JULIAN
I'm not sure if I'm making the best decision by making an alliance with those two. Heather was right; if we keep running, it will catch up with us. Still, I can't let the principal get wind of any of this. My dad is an alumnus of the school, making me know quite a lot about the Order of the Veiled and how he used to be a member. If he wasn't required to make me a member too, I wouldn't be in this mess.
I was shocked that such a thing exists in the school. I was curious if everyone knows about them and just decided to keep quiet about it or they are just oblivious to it all. This is how the society works: the first set of members that founded the cult was the school's first set, and they replace themselves with their offspring when they are old enough to live through life. So when I turned 16, he called me and told me he had to discuss something really important with me.
FLASHBACK: "Trust me, Julian, this isn't something I want from you, but I have no choice. All will be well as long as you are obedient." "What do you mean, Dad?" I asked. "Listen, for Ravenswood High's success, some teachers and some students came together to form a strong society. There are set-down rules to ensure the continuity of the school, which is why I called you here." "I still don't get it, Dad." "It's time to replace me now as my child." "What's all this, Dad? Really! A cult?" I fumed, but he calmed me down, trying to let me see the good side of the whole thing, but it only traumatized me.
That moment, I lost that capability to trust people. At first, I thought it was just an ordinary club until I saw how they use blood as spell's ingredients. I was so scared that I wanted to run, but my dad told me it's late, and if I don't want to get myself hurt, I should stay and blend with their way of life. I should blend with rituals? I was traumatized with the happenings there, but I dare not talk.
The blood is just too much; I asked my dad what blood it is, and I was shocked when I learned it's human blood. What!!! That's when I knew I'm trapped, and I can't leave, but why must I suffer for what my dad did? My dad would sit me down, giving me tutorials about the cult; that's how I got to know about Malcolm and Daisy. Daisy was a threat to them; my dad told me she was cursed, and no one heard about her again, and Malcolm? Malcolm used to be the history teacher; he got wind of the society, and he was warned to keep his silence, but he refused, so he was silenced for good.
The huge book I saw was the Abyssal Compendium; it encompasses all the spells and dark magic ingredients that keep the cult going. One day, the book disappeared, and no one could fathom where it was, so the cult was dissolved. Staying together without the book will be great danger. I was happy that I'm finally free from the hell of a life, but the trauma never left. My biggest fear is if the cult comes back to life; I will have to return to the cult.
JADEN
I can't just keep the urge to myself; I have to talk to Jordan and warn him about what is awaiting him if he continues, but I wasn't sure if he is listening at all. I was determined too until I was damned, but who knows? Luck might shine on him and make him pull through, but before then, his family, friends, and probably his foes too will have to suffer for the step he is about to take.
HEATHER
I'm at a crossroad; I don't just know what to do, and here is my dumb friend, Dan, who trusts people easily. "I think you're worrying too much, Heather; we can trust her," Dan cut through my thoughts, and I stared hard at him. "Trust someone whose father used to be part of the society?"
"More reason why we should trust her; she knows more than we do. Plus, even if she can't be trusted, we can use her to extort information," Dan said, and I started to see from his view. "What if she is a spy sent to check our progress?" I asked again. "It isn't a must to share whatever you find with her," Dan said, while I laughed.
"Julian isn't stupid. She won't tell us everything she knows if you refuse to share yours; she ain't dumb." "Well, that's true, but like she said, let's just have an ounce of trust in one another," Dan said, and I nodded.
Lunch break is over, so we returned to class. When we got back to class, we met all the students giggling and chatting excitedly. What happened when we were away?
"We don't relate well with people in class, so it's a little bit difficult to ask any of them a question," I thought.
"Dan, ask Jaden," I said.
"Why?" Dan asked, looking puzzled.
"At least, you've made little friendship," I teased.
"Friendship? You say? Since when?" Dan asked.
"Since when he loves you enough to warn you to stay out of trouble," I teased again.
"Heather..." Dan whined.
"Come on! Ask him already," I nudged him, and he took a deep breath.
"Jaden, what happened when we were not in class?" Dan asked.
"We are going for a tour," Jaden replied.
"To where?" Dan asked.
"Las Vegas," Jaden said, looking through his nerdy glasses.
"Wow! That's great news. Going to Vegas ain't bad amidst all these paranormal disasters," Dan said, sitting down.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. "Are you really thinking of fun right now?" I asked.
"A little fun won't hurt," Dan said.
"No! A little fun will get you killed," I replied.
"Stop talking about death, really," Dan pouted.
"It's either this trip ends badly or yields something good," I said, staring hard at Dan.
He sighed. "You're always so negative, Heather."
"I'm just being realistic, Dan," I replied.
"We can't afford to let our guards down, not now," I added.
Dan nodded, but I could tell he wasn't convinced.