NIGHTMARE : Lie Lies In Eyes

3. Newcomer

"The weaker he'll be," a female voice echoed, "Lesser the chance for them to win."

I questioned, "Who's she?"

Ashley responded, "Sophie. She's a Gaian. Don't let it bother you. Let's go."

I pondered, "She's?"

Ashley explained, "Earthlies are just like this. Cruelty is filled in their hearts and minds. But they just put a pretty smile on their faces every time."

Morgan voiced her frustration, "I hate them. I just can't stand them. I'm leaving."

Ashley quickly responded, "Wait for us," and firmly grabbed my arms along with hers.

She pulled me toward the other side, and once again, I accidentally bumped into someone. His belongings scattered, prompting me to bend down and offer assistance. However, a piercing scream shattered my focus. A group of guys clad in black cloaks was tormenting a boy dressed in white, who sported spectacles. To my dismay, Sophie and her companions were aligning themselves with the black-clad aggressors.
A chill ran down my spine as the leader of black forcefully pushed the white-clad boy against the wall, exerting pressure on his neck to choke him.

"Emma, get up," Ashley's voice diverted my attention.
She gripped my hand firmly and led me to the porch, allowing me to catch a breath of fresh air.

Ashley's voice carried concern. "You're alright?"

I hesitated, caught between conflicting emotions. "Yeah. No. I don't know. What was that?"

"I warned you; don't let these things bother you," Ashley reminded, gripping my hand firmly.

"But—" I paused, grappling with the unsettling scene. "It's wrong. How can one do such a delirious act?"

Morgan interjected, "There's no place for weaklings in the world."

Defying her stance, I asserted, "Just because he's not fighting back doesn't mean he's weak. Even if he's weak enough to fight back, so what."

Morgan scrutinized me, her doubt evident. "Are you really a Lucifer?"

I was taken aback. "Huh?"

"Hearing your words, my thoughts are finding it hard to believe you belong to Nether," she declared abruptly and left.

Ashley reassured me, "Don't mind her, Emma. She's like this. Rude, insolent, lonesome."

Haunted by the disturbing scene, I grappled with the decision to conceal my human identity. The notion of aligning myself with the stronger side to avoid potential torment gnawed at me. After all, it was merely a hallucination, and with time, I believed I would return to my own world. Seeking solace, we settled in a nearby café, nestled beside the school's basement. The small cottage adorned with bamboo logs and flowers stood out in its brightness and beauty, a stark contrast to the other cafes.

Ashley commented, "Well Emma, did you notice him? He's damn handsome."

I looked around and inquired, "Who?"

"That guy you bumped into earlier," Ashley clarified.

"Oh. I couldn't get to see his face," I admitted.

Morgan, disinterested, interjected, "Are you ordering? If not, excuse me."

Ashley questioned, "Why do you always talk about leaving?"

Morgan candidly replied, "Cause I'm phobic to gossips..." She looked around and added, "...and crowds."

"I'll order. Two cups of espresso and a milkshake. Okay, I'll go," Ashley went to the counter. While returning, she was unable to maintain her composure, wobbling with cups in her shaky hands.

"I'll help," I offered.

I carefully picked up my espresso and started walking back to my seat. As I navigated the crowded space, I nearly collided with a boy. Swiftly, I held myself back, managing to balance the cup in my hand.

"I'm sorry. Oh, goodness. It didn't spill on you," I exclaimed, relieved.

In a surprisingly husky voice, he remarked, "It's the third time we were going to collide. Glad you broke the curse."

I looked up to meet his gaze, and truth resonated in Ashley's words; he was undeniably handsome, with an air of mystery. Mesmerized by his captivating eyes, I found myself unable to hear a single word as his lips moved. Gathering my composure, I shamelessly inquired once more. He replied, "I'm Denevier. A newcomer. And you're?"

"Emma. I mean Emmelene Vance," I introduced myself.

Ashley chimed in, "She's also new here."

Denevier nodded, "Okay then."

Morgan, ever practical, reminded us, "Time for class."

We exited the cafe, exchanged goodbyes, and headed to our respective classes. The school organized separate classes for each realm. In my class, the intimidating man, the one who haunted my nightmares, was teaching a subject that was all Greek to me. Uninterested in lessons, I discreetly observed my fellow students, determining to emulate their behavior as long as I remained within these regal walls. It seemed the safest way to avoid any suspicion. Notably, the boy who had bullied the white-clad guy, named "Felipe," occupied the second right corner bench. His followers referred to him as "King." A mental note was made to steer clear of him.
As the class concluded, I meandered through the corridor, only to find myself walking onto my porch. Unbeknownst to me, I had seamlessly transitioned from the school to the comfort of my home.

__________________

Two days elapsed without any hallucinations.

Dr. Shion inquired, "Do you still experience those episodes?"

I admitted, "Yes. But thankfully, this time, I found myself on my porch, not on some public road or street."

Concerned, Dr. Shion asked, "Do you feel any pain? How frequently does this occur?"

Uncertain, I replied, "I don't know. It happened two days ago."

Dr. Shion probed further, "What happens when you resist? Can you willingly return to reality if you insist hard enough?"

Reflecting on my attempts, I shared, "I kept thinking about coming home, rushing here and there like crazy, trying to find a way back. But I realized there isn't a physical connection between the two worlds. I can't control my thoughts either, so I gave up. I'll just take pills to sleep and try my best to prevent those thoughts from lingering. If I hallucinate again, I'll just live in that moment."

Upon careful observation, it became apparent that Morgan had an aversion to wasting time idly. Her countenance consistently bore a dreadful expression, with eyes carrying the weight of pain and lips sealed tightly. She was not one to engage in extensive conversations nor seek out interaction. Morgan neither followed nor led, encapsulating a persona deemed boring, her face perpetually shrouded in gloom.

Lost in contemplation on the balcony, I suddenly found myself in Ashley's dorm room. She was engrossed in conversation, and my futile attempt to comprehend left me frustrated. It took a moment to realize I had headphones on. After removing them and questioning Ashley, she nonchalantly stated, "We're getting late."
Seeking further clarification, I inquired about the purpose, to which she responded, "For the game, of course." My subsequent cascade of questions was met with indifference as Ashley led me downstairs to a vast room. We stood facing the figure of a large dragon head with red eyes. The students were grouped into threes, each tasked with solving their own puzzles. Our team comprised Ashley, Denevier, and myself—a blend representing Heaven, Nether, and Earth. Meanwhile, Morgan and Sophie teamed up in another group.