From The Ashes We Rise

Chp 32: Why Am I Always Running?

Ebony's POV

I looked back after Delta and I split up. Of course, Ariff followed me and I had seconds before I was murdered by him.

Turning a corner, I spotted a couple of unused boxes next to a stack of broken chairs and tables. I sprinted towards the area and hid in an empty space behind the boxes. There was a small gap between two boxes and I could peer out. I covered my mouth as I heaved painfully because of my wounds. I felt like I was gonna collapse right there and now.

There, I saw Ariff sniffing the air for my scent. His head turned and I was terrified when his eyes seemed to lock on mine. Slowly, he approached my hiding place on all fours before standing on his hind legs again. I shifted into a cockroach and scurried out of my hiding place.

I heard the sound of boxes flying all over the place as he ravaged the area. I managed to get out of his sight and shifted back. I bolted out of there before he could even find my scent.

I kept running, glancing back to check if Ariff was still behind me. It won't take him that long to lock on me; I was his target after all.

I heard a roar and turned back. Sure enough, I saw Ariff turning the corner of the corridor, zipping past frightened students. He was gaining on me and I had no chance to hide. I couldn't use my powers since there might be people watching.

After a while, I got tired, but I couldn't stop, not when a walking wildcat was hot on my trail. My chest was killing me because of my injuries. I heaved painfully every step I took. I turned the corner towards the school field, taking another glance backward. Suddenly, I crashed into someone with silver hair. Delta. 

"What the— Ebony?" Delta breathed.

"Yeah it's me."

"Is Ariff still—"

"Yeah, and we've got a minute or two before he finds us," I panted. I gripped my chest and hunched over. Delta supported me and asked if I was alright.

"Ariff hit me hard that night. Running doesn't help. We need to hide, quickly!"

"Right. I know a good spot. It's the area between the PE store and the staircase. There's a lot of boxes there to hide us," Delta suggested.

He led me to the hiding place and found us a good spot to sit in, and just in time too. As soon as we hid, we could hear Ariff roaring not too far from us. The bell rang shortly after, but we didn't care about that.

"So do you hide here a lot?" I whispered.

Delta nodded. "I came here to think or escape from teachers when I was in Sec 1."

I heard a loud growl. Ariff's close, very close. "He's nearby. We gotta get outta here," I whispered again.

Delta nodded. When he was about to push one of the boxes, we heard footsteps and claws scratching the cement floor. He then peered through a hole and shrank back immediately. Ariff was on the opposite side. He's probably got our scent now. He's gonna come through and grab me.

"Delta, grab something. We're beating his ass."

"But he's my best friend," Delta hissed. "I know he was a dick to you and I stopped hanging out with him but still!"

"Best friend, my ass. He's trying to kill me. And trying to get you too. At least stun him so we can escape," I explained.

We continued arguing before the boxes covering us were removed. We stopped and faced Ariff, who was now trying to claw at me from where he stood.