Chapter 4
ADAM'S POV
She's standing in front of the bullies with the same cold look in her black eyes and the same stance as yesterday. She looks pissed.
"Get the fuck out of my face before it gets violent. Time wasters!" She demands.
"O-of course." And with that, the bullies leave. The victim then goes up to her hesitantly, before saying,
"Thank y-" Mystery girl walks right past him, ignoring him. As she walks past me, the air feels cold. I shiver and watch as she glides down the hall, her hands in her pockets, her ebony hair blowing subtly behind her.
'What was that?' I approach the person who she stood up for, wanting to make sure he's fine.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine,"
"By the way, could you show me to my next class?"
"Sure,"
SCARLET'S POV
I enter the library and spot Viktor sitting at a table, studying. I quickly approach his table - so I don't disturb him - and sit down across from him. However, he looks up from his work.
"What's got you so pissed off?" he asks.
"These wankers were in my way. I had to deal with them,"
"Did you beat them up?"
"No,"
"Good. You know, you really need to stop beating people up. I understand you can't control your anger, but-"
"Please don't lecture me, okay. It's not my fault. These people are asking for it when they push me to my limit,"
"But you don't have to give in,"
"Tch! You're not my father! You don't need to lecture me!" Viktor falls silent. I lean back in my seat and rest my ankle on my other leg, frowning.
"By the way, I've met a demon." Viktor breaks the awkward silence.
"A demon?!"
"Yeah,"
"Do you know what family she's from?"
"Her name is Anna Smith. Ring any bells?"
"No. Sounds to me like a rouge,"
"I think she is. Anyway, father wants to arrest her. She's been killing people accidentally for a while now,"
"Let me guess, he's gonna use you again,"
"He already has. He wants me to get close to her so I can set up a trap to capture her,"
"I swear that fucker needs to understand that you've got a life as well! You don't have time to set up elaborate plans and traps when you need to study and make time for yourself!"
"I'm gonna help her control her powers, though. So I'm gonna need some info on demons. I feel bad for her that she can't control her powers,"
"You and you're empathy, I swear." Viktor rolls his eyes at my statement.
"Anyway, I'll be needing information on demons,"
"Sure. But still, he can't keep controlling you!"
"I know. But I have to listen to him. I'm not in the mood to listen to his lectures or get beaten by him,"
"I'm so happy I killed Silas. My life is so much better without that bastard ruining everything for me,"
"Yeah. But I can't exactly kill my father.
I'm not a murderer." Silence follows. Topics about toxic people - especially toxic parents - get me so mad. I hate toxic people with a passion. Why can't everybody just be nice, damnit?!
"By the way, did I show you this?"
"Show me what?" I take out my phone and show him a picture, to avoid getting flashbacks of all the horrible things Silas had done to me. I can never forget them. I'm scared - both physically and mentally.
Viktor seems weirded out by the picture on my phone. I start laughing at his reaction.
"Seriously? How many more pictures of these are you gonna show me?" He complains.
"But it's blue!" The picture I showed him was a picture of a dark blue tarantula. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I think that tarantulas look cool. Especially when they're different colours like blue, black, purple.
"It's still a tarantula,"
"Leave me alone! If I like them, I like them,"
I look around the library and catch a glimpse of some articles about Silas on a student's computer screen. As soon as I see his face, I freeze. I clench my fists and start to panic. I begin to hyperventilate. Tears creep up to the edge of my eyes. I try to look away from the screen, but I can't. I'm afraid if I look away, he'll slap me and call me weak for not being able to look him in the eyes.
'He's not here! He's dead! He can't hurt you anymore!' My pep talk does nothing to help me calm down. It just makes me panic all the more.
Viktor sits next to me and makes me face him. He's saying something, but I don't know what. His face slowly goes out of view, and Silas's face comes into view through another flashback...
Silas is punching a teenage me. He is trying to train me. He wanted me to be like him, have the same skills as him. Silas was teaching me how to fight. However, his teaching methods were cruel, horrible. I always felt a powerful fear whenever he told me it was time for training.
"Pathetic. As per usual, little girl," he spat, looking down at me.
"I'm not pathetic!" As always, he laughed when I defended myself.
"You're honestly the most pathetic person I've ever met." His words always managed to hurt me. They always put me down.
He approached me, rested his hand on my shoulder and whispered in my opposite ear,
"Don't bother crying about it, little girl." Tears had poured out of my eyes. I was mentally kicking myself for showing weakness in front of him. My sadness amused him. He smirked at me as he sadistically wiped my tears away...
I see a different scene now. My teenage self - roughly about the age of fifteen - was standing in the corner of my room, terrified. Silas was walking towards me, his steps slow, and full of anger.
"I-I'm sorry! I'M SORRY! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!!" I begged with all my might.
"Relax, little girl. It's the only way you'll learn from your mistakes." He now stood a few inches from me. I screamed as loud as I could. However, my fear entertained him. It made this cruel, monstrous punishment of his all the more entertaining for him, and it made it all the more horrific for me...
"You okay?" Viktor's voice snaps me back to the present. I look around the library to make sure Silas isn't here ready to hurt me.
"Sorry. I just had some flashbacks,"
"You have nothing to worry about. Silas can't hurt you anymore, he's dead,"
"Yeah,"
I look at the time on my phone. Shoot! Viktor's late for class because of me!
"You need to get to class. You're late,"
"That doesn't matter. Do you need me to stay with you?"
"No, you need to get to class. Also, I want to be alone,"
"Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"I'm sure." Viktor hugs me. I don't know what to do with myself, so I just sit there awkwardly.
"If you need anything, call me,"
"I will." We say our goodbyes, then he leaves the library.
I start to feel overwhelmed by these flashbacks. I mainly feel anger at Silas for destroying me. But I feel sadness as well as anger. Even though he's dead, he is still able to haunt me. It's as if his ghost is trying to get revenge on me.
'Forget Silas! Let's see what books I can find.' I take a deep breath before heading off to the bookshelves. I browse through the different books, not really feeling the excitement I usually do. I love reading, and I love browsing for books, but I'm not really feeling it today.
Once I've finally found some books, I return to my bag. I return the books I previously borrowed, then sort through my bag to make sure I have enough space for my new books.
"Umm. Please don't get mad at me, but I'm lost again. I somehow ended up here." I don't even need to use my sensing powers to tell who's standing next to me. I clench my teeth and fists, then heave out a sigh of frustration. I ignore him and sit on the table and dive into a book. However, my escape from reality is short-lived. I feel Adam sit on the table next to me. He looks over my shoulder and glances at the book.
"What are you reading?" I show him the cover, without taking my eyes off the book.
"Hey, I-"
"Listen, I'm not in the mood, alright. Just be quiet and leave me alone," I sigh, cutting him short.
"I was just asking for directions. Could you show me to my class?"
After hesitating, I finally reply, "Fine, whatever. But please don't bother me again. I have no interest in being your friend," I sigh, tired.
"Ouch," he chuckles. I roll my eyes.
"Where are you headed?"
He starts ruffling through his pockets, then a panicked look comes over his face.
"Just a minute." He empties his pockets and dunks the contents on the table.
He digs his hands deep into his pockets and turns them inside out.
"I'm sure I put it here somewhere." I slam my book shut and get off the table. I cross my arms, impatiently waiting for this idiot to find what he needs. He rummages through his bag, then starts placing his things on the table.
"Did I lose it already?!" He panics.
"What are you looking for?"
"My timetable,"
"You mean that folded-up piece of paper with the words 'My Timetable' written in big messy writing?" I grab it off the table, unfold it and wave it right in front of his face. His face falls.
"Oh. There it is," he mumbles.
"What you got now?"
"Um... Let me see that." I hand it to him and frown as I wait for him to give me an answer. "Music,"
"You wanna become a musician?" It takes all my strength not to get excited about this. I love music, especially piano. I love melancholy, sombre piano tracks. I would look like a maniac if I were to ask what instrument he plays.
"No. I just picked it cuz it seemed easy," I roll my eyes. Looks like he's not interested in music. Good thing I didn't get excited and embarrass myself.
"The school is not that complicated to navigate around. Next time, you're not asking me for directions. I'm not the map from Dora The Explorer." He laughs at my statement. "Follow me." Adam has trouble keeping up with my fast pace. I can't help it - I'm naturally a fast walker.
As we walk through the corridors, I explain to him how the building is set up, and how to navigate around it. I hope he remembers it - it's really not that complicated. We stop outside his class.
"Thanks," he says, before entering. I turn on my heel and walk away with my hands in my pockets. As I walk through the corridor, I see some students begin to whisper. They're probably talking shit about me, seeing as they have nothing better to do. One of them approaches me.
"Scarlet, we had seen the news. The paparazzi had asked about your father. Could you tell us instead of them?"
"Are you just asking for your gossip?" She looks away with a nervous look on her face.
"N-no. Of course not." I can sense she's lying. I don't even need to use my sensing powers. I get asked these questions quite a lot by students. They want all the gossip about Silas's death. They want to know if I had seen anything or if I knew anyone powerful enough to kill him. Of course, I don't tell them anything. It's none of their business. I wish I could just blurt out that he's too busy rotting in hell, but that would cause unnecessary drama. And I hate that kind of shit.
"There is nothing I have to say about this situation. So why don't you find a new hobby instead of gossiping," I retort. I brush past her and walk away.
I feel the tension in my body rise. The topic of Silas always has that effect on me. I take deep breaths to try to control my emotions. I walk through the corridor and see more people whispering and pointing at me. Memories of Silas come flooding back. I feel myself getting overwhelmed, so I speed walk to the nearest exit and head out on campus.
I sit on the bench and start to smoke. I begin to see Silas's evil smirk staring down at me. I clench my fists and try to shake him out of my mind. Once he is mentioned or even something reminds me of him, it becomes difficult to stop thinking about him. I feel a lump forming in my throat as more flashbacks churn through my mind.
'Silas is dead! He can't hurt you anymore!' I keep reminding myself with the hope it'll calm me down. Barely anything works, which makes this all the more overwhelming. I take out my homework and begin to work on it with the hope it'll take my mind off things. It works slightly, but my mind still keeps drifting off to Silas and his evilness.
***
It is another day, and I am sitting on my bed, waiting for my call to go through. The ringing finally stops and I hear my uncle Archie's concerned voice,
"Scarlet. You okay?"
"Yeah. I was just wondering if you've found anything concerning my mother,"
"I'm sorry, Scarlet. I haven't found anything new. But we're not going to give up. We're going to get your mother back!"
"O-okay. Thank you,"
"You don't need to thank me. Is there anything else you want to talk to me about? Your voice is a bit shaky,"
"No. That's it,"
"Alright. Remember, if anything is bothering you, you can come speak to me or your grandfather,"
"Thank you. I will,"
"Take care. Bye,"
"Bye," I hang up and stare at my phone, unsure of what to do.
'I'm gonna try and search again. She has to be around somewhere!' I occasionally decide to take matters into my own hands and search for myself. I change my clothes. As usual, I'm wearing all black. I usually wear these clothes for fighting. I throw on my black shirt, and black leather trousers. I shove my black boots on, then grab my black leather jacket and swing it on me as I head out the door.
I step out of my dorm and see quite a lot of students in the hall. It looks like there's something going on. I don't bother concerning myself with it and wade through the small crowd. Even though the crowd is not that big, I still feel anxious all the same. Thank gosh I have long legs. I wouldn't survive crowds if I was short.
I feel someone tap on my shoulder. I turn around and meet a pair of big green eyes with glasses on them.
"Hey. Guess what? I was actually able to find my way to my class by myself the other day. Are you proud?"
ADAM'S POV
Mystery girl ignores me and continues walking.
"I bet you're proud of me on the inside. You just don't wanna admit it," I call after her.
Before I can react, she is standing right in front of me. She grabs my neck with one hand, lifts me off my feet and slams me against the wall. I'm in shock for a few seconds then I grab onto her hand, trying to pry it off my neck. However, it doesn't budge. The atmosphere then starts to feel cold. I look into her eyes, and they're also cold.
"Listen, kid. For once in your life, can you please shut the fuck up and leave me alone!" She's now glaring at me, her grip on my neck tightens. Everyone is now looking at us, afraid. They back away.
"C-Can you stop!" I struggle to say. She narrows her eyes and glares at me for a couple of seconds. Her hand finally releases my throat, and I fall onto my knees. I take a bunch of deep breaths. I feel like I've run a marathon, I'm out of breath.
I look up at mystery girl full of fear, and she gives me one last cold look before storming off. Everyone gathers around me and helps me to my feet. I thank them, and they begin to discuss the scene they just witnessed. I was not expecting that to happen!
SCARLET'S POV
I don't know how long I've been walking, trying to sense my mother. I feel like I've been walking around in circles every time I try to search for her. My anxiety rises, making me think of the worst-case scenario.
'What if we don't find her? What if she is dead? What if she doesn't want to be found? What if she doesn't want anything to do with me anymore?'
"You ain't seeing your mother again, little girl." I hear Silas's voice ring in my ears. After he kicked my mother out, he wouldn't let me see her at least once. Having been separated from her for years, I began to forget everything about her. Her face, her voice, her personality. The only thing I remember is her name - Rachel King. Everything else is just a blur. I'm afraid I've seen her on the streets without recognising her. I'm afraid that she never wants to talk to me again. I'm just afraid of not seeing her again.
RACHEL'S POV
'Scarlet... My baby girl.' I haven't been able to stop thinking about her ever since I was kidnapped. No matter how hard I try to leave, I've been compelled to stay. I can't bring myself to leave the house, no matter how hard I try to resist mind compulsion. It's way too powerful - just like the person who used that power on me.
The door to the bedroom opens and I quickly stand up. It's him - the man who kidnapped me. This man I know all too well. He approaches me with that sick smile then gives me a soft kiss on my cheek. I move my head away from him, and he chuckles.
"What is it? What do you want?" I demand.
"You've been quiet these past few days. It's been getting quite dull," he says in his smooth, deep sadistic voice. I shiver upon hearing it.
"Go to hell,"
"You've still got your sharp tongue I see. I thought you were just good for screaming and crying,"
"I don't care! Just go away you monster!" He chuckles at how annoyed I'm getting.
"You know, I haven't fed all day. I'm hungry, and your blood is the only thing I can smell right now. And damn, it smells good." I back away, terrified. He slowly walks towards me and I find myself against the wall. I try to kick him in the balls, but he catches my leg mid-air. He smirks at me, his eyes red and his fangs bared. I know I've made this all the more exciting for him.
I turn my head away and begin to tremble. I squeeze my eyes tightly shut. I don't want to look at this beast in front of me. He drags his long, slender fingers across my face, then tucks my hair behind my ear. I whimper, and he gives me another kiss on my cheek.
"Relax, darling. I won't hurt you. I know how well you enjoy this," he seductively whispers in my ear. However, I don't fall for it. I'm still trembling.
He cups my face in his hand, making me look at him. I open my eyes. I see he's taken his shirt off. His hair falls on my face as he leans his forehead on mine. I gulp, not knowing what to expect. He places a kiss on the corner of my lips, then nibbles on my bottom lip. I try to resist this man's charms. There's no way I'm falling for them again. My fingers meet his cold skin in an attempt to push him away. But he doesn't budge. With my hands on his chest, I've unwittingly given him access to take my wrists in his hands. He guides me away from the wall.
I begin to float in mid-air. I gasp in shock. I sense he's using his telekinesis to control my body. I use mine to make objects charge in his face. However, they stop before they hit him at the command of his more powerful telekinetic powers. The objects return to their places, and I float slowly onto the bed. Before I can move, he is already on top of me.
He grabs my wrists and pins them above my head. He moves his mouth to my neck and starts stiffing it.
"Please, don't do this!!" I beg.
"But I like drinking blood from you. It tastes better," he taunts.
His fangs graze my neck and before I know it, they sink into my flesh. I gasp. He takes his time drinking my blood. He's savouring it. Savouring the effect of the Vampire's Bite. As always when he bites me, I moan. Pleasure runs around my whole body. The worst part is it's uncontrollable. It makes it all the more enjoyable for him, as I'm enjoying it as well. I unconsciously lean my head back to grant hum further access to my neck. A vampire bite has the ability to make one let go. Even someone like him - who's a pro at not showing his emotions - won't be able to resist the bite of a vampire.
His bite becomes harder and harder, and I curse myself for moaning loudly. As always, I'll be hating myself in the morning, after every time he drinks from my blood.