Chapter 8 Another nightmare

Another nightmare

ELARA

I ran on the hard, cold surface of the earth, covered with thick green bushes, sprinting as fast as my tiny legs could carry me, my chest heaving up and down.

Looking back at intervals to see what was chasing me, I found nothing visible. I could only hear the sound of footsteps behind me, and instinctively, I felt compelled to run faster.

Abruptly, I stopped and leaned against a tree to catch my breath. Sweat dripped from my spine to my waist and from my forehead to my neck.

It felt as if whatever was pursuing me had also paused-instinctively.

I strained my ears, listening intently to the sounds of the night, but nothing came.

With a deep sigh of relief, I stepped out of my hiding spot and turned around, only to be frozen in place.

A few meters away stood a dark, glowing wolf, staring hungrily at me.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Argghh!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs and then took off running as the wolf joyfully pursued me.

I ran with all the strength I could muster, pushing through my weak knees to avoid being eaten alive.

Strangely, as I ran further, the ground echoed beneath me. Just in time, I glanced back to see what looked like a pack of wolves chasing me instead of the one I had seen earlier.

Wolves burst from every corner of the forest, as if they were emerging from another realm.

I knew it was only a matter of time before I was ambushed.

Suddenly, I stopped. I heaved and turned to face the wolves charging toward me with full force.

The dark, ravenous glow in their eyes made my heartbeat race.

Just before they reached me, I fell to my knees-my hands shivering, my eyes weak, my legs wobbling. My entire body shook with each forceful step the wolves took on the ground, making the close-range landscape echo ominously.

I closed my eyes, bracing for the worst, but as minutes passed, nothing happened.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. The ambiance had changed-it was humid and bright.

“Don’t you have any classes today?” I heard a familiar voice.

I tilted my head to the side to see Sonia munching noisily on a burger.

Laying my head back against the ceiling, I shut my eyes tightly again.

It was a dream. It had all been a dream.

Twice in four days-this was the second time I had the same nightmare.

Though slightly different, I could tell they were connected, and something was off about them.

I had only started having these dreams the day Sonia and Sophie became my roommates. Until I stepped foot in Crescent Ridge, I had never experienced a single dream since I was born.

What exactly was happening to me?

What were those strange wolves I was seeing?

They seemed different from the kinds I was familiar with. They were Lycan-perhaps rogues, but not quite.

In the first nightmare, I had only been chased by humans and then suddenly woke up, but this time it was wolves-dangerous and evil at the same time.

While I thought the two dreams were connected, nothing was making sense.

“Are you okay?” Sophie raised her brows, giving me a concerned look.

How come she never smiles? Sonia, on the other hand, might burn her cheeks with her constant smiling.

I struggled to sit up in bed while she continued to stare at me, as if she could bore holes into me with her gaze, searching for answers.

Sonia kept munching noisily, glancing between me and Sophie.

Yawning lightly, I asked, “Why are you eating so early, Sonia?”

She chuckled a bit, leaving me baffled.

Throwing the last piece of her burger into her mouth, she grinned, “You have no idea what time it is, do you?”

I turned to look at the clock beside my bed.

Holy Molly!!

7:48 AM!

Why didn’t they wake me up?!

I dashed out of bed. Sophie shook her head and headed to the table in the run to spread jam on her bread.

I quickly took a shower and rushed out.

“Sorry, I wanted to wake you up, but Sophie insisted I let you sleep,” Sonia pouted.

I glanced at Sophie, who was slowly eating her food.

Laying on her bed with her stomach down, Sonia said, “We still have about five minutes left if you’d just hurry up.”

I hurriedly finished getting ready. Rushing was something I disliked most, but I figured the terrible nightmare was to blame.

I was all set. I slid the books I needed into my bag and held some in my hands.

“All set?” Sonia asked, her big gray eyes wide with excitement.

I nodded, and she literally jumped out of bed. Sophie also got up and grabbed her bag. I noticed her pick up the bread and jam from the table and walk over to me.

When she got close to hand it to me, I took it with a confused expression.

“You didn’t have to. I could have just eaten at the canteen…” I started to say, but she turned and walked out of the room.

I turned to Sonia, who shrugged.

Sighing, I put the food into my bag and walked out with Sonia.

“Is she always like that?” I asked as we stepped outside, following behind Sophie.

“Yeah!” Sonia took a deep breath.

“Why?” I wondered aloud. I stared at Sophie, my gaze fixed on her.

“I think because she’s meant to protect me,” Sonia explained.

“What does that even mean?” I chuckled.

As we walked through the hallway, I noticed students staring at us.

When I reached my locker, I was met with the shock of my life.

Seeing the disbelief on my face, Sonia moved closer to me, followed by Sophie.

Sonia gasped, “Holy cow! Is that… is that blood??” she squeaked.

My stomach turned at the sight in front of me.

My locker was covered in blood, torn books, dirt, and cut-up stuffed animal toys.

I shuddered and stepped back a bit.

From the smell, I could tell it wasn’t real blood; it was probably from an animal.

The books I had clutched to my chest fell from my grasp. Suddenly, my head felt light, and my body heavy.

I almost lost my balance and fell, but Sophie quickly caught me.

With a blank, distant stare, she asked, “Are you okay?” Her voice sounded rough.

I forced out a smile.

“Who could have done this??” Sonia’s face fell.

Sophie glanced at the group of students standing nearby, staring at us from a distance.

“Hey, hold her,” she instructed Sonia, who moved to support me.

Sonia guided me to the stairs and made me sit down while Sophie approached the locker. She began to pull out everything-from the scattered dirt to the torn books to the cut-up animal toys. By the time she finished, her hands were covered in what looked like blood.

Everyone stared at her as if she were crazy. Whispers filled the air.

She must be out of her mind.

Aren't they all strange? I think they suit each other.

Talk about overreacting. Whoever did this deserves a prize.

The bitter comments and chuckles of mockery made me feel infuriated yet nauseous.

Sophie suddenly stopped and turned to face the group.

“Listen up, everyone! I don’t know who did this, and even though it’s sickening, I’d like to think this is just some sick game played on a newbie, but…”

“But what?” a blonde guy with green eyes interrupted with a laugh.

“You think you’re so bold, huh? You just got here yesterday. Why don’t you go sit over there and take a chill pill? Stop acting like a brat,” he spat.

“What did you say?!” Sophie shouted, marching towards him.

I gently pulled Sonia away from me and ran to Sophie.

“Hold on, Sophie, it’s okay. You don’t have to go this far for me,” I begged.

She looked at me and scoffed.

Then, I pushed her back gently.

Bringing her lips close to my ear, she whispered, “You think I’m doing this because I like you? Well, I’m not. I don’t care, so get the heck out of my way,” and she shoved me aside.

I felt myself nearly crumple to the ground.

I braced for what I thought would be a terrible experience, but minutes passed, and when I heard nothing, I slowly raised my head. That’s when I saw them-Kael, Luca, Jace, and Rowan.

Kael was at the front as usual, with Luca behind him and Rowan and Jace standing side by side. I exhaled in relief; I hadn’t realized how much I was waiting for them until now. I smiled before collapsing onto the ground.

Flat.

“What other things do you like? What about marshmallows? Do you like them? I really hate them. What part of the city are you from? I heard you’re on the hockey team. Wow! It’s my first time seeing a hockey player! I can’t wait to see you play. I’m sure you’ll be amazing, and I’ll be the one cheering the loudest for you,” I woke up to Sonia’s continuous rambling.

“Damn! You’re awake!” Kael cursed.

He rushed to my side, and the others followed suit.

Even Sophie was there, though she wore her usual gloomy expression.

I shifted uncomfortably on the bed.

“What happened?” I asked weakly.

Still standing beside Luca, Sonia said, “You fainted, dummy.”

Kael shot her a murderous glare, and she fell silent.

“You should have told us if you were having a hard time,” Rowan cooed, his hands in his pockets.

“Why do I feel like you were trying to avoid Mrs. Sarah’s class? Brilliant idea, by the way,” Jace joked, making me chuckle.

“How are you feeling?” Kael asked, his unusual quietness making me uneasy. He stood close to the bed, his eyes fixed on me, watching my every move.

“I think… I was just exhausted. I…”

Sophie stood up immediately.

“I’ll take my leave now since you’re fine,” she said with a crooked smile.

She cleared her throat, noticing the bewildered stares from everyone.

“I think at least one of us has to go to class. We have a project coming up soon, remember?” she added.

I brightened up, smiling.

“Does this mean you’ve considered joining the group?” My eyes lit up with excitement.

She scratched her head and held her hands together.

“I never said that,” she avoided eye contact with me.

“I think that’s what you meant, though,” Jace interjected.

“Does it matter??” Sophie retorted.

“It doesn’t. I’m just so happy. And thanks for what you did back there,” I said.

“Why are you thanking her?” Kael's raspy voice grunted.

“Well… she…”

Sophie shifted her gaze to the floor.

“He’s right. I did nothing. He was the one who came and handled the situation.” She bit her lower lip.

“What happened to those things?” I asked, my frustration rising.

“We are still trying to figure out who did them and make them pay,” Luca spoke up for the first time.

“I think we should just…”

Kael tightened his fist.

“I’m never going to let that happen. They will pay, trust me when I say that,” Kael growled.

I gulped.

The air in the room was tense for a moment until Sophie broke the silence.

“I’ll be taking my leave now.” She picked up her books from the table nearby.

I had only been in Crescent Ridge for four days, and I was already at the nurse's lodge. What would happen if I spent a month here?

As much as I didn’t want to have any problems and just wanted a normal college life, I also wished that Kael and the other guys wouldn’t take it upon themselves to help me. I couldn't trust the look in Kael's eyes.

“I’ll come with you,” Luca said, stopping Sophie in her tracks.

He walked over to her.

“Uh... why... why are you leaving with her?” Sonia asked awkwardly, hiding her trembling hands behind her back.

“I think you guys are enough and should stay with Elara while she gets better. I'm assuming everyone here is now part of the group project,” Luca said, pausing to check for any objections. When none came, he nodded.

He glanced at Sophie once more before walking out.

“Wait! Wait for me. I’ll come with you too!” Sonia quickly grabbed her books and ran after Luca, gently pushing Sophie aside.

I chuckled.

“Are you having fun?” Kael glared at me.

I swallowed hard.

“Just let her be. I guess she enjoys not being in Mrs. Sarah’s class that much, right?” Jace turned to me, smiling.

I simply grinned in response.

“You're sure you’re okay?” Rowan asked, his eyes neutral.

I nodded.

“Don’t push it. I’ve already asked her that,” Kael groaned in annoyance.

“Then…” Rowan began.

I lifted my head, eager to hear what he would say next, but instead, he just smiled.

Then... then what??!

TBC