The Shadow Stalker Around Her

Chapter 17

Skyla 

(Past)

I woke up, and a painful scream came out of my mouth. It was as if I was back from hell. My skin was burning, and I was sweating. I felt pain in my whole body. I looked around and found myself in my bedroom. How did I come back home from school? That I didn't know. I didn't want to know. I was home, and that's a relief. I was safe. There was no blood on my clothes. I looked at the door and saw that the door was open. Granny? Where is she? I want to see her. I need to tell her everything. She needs to know the truth. If she tells me to leave her home, I will happily do that for her safety. My eyes fell on Carl. He was the one who shook me and brought me back from my hallucination. God, I am back. 

I wasn't in me. I saw his mouth was moving. He was saying something which I couldn't process. I threw myself at him and burst into tears. He froze, but began to rub my back soothingly and murmuring something. I was in a daze. The thing I saw, wasn't something I usually see in my nightmare. I stayed like that and cried on his shoulder. He let me and didn't shove me away from him. I heard him saying, "You fainted in our music room and you got a high fever. So I bring you home. Are you alright, Skyla?" I nodded. But deep inside, I know that I wasn't alright at all. He doesn't need to know that about me. 

Rubbing my back, he asked softly, "What did you see, Skyla? You are hallucinated for over thirty minutes. At that moment, your temperature was rising high. Granny and I tried to wake you up but failed to do that. You were uttering something which we couldn't get. Whom did you see in your dream? Whatever you see, did those happened to you in real? You can tell me. I can help you with it." I couldn't possibly tell him about my nightmares. The first person to whom I would like to tell everything would be my granny. She needed to know about my past and the stalker. I moved away.

Looking at him, I said, "Thank you for taking care of me, Carl. But I can't tell you about this. I am sorry."

He was looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I looked away from him, not wanting to face him anymore. It would be better if he doesn't want to know anything about my past. I needed to stay away from him for his safety. I don't want him to die on my stalker's hand. He follows me everywhere and also came into my nightmare. One day he would kill me, that's for sure. 

I needed to make Carl leave our home as soon as possible. Even if he is coming from a dangerous family, I was still worried about his safety. I have to think about my granny, and also Carl's safety.

I said without looking at him, "I am sorry for troubling you. But I think you need to leave now. Your family is waiting for you at home. I am going to come tomorrow to the rehearsal for the competition. Don't worry, my health issue wouldn't trouble you in winning the competition. I promised you, right? I am going to keep my promise till my last breath. You don't have to think much, Carl. If you think I am going to back away or that I am weak, then you are wrong. I know you care about me winning the competition. Trust me, I am going to work hard and keep my promise in the end." 

I heard him saying nothing. I looked up and frowned, seeing hurt in his grey eyes. He immediately masked his emotions with his cold expression and stood up. 

Did I saw the hurt in his eyes? Why? Isn't it what he always wanted from me? To win the competition! He never cared about my health or anything. Then what changed here suddenly? Maybe I am still hallucinating. The daze is still here. He isn't selfish, but he is truthful. He told me things he wanted to give me free lessons on the violin every day. I worship him in the way he is. He is always truthful to me and that is what I like the most about his personality.

With a hard tone, he said, "Yes, You are right. This is what I always wanted from you." I don't want to admit it, but I was hurt hearing him saying those hurtful things to me. He loathes me for being so weak in front of him. I bit my lips not to sob in front of him. He never cared about me. Why would he? I am no one to him, his junior, and his student only. 

Gritting his teeth, he held my shoulders in a tight grip and he said, "You have to come tomorrow, even if you are burning in fever. And don't let me down to fall sick again. Take care of your health. I don't want you to trouble me anymore. I have other things to look for, you know. So, stop gaining in front of me. Understand?" I whimpered. Looking up, I gave a nod and said, "Y-yes."

Looking at me in irritation, he hissed and said, "You are the most pathetic creature I have ever seen in my life. You don't even know how to talk properly. You either cry or stutter in everything. I can't stand you anymore." Saying, he left my room without looking back for once. He was furious and hurt somehow. I have no idea what made him this way. But it is good if he hates me in the way he does. 

I laid on the bed and curled myself in a ball. I was silently sobbing on my bed, bringing my legs near my chest. He was right. I am defiantly a pathetic creature. I am sorry Cal if I hurt you somehow, but you need to stay away from me. It will kill me if anything happens to you. I couldn't even tell my issues to my granny, then I come I tell you my problems? My subconscious mocks me whenever I lie to my granny. But I have to face her. 

My granny entered with a bowl of hot soup. As her eyes met mine, she took long strides and approached my bed. She put that bowl on the bedside desk and turned toward me. Holding my face, she said with a concerned laced tone, "Skyla, Oh, my child! How are you now?  You have got a high fever lately. You scared me, child." She was checking my body temperature. She sighed in relief.

With a crock tone, I asked, "Fever?" Then I understand why I felt that uneasiness. I had a high fever. Whatever I saw in my classroom, that was just a nightmare. Mason isn't dead then.

I heard her saying, "Yes, dear. You were muttering something which I couldn't get. I tried to wake you up, but you were sweating heavily. I knew you would wake up soon. Your students and even Carl came to see you ask your whereabouts. He left a few minutes ago saying he has some work to do. He told me to call if needed. Such a great child he is. Did you see him? " She went to take that bowl and tablet to feed me. At that moment, I stopped her. I needed to tell her everything.

I said anxiously, "Granny. I want to tell you something." She shook her head in denial.

With a stern look, she said, "No, child. You should take some rest and have this soup. We will talk tomorrow." She didn't take me seriously, but I was adamant. She has to listen to me this time.

I held her hand and cried out, "No, granny. Please listen to me. Please bring me out of these nightmares. I can't take this anymore." I began to cry and begged her through my tears to listen to me. "It's getting hard for me to take, granny. I- I can't- "

She immediately sat down. She patted my head and said, "Skyla. Calm down, child. Okay, now tell me what you want to say. I am listening to you." She sat beside me. I held her hand firmly as I needed her warmth the most at that moment.