Chapter 17: Haunted Past

I finally heard it, the same hoping voice and it gave me hope. But unlike last time I heard it loud, maybe it is somewhere near to where we are.

I now concentrated on tracing its location, if I'll find it then I hope Mariya will believe that I can do it and go somewhat easy on me because this new personality of hers as a teacher is scaring the sh*t out of me.

I was still searching but couldn't exactly pinpoint the location, "Somewhere near my cottage".

I thought of the nearest thing to where we are but still a bit far, "No, I think it's near the training ground", I said on hearing it again.

"Don't assume, tell me where you feel it should be", Mariya's voice came out of the blue which stunned me for a while as I was so busy tracing the rabbit's location and forgot she was here.

'Of course she would be here, where else would she be? And if you forgot she was here then who were you talking to and reporting the location?', a sarcastic voice spoke at the back of my mind and to say I was shocked would be an understatement because I was totally appalled by the same sarcastic voice that spoke after so long.

Didn't want to say this but I missed her witty comments.

'Don't behave like an overrated actress and stop this drama, we haven't talked only for a day and you're acting like it's been ages', she smirked at me but I won't give her any satisfaction so I ignored her and finally told Mariya the location.

"It's somewhere near the woods from where I rescued the Alpha's daughter"

"Are you sure?", Mariya asked.

"Yeah…", before I could continue I heard a faint 'ok' and felt a strong gust of wind which swayed me lightly, confused I opened my eyes and found that Mariya was nowhere.

"Mariya?", I called out to her but silence was the only answer.

"Mariya, where are you?"

"Mariya, are you alright?"

Now I was getting worried, what if something happened to her. I have to get out of this rope, what will I tell everyone, how would I tell Franco that I endangered Mariya's life for my selfishness.

What if she went after the rabbit and I remember Franco warned me about that place since the rogues live close and often go there.

No, I don't think she would have gone there, why would she go?

Gosh Mariya, where are you?

I tried to get out of the rope but it was too tight.

I was just thinking of a way to get out of it when I felt the same gust of wind, I looked up and found Mariya standing there safe but she held something and looked kinda pissed.

'When is she not?', Noella remarked.

I ignored her and stared at the rabbit which was hanging from Mariya's hand as she held it by the ears.

"Do you want to know where I found your little friend , Dira?", she said emphasizing 'little friend'.

"No, how would I…", but she cut me off again. What's with her and cutting me off?

"I caught it at a place very far from the place where you assumed he would be"

Ohhh, she has gone after the rabbit.

"But how did you know I was talking about the rabbit and not something else when I told you the location?", I asked the first question that popped up in my head.

"Because I heard it too and it was the only thing in close proximity so ultimately I concluded that's what you heard", she explained.

"Ohh", came my reply.

"No, not ohh, you're still not off the hook Dira, you couldn't pinpoint the location and I could've understood if you told me something close and not so far away".

"Sorry about that, I heard it loudly so I thought it was near".

"I'll tell you why you heard it loudly but before that, your punishment", she said making her way towards the rope and took out a sharp gleaming object which shined brightly in the sun and used the dagger to cut the rope.

Before I could process anything, I was in the lake, going in head first. In my shock and surprise, I forgot to hold my breath which resulted in water flowing through my mouth and nostrils, the water constricted my lungs.

My hands were still tied so I couldn't use the, I'm dependent on my legs and body. I tried coming up but the lake seems endless.

I searched around to hold something and go up but instead found a badly injured girl drowning in the water, searching, just like me to hold on to something for her dear life.

Her blood was mixing up with the water but her wounds could be clearly seen as her blood gushed out of them, dying the colorless water into blood red.

Then came another girl with familiar features, her face showing regret and worry for the drowning girl but I saw the thing behind her back and froze on the spot.

She had a knife and was acting, she started approaching the drowning girl who had a plank of wood she was clinging to.

She looked relieved and happy despite her bruised situation to see the other girl approaching her who was acting concerned but I know what she has in mind and I have to stop it, I should stop it, I can't let that happen.

That stupid drowning girl was getting it all wrong, she hasn't seen her true face yet and I have to save her.

I started going towards her but my condition wasn't letting me, I saw the girl holding the knife tightly suddenly stab the drowning girl and gave her a disgusted look.

"Noo…", a loud scream tore out of my mouth. I stopped in my tracks terrified at what was happening before me and why do I feel that I witnessed my ordeal.

The girl drowned in the water with the knife still stuck to her chest.

I went towards her and that was when I saw who she was, I saw the same dry blonde hair, blue eyes that looked so dead stared back at me then realization hit me with full force.

This girl in front of me is… me.

I looked back to see the same beautiful face of Hannah. But how could that be, I mean I'm here in another pack.

Tears started to form in my eyes and I let it all slip and mix with the lake. I looked so vulnerable and helpless but when I tried to help my lookalike, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me upwards.

I struggled against the firm hold wanting to get to her, to myself, to help her but this time fate had something else planned for me.

"No, no", I shouted which made water get in my mouth choking me but still I struggled against the strong hold.

Before I could slip into darkness, I saw the other me laying there helpless, with too much blood coming out of her injuries to stay alive.