Rayla's POV
'We cant keep going like this
Rayla, take Theoran and run we'll hold them off. Run as fast as you can and dont look back just run'
'But dad!'
'Rayla run now!'
We started running, but even though Daddy told me not to look back, I couldn't stop myself.
I heard Daddy scream — the reason why I finally turned around. The moment I looked back, my feet moved on their own, running straight toward my parents.
I saw my parents die right before my eyes.
I knew they were strong, but if a single creature managed to kill them... it meant my abilities weren't enough to help them either. Tears streamed down my face nonstop as I ran back to my parents.
Mom, dad!
I tried to wake them up. But it was too late, I couldn't save them anymore they're dead now.
Why? Why them... when it could have been someone else? I couldn't understand why something like this suddenly happened to our family
'RAYLAAAAAAAAA!!'
'HELP MEE !!!'
'NOOOOOOO!!!!'
I woke up to a loud shout and knocking coming from my front door.
"Rayla, I'm leaving! I'm already late — looks like you're not even dressed yet! Bye!!!"
I heard Jane's voice yelling from outside. I didn't bother answering and headed straight to the bathroom. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The memories of my dream last night flooded my head.
'Its just a dream! Okay! Calm down!'
Ow shit im late!!!!
I hurriedly fixed myself and quickly headed to school...
'Jane'
I called out to my friend, who was sitting down and eating.
"Oh, right on time! What kind of bath did you take?" she said as I finally got close to her.
"I didn't take a bath," I replied — because, honestly, it's true. Lol! If you're already late, would you still take a bath? Probably not, right?
"Yucckkk," she said, scooting away from me a little.
She's so dramatic — as if she's any different!
I just looked at her as she scooted away from me.
"Tsk tsk," I teased before wrapping my arms around her. "Yucckkk, huh?"
"Oh my, RAYLAAAA! Yahhh, let go of me!!!" she squealed.
I finally let go and burst into laughter — her face was priceless! She looked like a kid whose candy got stolen.
And the bell start to rung
"Lets go, its already time!"
I pulled her towards the classroom — she was still in shock, totally spaced out, and couldn't get over what happened.
When we finally reached the room, that's when she snapped back to reality and could speak again.
And what a miracle — our teacher actually arrived on time!
"Okay class, I'll check the attendance. Just say present."
The teacher started calling out names, but my mind slowly drifted away again...
My mind wandered back to the dream. I didn't know why... It had been so long — so long since I last dreamed about that. Why now?
*"Rayla Kryst!"*
That dream... It haunted me before, night after night. But when I finally accepted this life, the dreams stopped.
Then why now, after all this time, was it coming back?
Yes...That was the last thing I remembered about my past — a memory that kept replaying in my dreams. But that was before. Ever since I accepted that this is my life now, I stopped dreaming about my past.
Not until now...
*"Rayla Kryst!"*
I didn't know why, but as I kept thinking, I felt something strange — something I couldn't explain. So I closed my eyes... I stopped thinking about anything. I just let the silence consume me, hoping the feeling would fade away.
'Rayla!'
'Rayla!'
'Miss kryst!'
And thats the call to bring me back to reality, but the next thing i new, our teacher was already standing in front of me — nostrils flaring with anger, practically steaming.
Uh-oh...
I must have spaced out for too long.
"Huh?" I asked Jane, even though I already knew the answer why this old grumpy teacher was standing in front of me.
Jane bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
"Idiot, you're the one Ma'am is calling."
See! Damn this brain, always wandering everywhere!
*"Ah, uhmm... sorry, Ma'am. Present."*
*"Next time, I'll mark you absent!"*
She said before returning to her table.
"Sorry, Ma'am."
Shit! Shit! Shit!
"What are you thinking? Do you have a problem?" Jane asked worriedly.
"Ah, nothing."
Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand anyway.
No matter how long Jane has been my friend, there are still things I need to keep secret — because she can't know.
"You shouldn't trust anyone in the world you're living in now. Not everyone who shows you kindness is truly sincere."
Every word you said... All the lessons and reminders you left me — I'm following them because I know they're what's best for me.
My subjects ended without me even noticing, and now it's my last subject. When I entered the classroom, I saw Jane with our other classmates. So, I just sat near the window. The class started, and I decided to finally pay attention to the discussion — because, seriously, I'd been spaced out the whole day and hadn't learned anything. But... damn these eyes of mine — they just couldn't stay still, wandering everywhere again. I glanced at a tree outside the window and saw a shadow hiding among the branches. Since my seat was right next to the window, I noticed it easily. It seemed like the shadow realized I had seen it — and in just one snap, it vanished into thin air. I couldn't be mistaken about what I saw — I was sure of it. A wave of fear crept over me.
How...??
Why...??
"Miss Kryst, I'm not at the window!"
Oh, fuck... not again! I quickly looked back at Ma'am. Had I been staring outside that long? But... I swear I just glanced at it!
"Okay, can you please answer number two? Because it seems that you already know the answers, that's why you're not listening to me."
I sighed, stood up, and walked to the front. At least I was half-listening — enough to solve number two on the board.
"Okay Wow! Very good but because of what you did come to my office after my class you know the rules in my class"
'yes maam'
I just answered her, even though it was through gritted teeth. I thought I was safe — damn it! This teacher is going to make me clean again. That's the only thing she knows how to do — making students clean her office. So lazy. After my class, I went straight to Ma'am Silva's office so I could go home early.
"Why though?"
"What you're doing is wrong! What if she sees you? Have you even thought about that?"
"I was careful!"
"Careful? You almost got caught earlier! If I hadn't noticed, you would've been exposed!"
"What I don't understand is... how did she sense me in the tree?"
"See!!!"
I caught them arguing — but was it really my fault that Ma'am's office door was wide open, practically inviting anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation?
"Ehem."
I cleared my throat to get their attention.
Who the hell is this guy anyway, It kinda looked like they were having a lovers' quarrel or something. I cringed at my own thought — like, what the fuck?! Ma'am Silva is old enough to be my mom, and this guy... he looks about my age. But the way they talk — it's like they're the same age. Weird.
"H-how long have you been standing there?"
why so surprise Ma'am? I stared at her for a moment before answering — hmm... looks like I was right!
"I just got here, Ma'am. Your office door was open, so I thought you were alone — that's why I came in."
"Y-you didn't hear anything?"
"Ma'am?" Confirmed.
'Ah nevermind, Just clean my office — it better be spotless when I get back."
"O—kay?"
And then they both left. What's up with those two? It felt like some top-secret mission or something... could it be? Ugh, Rayla — just mind your own business and clean up so you can go home. I started cleaning Ma'am's office. I don't even know what's up with that teacher — this school literally has janitors, yet she seems to enjoy making me clean her office.
When I finished cleaning and Ma'am still wasn't back, I decided to head home.
I just locked the office and left a note on her table — at least I wouldn't look rude or anything.
"Rayla."
"Jane?"
"Hi! Where are you going?"
Where the hell did this girl come from? Usually, around this time, she's already at home. By the way, this crazy girl happens to be my neighbor.
"I'm going home, obviously. How about you? Should I tell your mom so she'll know about your little mischief?"
"Bessy, please! I just went out for a bit. Don't snitch on me — Mom will cut my allowance again!"
There it is — caught red-handed.
I wouldn't even be surprised if I heard random thuds from inside her house sometimes.
"Another guy, huh? You're really something."
"Let me be — this makes me happy, okay? Pleassseee?"
"Tsk, what else is new?"
We just walked home together.
Our houses weren't that far anyway — no need to take a ride, even if this girl does own a four-wheeler.
When we arrived, we didn't say much — just gave each other a goodnight kiss on the cheek, of course. I was so exhausted that as soon as I stepped inside the house, I went straight to bed.
***"Why though?"
"What you're doing is wrong! What if she sees you? Have you even thought about that?"
"I was careful!"
"Careful? You almost got caught earlier! If I hadn't noticed, you would've been exposed!"
"What I don't understand is... how did she sense me in the tree?"
"See!!!"***
I jolted awake as the conversation I overheard earlier flashed through my mind. The tree? Felt something? There was something strange — like it was more than just the relationship I had been imagining between those two. It felt like Ma'am was hiding something. I didn't know what it was, but I knew something was off. Hayssstt, what are you even thinking, Rayla? Calm down. It's nothing, okay? Just a coincidence. Maybe I was just seeing things earlier. Ugh, better just eat instead.
"That's right, Rayla. Just eat — you're probably just hungry. You're talking to yourself like a crazy person."
I cooked tuna carbonara — my favorite dish — and started eating. I was halfway through my meal when I heard it... A faint whisper. So soft, yet enough to send chills down my spine.
"What the hell..."
I knew it wasn't normal. How could it be normal for anyone? I knew that whisper — it was something I've been trying to forget, but I couldn't. You know that inner demon everyone talks about? It felt exactly like that. Something I buried deep down a long time ago — just like Lolo Brent told me to.
"Forget it," he said.
"Just let it go."
But how could I, when it was still haunting me like this?
-THE NEXT DAY-
'Rayla'
'Oh Jane, you're not going to school?' She wasn't wearing her uniform, that's why...
'No, I'm picking up my mom. She suddenly came home. Go ahead, you might be late.'
'Oh, is that so? Okay, I'll go ahead. Drive safely!'
'Okay, bye.'
'Bye.'
I just went to school just like Jane said, and guess what? No classes — great. The one time I actually come in early, and there's nothing.
'Miss, there's a program. I'm not allowed to let students out.'
'Sir, we're not even doing anything here. Come on, please?'
'Persistent, aren't you? I said no. Go back inside.'
Here I am now, listening to the conversations of the people by the school gate. Why isn't the gate open anyways? Their program is pointless. Damn this life — such bad luck! I Should've just stayed home. What a pain!
'That guard is so annoying.'
The students earlier just walked away since they couldn't do anything. Even if they begged on their knees, he wouldn't let them out. Tsk tsk.
Might as well head to the gym and hang out there.
Just like I planned earlier, here I am now at the gym. I scanned the area and smiled at what I saw.
'Nice, no one's here.'
'Bro, pass the ball quick!'
Wtf — I just said no one's here! -_-
*(Insert facepalm here)*
I just stared at the two guys playing basketball. Since I had zero interest in them, I shoved my earphones into my ears and decided to sleep — I barely got any sleep last night anyway.
"Wow, acting all human, huh?" — my inner self teased.
"Ahay, what a damn day..."
"MISS, DODGE!!"
The next thing I knew, the ball smacked me right in the stomach — thank God it wasn't my face.
'Owww shitt ahmmp' ahmmp it hurts damn I can't breathe.
'Ah eh miss sorry are you okay?'
Stupid, are you blind or what? You can clearly see I'm hurt and you're still asking that? People really love stating the obvious.
'Do I look okay to you?'
It really hurts, you know that feeling when you want to breathe but you can't? Damn, what bad luck.
'Sorry, miss... we didn't notice you.'
How would you notice me if I got here first and was already lying down? If I hadn't suddenly stood up, you wouldn't have seen me at all, tss. I started walking out of the gym even though it still hurt, but I can manage. I'm just really annoyed.
'Ah, miss... uhmm...'
I stopped when he called me, but I didn't bother to look at him—no plans of doing that.
'If you're going to apologize, it's fine. It gets annoying when you keep repeating it.'
I just said that and walked away. I wonder how I'd be doing at home if I hadn't come to school today.
'One tuna carbonara, burger, and coke, please. Thanks.'
Here I am now at the cafeteria. After getting my order, I paid right away and went to my favorite spot—near the window. Not that I like windows or anything, it's just that I don't want to make eye contact with anyone here, so... yeah.
'Hi, miss.'
What the hell! I almost spit out my food right on his face—literally.
'Oh, sorry... did I scare you?'
-No! I just almost spit on you, actually!!-
He asked worriedly. Why is this guy even standing in front of me? Are we close or something?
'What are you doing?'
I asked coldly. I'm not used to having anyone else in this spot except Jane. Actually, she's the only close friend I have—whether inside or outside of school. I don't interact with others... I don't want to trust that easily.
'I'll eat here... no more vacant seats, this is the only one left, so...'
He answered while munching on his tuna carbonara.
'Okay—where's your friend?'
I asked, still wondering why they even separated. They could've just stayed together, right?
'Over there... no more space left. Besides, I'm not that close with those guys—he's the only friend I have here.'
I followed his gaze to where he pointed, and he was right—his friend was there. But wait... what did he just say? He has no other friends besides that guy? That's new.
'Why though?'
Oops! That question was supposed to stay in my head. Why did I say it out loud? Arrrghhh!
'Hmm? Simple... I don't want to.'
'Ahhh...'
I just shut my mouth and focused on eating my order.
'Ashter' is the name.
I glanced to both sides, checking if someone else asked for his name—maybe I just didn't hear. But there was no one around. I stared at him without saying anything. I told you guys, I don't trust others easily. Besides, I didn't even ask for his name.
'Ahmm... what's your name?'
If earlier he wasn't looking at me, now he was—waiting for my answer. I don't know what happened to me, but there was something in his eyes that pushed me to respond.
'Rayla.'
'Nice name'
He smiled
He smiled?
He smiled?
He smiled?
And whats the big deal??
Rayla he just slimed calm down will you!
'Rayla everytime I called your name it makes me smile!'
'Huh? Why though?'
'Nothing... I just feel safe when I'm with you. Don't leave me, Rayla, okay?'
'Rayla ? Rayla!'
'ah huh?'
'Are you okay? You look spaced out... Does it still hurt where I accidentally hit you with the ball?'
'Huh? Ahh, no... I just remembered something.'
What's happening to me? Why am I acting like this now? Out of frustration, I turned to look outside — and I saw it again. This time, I really stood up. I'm sure of what I saw. I saw it yesterday too...
Who's that?
'ahmm Rayla are you--?'
'I have to go... I forgot I had something to do.'
I didn't let him finish his question and ran out of the canteen. I need to know who that person is. What does he need? Why is he always hiding in the tree — the one near where he can be seen? I felt that fear again, just like yesterday. I stopped running. I wanted to chase him, but he disappeared... just like yesterday. My head is filling with questions, but I can't seem to find any answers.
'This isn't good.'
Yay!!! Chapter 1 is done hope you like it!!!