Chapter Eight

Thirty minutes later, I knew I was doomed. I had failed to mark my attendance and I was definitely going to be sent to the woods to die. 

No, why was I sent to the Werewolf Academy? Did they send me here to kill me? I managed to stop myself from crying.

I sprang up to my feet as soon as I heard the toilet door open. "Who's there?" I shouted but when there was no response, I continued. "Someone help me, I was locked in here. Please help me."

Finally, someone unlocked the door from outside and I found Zoe staring at me shocked. "What happened? How did you get locked in this toilet? What happened?" She asked, concerned.

"I don't know but I feel someone locked me in here and I'm suspecting that devil."

She took a deep breath. "Nah, I don't think it's Tristan. I don't think he would even have that time to be in a female's restroom."

Then who did that? It wasn't even my major concern, I just wanted to find out about the attendance event. "What about...."

She cut in, she seemed to know what I was about to ask. "Forget it, you're late. I was even sent by the teacher to look for you. They'll soon send you to the woods."

My heart almost collapsed.

"OMG? That's callous. Won't they pardon me since I'm just a newcomer? Look, I don't even know anything. Aren't they going to believe me if I tell them I was locked up in the toilet."

She chuckled softly and leaned on the wall. "Aren't you funny? How are they not going to know that you're telling the truth? Have you forgotten wolves have a sense to smell? They'll definitely know."

I heaved a sigh of relief. At least they would believe me and quit the idea of sending me down to the woods. "That's a whole lot of relief."

"I'm afraid not. These people do not care about anyone. Everyone is worried about the impending danger that might likely befall on us." She replied.

I didn't even want to know what she meant by impending danger. "I guess they're not going to reconsider then."

She shook her head. "They're definitely not going to reconsider. You'll come back to the academy tonight because of the party. It's better if you find somewhere safe like a small cave to sleep.... The woods are also somewhere in the school so I'll say if you're smart, you'll survive."

I didn't even know what to believe no more. Even though I was smart, I was not a Werewolf and that was my weakness.

"Damn, I hate this place." I voiced out in frustration as we walked out of the restroom. 

"Don't let them hear you."

"Do you guys get attacked by vampires? I've heard a lot about them."

She giggled excitedly. "We managed to fight them off for now but I don't know about the future."

My mind went back to Tristan and what he did to me in the morning. Why was he so rude and arrogant? "I almost thought Tristan was the cursed alpha." I told her.

She let out a loud chuckle and nudged me with an elbow. "Oh gosh, that guy can never be the Cursed Alpha. The cursed alpha is too cute and sexy to be compared to Tristan." She replied.

As soon as we reached the house, I took a fresh breath of relief even though I knew I would be heading to the woods in a few minutes' time. 

"Your brother doesn't go to school most of the time, right?"

She smiled as we walked in through the door and found him watching a program on TV. "He does, he's just free for now."

Kyle Brandon winked at me as soon as he saw me and that gave me mixed feelings. He was definitely a kind and nice person but I couldn't feel any connection and I just regarded him as a friend. 

"Hey guys, what's going on? You guys are back early. Are y'all preparing for the party? I've gotten my outfit ready." He announced loudly and threw a pillow at his sister who threw it back at him playfully.

That moment made me remember Kayden, my younger brother. I missed those funny jokes and songs we sang when my parents were still alive. Tears filled my eyes and I became temporarily weak.

Zoe placed her hands on my shoulder, reassuringly. She seemed to know who I was thinking about. "Oh c'mon, you don't have to worry about anything. I'm sure Kayden is doing fine wherever he is."

My eyes widened. I couldn't remember telling her that I had a brother. "But wait, how did you know cause I'm very sure I never told you about my brother?"  I asked.

"My mom told me before you came to the academy that you had a younger brother."

Now, that was a little bit awkward.

These people knew everything about me but how was that even possible? 

I and Kyle came out of the house. Zoe didn't want to follow me because she was scared of going towards the woods. "Aren't you scared?" Kyle asked me as we walked towards the woods. I could already see the long trees and I could hear the evil bird sounds that were quite disturbing.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I'm scared as fuck. I don't even know what to do. Nothing is going through my mind right now."

"You don't have to worry, I have a feeling you won't be hurt." He tried to reassure me but I knew he was just saying that to let me conquer my fear. 

I was more than scared, especially when Zoe told me that the students barely escape when they're sent to the woods. "You're just saying that to make me feel better but I honestly don't. I hate this place with passion."

We finally came to a stop in front of a huge tree and a white line demarcated the school from the woods. "I'm afraid but you'll have to begin your journey on your own, I can't stay much longer with you." He said and took three steps backwards.

"Oh gosh, what am I supposed to do?"

When there was no response, I turned to see that he had already left. I couldn't even see traces of him near me, he zoomed off with speed. How could I have forgotten werewolves have speed?

I took a deep breath and crossed the line, I was walking through an umber-brown, ancient forest. It reeked of age, it's woody incense was from centuries of snapping branches crashing to the forest’s floor and rotting silently. 

The further I went, the more mystical and spellbinding it became. Huge roots spread-eagled the ground, twisting like the great backs of sea dinosaurs. The foliage became thick and lush, forming an arch of fairytale-green above my heads. 

I arrived at a wide glide where the trees fell away, revealing the bespeckled sky. A gentle breeze blew past me and I sensed something behind me. I didn't want to take any chances of turning back because I was more than scared.

Before I could run towards a tree to climb, I felt a cold touch that seemed to sting me on my shoulder. I had never felt so much pain before because I could feel my skin peeling off my body. 

My vision became blurry and I felt weak, I could hear a monster's loud growl before I slowly collapsed to the ground.