Zhaine's POV
I run and hide. For two days, this is what I keep doing. In my sixteen years in this world, this is the first time I feel this kind of fear. Maybe this is how the characters in horror movies I watch feel.
It sucks, right? Robbie is really right. Before, I just watching horror movies, but now it feels like I am the character already, fighting for my own life. The only difference is… this is real now. There's no script. No pause. No cut. If it's your time… it's your time.
"Zhaine, i will find you wherever you go"
If I am the character standing on the edge of danger, then he is the demon who can be the reason of our death.
I grow up in this world having a good view in life. I was the little girl who believed that all things are bright and beautiful. Yes, no one is perfect because everyone makes mistakes, but I never thought there are people who can reach the point that they are ready to kill innocent people.
Allt hings are bright and beautiful? Big No.
Two days ago, if you ask me what I fear the most, I would say ghosts and darkness.
But now, the only thing I fear is people.
How did everything become like this?
*********
"Zhaine, you have to focus and memorize okay? This is not hard if you just think it's not." he said while smiling and highlighting the formulas in my book.
"Honesty is the best policy, Darryl. I'm telling you now, trigonometry is not easy." I leaned back on my chair and sighed, messing my long hair. Why am I even born bad in Math?
"Okay like this, if you really can't memorize, just kick my chair tomorrow so I can pass you my test paper. See? Easy copy-paste." he said jokingly.
I put down my book and looked at him. Even if he is the student-council president, he is still so playful. But my boyfriend is sweet, he even let me copy in exam.
"Don't look at me like that. If I find you too pretty, I might drag you to the church." he said while grinning and looking straight at me. We are almost one year already, but I still blush because of him.
"Cheating is not my style, Darryl. What? You will marry me?" I joked.
He laughed a little. "In your dreams. I will drag you to church just to bless you. You look like a monster." I hit him with my book because he is annoying.
"Just kidding," Darryl said and put his beanie on my head. He waited for me to smile but I just stared at him.
"Come on smile! You're going to smile already!" he teased, so I ended up laughing.
Before I met him, I never thought I will feel like this. That even just looking at him already makes me happy. I may be young, but I'm pretty sure that I love this guy.
"The library is a place to study, not for flirting. You should know that, Darryl."
A guy wearing a varsity jacket suddenly sat in front of us. He is covered in sweat, probably just finished playing basketball. His stare is sharp, especially towards Darryl. I glared at him, but Darryl just smiled back at him.
"Zhaine, study. You can't fail if you want to get accepted in New York," he reminded me, then smirked before leaving.
Aish! Does he really need to bring up New York?! He is really doing it on purpose!
"Why does Kuya Jackson hate me so much? We've been friends since freshmen, right?" he said. But I kinda admire him because even with how my brother treats him, he still can be patient.
"Because that time, you are not my boyfriend yet. My brother doesn't really hate you. He just don't like my boyfriend, which just so happens to be you," I honestly told him.
Let me tell you what are the perks of having my brother as a classmate in this boarding school… nothing.
Our school, Merile High, is not an ordinary one. Merile High is an exclusive school for the elite, located in a secluded island. Weird, right? But because of that, we became one of the most respected schools in the whole country.
Since we are in an island far from the city, we can really focus on our studies. This is one of the reasons why our parents sent us here—quality education. Sometimes it feels homesick and tiring, but it is worth it because our future is secured.
And because we are far from home, I am always assigned to do the laundry for me and my brother. It feels like he is treating me like a maid here.
"Then what about New York?" The smile on Darryl's face is gone now, so I got a little confused.
"Uhm, when I was still young, my dream is really to study in Film School, so I decided to send an application."
"Why New York? There are many film schools here in the Philippines, just stay here. It will be hard for both of us if you study far away," I got shocked with Darryl's reaction. I thought he will be supportive, but I find it kind of sweet that he doesn't want us to be apart.
"I'll go first, I'm sleepy already. Goodnight, Zhaine."
I couldn't stop him when he suddenly took his things and walked out of the library. He looked pissed, so I can't help but feel guilty.
"You look pissed?" my best friend Tiffany suddenly came. Her smile is very wide while she is holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Darryl didn't like the idea of me going to New York for college, but it's not a big deal," I just forced myself to smile even if I'm having problems.
"So, who gave you the flowers? Tiffany ah, you already have a boyfriend? You didn't even tell me!" I teased her.
"Zhaine, guess who gave this!" Tiffany grabbed a chair and sat beside me. She looks like she is about to explode.
I slowly moved away from her, just in case she suddenly hits me when she is too excited. Pre-emptive move. I don't want to get bruises again.
"Hmmm… let me guess, it's Blake right? I was already thinking that you have crush on him! He is actually kinda—"
I didn't finish what I was saying when Dixie suddenly came.
"Hey! No more suspense! That is from your brother. He is courting Tiffany!" Dixie announced.
I got shocked. Tiffany on the other hand looked so giddy, her face turned so red like a tomato. I already know she has a crush on my brother, but my brother is really secretive sometimes.
I didn't even notice that my mouth is still open. My brother is really in trouble, Tiffany is going to cry because of him.
We are three talking happily when suddenly the librarian told us to stop. Oh right, this is a library. Tsk tsk, our mouths really can't stop talking.
"I should leave here. You guys are so noisy," Hershey, the most popular and at the same time the meanest girl in school said. We all looked at her while she was packing her things. You can clearly see she is in a bad mood. I think I already know why. Since before, she already likes my brother, maybe she heard what Dixie said. We just looked at each other and stayed quiet.
"I will go first guys, I will talk to Darryl," I said, but they both shook their heads.
"Why? Is there a problem with what I will do?" I asked.
"Zhaine, this is your first misunderstanding right? I suggest you shouldn't make the first move. You are the girl, keep your pride," Dixie said while high-fiving Tiffany.
Tsk, is this really how relationship works? So many rules and things to think about. Having love life is so stressful.
"Okay, so what should I do?" I asked, and Tiffany just pointed at Andrew who is sitting at the far back of the library. Andrew is Darryl's roommate and also his closest friend. Unlike Darryl, Andrew is a loner. He is shy, kind, and very smart. I feel sorry for him because he is always getting bullied by other students.
"Hi Andrew! Can I ask you a favor?" I said while sitting in front of him. He looked up and quickly fixed his thick glasses that he has been wearing since freshmen days. Like always, he cannot look at me directly, but he still smiled at me.
"D-do you know me, Zhaine?" he asked, so I just gave him a teasing smile.
"Why wouldn't I? My boyfriend is your best friend anyway. And speaking of Darryl, can you please check if he is okay? I'm worried about him."
Andrew looked around and then nodded.
"Ah, o-okay sure," he said, stuttering. He quickly stood up, but in his hurry, he accidentally bumped into a guy sitting on the side.
"Andrew! Be careful!" I said. That guy looks like he is in a bad mood.
"Chill, Andy," I said while I step between them, but he just looked at me sharply.
"Why?" I asked innocently.
He blew air hard from his nose. "My name is Andrey, not Andy! Where did the RE go?! You broke my heart, Zhaine, Lets break up." He put on his headphones and held his chest like he is hurt.
I just laughed.
Classic Andrey. Lord of the mood swings.
***********
I hear a faint shouting, so I slowly open my eyes and lift my head. I rub my eyes and slowly stretch my arms. Oh no, I fall asleep here in the library. It is already 2 AM but I am alone here. No librarian, no Kuya, and even other students like us who are still awake for midterms.
"Close the door! Close the freaking door!!!"
I got shocked when suddenly Dixie, Tiffany, and Kuya came running, all out of breath and very scared while shouting.
Kuya quickly closed the library door and blocked it with chairs. I suddenly feel cold because of fear. So many questions in my mind but only fear is stronger.
What is happening?
"Stay back and keep quiet!" my brother said in a hurry while pushing us back.
"K-kuya, what is happening?" I asked softly, but he just raised his hand like telling me to shut up. I looked at Tiffany and I got more scared when I saw her crying and shaking in fear.
"We should not leave her…" Dixie keeps saying while crying so hard.
"Shhh!!!" my brother told him, he also looks scared.
Then suddenly, we hear a loud scream of a girl. Along with it is her crying voice. My eyes got big. My heart starts beating so fast because of fear.
"Allysa…" I whispered.
I can feel the fear from her screaming and crying.
"Let me go! Help! Help! Please help me!" Allysa screamed again, and in shock I covered my mouth. She keeps screaming and asking for help. I can only hear her voice, but I am so scared. I feel like I cannot move from where I stand.
"Make them stop! Make them stop!" Tiffany cried while covering her ears.
We heard loud banging sounds. Then there are marks like hands hitting the door of the library. Slowly, my brother step back away from the door. He also signaled us to move back.
"Help me! Help me! Please open this!" Allysa keeps shouting outside while banging the door, trying to get inside where we are.
"ATE ZHAINE OPEN THIS! LET ME IN! HELP ME PLEASE! ATE ZHAINE!"
My tears slowly fell when I heard her calling my name. Because of fear, I just froze in my place.
My brother suddenly hugged me. "Shhh… don't listen," he whispered while covering my ears. I am so scared… I don't want this anymore.
"HELP! HELP!"
I suddenly felt awake again so I quickly ran to the door to open it, but suddenly Kuya pulled me back to stop me.
"ATE ZHAINE! ATE ZHAINE! GUYS PLEASE OPEN THIS! PLEASE! HAVE MERCY!" Allysa shouted again, she is very scared.
"Allysa!" I keep shouting because I want to help her.
"Zhaine no! Zhaine don't open the door!" Kuya and Tiffany shouted at me.
I try to break free from them but I can't. I have nothing to do but cry.
Then we heard another loud sound.
"Allysa! Allysa!" I keep shouting while everything slowly becomes blurry.