Reading Between the Lines

Chapter 9: Flip

Sarvani's POV-

"I read your case report, and I also saw what damage that happened to you. But believe me, I'm sure you have a different perspective. So I want you to tell me what you remember," Aarav instructs calmly as he notices my tensed expression.

"Hey, breathe. You're in a safe space. And if anything happens to you right now, I assure you that there are 150 people ready to kick some ass," he assures me while he gives me a gesture to breathe. Taking his advice, I take a deep breath. As deep as I can.

"Um, the thing is, there's a lot to unload. I'm not sure if you'll even believe me."

"Take all the time you need. No matter what you say, I will believe you. I promise," he simply maintains and I give him a thankful smile and begin talking.

Since I'm a really detail-oriented person, I put in as much detail as possible.

"Well, it all started last night when I left this party early. My friend Delphine came with me because she was my date, and she didn't want me to go home alone in the dark," I begin narrating as I notice him clicking his pen.

"Mm-hmm," he mutters as he nods his head. "You're a student at Hillmore, right?"

"Yes, I am."

"Ok. Keep going," he gestures before opening a notebook and writing in it.

"I have... well, had this group of friends. Even though they were so nice, I could tell that they were all keeping something from me. And for some reason, they were super protective of me. I was annoyed by it at first because I didn't know the reason why. But I realized how scary Hillmore is at night. It was so dark that I couldn't see a thing, and there was no one around us. Delphine and I were just talking, and suddenly this guy just randomly popped out. His name was Warren. Three other guys came out after that," I continue while he writes something down in his notebook.

"They just seemed like drunk pervs, honestly. I thought that I could handle them, and I told Delphine that I can fight them. After all, I do martial arts. But she said that they were dangerous. I had no idea what that meant, but now I do." Aarav just seems to be completely into what I'm saying. He randomly closes the notebook, leans back, and just plays with the pen as he listens to me.

"They kicked Delphine in the stomach and the main guy Warren suddenly grabbed me. But I used my reflexes to get away from him, and Del and I just divided and conquered. Hand-to-hand combat and everything. I admit, I was doing pretty well. Warren and the other guy were really strong, but I was able to get a few punches in," I smile a little in pride.

"But suddenly, Warren told me to 'give up, human.' And I found that really weird since... I don't know, we're all humans? It threw me off, and then suddenly he turned me around. I saw Delphine. She turned into something." 

"She turned into something?"

"Yeah! Her skin was pitch black and scaly, her nails turned into claws, and her eyes turned green. I swear, I thought I was hallucinating. She looked like a dragon!" I articulate, Aarav's eyes widening a bit. Great, he thinks I'm crazy now. I warned him.

"You think I sound stupid, don't you?"

"Nah, believe me. I've heard worse. What happened after that?" 

How is he not freaking out at the fact that I just said that my friend turned into a dragon snake? 

"The next thing I knew, I was distracted enough for another guy to come and pin me against a wall. He did it so fast that we went faster than the speed of light," I exaggerate and he scoffs a little before writing it down.