Chapter 4

Aurelia stepped into an abandoned mansion, the walls cracked and worn, the room shrouded in an oppressive darkness that seemed to have a heavy, velvety texture. The air was thick with the scent of decay and rot, and the silence was punctuated only by the faint creaking of wood. As she moved deeper into the darkness, Aurelia felt a presence behind her, its gaze fixed on her like a cold weight. She spun around, but there was nothing there. 'Hello?' she called out, but her voice was swallowed by the darkness, echoing back to her like a hollow whisper. 'Is anyone there?' she asked, but the only response was the oppressive silence.

As she turned to leave, the sound of footsteps echoed through the darkness, growing louder with each passing moment, and Aurelia's heart skipped a beat as she froze, sensing a presence behind her, too afraid to turn around. The figure's presence seemed to saturate the room, its silence more oppressive than any sound. Aurelia skin crawled as she felt it gaze upon her, her muscles tense with fear. She was unable to move or speak.

The figure turned Aurelia around, she met a twisted grotesque face that seemed to be cast from the shadows themselves. The eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and the mouth stretched into a snarl, revealing jagged teeth. The creature grip on her arm was like a vice burning with an icy cold fire that seemed to sear her skin.

"You did this to me," , Its voice was like the scraping of a rusty gate across concrete, a harsh grating sound. It shouted repeatedly, 'You did this to me!' The words echoed in Aurelia's mind like a mantra of madness.

Aurelia's eyes snapped open, and she let out a terrified scream that echoed through the library, causing nearby students to jump in surprise. Her eyes darted widly across the room, taking in the shocked faces and worried glance. Mortified, she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the library, desperate to escape the uncomfortable situation.

Aurelia bumped into kai after she left the library. "Oh my... I'm sorry, " she said, to which he responded, "I've been looking for you. Are you avoiding me?" he asked with one hand on the waist, sensing some distance in their friendship.

"What?" she scoffed "no why would i avoid you?" she said while trying to hide her arm. "You've been acting strange lately," He noticed her movement, and he found it odd the way she held her arm. "Aurelia, what's wrong with your arm?" he asked concerned."Nothing, she spoke in a dismissive tone. He kept pestering till he saw the burn on her arm. his eyes widened in shocked He blinked a few times, "Aurelia, what happened? How did u get this? Who did this to you?" Now he sounded angry she couldn't tell him about her nightmares. Otherwise, he would think she's crazy and he wouldn't believe her, so she lied. "i accidentally spilled hot oil on my arm,and it left a scar." he raised an eyebrow, "I'm not buying it. You need to get this taken care of." he pulled her away reluctantly, and she followed .His grip was firm but gentle. Aurelia reluctantly followed, trying to keep up with Kai's pace, "slow down," she protested, but he just kept moving.

Finally, they reached a door, and Kai pushed it open, revealing a small room that looked like a supply closet. There was a first aid kit on one of the shelves. "Sit down," kai said, gesturing to a chair in the room. He closed the door behind them. Aurelia hesitated for a moment before sitting down, and kai began searching through the first aid kit. "What are you doing?" Aurelia asked as kai pulled out antiseptic wipes and bandages. "Taking care of that burn," kai replied, his eyes focused on the task at hand. kai gently took Aurelia's hand, examining the burn more closely. "it's not too bad, but we should clean it up and cover it to prevent infection," he said, his fingers moving carefully as he cleaned the burn with antiseptic wipes.

Aurelia flinched slightly, but Kai's touch was gentle, and she felt a bit more at ease. "Thanks, kai," She said, looking up at him. Kai smiled and applied a soothing gel to the burn before covering it with a bandage. "All better?" he asked, looking up at her. Aurelia nodded, feeling a bit more relieved. "Yeah, thanks." kai finished up, Aurelia couldn't help but notice how caring and gentle he was being. It was a side of him she had missed, and for a moment, she felt like they were back to how things used to be between them. Their eyes met, and Aurelia felt a flutter in her chest. she looked away, trying to brush off the feeling. "Thanks, kai," she said softly. Saying thanks for the second time. "What is wrong with you? Keep it together," she said to herself. "What was that?" he asked, 'nothing.' She responded. Kai smiled and stood up, his eyes crinkling at the Corners. "Anytime, Aurelia, you're good as new," he said, nodding at her bandage hand. The moment felt a bit awkward but also strangely intimate. Aurelia wasn't sure what to make of it.

As they strolled, Kai and Aurelia reminisced about old times laughing and chatting. They recalled their failed attempt at making homemade ice cream. which ended up rock-hard, and Aurelia giggled. Just then, they turned a corner and ran into Ruby, who was dressed in her cheerleading uniform. Her hair was wrapped in a ponytail. "Hey guys, what's up?" she asked, her eyes flicking to their joined hands, her smile faltered. Kai dropped Aurelia's hands, looking slightly awkward. "Hey babe," kai said, wrapping his arm around Ruby, embracing her in a hug. But Ruby didn't hug him back, and her body stiffened slightly. He explained that he was just helping Aurelia with her fractured arm, smoothing his hair with one hand, but Ruby's expression showed she was uninterested. He changed the subject after noticing her facial expression. "You're looking sharp in your uniform, new squad?" Ruby responded, "Yeah, I just joined the cheerleading team, we're practicing for the big game on Friday." she said her gaze fixed on Aurelia. Aurelia sensed an awkwardness in the atmosphere. which made her feel uneasy due to the way Ruby was staring at her, making her fabricate an excuse and leave. After Aurelia left, Ruby gave him a disapproving look and walked away, causing kai to run after her.

Aurelia burst into her room with such excitement. Her mum had gotten for her ths art supplies she asked for. She couldn't wait to start creating. She was really excited. As she approached her bed, she was excited to see the paints, brushes, canvas, and a new sketchbook. A voice behind her spoke, "You seem really happy." Startled, she turned around. It was Sebastian Cole, popularly goes by Cole. Cole's chiseled features and piercing black eyes seemed to gleam in amusement, but Aurelia wasn't falling for it. His tousled dark hair added to his effortless charm, a trait that usually made him the center of attention. Yet, in this moment, it only fueled her irritation. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice demanding, her irritation more evident in her tone. Cole's smile widened, and he leaned against the doorway, his eyes never leaving hers. "Just dropping by to say hi," he said, his voice low and smooth. Aurelia gaze narrowed. "You didn't just let yourself in, did you?'

"No, that would make me look bad," Cole said with a smirk. "we're not even friends," Aurelia pointed out, her tone firm. "You don't just stop by to say hi." Cole moved away from the doorway, his expression morphing into a mock-sad face. "Aurelia, this is where you make me sad,' he said, his voice dripping with drama.Aurelia's eyes widened in shock at his theatrics. "I've known you like forever, but we haven't really spoken," Cole continued, his fake moody face almost comical. "That's because you're a spoilt rich brat," Aurelia shot back, her irritation evident. Cole clutched at his chest, feeling hurt. "Aaah," he breathed, his eyes sparkling with amusement clearly not hurt at all.

"What's your problem?" Aurelia asked her frustration growing. "Easy girl, I'm just here to play video games with Jaylen.?" "What?" she wondered to herself when her brother became friends with Cole. She snapped out of her thoughts when Cole said, "And hand you this," he stretched his hand, giving her an invitation. It was a flyer for the Friday game. "Come watch me play," He said with a charming smile.

Aurelia thoughts were a firm "No way," but she took the flyer to avoid a scene. Just then, Jaylen appeared at the door. "There you are. I've been looking for you. Let's go," he said to Cole. Aurelia chimed in "Yeah please take him away," her tone was serious, but Cole took it as a joke. They left her room, and Cole called out, "Sorry about the ball thing," referring to a past incident where he'd accidentally hit her with a ball. Aurelia just sighed. Once they were gone, she locked the door behind them and muttered, "Such a strange boy."

It was Friday today, Aurelia wasn't interested in watching the game, and all her friends, including her brother, would be at the game. Aurelia looked at the invitation Cole had given her. She raised an eyebrow skeptical about watching the game. But part of her was curious about cole skills on the field. But she convinced herself she wasn't going because of Cole. it's was already time for the game, Layla, who had an interest in the game, drove over to Aurelia house to pick her up because she couldn't go alone. Aurelia reluctantly followed. Aurelia and Layla sat together, watching the match between drevanmoor and seafall.

Seafall was picture-perfect, sunlight street,pastel house, and people who always smiled. The sea sparkled at the edge of the town, and everything felt calm, safe, and a little too perfect. Seafall high school stood proud with ivy walls and glass windows, like a school from a dream.

Drevanmoor was different, dark, misty, and quiet. it's shadowed trees gave it an eerie charm. Drevanmoor high school felt more like a haunted mansion than a school. The seafall citizens usually made fun of them, but to Aurelia Drevanmoor, was her home.