Fateful Encounter

Protecting the Protector

It's been a little over a week since Zane and Khamael showed up at my house. It was already Wednesday and I was starting to think that I might just be free from the events that transpired last Monday. There wasn't a single day between then and now, where I didn't wake up each morning with a panicking feeling. I already started to see the effects it was having on my body. My assignments were piling up and I wished I knew what had happened to them so I could quell the uneasiness that's been plaguing me. Since several days had already passed and it was a brand-new week, I started to sense a little bit of hope.

It was around 1:40 P.M. and I was walking on campus, headed towards the library. Since I had the rest of the day to myself, I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to catch up on some studying. I had a major exam coming up in the next two weeks and considering how far behind I was, I needed all the time I could get.

I've been keeping the feather in my backpack for quite some time now and deemed my backpack as its permanent residence. I have been getting so used to it being in there that there have been a couple times where I have surprised myself when I need something from my backpack. I still had no clue why they wanted the feather or its significance. All I know is it's extremely important and they were willing to fight one another for it.

The smell of pine permeated through the air as I walked on the pathway that lead to the library. As I walked, I took note of how beautiful everything was. I've been going to this college for quite some time now and it was still mind boggling to me how pretty this campus could be after it rained. Large volume of students were now walking towards me and I knew that most of the classes were starting to let their students out. This was perfect because I would be able to find a spot in the library instead of hunting one down.

As I walked onto the main pathway, I took a couple more steps before I saw a figure that I recognized. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a black zip up hoodie. Black hair poked out from underneath his black hat and I suddenly had an inkling of who it could be. Luckily, their back was turned towards me and as I took a couple more steps, I could fully make out the broad shoulders and long legs that belonged to this figure. As if it were on cue, the figure turned around to face me and as he did, I quickly turned around, hoping he didn't see my face.

'How the hell does he know where I go to school!?' I thought.

Panic started to rise within me. I began to walk in the opposite direction a little bit more quickly, but not too quickly to the point where it looked abnormal. I was making good distance until I heard the sound of feet smacking against the pavement. In that same moment, a hand gripped my arm and I froze in place. I slowly turned around and was now face-to-face with Zane.

"Uhhmm...can I have my arm back?" I asked hoping he would loosen his grip.

He let go of my arm and I took a step back from him. He looked up from beneath his hat and I could see nothing in his eyes. No emotion. Just eyes staring at me, guarding whatever was going on in his mind. It was hard to assess him, but I was still in this state of panic which, I'm pretty, sure was written all over face.

We stood there staring at one another until, in a detached tone, he said, "Where is it?"

I knew what he was referring to, but I didn't want to have this conversation in the middle of a busy walkway where people could hear us. "I'm not doing this here...," I quietly said.

Suddenly, Zane grabbed my arm and dragged me from where we were standing and onto a smaller, secluded walkway. As this was happening, I got questionable stares from people who were looking our way and I have never felt more embarrassed in my life until that very moment.