Chapter 3
1637 Words
Draven and Zane stepped in, their presence always carry some kind of aura
I felt their eyes hit me before I even looked up.
Zane’s landed straight on me, the way it had earlier in the woods,steady, too steady. My pulse kicked up without my permission.
Draven and Zane exchanged a glance, and I caught just a fragment of their muttering.
Draven’s voice, low: “She shouldn’t have come back like this.”
Zane: “You saw her eyes. You felt that, don’t lie.”
Draven: “Not here. Not now.” he gave him a daring look.
I pretended not to hear, but their voices seeped into me.
Just then I heard Serena calling me.
“Riel,” “Riel”
I have been looking for you. Serena ran to where I was with the boys.
She slipped her hand around my arm. I heard what happened. Are you okay??
“let’s just… go home. Please.”
. “I’m fine.”
“You’re shaking.”
Maybe I was. Maybe my bones were finally reacting to everything I had forced myself to stand through.
Serena leaned closer. “I know tonight was brutal. You don’t have to pretend with me.”
I almost told her I wasn’t pretending, but the words wouldn’t come. Not with the crowd still watching. Not with Draven’s stare burning between my shoulders.
Alpha Von’s voice rose again, loud from behind us.
“Running already? Of course. It’s what the Vances do best.”
Laughter spread through the crowd.
I am really in pain at this point. I have really endured, but beneath the ache, I was still alive. It wasn't like stepping in here, the laughter, that time was something else and could equally kill.
Serena drew me closer. “Come on. Riel… you need air.”
I let myself be pulled away.
And as we walked, I could feel their eyes following me.
Serena didn’t let go of my hand until we were far from the so-called pack. The sounds of the gathering faded behind us. Voices dissolving into the night, replaced by crickets and the low hum of the trees.
Only then did she stop and turn to me.
“Riel… talk to me.”
Her eyes searched my face, soft but worried.
I inhaled deeply “I don’t know what to say.” Serena, I really don't.
“Well… start with how you didn’t punch Alpha Von in his throat,” she grumbled. “Because I would’ve.” she said, showing me her fist.
A small laugh escaped and I couldn't stop it. It sounded cracked. “Serena…”
“No, really,” she said. “The man talks like someone who disappointment fuels them. Like he was enjoying every bit of the humiliation.
My steps slowed. “It wasn’t just him. Everyone looked at me like I didn’t belong. Like I was… nothing.”
Serena shifted closer. “But you do belong. They’re just threatened.”
“Threatened by what exactly” ??
“I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe your face. Maybe your Dad that's within you.
I didn’t crumble though at least….. that counts right??
Serena watched me for a moment, then her voice softened. “Riel… when those boys walked in,Zane and the other one,did you feel something? You looked weird.”
I hesitated.
“I don’t know what I felt,” I said quietly. “It was like my mind tried to reach for something. Like I’ve seen them before, but the memory slipped before I could catch it.”
“Were they from your childhood here?” Serena asked.
I don’t think so. But,something about them felt familiar. Especially Zane. And Draven’s voice.
“Do you think I’m going crazy?”
No! But I think something is not just sitting properly. Maybe your dad hid things from you. Maybe your mind hid things too.
A faint breeze swept through the trees, carrying the smell of pine and something old,like dust from a forgotten room.
Suddenly, a blurry scene ran through my mind.
Laughter.
A bonfire.
Three boys chasing each other around a yard.
A warm hand pulling me forward.
A voice saying, “Riel, come on!”
Serena paused. “Riel? What happened?”
“I… I think I remembered something,” I breathed. “But it vanished.” arrrrhhggg…. Not again
The night felt different now.
Like it was holding secrets just out of reach.
By the time we reached the house, my legs felt like they were moving on their own. Grandma’s porch light glowed softly and warm.But it didn’t chase away the tightness pressing against my ribs.
Serena opened the door before I could.
“Sit,” she ordered gently. “Before you pass out.”
“I’m fine,” I muttered, though my voice sounded thin.
“Liar,” she said, guiding me to the couch. “Talk.”
But how was I supposed to explain something I barely understood myself? Like i'm really lost.
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “Serena… what if today wasn’t the first time those boys saw me?”
“Meaning?”
“I think I’ve met them before.” maybe once or twice I don't know.
The words felt strange leaving my mouth.
She sat beside me. “Okay. Tell me everything.”
So I did.
“The moment they walked in… it was like something inside me stopped. Like i could feel their presence even from school early just recognition. My body knew them even if my mind didn’t.”
Serena exhaled slowly. “That sounds like a buried memory.
Yeahhhh…
“That’s the thing,” I whispered. “I keep getting flashes. Little pieces. A bonfire. Kids laughing. Someone holding my hand. And… three boys. Always three.”
Her brows lifted. Riel, that’s not random. You know that right??
I swallowed. “Maybe after my dad died, I blocked things out. Or maybe… someone made sure I forgot.”
The room suddenly felt colder than before.
Serena looked toward the hallway where Grandma’s room was. “Do you think your mum or grandma knows something?”
Not really nahhh i don't think so if they knew something Grandma would have reached out to me even without me asking.
Another flash surfaced.
A younger me spinning in a circle.
A boy with wild dark hair laughing as he chased me.
Another one tackling him to the grass.
Soft freckles lit by firelight.
A voice whispering,
“Don’t run too far, Riel. We’ll find you.”
My breath caught.
“Rie?” Serena leaned closer. “Another one?”
I nodded slowly. “It feels real. Too real.”
Oooooh…..why is my brain playing tricks on me.
She placed a steady hand on my back. “Memories don’t come for no reason. Something triggered them. And honestly? It started the moment those boys showed up.”
Yeahhhh you are right.
I stared at the wall, replaying the things that crossed my mind.
If these boys were part of my past…
Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Why did my father never mention them?
And why, after all these years, were the memories coming back now.
Serena stayed with me until the house grew quiet. Grandma’s door was shut, Mom was asleep,or pretending to be i guess and the only sound was the kitchen clock ticking.
“Do you want tea?” Serena asked softly.
“No. I just… want to breathe.”
She squeezed my hand once before stepping outside onto the porch to call her brother who was at the back. I stayed in the living room, staring at the ceiling like it held answers.
I didn’t expect to hear voices outside
I moved closer to the window, staying behind the curtain. Three shadows stood near the yard, partially hidden by the trees. Zane. Draven. And Luca.
They weren’t arguing loudly.
They weren’t meant to be heard.
But the night carried their words straight to me
Zane: “She remembers something. I saw her eyes.”
His voice was rough, like he was fighting himself.
Draven: “Good. We need her to remember. Maybe then she’ll stop looking at us like strangers.”
Luca: “Don’t push her.” Quiet, steady, the same tone he used when he offered his hand earlier. “Riel’s been through enough for one night.”
Yeah right just shut up Mr. Goody. Draven said
A tense silence followed, sharp enough to cut someone.
I held my breath.
Do they really know me ?? I guess they do cause what's really going on.
Luca stepped forward first, his voice barely above a whisper.
“We shouldn’t have made that bet. We were kids. Stupid ones.”
Whaaattttttt
A bet?
Zane didn’t respond. Draven muttered something under his breath, too low to catch.
Then Zane spoke, the gravel in his voice softening in a way that made my pulse trip.
She’s not ready to know.
Draven exhaled sharply. “If she keeps remembering in pieces, it’ll be worse.”
Luca looked toward the house, toward me. And for a second, I thought he could see through the curtain.
“We give her space,” he said firmly. “No more tonight.”
He turned first, disappearing into the trees.
Draven followed immediately.
Zane stayed a moment longer, staring at the house with an expression one him probably understands
Then he walked away too.
I let the curtain fall, my heart pounding so hard.
A bet.
Like a freaking bet??
Memories I couldn’t fully touch.
Serena stepped back in, confused by my expression.
“Riel? What happened?”
I didn’t know how to answer. I was also shocked.
All I knew was simple, terrifying truth
Whatever tied me to those boys…
It didn’t start tonight.
- Writer
