Chapter 4: A world full of non existents

The weather was getting darker as each second ticked by. She could no longer see clearly as she kept running. Wiping the sweat off her hairline, Ava glanced over her shoulder and when her eyes got in contact with loud thunderous claws which slapped against the ground, she doubled her speed.

A groan escaped her lips as the creature almost took a grab of her. Her attackers were stronger and faster which she didn't fully know. A non-existent creature is what she called them.

Just then, a scarier creature almost took a bite off her right leg. With its claws sinking deep into her skin, a sharp pain took over her leg and she fell right on her face.

The burn from the pain made her eyes water instantly. Ava used her stomach to crawl and she managed to lean against a tree. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes when she felt the presence of the creatures getting close.

Letting out a scream, her eyes snapped open and she was drenched in a cold sweat. Breathing heavily, she placed her hands on her chest trying to calm herself, however, it was impossible.

“Ava Evander?” the professor in charge of her class called her and growled, “Just what do you think you are doing? Have you forgotten that you are in a class? Not a high school class but a college!” 

As the professor spoke, everyone darted their gaze from him to Ava. She had refused to say anything but just stare at him whilst breathing heavily.

After what took like an hour, Ava finally squeezed out a word, “I'm sorry Mr. Morris but I need to take my leave now.” 

“What? In the middle of class?” he scoffed loudly. “Are you in your right frame of mind?” 

Having heard his question left Ava speechless that she was contemplating what to tell him. She needs to leave and cool her head, everything feels so real to her, the dream, the creatures and everything!

Shortly an idea struck her and she began, “I.. ” 

However, before she could finish her speech, Otto stood up and interrupted.

“Professor Morris, Ava is currently not feeling fine. She was admitted to the hospital and got discharged after she had gained admission to study there. So can you please spare her a few minutes?” without a word from the man who seemed to be in his early fifties, Otto walked over to Ava.

Putting her books and necessaries inside her handbag, he uttered only for her hearing. “You and I have a long chat Ava Evander!” thereafter he took hold of her hand and walked out of the class.

“Here,” Otto placed a cold drink in front of Ava.

 After dragging her out of the class he attempted to take her to the park, however, it was a bit far and his next class was in an hour so he ended up taking her to the school's cafeteria.

Taking a seat in front of Ava, Otto placed his cold drink on the table, “So what happened? Why did you scream?” 

“Was my scream that loud?” 

“Yes, loud enough for even the whole school to hear.” Otto chuckled softly, “I'm just joking Ava. It was pretty loud though and I saved your ass back there. So...” he trailed off and took a huge amount of his cold drink.

As if understanding what he meant, Ava clasped her hands and placed them on the table for support. Closing her eyes, she let out a deep breath before she began,

“I dreamt about a few creatures chasing me. It felt so real Otto, so real to be true and I found myself shivering like a cat almost drenched in cold water...” 

“And in reality, you woke up drenched in a cold sweat!” Otto interjected and she banged on the table which startled him a bit.

“Bingo!” she snapped her finger.

“Ok, so what kind of creatures were they?” Otto asked, his gaze fully fixated on her. 

“They were hairy and had elongated teeth accompanied with red eyes, dark red eyes to be precise.” Ava leaned back on her chair and gulped down a huge amount of the drink she was holding.

Mulling over the issue for a while, Otto leaned down to the table as he whispered, “Do you perhaps think they were werewolves?” he had a sky smirk on.

Ava on the other leaned too, “Well they looked like one...” she gasped loudly as the other students available in the cafeteria glanced over in their direction. 

Uttering a sorry, she then turned to Otto, “If they were werewolves why on earth were they chasing me in my dream?” she sighed deeply.

Scoffing loudly at her statement, Otto rolled his eyes, “That is absurd, werewolves aren't real...they are just myths and legends, Ava.” His words got her nodding her head in affirmation.

“Well...I guess you are right.” she leaned back on her chair. “But it was damn scary Otto,” she muttered and closed her eyes.

•••

It was already five o'clock in the morning when Ava woke up and walked straight to the kitchen. Entering inside, Ava yawned widely, “Good morning” 

“Morning Ava!” Asha uttered excitedly.

Having her daughter's melodious voice Delicia, Ava's mother stretched out her hand out to get a hold of Ava. Upon seeing that her mother's arms were opened, Ava rushed to her and engulfed her in a hug.

“Morning Mom!” Ava uttered and placed a peck on her mother's cheek. All Delicia could do was smile.

“You should eat quickly and get ready for school...” Asha halted in her words, “Just when are you going to start staying in school? The transportation you've been using for the past two weeks is close enough to your allowance.” 

Ava rolled her eyes at her sister's words, “Don't worry I will make good...” The sound from her phone caught her off guard.

Standing up abruptly after she read the text, Ava drank the full glass of juice and without saying a word, she dashed off to her bedroom.

“That stubborn brat,” Asha hissed angrily and rubbed her forehead.

Whereby her mother signaled for her to let Ava be which angered her the more. “Mom, just when are you going to stop treating her as a child? She is turning twenty in a few months!” 

Meanwhile, Ava arrived at the address she was given. Standing in front of a huge skyscraper, her lips curled up into a satisfied smile. After staring at the building for a long while, she uttered a brief prayer and made her way inside.

Back then at home, she had received an email that stated that she had passed the online interview and was given the job. 

“You are four minutes late being your first day, Miss Evander,” A middle-aged man glanced at his wristwatch before taking his gaze back at her.

“I'm sorry sir.” Eva simply replied.

Sighing tiredly, the man rolled his eyes before speaking, “Your uniform is inside your locker in the changing room. Get dressed and start working.” 

On the other side of the hotel was Owen Decimus, the one in charge of the entire hotel. With his lips curled up into a smile, he rounded off the meeting with the Chinese ambassadors. 

“We are thankful for doing business with you.” Owen shook hands with them.

On his way downstairs to his office, he came across a figure that almost fell off the stairs. Taking a hold of her waist, she landed right on his chest.

*Mate!* His wolf growled within.