Scarlet's Mate

Part Twenty Three

"Hey," I felt my body shake gently, "gotta wake up."

I opened my eyes to Rayne smiling down at me, her hair was wet and she's still in a towel.  I sat up slowly and let out a yawn, "what time is it?"

"6am, I have to get to the school early so I'm hoping we can leave by 6:45?"  She explained as she walked over to her closet.

I nodded my head, too tired to respond normally.  I flung my legs off the bed and stood.  After stretching I grabbed my bag, "I'll be in the bathroom," I stated groggily.

Once in the bathroom I did my necessities and got dressed.  When I returned to the room, Rayne's completely flawless.  Hair dried and done up, outfit on, makeup perfect.  I stared at her in awe, "how long was I in the bathroom for?"

She laughed slightly at my joke and grabbed her bag from the desk chair, "we should probably leave now," her voice was flat and she forced another smile.

I followed Rayne despite my gut telling me to run in the opposite direction.  We reached the mudroom and I grabbed my converses and put them on.  Once I stepped outside, I instantly regretted not having a coat.  The wind whipped around me and made the hair on the back of my exposed neck stand upright.

"Jeez, why does the sun hate this place?"  I asked myself as I slugged my way to the passenger side of Rayne's car.

"Another reason why I can't wait to get the hell out of here."  Rayne muttered.

Her response to my rhetorical question made my brain reboot itself.  My eyes gunned to hers with a dumbfounded expression flat on my face, "what do you mean?  You're leaving?"

"Yes," she explained coldly as she threw the car in drive, "being rejected by your mate is humiliating.  Not just for me, but for my entire family.  Even if for whatever godly reason I wanted to stay, it's not up to me.  Today will be my last day officially in Darkwood."

"Is that why you need to get to school early?"  I turned away from her, not wanting her to see the tears threatening to escape.

She sighed and reached a hand over to me, revealing a small case of tissues, "Scarlet, I am going to miss you, but you need to understand.  I cannot stay here."

I grabbed the tissues and blew my nose, "I know, I understand, I just really am going to miss you."

Rayne sniffled and turned on the radio.  The rest of the drive was filled with shitty music and poorly hidden sniffles.

When we got to the school Rayne got out and came over to my side of the car.  As I was stepping out, she reached over and pulled me into a hug.  After a minute she pulled away slightly and just stared at me, her eyes filled with unease.  She opened her mouth, like she was about to tell me something but quickly closed her mouth and let go of me.  I watched as she sped walked away.

My phone buzzed from my pocket, forcing me back into reality.  I unlocked it and saw a text from the unknown number, 'look at all the pain you cause just by existing.  Now poor Rayne has to leave her friends and her home, all because you're a little whore.'

My head snapped around, looking for anything out of place.  Whoever is texting me has to be nearby.  My heart skipped a beat as I spotted an unfamiliar car parked across the street of the highschool.  With shaky fingers I texted back, 'what do you want from me?'

After about a minute with no response I turned around and bolted towards the school.  At least I'd be safe in school, right?  This creep wouldn't risk coming into a highschool full of werewolves...  Right?

My head was swimming with what-if scenarios when I finally reached my locker.  I put in my combination and when the door swung open a little note flew out.  My heart stopped and I froze in place.  All my what-if scenarios started to become more real and I shakily bent down and retrieved the note.

I took a breath and slowly unfolded the little paper, 'Scar, meet me in the gym -Derek'

I released my breath and laughed nervously.  All this anxiety is going to actually kill me one day.  I put my stuff in my locker and headed to the gym. It's still early enough that I can come back to grab my notebooks before Mr.Adams class.

Once in the gym I headed towards the shadow down by the double doors that lead outside, "Derek?"  He didn't answer but I saw him push open the doors and step outside.  Why is he being so weird?  I mean he's always weird, but this seemed weirder than normal. 

I quickened my pace and was about to push the doors open when my phone buzzed in my pocket.  I paused and pulled out my phone.  There was a text from Derek, 'Where are you?'

'I'm about to be outside, why are you acting so weird?' I sent back and fully pushed open the doors.

As I stepped outside, there was no one there.  I glanced down and saw a new text from Derek, 'what the hell are you talking about?'

I felt myself become increasingly annoyed, 'what the hell am I talking about?  What the hell are YOU talking about??  I get a cryptic note from you in my locker saying to meet you in the gym then you just walk out the doors and disappear?  And then you catch an attitude with me?'

I sighed in frustration and reached for the door handle.  I pulled but I'm met with resistance.  Damn it.  I turned and started to head around the building to go back to the front.  My phone buzzed again, this time it was a call from Derek.

"What?"  I spat.

"Where are you?"  Derek's voice laced with concern.

"What do you mean where am I?  Did you miss the part where I followed you out here like a dumbass?"

"Scarlet, I did not leave you a note."

"Well if it wasn't you then wh-" but my question was cut short when a hand reached around and covered my mouth.

My phone fell out of my hand as I tried to push away from whoever it was that's holding me.  I frantically kicked and squirmed but their grip was too strong.  My gaze snapped to the movement in my peripheral vision.  Someone else started to approach me, I recognized him instantly and my body went cold.

"Oh how easy you make it for me to get my hands on you, almost disappointing," he took a step closer and lifted his hand.  Before I could even register what was happening, he stabbed me in the neck with a needle.

"Get the FUCK away from her," I heard someone growl behind me.

Instantly the arms around me dropped and I fell forward, landing on my hands and knees.  I try to push myself up but a heaviness consumes me.  The last thing I heard was cracking before everything disappeared.