KELANI POVTHE NEXT DAYWalking into the infirmary, I halted as I bumped into Coach Jensen.He assessed me with narrowed eyes, then he shook his head, "I believe you should be in class right now, young lady."His arms folded across his chest, and his biceps ripped as he did."I took an excuse. I left yesterday after headmaster Kendrick asked us to, so I decided to come as soon as I could to see Vesper." I explained."He's well," He replied, still blocking my path."Thank you," I mentioned, then attempted to sidestep him, but he blocked me again."I don't think it's a good idea to fail class," He said."I'm not failing classes, and this is the first time I'm literally taking an excuse," I let out.Coach Jensen didn't look convinced. So he shook his head once more, "You should go back to class; Vesper needed all the rest he could get after the event from yesterday."The urge to march towards him and screech into his face, demanding he leave me, filled me, but I clenched my hands instead
KELANI POVLooking at Vesper for the longest time, I shook my head. "It can't be.""Hey, I am not saying it is. It's just an assumption," Vesper said."But I don't think you should think about that now," He said."Why not?" I raised a brow. Finding my mother was what had been on my mind ever since I learnt of the possibility of her being alive.Also, the fact that monsters kept trailing me about could only mean that."There are many things to think about," Vesper shrugged, then continued. "For instance, the fact that I am alive. Secondly, the announcement for the competition will be coming up soon, and lastly, it's the last day of school. Don't you think it's enough thing to think about?"Today was the last day of school. I was only just realizing that. Ever since the competition and monster hunting started, I never thought of the school going on a break.Perhaps because I had no one to go to and nothing to look forward to as well.Everything in my head was bleak, and I doubted I'd be
KELANI POVI was overly nervous. Puffing out two gulps of air, I tucked my hands into the back pocket of the denim knee-length skirt I wore.Pulling down the crop polka dot top that Riley had forced me into, I gazed at myself in the mirror close to the entrance.Riley had dolled me up. I never expected her to do such a thing as it was only meant to be a casual date or whatever it was that Zain had in mind.But I expected it to be causal and didn't care about making myself up, but she had blocked my path, sat me down, and threatened to hex me if I didn't allow her.Riley hadn't hex me before, but at that time, I didn't doubt the fact that she wouldn't.I'd rather be indoors, listening to some cool music while reading the new novels I had recently acquired, or even watch some movies and, afterwards, list out all the things I needed to do to get myself ready for the incoming break.Here I was, ridiculously dressed up and looking unlike myself.Stepping towards the entrance reluctantly, I
RILEY POVLetting my attention wander back to the newscaster on the television, I raised a brow."Two killed from animal attack in Mystic Height," I read the heading, shaking my head.I, for once, knew it wasn't an animal attack. It had been going on for a while. Ever since the competition ended, one thing or the other had been happening.The sudden change in the atmosphere I had attributed to the championship at first, but after a few rumors going about animals killing humans, most significantly, I was keen to look into it.But I hadn't found anything meaningful.Now, another attack had happened, and it had exactly the same mark- a deep gash at the neck.Whoever had done that was really awful in covering their mark, or perhaps they wanted to be known; hence, they hadn't made any effort to cover up.Jumping as a sound from outside caught my attention, I looked around the lonesome room.Everything was in order.Shrugging, I gazed back at the television to see the reporter was now deep
RILEY POVThe morning wasn't exactly as I had planned it to be. Rudely jerked out of my slumber, running from what I could barely see; I and Kelani had been on the run.I panted, swatting at a twig that curled towards me, still running.Kelani, on the other hand seemed to be filled with energy. I couldn't fathom where the energy had exactly come from.But she had neither stopped to take a break nor was she breaking out in sweat.Also, it didn't look like her lungs were about to collapse, unlike me."I-I can't!" I stuttered, rushing towards a nearby tree to catch my breath."Why?" Kelani frowned. "It'll catch up with us!""Well, I didn't see exactly what we were running away from." But I wouldn't deny I didn't feel it.It was evil, but I believed it was best to face it head-on rather than flee from it."I just need to catch my breath," I muttered as Kelani gazed at me with narrowed eyes."I didn't plan to spend my summer break running away from monsters. I didn't even know how we were
KELANI POVI felt powers coursing through me. For the first time since my existence, I felt the intense power.This was even more powerful than when I had taken Williams down in Werewolf 101. This felt as though someone was inside of me, trying to rip my inside apart.But I had the ability to suppress the urge. I didn't know how I could do so.Seeing Riley being held up and almost killed had snapped me out of my daze. It had driven me into action.I couldn't watch Riley die for me. A lot of my friends had tried their best to save me, and I could only watch in hopelessness each time.Right now, I believe it was my turn to save her.The monster snarled. It was the only monster standing, and it charged towards me.Jumping out of his path, I gazed at Riley as she stood to her feet."Stay away," I said to her as she started coming forward."No, Kelani...""This fight is mine, Riley!" I repeated.The monster sprinted towards me again, and rather than jump away from his reach, I faced it hea
KELANI POVI just knew it. There was no way I could take three steps away from Riley's side. She gripped my hand, pulling me back.Placing my feet to the ground as she started to move, I shook my head."I don't want to," I muttered."Is something wrong?" Riley asked me."I don't want to be here," I said. "You didn't say you were bringing me to his side. I'd rather have stayed in the forest than be here.""That's absurd. The forest is dangerous, Kelani, and this is the closest place that I can think is safe." Riley said."How do you know where he lives anyway? And how are you suddenly friends with Zain that you can visit him freely?" I asked her.Riley sighed, letting me go, "We've always been friends, and perhaps this is the time I need to mention some things to you.""Some things like?" I asked her. Were they best of friends? Or did she tolerate all of them until she couldn't any longer?"Riley," Zain called. "It's a surprise to see you here.""I am always here," Riley said, making m
ZAIN POVGrimacing, I watched as Kelani stepped away from me to the other side, very much closer to the gate.She acted as though I was some kind of monster she desired to get away from—the kind of monster she had killed.Her back was turned to me, and I saw her shoulders heaved.The desire to approach her and apologize once again filled me, but I doubted she would appreciate any of the apologies."When you wish to come in, you are free to." I hollered before turning and stepping indoors.Meeting Riley at the entrance, her brows were scrunched up."What happened the night you went out?" She asked me."She didn't tell you?" I asked, surprised.Even though Kelani wasn't the kind of person who went about tarnishing people's image, I had assumed she would, at least, say it to Riley.In this context, she wasn't tarnishing my image. I had been mean to her, albeit intentionally.Also, Riley wasn't just anybody to her; she was her best friend. It was strange she still kept her in the dark."W