CHAPTER FIVE

Few Weeks Later...

I had been locked in my room for weeks, unable to shake the emptiness inside me. Justin was gone. I hadn't heard from him, hadn't seen him. Not a call. Not a message.

"Angel was right… I gave my body to an entire loser… a freak."

I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible as I curled into a ball on my bed. The tears came before I could stop them, hot and relentless.

A few minutes later, my mom walked in.

"Ellie?"

Her gentle voice cut through the silence.

"Mom?"

I quickly wiped my tears, trying to mask my sadness.

"What's wrong, my child? You know you can tell me anything. I'm your mother."

I hesitated before speaking.

"Mom, is there something you're not telling me? Something you've been hiding all these years?"

A flicker of guilt crossed her face before she forced a smile.

"Oh, don't say such things, Ellie."

She patted my shoulder and stood up.

"Be strong."

"Why?"

I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She smiled knowingly.

"Because you're Ellie."

And with that, she winked and left the room, closing the door behind her.

The Truth

The next morning, I didn't bother going downstairs for breakfast. A part of me still clung to hope—hope that Justin would return. That he'd walk through my door and make everything right again.

But he didn't.

Instead, my mother did.

She sat beside me, her expression unreadable.

"Ellie, it's time you knew the truth. You're seventeen now, and I believe you're strong enough to handle it."

"Handle… what?"

My voice wavered.

She took a deep breath before continuing.

"Seventeen years ago, I had been married for ten years with no child. I prayed to the gods, begged them to bless me. Then, one day, I heard a knock at the gate. When I opened it, there was a small basket waiting for me. Inside, wrapped in the softest blanket, was you."

I felt my breath hitch.

"There was a letter," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "It had your name on it—Ellie. And it said I should take care of you… that you were special. But it also warned me that if your real mother ever came for you, I should return you immediately. If not…"

She swallowed hard.

"I would die."

Silence.

My mind reeled, flashes of Aphrodite filling my head.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I rose from the bed, threw on a red short gown, slipped into my black sandals, and stormed out of the house.

I ran.

I didn't know where I was going, but I ran.

Through the streets. Past the trees. Deeper and deeper into the wild forest.

Until my legs gave out beneath me.

I collapsed onto the ground, sobbing.

"Why?!"

I screamed into the empty night, my voice echoing through the trees.

I was alone.

Or so I thought.

A low, menacing growl made me freeze.

Slowly, I turned my head and saw them—a pack of wolves, their glowing eyes locked onto me, hunger dripping from their fangs.

I had no time to think. No time to hesitate.

Instinct took over.

I raised my hand and let my power surge through me.

A blast of energy shot forward, sending the wolves scattering into the darkness.

I gasped for air, my hands trembling.

And then… I saw him.

A figure stepping out from the trees.

"Justin?"

I whispered in disbelief.

He took another step closer.

"Justin!!"

This time, I ran to him, my legs moving before my mind could process it.

"Ella!"

He caught me in his arms, holding me tightly against his chest.

I felt safe.

For the first time in weeks, I felt safe.

"I thought you left me," I murmured against his shoulder.

He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.

"I could never leave you, Ella."

"Then why did you take so long to come back?"

He sighed.

"It wasn't my choice. My parents went on vacation and took me with them. I just got back yesterday. The first thing I did was come looking for you."

My lips curled into a small smile.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you more, Justin."

And together, we walked home.

A Double Date & A Nightmare

Weeks later, my mom left for Hawaii, leaving only me and Angel in the house. Which, honestly, was a great thing.

That weekend, Angel and I went on a double date with our boyfriends. The amusement park was alive—lights flashing, laughter filling the air, the scent of sweet cotton candy everywhere.

"We'll meet back here at 4:00 PM, alright?"

Adam, Angel's boyfriend, said.

We all agreed and split up.

Justin held my hand.

"How are you?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I just smiled. A weird, knowing smile.

"I'm fine."

He chuckled and went to buy me some candy floss.

Everything was perfect.

The horse rides. The games. The swim at the beach.

And then… the nightmare began.

As I sat in my yellow swimsuit, listening to Justin whisper sweet words in my ear, a sudden movement in the water caught my eye.

My heart clenched.

I tried to shake it off, thinking it was just my imagination.

But then—

Screams.

Loud. Terrified.

I turned, my breath catching in my throat.

A gigantic water creature was rising from the depths, its massive form casting a shadow over the entire beach.

"ANGEL!!!"

I screamed, sprinting toward the water, my mind blank with panic.

Adam barely had time to react before the beast grabbed him.

RIP.

Blood splattered across the water.

Adam's head floated to the surface.

"ADAM!!!!"

Angel's scream pierced the night before she fainted, her body sinking into the waves.

I didn't hesitate.

I jumped.

The moment I hit the water, I realized something—

I could breathe underwater.

I grabbed Angel and pushed her toward Justin, who pulled her to safety.

But before I could escape, the beast turned its attention to me.

A monstrous claw wrapped around me, lifting me into the air.

I gasped as it slammed me into a steel spike, the sharp edges tearing into my back.

Pain exploded through me.

I tried to move… but I couldn't.

Everything was spinning.

From the shore, Justin's voice rang out—

"ELLA!!! ELLA!!"

I barely heard him.

With the last of my strength, I formed a shield around Justin and Angel, ensuring they were safe.

And then…

Darkness.

I let go.