Sins of the Rebels (Lush Trans Series #1)

Chapter 47

I tried to wrench my hand free from the girl's grasp, but she, shamelessly pleading with her eyes, tightened her hold as she struggled to catch her breath.

"I-I'm sorry, but... I-I... I don't remember you..." I offered her an apologetic look and a small, hesitant smile. She shook her head, as if she understood my situation, as if it didn't matter to her at all.

A genuine smile etched on her lips, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders just seeing it.

I felt her fingertip trace the lines on my palm. As she followed each line, her lips parted slightly, emotions flickering in her eyes before quickly vanishing. What is she doing?

"Miss, you heard her. So please, let go of her hand. She doesn't remember you, and don't force her—"

"I'm her classmate. Avielle Ayla Tenorio. Ava for short. Alam ko ang nangyari sa'yo. And I've been wanting to talk to her for so long now..." she pleaded, not letting Sophia finish.

"Talk about what?" Jess interjected. "Wait, Ava? I think I've heard of you before. Oh my gosh! Yes! You're the girl who does tarot readings, right—"

"Tarot readings..." I echoed quietly. A flashback hit me— a memory of sitting in a classroom with Ayahzelle and other classmates gathered around. In front of me, a girl cheerfully shuffled tarot cards. But as soon as I chose six cards, her expression changed.

And that girl was... Ava!

She hadn't finished my reading. I'd chased her down to the school ground, where she finally agreed to continue... in the Library.

The memory felt sketchy, unclear.

"Nanganganib ang buhay mo, Reese. Your mind and your heart are your only weapons to make it through." Her voice echoed in my head, followed by a familiar screeching sound, that disturbing, ear-piercing noise that always accompanied alarming memories.

What did she mean by that?

Wait... I do remember other disturbing memories, but somehow, I keep forgetting them!

Why? What's making me forget?

My knees wobbled, the intensity of the memory catching me off guard.

I'm not imagining this, and I'm not insane. Certain phrases, places, or faces spark these disturbing memories. But every time, they vanish again, like something is blocking them.

What's going on? Something isn't right...

Like that time I entered the library in Lucio's mansion when he brought me there. Oh, gosh...

I'd forgotten about that. The memory slipped from my mind, only to return now as a haunting feeling.

Something is wrong. Something is...

"Reese? Are you okay?" Sophia's arm shot out to steady me. I couldn't respond, my mind in a fog. Jess quickly called Lia and Louisse, unsure what to do.

"Quick, Louisse! She looks so pale! Got medicine? Yes? But water?" Jess scanned me from head to toe, pressing a hand to her forehead. "She doesn't have any water. You'll buy some? Okay! Hurry!" She hung up and stayed close, trying to keep me upright.

They guided me to sit down, fanning me and rubbing my back as Ava watched calmly, seemingly unbothered by my state.

Within five minutes, Lia and Louisse arrived with bottled water.

"Here, Reese, drink up! Gosh, that was a sprint!" Lia handed me the bottle, and I accepted it gratefully.

"T-Thanks," I managed to say, even though my gut was twisting.