Share

Chapter 3

Author: Night Dove
last update Huling Na-update: 2024-11-27 10:18:41
I looked at the pair of girls who seemed very concerned about me. When I thought about Helena’s expression just now, I grew hesitant once more.

For some reason, I chose not to tell Sybille what happened to me today. Usually, I would tell her anything I had on my mind.

Due to my condition, I did not want to stress about it any longer. After taking a shower, I went back to my bed and prepared to settle in for the night.

I ended up tossing and turning in bed. When I grabbed my phone to text Job, I noticed I received a bank transfer to my account.

Sybille had just transferred five hundred dollars to me, even though she only had a thousand and two hundred dollars for her monthly allowance.

I texted her about it and received an instant reply.

[My mom wanted me to remind you to make sure you eat. If you need any help, they have your back. They are your godparents, after all.]

It was then I remembered her mother had a chronic disease, which she needed long-term physical therapy to recover from.

Since she could not work, her father was the only breadwinner in the family, despite only being a common salaried worker.

Five hundred dollars was a significant sum for their family.

I suddenly felt a sharp sting run up my nose and had the urge to cry. I told her everything that happened today, paying careful attention to omit the part where I spoke to Job.

Sybille typed a reply for several minutes before she finally clicked sent.

[Listen, Geneva. I’m not trying to badmouth Helena intentionally, but I have heard some things.]

[Anette told me that a few times when you were away and she was doing revision in the dormitory, Helena would go through your things and mix something in your skincare products. Then, she would go and threaten Anette to keep her mouth shut. Anette told me about this privately and wanted me to relay this to you.]

So, Helena was the reason my skin was breaking out.

She had also hammered nails into my shoes.

I was skeptical. [I did suspect her, but her reaction back there made me second-guess myself.]

[Don't forget that she was part of the theater club. She could have been acting back there.]

[Do you think there’s a chance she deliberately used that as a convenient excuse to distract you so you wouldn’t suspect her?]

However, I found the entire thing difficult to believe. My head started to ache from all the thinking, and it felt like a cloud of fog had nested deep in my skull.

I decided there was no point thinking about it in this state. I would worry about it after I got some rest.

With that, I closed my eyes.

...

I’m not sure how long I slept, but the sound of a rooster crowing awakened me.

I woke up in a dazed state to realize I could not move my body.

The bed in the dormitory was small, with hardly any room to stretch. I would always have episodes of what was known as sleep paralysis.

However, what was happening now felt completely different.

It was as if someone was sitting on top of my chest, pinning me with their whole weight so I could not breathe.

I opened my eyes, only to be greeted by complete darkness. The whole world was void.

This was not my first time experiencing sleep paralysis. I forced myself to calm down and focused on regaining control. Then I started by trying to twitch my finger.

No matter what, my body would not obey my mind. I grew anxious and started to sweat profusely.

While I was still panicking, I seemed to hear the muffled voices of my dorm mates filtering through the curtain. I could not catch what they were saying, but I prayed desperately that one of them would come and wake me up.

After some time passed, I noticed a sliver of light spilling through the cracks of the curtains. It was certainly not nighttime anymore.

In that case, why couldn’t I see anything just now?

Completely thrown off by this, I looked around and glanced above me.

That was when I noticed a rotten face with its grotesque skin peeling off hovering right above me. Its coarse and mottled hair draped right over my eyelids like curtains.

I closed my eyes and screamed, horrified.

Suddenly, I snapped out of my state and shot straight out of bed.

I parted the privacy curtain and recognized Sybille sitting by herself on a chair opposite me. She had turned the reading light on and was in the middle of a book.

I immediately sprang out of bed and told her about the nightmare I just had all in one exhaustive breath.

She regarded me with a vacant expression before murmuring, “You mean this face?”

I blinked a few times before noticing that Helena and Anette had poked their heads out of their bed. Both of their faces were rotten and had skin peeling off like the chipped face of the bark of a tree.

I snapped awake again. This time, I was truly awake.

I found Helena standing below my bunk bed with an annoyed expression.

“Do you have cancer or some mental illness? Quit screaming in your sleep, it’s annoying!”

I took a moment to gather my breath before turning to her. “Why are you by my bed?”

Kaugnay na kabanata

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 4

    Helena rolled her eyes at me.“The student council came and told us to submit our homework. They sent me here to get you to finish our work before our group gets penalized for late submission. Did you think I’d come asking you to turn on your computer otherwise?”All four of us were in a group for schoolwork and would routinely help each other submit our schoolwork.This was all so sudden, but I figured what she was saying made sense.Upon snapping out of my grogginess, I suddenly remembered that my messages were synced onto my desktop. Also, I had my conversation with Sybille pinned to the top, which meant Helena could easily find what I had said to Sybille!Just as I expected, her expression dropped before I had time to scramble out of bed to stop her.She shot a look at me. “I knew it. You have been badmouthing me with your best friend, haven’t you?”I confronted her directly instead of cowering from guilt.“I know whoever put that hex on me is in our dormitory. You’ve alway

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 5

    Before I could even figure out what to say, Anette made the first move and immediately reached for my arm.“Geneva, you're here! That’s perfect! I’m going to treat everyone to dinner tonight. What do you want to eat?”I was repulsed by how forward and friendly she was with me.Anette was not a very enthusiastic person by nature. The way she was being so friendly led me to believe that she felt guilty about what she had done and was trying to overcompensate for it.I glanced at Sybille and noticed her contemplative expression. I thought for a moment and strained a smile.“Let's just order takeout instead. It’s way too cold outside. I don’t think I can handle being out there.”Before we ate, I texted Job.[Was tucking one’s hair into my belongings all that was needed to swap one’s destiny with mine?]He replied quickly, [To do that, the suspect not only has to tamper your belongings with something that belongs to them, they would also have to take something that belongs to you.

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 6

    The pencil shook and dropped on the table, and then it started spinning. It paused briefly in front of Helena before turning to point at Anette.I was just about to speak when the pencil started to move again.This time, it pointed at Sybille.…Out of nowhere, Anette dropped to her knees.“I’m sorry, Geneva. I was the one who stole your gold necklace!”“At the time, my father broke his leg and the construction company he worked for was withholding his salary. We didn’t have any source of income, so I got desperate and stole your necklace so I could pawn it off for cash!“In the end, I couldn’t get over my guilt and never committed to it. I kept it hidden the entire time and have been hoping for the right time to give it back to you.”Before I could respond, the pencil moved again to scribble something on the paper. It wrote the word ‘karma’ before the candles suddenly went out.I felt what seemed like a cold gust of wind blow past me and shuddered.What was strange was that

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 7

    I felt a tingling sensation run through my skull, but I was too terrified to turn around.Helena retracted her gaze. “I’m moving out tomorrow. Now that things have turned out this way, we’re going our separate ways.”I was slightly taken aback by her words. Then I turned to face Sybille.I still remember seeing the pen pointing toward her moments before the spirit killed Anette.After everything that went down just now, it was hard for me not to suspect that she was hiding something from me.Was it truly Anette who had swapped her destiny with mine?If so, why was the class monitor given the national scholarship instead of her?I began to suspect that Sybille was the one manipulating Helena the entire time. Come to think of it, she was the one who pointed out the notebook to me as well.Sybille met my gaze for a moment before looking away. I could sense she was actively avoiding my gaze.Before I could speak, her phone rang. It was her father calling. With that, she put on

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 8

    “Geneva, I’ve always thought of you as my best friend, too.“However, I never told you that my mother was diagnosed with late-stage bone cancer last year. A relative who’s a doctor said my mother’s condition was incurable because it was not a form of primary tumor. It is a symptom of cancer cells from other parts of the body metastasizing into her bones, and the only way my mother could prolong her life was with amputation.“During that period, my father ended up spending all of our family savings, but it wasn’t much help, either. I remember my mother would cry and howl in pain in the hospital ward every night and how much it hurt me to hear her cry.“We saw so many doctors who use all kinds of medicine. In the end, my father could not bear to see my mother suffer and ended up going to a clairvoyant.“The clairvoyant told him that my mother was plagued with misfortune and was destined to die a harrowing death. The only way for her to turn things around was to swap her destiny with

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 9

    I rushed to the pawnshop only to find that the lot was vacant. Nothing was left behind.It turned out the pawnshop was just a cover the entire time!I calmed myself down before hailing a taxi, immediately handing a hundred-dollar bill to the driver as soon as I entered.“Take me to Bleiwort!”Bleiwort was a rural village in the region of our city. Ten years ago, my father was nominated as an exemplary entrepreneur and received an offer to head to rural villages to offer financial assistance.It was then that my father agreed to sponsor Job’s education.If he loved to study as much as he claimed to, what could have led him to become a clairvoyant after graduation?I thought he would most likely be in the village.By the time the taxi pulled into Bleiwort, it was already dusk.I stepped out of the taxi and inspected the area. It turned out to be more dilapidated than I expected. Everywhere I looked, there were mud huts with scattered groups of elderly and children huddled outs

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 10

    In the year I was born, there was a terrible global economic crisis.My father’s stock profile plummeted, and he lost all his money. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy.Around that time, I caught a terrible fever that left me paralyzed in bed. I was sent to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with a severe case of leukemia.To make money for my treatment, my father took his friend’s advice and went off to Toulouse.When he returned, it was as if he was another person. No longer was he always exhausted. He became full of life and energy, even wearing a Rolex watch worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.He returned with countless brand-name bags for my mother and a medical expert from Toulouse for me.I recovered after that, and from then on, things continued to improve for our family.After that, my dad had turned from an atheist to a devout businessman who kept statues of idols at home.I knew the reason he kept them around was not to receive blessings and wealth, bu

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 1

    Disaster struck during my sophomore year. Not only did my family fall into poverty, I ended up getting diagnosed with cancer as well. I was so broke that I only had a hundred dollars left to my name.Desperate for cash, I tried to pawn off the family amulet I had been wearing since I was a child.Unexpectedly, the storekeeper of the pawn shop took a glance before refusing it with a curt shake of his head.“This amulet is cursed. Whoever wears it is doomed to lead a short life. I can’t possibly take it.”I was speechless upon hearing this, becoming agitated once what he said had registered.Suddenly, I had a violent coughing fit until I nearly coughed up blood.“I might not have long to live, but my father had this amulet crafted by a blacksmith using pure gold in the year I was born. Why can’t I pawn this off?“Please, sir, let me pawn it. I would much rather die of my sickness than of hunger!”The storekeeper frowned and looked at me, then said with a gesture, “Just by takin

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27

Pinakabagong kabanata

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 10

    In the year I was born, there was a terrible global economic crisis.My father’s stock profile plummeted, and he lost all his money. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy.Around that time, I caught a terrible fever that left me paralyzed in bed. I was sent to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with a severe case of leukemia.To make money for my treatment, my father took his friend’s advice and went off to Toulouse.When he returned, it was as if he was another person. No longer was he always exhausted. He became full of life and energy, even wearing a Rolex watch worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.He returned with countless brand-name bags for my mother and a medical expert from Toulouse for me.I recovered after that, and from then on, things continued to improve for our family.After that, my dad had turned from an atheist to a devout businessman who kept statues of idols at home.I knew the reason he kept them around was not to receive blessings and wealth, bu

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 9

    I rushed to the pawnshop only to find that the lot was vacant. Nothing was left behind.It turned out the pawnshop was just a cover the entire time!I calmed myself down before hailing a taxi, immediately handing a hundred-dollar bill to the driver as soon as I entered.“Take me to Bleiwort!”Bleiwort was a rural village in the region of our city. Ten years ago, my father was nominated as an exemplary entrepreneur and received an offer to head to rural villages to offer financial assistance.It was then that my father agreed to sponsor Job’s education.If he loved to study as much as he claimed to, what could have led him to become a clairvoyant after graduation?I thought he would most likely be in the village.By the time the taxi pulled into Bleiwort, it was already dusk.I stepped out of the taxi and inspected the area. It turned out to be more dilapidated than I expected. Everywhere I looked, there were mud huts with scattered groups of elderly and children huddled outs

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 8

    “Geneva, I’ve always thought of you as my best friend, too.“However, I never told you that my mother was diagnosed with late-stage bone cancer last year. A relative who’s a doctor said my mother’s condition was incurable because it was not a form of primary tumor. It is a symptom of cancer cells from other parts of the body metastasizing into her bones, and the only way my mother could prolong her life was with amputation.“During that period, my father ended up spending all of our family savings, but it wasn’t much help, either. I remember my mother would cry and howl in pain in the hospital ward every night and how much it hurt me to hear her cry.“We saw so many doctors who use all kinds of medicine. In the end, my father could not bear to see my mother suffer and ended up going to a clairvoyant.“The clairvoyant told him that my mother was plagued with misfortune and was destined to die a harrowing death. The only way for her to turn things around was to swap her destiny with

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 7

    I felt a tingling sensation run through my skull, but I was too terrified to turn around.Helena retracted her gaze. “I’m moving out tomorrow. Now that things have turned out this way, we’re going our separate ways.”I was slightly taken aback by her words. Then I turned to face Sybille.I still remember seeing the pen pointing toward her moments before the spirit killed Anette.After everything that went down just now, it was hard for me not to suspect that she was hiding something from me.Was it truly Anette who had swapped her destiny with mine?If so, why was the class monitor given the national scholarship instead of her?I began to suspect that Sybille was the one manipulating Helena the entire time. Come to think of it, she was the one who pointed out the notebook to me as well.Sybille met my gaze for a moment before looking away. I could sense she was actively avoiding my gaze.Before I could speak, her phone rang. It was her father calling. With that, she put on

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 6

    The pencil shook and dropped on the table, and then it started spinning. It paused briefly in front of Helena before turning to point at Anette.I was just about to speak when the pencil started to move again.This time, it pointed at Sybille.…Out of nowhere, Anette dropped to her knees.“I’m sorry, Geneva. I was the one who stole your gold necklace!”“At the time, my father broke his leg and the construction company he worked for was withholding his salary. We didn’t have any source of income, so I got desperate and stole your necklace so I could pawn it off for cash!“In the end, I couldn’t get over my guilt and never committed to it. I kept it hidden the entire time and have been hoping for the right time to give it back to you.”Before I could respond, the pencil moved again to scribble something on the paper. It wrote the word ‘karma’ before the candles suddenly went out.I felt what seemed like a cold gust of wind blow past me and shuddered.What was strange was that

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 5

    Before I could even figure out what to say, Anette made the first move and immediately reached for my arm.“Geneva, you're here! That’s perfect! I’m going to treat everyone to dinner tonight. What do you want to eat?”I was repulsed by how forward and friendly she was with me.Anette was not a very enthusiastic person by nature. The way she was being so friendly led me to believe that she felt guilty about what she had done and was trying to overcompensate for it.I glanced at Sybille and noticed her contemplative expression. I thought for a moment and strained a smile.“Let's just order takeout instead. It’s way too cold outside. I don’t think I can handle being out there.”Before we ate, I texted Job.[Was tucking one’s hair into my belongings all that was needed to swap one’s destiny with mine?]He replied quickly, [To do that, the suspect not only has to tamper your belongings with something that belongs to them, they would also have to take something that belongs to you.

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 4

    Helena rolled her eyes at me.“The student council came and told us to submit our homework. They sent me here to get you to finish our work before our group gets penalized for late submission. Did you think I’d come asking you to turn on your computer otherwise?”All four of us were in a group for schoolwork and would routinely help each other submit our schoolwork.This was all so sudden, but I figured what she was saying made sense.Upon snapping out of my grogginess, I suddenly remembered that my messages were synced onto my desktop. Also, I had my conversation with Sybille pinned to the top, which meant Helena could easily find what I had said to Sybille!Just as I expected, her expression dropped before I had time to scramble out of bed to stop her.She shot a look at me. “I knew it. You have been badmouthing me with your best friend, haven’t you?”I confronted her directly instead of cowering from guilt.“I know whoever put that hex on me is in our dormitory. You’ve alway

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 3

    I looked at the pair of girls who seemed very concerned about me. When I thought about Helena’s expression just now, I grew hesitant once more.For some reason, I chose not to tell Sybille what happened to me today. Usually, I would tell her anything I had on my mind.Due to my condition, I did not want to stress about it any longer. After taking a shower, I went back to my bed and prepared to settle in for the night.I ended up tossing and turning in bed. When I grabbed my phone to text Job, I noticed I received a bank transfer to my account.Sybille had just transferred five hundred dollars to me, even though she only had a thousand and two hundred dollars for her monthly allowance.I texted her about it and received an instant reply.[My mom wanted me to remind you to make sure you eat. If you need any help, they have your back. They are your godparents, after all.]It was then I remembered her mother had a chronic disease, which she needed long-term physical therapy to recov

  • Destiny Swap Ritual   Chapter 2

    Upon returning to my dormitory, I sat at the table and looked in my mirror.A pale and colorless face with sunken cheeks and bulging eyeballs reflected at me. There was a grim aura around me, and it looked like I was on the verge of death.I may not be a divine beauty by any means, but I was blessed with vibrant eyes and defined features, often praised for my fair skin tone as well. My skin was usually supple and glowed, nothing like my current dull and coarse skin tone.Job remarked that something evil had been done to me, swapping my fate with the other person. With that, I was left with nothing, which was how I ended up in such a miserable situation. He made sure to give me an amulet for protection before I left.I looked around the dormitory. All privacy curtains in the other bunk beds were shut other than mine.My best friend, Sybille Mather, was the only one who checked up on me when I came back. The rest remained cooped up in their bed, not speaking to me.I had al

DMCA.com Protection Status