Chapter 18

Scarlett's POV

I was still reeling from the effects of Michelle's words when Thane walked in. I hurriedly ended the call with Michelle, and I took a deep breath.

“Inviting people into our room now, are we?” He asked, scoffing.

“Thane, what do you want?” I asked absentmindedly. I wasn't sure about what to do next, and Zion still didn't know what was happening.

“Zion, can I have a moment with my roommate, please?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Zion shrugged. “I'll be outside, Seth.”

Zion left the room, and I still hadn't properly articulated my thoughts. My head was a mess. My heart seemed to be working twice the usual work rate nowadays. The weight of hating my parents was taking its toll on me.

“Look, you can't just be inviting people into the room anyhow.” Thane said, almost like he was scolding me.

“Thane, just state what you want, or let me be!” I snapped.

There was silence for a while as I began to think of an escape route. Thane was also silent. He probably didn't have anything to say than to nag.

“Look, is there any way you can vacate the room tonight?” Thane asked, fiddling with his fingers. He was clearly having it difficult. In all of that, I saw an opportunity to escape , and a way to get rid of seeing my mom. “Look, I just want to have a little time with…”

“Okay.” I said, and Thane was visibly shocked. His eyeballs widened considerably, and I couldn't tell if it was happiness or shock.

“But what do I get from it?” I asked, trying not so seem too suspicious.

“Erm… what do you want?” Thane asked , giving me the blank cheque I needed at the moment.

“I'll leave soon, and when I do, just in case any teacher comes looking for me, you have to cover for me.” I said, and he scoffed like it was a very easy job.

“I have enough strikes already, and I can't add another to the list.” I sighed, trying to make my reason genuine.

“And we have a deal!” He said, and we shook hands.

His touch lingered for a while. Our eyes met each other's, and I could have sworn that I felt a tingle in my body.

I hurriedly yanked my hand off his, and walked outside to see Zion.

“Finally!” Zion sighed. “I was just about to leave.”

“Look Zion, there's a big problem.” I said, walking away from the room.

“What's that?” He asked, walking side by side with me.

We headed towards the basketball court, since that was the best place to hang out, and also hide out.

“My mom is coming here right now.” I said, glancing at him. The stretch of his eyeballs, and the rapid thumping of his heart made me see that he was as shocked as I also was.

“Fuck.” He exclaimed. “What do we do now?” He asked.

“I'll go into the woods tonight, and I'll come back tomorrow, and that's if there's no problem.” I said.

“But if there is?” Zion asked, opening the back door into the court.

“As soon as you tell me, I'll run away.” I sighed, shaking uncontrollably. My mom was getting to me in several ways, and I hated it.

“Why is she coming here?” Zion asked as we sat in the most deserted area of the court.

“Why else? She wants to fish me out of course.” I sighed.

“Or she just wants to be at the monthly summit with other hostel owners.” Zion said. “Or have you forgotten that your family has an hostel named after them?”

“Well now, that makes a lot of sense.” I sighed again, “but it's just better that I'm not around, just in case anything goes awry.”

“Well then, stick with your phone, and I'll text you as soon as I'm sure of the situation at hand.” Zion assured me.

***

The clouds darkened almost thirty minutes later, and I could now escape. My stomach was now really hurting, and I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it far on foot. I still had to leave, because according to Zion, my mom was already in the Academy.

Despite the pain I felt, I rose to my feet, and I made my way out of the Academy, through the hole that Thane, Lincoln, and their other friends had chased me through.

The farther away I got from the Academy, the harder it was for me to keep walking.

I felt at peace since my mother was almost half a mile away from me, but I also felt like I was drawing closer to closing consciousness.

I held my stomach as I walked slowly through the woods. Each step was heavier than the last. My cramps always worsened on the second day, but this felt like it'd take my life. The trees were tall and dark, and the cold wind brushed against my face. My hoodie wasn’t thick enough, but I didn’t care. I just had to get away.

Then out of nowhere, I heard a deep, low growl. I froze immediately.

The sound came again. This time, it was louder and closer.

I slowly turned my head. My body shook, and my breath got caught in my throat.

It was a lion!

A full-grown lion stood on the path I had just walked with its eyes locked on me. Its golden fur almost literally glowed as the moonlight directly hit it. Its teeth peeked out from its mouth, and its growl rumbled like thunder.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. Then the lion took one step forward, still growling.

That was all the motivation I needed. I turned and ran.

I ran as fast as I could, pushing past trees and jumping over roots. I howled for help as I ran. My body screamed from the pain in my stomach, but I kept going. The adrenaline pump that came with my life being at risk kept my legs moving.

I used every bit of speed I had. I could hear the lion chasing me with its heavy paws hitting the ground behind me. I didn’t look back.

Just when I thought I was fast enough, I heard a sharp growl behind me, closer than before. I risked a glance and saw the lion leap into the air.

It was coming for me. I screamed at the top of my voice, howling for help.

And then, out of nowhere, something big and dark slammed into the lion mid-air, knocking it away from me.

I stumbled to a stop, falling to the ground, breathing hard.

When I looked up, I saw Franklin. He slammed the lion into the ground and tore it apart. I looked down, and I was severely bleeding already.

Just when I was about to lose consciousness and fall to the ground, Franklin caught me in his arms and held me like a baby.

Blood dripped from his teeth, and I stared at his beastly face until I blacked out.