Chapter 38

As the school day progressed, I found myself constantly checking my phone, eagerly exchanging texts with Lucas.

The Dragon hockey team had an important game against another top team in the city.

The competition in this city has reached a fever pitch.

Unfortunately, the game is scheduled on a school day, meaning I can’t attend. But luckily, it doesn't start until the evening.

I might be able to catch the game after school.

Missing Lucas, I kept cheering him on through our text messages.

Shana: Hey, Captain Dragon! Don't forget to score some goals for me today. I'm expecting lots of goals made in my honor.

Lucas: Haha, of course! Anything for you. I'll make sure to dedicate every goal to you.

Lucas: I wish you were here to witness it in person.

Shana: Me too. But I'll try to get there as fast as I can once school's over. I'm already counting down the minutes.

Lucas: I'll be waiting for you!

Shana: We should celebrate after your win. Maybe some French fries and ice cream?

Lucas: We haven't won yet, but I'm loving this optimism (and ice cream sounds pretty good).

Shana: I didn't think you'd agree on the food. What’s going on with you?

Lucas: I’m in a good mood, and I guess you're changing me.

Throughout the day, our playful banter continued, providing a much-needed distraction from the mounting tension that had been building with Jessica.

I wished I could be at the game, supporting Lucas and the team, but my current predicament prevented me from doing so.

School.

It had been a week since the incident in detention with Jessica, and during that time, I made a conscious effort to keep my distance from her.

Lucas had been a constant presence by my side, offering his unwavering support and protection. He was acutely aware of the danger Jessica posed and didn't want me to face her alone.

As I reflected on the situation, a pattern started to emerge.

Jessica seemed to target me when Lucas wasn't around, taking advantage of those moments when I was more vulnerable.

It was as if she knew that striking when I was alone would have a greater impact, causing me more distress.

Lucas and I had discussed the situation extensively, trying to come up with strategies to counter Jessica's threats.

He urged me to be cautious and not to underestimate her determination.

While I appreciated his concern, I couldn't help but feel frustrated that I had become a target simply because of my connection to Lucas.

Instead, we tried to focus more on training. We stopped training at the school because I was afraid Jessica would manage to spy on us again. Lucas understood my concern and suggested we go back to training at his house.

It seemed to be the only safe place for me—the only place I could breathe normally without constantly looking over my shoulder.

I wasn't lying to Lucas when I told him I was counting down the minutes till school was over. I had been staring at the clock for the past thirty minutes, waiting until the bell rang.

Five... four... three... two...

Finally, the last bell of the day rang, signaling the end of school. Excitement filled the air as students streamed out of the classroom, eager to head home or also make their way to the hockey game.

I rushed to make my way toward the parking lot, hoping I could at least catch the end of the hockey game.

However, as I approached my car, a sense of unease washed over me.

In the past week, I've started to develop a sixth sense. It's the sense you get when it feels like someone's watching you. All the hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention.

Every instinct in me was telling me to run. To go find somewhere to hide.

I went to turn around but realized it was already too late.

It was Jessica-- well, Jessica and all of her followers.

They stood in a menacing formation, surrounding my car so that there was no escape. The smile on Jessica's face sent a chill down my spine.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the little wolf who thinks she can outrun her fate," Jessica taunted, her voice dripping with malice.

She made a face of surprise, slapping a hand over her mouth, "Wait, did I just say wolf?"

"You did," one of her followers chimed in. "I think you meant to say--"

"I know what I meant to say." Jessica let out a belly laugh that almost made me shake in fear. It was terrifying.

Her followers chuckled along with her, their eyes glinting with cruel amusement. I tried to ignore their presence, attempting to walk around them, but they swiftly closed in, trapping me around my car.

"You thought you could escape, didn't you?" Jessica sneered, her tone laced with triumph. "You've caused enough trouble, Shana. It's time for you to pay."

"Pay for what?" I asked, attempting to stand my ground. "I've been trying to leave you alone for the past week."

"No, you've been running and hiding in fear!" another one of her followers shouted.

"It's been pathetic to watch." Jessica shook her head. "Well, do you have anything to say for yourself? Any last words?"

Last words?

What?

It felt like my heart started beating in my throat. Why did it sound like she wanted to kill me?

Fear began to swell within me. She couldn't actually want to kill me, right? Jessica might be cruel, but she wasn't crazy... At least I hoped not.

I wanted to scream for help, but I refused to let them see how horrified I was.

I stood my ground, my gaze fixed on Jessica, my voice laced with determination. "This isn't the way to solve our issues, Jessica. Let's find a way to move past this."

She laughed, the sound grating against my nerves. "Move past this? There's no moving past what you've done. You humiliated me, defeated me. And now, it's payback time."

Before I could react, they lunged at me, grabbing hold of my arms and legs, rendering me immobile.

Panic surged through my veins as I struggled against their grip, desperate to break free. But their strength was overwhelming, and my efforts were pointless.

It felt like her followers had a hand on every inch of my body. I couldn't have run away even if I wanted to. I could hardly move.

Before I knew it, my body was thrown up in the air and I was moving back towards the school. Where were they carrying me?

"Let me go!" I shouted as loud as I could. "Where are you taking me?"

But nobody answered me as they continued to carry me back inside the building. I tried to look around the parking lot, but most of the students had already left for the day, eager to get to the game.

"Someone! Help! HELP! HE—"

I opened my mouth to scream again, but one of Jessica's followers swiftly covered it with a piece of duct tape, silencing me.

My eyes found Jessica, a mixture of fear and defiance in my eyes, as she approached with a vindictive smile.

"I told you I'd get my revenge, Shana," she sneered, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “And I promise it’ll be more humiliating than what you did to me.”