Chapter 6 - Vigilant

The same dream occurred again. But the worst was that he was slashing all my friends especially Josiah and Elodie. Their screams, crying out for help kept echoing in my head. I woke up sweating, breathing faster than I ever did. Why did I feel so exposed and powerless?

It was 4 in the morning when I woke up, though my school started at 7, I leaped off the bed and drew the curtains open. The mild sunshine touching my skin. I took a deep breathe in and out and sighed. Today didn't seem as good as I wanted it to be. Elodie, Josiah and Kaiden were at in extreme risk. I didn't want them to be hurt because of me. What did I do to deserve this? I left my unanswered questions and to the bathroom for a shower.

"Addilyn dear are you having a shower?" My mother called out.

Geez I didn't I was at the bath tub for half an hour. "Yes ma, I shall come out now" I replied.

Coming out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I examined my closet to pick out my uniform. After putting them on, I went in front of my mirror to dry out my hair.

Finishing of with the usual routine I went to the kitchen to see that my family was busy doing their habitual work. I sat beside my brother in the dining table and started chewing the warm luscious pancake which was accompanied by maple syrup.

Again me and my brother bid farewell to my parents and entered the school bus. I rushed in and quickly searched for Elodie. I let out a sigh of relief as I saw she was laughing, conversing with Alora. I halted towards the girls and gave both of them a tight hug as if it was going to be the last time I was going to see them.

"AHHHH Addilyn, your too tight. We are fine, Elodie told me EVERYTHING" Alora said, tensing on the word 'everything'.

I gave them a neutral expression and sat beside them. While Elodie and Alora were talking about Flynn, I was thinking what would happen if he actually caught us. How would we survive? When I saw we reached school i got up from my seat and went behind Elodie and Alora. AS we were about to enter the school, I got goosebumps. I felt someone was looking at me. Without thinking further, I stopped walking and inspected in all directions. I couldn't make out anything unusual and went running to catch up with the girls again.

"Addilyn where were you? " Alora said with a bothered face.

"I....um...I felt someone looking at us"

"You seriously need to chill Addy" Elodie declared

"I guess." I quickly responded.

Walking over the locker, I kept my bag, thinking how would I survive the day at school. We had Bio at the 3rd period. I scanned over the class, searching for our table and went over.

"Hey, what happened yesterday to Rayna? I thought everything was a joke until you were yelling us to leave."

"Hey, you might not wanna know about it Josiah."

"You know Rayna hasn't come yet. I haven't seen her around anywhere"

It wasn't unusual. I knew she wouldn't come. Flynn took her.

"Perhaps she wasn't feeling well" I said with a disturbed look.

"Hey Josiah! Hope I haven't interrupted, but I rlly need to talk with Addilyn." Elodie said with a smirk.

"Oh no, it's nothing." Josiah snapped.

I turned towards Elodie who was now sitting beside me.

"Now what?" I whispered.

"When did you start talking with him?" Elodie whispered as well.

But we were interrupted as Ms Gianna entered the class.

Ms. Gianna was giving us questions to answer when the principle started speaking on the speaker.

'Good morning students! Just wanted to inform all of you that all the schools in the city will come together in the Grande Palace to celebrate the importance of British curriculum which has been widely used. Everyone is expected to wear the required dress code which has been displayed in the announcements board. Kindly check them when possible before Thursday. Other important details are mentioned there too. Thank you."

Everyone started whispering and talking about the ball. The school never celebrated anything like this and it was unusual. As the school was over, me and Elodie rushed over to the announcements board.

Day : coming Friday.

Time : 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Dress code : Formal Gowns and suits.

..........

WHAT did I just read.

As I was sitting in the bus and the back seat beside Elodie and Alora, who were busy talking about the ball, I was thinking of Rayna. How was she surviving? Is she Ok? First of all Is she ALIVE?

As I waved the girls goodbye, I walked towards my Apartment to notice that there was a car waiting which I felt suspicious.

I thought I was just getting too tensed and went to the apartment and into the elevator.

After finishing lunch, I went to my room to complete my homework when I got a message...

Unknown no.:

Hey sweetheart, coming for you soon. Don't tell anyone, and you what I mean by 'anyone' about me, otherwise..

Oh no no no. Along with a message was a picture of Rayna. Her mouth was covered with duct tape and I could understand that she had been mourning for hours. Her brunette hair was all messed up and her face had partially been covered with dirt. There was even a small wound on her forehead. I knew he was going to threaten her if i told anyone about Flynn. Yes I knew it was Flynn. Who else who have threatened me. How did he get my number though?

Me:

What do you want Flynn?

Unknown no.:

Oh sweetheart, it feels so good to see you say my name. All I want is you don't you understand?

Me:

I promise I won't tell you about anyone, just surrender yourself and be patient. I'm sure they are going to leave you. You will have all the freedom in your hands. What will you gain anyways from all these?

Unknown no.:

See you soon sweety ;)

Me:

Just try listening to me Flynn, why don't you understand I'm just teen. What did I do to YOU!?

It has been an hour since he didn't reply anything. All I could think of was how Flynn would have been torturing Rayna. My life was boring indeed in the past, but it was calm. I really wanted to expect something extraordinary to occur everyday but not this! Then my mom entered my room. She seemed to be agitated.

"Addilyn, did a girl named Rayna come to school today?"

What was I supposed to do now! Think Addilyn Think!

"No ma, I thought she said she didn't feel well yesterday. Why what happened?" I said, asking as if I did not know anything.

" I don't wanna worry you, but her parents called us saying she wasn't there at her house since after they returned from work which was at 5 in the afternoon." My mother told.

"Oh" was all I could say. Out of nowhere I headache. So I decided to rest.

A few hours later...

I was having lunch with my family. Today my dad cooked. He worked as a chef, and his cooking skills were incomparable. As everyone was so silent, I started to tell them about the ball.

"Addilyn your not going there." my dad instructed at once.

"Papa, I know there are going to be many people, but i'm going to be representing my school. " I begged.

"No"

I didn't want to fight with my dad so I just finished off with the dinner and went to my room. I chatted with Alora for some time, informing her everything that happened with Flynn. I also told her that I wasn't able to join the ball. She felt low-spirited. But I assured her saying that she had Elodie.

"Hello dear." My dad said while he came and sat on the bed while I was sitting on a chair.

"Hi papa, what happened?" I said feeling down.

"I know you have been working hard on your studies so...You can go the ball"

"Wait really?" I said looking directly at his eyes.

"It's your choice, if you don't want to go-"

"I love you papa!" I exclaimed and gave him a hug. I saw that he was cheerful as well. I kissed on his clean shaven cheek and he left. Without delay I texted Alora that I was able to join the ball. And there she was, sending me tonnes and tonnes of emojis.