Chapter 20I was completely blacked out. In a place where I neither remembered or felt anything, I was in such a deep sleep that I wasn’t even aware that I was sleeping. It was as if I had ceased to exist. The first sensation I felt was a slap against my cheek. I moan softly in protest but the slap continued. This time it shifted to the other cheek and was getting harder in intensity. I think it took a while of slapping before I was finally jolted out of my hibernation and opened my eyes which I imagine were blood shot red considering the burn I felt. “Why are you hitting me?” I complain as I rub my eyes. That’s a question for later, the real question is, what is Taranis doing in my bed. He was lying down casually, as if it was his own. His elbow propped up on the bed and hand supporting his head, he was facing towards me whilst lying on his side. His other hand was busy slapping either side of my face.I swat his hand away. “Finally.” He scoffed. “You slept like a dead log. I th
Chapter 21 “Well everyone is talking about it. You’re like the hottest new couple going on in uni right now.” Aria mumbles, seemingly not too happy about the fact. Hottest couple? Us? From what angel do we even look good together? I was not able to see the appeal she was talking about. “Like I said, he just did it to save me. We aren’t dating.” I defend. It was because of them that now I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like if we were dating. Did they really have to tell me that ? Ugh. Gross.“I wanted to warn you about Ezekiel, he asked me out the first day of college. Tried to get in my pants.” Aria admits. I raise my eyebrows. He basically did the same thing to her, I am not surprised about that but… the real question is…“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask. It could have saved me so much hassle from dealing with that creep. It would have helped to know his intentions from the start, then I never would have gone for that coffee. Instead, I went like an idiot. “Well,
Chapter 22We had just started the movie and like I had said I would, I did indeed take just one beer. I knew my limits now and I was not planning to cross them for no reason. Not unless I wanted the events of the previous night to repeat again. I definitely don’t want to miss an entire day’s classes again either. Even when we were one hour into the movie, I did not feel anything. It was so generic. If I was feeling anything, it was awkwardness from having to sit so close to Taranis for so long. Not a single word escaped either of our lips and I know that we were watching a movie and it’s meant to be quiet but it was almost unbearable for me. He was so close that occasionally his arm would brush past mine whenever he went for a slice of pizza. It would startle me but I wouldn’t show it. I was completely over reacting like a girl who’s never even sat with a guy. This is different though, I’ve never lived with a guy before! It’s infinitely more awkward.
Chapter 23“Why did you kiss me?” I ask him, my eyes shifting away, settling on a strand of hair lying on the bed. I was avoiding eye contact and when I finally mustered the strength to look at him, he looked away as well. Scratching his neck a bit hesitantly, he was pondering what to say. I know it did not mean anything and he said it was because he didn’t want me to kiss Ezekiel but.. I’m not sure what I’m looking for here. Am I wishing that there was something more to it or am I wishing that there wasn’t something more? I’m not sure myself, what I want or what I’m expecting from this conversation. The truth, perhaps. “I don’t know.” He said with a small shrug. He took a while to think and this was what he came up with? That he did not know why?I chew on my lip and bring my knees closer to my chest. I should just forget about it. It wasn’t anything important or serious, I’m confused as to why I can’t let it go.“Yeah okay, just make sure it doesn’t happen ag-” Before I could fini
Chapter 24Loud alarms. That’s all we could hear for a minute. Then the students were informed that this was indeed not a drill and then panic arose.“Warning. This is not a fire drill. This is a code E emergency situation.” The voice of the principal echoed throughout the campus, ringing through my ears. Some kind of tinnitus took over my brain, making it hard to process my surroundings. Everything was going a little too fast for me. A lot of students tried running away, there was a lot of shouting and pushing but the campus borders were sealed. There was no way out of here. The SWAT team was on the way along with all kinds of personnel but in the meantime, nobody was allowed to leave the campus. It’s strange isn’t it ? Instead of protecting us and helping us escape it kind of sounds like they locked us with the killer. I just don’t think how this would help. Wouldn’t it be better if some students were allowed to leave ? At least they would be safe. If the killer wanted he could hu
Chapter 25I was frozen in place, simply staring at the gun in his hand. When his eyes turned from Dani to me, they were no longer cold and emotionless but turned into an expression of relief. “You’re okay.” He breathes out. Tweaking something with his gun, perhaps turning on the lock, he puts it in the waist of his jeans at the back. I was a little confused. “Are you?” I manage to say when I look at the blood dripping down his left arm and hand. I waited for him to say some menacing line like ‘it’s not mine’, but that would be ridiculous of course. I don’t believe it for a moment. I admit I thought about it at first and that was because of what Dani said. “Nevermind that. You need to be careful.” Taranis says, his voice laced with concern. “Yeah I know, we’ve been here ever since the alarm rang. You need some treatment though, let me see.” I pull him inside the closet by tugging on the arm that wasn’t hurt and lock it again. Turning the lights on, I inspect the wound. It was a g
Chapter 26“You didn’t answer my question. Do you know that man?” He repeated again, this time softly with one hand on my shoulder giving it a light squeeze. I try not to shake. “I don’t know.” I lie through my teeth. “Well, he’s looking for you. We need to keep you safe. You don’t have to worry alright? I’m here. You’re safe with me.” He says as he brings me in close by pulling on my hand. I don’t resist as I put my head on his chest and breathe deeply. He must have realized something was wrong for him to be behaving this way. What’s strange is that I actually feel safe. As soon as he said that, I felt safe. I didn’t want to tell him or Dani. I didn’t want her to know that Aria had died because of me. This man came here looking for me and other people were just collateral.Maybe I shouldn’t have escaped back then. Then Aria would be alive and Taranis wouldn’t be hurt. Even though I knew how ridiculous my thoughts were, they still came up, making me think I didn’t deserve to be h
Chapter 26 Continued I hear footsteps and not just any footsteps. These particular ones were all I could hear for a month straight. Locked in that room, hearing him walk up the stairs or down the stairs. Hearing him in the kitchen. Everywhere. I recognise these steps a little too well. I know for sure I did not misjudge them. It was him alright. The aura was menacing. “Haz- Ericaaa” He calls out in a singing voice. It made me cringe uncomfortably. He knew my real name. He was aware I was not his daughter and yet he was so good at acting I almost believed he was completely delusional. Well he was definitely mentally ill in one way or another. Taranis looked at me in slight confusion. I chew on my lower lip, drawing blood. He tried to push me towards the closet but I was resisting. “Stop. I’ll take care of this.” He assured me trying to push me further but not wanting to be forceful. I frown. “That’s exactly what I don’t want.” I pull away from him. If something happened to him b
We stopped by Leo’s apartment to grab a few things and then we were on our way to the campus. It was no longer in lock down but Aria’s room was still closed for now. They had given Dani a temporary room by shifting a bed in one of the non functional storage rooms. It sounds worse than it really was, the room was big enough. It wasn’t so bad. After the investigation is thoroughly complete and the room is all cleaned up, Dani could move back in. I don’t think she wanted to. If she had an option she would bolt from there the first second she could get. But living off of campus would be unnecessarily expensive.Since there is a vacancy..They offered me. They offered me to move in with Dani since I was so opposed to having a boy roommate. On one hand I don’t want Dani to suffer by herself and on the other, the thought of moving into that room scares me. I know it would be much worse for her, which is why I was confused.I sigh.“Can’t I just stay here and.. not move.” I mumble.“Do you th
Chapter 42 The butler was dressed in all black, he brought a fancy food trolley and set down the plates with tea. There was a glass stand with 3 tiers, one of them had cupcakes, the other had small tea cakes and the top most one had macarons.My mouth was watering and I pursed my lips to stop myself from drooling.“Please, help yourself.” He waved to the food.I ponder with suspicion.“If I wanted to poison you, I would have done it while you were unconscious.” He assured me.That’s some assurance alright!“Can I have some cold coffee instead? I don’t really drink tea.” I shrug. If I’m here, might as well dig in right?“Right away.” The butler gave a little bow and headed back to the kitchen.Impressive. I nod slowly, slightly impressed with the way things worked here.They are living in a completely different world from me, aren’t they? I can’t imagine living like this. I mean, I didn’t have a bad life by any means. My parents always made sure I had everything I needed, of course. H
I didn’t think about it before, rather, I think my mind was still hazy from whatever they gave me to knock me out. I can’t believe it.He looks nothing like him. I try to look closely at his features more and more, at one point he probably might think that I could be into him but I just wanted to get a good look to see the resemblance. I actually think their noses are the same. Maybe lips.Their eyes are completely different. Am I wrong?“Are you.. Taranis’s father?” I ask with hesitance. I could only imagine if he was really a random kidnapper who caught me for organ trafficking.The man gave a rough smile. “That is correct. I’m surprised you caught on so quickly. Unless he told me about you, of course.” He sounded like he was gloating to some extent, happy that he was being mentioned even if it was in a horrible way.I wanted to diffuse his fantasy.“I overheard your phone call with him.. sort of.” I shrug. “You know you could have just called me right? If you’re going as far as kid
Chapter 40The last thing I remember was seeing a kitty in the back alley. If I really strain my brain for more information and try to recall the incident.. I’d say I was kidnapped and taken in a black van. There was bright white light shining and for a second I thought it was the tunnel people go through at the end of their life when they are ready to die.I try to scream, ‘NO I’m too young to die! Please! At least let me live till 40!’“No. I don’t want to die.” I murmur over and over as my eyes open and adjust to the bright light.Oh. It wasn’t a tunnel gateway to heaven.My eyes were just blinded by the reflection from the white ceiling.“Trust me sweetheart, we have no intention to harm you here.” My vision focuses on a man sitting opposite to me. Before I answer, I take a quick look around my surroundings and nudge my elbow against my pants just to see if my phone was still in my pockets. I doubt they would be rookie enough to leave it in without-Well I’ll be damned. I feel the
Ah here we have one of these chapters again.. it’s necessary sometimes to keep the story going otherwise I wouldn’t be paid so .. you can choose not to buy this chapter and also if it helps you can turn off the auto buy button at the bottom. \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ You’d think after what happened in the van with the extremely sensual kiss that I would not be phased anymore but I was. He said I was underestimating his control.I shake my head. “Forget it.” There is no point in looking deep into his actions because Taranis was a complete tease and he always has been.I ignored what had happened and went to sleep in t
Chapter 39You’d think after what happened in the van with the extremely sensual kiss that I would not be phased anymore but I was. He said I was underestimating his control.I shake my head. “Forget it.” There is no point in looking deep into his actions because Taranis was a complete tease and he always has been.I ignored what had happened and went to sleep in the room which was cleaner than the living room. It took me a long time before sleeping finally came, I was thinking about all sorts of things. I had asked them if breaking out could potentially make things worse but apparently it depends solely on Taranis’s family. If they are trying to stir things up they might take it too far but maybe they’ll feel bad for their son who was just shot??? And let him have some peace. I finally fell into a restless sleep with many thoughts circling through out my head, I actually think that some of them managed to become dreams or nightmares inside my mind. The brain was a weird and crazy t
Chapter 38 Clearly there was some intense family drama happening here. With Ian, the brother planting those drugs to get him arrested and the mysterious father whom Taranis hates. I thought I had strict parents and for the longest time that bothered me and I hated it. I wished they would give me some freedom so that I could live a relatively longer life that everyone else had lived. However, seeing them now, Taranis and his family, maybe I should be more grateful for what I have. At least mine is not a broken one. I wonder what he went through all his childhood, no wonder he is misunderstood by so many people. “Why do you think your brother planted those drugs?” I ask him. “There are 2 rooms, you can sleep in one. Leo and I can sleep in the other.” He avoids the question like plague and I don’t try to pressure him or press him to tell me more. It was something he did not want to talk about. I try to think that it was not because he didn’t trust me but probably because he felt very
Chapter 37“Are you serious?” I was baffled and could not believe my own ears. Did he just say his brother? As in, his BROTHER? Why would his brother plant those drugs. I mean I get sibling rivalry but clearly it has been taken too far in this particular case. “Why would your brother plant those drugs?”Taranis remained silent, not answering my question. Either he did not hear me clearly or he was pretending that he hadn’t heard me. Either way it seemed like he was not interested in telling me what was wrong currently.“I’ll drop Caleb and return the van to Killian.” Leo informs as he swings the keys to the van in his index finger, playing around with it.Taranis nodded. “Thanks for pitching in, Caleb.” He thanks him, giving off the impression of a well rounded kind individual. I then realise it was time for me to keep thinking of him as the asshole especially since the shooting.My heart started throbbing.‘No no no. Let’s not.. let’s just not think about that right now. Not the bloo
“Where will I sleep?” I wonder out loud.“You’re sleeping here tonight? Thought you’d be on your way.” Leo points out. I gave him an unbothered look, I didn’t mind at all considering how unwelcome he was being, probably because his apartment was super messy. “Of course I’ll be sleeping here. I’ll leave tomorrow morning and catch a cab to the cafe. They won’t think my car being there is weird right? What if they confiscate it or something.” Taranis shrugs. “They could. It depends entirely on my family.” I raised an eyebrow. “What does it have to do with your family?” I ask.He seemed hesitant for a while. “My brother.. he’s the one who planted those drugs.”