SECRETS OF EVERCREST (BOOK 2)

Chapter 10: Dark Omens

Chapter 10: Dark Omens

December 16, 2024. The sky was a dull gray, the air heavy with the promise of rain. The Bellweather siblings, along with Riley, Max, and Jane, were on their way to Evercrest University, the prestigious institution that had served as a beacon of hope and ambition for countless students over the years. But today, the urgency of their journey was heightened—this was the last day of enrollment.

As the group arrived at the university, the campus buzzed with activity. Sol glanced around, feeling a mixture of excitement and unease. "Alright, everyone," she said, "let’s split up and get this done. Max, you head to the Criminology office first. I’ll help Jane figure out her course."

Max nodded and headed off, while Sol stayed with Jane, who seemed lost in thought. "Still undecided?" Sol asked gently.

Jane looked at Sol, her eyes filled with a quiet determination. "I think I want to study Criminology," she said. "I’ve seen what the world can throw at us. What could be more challenging than surviving a world full of monsters?"

Sol smiled, a mix of pride and respect in her gaze. "You’re right. But Criminology isn’t just about studying crime—it’s about facing it head-on. It will demand everything from you: training, sacrifices, challenges. Are you sure you’re ready?"

Jane held Sol’s gaze steadily. "If I could survive that hell, I can survive anything."

"Alright then," Sol said, her smile widening. "Let’s do this."

They walked together to the Criminology department. When they entered the office, they saw Max standing by the counter, holding his enrollment papers. He looked up, surprised to see Jane with Sol.

"You’re enrolling in Criminology too?" Max asked, his voice filled with both surprise and admiration.

Jane nodded, filling out the necessary forms with a newfound sense of purpose. Sol did the same, and soon enough, they paid the enrollment fees. The process was quick, but the weight of their decision lingered in the air.

As they walked out of the office, Jane couldn’t help but smile. "We’re officially enrolled," she said, more to herself than anyone else.

"Welcome to the club," Max said with a grin.

Soon, Peter, Penelope, and Riley joined them, having finished their enrollments as well. Penelope, always the one to lighten the mood, announced in her usual sassy tone, "Alright, people, I say we hit the mall and do some serious shopping. School supplies won’t buy themselves!"

They all laughed, the tension from earlier fading as they made their way to the mall.

The mall was a whirlwind of activity. Shoppers moved in and out of stores, their arms laden with bags. Jane’s eyes widened as they entered the sprawling complex, marveling at the normalcy of it all. It had been so long since she’d been in a place like this.

They split up, moving from store to store, buying supplies and a few personal items to prepare for the new school year. Jane found herself enjoying the simplicity of the moment, a stark contrast to the horrors she had faced. But as they prepared to leave, loading their purchases into the car, a sense of unease returned.

As they were arranging their things, a man suddenly appeared behind them. He was pale, his skin slick with sweat, and his eyes held a wild, desperate look. Peter was the first to notice him and stepped forward. "Can we help you?" Peter asked cautiously.

The man staggered forward, his movements jerky and unnatural. "Help… me," he croaked, his voice weak and broken. But before anyone could react, the man convulsed, his body jerking violently. Dark, undistinguished bile spewed from his mouth, splattering onto the pavement.

"Everyone, back!" Sol shouted, instinctively pulling Jane and the others away from the man.

For a moment, the man stood still, his body trembling. Then, his eyes locked onto Sol, and his expression twisted into something dark and malicious. "You," he hissed, his voice now cold and venomous. "You’re going to die, little girl. All of you are going to die."

The words sent a chill down Sol’s spine, but she didn’t have time to react. The man lunged at her with inhuman speed, his hands outstretched like claws.

But Sol was faster. With a swift motion, she summoned her powers, releasing a wave of energy that struck the man square in the chest. He flew backward, crashing into a nearby wall with a sickening thud.

The others watched in stunned silence as Sol approached the man, who lay crumpled on the ground. But he wasn’t dead. He began to rise, his movements slow and deliberate, a twisted grin on his face.

"You think you can stop me?" the man taunted, his voice now a guttural snarl.

Sol’s eyes narrowed. She could feel something dark within him, something far beyond the ordinary. Without hesitation, she unleashed another blast of energy, this time pouring everything she had into it. The man screamed as the energy coursed through his body, his veins glowing with an eerie light. His body convulsed, and with a final, anguished cry, he collapsed, lifeless.

Sol stood there, breathing heavily, her heart pounding in her chest. But as the adrenaline began to fade, she felt a sharp pain in her head. She touched her nose and was shocked to find blood trickling down. It was the first time she had experienced this kind of physical strain from using her powers.

"Sol, are you okay?" Jane rushed to her side, concern etched on her face.

"I’m fine," Sol muttered, wiping the blood away. But she wasn’t fine. Something was wrong. The man’s words echoed in her mind, and a deep sense of dread settled in her chest.

Without another word, they all piled into the car and headed straight home. The earlier excitement of the day was gone, replaced by a heavy, foreboding silence. As they drove through the darkening streets, the events of the day played over and over in their minds.

They had all sensed it—this was only the beginning.

End of Chapter 10, Book 2