goodbye to Lorraine as the girl already ran towards the clearing, doing the same. She waited a few moments until she disappeared into the darkness.
Now alone, the walk home became creepy and less enjoyable.
With how the dark the path was, there was barely anything to see. It didn’t help that the wind grew colder, along with the place being quieter than before.
She can’t hear a single sound besides her footsteps, because even the insects and animals turned silent.
She hastened her movements since she still had a long way to go, and this was the area where there were no houses nearby.
This was the first she got home that late, so there were no longer people or vehicles passing by.
Left with no choice, she swallowed her fear and steadily jog with her remaining strength. Even with her legs feeling tired and heavy from all the day’s work.
Selene stops midway, pivoting around to check when she hears a sudden snap behind her. It sounded so close it caught her attention.
Is it some kind of wild animal or something else? But once she was certain her back was safe, she runs without a second thought.
Unaware of what could have made that sound, along with being all alone in that place. All she wanted was to get out of there as fast as she can.
But then a soft scurrying noise followed her, causing her to panic, aware that something was chasing after her.
Fear gripping upon her, she still cannot help but take another glance, only to end up losing her footing because when she slipped from a pebble.
She let out a scream out of sheer terror, sensing the danger getting closer, along with the pain of her falling on the ground. She hugged herself to brace for the hard pavement, as she did not know what else to do to protect herself.
Blood splashed her vision, causing her to wail from the taste of salt and iron on her mouth, along with the cold and wetness scattering through her face. Followed by the image of a giant beast lunging towards her.It was only when brawny arms wrapped around her body, alongside a deep yet subtle cooing, did her nerves calmed. She did not fall on the ground, instead laid comfortably on firm muscles.She was having one of those visions again. And this time, the scene was so real; she became unable to distinguish it from reality. Until she had this warmness covering her, mixed with that relaxing aroma of cedar wood.She took a few more moments to fully regain her composure, understanding that she was safe in the arms of someone strong and protective.But the minute she got a glimpse of the person holding her, everything turned topsy-turvy when, once again, her visions became a blur.An odd glow radiated from the guy when her sights gaze upon those alluring sets of eyes staring straight at
Renewed with a kind of vigor for his start at life. Selene was all smiles as she walked into the halls of the school.She’d greet almost every person she come across, giving a pleasant nod, hoping for the same reply or at least a hello.But all she received were frowns and condescending gazes, with some clicking on their tongues and wincing upon catching sight of her.It didn’t take long before her energy and liveliness finally faded, realizing she was doing something wrong, especially seeing how everyone avoided her the moment she stepped into the classroom, as if she carried the plague.Because of this, she chose to sit at the far end of the room, same as what she usually did in her previous schools.It seems no matter where she goes, her place will always be at the bottom.It wasn’t that hard to see, considering she wore her normal white T-shirt, tight jeans, and worn out sneakers. Compared to the students there who donned fashionable clothing, with some being well-known brands, he
Selene pondered on the advice left to her by Duncan. The idea of avoiding her newly found friends caused her insides to twist and her stomach twitch.Rejection and avoidance were no stranger to her, and she cannot put it upon herself to do the same to others. Aware of the pain and sadness it brings.“You all right?”Loraine’s voice sounded like a hum. But it was enough to wake her from the sudden trance, making her move her hand in a circular motion, as she had been wiping the counter before all of that happened.“Yeah, just a bit worn out?”She was quick to answer, seeing how the girl raised a brow, along with throwing a confused and questioning gaze, but was not enough to throw the girl off.Instead, Loraine put both hands on her hips, now playfully grinning.“There’s this twinkle in your eyes. Is it because of Lucas Mandel? I heard you two are in the same class. Do I smell something brewing in here?”She nearly squeals, clapping and shaking her shoulders in a playful giggle.“Oh no
Lungs tightening with each breath, skin stinging from every corner, and joints throbbing even while she remained steady, laid down, facing the sky. A whimper escaped Selene because of the mixture of cold numbness and stabbing pain within her body.It was the sounds of murmurs from afar that woke her up. As her instincts were pushing her to move or cry out once more.She opened her mouth, but her throat burned from the inside when she tried to make a sound, causing her to cough, making her insides twist and prickle. She let out a gurgling noise when liquid started coming out of her.Another croak came when she tasted the iron, dirt, and tanginess in her tongue. It left her with no choice but to stop, needing to chase after her breath.“The trail leads here!”A familiar voice echoed through the forest. But the depth of darkness was too thick that everything remained pitch black.Not wanting to give up, Selene gathered every remaining ounce of strength she had, pushing as much air throug
For the first time in years, the small council of Silent Ridge peak has once again has come together, as the recent incident has incited another grave concern for everyone living there.All of them gathered a few meters from where the supposed victim was resting, wanting to see for themselves the severity of the situation they were facing.Included among the older congregation were the young Lucas and Duncan, standing as representatives of their respective packs.“It’s witchcraft. She is the same as her aunt!”A mustached elder hissed, eyes widening after having seen the female’s state.When they arrive there, they expected to see a bloodies corpse, based on the reports given by their scouts. But to their surprise, they face a perfectly healthy and resting girl, half naked because of her torn clothes.“None of you can prove that.”Lucas was keen to dismiss the idea, sending a mocking gaze at the people there.That receive glares from everybody who was present, even the doctors and nur
Even with the stinging scent of ammonia, alcohol, and iron attacking her senses, Selene continued pretending to be asleep. She’d been awake for half an hour, but could not bring it upon herself to open her eyes in fear, hearing the number of individuals around her, along with being naked.From what she caught during the entire conversation, they were fighting over her about something, though she didn’t catch the gist of it all.One thing is for sure, in her mind, there were people who didn’t want her there. She could not understand what she’d done wrong this time, since she had been keeping to herself.The thought of that cause a surge of terror and panic in her.Each breath she took became heavier, faster, and stingy with each inhale. Her eyes, even though remaining closed, heated when tears formed and wish to escape.It was at this moment the calming voice echoed through her thoughts again.‘Be strong, little one.’These words hummed inside her head, like a soothing music which put
Tired and weakened, Selene hardly notice she’d lost consciousness again. The pull of sleep was too much for her to bear, only waking when she noticed the itch in her throat.Somehow recovered, she now had the strength to open her eyes. A frown immediately appeared on her face upon gazing at where she was in.Dust floating everywhere, sticking to the walls, floors, and ceiling. A single small window gave the room light, making the entire place dim.She hugged herself when the coldness prickled her skin, steam coming out of her with each breath. Her hands instinctively brushed the side of her bed, searching for a blanket or something to cover herself, realizing her nakedness.Unable to find anything, she sat up to get a better look around, groaning from the jolt of pain piercing through her joints.“Hello? Is anybody there?”Her voice echoed through the empty room, yet it did not seem to leave the place she was in.She frowned at the wooden door at the far end of it, having a small slid
Duncan Vondeer’s face wrinkled from the deepness of his frown. His eyes, half open, not wanting to fully see the person walking around in front of him.He and a few others gathered in the study, discussing the reason for his current decision. He wasn’t supposed to be there, if it not for George, his father’s beta and second in command forcing him.It left him with no choice but to groan and grumble at his dissatisfaction and annoyance. His ears were ringing from the squeaky high-pitched voice, bantering nonstop for half an hour already.“A debt? That’s the best you can come up with?”Valentine Sage’s face looked like it was about to explode. Its color had turned beet red from all the huffing and puffing she’d been doing.Unable to endure the continues nagging. Duncan finally let out a growl, hand wiping his face to keep what little patience he had.“Can we not talk about this?”His voice was firm, gritting his teeth after slamming his fist on the chair’s arm, almost breaking the thin