Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 64:Reality crashes!

Nathan swipes the card across Keith's choker with a practiced flick. A few of Keith's precious strands of hair get caught in the mechanism and flutter to the ground.

"My hair! My beautiful, luxurious hair!" Keith wails, clutching his head as if it's the end of the world. "You man-child of a devil!"

Nathan rolls his eyes dramatically. "Run, you dimwit. I'm not coming back for you.

Keith stumbles away, still mumbling about his lost locks, and I can't help but snicker. It's like watching a dramatic scene from a soap opera, but with less romance and more hair drama.

Nathan grips my hand firmly, and together we sprint forward. I run as if I'm in the final lap of a marathon, flag waving triumphantly—even though, deep down, I know this isn't a victory lap but a desperate escape.

Reality crashes back as I glance over my shoulder. Keith, still clutching the remaining strands of his hair like a trophy, is struggling to keep up. He's running in a daze, his gaze fixed on the last few precious locks he's managed to salvage.

In a burst of frustration and sympathy, I reach out and grab a fistful of his hair, giving him a tug. "Come on, Keith! Move it!" I shout, trying to drag him along faster. "We're not doing a hair care commercial here!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! My hair! Did you both sign a pact to ruin my hair?" Keith yells, clutching his head as if it's a national treasure.

"Ahhhhhhhh! Run! Run faster, Nathan!" I shout, completely tuning out Keith's melodramatic pleas.

Keith, in a remarkable display of acrobatics, keeps his body twisted as he runs backward, facing us with a pained expression. "Ahhhhhhhhh!"

  Keith still clutching his precious hair like it's the last piece of pizza at a party.

It feels like we're soaring through the air. For a split second, I imagine we've just won the marathon—and perhaps an Olympic gold medal in 'Running While Screaming.' "Woohooooo!" I cheer, feeling like we're breaking all sorts of records.

Thud!

 The thrill of our imaginary victory is abruptly replaced by the reality of a not-so-graceful landing.

We had fallen inside an animal pit. Of course, this kind of luck was reserved exclusively for me!

It was pitch dark, and neither Nathan nor Keith were visible. I groped around, but only emptiness surrounded me.

"Did they plan to push me in here to save themselves and leave me to be eaten? You idiots! I trusted you both—well, I know I can't trust Keith, but you, Nathan!" I shouted in frustration, my voice echoing off the walls. Just as I was about to unleash more indignation, a hand clamped over my mouth.

I froze, my eyes wide as I realized someone—or something—was right beside me in the darkness.

The hand on my mouth was rough and firm, and I could barely make out the faint outline of a figure in the darkness. My mind raced with possibilities:

Was it a hunter who thought I was just another animal trapped in this pit? Or perhaps someone who had been abandoned by their own acquaintance—like me, but not quite?

I squirmed, trying to get a better sense of the situation, but the grip remained steadfast. I hoped this person—or thing—wasn't planning to make me their new pet. My heart pounded as I waited to see who would reveal themselves in this murky darkness.

"Is he gone?" a voice asks, and it sounds eerily like Nathan.

"Hahahah!" comes the laughter from the other side. It could only be Keith.

"Oh, 'You dumb boys, I'll kill you, I trusted you both,'" Keith mocks, his laughter echoing through the darkness. "You really know how to make a dramatic exit, Alysa!"

"Are you okay?" Nathan asks, removing his hands from my mouth with an unexpectedly gentle touch.

I'm taken aback by his sudden display of sweetness. "Yeah, but how and—"

Before I can finish, Keith's laughter erupts from the darkness, loud and obnoxious.

"Will you shut up?" I snap, trying to ignore the absurdity of the situation. "This is not the time for a stand-up comedy!"

Keith's laughter continues, "Oh, come on! I didn't realize we were auditioning for a drama. Should I start practicing my Shakespeare?"

"Oh, we pushed you inside to save ourselves! Oh, how tragic!" Keith sarcastically declares, laughing harder.

I shoot him a sidelong glance. This guy is managing to be a thousand times more irritating than Nathan right now.

Nathan gives me a gentle nudge, "Come this side."

Just as I'm moving, Keith grabs my other hand and pulls me back. "No, come here. Why would I want you closer to me?" he says with a look of pure disdain aimed at Nathan.

I roll my eyes, "Keith, your charm is overwhelming. Do you take lessons in being a pain, or is it a natural gift?"