The Risen HODWII

Chapter 3 : Van

The truth is, I don't want to hear anything from her; I don't want to know the truth. I just want to remember her as I knew her before. I hate thinking about the possibility that my girl Stella is... no! I shook my head. It's impossible.

She shouldn't be. Uno is too brutal and heartless, the perfect opposite of her innocent features and sweet behavior. Oh, Stella, what did you do to me?

As I exited the building, a white van was already waiting in front of us. "Xen! Coby and Cassandra were already in the other van with the girls, but Jenna is with us," Adrian said from the driver's seat, with Drena in the back talking to Jenna.

Beside me, Xenon nodded as he held Claire's hand which is beside him. Tch. Why do they have to be so sweet in front of me? Can't they save it for later? Fine, I'm bitter. I looked back and saw Stella standing not far from us.

Xenon opened the van's door. "Hop in," he said, looking at Claire, but she turned to... Stella.

"I'll stay here. I still have my classes," Stella said softly, uneasily caressing her right arm.

"No, it's too dangerous to stay at this school. You have to come with us," I said. Honestly, I am mad at her, though I don't understand why. Despite that, I am still worried about her safety, especially now that she's involved with us.

"I'll be fine here. They won't recognize-"

"You two, get inside the van," Claire ordered, looking at us. Stella immediately nodded and hurried toward the van.

How did Claire do that? And why did Stella obey Claire without explanation? Oh well, I also got inside the van and sat next to Stella. It was the easiest seat for me to take.

Claire and Xenon followed, seating themselves in the back. I couldn't understand how they managed to be compatible with each other in that way.

The van started moving, and suddenly, "So, is she the girl you were talking about?" Adrian teased, glancing at me through the mirror.

"Just drive, Adrian," I said, facing the window. Who would believe this peaceful forest is a haven for illegal activities? It's hidden beneath the surface.

"Lucas, if you don't want me to be your fiancée-" I cut her off.

"Not now, Stella. I don't want to hear anything from you... for now, I want to believe what I believed before," I said, closing my eyes and shutting out everything.

"It's time, break it off," Xenon said to Adrian.

"Rock 'n roll!" The van accelerated, and I heard a crash. He probably broke through the gate. I looked back; a white van was following us, surely Coby and the other girls. Then, we heard gunshots.

I readied my gun. "Coby, take the lead and drop the girls off near the police station; it's safer there. They can give their statements to the police," Xenon said over the phone, ending the call as the white van overtook us.

Then a bullet hit the back of the van. "Oh shi*!" Adrian cursed. Jenna curled up in a ball, trembling in fear, covering her ears. Drena comforted her, soothing her with gentle words and strokes on her back.

I opened the door and prepared to position myself on it, but a hand stopped me. "Please... be careful," she said, her eyes full of concern. My heart warmed, and I nodded.

Stella released my hand, and I positioned myself at the door, aiming my gun at the blue car's tire behind us. *Bang!* Perfect!

The blue car swerved twice and crashed into another car, both owned by Marco's people.

"Great! Two down, one more to go!" Adrian exclaimed.

"What? I thought there were only two of them!" I scanned the surroundings but found nothing.

"Damn!" The van screeched to a halt, and I almost fell out if Stella hadn't quickly grabbed my arm. She was fast!

"I told you to be careful," she pouted, her eyes still worried.

She's so cute, so tempting... Aish! I shook my head, composing myself as I pulled my arm away and closed the door.

It's hard to avoid her, but I need to think, to process everything. It's hard to control myself because I really want to hold her... kiss her... touch her... but if I do, I might lose control and forget the reality of who she really is.

I felt someone staring at me, so I looked at it. Claire. When she saw me looking, she quickly turned away, facing the window. What's wrong with her?

"Get out!" a man shouted from outside. I observed as a car blocked our path, forcing us to stop, then the armed men exited the vehicle, had surrounded the van.

"Stay here. Let us handle this," Xenon said, likely instructing Claire and the others to remain inside.

I gripped the door handle, ready to open it, but then... "No, let Uno handle it," Claire ordered, emphasizing the word 'Uno.'

Uno... one word that sent shivers down my spine.