Chapter 5

His stomach heaves in and out. His chest pumps fast. He pants with his tongue is hanging on his mouth. His hand shivers while gripping the knife handle. It's over. He won the deadly battle. He walked closer to the hideous animal. Its flesh is shredded and the blood immediately curdled. The animal's body is not moving. Not a reflex it could let out. It is bathing on its own blood that drains from its cut neck. Its head is a meter afar. Its eyes are still open and its jaws are stretched out. It twitched, then its tongue lies out. Life has gone of it.

I am still at the point where I laid myself in astonishment. That's another creepy and terrifying kill.

The boy turned to me. His face was sprinkled with dried blood droplets. He motioned his hand with the bloody shiny blade. It took long for me to realize he was returning the weapon.

"Thanks. I could have died without it." he sounded cracking in a hoarse voice. He is still filled with tense and shock.

"Yeah." I just said, astounded. He's cool.

People started to crowd the scene. Most girls are still crying hard. Young men trembled along. But now, everyone lifted up their heads to catch the moment. Some sneaks on the corpse and some are moving away. Middle-aged men came across the scene of the crime to fence other people away.

Alice's dad was there. He was waving his arms over the people behind him. He loudly commanded, "Everyone get inside. There might be a lot of this thing's friends to come after us."

His statement created a slight panic. Everyone rushed to enter the mansion which somehow caused a stampede. Despite that, I am still there, paused. I can't move though everyone's bumping on me just to keep themselves in. After a couple of minutes, I saw the boy who was attacked. I nailed a look on him. He was still on his pose, frozen like statue. Some butlers approached him to put white towels on his back and cocoon him over. I just can't puzzle what just happened.

"Hey." I felt an arm bracing my neck. It was Michael. He continued, "You, okay?"

I nod my head many times. I can't form words after what I've seen. I feel I'm too weak.

He pulled me and we entered the mansion. On the sofa few meters ahead, I see Alice, Jenny and Alice's mom waiting for us. Right before I reach them, two girls drew on before me with stretched arms. They embraced me.

All of a sudden, I patted their backs, then I wiped my bloody hands on their clothes. I know what I am doing, but I don't know I am doing it.

"ADRIAN!!!!" Jenny screamed. She smelled the floating rust smell.

All of us laughed hard, even Alice's mom who was sitting there watching us.

I turned around and said, "I'll share this to you more, hunter wannabe." I grabbed Michael's shoulders and braced him with my arms. I brushed my gooey hands on his clothes.

"Ah! Adrian you're too gross." He released with all force. His face is all crumpled with the goo on his robe. He replied with a wicked face, "Tomorrow I'll flood your bed with sticky cow crap."

"If you can, stink breath!" I replied followed with crazy laughs.

Alice's mom let us clean ourselves. I am now on one of their bathrooms. I was rubbing my hands under the falling water from the sink. The blood floods with the water turning the flow reddish. Then, I bowled the water in my both hands and pressed it against my face. The water is cold, and soothing. I rubbed my hands until the water was spilled off. My eyes ruled on the mirror in front of me.

My reflection stared at me worryingly. I said as if someone's with me, "It will be alright."

I felt a little cheered up as I wipe on the towel on my face. I don't know but, I feel broken up.

As I walk to my friends, Alice's dad entered the mansion giving some news. He said Mr. Chanester and the district night patrollers are with him. We guys run outside to see. I am bringing myself in the front of our line until the three of them stopped nearby but I made my walk too close to Mr. Chanester.

"Looks like wolves are disturbing my village." He said, without noticing I was right next to him. He was holding his notepad and writing something on it. He raised his eyes to some patrollers studying the wolf corpse. He asked, "What you got there people?"

"Sir, another collar." Someone said. He raised a collar with a wide necklace, covered with spikes. It is noticing to see the pendant on it. No doubt, it's like the one who attacked me last night.

Mr. Chanester scooted over and studied the collar. I followed on the same pace. I saw clearly the engravings, HG.

"Looks like wolves are chasing you Adrian. But I doubt it was a random attack." He said. I thought he didn't notice me or he just don't mind me. He continued, "You better watch out. You're in front of the line when it attacked right?"

"Yes sir." I answered. I bowed my head down having doubts inside me. I continued, "But it didn't attack me directly. It was the boy behind me. I think it targets him."

I slowly raised my eyes. He looked at me with tiger's eyes but I can sense his curiosity, wanting me to continue.

I said further, "It was just my idea since the wolf hit me in the first place when it accidentally stumbled in the air and fall upon me. If it just wants to attack, I am the best prey, as the closest and weak enough to get up. It would not mind looking for other victims."

"You got a point." He said. He was seemed satisfied to my statements. Maybe he really wants to investigate through me as a witness.

"And there was Michael and other boys behind me. They just started to spread when the wolf is attacking its target." I explained.

"We will know something soon about this—and about your case too." He sounded in conclusion.

"Ah, Sir, if you noticed the blood trails outside, are there fellows searching deep it the woods for the girl?" I said when I suddenly remembered the screams and the trails of blood.

"Don't worry lad. Thank you for your concern. We sent fellows immediately after Mr. Hewdon called us. It will be ok. Go ahead and have some peace." Mr. Chanester replied and patted my shoulder.

Then, he commanded me to leave the scene for investigation. I can still see the corpse of the wolf lying on the grassy ground. Its blood dries up and forming clotty goo. The night patrollers carried the corpse after few minutes in the stretcher and leave the place immediately.

The boy who was attacked was there sitting in one of the seats in the party tables. He was with one of the butlers, still wiping his face with white towel. Though I am far, I can sense his springing fear from the trauma like what I had last night. He was shivering and had a straight nailing look. I hope he'll be alright.

It was breaking dawn. Everything is covered with gloom. The trees surround me, then the very tall brick walls behind them. Everything is color gray. The breeze touches my skin. There's no wind but it is cold. I looked my hands, tossing them both sides slowly. I am also color gray. I knew I was wearing a white long sleeve over my brown vest. And my hairs are very thick waving against my neck.

I don't know where I am.

I tossed my head up. Everything, is just a bunch of trees. Then, my ear caught growling sound. Sound of an animal nearby. I looked behidn behind. A huge wolf was in front of me. It growls. It gnashes.

It had fallen to the ground. There was an arrow struck on its neck. Then, I lowered down my arms, holding a bow.

"Ha? What?" I turned my head everywhere.

Fiery arrow heads suddenly rained over the horizon. They kept on bursting out powerful fire. I can't move my feet. I'm stuck. I shielded my arms in the fire as it swallowed me to its heat.

"Adrian. Adrian." I heard my name called. The world turned around me. All the grayness blends itself with the bright flames into an eye of a swirl.

I closed my eyes. I can still hear someone calling my name, "Adrian. Adrian. Adrian."

Then, I floated through the nothingness. My feet slowly felt the ground. Everything seemed to be familiar now. I remember this place. I can never be wrong.

Midday sun. All were here at the district capitol hall. A new day. A great day. And I know what's happening next. I know. Until I knew this day gave me sorrow. Still, it is a great day. A new day. This is going to be great.

No, the sun should not rise to this day. No. Not in forever.

"I am here to get you inside the walls, children of this despaired society." It is him. It is the man. The man I always see in slumber. The man I am always scared of. He's here. How'd he get here? Maybe he knew I am getting inside the walls.

People are around me. All of us are looking in the same direction. There was someone speaking in the very front, far away from me. It was a woman wearing a very long black robe, more like of a cape. She has a very long scroll on her hand. The scroll rolled open down to the floor. She's talking but I can't hear what she says.

Then, everything flashed. I was next to her feet. She's on an elevated stage. There's no one in that very front. She angled her head down on me. I shivered when her eyes, like an eye of a doll struck mine. Her face is all blank when she loudly shouted out, "Adrian Brandon Guste. You are not on the list. You will never be. You will rot here inside. Everything you do will chase you. You can't escape. You'll die."

The crowd cheered as the torch was kindled in flames. There was a man holding the torch had gone next to the woman. He throws the torch on my face.

"Ahhh." I covered my eyes as the fire blasted in my sight. I felt the heat.

I shook my head. It is flaming. I am on fire. My heart suddenly hammered my chest. My head throbs. My bones are crushing one by one. Everyone around me, all of them are burning with fire. Their bodies were fallen on one another. They are all lying on the floor. They are slowly consumed with flames until a huge, one powerful fire appears on my front. The bodies are charring to dark ashes.

I held the bow and a loaded arrow on it. It was flaring. It is. And charring but never breaks. Then, I let the fiery arrow fly towards the city. It flamed. As I turn, it became an inferno. Everything is on fire. Someone grabbed my shoulders. He pulled me hard to the stone down on my feet.

"You will never enter those walls. Never. Never. As long as I live." He whispers from my ears. His voice chokes and fades into a thick air I grasp. He continued while his voice slowly fades, "I will kill you slowly before you do."

His face burst up in my very eyes. He is blurred. His hands are the only clear. He gripped my shoulders and pushed me down to the burning corpses. My head slammed on the ground. I saw something on his neck. It was a red scarf.

"Whaaaa!" my body pulled up with all force from rest.

Hard pumps. Panting. Reaching for air to grasp. I gripped my hands tight. My sweat floods down from my head. My body is all soaked in sweat. I looked the walls around me. I'm in my room. Thank goodness.

Breathing hard, I wiped my forehead with my arms that still sweat like a waterfall.

I think it is nearly afternoon but it will be few hours before the dusk.

I had that nightmare again. I thought it was real. I never told anyone about it. The dream is all the same. How it starts and how it ends are always the same. Every time I am inside of that dream, I feel a terrifying fear I never felt before when I am awake. I wanted to tear myself up whenever I see or feel the presence of the man inside. I am afraid of him, more than anyone I know. The worst part, I don't know who he was. His presence in my memory drives me crazy. This fear I keep for how long makes me insane. But I have decided, I will defeat him wherever it takes. He maybe whispers me to death, but I will win. I will.

I stayed outside for a while to watch the sunset to get that stupid dream out of my head. After all, night time is at hand and I am going to sleep once again. The stratus clouds occupy the blue sky. The cool wind had its fresh breeze though it is quite a dry season. I sat right next to the apple tree near our house. It is the place where I've seen the weird human like silhouette the time I killed the wolf.

Then, I heard loud thumps behind me. I turned to see there was a boy. The one who was attacked by the wolf.

"Hi. Adrian right?" he greeted as he reached me.

He wears a sky-blue long-sleeved shirt and white pants. He has a hat on his head. He had a thinner body, thinner than Michael and me, like he didn't eat a lot every day. I was surprised he managed to kill the wolf last night.

And what's more, he has blue eyes, just like the color of the water in the river. He sat next to me.

"Yes. Can I help you?" I said while blurring my sight due to the wind. I continued, "You way seemed a lot better now."

"I am Sky." He quickly answered. He continued, "I've asked your friends about you last night before I've gone home. Lucky me, I found you here."

"Oh cool. How are you now?" I just, don't know what to say. My eyes caught the bandage on his face and on his right ear.

"It is good to see you too. My wounds didn't hurt much for now. That wolf's teeth caught my ear and tore it up. I surprisingly managed to move my head away." He answered. It seemed he recovered that easily.

I nodded. I had to admit I really had a problem with getting to know someone who just tries to talk to me.

"Can I discuss with you something? This might be upsetting but," He said eagerly, directing to his point. He gaze the rice fields and continued what he was saying, "I'm desperate to know what's going on, about me and perhaps to you too."

"About what?" I said blankly. That piques my interest alright.

"The wolves." He answered. He paused for a moment and continued, "Something's different with me. I just can't get away with it. My folks think I am crazy."

This guy seemed to talk like we knew each other long ago. Impressive.

"Alright." I said briefly.

"Is this your first wolf encounter?"

"Well", I scratched my head, grasping some of my memories. I continued, "It's the second attack, that one while I'm on the house the day before. I don't exactly count that happened to you last night."

He rose down his head, thinking. His facial expression gets more serious. What an old man.

"The first one happened last year which caused my delay in school. My name's not in the roster call because of that incident. Or so, that's what I believe." I said.

Sky's eyes went big and darted on mine. It looks like he hit the eye of the bull.

"Well, you better shouldn't count last night. That attack's really for me." he replied in a flustered face.

"I thought of it too. It seems to target you. I might be dead if it just wanted anyone for dinner." I said blankly.

I started to think something is behind of all of this. My idea of him being a target was just a hunch fresh from my guts.

"Why do you think it's for you?" I asked though I am quite to believing his side.

"I don't know, just a hunch perhaps. But I believe, that old Mr. Chanester wouldn't spill the beans even though he understands the situation." Sky raised his voice. His words are becoming mad. He further explained, "Maybe it's about enrolling to the academy. We are rejects, so they needed to find a way to get rid of us!"

"Well, that's rough. That didn't even occur to me." I replied. That's twisted, perhaps and weird on a whole different level.

"Have you ever seen your parents?"

"Yes. I did when I was a little child, almost a baby, if my memory serves me well." I bowed my head. With this said, my head splatters varying emotions I never felt before. I continued without my comprehension, "Then, they left me and never came back."

Silence covered us for few seconds. My head drags me into an abyss of loneliness in that nick of silence. His voice slowly entranced my ears.

"Riding the same boat aren't we?" His left arm was raised, saluting me. He continued, "In the best of my beliefs, I stand that there is something different on us. I figured this out when I failed to go with the batch last year and those crazy things happened to me after. The guards are more persistent than ever in watching me and especially when often times my grandfather takes me to the district hospital for some dose of weird medicine I have since I was ten years old."

"Yeah." I just said. About right now, I can't seem comprehend what he is talking about right now. That's totally ridiculous. I guess my skepticism got the best of me right now. "I suppose I don't pay hospital visits a lot and have that drug you said as far as I can remember, nor have those ferocious guards around me."

"I'm sorry for upsetting some of your insides for this conversation. I don't know what ties up us two but I don't lose hope to find more out, especially that the next roster call is at hand." he sounded so conclusive.

He pulled himself up then offered a hand to raise me from the seat. He went straight home as I do the same.

Until now, I can't tie up all the things Sky and I had talked earlier. I just can't understand his judgements to these matters. Well, for me, it does not really matter for now. I've had enough strange stuff going on around lately.