WINTERFingernails scratched my wrists in a flash. I spun around and almost bumped into Kai. I looked up, only to find that he was glaring at me murderously. His hair was wet for some reason and he smelled of that stinking smoke. On the side of his face, a bead of sweat rolled down his taut jaw.Shit! How did he even get in here? I thought I locked the door? Did he pick locks now?"Ermm... You are... You are here..." I mumbled, my stomach twisting in knots.Kai growled, "What were you doing with my phone?""Ermm... Nothing. I wasn't doing anything," I stuttered, sitting on the notepad which was still on the dresser.Kai looked me over with his eyes slanted. He then huffed, "Do you think I am stupid?""Huh?""I said, do you think I am stupid?" he repeated, his voice louder. "I just saw you copying something from my phone, yet you say you weren't doing anything with it?"Before I could say anything, he looked at his phone screen. His face darkened moments after. In a flash, he grabbed m

SEVENThe motel I was currently in wasn't located in the highbrow area of Laurel Hill. Rather, it was in a fairly remote place with a lot of abandoned buildings and an elderly population. Its quietness was one of the reasons why I chose the motel.Trast Old Factory was just a factory abandoned by a major corporation after a recession hit decades ago.I had sighted the factory in question a few times. And on each occasion, it was deserted. Its front was almost overshadowed by tall grasses. As a result, I was fairly certain that I wouldn't draw unnecessary attention to myself if I met Stuart and Tyler there."Do you think they are gonna come?" I asked Six, refreshing my mailbox for a response from both young men."Of course they will. I mean, if I were them, I would be so curious to hear what an anonymous person has to say about my pack."I chortled, "You seem to be forgetting that the elders are very suspicious of anything. Especially since most of them are descendants or relatives of

SEVENA lot of talking was done for the next one hour. Both Stuart and Tyler were shaken up as I gave them further insight into all I had been through in the past few years. On several instances, the usually calm Stuart couldn't help cursing. It wasn't exactly pleasing to the ears, but I put up with it since it was directed at my greatest enemy.Tyler was silent for the most part. However, now, I knew that he no longer disbelieved me. It was almost as if he felt angry with himself for not noticing the discrepancy early enough."Guys, it's not your fault," I said, regarding Tyler. "No point beating yourself up for not noticing soon enough. Actually, I have to hand it to that thief. When he confronted me, it was as if I was staring at a freaking mirror. Since he could clone my face so well, I can only imagine how he cloned my mannerisms and deceived you all with it.""But still..." Stuart said with a regretful look.I waved my hand. "That is all in the past now. Very soon, I will get my

NORAThe person on the other end let out a deep sigh before saying, "I am afraid the boss can't come to the phone now.""And why is that? Why do you even have his phone?" I asked, my voice impatient."He's currently having a nap. You know how it goes. The medication knocked him out again. I suggest you call him tomorrow morning.""I can't wait until then!" I snapped. "Look, doc. It's really urgent. Wake him up and put him on the phone!"Dr. Longman sighed again. "He's going to be mad at me if I wake him.""I don't care! Just do as I say! Wake him up and tell him I am on the phone. I have got to speak to him tonight."On the other end of the line, Dr. Longman grumbled. I heard him shuffle and stamp his feet for a long time. Then I heard him say in a fearful voice, "Boss, I am so sorry. But your... Your... She wants to speak to you.""Who?" Ratio gruffed in the background and then said, "Nora?""Yes, yes! I told her you were asleep, but she says It's pretty urgent.""Fine, hand it over.

WINTER "Munchkin, please eat your vegetables," I said, looking over at my daughter who was seated beside me at the table."Yuck!" Dawn tossed the tiny broccoli on the plate and then pouted. "I don't like it. It tastes like paracetamol!"I couldn't help laughing. "Come on, dearie. It will help me become stronger and healthier. You want to grow into a big girl like Mommy, don't you?"Dawn's eyes lit up. "Did you grow this big because you ate this?"She pointed at the boiled carrot on her plate. "And this too?""Yes, I ate a lot of vegetables. My mommy always cooked them for me when I was still as small as you. Because I didn't toss them around, they made me grow tall and beautiful.""I want to be tall and beautiful too!" Dawn squeaked.Smiling brightly, I patted her head gently. "Then eat your vegetables. If it tastes bitter, just close your eyes and continue chewing."Dawn took in a deep breath. Afterward, she dug her fork into the broccoli and then shut her eyes tightly. I watched a