Raven

Chapter 9

Raven's POV

It was time for the fireworks when we finally left the restaurant. Lilibeth and I were walking side by side with the royal family, surrounded by palace guards. The townspeople must be wondering who we are.

Some people stopped and bowed to us. Some even kowtowed. Miss Harley and the Emperor were smiling while Hyperion returned his stern-looking face.

We went to a small pavilion near the stone bridge. From there, we could see the bright tree filled with those red dazzling lanterns. No wonder the streets were not as bright as earlier, the lanterns were transferred to the tree.

There were so many people gathered under the big tree. Praying, wishing.

"You can all go to the tree. Xi'an's Lantern Festival has the tradition of making a wish. You can make a wish under the lantern tree and maybe it'll come true." Miss Harley told everyone. Lilibeth suddenly pulled me and went ahead.

"Lily?"

"Hmm?"

"So you can really get inside my dream?" I finally asked her the question I've been wanting to ask, and there's more of it.

Lilibeth stopped walking, squeezing my hand. "I—"

I looked at her intently. She must be flustered, I can see it from her twitching eye. Whenever she's nervous or flustered, her eye twitches.

"I once saw you in my dream. You had wings. I don't know what type though." I sighed. "I wanted to ask you about that a long time ago but I was hesitant. I don't want you to make fun of me or think of me as someone weird."

Lilibeth gripped my hand. "Do you really want to know?"

I only answered her with a weak smile. I just want to get this out of my chest.

Lilibeth was about to answer me when she was interrupted by the fireworks setting off.

Bright fireworks rose into the air and filled the sky. The cheers of the tourists filled our ears since many people were gathered around the lantern tree. Under the tree hung with lanterns, countless people folded their hands together while watching the fireworks and made a wish.

They gathered around the lantern tree to make wishes, whether it was for good weather, national security, their parents to live longer, or the health of their wife and children. I don't know why but I can hear their wishes if I focus on one person. The lights and fireworks shone on the faces of the people. Their expressions were really devoted. Everyone was happy. Children were jumping up and down excitedly. The elderly had peaceful smiles on their faces.

A sight that I see rarely in real life.

I looked around and saw many young couples snuggling up together as they watched the fireworks. I saw Li daren hugging Madam Li at a distance. The latter was closing his eyes like he was wishing for something. The former just stood there, watching him intently and tenderly.

I sighed. "When would I find someone who would also look at me like that?"

Under the colorful sky, I tried to peek at the people beside me. I was surprised to see the 'emperor' looking in my direction. Not just him, but also Miss Harley. Hyperion, on the other hand, wasn't paying attention to anyone nor the fireworks. His eyes were only focused on Miss Harley.

I smiled at them awkwardly.

I looked away from them and continued watching the people enjoying the fireworks when something caught my eye. Far from the pavilion we're at, I saw a dark alley swarmed with black smoke. I don't have any idea why I could see the smoke despite the lack of light in that area.

"Your Highness, excuse me for a while, I have something to do," I said, bowing to Miss Harley and everyone.

Seeing me like this, Lilibeth looked at me worriedly. I smiled at her, "I'll just gonna buy us some snacks." I said, almost in an inaudible voice.

I didn't wait for her answer and quickly left, heading to that alley. Alone.

"Acting nosy again, eh, Raven?" I whispered to myself.

When I was finally near the entrance of the alley, the scenery changed.

It was still night time but I am back in the city. There were only a few cars passing by and it was quiet.

I took another step and an awful stench greeted my nose. A familiar stench that would forever be in my head. The same stench I smelled during that night of the accident.

The stench of blood.

My hands shook as I leaned on the wall for support. This smell brought back memories that I've been trying to forget. I want to vomit but I can't.

My ears perked up when I heard something inside the alley. I listened to it carefully and suddenly got chills. It was like the sound of a sharp thing cutting through meat.

I tried moving my weak legs, leaning my body on the wall. "It's just a dream. Nothing will hurt me. I'll just take a peek, that's all." I convinced myself. I then peeked slowly. When I finally adjusted my vision to the darkness, I almost screamed from fright.

A girl was carrying a broken bottle still dripping with blood. I could feel the anger and bloodlust emanating from her. She just stood there, looking at the mutilated body on the ground.

The alley was dark but I somewhat find the girl familiar. I tried remembering it until I saw her beautiful face with an annoyed expression.

The entertainer girl from a while ago!

She kicked the body and scoffed. She squatted and stared at the guy. She whispered something but I couldn't hear it. My legs almost gave out when she held his cheek and kissed his bloody face.

As she was kissing the dead guy, she also wiped off the blood from his face, kissing it again and again. I covered my mouth when I realize who that person was.

It looked like that guy who gave me a piece of bread.

My heart thumped hard when the girl suddenly stopped what she was doing. She slowly raised her head and looked at me straight in the eye. My blood went cold.

Scampering on the ground, I quickly ran away. I wasn't looking where I was going, it was dark. All I could ever think was "run" that I didn't even notice the open manhole in front of me.

?

"Aahh!!!" I woke up with a scream, sweating and panting heavily.

I hugged myself and tried calming down.

"I just witnessed a murder," I said unbelievably as I recalled my dream.

Now that I think about it, that entertainer girl in my dream was somewhat familiar. I know I have seen her somewhere, also that guy. Where was it?

I went out of bed and clutched my head. This is the first time that I had such a dream. What's happening to me?

I grabbed my water bottle from the bedside table but my stomach grumbled. "What time is it?" I mumbled. I looked at my clock and the time says it's almost 12 am.

"Lily?" I called out the moment I went out of my room. No one answered. The house was so quiet. I decided to go downstairs and look for something to eat when the front door opened.

It was Lilibeth carrying groceries. She looked around and saw me staring at her from the stairs.

She raised her eyebrow and said, "Can you at least help me carry these?"

I immediately went over and took the plastic bags from her and went to the kitchen to arrange the stuff.

"You promised that you'll cook hotpot so let me rest first while waiting for the others."

I was startled. When did I agree to her that I'll be cooking? "Ah y-yes, copy that." I became nervous. Why's my memory so fuzzy? I even forgot the details of my dream except for that bloody murder.

"I'll be just in my room. Just call me if you have any troubles." She said, rubbing her cheek, and left the kitchen.

I looked at the ingredients and decided what to prepare aside from the hotpot. Lilibeth mentioned that there will be guests so a hotpot isn't enough for a crowd.

"I guess I'll just make do with the ingredients."

࿈

It was around 5 in the afternoon when Lilibeth woke up from her rest. I cooked a total of seven dishes aside from the hotpot that she requested. She seemed satisfied based on her surprised look.

Half past 5, her university friends arrived. I was still in the kitchen, cleaning my mess. Lilibeth pulled me and brought me to the living room. "Talk to them. They won't bite."

Meisha, a pale-looking girl, was munching a bag of peanuts. Her eyes twinkled when she saw me. She then quickly wiped her hand to the pants of the girl beside her and offered a handshake to me. The girl's eyes widened but Meisha only stuck her tongue out at her. "It is so nice to finally meet you. I'm Meisha. Lily told us a lot about you."

The girl gave her a soft kick on the shin. "Aww!" Meisha howled exaggeratedly. The girl gave Meisha the middle finger while smiling at me. "I'm Carlene." She looked back and pointed at the five others. "That with the curly hair is Crishna. With the eyeglasses is Moira. The one with the violet hair is Mary Dale. The girl in sweatpants is Sera. And the last one, the twins, Jiliane and Jenina."

Everyone greeted me with a handshake and a smile. They told me stuff like how Lily always mentioned me to them or how they were so eager to meet me. I only smiled at them shyly. Meisha became clingy and kept on asking questions about Lily's personality whenever she's at home.

When they started talking about school stuff, I excused myself and went to the kitchen. There I saw Lily making refreshments with a pretty tall girl.

"Raven! This is Jaunette. Jaunette, Raven," Lily said before going to the pantry. Jaunette grinned at me and waved her hand. I waved back at her and then followed Lilibeth.

"Will you be having a party?" I quietly asked as she pulled bottles of vodka and gin from the shelf.

She ruffled my hair and gave me an apologetic look. She knew I hate gatherings. "Don't worry, nothing out of ordinary will happen. It'll be just dinner and a little drinking. After that, they'll go home straight away."

I sighed. "Alright. I'll just be in my room." I then grabbed the two bags of chips from the pantry and a bottle of soybean milk, and hurriedly went upstairs. I heard Jaunette asked Lily, "Will she join us for dinner?"