Chapter 8

It was dark and there were trees everywhere, there was no form of light except the little ray coming from the half-moon above.

I kept dodging tree after tree, passing in a crooked manner just so I could avoid the person chasing me. I could feel my heart beating so fast over and over again, my body was wet with sweat, and some part of my hair stuck to my forehead.

“You can’t escape from me” I heard his deep voice roar so loud it echoed in what seemed to be a forest.

Wait, a forest? What is happening? Where am I? How did I get here? 

I didn't even have the chance to think or ask why I am here and how I got here but there is just one thing.

I have to run. Yes, run so I don't get caught by this man or thing or whatever is chasing me.

“No matter where you go I will always find you…” he roared in laughter.

I could feel my heartbeat so fast as I kept running, I didn't know which direction I was running to but I knew I had to leave. 

Oh GOD, what is happening? Why am I here?

It was like I was going to have a heart attack with how erratic my heart was beating. I could even hear it ringing in my ears. 

I started to feel thirsty and tired and looked back to see if he was close by. When I didn't see anyone I turned back around to stop but it was too late as I tripped on what I think is a stick and fell forward.

Clumsy me!. I reprimanded myself.

Not wanting to land hard on the floor, I stretched out my hand so that I could keep myself steady on the ground but instead of landing on the ground, I went inside what seemed to be a ditch and let out a scream as I reached the bottom of the supposed ditch.

It was pitch black and I couldn't see what was around me. I felt some liquid I couldn't put a name to because of how dark it was and this awful smell penetrated my nostrils which prompted me to scrunch my nose in disgust as I felt light-headed already.

I could feel a small headache form at the side of my head so I put my palm on my head to feel it intensify more. I felt bits of stings on my hand and legs.

Maybe I hit my head in the process of falling and the branches scraped my skin on the fall down here.

“How do I get out of here?” I asked out loud.

“Hello?” I said out loud. “I need help, please help me,” I said again.

Oh GOD please let someone help me, let someone hear me. Help me, please.

I continued seeking help when I heard a hissing sound. I stopped mid-seeking and froze.

Oh my GOD don't let it be a snake. I hate them, I don't like them around me. Please, GOD.

I pleaded, hoping he would hear my cries and deliver me from all these strange happenings in my life.

The hissing stopped and I turned around but saw nothing but pitch darkness.

I turned my head back around when I heard the ruffling of leaves and footsteps.

Oh someone is here, someone heard my cry. I was happy as happy tears kept falling down my cheeks.

I was about to call out to the person when something crosses my mind.

But… but what if he is that man? The one chasing me? What if he caught up with me? What if…

I am conflicted right now.

It is super dark in here that I can't even see my own hand. I don't know if I heard the hissing of a snake or not but I know I definitely do not know what is around me. 

What if it would harm me? What if it bites me and I end up dying a slow painful death?

But the person above me right now is human, I could easily escape from them even if it was that man. I could use some defense skills Daniel taught me and get out of his claws, right? It would be better than being in a dark ditch that other creatures are lurking in.

“Help!” I screamed and heard faint footsteps halt “help!” I called out again and the footsteps started getting closer.

The person’s coming, preparing myself. I looked up to see just a slight ray of light and nothing more.

“Please help me,” I said when I felt that the person w*s close by. “I fell when I w*-”

“Running” the voice cuts me off and chills run down my spine.

It didn't sound like that man instead the voice sounded distant but cold. That kind of voice that gives you chills, something soulless.

“Are you there child?” the voice asked and I was too scared to answer.

I could feel my hands shake at the amount of fear that engulfed me. My heart was hammering in my chest.

“I will come to get you and keep you safe okay?” Then I heard shuffling and felt something above my head.

When I looked up I saw a large claw hand reaching for me and I let out a scream and opened my eyes to see that I was in my room with my heart beating hard against my ribcage and breathing so fast and hard.

My body was clad in sweat making some of my front hair stick to my forehead.

I looked around and saw no one but a laptop on the small sofa and heard the running of the shower. I was about to panic when I remembered Leonard stayed with me last night.

Oh GOD, I didn't tell mum, she’ll kill me that I didn't let her know that

I was having him over.

Even if it was Leo who she knew, she still had the right to know who was in the house aside from her children.

Standing up from my bed I adjusted my pajamas and went to my wardrobe to take my yellow fluffy face towel then cleaned my face from those sweat. Dumping it on my bed I looked at myself in the mirror on my dressing table and saw the fear slowly fading away from my face.

What was all that? Why am I seeing all those? If this is what being special means then I don't want to be special. It is frustratingly annoying and scary.

I sometimes assume mum thinks I am crazy but doesn't want to tell me straight out so that I don't get hurt anymore.

It feels like the world is against me and like I did some bad things which I am bearing the repercussions of.

What would an innocent girl like me do or who did I offend that keeps chasing me. 

I heard that sometimes the things we see are probably what happened to us in the past and it haunts us for a while then leaves but in my case it seems like not only did it happen in the past but someone is actually following me or chasing me.

But I can't seem to remember being chased by a scary man in all-black attire and this one I saw is new. I haven't even unraveled the reason why this man is chasing me and another one just came up.

LORD help me 

I turned when I heard the bathroom door open to see Leonard in his shirt and a sweatpant. He was combing his hair with one of my combs and looked at the bed before looking in my direction with a little furrow on his brow.

When his eyes met with mine his features softened and he walked up to me with a smile on his face.

“How are you? How was your night?”

I cleared my throat and looked away from him.

“I am fine, you?” I walked past him to my bed so I could retrieve the towel I threw on it minutes ago and slung it over my shoulder.

“I did sleep well too, you snore cutely,” he said and chuckled, dropping the comb on the dresser.

I could feel my eyes widen at what he just said and my cheeks warmed again by the same comments he will tell me whenever he stays over.

It isn't the first time he told me that but every time he says it, I would flush at his comment and would want to bury myself in a place where he wouldn't see my embarrassed look.

I groaned and put my face in my hand and sat on my bed.

I felt him sit beside me then he took my hands so he could see my face but I didn’t keep eye contact with him.

“Are you shy?” His gaze was still on me but I couldn't look back.

He put his finger under my chin so I can look up at him.

“I have told you this several times and I will keep saying it. I find everything about you attractive, I only told you because I just wanted to compliment you but if it makes you uncomfortable then I will not say anything about you snoring cutely” he told me and I shook my head.

“Er… no, it's fine actually,” I told him because I don’t know what I would do if he stopped complimenting me.

“I really don’t care if you keep pushing me away I will still feel this strong for you, no matter what and no matter how long it takes for you to listen to your heart” he placed one of my hands on his chest. 

“It's still here and it is growing every day just for you” 

I gulped looking into his eyes and could feel my cheeks get warm at what he said.

He really is whipped.

‘And knows the right word to say to you’ my head reminded me and I agreed. He just knows the right words to use and at a good time.

I couldn’t say anything because I don't want to lead him on and find out I feel nothing for him then break his heart. He is so nice and gentle with me and I can't do that to him.

I took my hands from his grip and stood up, distancing myself from him, then walked to my wardrobe so I opened it to take my clothes for the day.

“I still like you Daniella, but I understand if you don't want to start anything yet, but know this” he stopped and I turned to look at him already laying on my bed with his hand behind his head and a smile on his face.

“I will be waiting for you, anytime” he flashed me a grin and I slammed the wardrobe shut then scrambled my way into my bathroom.

What is he doing to me?