BLUE EYES

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

"Adi..." Steffie sobbed as they walked further away from the foul smelling man.

"W..what happened in there?"

Adrianna looked at Steffie's fear strickened face.

"Nothing. Just an old man who doesn't know how to take a bath."

Steffie hiccuped as he looked at Adrianna with unbelieving eyes.

"Isn't he...."

"Your imagination is going wild again, Steffie."

Steffie looked at the trail behind them. Then she stared hard at Adrianna's apathetic face.

"But...!" She protested as she raised her dress and wiped the dampness from her face.

What she saw was real, right?! But if it is, how can Adi be so calm as if nothing untoward happened?

"Forget about it. Would you rather what we saw is a creature that crawled out from some hellhole?" Adrianna raised her brow at Steffie.

Steffie swallowed hard in fear.

She instantly hooked her arms around Adrianna's waist ---her anchor. She is afraid monsters would catch her off guard and steal her away even before she could blink!

"Tell you what, if it was some kind of a monster in there, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. Our limbs would have been mangled and torn into pieces. Instead of standing here, we would already be swimming in our own blood."

Imagining the gruesome scenes Adrianna painted, Steffie felt her body go cold as chills ran along her spine.

"True..." Steffie whispered.

"Hey, I heard something that might interest you." Adrianna thought it prudent to change the subject. Lest Steffie's imagination would ran amok and scare herself to death.

With a small light of curiosity in her eyes, Steffie raised her face as she looked at Adrianna.

Seeing that she can somehow clearly see Adrianna's features, Steffie squinted her eyes far ahead. Then she breathed a sigh of relief.

She can see the light from the village posts! They are almost out from this horrible forest!

Feeling her worries and fears fading away, her body relaxed.

She couldn't believe she went through all those excitement. And yes, she felt proud of herself that she lived through it!

Looking back at Adrianna with a peaceful mind, she became more interested on what this interesting gossip is all about.

"What is it?"

"I heard Mark collapsed earlier after they played basketball."

"W..what?!!" Steffie shouted.

Adrianna's body leaned back with surprise. Her ears buzzed as it suffered the abuse from Steffie's shout.

Steffie held both of Adrianna's hands as she anxiously clarified if what she heard was correct.

"Is it true?"

"Of course, it is. An ambulance came to get him."

"W..what...how?" Steffie stared blankly into space as she muttered to herself.

Adrianna carefully observed Steffie's vehement reaction.

This Mark has to be cut off from his strings. In her past life, Mark died horribly as his HIV turned into AIDS and he greatly suffered from it.

If she ended Mark's grief sooner and help him escape from the troubles and pain, Mark would cry tears of gratitude and would profusely thank her in the afterlife.

Adrianna bit her lips.

She is in a dilemma.

She doesn't want Mark to die right away. She wants him to suffer.

She darted a glance at the absent minded Steffie then sighed. Somewhat tired.

It would all depend on Mark's future movements.

Thinking about her next course of action, Adrianna quietly continued to walk.

Steffie is also absorbed in her own thoughts, so they walked in companionable silence.

When they walked out from the forest trails and arrived at the village entrance, they both looked at each other and smiled.

Nothing beats being alive!

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While treading the way towards Steffie's house, Adrianna glanced at her best friend.

"Steffie, don't do anything foolish, okay? In whatever you plan to do, think twice. Think about the consequences, the gossip and your parents anger. Don't be isolated by what your feeling right now. Your brain is placed on top of your head for a reason."

Steffie stared at Adrianna in surprise.

"Did you just read my mind?"

"Huh?"

"I mean..why did you suddenly say those words?"

"What about it?"

Steffie looked at Adrianna with a complex expression on her face.

"I want to visit him."

"In what capacity? A friend, a hidden lover or a fanatic fan?"

Steffie was choked speechless by Adrianna's question.

"Can't I?"

"You can but you have to be prepared for the gossip."

"Adi..help me please."

Adrianna honestly doesn't want to help. But if she doesn't, who knows what crazy things Steffie would do?

She wants Steffie to tell her every progress she has with Mark so she can prepare for any eventuality.

If she expresses her explicit dislike of Mark, Steffie might stop sharing anything associated with him.

And she doesn't want that.

If Mark behaves, he will let him go and let him live the life as per his trajectory.

But if he mess around, don't blame her for being cruel!

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When they were near Steffie's house, Adrianna sent her papa a message asking him to fetch her at Steffie's house instead.

Then she faced Steffie.

"Let's visit him the day after tomorrow. We have to know first at what hospital he was brought to. We also have to think of a gift. Like a get well soon gift or something."

Adrianna suggested while her eyes was mentally rolling in her head.

Listening to Adrianna's proposal, Steffie's face widen into a big smile. She swings Adrianna's hands from left to right as she laughed happily.

"Adi, you really are the best!"

Adrianna looked at Steffie and thought about how her best friend stayed in contact with her in her past life.

She also thought about how she unconditionally helped her parents.

She owes her too much.

In this life, she will not allow Steffie to suffer.

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The next day, there is no need to inquire on any news about Mark.

Due to his unfortunate and inexplicable circumstance, he became an instant celebrity.

He was the talked about topic all over the village!

"The doctors said his lungs were punctured by one of his ribs! They had to rush him to one of the best hospitals in the city for immediate treatment!"

"It was really baffling. Those who witnessed his fall said he was fine one moment then he just collapsed!"

"The most confusing is his ribs! Three were broken as if crushed by a strong blow. No one even saw how everything happened."

"Yes, his ribs were broken like magic! It just suddenly broke. Its even a miracle he is still alive!"

"Could it be he angered some black dwarfs or some otherworldy beings?"

When Adrianna heard this, she can't stop the smile from showing on her face.

Perfect! Good riddance!

Adrianna was happy but Steffie's eyes widen in alarm. Then she went pale.

Adrianna examined Steffie's face.

She knows Steffie is timid and doesn't know anyone from the city much less know any hospitals from there. But she still has to carefully watch over her.

Love can make people do crazy things. Things that people isn't even aware they are capable of doing.

And Steffie is capable of doing crazy things when push comes to shove.

Now she has to think of ways to divert Steffie's attention.

Maybe go on vacation after their School Intramurals. That would be mid October.

While Adrianna was busy planning and thinking of Steffie, she totally forgot about her promise to the human-creature in the forest.

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That night, Adrianna announced to her parents her plan to go on vacation after Intramurals.

Her mother was shocked.

"Didn't you say you don't want to go anywhere else? That your afraid of traveling alone?"

"I realized my mistake, ma. I'm about to graduate from highschool and its better to acquire experience by going out of my comfort zone."

Andrei laughed. His face lit like a bulb.

"My daughter has become more sensible. Very good! I would like you to enjoy your youth. But I don't want you to forget your studies too. Education is important for your future endeavors."

Adrianna smiled as she sat on the couch beside her father. She then placed her head on her father's shoulder.

Her parents are really strange. Other parents doesn't want their children to go far away. But her parents always encourages her to expand her horizons and learn new things through experience.

"Thank you for the support, papa."

Andrei looked down at Adrianna with obvious doting in his eyes. He then stroked Adrianna's hair as he kissed her daughter's head affectionately.

"By the way, have you thought of the course you would like to take in College?"

Adrianna blinked. She hasn't thought that far into her future.

"I haven't decided yet."

"Take your time, daughter. This is an important decision to make. Consider carefully all your options and your likes. I would rather you take a course that your passionate about."

Adrianna smiled as she hugged his father.

"Thank you, tata."

Liena smiled as she observed the father and daughter duo.

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The moment the chicken crowed, Adrianna knows. Its morning.

Lately, waking up in the morning became a chore for her.

She always feels lethargic and weak. Her mind would be muddled and her body would be in mutiny.

She would always have a difficult time opening her eyes. And as the sun climbs its peak, her eyes would gradually become more sensitive to the light.

And it becomes worse in the afternoon.

She would feel the scorching heat of the sun roasting her skin into char. Then she would feel her insides like an oven stove. So burning hot!

But when the sun sets, she can feel her blood boil in excitement and expectation. Like a child looking forward to playing at an amusement park.

Then she would feel a strong pang of hunger. A hunger so deep and sharp. Like her belly is being drilled and hollowed out.

She wants to talk to her parents about this and ask them what's wrong with her. But she doesn't know where to start or how to bridge this topic.

With a sigh, Adrianna pulled the covers away and with her eyes still closed, Adrianna raised her body with strenous effort.

Then her face twisted in a grimace. Her ears are battered with the loud clanging of pans and pots in the kitchens.

She can tell her mama is preparing breakfast already.

Is it just her or her hearing became much more sensitive too?

Opening her eyes, what Adrianna first saw was the music box on her table. She is still playing the tune everyday. At times, she plays it twice or thrice a day.

Listening to the melody from the music box, she gets a contradictory and complicated set of feelings.

The more she hears it play, the more comforted she is. At the same time, she also feels highly disturbed, unstable and distraught.

As if there is something inside that is about to overwhelm her. She is like swimming in a quicksand. Drowning but not.

Adrianna shook her head as she stood.

Her school life starts today.

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When Adrianna arrived at the school gates, her ears was busted with all the chatters and constant shouts from all over the campus.

Adrianna's face twisted into an ugly smile.

Would she be living a life being constantly assaulted on her senses?

She took the earphones she prepared from her bag. When she was about to plug it into her ears, she heard Steffie shouting her name from afar.

Adrianna cringed her neck.

Her ears are drumming.

She hurriedly put the earphones in her ears then faced the approaching Steffie.

"Adi...you are here at last!" Steffie hugged Adrianna's body.

Adrianna smirked.

"As if we don't see each other."

"Not as much as I liked. We barely see each other anymore!" Steffie hooked her arm around Adrianna's.

"By the way, Adi. What activity would you be joining for the Intramurals?"

"Dunno. Dancing?" She loves to dance.

Steffie snorted.

"Why did I ask? Of course, its dancing! Is there anyone more flexible than you when it comes to dancing?"

Steffie scrutinized Adrianna from head to feet.

"Adi, why is it that every time I see you, you get more beautiful each day? There is something about you..."

Adrianna smiled slightly then toink! She patted the book she was holding on Steffie's head.

Steffie tugged at Adrianna's hair in response.

While walking to their classroom, both of them were laughing and talking about the latest school gossips.

When suddenly, they heard loud screams echoing in all corners of the corridors!

Adrianna thought there was a fire drill or an accident! But listening closely, the screams were filled with excitement. Not alarm.

The kind of scream fans make when they see their idols.

She turned back and saw most of the girls were in danger of falling to their deaths! Half of their bodies were precariously hanging over the ledge as if trying to reach out to something.

And all of them were looking at the school gates with enraptured and crazy faces.

Like they saw something delicious they want to eat.

Is there a movie shooting at the gates?

Adrianna inadvertently glanced at the school gates. Then she gasped as her eyes widen into saucers!

Her eyes was met and held by blue eyes. Eyes so blue she can swim and drown with it.

DAMIEN!