Shadows Of Red

CHAPTER 4: Safe

CHAPTER 4: Safe

Not a week passed by and Rina’s university admission was already one of the biggest news in the university.

Just like how Calum was almost always treated by everybody, she became the town’s princess in a snap. Being a Price was a big part of that. But one can’t deny how elegantly she carried herself. And just like Calum, she kind of liked keeping to herself.

Which kind of confused me.

“Hey, Natalie!”

I closed my locker as Rina walked towards my direction. She just came and parked her car. I watched her as she smiled at everyone looking at her and greeting her a great morning. She is pretty responsive and sociable, that’s why I wonder why she would want to stay with someone like me.

“Good morning.” She greeted the moment she stood in front of me. Wearing a loose black mini dress and a jacket, paired with white pumps, she looks like the gorgeous and fashionable princess that she is.

I smiled at her in response to her warm greeting. “Good morning, Rina.” And just like how she does for the last couple of days now, she crossed her left arm over mine and we started walking side by side like we were best friends since we were kids.

Having her do this the next day when we first met, I almost freaked out at the attention I was getting. I was not used to being looked at and most importantly at being known by others. I was used to being by myself. Sometimes being with Jordan. But I was always on the sides. Not in the spotlight. Which is where Rina has dragged me into.

But what left me in utter confusion was: why would she stick with me when all of the other people wants to be friends with her? They might not make it obvious since she had the feels like Calum has sometimes, but I know they want her to be friends with them. And why befriend me? Why not stick to her cousin?

I sighed. I don’t even know why I’m overthinking this. It’s just being friends.

Being friends with a Price!

I shook my head at my own thoughts. Yes, it might not be something I have anticipated to happen but it kind of still feels... different.

Or maybe I just really grew up being awkward.

“So, what’s your lunch time?” Rina asked as we walked through the sea of students passing by the hallway. I averted my gaze away from some people staring at us. And why not? Of course, everybody knew Rina Price. Who doesn’t?

Well, apparently, me.

Because the moment Rina showed up the next day as a new student in West Vanders University, everybody recognized her in an instant. And I was the only ignorant who didn’t know the one and only female of the Price family.

“Uhmm, eleven.” I said as I still felt uncomfortable at people watching. I sighed internally. I just really didn’t expect that things like this still happen in college.

Well, just like I said, this is high school, just in a college institute as a setting.

“Perfect! I don’t have a class at that time! My second period was moved and so I could have lunch with you every day now,” she exclaimed, clearly exhilarated at the idea of having lunch with me.

“Yeah,” I said and just smiled at her a little. I honestly don’t know how to respond to her. She’s very energetic and enthusiastic. I don’t even think my energy could par up to hers at the moment.

I sighed again. Thinking about my shift for today. There will be someone celebrating their birthday in the bar tonight. And as someone who wants an extra pay, I volunteered to accommodate the guests in that VIP section. But with the strain in my head due to those sleepless nights, my head aches at the thought of having another longer workload today.

“Nat? Are you alright?” Rina asked as I rubbed my right temple. It’s kind of starting to throb.

I looked at Rina and she was looking at my eyes again. It was the same way she looked at me that day I was inside her car.

“But not to me.”

Her voice from my memory rang in my ears. I don’t know what’s in it, but I felt different hearing that statement from her that day. I don’t know if it was a reflection of something that passed by through us in the car, but I think I saw something in her eyes. And I don’t know if I was starting to be a lunatic, but I feel something different with her. Something... unnatural.

I shook my head. I might really be going crazy.

“Nat?”

“W-what?” I snapped away from my racing thoughts and saw Rina now curiously looking at me with that small frown in her face. And like how I saw her that day, it looked like she genuinely is confused and has no idea about what’s happening to me. Which should not be such a thing to get very confused about, because it is what it is. Life is a jungle of confusion. Unless...

“Yeah, yeah. I’m alright.” I assured her and sighed, letting go of my racing thoughts.

But she suddenly chuckled. I frowned at her this time. “This is crazy.” She muttered to herself lowly and she continued chuckling.

“What’s crazy?” I couldn’t help but ask. Her amused green-grey eyes stared straight at me and that same glint of something super fast passed by those eyes again. I stared back at her.

“Just...” she paused and raised a hand as if to say something through her gestures. She once again chuckled to herself. She can’t seemingly find the right words to say. I raised both my brows as I waited for her. I think she’s at it again.

“Everything is just very new to me,” she said after a few seconds. She looked around the place as if implying that being in here was one of the few things she was pertaining to, which I guess is right. I mean, she’s a transferee after all. Being in here is new to her.

“And then, you.” Her gaze went back to me and a knowing look suddenly made its way to her face. I pursed my lips. “You are indeed very different.” That made me stare at her closely.

Different? How? In what sense?  

I sighed and decided to let go of my overthinking. Well yeah, in this town full of rich people, different is really me. She’s got a point.

Rina tilted her head again, the same way she did that first day I met her. “That it makes me really curious about what’s inside that pretty head of yours.”

I pursed my lips again and stared back at her. She’s making it hard for me to let go of that thinking.

I stood still in the middle of the hallway when that knowing look turned into a gorgeous smile. Beaming at me as she took her arm away from mine. She waved her hand.

“Bye, Nat! See you at lunch!” She said enthusiastically before getting inside their room which I didn’t even noticed we were standing in front already.

Again, what was that? And how can I stop myself from thinking differently towards her if she continues doing those things?

Or am I just over imagining? I hope I am.

Sighing, I continued walking alone along the corridors. I glanced around, hoping to see Jordan as I haven’t seen him a couple of days now.

Where is that guy? He didn’t even tell me he will be gone for quite a while.

Seeing that today might be the same unsuccessful search for my best friend, I just focused on walking and for once letting my mind rest for a while. Trying as much as I can not to think over the pile of workload I need to do for my job and school.

Massaging my temples once again, I walked past by rooms as I made my way towards my first class. As soon as I got inside the room, my eyes immediately went to Jordan who was looking outside the window.

I walked towards his direction and sat beside him. But still, he didn’t seem to notice me. I frowned.

“Hey, haven’t seen you in a while,” I said and that caught his attention.

An immediate smile broke out of his face when his head snapped towards me. “Natalie,”

“Yeah, that’s me,” I said that made him chuckle, showing that shallow dimple he had. I turned to face him as we waited for Miss Booker to come.  “So, what have you been busy about these days?”

Jordan averted his gaze away from me and smiled a little. I raised a brow. One thing about Jordan: he doesn’t get shy. Which is what it’s looking like to me right now.

“Well, I just had to... run some more errands.” I met his evading eyes. I may not know everything about this guy, but I sure know he’s keeping something from me right now. But I just nodded slowly.

“Some more errands. Okay. If that’s what you say.”

He shook his head at me and pinched my cheek which I immediately evaded. I playfully glared at him which he just countered with a resounding laugh.

Here he goes again. I s***k his arm when a couple of people looked at us. And I was two times more embarrassed when I saw people’s eyes hover over me for a few more seconds as they recognized me as Rina Price’s friend.

“Can you not do that?” I muttered under my breath. As if to piss me because of my sarcasm a while ago, he laughed even harder which caught a lot more attention from people. I closed my eyes for a while and directed my gaze towards the window, feeling too embarrassed to even face the front.

But that’s when I froze. My embarrassment forgotten. My heart skipping a beat and my eyes widening at what I just saw.

W-what was that?

“Hey, Nat.” Jordan shook me out of my shocked state and faced me. When he saw my reaction, he immediately looked over the window where I saw that super fast figure, running its way towards the forest. But it was... black and smokey.

“T-There’s...” I said to Jordan as a certain emotion crossed his eyes, but in a snap, those eyes were filled with worry and confusion.

“What? There was what?” He asked, a little impatiently.

I looked over to the side of the forest once again, trying to remember the vague image I saw just earlier run to the same trail I followed Calum on.

What was that? How can someone move that fast? And why was that black, like a shadow.

***

WALKING OUT of the premise of the university, I wrapped myself with my jacket as I trotted my way towards the nearby bus station.

The wind whooshed beside my ear as few people walked with me in the almost empty streets. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 7 PM already. I sighed.

At the course of my next few classes, I couldn’t focus anymore. My mind constantly getting back to that thing I saw outside the window.

I heaved in a calming breath as I tried focusing on the dark street. Despite the darkness covering the town, lamp posts were lit every few meters to give light to the people walking or driving outside. I busied myself looking at the few cabs and cars zooming their way on the streets.

But after a few more seconds, I cussed at myself. Because no matter what I do, I couldn’t help thinking about the connection between that Halloween night and the figure I saw earlier. I even forgot having lunch with Rina. If she didn’t go to my last class, I could have probably ditched her.

And even then, while Rina talked to me, I couldn’t stop myself from getting pre-occupied. There’s just something about what happened that tickled something in my mind. Something invoking. Something that makes me also think about those dreams I have that I don’t even remember.

It made me feel like those are puzzle pieces I needed to piece together. But there’s something missing. Something very important.

I heaved a deep breath again. I massaged my throbbing temples. I don’t even know if what I’m thinking right now is remotely normal.

Shaking my head, I decided to run towards the bus station which is not a few more blocks away from here. I need to be in the Neptune’s bar ASAP. Jenna is probably asking for me right now for the birthday party.

My transportation was quite fast as people didn’t often get out at night the moment the disappearances happened in town. Everybody opted to be much more careful. Kids even have early and strict curfews. Almost only those who needed to work or those who have late afternoon classes can still be seen still roaming around the street at this hour.

The bus stopped at the block where few entertainment establishments stood. I went out of the bus and walked out. I was once again welcomed by the cold air that made me caress both of my arms. I looked up the sky and clouds covered the moon which was supposedly up there. The weather has been going along with what’s happening in town lately.

I started walking towards the Neptune’s as faded music from the bar occupied the street. Same with the honking cars and few cackles and laughters of people drinking outside or falling in line to get inside the bar.

Despite the fear of the mysterious cases, some people are just indifferent about it and still just goes with what they like doing. Drinking and bar hopping, like these people.

As early as 7 o’clock, many people are already in line to get inside the Neptune’s. Some were already even drunk and are already making a mess. I even saw Mike, one of our security, carrying a wasted guy on his buff shoulder and took him out of the door. Some people laughed at the poor guy and some grimaced when the guy started laughing. I shook my head.

These people are insanely insistent about drinking. Even so starting so early and getting drunk as early as 7 PM.

I walked fast as I got past by the cars parked in front of the bar. I almost walked past that dark alley, but stopped on my tracks. Suddenly feeling the need to look at that dreadful place, I slowly turned my head towards it.

Goosebumps raised on my arms, neck and back at the vivid images I immediately have in mind as I looked at the very same place I witnessed that unforgettable sight.  

It was at this exact same spot where I stood as I stared wide-eyed at the figure who just stood up from doing something to Helena. I watched the yellow tapes crossed on that area of the alley. I closed my eyes as I tried to remember the most important part of that dreaded memory of mine.

Despite fearing those flashbacks, I sometimes still get bothered by the thought of not remembering the thing that that figure did to Helena. It was one of the most relevant and important part of that memory. It could help the cases. I could say something like he drugged her or r***d her or something to at least add up to the things that the investigators may find a lead on to narrow down their suspects.

Not this. Not this memory I have that only revolves around seeing a different creature that anyone may not believe in. It’s frustrating how I have something inside my head that not just could make me look like a lunatic but isn’t as helpful as it should be for the cases.

Pursing my lips, that image outside the window made its way to the forefront of my mind again. And thinking about it even more carefully now, I couldn’t help but think:

Was it really Calum that I saw and followed the other day in the woods? Or was it that same figure I saw today? Because it was the same. The swiftness of its movements were the same. Both vague in my sight as it both moved so fast.

But if that’s so, why was Calum inside the forest? And who was that girl he was talking with, and not to mention, that disappeared just as immediately as I saw them?

Feeling like my head was going to explode if I think any further about anything, I turned away from the alley’s direction, but only to be welcomed by a stinky breath from the alcohol and calloused hands that held me by the shoulder.

“Natalie.” My eyes widened at the man in front of me.

He was the very person I’ve hated seeing in school back then.

Fred has been pining over me since middle school, but I rejected him over and over again. He’s just not exactly the type of person I want to hang with. Jordan even told me to stay away from him as he also knew Fred was indeed trouble. And I knew I should, even when nobody told me to. He was never a good influence. Nor even have a good image as the Mayor’s son.

“Fred.” A sly smirk made its way to his lips. I started getting anxious at the way he was looking at me.

”I-I need to go—“ I started backing away but his huge hands wrapped around my waist that made me shiver.

“No, not just yet, baby.” I shook in disgust as he started smelling my hair. “Fred, get off.” I held his hands, trying to peel them off, but it only tightened around me. Goosebumps rose on my body at the closeness of his body.

“Oh, come on. Your body tells me you like it as much as I do.” I looked at him with disgusted eyes which just made him grin. He must have mistaken my shivers with something else. Something that makes my stomach churn in disgust and anxiety.

“Come on, Nat. You know I’ve long since wanted you even when we were in middle school.” I shook my head and thrashed against him. My eyes beginning to burn with upcoming tears of fear. I looked over the place. And my heart banged on my chest at the anxiety rising in me as I realized we were in the shadows of the same alley.

“G-get off me, Fred.” I tried once again to peel him off me, but to no avail. And I suddenly shrieked when he pressed me towards him. My heart started beating rapidly.

No. No. No!

“Oh, yes I will, baby. I will.” That was the last statement he said before he dragged me beyond the yellow tapes of the crime scene. I started shouting.

“HELP! HE—uhmm!” He clamped a hand on my mouth that prevented me from screaming. I felt my tears flowing down my cheeks the same time he slumped me on the wall and started kissing my neck. I thrashed against him.

No! This can’t be happening!

I was about to kick him on that painful part when he was suddenly pulled away from me. I gasped when I saw how he was thrown in the air towards the opposite side of the alley. My eyes widened at the blow he got on his head as it hit on the wall.

Grimacing, Fred tried standing up. But because he was drunk, he can no longer balance himself, even so now that he had his head banged on the hard wall.

In the midst of the shadows where we were standing, I couldn’t see clearly who saved me. But I had the desperate want to cling to somebody as I felt my knees buckle in fear.

With my knees shaking and with tears now suspended in shock, I slowly crouched down as I can no longer sustain my stance. Gripping on my knees to stop it from shaking, I focused on making myself calm down.

Breathe, Natalie. You need to breathe.

Too caught up in forbidding myself to panic even further, I didn’t notice that someone was already standing in front of me. I only noticed when another set of big hands touched my shoulders that made me scoot even further to the wall, shaking further in fear. But a deep voice soothed my senses.

“Hey, you’re safe with me.”

My eyes snapped up and I met those grey metallic eyes that gave me that sense of security I desperately wanted at the moment. I swallowed, seeing someone unexpected.

“Calum.”