Samantha's POV
"Hey, are you okay?" I turned to Avery, her face mirroring my own apprehension.
We were both anxious about Jessy's reaction after we had spilled the beans about the entire situation. Yet, she had remained silent for the past few minutes, her face an unreadable mask, making it impossible to decipher her thoughts.
"Do you think she's upset?" I whispered to Avery, feeling a trickle of sweat forming on my back as I shifted uncomfortably on my bed.
"I'm not sure, I just hope she isn't—
"That was" Suddenly, Jessy spoke, cutting Avery off mid-sentence. We both turned to her, our eyes filled with anticipation, waiting for her to respond to the bombshell we had just dropped.
"Fucking awesome," she finally said with excitement laced in her voice. We both exhaled, a breath we didn't realize we had been holding, relieved that she hadn't exploded.
"That was absolutely thrilling! I've been craving some excitement, but I never imagined something like this would come my way..." she said as she jumped on the bed.
"You seem to have forgotten that someone is missing," I stated, my tone flat as I crossed my arms beneath my chest. I was slightly upset that my Auntie was in the hands of an unknown person.
"And you do understand that we're in a dangerous situation, right? We could lose our lives before you know it" Avery retorted, fully aware of the peril we were in.
"Alright, alright, I apologize. It's just... are you guys for real? I'm still struggling to comprehend everything that's happening. Just last week, I was strolling down the street, making fun of some kids, and now this? What an unexpected turn of events," Jessy exclaimed.
"We understand, this is all incredibly overwhelming," I said, my voice trembling slightly as I tried to keep my emotions in check. The room seemed to close in around me, the walls echoing the gravity of our situation. "But we don't have the luxury of time. We need to rescue Auntie from whoever that man is."
My heart clenched at the thought of my Auntie in the hands of a stranger. She had always been there for me, a constant in my life, and the thought of her in danger sent a wave of fear and determination through me. I could feel a knot forming in my stomach, a mix of dread and resolve. I knew we had to act, and fast.
"What do you think he wants from you?" Jessy inquired, her voice filled with concern.
"I honestly have no clue," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. The uncertainty of the situation was like a heavy fog, clouding my thoughts. "The only thing I'm certain of is that I need to muster all my strength and save my Auntie before it's too late."
As I spoke, I could feel a cold shiver run down my spine, the reality of the situation sinking in. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum, each beat echoing the urgency of our predicament. Fear and anxiety gnawed at me, but I pushed them aside, replacing them with a steely determination. I knew I had to be strong, not just for myself, but for my Auntie who was depending on me.
"Let's try to have a look at the mystery book. It might help us find a clue" Avery suggested. I nodded at her picked up the book from the bedside table and put it on the middle of the mattress where all three of us could see it, and I started to turn the pages.
"What prophecy does the book mention? What are the Lunar Eclipse and Solar Eclipse Child? Is it related to Vampires and Werewolves? So, there's a chance that you could be part of one of those species, right?—
"Slow down, Jess," I interjected, my voice strained as I tried to concentrate on the intricate details of the text before me.
As Jessy fired off her questions, I could feel a wave of anxiety washing over me. Each question was like a pebble being added to an already heavy load I was carrying. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to make sense of the information overload. The room seemed to spin around me as I attempted to focus on the words in the book, their meaning critical to our situation. I could feel a knot of tension in my stomach, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to keep my composure. Despite the chaos, I knew I had to stay focused and find the answers we needed.
"I believe this book is about resolving the long-standing feud between Werewolves and Vampires, don't you think? It mentions a 'Lunar Eclipse Child' and a 'Solar Eclipse Child' who is destined to bring peace and end the animosity between the two species. That's the prophecy. But I don't understand what this book has to do with me. I'm just an ordinary person, there's nothing special about me—
"You're far from ordinary, Sam. There's a chance that you could be either the Lunar Eclipse Child or the Solar Eclipse Child," Avery interjected.
As I voiced my thoughts, a sense of confusion and disbelief washed over me. The words seemed to echo in the room, bouncing off the walls and back into my ears, making them sound even more surreal. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, the rhythm is erratic as I tried to process the possibility of being the 'Lunar Eclipse Child'. The idea was so far-fetched, so out of the realm of my normal life, that it was hard to wrap my head around it.
Avery's words hung in the air, heavy with implications. I could feel a chill run down my spine, the weight of her words sinking in. Was it possible? Could I really be the one mentioned in the prophecy? The room seemed to spin around me as I grappled with the enormity of the situation. Fear, confusion and a strange sense of excitement mingled within me, creating a whirlwind of emotions that left me feeling both overwhelmed and strangely determined.
"That's another thing we need to find out," I stated, my eyes scanning the pages of the book, each word seeming to hold a deeper meaning. "The librarian mentioned that this book has been drawing a lot of attention. Could it be that these creatures are after it? This is a prophecy, but perhaps, just perhaps, if they get their hands on it, they might be able to alter what's written here, especially if they're not interested in peace," I mused aloud. "Look at this, it clearly states that this book must not fall into the hands of those who intend to disrupt its purpose," I added.
As I delved deeper into the book, a sense of urgency washed over me. The words on the page seemed to leap out, each sentence carrying a weight of its own. The room was silent, the only sound being the rustling of pages as I turned them. The air felt heavy, charged with the gravity of our situation. My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythm echoing the seriousness of our predicament.
The thought of the book falling into the wrong hands sent a shiver down my spine. The possibility of the prophecy being altered was a terrifying prospect. I could feel a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach, the implications of such an event too dire to fully comprehend. Despite the fear, I felt a surge of determination. We had to protect this book and uncover the truth about my possible connection to the prophecy.
"So, we need to safeguard this book, huh? I'm the one who's always tripping and landing on my butt, and now I have to protect this? Heck, I can't even protect myself," Jessy exclaimed.
Jessy's words hung in the air, her usual humor tinged with a hint of apprehension. Her self-deprecating joke did little to mask the underlying worry in her voice. The room seemed to echo with her words, a stark reminder of the gravity of our situation. Despite her attempt at lightening the mood, the reality of our task was clear - we had a responsibility to protect this book, and it was a task that none of us could take lightly.
Sigh
"We could lose our lives before the war even starts," Avery voiced out, her words carrying a chilling truth that hung heavy in the room.
"I'm at a loss as to what our next steps should be, guys. But for now, all we can do is wait for the person who took my Aunt to call again and provide the details of our meeting," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions within me.
The room was filled with a tense silence following Avery's grim statement. The reality of our situation was stark and unforgiving. Fear and uncertainty were palpable in the air, but so was a sense of resolve. We were in this together, and we would face whatever came our way. As for me, the wait for the kidnapper's call was agonizing, each passing second feeling like an eternity. But I knew we had to stay strong, for my Aunt's sake and ours.
---------
"There's no way you're going alone" Jessy protested. Her being the protective best friend is resurfacing.
"It was needed, that's what that guy said. Don't forget that we're talking about my Auntie's sake. And if we make any wrong move, he'll wring her neck" I stated, feeling my body shake in fear at the thought.
"Are you sure about this Samantha? You know this can be a trap" Avery says in pure concern.
"There's no other way—
"There is if you only think clearer and not just bite the trap-
"I'm scared Jess," I said as tears filled my eyes. She sighed as she hugged me. Avery joined afterward.
"What are we supposed to do? I can't just stand here and wait until you come back, which I know won't happen" Jessy said, her hand gently stroking my hair in a comforting gesture.
"Don't you think this could be an opportunity for me to learn more about them? If they plan to take me to their territory, I could—
"No, that's far too dangerous. We have no idea what they're planning to do to you. It's too risky to go along with that plan," Avery interjected, her voice filled with concern.
"Trust me on this one," I pleaded, hoping they would give my plan a one-shot. I had faith that someone would come to my rescue if things went south. This was the only option I could think of with time running out. The sands in the hourglass were dwindling, and I had to act. If walking into the lion's den was the only way, then I was prepared to face it.
The room was filled with a tense silence as I voiced my plan. I could feel the weight of their concern, their fear for my safety palpable in the air. But I also felt a strange sense of resolve. I knew the risks, but I also knew that I had to do something, anything, to save my Auntie. The thought of walking into potential danger was terrifying, but if it meant a chance at saving her, I was willing to take the risk.
Both of them sighed heavily, deep in thought, weighing the risks of my proposal. "Alright, if that's the only way. But I swear, if anything happens to you, I will scour every corner of this world just to find you," Avery declared, pulling me into a tight, reassuring hug.
"Have faith in me," I responded, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within me.
----------
With each step I took towards the heart of the forest, where the man had instructed me to go, I found myself releasing a deep breath. The darkness was all-encompassing, the moonlight and the flashlight from my phone providing the only sources of illumination. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects and the rustling of the trees as they swayed in unison.
The forest seemed to close in around me, the shadows dancing eerily in the faint light. The crunch of leaves under my feet seemed unnaturally loud in the stillness, each step echoing through the quiet forest. A sense of unease crept over me, the silence and the darkness amplifying my fears. But I pushed forward, the thought of my Auntie spurring me on. Despite the fear, I knew I had to keep going, had to face whatever was waiting for me in the heart of the forest.
After an hour of walking, fatigue began to set in. I found a spot among the large tree roots to rest and gather my strength. The exact location was unclear; he had simply told me to follow this path. But something told me I was in the right place, making it easier for him to find me.
"Someone's lost," a deep, baritone voice suddenly echoed through the silence, causing me to startle in my seat. I turned to my left, a shadowy figure barely visible behind a tree, instantly putting me on high alert. I quickly rose to my feet, instinctively adopting a defensive stance.
The sudden voice in the quiet forest sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through me. My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythm echoing the sudden fear that gripped me. The shadowy figure was barely discernible in the darkness, but its presence was undeniable. Despite the fear, I knew I had to stay strong. I was here for a reason, and I wouldn't back down now.
"Show yourself," I demanded, my voice steady, masking the fear that threatened to surface.
"I like that, tough," he responded, stepping out from the shadows. Bathed in the moonlight, his figure became clear - a tall, muscular man with a strong jawline. His hair was black, his eyes a dark blue, and he appeared to be in his mid-30s. He was undeniably handsome, but the knowledge of his actions, of him holding my Auntie captive, cast a dark shadow over his appearance, making him seem menacing and cruel.
As he emerged from the shadows, a chill ran down my spine. His appearance was striking, but his actions painted a different picture. The man who stood before me was not just a handsome stranger, but a threat, a danger to my Auntie and potentially to me as well. Despite the fear, I stood my ground, my resolve unwavering.
"Where is she?" I demanded, struggling to keep my voice steady. His dark aura was overwhelming, making it difficult to stand in his presence for even a moment longer.
"You want to see her, huh—
"Of course, I do. What did you expect? I came here for her in the first place. If you had any sense, you wouldn't be surprised that she's the first person I'm asking about," I retorted, my tone sharp, irritation creeping in due to the absence of my Auntie's presence.
"Oh dear, why do you care so much about someone who holds no value in this world? She's just an ordinary person, unlike you. You're far from ordinary—
"What the hell are you talking about? She's my Auntie, you idiot. And I'm here to get her back."
"Unfortunately, she's not here. But does that matter?.. Oh wait, didn't your Auntie tell you that you were just a toddler when someone left you on her doorstep? Poor you, you must have been so clueless all this time. You were raised by someone who isn't even related to you by blood."
"Shut up," I snapped. I had always known I was different, but I hadn't expected to learn that the woman I considered a parent wasn't related to me by blood. The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me reeling. Despite the shock, I knew I had to stay focused. I was here for a reason, and I wouldn't let his words distract me.
"You do realize I could end her life at any moment, right? So drop the attitude. Actually, I've been enjoying my time with her. Did you know she's quite the screamer? For her age, she's not half bad," he taunted, a wicked smirk playing on his lips.
My face fell, and my heart pounded in my chest at his words. "W-what did you do to her?" I stammered, revulsion coursing through me.
"Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate the details," he replied, his laughter echoing through the silent forest. My body began to tremble, the effort to keep my composure almost too much. The thought of what he might have done was unbearable. I fought back tears, refusing to let him see how deeply his words affected me.
A wave of pain washed over me, so intense it felt as though my body was being torn apart. My chest ached, a raw, primal rage building within me. I saw red, a thirst for vengeance consuming me. I wanted to fight, to hurt...
"Y-you," I managed to choke out, my body convulsing as an excruciating pain coursed through me. It felt as though my flesh and bones were being ripped apart.
Suddenly, I heard the sickening sound of my bones snapping. I couldn't hold back the scream that tore from my throat. The pain was everywhere, overwhelming, and I could feel myself transforming into something... something else.
No way... this couldn't be happening.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°