Chapter 1

The leaves fell silently as they came in contact with the heated crust. The defined footprints of the said human beings, who regard themselves highly and others claiming themselves royalty in the age where they could only see themselves as the owners of the earthen globe, were etched on its surface as if showcasing their very existence. Animal hides were also imprinted on the dark soils indicating that there was still life in this era where myths, legends and reality worked together to keep the world in balance.

Somewhere within this land stood a structured institute which from the human's speculative eye is said to be a great place to send their children to learn more about their biased lifestyles. I on the other hand have no choice but to rely on this relic building which may be the only light source in my grim life.

I trotted towards the last class of the day. Beside me followed Emilda my very first friend here in the academy. I like to call her Emy because it's short and it suits her.

"Charlotte wait for me .....you are going too fast!" She lamented. Trying her very best to fall in step with me. What can I say I can't afford to be late for my math class.

We eventually reached the study hall, Mr. Clark already teaching the Pythagoras theorem. We quietly took our seats and listened throughout the whole thing. Emy ended up drowsing off to dreamland. The day came to an end within a blink of an eye.

It was about nine o'clock in the evening when I packed my things and commenced my journey back home. I exited the gate after saying goodbye to Emy. I trailed down the narrow road which led to the apartments. The route is quite scary. There are no lights on the streets. Sometimes when I am on my solo walk I feel as if someone is watching me from the dark.

It reminds me of the day I finished school very late. I was so stressed and tired on that day and I am sure as hell that I couldn't feel my surroundings. It was sudden when I collided with something hard, perhaps a wall. It was solid and unyielding. The impact jolted me backwards and I nearly fell to the ground.

When I looked up, I was surprised to see the outline of an imposing figure and he looked very scary, his body was covered in blood and his clothes were ripped into scrapes. He had that aura that spelt danger. It was dark and I couldn't see his face properly. I looked into his green eyes which seemed to be shifting from their original colour to black before he mumbled in a deep husky voice, "Mate."

I couldn't decipher what he meant as he took off into the dark, just like that he had vanished out of sight.

Was he scared of me?

Am I that scary?

It was then I realized that I was stuck in the same position as before. That night I made my way back home and went straight away to sleep before preparing myself for another day.

It is now I realize that life is not all what it seems. Ever since I was ten years old, I was very afraid of walking in the dark, if not for that night I wouldn't have conquered my fear of the dark. Because I kept my belief that I could scare anything that comes my way just like I did to that man. Now I feel free and safe wandering in this alley not afraid of anything, I still wonder though what he meant by mate. Strangely, I have this feeling inside of me that calms me whenever I am reminded of those green eyes staring at mine as if determined to declare to the world that I was his. Strange right. At least that's only a thought at least. After reaching home I made myself comfortable in my bedroom. I turned my laptop on and searched through it until I found my favourite movie, 'Phoenix.'

The next morning I readied myself making my way to school. From afar I could see Emy running towards me leaving her boyfriend alone. Yeah, boyfriend. It hasn't been long since she got one and they are sweet together.

"Hey, good morning. Did you sleep well?" She greeted catching her breath.

"Morning sweetheart. I slept well and you?"

We talked as we made our way to class. We took our seats at the front avoiding everyone's attention. Not everyone is fond of me. I tried to be that girl who was open but that only brought insults and duhs from the guys and later on the girls too. Fortunately, Emy stayed by my side through it all.

Surely I see her as more than just my friend- she is like big sister to me. I love her so much. "Hey, I heard there is a new hunk joining this class." Emy squealed as I tried to finish my History assignments.

"Don't you have a boyfriend?" I asked as I rolled my eyes at her silly antics.

"Yeah I do but he is understanding you know!" She rejoiced getting too overexcited.

Surely all eyes were on us. We were saved by Mrs. Johnson who marched into the classroom and then shouted for everyone to take their seats. I was surprised when the next teacher brought in a very handsome boy, he was incredibly attractive. I could see the other girls swooning over him. The teacher introduced him and unknowingly I ended up saying his name out loud,

"Nelson," it just flowed perfectly off my tongue.

He took his seat at the corner where the bad boy of our school sat. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that rose when I looked at him. He was quiet on his first day. I felt a connection between us- neither deep too shadow, but somewhere in between. It felt mysterious and intriguing - it somehow drew me to him. This didn't go unnoticed by Emy who would here and there jab at my side when she noticed me staring. What can I say he is too good for his own good.

At lunch, I couldn't get enough of Emy's tease as she brought up Nelson. I would blush and feel content when she fantasized about me dating him. What can I say, me with him it's impossible. Say that to the crazy girl. She would wack you all over.

School is great and I can't seem to stay away from him, either in my dreams or at school. I am so confused about why I am reacting this way. I want to be the old me again. Why can't I live just like before? While Emy has been saying that I might be developing feelings for this guy but I feel different they are not as strong as that. In my dreams I see vague images of him calling out my name.

I need to talk to him. Today is the day. I am going to ask him why this is happening to me. What should I ask? 'Nelson, why are you making me feel like this?'

Hahah. I am kidding myself. I should ask Emilda for help.

To think of it I haven't seen her since morning. Since five hours ago, at times we would meet at this point. What happened to her? I started freaking out while calling her number- trying to reach her phone but couldn't get through. So I started looking around the school building hoping to find her.

As I moved from one place to the other searching for her I had this feeling within me that screamed something big was about to happen. Through my search I bumped into Nelson. It is first to look into his mesmerizing eyes. Those blue orbs reminded me of that night. I am reminded of those green eyes that kept haunting me each night each breath. The emerald hue peering at my pure soul.

"Charlotte right? How can I help you?" He asked with his face filled with so much worry.

"Yes, I can't find my friend she is been missing since morning," I hurriedly answered him feeling anxious for my dear friend and also very eager to hold her safely in my arms.

"Come this way we have to inform the police before searching we don't know what might have happened to her," he explained dragging me towards the staff room so that they could inform the police of the matter.

"No I can't we don't have much time," I exclaimed making my way out of the school gate heading towards the forest. I didn't even know why I had entered the forest maybe on instinct but I was determined to save my friend no matter what.

I started this journey with my mind set on this quest. I don't know what would be in my way but what's worse than losing a dear friend or a sister- knowing very well that I could have done something.