ENGULF ME

Chapter - 2

I woke up feeling both tired and irritated as my phone blared beside me, its shrill ring cutting through the remnants of my uneasy sleep. I fumbled around, searching for the phone, only to find it wedged beneath me.

Groggily, I grabbed it and swiped to answer. Before I could even say hello, a loud shriek pierced through the line, jolting me fully awake. I glanced at the screen-it was Suzy calling.

"Jenn, we're finally going to Scotland!" she practically yelled into the phone. "I've packed everything. I'm so freaking excited, you have no idea!"

I couldn't help but smile as I asked, "Suzy, darling, please tell me you didn't pack your entire wardrobe this time, for God's sake?"

Suzy gasped dramatically and said, " Jenifer Baxter, I thought you were my best friend and fully on board with my genius plan to pack our entire wardrobe. We're supposed to shine in Scotland and have some fun with our seniors".

And then we both giggled.

After a moment, she wished me a happy birthday which created an awkward silence between us.

But she quickly bounced back to her excited self and shouted into the phone saying, " Jenn, I will have my chance with Jacob, whoa"

And I asked her how she planned to win Jacob over, and then we chatted for a few minutes to plan our strategy. We eventually also decided to meet directly at the academy grounds.

I got up from the bed and prepared my travel bag. I didn't pack many things-just some travel clothes. I prefer travelling light, and unlike Suzy, I don't have much to bring along. In fact, no one wants to get close to someone whose parents died mysteriously and who is a bit chubby with frizzy hair. I admit I'm not as beautiful as others with their slim figures, straight, silky hair, and clear skin. However, I've never felt a strong attraction to anyone either. I've tried, but something always holds me back from taking the next step.

Living my whole life as an outsider has brought loneliness, but it has also shielded me from the burden of relationships. The fear of losing someone can shatter your heart into a million pieces, and as I've grown accustomed to solitude, it's become a cosy comfort that makes forming new connections difficult.

Anyway, I made my way to the kitchen and was pleasantly surprised by Auntie and her beautiful cake. I had known about the cake but had forgotten about it amid everything.

She was running late but took the time to wish me a happy birthday and good luck on the trip. As I walked toward the academy, I had the unsettling feeling that someone was watching me.

Every time I looked back, though, there was no one suspicious. The day was beginning to feel a bit gloomy. I wondered what bad things could happen, but I shook off the negative thoughts and continued toward the academy grounds.

When I arrived, I saw Suzy and our other classmates, all excited and happy about the trip. As the bus arrived and everyone started boarding, giggling and saving seats for friends, Suzy took the window seat and waved for me to join her, saving the seat next to her.

Despite the cheerful atmosphere, a sense of foreboding washed over me. I felt an inner scream and heard a voice warning me not to board the bus.

The voice sent shivers down my back, my heart raced, and my palms became sweaty. But after a few moments, I shook off the anxiety, convincing myself that the voice was just my worried mind. I boarded the bus.

Once everyone was seated and the bus started its engine, I began to feel a bit more normal. Suzy took my hand and said, "I know today isn't ideal for having fun, but it's your birthday. Whatever happened 15 years ago shouldn't make today a sad day. Jenn, I'm doing everything I can to keep this trip as a distraction from your self-doubting thoughts, but I need your help with that too."

"Seeing my friend trying so hard to ease my pain, I nodded and forced a happy smile. I decided to live this day without letting my worries take over.

Suzy and I chatted more about strategies to win Jacob over and fend off other girls. We laughed and giggled, enjoying the moment.

Little did I know that this trip would take a deadly turn and change the course of my life.

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A short distance away, tendrils of darkness shifted into place, keeping an eye on the girl and preparing to flip the bus, pushing it off the road and into the mountains.

Meanwhile, far from here, a man chained in dark caves waited with hopeful eyes for a girl to come and free him. He knew it was his only chance to end his years of suffering.

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