chapter three

[ IN WHICH SHE HAS QUESTIONS ]

Being in the public eye has its benefits.

But I can’t say those benefits outweigh the disadvantages. I’ve had my fair share of criticism and death threats from the public. Like every other celebrity.

Most of the time, my fans —or rather— haters are dissatisfied with what I do, what I say and even with what I wear. They want me to act a certain way, to fulfil the perfect model-like perception they already have of me, but the thing is, no one’s perfect, and I assure you, I, November am far from perfection. So, when I don’t do the things they want, or when I gain just a little bit of weight, or when a scandalous article gets out, I am dragged all over the internet and shamed for it.

Those years were characterized with feelings of hopelessness; however, it doesn’t compare to what I’ve gone through today.

I witnessed mates of mine ripped apart and thrown to the floor like chickens.

Images keep flashing in my mind. And I have so many questions. Why didn’t the security guards come in and save them? What or who exactly did that to them? And why didn’t I find Luca Zhang amongst the people dead? Is it because we were both in the bathroom at the time of the unseen attack? And most importantly…

“Who the fuck are you people?” I yell through the hood placed on my head.

My wrist start to hurt from the ropes holding me captive. I try to wriggle out of them, but I can’t get them off. I’m seated in what feels like a vehicle. The slight bumps on the road, and the calm sound of the engine lets me know that I’m being driven somewhere.

“What do you want from me?” I ask again.

No one responds.

I can feel the boy and the girl who abducted me sitting in front of me, in silence. I grow angrier at the situation.

“Get this thing off of me!” I shake my head violently.

“Atlas, why did you put a hood over her head anyways?” The girl’s tiny voice asks.

From that, I can tell she’s no older than eighteen. Somewhere around my age. But why are kids murdering and abducting people? Is that what the Gen Z’s do these days for fun?

“I thought that’s what you wanted me to do. I figured we wouldn’t want her seeing the way through the barrier, besides this keeps her from escaping. I did a great job, didn't I?” Atlas responds.

“You useless fart. What would the King say when he hears that you treated her like a kidnapped victim?”

“Well, didn’t he think of that first when he asked us to literally kidnap her? I honestly don't understand this man at times.”

I hear a light slap, followed by a whimper.

“Get that thing off her.”

“Fine. But when she escapes, it’s your fault, Jacqueline.”

After Atlas’ words, the hood is ripped off my head. The first thing I do out of anger is, I spit at the two of them. I make sure the soiled mucus from my mouth touches the both of them. The tall boy with dark, chocolate skin and curly black hair scrunches his face in exaggerated disgust. While the other girl with white hair and pale skin just narrows her gaze at me.

“Let me go.” I command.

Atlas groans, taking a sit on the floor of the vehicle. “Ah, this is funny, every century you return as a different character.”

I don’t listen to him. “I said, let me go!” All I want is for this to be over.

“You can scream all you want, but we won’t do that.” Jacqueline says in a bold tone.

I eye her. This rude brat. Panting heavily, I look around the vehicle. It’s one of those where there’s a wall separating the back from the front, so I can’t see who’s in the driver seat.

… [actually, there was no one in the driver seat, but i was yet to figure that out] …

The back of the vehicle has no seats. It’s like the back of a van. Or rather, a wagon; which is a more suitable description. The only matter occupying space is me, and the two teenagers in front of me. We’re all sitting on the floor of the van. I don’t know where they’re taking me, but I can’t let despicable kids screw up my night. I’m supposed to attend a morning show where I talk about my profession in a few hours, and this is the last thing I need.

“You kids are dumb, aren’t you?” I say to them. “You think you can do this to me, and the country’s wealthy socialites, and get away with it? The police already knows I’m missing, and they’re coming for me. And your little prank will end you behind bars. You do not want to fuck with me.”

Silence swallows us, and for a second I think I’ve gotten through to my abductors, but Atlas lets out a loud laugh.

“The police won’t do anything.” Jacqueline smirks.

I watch the two with a frown on my face. Atlas continues to laugh, rolling on the floor of the spacious vehicle. Sweat beads on my forehead and my hair sticks to my face.

“We are not kids, November. We’ve been alive for centuries. Though I like to think that I am young and handsome, I am not. Well, not the handsome part. No matter what day I age, I still remain cute!” Atlas smiles widely, almost maniacally.

“Shut up, Atlas.”

The boy clears his throat. “And this isn’t some prank. We had to kill those people in order to collect you.”

I freeze. My sweat turns cold. “What?”

My mind recollects the events from a few minutes ago. I remember seeing Atlas with blood all over his mouth and jaw. His hands were also covered in blood. Did he eat those people? What about the white haired female? She only had blades and knives attached to her clothing. But that doesn’t make her any less dangerous.

Atlas laughs again, hands on his belly. “But, I promise you, we’re not bad people, November. We’re just carrying out orders.”

I have to get out of here. Now!

Without thinking my escape through, I fling myself toward the door on my left. I’m quick to act as my intention is to use my body weight to force the door open. After that, I can fall out of the moving van. I might sustain a few injuries, but it’s better than getting murdered by two mentally unstable children.

Once I’m at the door, my body pushes it open; however, it’s not what I expected.

Instead of the dark night, and the view of concrete, tarred roads, I see nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

There’s a storm. Brown smoke and dust everywhere, reaching far out into nothingness. A scream leaves my mouth when I look at the tires… there’s nothing there. No wheels. Which means no driver. And the wagon is floating? So the slight bumps on the road are turbulence from the storm?

In a split second, I am pulled back into the van and the door is slammed shut by Jacqueline.

“What the hell did you just do?” Atlas grabs the collar of my dress, pulling me away from the door. He lets go and stares at me. “You could’ve gotten us all killed.”

I shake in my spot. “What was that?”

“That’s the barrier,” Jacqueline says, standing on her feet. Now that she’s stood, she looks much older and intimidating. “It separates your world from our world. If you try to escape now, you’ll be falling into the void for millions of years, and you’ll keep falling. You won’t get back home if that’s what you’re trying to do, you’ll be lost in the void, forever.” She glares with her blue eyes. “So, do not move.”

Atlas pouts at me. “I promise, we’re not going to hurt you. We’re trying to protect you.”

… [it looked like he was saying the truth, but he didn't know what the King had in plan for me] …

“Just a few more minutes and you will understand everything when you meet him. Please, stay put. Everything will make sense in a bit. He would kill us if he hears that you fell into the void, the barrier. I swear to the sky, I cannot endure another day of torture,” he says, rolling his eyes. “He is more deadly than he appears.” He mutters to himself.

He? Who the heck is he?

“Why are you doing this?” I ask Atlas. “Are you one of those people who threaten to kidnap and kill me over the internet?”

He chuckles, the look of sympathy completely vanishing. “This has nothing to do with you being a celebrity,” he says.

I sigh, tiredly. I wiggle my hands that are still tied in a rope. My butt starts to hurt from the hard floor. “Then who are you people? What do you want from me? Where are you taking me?”

Jacqueline sits back on the floor. “We can’t answer the first two questions, but the last one…” She trails. “We’re taking you to the King.” That sentence draws darkness upon us. “He has asked for you, and he’s waiting patiently.”

"You are taking me to the King?" I question, looking between the two.

"Well, obviously." Atlas rolls his eyes in a funny way as a response to my question.

… [at that time, I only knew about presidents, senators, and mayors. king? i knew of no king. and i didn’t know of the pain and pleasure waiting ahead of me] …