Oreus

Followed - Chapter 2

Translations at the end of the chapter

She stayed in place, finding herself staring at the portrait of Lycaon. It didn't make any sense how he disappeared like that. Unless he could teleport, the speed of his movements was virtually impossible.

The sound of Olivia's voice broke her out of her thoughts. She hurriedly pulled the knife from the wall before she could come around the corner, putting it back into her pocket.

She watched as she wandered past the entry, stopping when she saw her.

"Where were you, Eden? I came to find you since you've been gone for a while, and I was worried after that whole scene out there," she said, running up and shaking her.

"I'm fine, don't worry." Her reaction made her curious, had she not seen him leave? "I know you'll think this is weird, I do too, but did you see a man leave here?"

"What? Eden, what is going on with you today? Are you ok?"

"No, I'm fine, I just-"

"I was the only one in the hallway, Eden, no one left from here. You've been in here by yourself."

Confusion swam through her head, but that's impossible. There was no other way to leave other than the way Olivia came from, so how did he disappear?

She took her arm before she could warn her and lead her back to the group, "I found Eden guys, she's fine, she just didn't feel well. Let's go to Winston's, I made our reservations earlier so we should start going."

She tried to protest, but Olivia caught her, "Don't stress, I'm sure whatever you saw was nothing. Eating will make you feel better. If it doesn't then I promise we'll go home."

She thought about it. The rest weren't as kind as Olivia and would brush off her warning. If she didn't let them eat, she doubted any of them would listen at all. She nodded, there was no other choice.

Olivia held her hand the whole way as they walked through the city. Eden enjoyed it, but as much as she did, she couldn't get what the man said out of her head. He sounded like he was giving a warning, but what could relate? Nothing she'd ever done could have possibly lead to this, so why did he say that?

Her thoughts stopped when they made it to the restaurant.

Olivia led them to the table after checking in and once they sat they began deciding on what to eat. Eden watched as they began making their own conversations with each other, leaving her out. It didn't bother her, as it happened often. She knew most didn't like her, so usually she'd wait for them to talk to her rather than she start the conversation.

"I'm telling you man, the cops never caught me," the boy who bothered her earlier bragged, "I could take her wallet right now and she wouldn't even know it, and I'll be home free once we leave."

"Uh, you know we're not letting you do that right? Why are you trying to steal from her in the first place? She's the reason we're here right now, be a little more grateful!" the other said.

Eden watched them converse, her brow furrowed. Did they think she couldn't speak English at all? "Uh you know I can hear you right?" She waved her hand in front of their faces, offended that they spoke in front of her about doing such a thing.

He jumped, only then noticing her. A smirk came across his features as he took a second look. "You know you're really fine with your hips and curly hair and what not. I'm Dallas, Dallas Dawson."

She stared wide-eyed in disgust at his statement, debating on whether or not she should acknowledge his offensive comment.

"So who are you?" she asked, turning to the more pleasant one.

He grinned, "Dylan." He jerked his thumb at Dallas, rolling his eyes. "Ignore what this guy says, he's not exactly the best at being polite."

She nodded. "Well it's nice to meet you," she said with a smile.

"You ever had someone toss something down your shirt?" Dallas asked, staring at where her shirt hung a little in the front.

Had he lost his mind? She pulled her shirt up and glanced at Dylan who looked at him questionably.

Dallas looked at her face again but he kept switching between it to her chest. "You know it's pretty fun if you're a guy, my friends play it all the time with other girls"

She tapped Olivia on the shoulder and asked for her jacket which she happily gave away. She pulled it close, covering herself with it.

"Clearly you haven't been taught proper manners. That is not a game, and stop looking at me that way," she refuted through gnashed teeth, scooting to Olivia a little more.

Her friend tuned in on the situation, glaring at Dallas when she realized what was happening. "That is s****l harassment. We're not the only ones here and if a waiter catches you talking to her like that we might get asked to leave, I did not pay for this myself just to have it wasted."

Dylan, she noted, obviously wasn't one of the friends he was talking about. He also frowned at his words.

"It's not if she won't enjoy it too. Trust me most girls I've ever met love it," Dallas assured.

Olivia opened her mouth to lash out, but Eden interjected. She didn't want her to get in trouble for wringing his neck, which she knew very well that she'd do given the chance. "I'm sure that's nice and all, really, but I'm going to get to know the others if you don't mind," she said more so to Dylan hoping he would understand.

He nodded while Dallas just grinned in this creepy way that had Olivia sneering at him.

Eden introduced herself to the girls, Hayden and Addison. Hayden explained how she and Addison had been friends for years and became friends with Olivia a few months before she left. Eden couldn't help but notice how pretty they were with Addison being a blond like Olivia and Hayden a brunette.

She wanted to start actual conversation, but Hayden interrupted her before she could.

"So Eden, I was texting Dallas and he- wait, you do know which one is Dallas right?

She nodded.

"Oh ok, so I asked him what was up with you two. He said you two weren't that close and that you're just his 'side piece', is that true?"

Said boy had an idiotic grin on his face as he leaned back, winking and putting his arms behind his head.

"Well, is it?" she pestered. Eden closed her eyes and tried to relax, the burning in her cheeks not helping much.

"Hayden," Addison hissed, shocked at her friend.

Olivia, who was appalled by her accusation, just about spit out her drink at the question. "Are you insane? Eden would never go for a guy like him, I mean would anyone? Besides she's not going to do anything with another male until she finds the one meant for her."

Hayden nodded, not fazed at all. "Of course, I knew that! It's only my curiosity! Honestly, I was about to call you a hoe but I wanted to make sure first. So, is it? Eden?"

She knew what Hayden's intentions were but the way she put it was so rude and outright she had to take a moment to gather her bearings. She took a breath preparing to explain herself.

"Who waits for true love these days?" Dallas scoffed. "Take a good look at Eden. I swear if I got a moment alone with her I'd have her begging to be with me instead."

Both Eden and Dylan had to grab Olivia's arms and drag her back to the seat before she could grab his throat.

She yelled at him as Eden quietly glared, not one for making a scene. She blocked him out and started to wish she hadn't come.

An eerie feeling crawled over her skin.

It felt like eyes roamed around her body, making her sink into her seat.

She knew it wasn't someone from the table, they were all paying attention to Olivia and Dylan. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing whoever it was would go away. When they didn't, she glanced to the right, hoping she could see the culprit. The hope vanished when she met red eyes.

It was the man from the museum, he'd followed her.

She quickly looked away to tap Olivia's shoulder, bringing her out of the conversation. A hushed whisper was exchanged between the pair. She looked at her in disbelief, questioning if she was seeing things. Once Eden pointed to him though, her voice died in her throat.

"Don't let him know we see him!" she hissed, forcing her to look away. She didn't know what he wanted and certainly wasn't interested in finding out. She knew without a doubt that he was there because of her, and even if she didn't really like the others in the group, she blamed herself for allowing him to follow.

Olivia told her to get her phone, as she had the help on speed dial. She leaned over and reached under the table, putting her own on top of it as she did so. Her hand rummaged through Olivia's purse, piercing her lips when she didn't feel it.

"Made it!"

She looked at where Dallas was, happy and pumping his fists in the air. Her brow rose in question as a server with their drinks caught her attention. "Lo siento, señorita, pero el niño ha tirado algo en su camisa."

"Gracias señor," she said, befuddled. She pulled the zipper down on the jacket and looked into her shirt to find whatever he had thrown.

The waiter placed their drinks down and gave Dallas a hard look, "Hombre joven, we do not tolerate that kind of behavior in here. If this happens again we will be forced to ask you to leave."

He walked away with a nod to Eden, who graciously smiled in response. She tried her hardest to be discreet in taking the paper out of her shirt, but Dallas just wouldn't give his taunting a rest.

"Wow, you just touch yourself like that?" he remarked, completely ignoring the waiter's warning.

"Yes Dallas, I do. It is my body after all, I would think I had the right to," she retorted. She glanced at the man again, finding his eyes switching between her and Dallas, but staying on Eden after.

She took a deep breath and reached for Olivia's purse again, this time pulling it into her lap to search for her phone. Once she found it she messaged their escort their location and told him they were in danger. He swiftly replied, instructing them to quickly get out of the restaurant without causing a disturbance.

Olivia finished warning Dylan and Addison by the time she was done. They immediately went rigid, searching around the restaurant for the person. Eden stopped them, telling them to remain calm and act casual, they couldn't risk getting noticed. Hayden and Dallas watched confused, the latter with more of a smile.

Her hand went to the table to grab her phone, but it wasn't there.

On instinct, she pat her thighs, then moved to her sides.

"Whoa! What are you grabbing yourself for?" Dallas exclaimed.

She looked underneath her and sat down, then again between her legs. Dallas' inappropriate comments were never-ending, and eventually, Olivia had had enough of it.

"Dallas, I swear to God, shut up! He took your phone when you weren't looking, Eden."

"Dallas give me my phone, now," she demanded, losing her patience.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him step towards them."I don't have her phone," he laughed, finding their panic funny.

She was getting somewhat frantic, "Dallas, now." He simply smirked in satisfaction of her outburst. Dylan had to reach over and snatch the phone from him, leaving Dallas stunned.

He was even closer now.

She glanced over to the door for a split second to see if anyone was blocking it, no one was there.

"You know what, the food is taking way too long to get here," she announced, giving Olivia a look.

She nodded and backed her up, "Definitely, I've gone here once with my father and there's a way better diner across town."

He glared at them, hearing the conversation. Eden watched him close his eyes, only to open them back up again to reveal a normal green. His eyes confirmed something she had suspected earlier, he wasn't a normal person.

That didn't make her feel any better, questions swarmed through her mind, each one bringing a new one in its wake. What if he followed them? He already did it once, who's to say he wouldn't do it again? Who was this man? What did he want from her?

Something else stirred in the midst of her thoughts. Muted yelling resounded in her head, almost as if a person were underwater.

The chime of the bell when someone walks in sounded. She paid no mind, it was a place where people ate, it would be more concerning if people weren't coming.

And yet... even if she paid no mind, he did.

His head snapped to the door when they heard it. The truly strange thing was, the bell had been chiming the entire time. This time however, he looked and his eyes flashed red again.

She ignored his actions, more focused on getting out. While the group prepared their things, Olivia called for a waiter to pay for the drinks. Eden hoped they would be able to walk straight out, and she checked one last time to see what he was doing.

His head was still turned towards the door and a group of people walked in front of him blocking her view for a few seconds.

When they moved, he was gone.

He had disappeared again, and just like last time she looked to see if there were any exists around where he was standing. Once again, there were none.

He couldn't have possibly walked with the group, they surely would have noticed if a stranger had started to walk with them.

Even if he was gone though, she was not going on a search for him.

She grabbed Olivia's hand and followed behind the others to the door. She felt guilty, that it was all her fault her best friend was in danger. She had to get the rest out before he could hurt them, and before she could be placed under any more blame.

As they were filing out of the door she saw something move out of the corner of her eye and turned her head to see what it was.

It was him.

He was heading straight toward them.

Her eyes widened as she yanked Olivia forward, pushing her out the door with the others. All her efforts of escaping went down the drain, because all she could do was watch in horror as he reached out to grab her.

She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for him to take her away to never be seen again. She knew the moment he got his hands on her he would speed off faster than the eye could see, bringing her with him.

But he never touched her.

Pushed out the door without warning, she stumbled into Olivia's arms. They looked back to see who had done it but all they saw was the door slamming shut.

Then she heard it.

There was a loud growl that echoed throughout the entire restaurant, or at least that's what it felt like. The sound hit her in waves, it was indescribable. A powerful force emitted from it, nearly putting her on her knees, but before it could she heard a voice.

"Run, Eden. Now."

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Lo siento, señorita, pero el niño ha tirado algo en su camisa- I'm sorry, miss, but the boy has thrown something into your shirt

Gracias señor- Thank you, sir

Hombre joven- Young man