Chapter 4: Unpredicted Return

Class started and ended in a flash but before I could even get up, a girl brushed passed me and snuck a note in my pocket. I didn't even have to read it to know what it was. Too bad I didn't get a good look at her face. I read the note just to be sure and it said to meet her at the nearby coffee shop after school. It's a good thing the girls have plans today.

After school came and I made my way to the coffee shop. As I walked in, I saw a sight that made the color on my face disappear. I saw her... Naila's sister. My eyes were wide and my breathing was rapid and heavy. I thought I was seeing a ghost. This... this can't... I-I saw her die! How is she?!

She got up and walked towards me.

"Well? Did ya miss me?" She asked.

How is this possible?! I remember how... she... wait... I-I can't remember!? Why can't I remember?! I'm sure she died... but how? Wait... then, did she really die?

"Hehe! Come on, Mila, let's talk! For old times sake. It's been so long since I've seen my best friend!"

A cold sweat ran down my face as she now stood in front of me.

"This... this is impossible. I-I WATCHED YOU DIE! HOW ARE YOU HERE?!" She smirked as she hugged me.

"Shush! You'll make a scene! Mila... let me ask you something. Did you... really see me die?" She whispered in my ear. She let go of me and backed up a bit.

"Incase you forgot, let me remind you about that night in the alleyway... it was midnight, and we were just leaving the bar, you were buzzed but not fully drunk yet. I couldn't drink yet so I was sober, then, out of nowhere, a guy came from behind us and grabbed me as a hostage. He put a knife to my throat and pointed a gun at you. He talked as if he was trying to conceal his voice but I recognized it. He then pointed the gun at you and shot but missed. I moved so that would happen. You started backing away and he, in turn, pointed the gun at my leg. I was already crying cause a knife was at my throat but when he turned the gun towards me, it just made it worse. Well... he shot me in the leg and slit my neck a bit. I screamed in pain and thought someone would come help but no one came, and you being buzzed was no help. Since I was screaming, he decided to shut me up, so while I was on the ground he cut the leg that had been shot. He tortured me till I couldn't even use my voice anymore. But, while he was on top of me I saw his face... it was Dune. I know you were his initial target, but he got me to get my sister to hate you. After he got me, he left, and you were gone too, I don't blame you though, even I thought I was dead. When I woke up the next morning, I was in the ER. Apparently, I was patched up. They stopped the bleeding, removed the bullet, and gave me stitches. I couldn't believe my eyes... I was alive! I survived!" She stared at me with a look of content. I stared back, but my face that was once covered in fear was now twisted in anger.

Hm. He's angry that it was Dune again, let's soothe his anger a bit.

"I'm so happy I could see you again, Mila. So, so happy!" Tears ran down her face as she spoke. I mean, she's been supposedly dead for four years.

"Wait... so what were you doing those four years we thought you were dead?" I asked.

She smirked again. "It's a secret!" She said. "Oh. Don't tell my sister I'm alive yet. I need to take care of some things first."

"If one of those things is Dune, then we have the same goal. Let me help you. This time I won't leave you alone."

"No. this is something I need to do on my own. Besides, he's not the only one I need to take care of."

"I'm dealing with Dune whether you like it or not... and, I want to help you, Shula. Back then I... I"

"No, you... NO, YOU DIDN'T! DON'T YOU DARE FINISH THAT SENTENCE! YOU WEREN'T IN LOVE WITH ME... no. You were just in love with love itself. We both were. Being best friends with the opposite sex does that to you... we were infatuated with each other, we never spent time apart, so it's not like I didn't think about you back then, but there was my sister, and you had... well, have, Dune and your mother to worry about. Well enough about that. I'll see you around Mila. I'll reveal myself to everyone at a later time, so don't let anyone know you saw me. Especially Naila."

As she said this, she left. I stood there, not knowing what to think anymore. I was just... happy. Happy that I could see her again.

I got home and laid down. All I could do was think.

To think... that Shula's been alive all this time. I can't control my excitement! My best friend is still alive... but... what has she been doing all this time? I mean, I haven't just been sitting around and doing nothing either... but she said Dune was the one who tortured her and tried to kill me. Least I found out who her "killer" was.

Dune's the cause of everything but my mother wanting me dead, and Arlie's situation. That's one problem I could take care of. Wait... Shula... She's not gonna challenge Dune, is she? Alone?!

Suddenly, I felt like she'd be running towards her death. He may be one person, but Dune wouldn't be alone, especially since he knows I'm here. Though that time with Arlie was an exemption. I really hope she doesn't do anything too risky.

Actually, I thought about all that because I didn't want to think about what Shula said... but it kept repeating in the back of my head. "You were just in love with love itself!" Was I really? Did I really not see her in another way? I mean, I was... well, am still shocked that she's actually alive... but... no. I have Arlie now, and she's all I need.

I came to realize that not being around someone dear, only makes you want them more, and with the pain from thinking that Shula was dead for four years gone now, I found out that Shula was really dear to me. Don't get me wrong, I love Arlie, a lot. But with Shula... it's a different feeling, and I don't quite know what that feeling is yet.

I dozed off while thinking. To be honest, what I really wanted was a normal college life, I wanted to leave the past in the past and not worry about it, but no matter what I did, it always caught up with me. No matter who I cut contact with, no matter where I went, it always followed. I wanted to normally fall in love this time. Not fight for my life again. This cycle will never end, will it? The only difference this time is that I have Arlie by my side. As long as she's here, I can conquer anything and anyone. I'll never ever back down as long she's watching. She's my strength... my everything... and not anyone will take her from me.

For some reason, the days started going by unreasonably well. I could only think that something bad was bound to happen sooner rather than later, I always hope for the worst so I don't get my hopes up only for them to be crushed. It's happened too many times in the past, so I gave up.

Lo and behold... the unspeakable happened. Shula revealed herself... in the worst possible way.