Faith's POV
I resisted the urge to look back , fearing the horror that might be gaining on me , dogs .
Their jaws wide open.
I skidded to a stop, my sneakers squeaking on the polished floor as I dodged into a corner, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws of the furious canines.
The dogs tore past, their barks echoing off the walls like a chorus of rage.
I let out a shaky breath, my eyes scanning the deserted hallway as I pressed myself against the wall, trying to blend into the shadows.
My backpack slid off my shoulders, thudding onto the floor as I rummaged through it, my hands shaking slightly as I searched for my schedule. "Late again," I muttered, wincing as I checked the time.
As a senior, I was supposed to be a model student, but it was hard to focus when you were constantly looking over your shoulder.
My feet dragged across the floor, weighed down by the crushing sense of unease that seemed to seep from every corner of Supernatural High.
The air vibrated with tension, like a guitar string stretched to its breaking point, and I felt like I was walking a tightrope, waiting for the next disaster to strike.
The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to flicker in sync with my racing heart as I made my way through the crowded hallway.
Supernatural High was a minefield, and I was just trying to survive.
Sindy's voice cut through the din, her dramatic tone making me roll my eyes good naturedly.
"You're late, Faith," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she fell into step beside me.
I flashed her a sheepish grin, my eyes scanning the crowded hallway for any signs of trouble.
"I'm sorry," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as we navigated the crowded hallway.
But my apology was lost in the chaos, drowned out by the sound of laughter, chatter, and the occasional growl.
As I walked alongside Sindy, the crowded hallway seemed to shrink, our world's unspoken rules looming large.
I couldn't help but think about how different our world was since the werewolves and other supernatural creatures took over 20 years ago .
The Supernatural Restriction Act had established a strict social hierarchy, with supernatural at the top and humans at the bottom.
No mate, no wealth. Unless you were willing to play by the supernatural elite's rules.
Sindy's eyes flicked towards me, her expression a mask of concern. "You okay, Faith? You seem distracted."
I nodded, my gaze drifting towards the werewolf pack lounging by the lockers. Their alpha's piercing gaze made my skin prickle.
The rules were clear , don't mess with the supernatural, or you'd face the consequences.
Sindy followed my gaze, her eyes narrowing. "Just ignore them," she whispered, her hand brushing against mine. "We don't need that kind of trouble."
I turned a corner, and my eyes landed on a human student making out with the alpha werewolf.
Ugh, werewolves.
Can't stand them.
Sindy raised an eyebrow at me, and I shrugged. "Just not my thing," I whispered, trying not to draw attention to myself.
But then, the teachers announced that school was cancelled for the day. Yes! I did a little happy dance, trying not to squeal with excitement.
As I walked towards the school gates, Amanda's fingers closed around my hair like a vice, yanking me backwards.
My heart racing, I tried to step back , but my feet felt rooted to the spot .Amanda's eyes seemed to bore into mine ,and I could feel my palms growing sweaty .
The book I'd collected from the library earlier, "The Supernatural Compendium", was still clutched in my hand, its worn cover digging into my palm.
I tried to shake off Amanda's grip, but she held tight, her nails digging into my scalp.
We were alone in the deserted hallway, the only sound the creaking of the old lockers.
Amanda's eyes gleamed with malice as she threw me to the floor. I landed with a thud, my palms scraping against the cold tile, and my elbow cracking against the hard floor.
Amanda loomed over me, her face twisted in a snarl. "You think you're so smart, don't you, Faith?" she sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "But you're just a pathetic human, living in a world that doesn't belong to you."
I glared up at her, trying to keep my fear and anger in check. But it was hard to ignore the sting of her words, the weight of her contempt.
I felt like I was drowning in my own powerlessness, trapped in a world where humans were nothing more than second class citizens.
Amanda's grip finally relaxed, and she gave me a parting glare before turning to leave with her friends.
They laughed and whispered to each other, casting mocking glances my way as they disappeared around the corner.
I lay there for a moment, catching my breath and assessing the damage. My elbow throbbed, and my scalp stung where Amanda's fingers had dug in.
I gingerly sat up, rubbing my sore elbow as I scanned the floor for my scattered belongings.
My backpack was a few feet away, its contents spilling out onto the floor.
I crawled over to it, gathering up my books and papers as I went. The cover of "The Supernatural Compendium" was dented and scratched, but the book itself seemed to be intact.
I stuffed everything back into my backpack, wincing as I stood up and slung it over my shoulder.
My eyes scanned the empty hallway, half expecting Amanda to reappear and continue where she'd left off. But the coast was clear.
For now, at least, I was alone.
As I walked home, I felt like I was walking on sunshine. I loved days like this, where I could just relax and be myself.
I've never known a world where humans were in charge. The supernatural took over two years before I was born, and since then, we've been relegated to second class citizenship in the werewolf kingdom of Lunaria.
It's a harsh reality that I've grown up with, one that's impossible to escape.
As I walk through the crowded streets of the kingdom's capital, I feel the weight of the werewolves' gaze upon me.
They're the ones who hold the power, who make the rules, and who dictate our every move.
The air is thick with the smell of wet earth and damp fur, a constant reminder of the werewolves dominance.
I've seen humans who try to curry favor with the werewolves, who attempt to ingratiate themselves with smiles and flattery. But it's a futile effort.
The werewolves will never truly accept us as equals. We're nothing more than servants, playthings, and prey.
I've learned to navigate this world with caution, to keep my head down and avoid drawing attention to myself.
It's a delicate balancing act, one that requires constant vigilance and a deep understanding of the complex web of power and privilege that governs our world.
But sometimes, like now, I feel the weight of my oppression bearing down on me. It's a crushing sense of hopelessness, one that threatens to consume me whole.
I push it aside, focusing on the present moment, but it's always there, lurking just beneath the surface.
Memories of my parents came floating back . They'd died because of supernatural creatures, and it still hurt to think about it.
I took a deep breath and pushed the thoughts away.
I didn't want to ruin my good mood.Besides, I had Sindy, and she was always there for me.
As I walked, a chill crept over me, making my skin prickle. I glanced over my shoulder, but there was no one there. Just the wind rustling through the trees.
I smiled wryly, my heart still racing with a faint sense of unease.
I stepped into my tiny apartment, and the familiar creak of the door was like a sigh of relief.
My apartment was small but I was a home . The worn carpets was a faded shade of brown, and the couch lumpy hand me down, but it was mine and I loved it .
I dropped my backpack on the floor, and it landed with a thud, sending dust bunnies scurrying across the worn carpet.
I let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world slide off my shoulders. This was my sanctuary, my one room refuge from the supernatural chaos that ruled the world outside.
I flopped onto the couch, the springs groaned beneath me, but I didn't care.
I was home.
I kicked off my shoes, and they landed with a soft thud on the floor. I let my head fall back, and my eyes drifted shut, letting the silence wash over me.
I curled up on the couch, a worn book about devils open on my lap. The words blurred together as I read about their soul snatching powers. Anxiety twisted my stomach into knots.
What would it be like to be at their mercy?
I closed the book, my eyes drifting around the quiet apartment. The hum of the refrigerator was a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.
I let out a deep breath, feeling my shoulders relax. But my mind lingered on the devils, wondering what secrets they hid behind their monstrous reputation.
I set the book aside, my thoughts lingering on the devils. Every evil person has a story, I reminded myself. But it's not my problem. I shrugged, letting the thought go.
My phone buzzed, snapping me back to reality. I picked it up, my fingers brushing against the screen as I checked the text.
I picked it up, my thumb swiping across the screen to reveal a text from Sindy.
My eyes scanned the message, and my heart skipped a beat. "Meet me at Nature's Forest," the text read. "I need your help."
I sat on my bed, weighing my options. My eyes drifted to the window, then back to my phone, where Sindy's text still glowed on the screen.
I sighed, tossing aside my doubts. I quickly pulled on a hoodie, pantsuit, and my trusty crocs.
I grabbed my phone and wallet, and headed out the door.
The cool evening air hit me as I walked to the curb, where I hailed a cab. As we wound through the trees, my anxiety grew.
The cab's tires crunched on the gravel as we pulled up to Nature's Forest.
I spotted Sindy sitting on a rock, her eyes fixed on the ground.
My heart sank as I took in her appearance.
Her eyes were sunken, her skin pale, and her hair a tangled mess. I paid the driver and got out of the cab, my feet crunching on the gravel.
"Sindy?" I called out, my voice shaking with concern. She looked up, her eyes locking onto mine.
I rushed to her side, my knees bending as I sat down beside her.
"What happened?" I asked, my hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair out of her face.
Sindy's whispered words punched me in the gut. "My mate..." Her voice cracked, and she burst into tears.
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as she sobbed.
Her tears soaked into my shirt, and I felt her body shake with each ragged breath.
I held her tighter, trying to absorb some of her pain. But it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave.
Sindy's eyes locked onto mine, desperation sparkling in them. "I'm thinking about running away," she whispered.
My heart skipped a beat. Fear gripped me, icy and suffocating.
Her mate, a possessive werewolf, would stop at nothing to track her down.
I grabbed her hands, trying to shake some sense into her. "Sindy, no! You can't just run away from him." Her eyes flashed with determination, and I felt a surge of panic.
Sindy's eyes pleaded with me, and I felt my heart ache with sadness. "Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I hesitated, unsure of what to do.
"I'll think about it," I said finally, trying to buy some time. Sindys voice was steady and resolute , and she stood up, her eyes flashing with a fierce light.
"If you haven't decided in a week, I'm running away without you," she warned, her voice firm.
My palms grew sweaty .
My lips parted, ready for a reply but then, a blood curdling scream pierced the air, making us both freeze. Sindy grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the sound.
The trees towered above me ,their leaves rustling in their wind . The air was cool and dump, filled with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.
A figure in black emerged from the shadows, his movements eerily silent.
With a swift, deadly motion, he wrapped his hands around the vampire's throat. I watched in horror, my mind reeleing with questions.
Vampires were supposed to be nearly indestructible, yet this man had dispatched him with ease.
The vampire's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his pale face frozen in a permanent stare.
The man in black turned towards us, his piercing gaze cutting through the darkness like a knife.
Sindy's hand closed around my wrist, and she yanked me into a frantic sprint. We tore through the forest, our footsteps pounding out a desperate rhythm on the forest floor.
Trees blurred together as we fled, their branches whipping past us like skeletal fingers.
We burst out of the trees and onto the road, where a car was approaching. Without hesitation, we flagged it down, leaping inside as the driver slammed on the brakes.
We slammed the doors shut behind us, our chests heaving as we caught our breath.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, our eyes wide with fear. Then, Sindy turned to the driver and said, "Get us out of here. Now."
The driver floored it, speeding us away from the forest. I glanced back, my heart racing, and swore I saw the man in black standing in the middle of the road, watching us escape.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the darkness, and I felt a chill of fear as I realized we'd barely escaped.
As we arrived back at our apartment, Sindy turned to me, her eyes fixed on mine with an unnerving intensity.
Sindys eyes locked into mine , and I could see a fierce of determination burning within them .'I have a plan 'she whispered , her voice audible .''But I need your help to make it happen''
"What are you thinking?" I asked, my voice cautious.
Sindy's smile was a thin, determined line. "I'll tell you when the time is right," she said. "But for now, let's just say that we need to be ready to move, at a moment's notice."
I felt a surge of unease at her words, but I knew better than to argue with Sindy when she was in this mood. Instead, I nodded, my mind racing with questions and doubts. What was Sindy planning? And what lay ahead for us?