Avril woke up very late and alone in Alejandro's large bed. Her whole body ached and she could hardly lift herself to sit up. Her hair was a mess. It was all over her face and was as scattered as a rice field that was hit by a storm. The bed was not any better. It was like lightening struck it and turned it upside down.
After minutes of just lying there and looking up into the ceiling, she gathered strength and sat up. She rested her back on the bed frame and touched her forehead that was blazing hot. Her head even ached badly. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind and made her cringe.
“I won't think about it. I won't think about it,” she whispered to herself. She looked around the room and saw her clothes on the floor. It was then she remembered her charm bracelet. She had forgotten about it the previous day.
Slowly and gently, she placed her legs on the floor and wrapped the blanket on her naked body. A step she
After about twenty minutes in the hot soapy water, Avril finally washed and drained the tub. She let in fresh water and rinsed herself before stepping out. Blood began to flow freely through her veins again, and the aches reduced. She walked to the towel rack and pulled out a large towel which she used to wrap her body. She looked at the wet blanket on the floor and did not know what to do with it. She had pulled it out after Alejandro left the bathroom and left it on the floor there. However, in order to look neat, she folded the wet fabric and dumped it in the tub.Her hair was still very wet and dripping water all over her face and body. She looked around and fortunately saw a blow drier. She had never used it before but decided to try her luck. She actually used it well and got her hair damp instead of totally wet. She was in a hurry to meet her friends so she stopped blow drying and left the bathroom. When she entered the room, she saw Alejandro loadi
The girls froze as Alejandro walked towards them. It was wrong to speak of the brotherhood when someone related to them was close. And now, it was the leader who was in the room.“Why are you looking at me? Do I have blood on my hands?” he asked while standing in the middle of the room.“No, sir. We just...weren't expecting you,” Chidi answered.“Not expecting me in my own room. Cool,” he mused and walked to them. He stretched his hand towards Avril and she looked up at him questioningly. Chidi nudged her with her elbow and Avril frowned at her.“Take it,” Nana whispered.“Why?” Avril asked with a stubborn tone.“Just take it,” Nana said and Avril looked at Chidi. Chidi nodded so Avril sighed and took Alejandro's hand. He pulled her up and walked backwards a little, putting space between them and the girls.“What is it?” she asked w
She went through the hallway and arrived at his personal living room. She thought to hide there, between the cushion chairs but he'd find her. So, she went to the elevator and went down to the last floor. As she stepped out, she did not meet anybody. It was like they had all gone out for something, so the house was super quiet. Avril used this as an opportunity to move out without interrogation. She went to the garden and sat on a bench, behind a tall maze.“I wonder what Dakar is doing right now? It's been almost two weeks without me,” she thought aloud. The garden was cool compared to the rest of the environment. Avril knew it had to do with the plants and trees. They were the ones that produced the oxygen in the garden.As she sat there, just looking at the trees and flowers, she decided to go see Nana whose home was closest to Alejandro's mansion. She looked around again and sneaked out again. She walked until she reached the road th
Avril woke up with heavy eyes and itchy skin. Even her throat itched. Whatever she had inhaled was reacting badly against her body.“Kitty Kat is awake,” a female voice drawled. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. A lady was sitting on a stool and smiling at her.“What am I doing here?” Avril asked and sat up on the cold floor.“A little fun. Not going to hurt,” she said and got up on her feet.“Let me go,” Avril demanded but the weird lady giggled.“Sam! She's awake! Come here!” she squealed and jumped on her feet. Avril's heart thumped because the room she was in was small and not so bright. She couldn't even detect what time it was and how it looked outside. Only a door led into the room.The man called Sam entered inside and grinned at Avril.“Great. Let me get Anastasia and Ani. She's going to be so excited,” he said and lef
Avril curled up on the seat and rested her head on the headrest. Alejandro walked around the car to the other side, opened the door and sat in. She looked at him and still saw that angry, dark and devilish look in his eyes. The first time she saw that look, she was lying on the floor after being beaten by his men. The injuries and bruises she sustained were not even healed yet and she had received worse beating already. She wondered why Alejandro was angry because obviously, it wasn't with her. Somehow, she knew he did not like seeing her hurt. Was it because of the money he paid for her and he did not like to see her unhurt? If someone purchased something new, he or she would get angry if someone else tarnishes it. Was that the case with Alejandro?“You are bleeding,” he spoke up and she looked at him.“Yes,” she said and sat properly. She pulled down the airbag and looked at the mirror there. Her face was a mess. She was bleeding
“I don't believe you,” Avril said and stared up Alejandro.“You arrived here twenty-four hours ago and already arguing about something I was born into. Cool,” he mused and turned around again. Avril peered at the tattoo that occupied most of his leg, right at the stamina. It really looked like a wolf to her, or was it truly a dog?“What kind of dog?” she asked as he turned around with a little towel in his hand. He flung it unto his shoulder then walked to the sink to wash his hands.“A pitbull. Does it have any resemblance to a wolf?” he asked in return.“Not really. But why the symbol of a sleeping dog? Any significance?”He walked back to the tub, squatted beside it again and dipped the towel in the water. He squeezed it a little and brought it to Avril's eye. He dabbed on it and placed it there for a few seconds for the heat to sink in. Since the water was not totally hot
The screams and yells got louder as they walked down the stairs. The other ladies hurried down but Avril took her time. They traced the noise to the back of the house and walked there. Yes, the four of them were tied naked to a long and wide table. Avril gasped and stopped walking as she stared at the scene in front of her. Florescent lights illuminated the whole yard so they could see what was happening clearly.The four of them had red marks all over their bodies. Avril guessed it had to be from whips or punches. But she was surprised when she found out it was from hot rods. They were placing hot rods on their skin. The rods were very long and some had extensions at the bottom, like metallic shapes. The top was placed on heat and the end of the rod was used to carry it.“No,” she mumbled as a man wearing thick gloves, took a rod from the top of a barbecue grill and placed it on the shoulder of Anastasia. She screamed loudly and tears gushed
SIX MONTHS LATERA man was running through the crowd in the market and pushing both people and things out of his way. He received a lot of yells and kicks, but he would stand up almost immediately, and run even faster. He was being pursued by two men and preferred to run forever, than to be caught by them.“Get out of my way!” he screamed at a bunch of kids buying ice cream. They sauntered off and he dash through the spot they once we're. He looked back and saw the men still running after him. He panted faster and took a turn into an empty alley. He scaled the fence and jumped into the other side. Blocks of houses were scattered there and he hid between them. The men jumped over the fence too but did not see him, even though he could see them. They looked around and decided to check around, but they passed the house he was hiding beside. He heaved a deep sigh and slid off.The men, after searching fruitlessly, return
“No! No! Give me those!” she screeched and flew at Camper who didn't move an inch. But before she could reach him, she was blasted off into the cage Avril's friends just vacated. Camper hurried over to Prince Dakar.“You came right on time. They've hurt Avril,” Dakar said. Camper looked at the white fog and clenched his teeth.“Verona will help. She's coming. They are coming.”Dakar nodded and took one of the clear crystal balls and lifted it up.“Camper feels emotions more than anyone else can. Which is why he's a playboy, he enjoys the pleasure a hundred times than an average person. And when someone is overexcited, or is hiding something where they've channelled all their protective information... Camper can trace where all those emotions are headed,” Prince Dakar said as Athena began to rise.“Where your treasure is stored, there will your heart be,” Camper recited. “While you were busy flirting and trying to make him take you there on your garden floor, he was looking deep into
Avril had only just slept for a half an hour when she heard a masculine scream pierce through the serenity of the room. She jerked awake, causing a terrible headache to erupt in her head. The scream continued on. Obviously, that person was in deep agony. She rubbed her weak eyes with her weak fingers and realized this agonized person was right there on the floor in front of her. Then she realized it was Dakar.“Dakar!” she screamed and ran out the bed, only to fall on the bed because of how numb her legs were. She groaned but crawled on foura to where he lay. His scream and cries were terrible. She grabbed his arm but he shoved her off as he continued to twist and contort in pain.Avril burst into tears when she noticed he was bleeding from his nostrils, mouth and ears.“Help, please!” she tried to shout but no way her voice could be heard above his.She crawled back to the bedside, grabbed the pitcher of water and tossed it over him. He stilled immediately and lay unconscious. Avril
“Gently get the girls to wake up. We're leaving. Pick up everything. Leave no personal belonging behind,” Dakar warned strictly. The two men nodded and darted into their room.“Where's Verona?” Avril asked.“I'm here,” she replied and showed up too. Verona looked agitated and vigilant.“I can't believe I was such a fool to bring you all here,” Dakar said to himself and looked her he could slap his own cheek. The candlelights were enough to show the look of regret on his face. He held Avril's good hand and led her out while Verona also darted inside the room. The others were already frantically moving and packing stuff.In less than ten minutes later, everything had been packed as affirmed by Camper. They then quietly started out without a word or sound from anyone.They got to the throne room which was empty and dark too. Instead of them to go through the main entrance, Prince Dakar turned them to a different direction. He tugged gently on what was like a door and a secret passage ope
Athena plastered a too wide smile on her face as she smoothly walked towards them like she was gliding and not actually taking steps. Her outfit was all gold, blending too much with the throne room itself. If her visible skin and hair were also gold, she would be invisible in the hall.“Pleased to meet you again, Athena,” Prince Dakar said with courtesy. Athena turned her full attention to him as she stood a few feet away.“Ah, my handsome nephew. You look amazing despite everything you've been through. I guess strength and good looks runs in the family. How is your father?” she asked and cocked her head to the side.“He is doing very well. Sends his kind regards,” Prince Dakar answered. Athena grinned and moved closer to him. A little bit too close. She looked up into his eyes and tucked loose hair behind his ear.“When this is all over, I would love to see his final look,” she said then grinned again.Avril frowned but quickly tucked her face right. What did she mean by ‘his final l
Prince Dakar got up, then jerked his jacket by the lapels to get it aligned with his body. He took a deep breath, relief flooding in that Avril was not dead. And she was right at the other side about to come over. He heard a feminine gasp like the one had made and made a quick turn to see the person who had come out. But he was disappointed to see the slim, black friend of Avril. Chidi. She wasn't crouched down like he was, but she was standing straight and breathless.“Are you all right?” he asked as she stood rooted to the spot, oblivious to him standing there. After he spoke, she raised her eyes abruptly and saw him. Then she looked back at the innocent look archway.“Congrats. You got out. Come over, let's wait for the others,” he said again and walked a few feet from where he was standing. Chidi followed silently and leaned against a tree with her eyes closed. Dakar was tempted to ask her what she saw, but he didn't want to intrude. Chidi however surprised him.“T saw Avril fall
The Porta Metus was situated in a vast region of land that was very mountainous. Solid, smooth rock was the ground and scorpions could be seen tittering around. Flying, giant bee-like creatures swarmed about and scared the living daylights out of the traveling group.The gateway itself was an archway of smooth grey rock that began on the ground but went over to cover the small bridge. There was a deep ditch dividing the rock terrain, and earthy terrain.“We have to be very careful. The Porta Metus is the archway. It doesn't come up this time of year so I'm worried about you all. The Porta Metus brings out your greatest fear. Between you and your greatest fear, only one will make it out. To reach your destination, you must defeat your greatest fear against all odds.”After Prince Dakar's information, everyone stared still at the harmless looking archway of rock.“What if you do not have a greatest fear but just little little fears?” Xiao Wéi asked.“Then I consider that person the luck
“What in the world are those thing?” Nana yelled amidst the screams. The horses that were at the far end of the cave startled up and began to neigh and thump around.“Stealth wraiths. Half-dead creatures but more dead than alive. Which means you can't see them. They're very rare!” Camper shouted out.“How do you kill what you cannot see?!” Avril shrieked as Camper sliced through the air again and black blood poured out of nothing.“They are as cold as ice. You feel their chill and strike,” Verona answered as she trotted to the entrance to assist Camper. The rest shifted back but didn't lose their guard. The horses were causing a scene on their own and Avril instinctively ran over to calm them down. It didn't work.A cold chill was taking over the entire cave, the entrance had turned into a battle ground. Camper and Verona were fighting invisible, shrieking creatures that seemed to be pushing them backwards and not the other way around. Whatever does things were, they were plenty and t
They trespassed through the Soot Forest, as Camper had called it, for five hours straight. They only rested at most ten minutes while standing because of the human girls who were not as tire-proof as the wolves. Avril and her girls even surprised Prince Dakar. They didn't tire as easily as other humans.“One more hour and we'll be out,” Camper announced to the group.“I hope there's a place we can sit our butts down?” Nana grumbled.“Well, I see sitting your butt down is very important to you. Seeing you carry a lot over there of course,” Xiao Wéi joked and the girls burst into laughter except Verona who had not smiled since the journey began. As was usual of her.“If we don't sit soon, I'm afraid I'll lose all my assets,” Nana replied. Avril slapped Nana's butt.“Nope, you're still good even if you walk the whole day,” she teased and Nana butt-kicked her. Avril wasn't expecting that move and it pushed her, making her feet unbalanced on the ground. She yelped as she felt herself desc
Avril laughed loud again and everyone rushing food at the table looked over at them. “Is there a comedy show going on there, Fiorella?” Verona asked grudgingly. “Are there any tickets left? I need a good laugh also,” Nana spoke and Chidi elbowed her. “Don't mind them. Just talk and laugh all you want. You're not bothering us,” Chidi said and glared at Nana who shrugged. She looked away and her eyes caught Camper staring at her friend in amusement. He had his fork twirling in his salad as he stared at Nana. “It's going to be too obvious that you like this girl. Put that face straight,” the new guy ordered with a frown. Everyone at the table frowned except Camper who smirked at him. The way he spoke was so authoritative and haughty. Who was he? Avril's laughter rang up again but nobody looked back at them this time. “Why are you all looking at me like I said something bad?” he questioned. “That's because you sound like a nagging mother. It doesn't suit you,”