"R-Ryan…" a trembling voice whispered through the phone.
"How did you get this number?" he asked.
What followed was the sound of quiet sobbing, muffled yet gut-wrenching.
He sighed, attempting to mask his concern. "What do you want?" he muttered, his voice low.
Then, her words struck him like a knife: "Sky Tower… Come pick up my body there."
The call ended abruptly.
"Wait! No! *****! Don't—DON'T DO IT!" Ryan screamed into the lifeless receiver, his heart pounding in his chest.
He slammed the phone down and clenched his fists. "Shit!" he cursed, grabbing his scarf and jacket in one fluid motion. The cold outside would bite, but that was the least of his concerns.
"TAXI!" he hollered as he stumbled out onto the street, waving frantically. A yellow cab screeched to a halt.
"Sky Tower, now!" he barked, diving into the back seat. The urgency in his voice was enough for the driver to floor it without question.
"Please… don't do it…" Ryan muttered under his breath, his hands trembling as he clenched the edge of the seat. He knew her well—knew the lengths she would go to make him pay.
...
...
"HAAAAAA!"
I jolted awake, drenched in sweat and disoriented. The dream again. Same damn nightmare that had been haunting me for weeks.
A nightmare again? The voice in my head sounded almost amused.
"Something like that," I muttered, wiping sweat from my forehead. My breathing was still uneven, but at least I was getting better at hiding it.
You've been having them frequently. Perhaps it's a sign?
"A sign of what? That I need better sleep medication?" I pushed damp blue hair out of my eyes, trying to inject some levity into the situation. Humor was my defense mechanism—always had been.
That she's close.
I froze for exactly three seconds before forcing myself to stand. "How long was I out?"
An hour until dusk.
"Fantastic." I grabbed the stairway railing, my legs still shaky. "Nothing like an unauthorized nap in a restricted area to ruin your school life,"
Why do you continue to refuse merging with your blessing?
"Because I'm old-fashioned. I like my sanity intact." I slipped behind a pillar as footsteps echoed nearby. "Call me crazy."
The irony of that statement is not lost on me.
Despite everything, I almost smiled. "At least you appreciate good irony."
You're wasting your potential. You could be powerful.
"And I could also be completely insane. The corruption isn't exactly NICE." I peered around the corner, checking for guards. "I've seen what happens to people who take that route. Thanks, but I'll pass."
This is about her again, isn't it?
My jaw tightened. "Don't."
Why not discuss it?
"Because some conversations aren't worth having." I kept my voice level, but there was steel underneath. "Drop it."
The voice went quiet, which was probably for the best. I had enough problems as it was, I don't want to think about THAT for now.
...
...
The door to my dorm creaked as I opened it. The sound of running water echoed from various rooms—morning routines beginning. I'd made it back just in time.
"Took you long enough."
I looked up to see a figure sitting on the top bunk, silhouetted against the dim light. Great. Just what I needed.
"And you are?" I started unbuttoning my blazer, not particularly interested in conversation. A hot shower sounded infinitely more appealing than whatever this was about to become.
"Eric." The figure flipped the light switch, and I squinted against the sudden brightness.
Golden hair, green eyes, and a smirk that belonged on a recruitment poster for pretentious nobility. I recognized him immediately.
"Wonderful." I didn't bother hiding my lack of enthusiasm. "Let me guess—you're lost?"
His smirk widened. "Long time no see, banished prince."
I exhaled slowly, feeling that familiar weight settle in my chest. "And here I thought my day couldn't get any more annoying."