Chapter 6

Emma:

Sam is a nice, well-trained pair, even though she’s one of those snobs. We went blow for blow, really having fun until the beast growl started to haunt me. 

I ask Sam to stop and take a water break. My mouth is dry, not only because of the training, but also for catching a glimpse of Cole’s muscular arms. His t-shirt, which has become semitransparent, practically sticks to his sculpted body. I can almost feel the droplets of sweat carrying heat running over his skin.

The beast keeps growling, sometimes excitedly, sometimes irritably. 

I’m not sure it’s from Cole or Avery because this pair are too close. They are good fighters with graceful movements. But I find myself hard to focus on both of them because my attention is always drawn back to Cole.

After giving Avery a powerful punch, Cole ends up locking eyes with me and I see a flash in his eyes. And then it returns to normal. At first I thought it was light reflection but when I step closer to see the flash again, I find it is a hint of pure gold.

But there is no time for me to get to the bottom of it, Avery's fist crashes down upon Cole's face. I gasps with my heart heavily beating, almost wanting to jump in to help. But Cole turns to give such a vicious look at Avery as if he is about to kill him. At this moment, he is almost like a tyrant.

“Enough!”

Our trainer Corstin blows a whistle to stop them. I breathe a sigh of relief. 

The hidden beast grunts peacefully instead of growl as well. 

“Alright, I’ve seen all of your combat skills. Now I’m going to separate you guys in groups of four.” He motions to Avery, Cole, Sam and me. “I expect you guys to be our best group. Anyone knows how to use a gun?”

I raise my hand. To my surprise, the other three don’t. Given how proficiently they fight, I feel weird that they never had a gun training.

“Perfect. One with the ability to use a weapon is okay.” He hands out to me, “By the way, well done on solving the case. Keep it up.”

“Yes, I will.” When I let go of his hand, the growl gets back, just like whining. 

“OK, my little detectives, next time you’ll work with your leader, our crime profiler, Detective Dashwood. I’m looking forward to your performance and --” Corstin gives a glimpse at Cole, “-- please get a hold of yourself. Because you’ll see a lot of bloody scenes.”

---

I’m running in the forest with panic.

There are footfalls behind me. My left shoe gets off but I know I can’t go back for it. 

While I run over a set of pebbled stones, one of the sharper ones catches the underneath of my left foot causing a shooting pain. The monster chasing me growls loudly as if it’s thrilling at my state.

I just keep running as the monster catches up with something which lets out a piercing scream. It sounds not like an animal, but a woman. 

Listening to a set of howls, I head deeper into the forest but have no clue which direction to go. There is a big tree ahead, which might be my best option. I attempt to climb on it but I can’t stop myself from sliding down because my foot is bleeding profusely. I take my t-shirt off, wrap it around my foot and make another attempt. 

It doesn’t help. I groan with frustration and the monster finally rounds the edge of the trees and stares directly at me! 

It’s Him. Black and huge, with red eyes and sharp, large canines. I almost have the vision of my blood dropping from his teeth.

He growls deeply and viciously, walking towards me -- 

I startle up in my bed, with my heart beating faster than ever. My entire body soaked with sweat. My left foot is sore as if it was really injured. 

I take a look at my phone: 4 am. It’s impossible to sleep again. The anxious energy from the nightmare must be run out. It appears that my nightmare has gotten more intense.

I look over at Lei. She is dead to the world. I sigh, wasting no time to take a quick shower, put on my sports bra, yoga pants, sketchers and vest set, and head out of the dormitory without awaking anyone.

Once arriving at the empty gym, I go straight to the treadmill. It’s a safe place to run now.

I am still shivering for the pieces of the nightmare. It was updated which made it much more horrible than ever. Who was that woman killed by the beast? Why did she show up in my nightmare?

Dad. Rye. They have never come to my dream no matter how I’ve missed them. I’ve been alone with the beast for so many years. Why was she?! 

I hold back my tears, seeing my red eyes reflected on the treadmill panel screen, which reminds me of the beast’s eyes.

I shake my head restlessly, feeling the familiar gaze with the beast growl everywhere, just like right now --

At a glance to the gym door, I find Cole gazing at me.