Zach and his friends made their way back to their dorm room after a casual hangout. It was well past midnight when they finally reached their dormitory. As they ascended the stairs, Jacksen couldn't help but tease the guy they had seen in the arcade, who had made quite a scene after losing a game.
"Something is definitely wrong with that guy. He nearly destroyed the machine," Jacksen said, shaking his head with a chuckle. "And the crying when they escorted him out? Bro, that was absolutely award-winning. Someone get that man an Oscar."
Their laughter echoed through the corridor.
Upon reaching their floor, Zach's phone suddenly vibrated. His hand reached into his jacket pocket, and he momentarily froze in shock when Clair's name appeared on the screen. Without hesitation, he answered the call, motioning for his friend to continue ahead.
"Zach?" Clair's voice was soft as a whisper.
"H-hey," Zach replied, his words stumbling over his nerves, yet tinged with an undeniable joy.
"Are you in bed?" she asked gently.
"No, I went out with Jack and Cal. We just got back to the dorm. Are you back? Where are you?" Zach's voice quivered, his trembling hands revealing his worry.
Jacksen and Calliso exchanged knowing glances near their room door, silently confirming their suspicions about Zach's caller.
"You must be tired. We can meet tomorrow instead," she said.
"I'm fine. Really. I'm not drunk, and I'm not tired," Zach quickly replied. "Just tell me where you are. I'll come to you."
There was a brief pause before Clair answered.
"All right. Meet me at Saint Pier Church. I'm already on my way," she said, her tone slightly more hurried than usual.
His friends could only watch in surprise as Zach bolted down the stairs. The urgency in his movements made it clear that nothing could stop him from going. He quickly made his way toward the church just a few blocks away, his heart racing with every step, knowing that Clair was waiting for him there.
Meanwhile, Clair landed on the roof of the church and dialed Zach's number once more. He picked up, breathless.
"I'm here. I'll wait for you," she said, her voice sweet and patient.
"Almost there," he replied, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Before she could respond, a burst of fireworks lit up the night sky. She watched as the first two exploded in rapid succession.
Moments before the third explosion, a sudden alert surged through her senses, warning her of impending danger. Amidst the shroud of night, she discerned the approaching threat. With swift reflexes, she retracted her wings and reached out, seizing the oncoming object in her hand. Upon inspection, she identified it as a silver syringe, confirming the presence of enemies nearby. Fear gripped her as she fretted over Zach's safety, knowing he was on his way to the church. She quickly put the syringe away, then freed Rye and repositioned her phone, her voice trembling as she urged Zach to stop. "Zach, wait. Don't-ugh!"
Mere moments after the initial shot pierced the air, another followed suit. This time, Clair bore the brunt, her left wing taking the hit. Despite her immediate attempt to dislodge it, realization struck too late. A crushing weight descended upon her, clouding her vision. Her limbs struggled to obey her, and her senses began to fade, fear slowly taking hold of her. Yet, it wasn't for herself, but for Zach. The substance coursing through her body finally claimed its hold. Her eyes closed as her body gave in, sending her stumbling over the edge of the roof and crashing onto the church's second-floor balcony.
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Divine & Wicked: The Strayed Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach awoke a few days after his surgery, his mind foggy and his heart empty, as though his life had been reset. He moved through what he believed was his normal routine, unaware that fragments of a forgotten past were slo...
