CHÀPTER 2
1661 Words
Born to be wild by Stephen Wolf played on the drive.
Elizabeth stared out the window of Miranda's old peugeot as Miranda drove through the North Carolina's forest. Carolina's rehab was hidden behind trees in order to make sure that the psychopath that managed to escape wouldn't go too far before getting caught in a trap.
“Did you call Aaron before leaving?” Miranda, a red haired lady in her mid fifties recruited to take care of Elizabeth spoke.
“He's been enjoying his solitude, why disturb him?” Her gaze didn't leave the window. A lot changed over the past few months and she changed to. Her once long blonde hair was cut shoulder length. She didn't care about makeup anymore. Damn, she didn't care about life anymore.
“You should learn to stop thinking for others. Aaron misses you,” Miranda protested. Elizabeth's lips curled up into a mocking smirk and she scoffed.
“The same way you think God loves me?” Miranda was a Christian who once worked as a teacher in a Catholic school.
Mirinda sighed, “if only you knew.”
There were two men arguing in the woods very close to the Rehab. One had gray hair while the other one seemed young. Elizabeth's eyes followed them intently. She began hearing faint sounds of them shouting although the window was whined up.
“Gambling is a bad game lad, where's my money?” A familiar old man with a tattoo on his palm shouted. The younger one gritted his teeth in annoyance and reached for his pocket.
“I said I'll pay you soon,” the boy whispered, yet Elizabeth could hear him. She saw as he began pulling out a knife from his pocket but then,
“Timothy,” A bold husky British voice that Elizabeth knew so well, called. Her heart began to race at the sound of his voice. Her eyes landed on the boy that left her hurt years back. Was he still a boy?
He wore a long brown coat that made him look ethereal, his short black hair was scattered. His eyes were condescending. His aura left her terrified. Everything about him was strange. He seemed nothing like the old Crater she used to know.
But then again, how many Crater had she known?
Miranda's car reached the smotter land, so she increased her speed. Driving off with Crater catching a glimpse of Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked back with wide eyes and flushed face to see him staring at her with an emotionless look.
Four years he'd last seen her and he's staring at her the same way she'd last seen him. Like she never meant nothing to him.
“Do you know him?” Miranda asks as she drives past the gates of the Rehab. Elizabeth looked straight, her heart trying to fight the pain it felt.
“Yes, we used to be friends.” And things changed and she didn't understand why.
Miranda stole a glance at her. She'd never seen the look of hurt on Elizabeth's face since she took her in. “Used to?” She killed the engine after parking.
“Yes, but then...he died.” She replied and got down from the car. She looked at the gate, somehow hoping to see him again. But, he didn't show up.
Elizabeth took her luggage from the trunk. She only came with a knapsack and small travel bag because the rehab confiscated most of the things people brought in.
“I'll walk you in,” Miranda offers, still in the driver's seat. Elizabeth looks at her and forces a smile.
“Goodbye Miranda,” She says and without waiting for Miranda's reply, walked away.
The rehab consisted of two large obsolete buildings, a courtyard and a large field. One building looked like it caught fire. The building that was still in shape had various ancient carvings on the stony walls. There were statues of mythical creatures standing on each pillar holding the school up.
Elizabeth walked through the hallways of the rehab, the inside was as ancient as the outside. Animal skin designs, bronze chandeliers, status, paintings of old students and Chancellor's graced the first floor.
“You must be Elizabeth Creeper,’’ The sardonic Australian voice of the head Chancellor said. Elizabeth looked at the slender tall woman with a look of mockery.
“Yes,’’ Elizabeth replied.
“Good, I'm Chancellor Gabrielle, the head Chancellor in this rehab. I'm sure you must be wondering why a rehab has a Chancellor? Well, I don't know either.” Gabrielle began to walk slowly and Elizabeth followed after.
“You'll leave your Luggage behind for checking and you may retrieve it after an hour or two. Everything you need to know will be directed to you by Lucy,”
Although Elizabeth didn't know who Lucy was she replied, “yes.”
Gabrielle sighed mockingly, “We all know the dangers of inferno.” She looked out the window down the hallway then at the burnt building but Elizabeth knew she was referring to her family.
“You can stop following me now, “ Gabrielle walked through a door and shut it behind Elizabeth.
“You are Elizabeth right?” A petite brunette said from behind Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked at her. Her gray eyes held so much excitement. For the first time, Elizabeth saw someone who looked almost as dead as her.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied stiffly, trying to recover from the curt departure of the Chancellor.
“Great, I'm Lucy. I'll be showing you around and telling you everything you need to know about this place.” Lucy said excitedly. She took Elizabeth's luggages and placed it on a counter alongside some other luggages.
They began to walk. “The rehab has been existing since the seventeenth century-”
“I was told enough about this place,” Elizabeth cuts her off politely.
“Thank angels, I don't have to vote you with the story of creation,” Lucy said jokingly and Elizabeth stifled a chuckle. “ So, you also know the Chancellor is a total brute?”
“Yeah, I noticed.” Elizabeth looked at her with raised brows. “how did she allow a student to work for her? Considering this place is filled with psychopaths”
Lucy smiled, “well I -” she fell to the ground as a shoulder collided intentionally with hers.
“Sorry, didn't see you there.” Elizabeth recognized the sarcastic voice of Bethany. Bethany looked at Elizabeth and smirks in amusement. She still enjoyed the color black and purple. She had piercings all over her ear, one on her left eyebrow and another on her lip.
“You again, when I thought we wouldn't meet again,” Elizabeth ignored her sarcasm and helped Lucy up.
“Thank you,” Lucy said and looked at Bethany who scowled at her.
“What you in here for, oh yeah-”
“Let's go Lucy,” Elizabeth caught Bethany up, her heart racing as she walked away quickly. Lucy followed her.
“You can run but you can't hide,” Bethany shouted like a maniac she was.
“Stop screaming Morgel,” Someone shouted back at Bethany.
Lucy followed Heistingly after Elizabeth until their steps were even. “Thank you for helping me up, no one's ever done that. No one talks to me here.”
“Mhm,” Elizabeth replied, her heart softened at Lucy's words.
“Do you know Bethany?” She asked.
“We attended highschool together,”
“Elizabeth,” Lucy raised her voice and Elizabeth stopped walking and looked at her. “um, I'm the one showing you around. I should lead the way.”
Elizabeth's face lifted in realization. “ Oh, sorry.”
Lucy smiled and led the way. She gave Elizabeth a tour and briefed her on the rules and regulations before they reached Elizabeth's room on the third floor.
Lucy chirped as she saw the yellow sign on the door. “Great, you are a Lyrite.”
“What's that?” Elizabeth asked.
Lucy took out a form from the file she was holding and held it out to Elizabeth. “It means you committed a minor crime and you are eligible for community service.”
“Oh…okay,” Elizabeth took the form.
“Community service starts a month from now. You can pick anyone you'd like to do and submit it to the students' counsel next week.”
“Alright,” Elizabeth opened her door and entered her room, before she could close the door, Lucy spoke.
“What are you in for?”
Elizabeth stared at her. Although she didn't show it, she liked Lucy. “I'll give you an answer when become friends,”
Lucy smiled, “Nice meeting you Beth,”
“You to Lucy,” She replied and closed the door. She looked around the small room, there was a moderate sized bed with a folded duvet on it. There was also a study table and chair with a lamp. The floors and ceilings were stony.
Elizabeth heard the sound of a something flying towards her. She looked at the window just in time for a bird to crash into it. She winced as the bed slid away. Elizabeth went to the window and looked down to see a someone picking up the bird.
He wore complete black clothes. His black shiny hair was long. The whole incident felt uncanny to Elizabeth. Like it had happened before: her standing by the window of a tall building and a charming man with long hair, picking up an injured bird.
His outstandingly black eyes looked up at hers and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Like he knew how she felt, his cheeks went deep and the edge of his lips curled up.
That man.
That smirk.
That look.
It was the same man in her nightmares.
- Writer
