Chapter 4

Tala Hill

Me and Maya boarded the school bus of St. Marco Academy, along with our classmates and class adviser. We are now heading to one of the historic buildings in Rome. Today is the day that Maya's music contest will be held. It is why we are together with the whole class to support her. Maya is seated next to me. She has been tuning the violin non-stop for a while now. She was obviously nervous and restless.

I stopped her hand and looked at her with a smile. “Maya, my beautiful sister. Just relax.”

Maya sighed. “I can’t. I’m really nervous. What if I make a mistake? I'll just embarrass our school,” she mumbled.

I shook my head in disapproval. “Hey, nothing of that sort will happen. You will never embarrass the school. Believe in your talent, Maya, because we all believe in you. So, have you forgotten what I have told you? When you feel nervous, just look for me in the crowd—”

“And you will make funny faces to make me smile,” she finished what I had to say. Maya squeezed my hand. “It’s really nice and good that you’re here,” she added.

I smiled at her. “Are you still nervous?”

“A bit. Let's talk about something else. to temporarily take my mind off the music contest.” She turned to me. “How about that guy you met at the hospital?”

I winced at her sudden question. “I’d rather not talk about that incident,” I said.

She raised her brows. “Why?”

Why?

Maybe because every time I thought of that guy, my heart would beat faster than it normally does.

And I really do not like that feeling. I just thought that it was because that was the first time I had a close contact with a man. And it's not just mild close contact, but it’s the one that includes touching the body.

I winced again. I immediately put the black haired man out of my mind.

After all, the man's appearance or what he did should not be what I think about. What should bother me more is how the man got to the roof without me realizing it and what kind of creature he is.

Because I was sure as hell that he wasn't human. If so, what kind of creature is that man? What does he need from me?

“You didn't answer my question,” Maya called out to me. “Are you thinking of that guy?” she teasingly asked again.

“Of course not!” I immediately denied. “In case you want to know, the sleeping potion given by Aunt Kyndra is effective,” I said. I changed the conversation so that Maya stopped asking me about the man.

She smiled. Maya reached my hand and gently squeezed it. “I knew it would work,” she whispered. “She was Kyndra Fox after all. Our Aunt Kyndra.” She looked me straight in the eyes. “I haven't asked you this but, was it the same nightmare you always had when we were kids?” Maya asked, her golden eyes suddenly filled with worry.

Now, I suddenly regretted changing the subject. The last thing I wanted was for Maya to worry about me. “Yes,” was all I said.

Maya’s facial expression suddenly turned sad

She looked down and muttered softly. “That day that Father died.”

I leaned back in my seat and squeezed my eyes shut. “Yeah.” I blinked my tears.

I had never really told Maya about the extent of my nightmare. I just said it was about the day our father died. Maya was not there when our father was attacked and died and I was really thankful for that small reprieve.

But I was there and I witnessed it all. The brutal murder of our father.

I sighed.

Maya leaned on my shoulder. “I wish I could do something for you.” She squeezed my hand again. “I just wanted to ease your pain.”

I smiled and leaned towards her. “You being here with me is already enough.”

“You are enough,” I added.

I was listening intently to one of the students participating in the music contest. I was in the audience area with my classmates. We are waiting for Maya's turn. I asked Maya if I could join her in the dressing room, but other than the participants, no one was allowed to go backstage.

I sighed.

It looks like we won't have to wait much longer because the participant is almost finished. The audience erupted into a loud applause.

At the same time, the emcee came down and walked towards the middle of the stage to announce the next participant.

“The next participant, Mayari Hill from Saint Marco Academy.”

A woman emerged and walked towards the center of the stage. Maya was now wearing a white dress, her golden hair was tied in a ponytail, it made her look more like an angel. But the fear in my sister's eyes did not escape my attention. Maya vehemently searched the crowd and when her eyes found mine, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. But I could still see that she was nervous.

So I did what I promised Maya. I crossed my eyes, stuck out my tongue, and pinched both of my cheeks.

Maya was obviously shocked by what I did and then she giggled. All traces of nervousness were gone and a wide smile was plastered on her face. I couldn't stop smiling either. Maya put the violin on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and began to play.

The beautiful sound of the violin music floated around. The notes fly. Up, down. Even though the piece itself was calm and peaceful, it still contained dynamics, which created a merry mood. Add to that Maya's lively playing. Her music took one to a place where only happy

memories exist. That people would rather just stay there. The soft music continued until it reached its climax.

Then finally, the last beautiful note.

Everyone in the audience cheered when Maya finished her piece. She immediately looked in my direction. I raised both hands and gave her two thumbs up. Maya smiled and bowed to the audience before returning backstage.

The competition continued until the last contestant played. I would have liked to check on Maya because there will be a ten minute recess for the judges to finalize who the winners are. But since it was forbidden to go backstage, I just stayed where I was sitting. I was anticipating to know if she's fine. I have a gut feeling that something is not right. I clenched my fist. I can't wait to see her.

Later, the contestants were brought up to the stage. But my eyebrows immediately raised when Maya was not seen among the contestants. When the emcee started to say who the winners were, I got nervous.

“Where's Maya?” asked my classmate who was sitting next to me. That was what I was going to find out. I was about to get up to look for Maya when I heard a loud voice calling in my head.

Tala!

I spun around. It was Maya’s voice. “The first runner-up,” said the emcee, her loud voice drowning out the voice I heard. “Mayari Hill!” People applauded but there was no Mayari Hill who received the award. Because my sister wasn't there. And she was in danger.

That was the only reason I could think of hearing Maya’s voice in my brain. Both of us can communicate with each other using only our minds. But that was only during rare occasions when the one trying to communicate felt like she was in grave danger.

I closed my eyes tightly. I need to calm down. I must find Maya. Maya. Maya! Where are you? I screamed in my mind but I got no answer from my sister. I rubbed my hand and tried to concentrate.

Tala?

It was faint but I could hear her voice.

Tala!

What happened? Where are you?

I panicked.

Outside, behind the building! Something—

I almost fainted when her voice disappeared. I didn't think about it anymore and immediately got up from my seat and ran outside. I ignored hearing some classmates calling me. I almost flew in a hurry. My heart felt like it was going to explode with so much nervousness and fear.

Please. please be safe, Maya.

After I came out, I immediately went to the back of the big building. And it was as if I was pushed to my feet when I saw my sister. She was locked inside the arms of a large man with brown hair. Maya was obviously struggling but it looked like the man had no intention of letting go of my sister.

Anger immediately surged through my entire being. I did not notice the gradual increase of the wind blowing. My whole attention was focused on Maya and the desire to save her.

“Let her go!” I shouted loudly.