EIRA POV:
It was pitch dark. Twisted veins of roots sprawled across the muddy floor, like the forest itself wanted to trip me. The woods stretched endlessly into the suffocating darkness—untouched, ancient, terrifying. The cold air slithered under my clothes, biting into my skin, forcing me to shiver. Moonlight barely sliced through the dense canopy, leaving me lost in shadows.
"Is someone here?"
"Mom… Mom!! Where are you?"—my own voice shook as I took a hesitant step forward. The silence was crushing, louder than any scream. My heartbeat pounded so violently in my chest I was sure the entire forest could hear it.
"Adrain?… Are you here?"
"Adrain! Please—say something!"
"Adrain—" My words snapped off, strangled in my throat as a loud, chilling howl ripped through the night behind me. My whole body froze. Slowly, painfully slowly, I turned.
Dark yellow eyes glared at me from within the bushes.
"Ad… Adrain…"
"Eira!!"
"Eira, wake up!"
"Eira, get up!"
My eyes fluttered open. Everything was blurry at first, then Claira's worried face came into focus. I tried to push myself up, but my body felt like lead. She helped me sit.
"W… Water…"
"Water," I croaked again, my throat raw and burning.
Claira quickly handed me a glass, and I gulped it down in one desperate breath.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I… I don't know. You tell me."
"You were sweating so much and then—"
"I just… I just saw a dream. A bad one."
"What type of—"
"Let's go. We're getting late for college." I cut her off sharply. I didn't want to talk about those eyes. Not yet.
"Right… yes," she muttered.
"Students, I want all of you to make a file on the bones of the upper limbs."
RRRRRINGGGG!!!
"The last submission is on Tuesday," Mr. Robert announced as he left.
I sat frozen at my desk, my mind still spinning. That dream… those eyes… whose eyes were those? Why did they feel so real? I pressed my hands against my temples. I was going to go crazy.
When I finally looked up, the class was empty. Everyone was gone.
As I stepped into the corridor, I noticed Claira slipping in the opposite direction of the canteen.
Where's she going? To the DNA test? I should go with her. But if that arrogant monster—Adrain—saw me, he'd probably murder me on the spot.
Yes! I'll just follow her quietly.
I trailed her at a careful distance, step by step… until suddenly a hand clamped over my mouth and yanked me into an empty classroom.
I spun around, ready to scream—
And froze.
"You won't change, will you?" His voice was like ice.
"Adrain!… I can explain! I was—"
"You'll never learn," he cut me off, eyes blazing into mine.
"Just let me come with you. Please! Let me help."
"You want to help me? Really?" he asked, stepping closer.
I nodded quickly, my throat dry. He was too close, so close I could barely breathe. I wanted to demand what he was doing, but my body betrayed me—my eyes couldn't leave his.
"Then help me," he whispered against my ear, his husky voice sending shivers racing through my body. Goosebumps erupted across my skin. And then—just like that—he pulled back.
"Adrain… what do you mean? What—"
Before I could finish, I was yanked backward. My wrists burned. Panic crashed into me when I realized—my hands were bound. With rope.
What?? Rope?? When did this happen?!
"Adrain! What is this? Open it. NOW!" I shouted, twisting my wrists furiously.
"Adrain! I said OPEN it!"
"You said you wanted to help me, right?" His smirk was maddening. "Then help me… by staying right here."
"Don't worry. It's only for twenty minutes."
"After that, the peon will come and untie you."
"You can't do this! You—you CRACK-BRAINED PSYCHO!!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the empty room.
But he didn't even flinch. He just turned, walked out, and slammed the door—leaving me tied, furious, and burning with humiliation.