CHAPTER 2: FIRST ENCOUNTER

A police officer saw Liyla sitting alone on a wooden chair in the park crying, so he approached her and after asking some questions he helped her find aunt Linda.

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FOURTEEN YEARS LATER

Dropping off the bus she walks down the street looking into the map on her Android phone to find her destination, she finally found the big sign board with the name DERBYS HIGH INT. COLLEGE and the school gate ahead. Liyla went inside for her registration.

"Your name?."

"Liyla William."

"Where are you from?."

"I'm from here, New York ma'am."

"Do you stay with your parents?."

"No i stay alone."

"What happened to....

"They are late, I'm an orphan ma'am, is that all because i would like to take my leave."

"Yeah...yeah your registration is complete, you...you can start tomorrow."

"Thank you." She walks away while the lady kept looking at her.

Liyla hates when people invade her privacy and it's more complicated for her now that aunt Linda left her many years ago.

After the burial of Liyla's parent, Linda was the only relative who stayed with Liyla and made provision for her needs with the help of Dante of course. It was a terrible heart break for Liyla when it became clear that her Aunt only stayed for the money, she never loved Liyla, she never cared, she ran away with one million dollars given to her by Dante to take care of Liyla's upkeep. How wicked, using a little girl as a tool to enrich herself, from that day on it became difficult for Liyla to trust people.

Dante took it upon himself to still do the needful, he provided for Liyla everything she needed and even wanted to employ a maid but Liyla refused.

She has to move on, start a new life.

The evening is cold so immediately Liyla got home she made hot coffee and put on her big sweater to prevent catching cold especially now that she would resume school tomorrow. After arranging for school against the next day she retired to bed cozily hugging the pillow to fill warm . At about 2:30pm Liyla broke out cold sweat, turning in bed as she became restless. A night mare

In her dream she is a princess, Liyla finds herself in a room that seems to be hers but she knew she was never a princess or a royalty, now she ran out of the room going down stairs because the Castle is built as a tower and her room is at the peak of the tower, coming to the closed gate she pushed it open and went out, she looked back finding everything strange, no one was within the Castle and outside is full of trees like a forest so she started running and running deep into the forest hoping to see houses or a market place or something but as far as she looked she could only see more trees ahead of her.

Night came and everywhere was dark, she could barely see where she was going as fear gripped her, walking slow with her eyes moving back and forth while in reality she is on her bed whining and sweating profusely.

In the forest she fell asleep laying on a tree and suddenly a whispering voice came to her ears like a calm wind.....

"I am here to grant you your wishes, i will make you indestructible, this is your destiny to be with me....."

Liyla became uncomfortable then she sluggishly opened her eyes and behold a pair of red cracked eyes starring at her at a very close range, with all the strength left in her she screamed untill her voice hitched, Liyla started running again with great speed not minding her foot that hurts, in the dark she stumbled and fell to the ground twisting her foot as she screamed in agonizing pain. Suddenly...a rushing wind...foot steps...ominous aura...red eyes.

Liyla cried out for help but to no avail, she couldn't walk so she tried crawling away but this creature was coming closer and closer and it said again with an ominous aura

"do not be afraid, i am you and you are me, we are one, i am here to grant you your wish, to give you power and make you indestructible, everyone who hurt you would pay with their life, all i ask is that you let me in!....let me in!!...let me in!!!. "A loud scream filled the air in the forest as Liyla woke up from her nightmare screaming and panting heavily, she folded her legs up to her chest and buried her head under her pillow crying bitterly

"Mum!!! he..he..he Dad!!! where are you, please I need you, please i can't bare this anymore, i want to die, haa!!!!! haa!!!!, why...why...why did you leave me all alone he..he..he.." she was panting heavily and scared to death, Liyla could not close her eyes till morning came.

Liyla is walking to school, she gets to the bus station and was waiting for her bus to come, she checks her wrist watch, the time is far behind her schedule and she would be late for school.

Ever since her parents died in a devastating riot conflict where they work as peasants, murdered by gunmen who invaded the farm and killed most of the workers including the parents of Liyla just to overthrow the owner Mr Dante and seize the harvested crops. One of the attackers were later captured and the police promised to bring justice on behalf of those murdered at the farm but up till date nothing has been heard about the case.

The bus arrived and Liyla went inside and sat close to the window because she likes to see the beautiful buildings, traders, children playing on the street and most especially the Big Ben clock tower. Very tall and mighty tower where a big clock is set at the top of the building, she would always stare at it until it is out of sight.

Her mind drifted to the time her father brought her to the Big Ben clock tower for a tour and it was the best day she will never forget.

(Flashback)…"Slow down my dear, we have enough time to go round, you know I'm too old to be running after you." Mr Dennis William took Liyla to the Big Ben clock tower to have fun.

"Come on Dad i really want to see the bell ring, hurry!." Liyla said stretching her hand to her father so he could catch up.

"Liyla! hahahaha you would have to treat me to dinner after this." Mr Dennis said in a sarcastic manner.

It was getting dark and the time was almost six pm, so for them to witness the Big Ben clock echo they have to be at the spot before six. Liyla was so happy that she would finally see the bell ring.

"hurry up Dad it's almost six, I don't want to miss this, I might never have another chance to see it" Liyla said.

"Okay...Okay I'm trying, it's gonna be a great view!."

Father and daughter making a moment and having a great time together, they were both standing at the front of the tower, some distance away so that they can see the Clock when it strikes six. Seconds to go...

"Five..four..three..two..one!!!" they both chorused happily as the bell echoed loudly and there it was, a spark on her face for the rest of that day.

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Liyla grabbed what she is wearing on her neck as tears threatens to fall out, she managed to hold it back but her eyes were watering.

"Hey nice locket you have there" a guy sitting next to her complimented her smiling.

"Uhh thank you" Liyla replied trying to hide her eyes

"Who are they?, close to your heart." referring to the photos on her locket.

"umm my parents, they are late now" she tried smiling but failed.

"oh I'm so sorry, i didn't mean to...."

" It's okay, you don't know me so I understand completely" this time she smiled genuinely.

There was an awkward moment lingering in the air between them. The guy was thinking that he has hurt her feelings and hates himself now while Liyla looking outside the window was thinking she made a fool out of herself and probably this guy regrets talking to her but actually they were both thinking the opposite.

The bus stopped at the station where Liyla is to come down and unfortunately for her the guy was going to thesame school, so she would have to slap herself in the face later.

walking fast so as to avoid this guy she met but he quickly approached her.

"Hey look I'm sorry for bringing up your parents back there, I didn't mean to upset you."

"Yes i...i mean no I'm not upset."

" Are you sure?."

"Yah, I wasn't upset."

"Thank goodness!, i was thinking you were, so friends?." the guy stretched his hand out for a shake. Liyla hesitated for a while but later agreed.

"So wouldn't you care to know my name?." he asked smiling

"Okay what is your name?." Liyla asked just for asking sake

"My name is Daven and you what's your name?." Daven asked brushing his hair with his hand and pouted his lips which made him look cute.

Liyla was lost for a moment without realizing she's been holding her breath for long

"uhh my.. my name is Liyla." She finally spoke

"Oh nice name, nice to meet you Liyla."

"nice meeting you too Daven."

"Okay shall we." he acted like a chauffer

Liyla became confused but later noticed he was pointing towards the school entrance.

"oh yeah sure." Liyla followed as he walked pass her

The school is built like a luxurious estate with several sport infrastructures and it has a senior and junior block, each department has a different dressing code and Liyla is studying Public administration which has one of the biggest buildings covering over two hundred students. As time goes on Liyla got to meet Kate, a public administration student also and they became best friends, they both study together, eat together during lunch and has a connection. Both of them are interested in becoming important women in the society because women are not always allowed to take those positions because they are women. So Liyla and Kate wanted to change that.

Daven is one popular guy in the school because he is handsome and intelligent, he plays basketball and had won Soo many cups for the school, he has been on free sponsorship for years because of his impact to the school.

And here comes Maddy and Natalya the school damsels, actually Maddy is the important one while Natalya is just her buddy. Maddy has been trying to get Daven to be her boyfriend but he has no interest in her, but she never takes no for an answer. Maddy started noticing how Daven and the newbie Liyla became close which got her really upset, she has been craving to have Daven all to herself for years and this newbie who just came to the school has him following her already.

Maddy has a reputation and is known as one of the richest students in Debbys high, she is smart but has a big bad attitude, she is fund of dumping guys like every day as if they are handbags who have no will and maybe that's why Daven never wanted to get attached not that he doesn't like her.

After class Liyla went ahead to the school canteen while Kate went to the bathroom first, so she just ordered for water while waiting for her friend.