Forbidden Soul

Chapter 8: A Ride to the Hostel

Sam’s POV

Yes! This is what I call a party. Loud music and… I grab a bottle from my backpack. Alcohol. What do they think of themselves? Can’t we get our booze? It’s so easy to fool the profs. I pour that liquid little by little in all the drinks standing on the counter.

“Sam! Little more,” a guy shows up with his glass.

“Sure,” I fill up his glass.

“Hey, here as well,” another one asks.

Well, what can I say? I’m the booze supplier at any party in this town. Can’t deny that fact. Cool, huh!

“SAM! What are you doing?” and here comes the party pooper.

“Doing my job, Nugget,” I reply in a boring voice, and then I face her, holding the bottle in front of her drink, “want some?”

“NO! You know I can’t handle alcohol, and my mom will kill me if she finds out.” Nugget whines as usual.

“Grow up, you idiot.” I curse her as I look around while taking a sip from the bottle.

Suddenly I realize Mia is nowhere near us. My eyes scan the whole hall. Nope. Can’t find her!

“Hey, Nugget, where’s Mia?” I ask her with furrowed eyebrows.

“Mia? She was just with us,” she retorts as her eyes roam on the room.

“Can’t find her! Let’s look around,” she suggests as she drifts apart from me.

I hide the alcohol in my backpack and start searching for her. We check every inch of the hall, and she is nowhere there. I don’t know why, but I’m having this bad feeling. Suddenly Nugget comes back, running. She is panting.

“Nugget! What’s wrong? Did you find her?” I shoot her with questions.

“No, Sam! Natty said she saw Beverly picking on Mia. And… and… Mia left the hotel, crying,” she informs.

“WHAT!” I shout out.

She has left the hotel! Where is she then? I take out my phone instantly, only to remember that we haven’t exchanged numbers yet. s**t! Hell no, she is new here! She doesn’t know how to go back to college. Matter of fact, she knows nothing about this city and it’s dark outside. It's not safe.

“Nugget, this isn’t good. I swear I’m gonna kill that b***h,” all my anger goes over Beverly. She is the one responsible for all these. But I don't have time for that. I have to find Mia first.

I stride towards the exit but get stopped by stupid Jackson.

“Hey, Sam, what’s up dude?” He speaks casually.

“Not now, Jackson,” I reply in a serious tone as I keep walking. I don't have time to deal with him now. I have to find Mia as soon as possible.

“Dude, what’s wrong? Are you leaving?” He stops me again, holding my hand.

“What’s wrong? Why don’t you ask your slutty ex what’s wrong?” I yell at him, throwing all my frustration out.

“Okay, relax. What’s the big deal! You know how Beverly is! Nothing new,” he tries to console me. 

Are you fu.cking kidding me? Relax? In this situation? While you're taking Beverly's side! Great choice, Jackson. I take a deep breath to calm myself.

That stupid bimbo interferes before I can explain further, “Jacky! My prince." 

Prince my ass. And I lose it.

“You b***h! How dare you!” I shout at the top of my lung, almost slapping her on her face. 

“Mind your language, you i***t,” she scoffs.

“What’s wrong with you two? Why are you fighting?” Jackson looks confused, but I ignore him.

“What did you say to Mia? Why was she crying?” I question her.

“Wait, Mia?” Jackson is shocked. Now you are caring, huh! Strange.

“That stupid b***h insulted Mia and she left the party,” I fill up Jackson. 

“I didn’t insult her. I just showed her where she belongs,” that slut speaks arrogantly. How dare she! Mia is new here. And these woods are not safe after dark.

“If anything happens to Mia, I swear Beverly, I’m gonna ruin your pretty face,” I yell again.

“Relax, you two. Just for a moment,” Jackson tries to calm us down.

“Relax? Jackson, Mia is new here, you moron. She doesn’t know her way around the town. What if she gets lost in the woods? I don’t even have her number. Just forget it,” I brush him off in frustration and step towards the exit again. Jackson stands there blankly for a moment.

“Hey, chill! I’ll go and check on her, okay?” He assures me. I don't know what else to do. More people equals a better chance of finding her.

“Thanks, Jackson. Just call me if you find her.” I request before he leaves the hotel, taking his car keys. I leave the hall with Nugget.

Mia’s POV

I have grown up in an orphanage but have never come across such a mean person. How can she talk like that? Especially, about my parents. Even after knowing everything. I wipe my tears as I leave the hotel behind. After walking for a while, I realize I am in the middle of the woods. I have zero clues on where I am. I use the flashlight of my phone. But that is not enough to remove the darkness. I’m scared and lost. I try my best to find my way to the highway. My heart is racing. Why am I always ending up in these woods?

I try to find my way out. Suddenly I hear a loud growl. Like a hungry animal. But the growl turns into a painful howl slowly, and then I hear a scream. What was that? The last voice was a human. How can a growl turn into a human scream? I look for the source. I know it’s a bad idea, but I can’t help it. My legs have their own minds.

“RELAX! I SAID RELAX!” I hear someone yelling.

What’s going on here? The voice sounds familiar.

“I Ca..n..’t,” another voice. He is in much pain. And then I hear the growl again. 

I take another few steps only to find out the frame of two people standing in the forest. I can’t see their faces. It’s too dark. Who are they? What are they doing here?

Suddenly the woods fill with that growl again and one of them peeks at me. My eyes become wide open as I find that glowing pair of yellow eyes looking back. Like some animal. And that growl. It is coming from him!

A gasp leaves my lips and I sprint, trying to get out of the woods. I don’t know which way I’m going. I run for my life. I'm terrified. I am not sure what I have seen back there! A human, growling like an animal, and a pair of glowing eyes! What’s wrong with these woods? First, that guy who saved me, then these winds and whispers, and now that animalistic growls and screams. This isn’t normal. This can’t be normal! What secrets are concealed in this city? Why are they reveling in front of me?

I am too engrossed in myself to realize that I have already reached the highway. A sudden bright light and a loud honk bring me back to my senses.

“Ah!” a scream leaves my mouth. My heart is pounding.

The car stops right in front of me. The door gets open and Jackson comes out. I have never felt such happiness in my entire life. I sigh in relief. Finally, someone is here, and I know that someone. He can be trusted.

“Mia! Are you okay?” Jackson holds my hand as he talks.

“Jackson… I…,“ I can hardly hold back myself. Tears roll down my face while I continue, “I was so scared.”

“It’s okay now! I’m here. Come on, let’s go,” he comforts me and then opens the car door like a gentleman.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“here, drink some,” he offers me, handing over a bottle of water.

Jackson’s POV

I leave the hotel and drive down the highway. I can’t believe what Beverly has done. I have never seen someone as stupid as her. God, please keep Mia safe. This town is surrounded by woods. And we don’t even know how many animals are sheltered in here.

I speed down, keeping an eye on the road. Hoping for her to show up. I drive across the entire area and she is nowhere to be found. She is not in the woods, right? That isn’t good. Now she is scaring me. All the bad thoughts are clouding my mind. She has just got here yesterday and already has suffered enough. Suddenly a girl comes out of the woods running and stops in the middle of the road, dumbfounded. Thank god, I am driving slowly. I stop the car instantly only to find out Mia. She looks scared as hell. What was she doing in the woods?

I get down from the car and ask her about what’s going on. 

She is shivering. Her face is pale as ever, and her hand is bleeding again. This girl surely loves trouble.

I help her get into the car and give her some water while taking the steering. She looks a lillte relaxed now. I peek at her once. Her soft curls are touching her cute face. Those clear hazel eyes are really toxic for a heart. To be truthful, she is different than other girls I have seen in my entire life. Beautiful, polite, and definitely not arrogant. But the sadness on her face is driving me crazy.

“Hey! Are you okay? Wanna talk?” I ask her.

She glances at me and then mumbles, “no... nothing. I’m fine.”

She is not opening up. Maybe she is habituated to keep everything to herself. And why not? She has grown up in an orphanage. She keeps looking towards the woods, hiding her face from mine. Is she crying? Come on, Jackson. You are the lady killer of the Camelot. Do something to make her smile. I chuckle, drawing her attention.

“Hey Mia, so are you considering paying me the rent?” I ask her.

“Huh? Rent?” She looks confused and cute at the same time.

“Yes, after all, you’re staying in my mind all these times!” I try to hide my laughter as I answer.

She looks at me for a while like I have grown two heads. Then she giggles.

“Such a PJ!” She shakes her head.

“Thank you, PJ! Finally, she is smiling,” I joke again.

She keeps silent as she smiles. In between all these, we reach her hostel.

“Mia, everything will be alright. Don’t overthink,” I suggest as she gets down from the car.

“Thank you, Jackson, for the help. This town is different than where I’ve grown up, and everything is happening too fast for me to digest. Just that… I don’t know if I’ve made the right choice,” She replies with a chocked voice.

“Don’t think you’re alone, Mia. We all are here for you,” I assure her once again.

She smiles before she leaves. She has gone through a lot in her life, and I can see that. Her smile touches my heart. 

I’ll keep an eye on you, girl. You’re special.