Chapter 4
1540 Words
Alissa's POV
"Alissa, stay back!" my father shouted as rogues lunged at him.
"Daddy!" I screamed as a rogue managed to bite him and then another and another.
I watched frozen in place as my father fought for his life.
I wanted to move.
I wanted to do something.
But it felt as if my feet were one with the ground.
And then one rogue turned to look at my direction.
It's pure black eyes staring back into my brown ones.
Then, it pounced at me.
I jolt awake.
I gasped for air as I looked around.
The dark lit room and the cold breeze coming inside my room from the slightly open window.
I hugged myself as tears started to fall from my eyes.
That day still haunts up until now.
I was just 7 years old when it happened.
I couldn't do anything but watch as my father was killed right in front of my eyes.
After a while, I got off my bed and grabbed an oversized sweater for warmth.
I went to the kitchen and drank a glass of water then went outside for some fresh air.
I had to get my mind off that day.
I walked in the woods and then suddenly heard some rustling.
My brows furrowed as I prepared my self then a familiar scent hit me.
Griffin came out from the bushes and our eyes met.
"I was ready to rip your head off" I joked.
Griffin laughed.
"What are doing out here at this time?" he asked.
"I woke up and can't fall asleep again so I went for a walk" I told him.
"Are you supposed to be on night watch?" I asked back.
Griffin nodded.
"Yeah. I just finished my shift" he said.
I nodded in understanding.
"Can I join you on your walk?" he asked carefully.
"Sure" I said.
Griffin and I started walking in the woods together.
"How's it going in the kindergarten?" he asked as we walked.
"Everything is going well and the kids are doing amazing" I said.
"That's good" he said.
I smiled.
"How's the patrol team doing?" I asked as well.
"We're striving for improvement day by day but so far, everything is going well" he said.
I nodded.
"I'll stop by on the weekend to train with you guys. I haven't trained with y'all for a while since I became pretty busy with work" I said.
Griffin looked at me and nodded with a smile.
"We'd love that" he said.
"Or atleast some of us will considering you'll probably give us all a hard time" he added with a chuckle.
I chuckled as well.
"Do I give you guys a hard time?" I asked innocently.
"Well, you're an outstanding fighter, Ali. You can bring down a group of my men without any problems" he stated with a shrug.
I just smiled.
Griffin and I stopped talking but continued to walk as we looked around.
"Do you want to watch the sunrise with me?" he suddenly asked.
I looked at him as he looked back at me.
"Sounds like a plan" I said.
Griffin smiled and we made our way to high ground.
There was a cliff there which had the most beautiful view of the sun rising.
Griffin and I sat there together.
I hugged my knees and laid my head down on top of it as I waited.
"Do you prefer the sunrise or the sunset?" I randomly asked as I looked at Griffin.
Griffin looked straight at me.
"I like sunrisets more" he said with a smile.
"Why?" I asked further.
"Because it's what comes before nightfall. My favorite time of the day" he said.
I lightly nodded.
"What about you? Do you like sunrises or sunsets more?" he asked back
"I like sunrises more" I told him.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because it signifies a new start" I said.
Griffin smiled as he reached out to me and gave me a pat on the head.
I just smiled at him.
Then, we waited until the sun showed and we admired the beautiful sunrise.
The mere sight of it brought me warmth.
I really love watching the sun rise because it reminded me of a new day.
New chances.
New opportunities.
New experience.
New life.
New everything.
It made me feel grateful to be alive and that despite everything I went through in my life, I was able to find the life that I've always wanted to live.
It's not much but I really wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm so thankful to be where I am right now and to have good people around me who treasure me just as much as I treasure them.
If I had the chance to change my life, I wouldn't because I'm happy and contented right now.
If I was to change or wish for anything, it would be the happiness and safety of the people around me.
Nothing else.
I stood up and took off my sweater revealing my cami top and bare skin in exposure.
I closed my eyes as I opened my arms as the warmth of the sun made me feel alive.
I took a deep breath of fresh air and a smile formed on my lips.
It felt amazing.
Then, the cold breeze of air in the early morning passed me and I shivered.
Griffin laughed from behind me and picked up my sweater before putting it on my head.
"It's pretty chilly. Don't get sick" he said when my head poked out of the hole in my sweater after he put it in my head.
I wore the sweater again since I didn't want to catch a cold.
After a few more minutes, Griffin and I made our way back.
I still needed to prepare for work today and Denisse will probably freak out once she finds out that I'm missing so early in the morning.
"Griffin" I called out
"Hmm?" he answered with a hum.
"Thank you for accompanying me" I said
Griffin smiled.
"Anytime, Ali" he said and we smiled at each other.
I really am so lucky.
Griffin walked me back to my house.
"I'll see you again later" he said and gave me a pat on the head.
I smiled and nodded.
"Alissa!"
Denisse came rushing out of our house.
Then, she saw Griffin.
"What are you guys doing? Have you been together all this time?" she said.
"You should go" I told Griffin.
Griffin nodded and waved goodbye to Denisse before walking away.
"Hey! Where are you going? I'm talking to you guys!" Denisse rushed to us but I blocked her from going after Griffin.
"Let's go inside" I said and dragged her back.
"What do you mean? Where did you even disappear to with him?" she kept asking.
I managed to drag her back inside.
"What's for breakfast?" I asked casually.
"I couldn't make breakfast because I was too busy worrying where you went so early in the morning" she said.
I chuckled and hugged her.
"Sorry. I just had a horrible dream and needed to get a breather. I happened to meet Griffin outside and we went for a walk together" I explained.
Denisse sighed.
"Are you okay now?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Yeah. I'm fine now" I assured her.
Denisse gave me a small but worried smile.
"You can go on ahead and shower. I'll cook breakfast quickly" I said.
Denisse nodded and headed to the bathroom.
I went to the kitchen and started cooking eggs and bagon then I toasted some bread.
After some time, Denisse returned and I grabbed glasses and poured ourselves some milk.
Denisse and I sat together in the table and started eating our breakfast.
"Alissa" she called my name.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Do you like Griffin?" she asked.
I coughed and grabbed the glass of milk to stop from choking.
Denisse just looked at me with an unfazed reaction.
"What?" I said.
"I asked if you like Griffin. You know, my cousin and your so called friend" she said as she took a bite of her toast.
I cleared my throat.
"Griffin and I are close friends, Denisse. Nothing more. I do like him but only as a friend" I cleared out.
"Hmm. That might be but I don't think you both think that" she said with a shrug.
"What do you even mean by that?" I said.
Denisse shrugged again.
"Who knows?" she said and took her last bite before picking up her plate and standing up.
"I'll cook our lunch. Go and shower after you eat" she said.
I sighed and nodded.
I finished my breakfast and made my way to the bathroom.
I quickly showered and got dressed into a pair of faded jeans and white button front short sleeve blouse and sandals.
I dried my hair and just let it down before putting powder and lipbalm on my lips.
I went to the living room and saw Denisse packing our lunch in a bag.
"You ready to go?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Are you?" I asked back.
She nodded.
"Let's go" we both said as we headed out the door to leave.
Another day is ahead of us.
- Writer
