EIRA POV:
"Is anyone there?" I called out, my voice trembling with fear as the eerie sound echoed back at me, louder… more menacing.
"Anyone here?"
Only silence answered. I tried again. And again. And again. My own voice felt like a stranger's, swallowed by the dark.
The trees loomed high above, branches twisting like gnarled fingers, tightening their grip around me. A cold wave of panic surged through my veins. I can't stay here.
Just as I turned to flee, a sight froze the blood in my body.
A black snake. Coiled. Still. Its gaze locked onto mine, unblinking.
I stumbled backward, heart slamming against my ribs.
"Help! Help! Help!" My screams cracked, trembling with terror.
It slithered closer, every shift of its body tightening the knot in my stomach. My legs wobbled; I couldn't move.
Then—suddenly—a strong hand gripped my waist, lifting me off the ground. My breath caught. I looked up.
A pair of inky black eyes stared down at me. The rest of his face was hidden beneath a dark cloth, but those eyes… how could anyone's be so endlessly, terrifyingly dark?
And yet—my fear faded. For a single, inexplicable moment, it felt like a connection.
But the snake—!
It lunged.
A hand flew out, faster than my eyes could follow, hurling the creature away into the shadows.
I gasped, inhaling raggedly. My savior was gone. Just—gone.
The clearing stood empty, wrapped in silence. Where did he go? Was it all a dream?
I swallowed hard. I should get back to college.
"Where were you?"
"Why can't you stay where I told you?"
I stayed silent, staring at the ground. Later, my father helped me arrange my room, kissed me goodnight, and left.
Sleep dragged me under quickly. Tomorrow was my first day of college.
I jolted awake at 7 a.m., panic spiking in my chest. My lecture started at 8:30.
A blur of shower, clothes, and books later, I was rushing across campus, staring at a crumpled map like it might suddenly start making sense.
"Looking for something?" a voice broke through.
I looked up. A tall girl with gorgeous brown hair stood in front of me, smiling.
"Yes! I'm lost. Can you help?" I handed her the map, breathless.
"New girl, right?" she asked, her tone warm.
I nodded.
"Second floor. Upstairs. To the right. Hurry—you'll be late."
Relief surged through me. "Thank you!"
I dashed up the stairs and into physics class. The whole room turned to stare, every pair of eyes pinning me down like I was some alien that had crash-landed.
"You must be Ms. Eira," the woman at the front said firmly.
"You're late. Take your seat."
"Yes, ma'am," I whispered, hurrying to an empty desk.
"My name is Mrs. Raivina. Now, dear, introduce yourself."
My throat tightened. Please, no. But her expectant eyes told me I had no choice.
"Hi, everyone," I muttered, staring at my shoes. A few lazy hellos. A few stifled giggles.
"I… am Eira Banes."
"I hope you enjoy your time here," Mrs. Raivina said kindly.
"Any questions?"
Silence.
Then a girl with straight hair and too much makeup leaned in and hissed, "Hello, garbage." Her friends burst into cruel laughter.
Heat burned in my cheeks, but I stayed quiet.
After an hour, I wandered to the canteen, my next class still far away. I just wanted a corner, a moment to breathe.
"Hi!"
I looked up. It was the girl who had helped me earlier.
"I'm Tessy."
"Eira."
"Mind if I sit?"
"Of course not."
We talked. She told me stories about college, about how kind the principal was. For the first time all day, I felt a little lighter.
But then—the atmosphere shifted. A hush fell.
I followed everyone's gaze.
He walked in.
Tall. Striking. A black coat flowing behind him.
And then—I saw them. His eyes.
Those same haunting eyes from the woods.
My chest tightened. It was him. My savior. I had to thank him.
"What happened?" Tessy asked.
"Just—give me five minutes," I said, standing, determination buzzing in my veins.
I approached him.
"Hi," I said, my voice shaky but firm.
He stared, unreadable.
"Yesterday. In the woods. You saved me."
Before he could answer, Tessy's voice rang out from behind me. "That's Adrian Blake!"
He smirked, cold and sharp. "If you want to sleep with me, just say so. No need for these silly games. Get out of my way."
His words slapped me harder than a hand could.
The "garbage" girl shoved past, sneering, "You don't belong here, Garbage." Laughter rippled behind her.
My eyes stung. My throat burned. But I swallowed it down, grabbed my bag, and walked away before they could see me break.
I hate him.
"She's a bitch. Ignore her. And that Adrian—he's an arrogant jerk," Tessy spat, furious. "He thinks his wealth makes him superior, like the rest of us are just servants. I hate him."
I nodded silently.
But later, in class, I felt it again.
His gaze. Heavy. Piercing. Each time I turned, he was looking away. Was I imagining it?
He was in every class. And every time, the weight of his stare grew heavier.
Back at the hostel, I fumbled with my keys. That's when I saw her.
A girl stepped out of the door beside mine.
Porcelain skin. Radiant. Captivating.
"What's your name?" I asked without thinking.
"Andy," she smiled, her presence almost magnetic.
"You're really beautiful," I blurted out.
"I know. You're beautiful too." She laughed softly, stepping closer.
"See you soon!" she called, vanishing into her room. The door shut with a thud.
Strange. Intriguing.
I couldn't shake the feeling she was more than she seemed.
ADRIAN POV:
I leaned back against the cool wall of my room, thoughts of Eira gnawing at me.
I had pushed her away with cruel words. But why? Why did I react like that?
Her eyes, wide with confusion, haunted me. Every moment with her was a puzzle I couldn't solve. I told myself I had to keep my distance, to shield her from my darkness.
But Why did she crawl under my skin and set me on fire?
A knock broke through my thoughts.
Drek stood at the door, concern written all over him.
"Hey, buddy." He stepped in without waiting.
"Hey." My tone was flat.
"What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Nothing," I lied.
He raised an eyebrow. "I know you. You're hiding something."
"I don't have time for this."
"Fine. Where are Elisa and Mike?"
"They won't be here for a few days."
"Okay. But don't think I'll drop it." His eyes narrowed. "I'll get it out of you."
"Just leave!" I snapped, voice cracking with frustration.
He studied me, silent, then finally walked out.
The door shut. Silence pressed down.
I leaned back, breathing hard.
I hated admitting it. But I was losing control.
The more I tried to push Eira away, the more she pulled me in.
A force I couldn't fight.
A force I didn't want to fight.