CHAPTER NINETEEN

JUNO'S POV

A week has gone by and everything is just happening. Jude is avoiding me and I know that 'cause we share a room and she only enters after I sleep then leaves before I wake up. Ryker is the only one that still treats me normally. Alan converses with me but it's just hi's and hello, Anna is gone and I'm still trying to understand everything. I chatted my family and they're all doing great. Dad and Mandy just got back from their vacation while Ro made it into the school's orchestra. Chloe and Becca are really nice and not gonna lie, it's surprising and weird. They're meant to be bitches.

I bumped into someone and thankfully, they weren't holding anything so I just apologized and took a final turn towards Mrs. Stone's office. She had requested to see me earlier today.

I knocked on the door and after hearing her voice, I walked in.

"Juno, how are you doing?" Mrs. Stone inquired with a soft smile as I walked in.

"I'm doing great, thanks." I replied and when she said nothing, I chose to continue, "You requested to see me, urgently"

"Yes, yes take a seat." She replied gesturing to her seat.

"Have you noticed anything weird with your body system? Like the onset of powers?"

"Hmmmm nothing" I replied. She let out a sigh.

"You're going to start noticing some changes and it's important to understand your body system. Once you notice any power or perhaps, powers, feel free to talk to me. I'd prepare you and teach you how to harness them," I nodded in response while she carried on lecturing me about powers and what not.

"Also, some things are better unsaid and remember the walls have ears. Once you notice powers, talk to me and if possible the witch that helped revive you."

"Which one of them? Aiofe?" 

"Yes, Aiofe" Mrs. Stone replied. I nodded and after a few minute, she told me to leave.

I left the office and walked down the hallway towards my next class. When it was just one turn away, I took a left turn which led me to the back of the school and made my way through a deserted path. I walked through the tapestry of dry grasses, my boots crunching the dead and fallen ones that adorned the ground. Water begun to spray from the sky wetting me and everything in the environment. I had a choice to go back before my clothes got soaked but I went on. It had been a while here and I really need to think about everything that has been happening.

"Arghhhh" I screamed as I felt myself roll down the ground. I got up, dusting myself as I assessed my new environment. Also, my bones hurt like hell. Ow! I was currently in what looked like a hole. It wasn't deep exactly neither was it something I could easily climb my way out of.

I reached for my phone in my pocket and like the luckiest girl alive, it had slipped out while I was rolling. I'm so happy I'd spend my life here and die in a hole. Note the sarcasm. I looked around and tried observing the place. A little physics won't hurt now, would it? I estimated the depth to be about 11 feet which is roughly twice my height 5'9. If I can propel myself up with the right amount of force and… who am I kidding? That won't work.

I sat down on the floor and wrapped my hands round my knee as my thoughts began to wander, starting with the most sensitive topic. Anne. My Annabelle. I loved her and I still do. She was such a sweet girl. I felt my body shiver at the thought of using past tense for her but I kept on wondering aloud. Those brown orbs, her squeal of excitement, the way she animatedly spoke, her giggles and laughter like that of jingling silver bells was gone. Forever gone and there's nothing I can do to bring her back. A stray tear escaped from my eye but before it could trail down, I hurriedly wiped it away. I don't know how it would be without her, she's the sunshine, the rays of light that never fails to shine even in the midst of gloomy clouds like me.

I can't imagine it, how she died. What killed her? Who killed her? Then I heard Jude's voice ring once again and while biting my lip, I asked myself the final question.

And whose fault is it?

Jude says it's mine and even though I don't know how it happened exactly, what if it really is? A shaky breath followed thereafter and I thought of Jude. Does she miss me as much as I do or she still believes I'm the reason behind Anne's death and doesn't want anything to do with me? I shook my head, hoping the thoughts would go away and I can't tell if they did. A loud rumble cut through the silence and I looked up to see dark clouds hovering, their edges tinged with an ominous purple. There was a lightning in the air then another rumble of thunder, even louder this time.

I remained in the hole, my knees crawled up to my chest as my whole body shivered. I haven't really been a huge fan of heavy rain and being trapped in this hole wasn't helping. I rocked back and forth as I tried to calm myself but the rain kept pouring and the sound grew louder, a steady drumbeat that filled my ears and drowned all other noise.

I bit my lip, my eyes scanning the small patch of sky. The dark clouds were hovering, almost black and the thunder rumbled angrily, shaking the ground beneath me. I shut my eyes, closing them so tightly they hurt. I wanted to be anywhere else, anywhere but here.

In a desperate attempt to escape the torment, I channeled all my energy to a single thought: I need to be out of here. Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over me. I felt a strange sensation, as if the ground beneath me was shifting and twisting. The world around me blurred, and then, with a jolt, I was gone.

I opened my eyes, gasping for breath. I was standing in a lush, green meadow, the sweet scent of wildflowers filling the air. The rain was still pouring but I wasn't in the hole and that at least was enough to rejoice about. I felt relief cascade my soul but it was short-lived. A wave of nausea hit me with full force, and I stumbled towards a nearby tree, my stomach churning violently. I retched, my body convulsing as I emptied my stomach.

Once the nausea subsided, I sat against the tree, my head in my palms. I tried to calm my racing heart and steady my breathing. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear. As I began to process what had happened, I realized that I was no longer in the hole. I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I recognized the familiar outline of the school's tennis court and quick question: how had I ended up here?

I stood up, my legs feeling weak and unsteady. I glanced around, searching for a way out. The court was confined with metal wires expertly woven together to form a cage and quite unfortunately, I couldn't find a way out. After a while, I spotted an opening then scurried towards it, eager to be free. I pushed myself out and after a little struggle, I was finally out.

I hurried towards my room in the rain and bless my boots and friction, I didn't fall. I took shorter routes towards my room and soon enough I finally saw the hostel building. There was no sign of activity anywhere but it's not exactly a surprise since it's raining. Heavily. The thunder rumbled as if to remind me to add the final adjective.

A sneeze escaped from me and I mumbled a small fuck it beneath my breath. What would happen to my steeze if I have catarrh? Sniffling every now and then is not very cutesy, not demure. I finally made it into my room and before I could say a word, I felt someone pull me into a warm embrace. Both literally and figuratively.

"What the hell bro?" Jude asked pulling me back "Where the fuck were you"

Where… were Shut up inner voice not now.

"I…"

"We were looking for you all day. It's seven pm now. And you didn't pick anyone's calls?"

I walked towards my bed whilst removing my shirt. "I'm sorry, okay." I began, now removing the boots. "And not just for today but before." Jude sat on the bed opposite mine.

"It's fine. I called to apologize first buh you gave us all a heart attack."

"About that, goodness knows where my phone is."

"What do you mean?"

"I was going on a walk to clear my head an stuff buh long story short, I fell, lost my phone along the way and here I am." I ended with a shrug

"Oh my gosh, are you hurt?"

"Nahhh, I don't think so"

"Too bad. I wanted to see blood."

"Just say you care. I don't bite"

"Never" A thunder rumbled once again as if to mock her and…

"Nature agrees. You do care"

"Rest, I'm not having this argument with you" Jude replied and I fought back a smile as I relished the comfortable silence.

"It was self-harm"

"Huh?"

"Anna's death."

"Oh" I replied then saw Jude's hand gripping the metal of her bunk, her knuckles bruising. "Buh you don't really have to tell me now." She shook her head.

"I want to." She let out a shaky breath then carried on. "She saw visions of you fainting and getting electrocuted. She saw them about a week before Vera you know, but she didn't tell us anything because she was scared we'd see her as a psycho or mad woman." She paused for a moment. "When you actually got unconscious and reviving you wasn't an easy task she fled for about two days and Ryker was the one who found the body. Long story short, HSC officials investigated and confirmed it was self-harm"

"How were they so sure?"

"The scratches on her body and diary entries." I nodded and let out a sigh.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think"

"Come here, free cuddle"

"Nah, you're in a towel and your hair stinks."

"Ouch" I replied rolling my eyes.

"Be quick, dinner is in thirty"

"I'm not going"

"Ryker is going crazy" she replied saying the last word in a sing song voice

"I'd chat him" I relied packing my toiletries and hair products

"With which phone?" Jude asked, mockery evident in her tone

"My laptop. It's linked to my mail."

"Suit yourself. I need food in my system"

"Bye." I said heading towards the bathroom. I walked into the stall did my business and was out in no time. I'm currently on my bed dressed in a grey oversize tee, black bum shorts and a pair of socks. I inputted my password, logged in to my account, filled necessary information and thereafter chatted Ryker.

Hey. I sent the message and was about to close the app when I started receiving the messages. After about fourteen messages, I let out a sigh and accepted his video call.

"What the hell, J?" Ryker practically screamed. "Where have you been all day?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I replied with a sigh. He was quiet for a moment as if scrutinizing me. After a few seconds, he furrowed his brows and licked his lips.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good"

"I'd ask one last time. Are you okay?" I deliberated explaining the whole thing to him but I decided against it. If I tell him, I fell into a whole, he'd ask how I got out and I'd have to explain knowing fully well Mrs. Stone warned me to not tell anyone.

"I'm good, Biscuit" I replied using one of his many nicknames so as to ease the tension that was beginning to form. How he got the name? That's story for later.

"Okay. Alright" He tossed me a sly smile then said. "I had plans for us but you- Where's your phone?"

"I don't know. While I was running for shelter, it slipped and I have no idea where."

"Oh. You want a new phone?"

"I need a new phone. Just not from you"

"I don't know if I should be hurt you're rejecting me"

"I'm rejecting your offer not you, dummy" I replied with a chuckle

"So, you agree you want me and can't-"

"I never said that" I interrupted. "I meant-"

"Shhhhh" Ryker replied and after that the conversation went on as we both talked for over an hour until

"Good night baby girl"

"Good night, biscuit" I replied with a yawn and got ready for bed. Looks like Jude is spending the night with Alan. I sent her a message to open the door with her key whenever she arrives then closed my laptop.

Different thoughts raced through my head as I thought of what life had in store for me with this new power joining the picture.

It's a distant memory but I can remember talking to mum while we were watching the stars that night. I'd told her I wished for powers. Invisibility, super strength, and you know the drill. After all my animated talk, she had rubbed my head and replied

"My innocent child" A kiss on my forehead "Trust me, you wouldn't want the powers anymore if you had them."