Chapter 004

                  *Emily's POV*

..

I carelessly flung my bag across my shoulder as I ran down the street now standing opposite the gigantic tall building; I took a glance at my wrist and cussed when the time came into view.

I was ten minutes late already.

Just my first week and I already have a record for lateness.

In my disheveled state, I hurried into the building, ignoring the desperate stares I got as I walked on. I ran up the staircase in twos, checking each tag on the door for my class. With my bag dangling behind me in massive sways, I took a stop in front of a door after confirming the inscription on the smooth glassy surface.

Running towards the door after my sudden halt, I felt my bags suddenly starting to wear me off. Trying to keep it in place had me bumping into something warm and hard, that instantly sent me crashing to the floor on my knees. My bag went sprawling to the floor; releasing some of my books from it.

I rubbed my forehead painfully and sighed tiredly when I saw my books already scattered on the floor but something else caught my attention causing the frustrated look scrawled on my face to waver off, it was something glob-like; its look was similar to that of a globe but it was smaller, diaphanous and glowing red. Just as I made to give the beautiful piece a bit of admiration, it was yanked off from the floor and my gaze rolled up to meet his. 

While mine was inquisitive, his was filled with a venom I couldn't describe. Staring at it, made me feel troubled.

He stood up with a force, tearing his gaze off me.

"I'm sorry, Mr--

He was already out of sight before I could complete my apology, I stared around, briefly surprised at how quickly he moved.

I gave my forehead a light slap. *Oh Em, your first week and you're already being so clumsy* I knew it was because of how little I slept, the long distance to school wrecks me every time.

I hope he doesn't see me as a weirdo. He does look a little different himself with his all-black outfit.

What is he? A superfan of Batman?

I sighed and put my bag in place, standing up; I began walking around the gigantic hall; searching for a space to sit but it seems they were all occupied. I turned to search for a space at the back and I paused when I sighted a large space with only one occupant. My joy was soon cut short when I realized that the occupant was no other than the Batman superfan I just bumped into minutes ago. There was a resounding announcement from the intercom and I knew a lecturer had just walked in. Subconsciously, I looked around and discovered I was the only student standing and now the center of almost everyone's attention.

With an apologetic bow at the lecturer whose gaze was on me, I turned to the guy.

"Hey, sorry about what happened back there. It's okay if I sit here, right? Every other space is occupied"

He spared me only a glance but it was enough to see his look of spite returning, he still looks pretty mad at me.

Saying nothing, his gaze was now fixated ahead of him. Regardless, I slipped into the row and took a seat beside him, making sure to leave just enough gap between us.

Lectures began and I couldn't help but constantly steal glances at my seatmate, he looked so out of place. Ranging from his dressing to his mood and then his lack of interest in what the lecturer was teaching. I dart my gaze to his table and I found it empty, he was the only one in the hall without a book or a pad to jot. His gaze was blankly lurking around the table in front of him.

Failing to keep my curiosity anonymous, I took an extra book from my bag and pulled closer to him so I could talk to him without disturbing the lecture. I knew he was probably feel nervous or left out and being someone who was once in that position, I wanted to help out.

"Hey," I said and continued even though he didn't respond, "here, I assume you're a freshman. I am too" I passed him the extra book I had with me and pushed my pencil case beside it.

"You can manage them until you get your stuff, I'm a part-time student, started attending this week, and I might not know everyone's name but I'm familiar with their faces and I can tell yours is a new one" it wasn't surprising when he said nothing but I was sure he was listening to me and that was fine too.

"Don't worry, you'll get better. And I know you're still mad at me for earlier but I'm offering you a kind gesture right now by helping you blend in, you should be grateful."

His gaze diverted from the table to the front of the class again and I smiled, knowing he at least listened to my words. From his actions, I could tell what kind of personality he possessed and at that moment, I knew my time was up, so I created the gap between us again and focused on the lectures.

**

**~writer's pov~

Emily sighed out loudly when the class came to an end, she looked to her side impulsively and realised that her seatmate was no longer there. Her gaze dropped to the book she had given him earlier, it was still flipped open but she realized there was something scribbled on the initially blank page. Curiously, she went over and peered into the book, in it was written: "Demon Alpha" in the most beautiful writing she had ever seen.

Diego left the class immediately after it ended, his head was banging with an ache from all the long talks. All along, he managed to keep his eyes off Kyra but now he just needed a break from these many odd-looking people, it was making him sick. He walked down the empty hallway, gathering his thoughts in every way possible and rearranging his next move on the prey he had sought for so many years.

"Demon Alpha!"

He paused abruptly, his face holding a stiff expression as he turned to see who had uttered those words.

It was her, Kyra. He knew he couldn't have mistaken the voice. Up till now, her mezzo-soprano voice still lives rent-free in his memories.

"What did you just call me?" He asked, watching her stealthily as she covered the space between them slightly. 

She noted the cold look on his face and her steps faltered, "oh um..you scribbled that in the book I gave you, so I thought it was like.. a nickname or something" her nervousness reflected so much in her voice. She let out an hysterical laughter to cover it up, "sorry if I invaded something personal but I just wanted to return--

"Why are you messing with me?"

The question made her brows narrow and before she could utter a word, Emily felt herself being lifted and slammed into a wall, Diego's hands instantly caging her at her sides even before she could gain her balance.

Her heart thumped as something clicked within her.

"Why are you messing with me?" The question came again, nasal and gruffly but this time the look on his face was even more unfriendly, his eyes burned with a wrath so dangerous, she visibly shook.

"W-what are you doing r-right now?" She stuttered, her heart pounding into her ribcage.

She looked around, seeking help but she got slapped with an image of the empty hall she was in.

"Quit joking with me, Kyra!" He growled at her, his breath hard, so hard, she felt the hair on her skin rise with each exhale.

"Wh-who is Kyra? What are you talking about?" She asked, fear filling up her eyes.

His eyes sought her face, "cunning bitch!" He spat in disgust.

"Let go of me this moment or I will scream" Emily mustered some courage, the last she could find.

Diego stared deeply into her, reaching for her soul but it was fruitless. He couldn't read her, couldn't tell if she was being honest or acting dumb.

Why was it so difficult to read her? Was that ability also taken away from him amongst others by the moon goddess?

"You really are not her?" She noticed his voice had soften to a point, his expression switching to that of desperation.

"Please, just let me go--

"No!" The growl was unexpected, it reverberated in her ears, and her eardrums ached. "I am suffering every day because of that blade you buried in me. Because of what you did, Kyra--

"I don't know what you're talking about!" She shut her eyes and shouted when her emotions became too heavy for her.

He grabbed her, it was so hard she felt his amazingly sharp fingers burrowing into her flesh. So painful, she winced; falling weak into his powerful hold.

"I-I- really don't know what you're talking about," tears fell from her eyes, she winched, "y-you're hurting ..me" she whimpered to him.

She was staring at him right in the eyes, yet it was hard for him to detect her authenticity, he felt himself boiling with rage. He lowered his gaze and saw blood pouring out of the wound his fingers had planted on her skin, his gaze trailed to her chest to see it moving in an uneven pace, her lips quivering in terror. He was torn and disheveled, but he knew he wasn't about to be a victim again.

When he left her and swung his arm in the air, she feared he was going to hit her, and impulsively, her eyes tightened shut, her face tilting automatically to the other side of the wall.

Emily waited.. and then counted with each thump her heart made.

 5..10..15..

 Thirty seconds passed and she slowly released her eyelids in slow motions. Opening her eyes, she discovered she was alone and he was nowhere in the hall which was now surprisingly filled with students who were without a clue of what she had just passed through.

...

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