Chapter 8

Xyris P.O.V.

I can't help but frown upon feeling a sudden crypt that gives me a chilling fear. Suddenly, the relaxing atmosphere is gone and was replace with a disturbing one. The cold is starting to froze me from the inside though the blazing heat from the sun is blanketing the whole place.

I look around to check for something that is out of place but everyone seems so busy and occupied with their own small world. It feels like something or someone is surveying me from a safe distance. I tried to ignore it however my dryad starting to feel so anxious as the familiar fear envelops me.

Panic is starting to occupy both my heart and my mind. Bahagya akong napatalon ng maramdaman na may humawak sa balikat ko.

"Is there something wrong?" Nagaalalang tanong ni Brandon. Umiling ako bilang sagot.

I take a slow and steady breath to calm myself. Brandon eyes surveyed me full of concern.

I force myself to smile and answer. "No, I guess this whole surfing thing just made me so tired."

I don't want to alarm him. I do not want to involve anyone in the faceless ghost that seems to love chasing me wherever I go.

I walk towards the surfboard and pick it up from the sandy beach.

"How about we go back to our room to change then we can go ahead and have our lunch together at the café?" Nakangiting aya ko rito.

Nawala ang pagkunot ng noo nito at napalitan ng ngiti. "Sound's good for me." Pagsangayon nito.

We find ourselves walking back to the hotel carrying our surfboards with us. Brandon walk me to my room before going to his that is only three doors away from mine.

Agad akong dumiretso sa nakasaradong bintana matapos kong maisara ang pinto. I open the window and surveyed the beautiful surroundings below. This place looks like a paradise from my room but for the first time since I arrived here, my dryad side starts to become restless. It is as if she is trying to warn me from something or maybe someone.

I close my eyes and the moment I open it. I am already in the middle pf the forest. My golden hair is flowing beautifully down to my thigh as my eyes scan the whole forest. Golden dusk starts to scattered around the whole forest as I try to uncover who could be the person behind those chills.

To my disappointment, I failed to find the culprit despite my power to become one with nature.

I take a deep breath and let my dryad soul go back to my room.  Dismayadong isinara ko ang kurtina ng bintana at saka nagbihis upang katagpuin si Brandon. I did promise him that we will have lunch together.

I am currently fixing my hair in a tight ponytale when a knocked from the other side of door get my attention. Thinking that it was Brandon, I immediately walk towards the door to open it for him.

"Hey, now that was qui—." Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita ng wala akong makitang Brandon pagbukas ko ng pinto.

Kumunot ang noo ko. I open the door wider and look at the hallway but it was empty with no single soul in sight. I take a deep breath and ignore the fear that's starting to build up inside of me. I am about to close the door when my I saw a box on the floor. It is as if someone left the medium size box for me intentionally. Kahit puno ng kaba ay dinampot ko ang box at saka isinara ang pinto.

Inilapag ko ang kahon sa mesa saka ito binuksan. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapalunok sa pinaghalong takot at kaba habang isa-isang tinatanggal sa box ang mga litrato. My hands is shaking in fear and I can't help my tears from building up in the corner of my eyes.

It is a picture of me walking around the Island, it was me with Brandon and he even manages to take a picture of me with Alpha Kaige. The picture was taken not too far from us. Probably only 20 meters away.

How come I did not even notice it? Nanginginig na ibinalik ko ang mga litrato sa kahon. What scares me the most is that one of the picture was taken while I was sleeping in this room. Everything is not just an empty warning, he meant to have me and he is just telling me that he can have me.

In my shaky hand, I grab my phone and dial the number of one of my trusted friend. "Raven, he found me!" Nagpapanic kong wika matapos marinig ang pag 'Hello' nito mula sa kabilang linya.

"Relax Xyris, explain it. What do you mean by he found you?" Bakas ko ang pagaalala sa boses nito.

In my shaky voice, I explained to him how I feel being observed a while ago and the pictures that I just received. He let out a series of curses while I can't help but let out a soundless cry. I felt so vulnerable and scared.

Why does he want from me? Who is he?

"Stop crying Xyris, you're a dryad remember? You are not just a weak human that they can easily capture. You can transfer to another room for now and first thing tomorrow I'll be there to fetch you up, okay?" Pagaalo nito sa akin.

"T-thank you..." Mahinang wika ko.

I heard him sigh on the other line. "When you said that you are in Duskfall Island for your vacation I am confident that you'll be safe. I thought that when they learn that you are in the territory of Alpha Kaige they will back down." Paliwanag nito. "I guess I'm wrong, it seems that they are taking the chance to be killed in Duskfall territory just to get you." Ramdam ko ang galit sa bawat salitang binibigkas nito. Somehow, I am thankful that Raven never leave my side way back in the city. He was the friend that I need when that faceless bastard decided to fuck with my life.

"Fifteen years, it's been 15 years but they never stop pursuing me. I'm scared Raven, what if one day I slip and they manage to capture me?" Narinig ko ang malalim na pagbuntong hininga nito sa kabilang linya.

"They are rogues Xy, nobody knows what they are thinking. I promise to protect you and I will do it to the best of my power. I remember you mentioned about saving the beta of Red eclipse pack." Tumango ako sa sinabi nito kahit alam kong hindi ako nito nakikita.

"Yeah, now that you mentioned it. I remember promising him that we will having lunch together." Wika ko.

"That's good. Brandon is a good man, stay with him for the rest of the day and I'll be there first thing tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, I will. Thank—." Napalingon ako sa pinto ng muling may kumatok rito. "Someone's knocking." I said to let him know.

I walk towards the door cautiously but instead of opening it, I take a look at the peep hole first to make sure it is Brandon. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag ng makitang si Brandon ang nasa likod ng pinto.

"Xyris? Who is it?" Ramdam ko ang pagaalala sa tono ng boses nito.

"It's Brandon." Wika ko.

"Good, enjoy your lunch okay?" He said which makes me smile.

"Sure will, thank you. Bye now." Pagpapaalam ko dito bago pinatay ang tawag.

I made sure to wipe my tears away before opening the door. Brandon greeted me with his million dollar smile the moment I open it. Completely oblivious of the threat that I receive few minutes ago.

💐💐💐