Chapter 13

Scarlett’s POV

Zion and I ran, although we didn't hear Franklin coming for us. The howls and roars had died down by the time we got very far away from the house. I made sure to mark my path by clawing several trees around. It was pretty dark, and the moon was our only source of light. It was doing a very good job, considering that it was just a quarter moon.

“What was that?” Zion asked, breathing really fast. He bent over, supporting his weight by holding his knee .

“Erm… a mountain lion, I guess.” I said, also breathing hard as I marked the last tree.

“That's one hell of a big mountain lion then,” Zion said, breathing slowly now, and recovering slowly, “because that sound doesn't come from anything ordinary.”

“I've spent two days in this forest, and I know that there's nothing ordinary about this place.” I sighed, leaving the tree since I was done marking it. It was the only one I properly marked. I only slashed the barks of the others.

“Why have you been marking the trees?” Zion asked. “Do you ever want to come back?”

“Zion is very intelligent and curious, and there's no way telling a haphazard lie would get to him.” I thought to myself, then went on to tell a haphazard lie.

“I saw a pretty huge animal in that direction, and I have to see it again.” I muttered. “And also, I might believe that unicorns are real.”

“Seriously?” Zion rolled his eyes at me. “Let's just head back, please. I have to sleep.”

“Thanks for coming for me.” I whispered, hugging him.

“Don't get emotional. You'd have done the same for me.” He said, and I scoffed.

“You don't know that.” I chuckled.

“Are you really sure?” He asked, slapping my shoulder playfully.

We were giggling and laughing when the leaves began rustling. The rustling sound got so loud that it also got me afraid. I was about to get defensive when someone pounced out of the dark to where we were standing.

“Thane?!” Zion and I exclaimed.

“Seth! Zion!” Thane said, breathing hard. “Thank goodness! Seth is alive.”

“Yeah, no thanks to you.” I growled, pushing him angrily.

He barely went back a few steps, flashing his red eyeballs.

“Don't tell me you came looking for the person you so desperately wanted to kill, or you just have another victim that you're chasing? Huh?” I asked, unable to contain the anger I felt.

“Erm… I...” Thane stuttered.

“I threatened to expose him, and that's probably why he's here.” Zion said.

My heart fell to my stomach. I was hoping that he was really bothered about the evil things he had done to me, and wanted to check if I was still alive.

“Really?” I asked, shaking my head in disappointment.

“Erm… he was going to post the video, and I really can't have that in my life right now.” Thane said. “And honestly, I really wanted to look for you.”

I scoffed, feeling the urge to punch him, but he sees me as a guy, and he'd probably just punch me right back and harder.

“Forgive me if I don't have a reason to believe you.” I growled. “I could have died! Heck, I was very close to dying because of you and your stupid friends, and this is the nonsense you have to say?”

“Look, I don't know what to say to make you feel better, but I think I did my part already.” Thane said, turning to Zion. “Can you please delete the video now?”

“What video? There was no video!” Zion said. “I just wanted to see if you actually had something to do with his disappearance , and given that I've seen your friends punish someone once, it wasn't so hard to know where he'd be.”

“Fuck.” Thane muttered, heaving a sigh of relief.

I was absolutely disgusted by his selfishness. I walked past him with Zion, and we snuck back into the Academy.

Zion and I parted ways, and I hurriedly ran into my room. I stood before a mirror, thankful that my camouflage still existed. My boobs were doing a very good job in staying down, and I was generally doing well.

I was overridden by happiness to see my phone in the state I had left it. I checked my messages to see tons from Michelle, but firstly, I had to have my bath. I stunk from not having my bath for two days in Franklin's abode.

I grabbed my towel, and a soap, and hurriedly ran into the bathroom. I had my bath, replied to all of Michelle's texts while still in the bathroom.

“I'll call you as soon as I can. You wouldn't believe half of the things that happened to me.” I texted, sighing for the umpteenth time that night.

I kept thinking about Franklin and how I had to save him. He was paranoid about me leaving, and I thought he'd try to kill me. I felt horrible for leaving, even though all I wanted was to leave.

I walked back into the room, dressed in fresh clothes. Thane was already in the room, and he was sitting on his bed like he had been waiting for me.

“Look Seth, I'm very sorry.” Thane said, and I turned to look at him, utterly surprised that he could apologize. “I put your life at great risk, and I understand that I might have caused you trouble, but I'm sorry.”

“Okay.” I responded nonchalantly.

“Just a few ground rules…” Thane was about to start all over again.

“Go to hell with that nonsense!” I snapped at him. “You're so selfish and your actions are detestable.”

“And no, I'm not gay, and I don't want you either.” I hissed.

“Okay then.” Thane muttered. “I'm sorry.”

I laid on the bed, waiting for Michelle to respond to my texts.

“Erm, the registrar has also been looking for you.” Thane said, and I growled. Tomorrow will definitely be a very long day.

Whilst waiting for Michelle to respond, I received an email. And worse still, it was from Thane's teacher, Alpha Harry.

“Do well to see me in my office tomorrow...” The message read, but the way it ended was very hideous. “...pretty boy.”

Will I ever have peace?