Chapter Eight: The New Friend

Lila's POV 

“What are you doing?” There was a slight panic in my voice. Not because of Juliana but because of the death stares I was getting from everyone who stood around. Their looks held so much disgust and I wish I could just vanish into this air.

“I’m just trying to ensure a pest knows her place and does not act all high and mighty.” She mocked, not batting an eye like she just did something heroic. 

I could hear and see everyone whispering from the corner of my eyes, and the embarrassment that washed over me was worse than the one I had after greeting them with no response. 

I ran out through the door, wiping the tears away from my face. I was out because I needed to find Dominic but now I was unsure of where to go or if I wanted to see him in my current state. I looked at my surrounding and noticed an abandoned stable at the end of the street. I headed towards it. I needed a break from all these, I needed to clear my head.

I sat in a corner in the manger and cried my heart out. 

This pain’s unbearable, it's too much for me.

It feels like my wounds have been reopened.

Painful memories I tried so hard to bury deep within me, to conceal from the rest of the world. These were things Juliana uncovered in a twinkle of an eye.

 I walked with my head high even among my colleagues because I didn’t want them to see through me. I had the worst childhood, sometimes I curse the day I was born, a day which I don’t even know. And those things I called secrets were information Juliana could figure out in a day. I felt like a loser. A hopeless looser! 

“Beautiful mermaid, why are you crying?” A tiny voice brought me out of my thoughts. I looked up and it was a little boy. When did he get here? How long has he been here?

What’s he doing here? I wondered if he's alone.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked him. I wiped the tears as fast as I could. 

“I’m here to cry too.” I raised an eyebrow in surprise as I watched him wipe his own tears off his face. I didn't even realize he was also crying. Could it be because he saw me crying? No, that's impossible.

“What’s your name?” I let out a faint smile, hoping it'd comfort him.

“My name is Dave.” He said, not moving away from his position. 

I took the initiative and moved closer to him, but the fact that he moved back further didn’t go unnoticed by me. 

“It’s fine, Dave.” I tried to assure him, “Do you want to know why I’m crying?” He nodded.

“Then tell me why you're crying first.” I used reverse psychology on him. 

“I can’t…” He paused, “Are you also afraid of someone?” he asked innocently. He sniffled, his tiny nose had turned red.

“No, I’m not afraid of anybody.” I said, smiling so he could feel relaxed around me. 

“What about demons you are afraid of?” Something pricked my chest the moment he said that. We all have demons we are afraid of. I had no idea what to say, I have demons I’m afraid of, but I don’t know how he’d react if he knew. 

“They are everywhere except here. They leave their prints on the wall and blend with the dark. I’m afraid of them.” He said, tears streaming down his face. This little child was obviously traumatize.

I wiped the tear that fell on my cheek and reached out for his hands, then I noticed it—his nails were strangely long and unkempt. I hugged him and pulled down his collar a bit. I knew it! He was being abused, I’ve been there too so I know when I see signs like long fingernails. 

“How old are you, Dave?” I pulled him out of my embrace to see his face.

“I’m ten.” He sniffed. 

“Why did you call me a mermaid?” I asked, curious about the way he addressed me earlier. 

“Because of your eyes—they are blue like the ocean.” I giggled at his words. 

I was going to let him come with me, but then I remembered that I had no say in the pack. I’m just an unwanted guest. And I know Dave won’t talk easily, especially when his abuser had threatened him not to speak. So, I intend to use a method one of the psychiatrists who treated me used—the friendship method. 

“Dave, do you want to go home?” He shook his head firmly. 

“You want to stay here for a while?” I asked another leading question.

“Yes.” 

“Then I’ll accompany you.” 

We stayed together for almost five hours telling each other interesting stories. He shared a pancake he kept in his bag with me, and we ate happily. At that moment, I forgot about my worries and the fact that I was someone’s rejected mate. 

“Do you want to meet here again tomorrow? I’ll tell you more interesting stuff about me.” Dave said happily, his broken front tooth evident as he smiled. His smile warmed my heart. It pleased me to know that I made him happy. Such a sweet boy.

“Yes.” We did the pinky promise thing and I watched him leave the Manger with a smile. 

The smile on my face slowly disappeared after he left.

The realization of my predicament hit once more. I decided to stop brooding and find Dominic instead. 

“What are you doing here?” Speak of the devil or think of the devil. I lifted my head and saw Dominic standing by the door to the manager. 

I stood up, dusting my clothes, “Nothing.” I walked up to him. 

“I’ve been looking for you for over an hour now.” He said with worry plastered all over his face. 

“Sorry, I was here and lost track of time.” I apologized, rubbing my hands on my pants.

“It’s fine, let’s get to the pack house, Judith is back.” The moment he mentioned the packhouse, blood drained from my face. 

“Are you okay?” I guess he wasn’t aware of what happened back at the pack house earlier. Even if he was, he wouldn’t have done anything about it, I'm sure.

I nodded. He grabbed my hand gently and led me towards the pack house. I don't understand why he kept doing things like this.

I knew there was nothing between us, but I hoped he would at least maintain the boundary he fixed between us and stop moving back and forth with me. Stop playing with my feelings!

I forcefully removed my hand from his as we approached the entrance of the building. He gave me a questioning look which I completely ignored and entered the pack house. This time, only a few people were down on the first floor.  

We headed for his office on the twentieth floor. I saw Judith sitting close to Jonathan, quite suspicious but I didn't comment.

“You are back.” I said as I lowered myself onto a seat across them.

Dominic took a seat adjacent to us.

“Yes, I brought your stuff.” She pointed to my bag on the table beside me. 

I rushed to my bag and picked up my phone to see if my mom called. My shoulders dropped when I didn’t receive any text from her. I know I was on night duty, but the fact that it was past noon and I wasn’t back, she ought to be worried, Right ?

But I was only overthinking when she’s proven time and time again that she doesn’t care. I smiled sadly. It hurts. It really does. No one gives a care in the world about me.

I was back to my seat, but everyone’s eyes was fixed on me, probably due to the sudden change in my mood. 

“There are things we have to talk about regarding your stay here. How to protect you without endangering the pack.’’ Dominic said, exchanging glances between me and Judith. 

“Why don’t we skip to the part where we wrap this up and you send me back home?” I snapped. I've had enough of everything and everyone.