Skyline

Chapter 17: Neko is out of the bag

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I waited for Seth at our usual spot, eating ice cream while waiting for his arrival. I told Giovanni to pick me up an hour before my curfew. He didn't want to go but I begged him.

Two hours passed and I got worried. Seth still hasn't shown up. I was about to head over to his house when two guys who smelled like they haven't washed for days dragged me into the heart of the forest behind the park with one of them covering my mouth with his filthy hands. My screams were muffled while I desperately struggled from their hold with tears streaming down my face.

When they thought we were far enough from people and deep in the forest, they let go of me and I scrambled to my feet, backing away from them immediately.

"Hey, girly. No worries we ain't gonna hurt ya," said the taller one.

"You're lucky that lil' bitch who hates ya paid us more than enough to "just scare ya"," the companion said making air quotes.

Footsteps rang through the forest and the two monsters ran. I didn't have enough time to feel relieved because the footsteps got closer and I had to hide.

"Miss Colleen?" a familiar voice called. Relief washed over me when I heard that it was Giovanni calling my name. I stepped out from behind a tree and clutched his arms, afraid to be dragged by the growing darkness.

"Are you alright, miss? I followed the strange movement of your tracker and it led me here. What are you doing here, miss?" He looked at me with worry.

"I, I- I was chasing a cat," I lied, swallowing the lump in my throat. "But then I got lost."

I knew Giovanni didn't believe me and I'm glad he didn't push me with more questions. I told him that I need to go see Seth because I was worried and he drove me to Seth's house. When I got there, I was greeted by the presence of Bianca's car in the driveway. I told Giovanni to wait in the car. As I near the front door, I heard two voices arguing in the garden.

"Yes, I told you she's annoying but that doesn't mean that you can do that to Colleen! What are you thinking, scaring her like that?!" Seth shouted.

"Oh come on! It's a harmless prank, Seth. It's no big deal," Bianca replied with a roll of her eyes. "If you'll just tell her that we're together, she won't cling to you so much. I know Colleen. She worships you but she wants you to be happy."

With my heart dying inside, I finally got the message and stayed away from everyone. What happened that day is known only by Arianne, not even my father knows. And I intend to keep it that way.

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We got to one of my 'spots' in the campus. Arianne stopped and pushed me to sit and calm down. I was already silently crying but I managed to thank Arianne for everything. She smiled at me affectionately.