Chapter 1
Reality and memory merge. The past and present blurred. Ruby knew this place like the back of her hand. But that's the past. And now, here they are again.
The trees sway against their feet as a group of teenagers walk in the dimmed light of the moon. Taking in a deep breath, Ruby’s eyes warily glance around. With her hand gripping Crystal’s, they walk.
“When are we getting there?” Crystal asked, shooing the mosquitos.
‘She’s nervous…’ Ruby glanced at her expression.
Amelia raised her eyes. “We should be near already.”
The sound of branches snapping under their feet, along with the splashing of water as they stepped onto it was the only sound echoing.
Looking at the flashlight, Amelia added, “It's going to die soon.”
“I also feel like dying at this point.” Crystal jokes, rolling her eyes.
Walking in this forest for over 3 hours wasn’t that good. Much worse when it’s the way to our new school.
Noticing something, Ruby narrows her eyes. “Is that… a light?” She tugged at Crystal’s clothes avoiding pointing her finger.
“Hmm?” the group turns their attention to her.
“I think?” Raphael spoke up, raising his eyes.
As if a silent agreement, all of them walk towards the light. Nearing it, they saw a sign, “Library.”
“How is it possible to have a library in the middle of nowhere?” Ruby asked feeling something was wrong.
“It’s best to shelter ourselves first.” Without even waiting for a response, Raphael already went inside.
“Hah, are you scared?” Alexander asked as he let the girls enter first.
“Me?” Sharply turning back, Raphael spoke up full of ridicule, “No way.”
For a moment, Ruby seemed to see something in his eyes as she felt a splitting headache. Avoiding his eyes, Ruby looked around the place.
The library was big. With the shelf creating a maze, she felt like in a dreamlike state.
“Help!”
Shattering her reverie, her breathing stopped as a scream of terror came.
“Please!! ANYONE! HELP—”
BANG!
Feeling someone tug her, like someone drowning, Ruby sucks in a deep breath almost choking. Crystal and the group all enter the maze of books staying as far away from the door as possible.
With their hearts hanging on their throats they desperately run. The sound of a bell ringing announces the coming of an intruder. Feeling their hair stand on its end, they stopped at a dead end.
Kneeling on the ground, all held their breaths. Feeling a headache and suffocation, Ruby felt her vision blur. Looking everywhere, she blinked repeatedly when something caught her eye.
Staring unblinkingly at her was an eye. Between the books on the shelves, someone stared right through her soul.
“You’re dead.”
Someone whispered in her mind as she felt her mouth blocked. Desperately shaking her head, Ruby felt herself being restrained.
With the reality and memories briefly merging, Ruby saw a child being restrained. The daggers in their hand near the child.
Her heart felt despair as she desperately struggled. Feeling something slips onto her lips, her vision becomes white before everything disappears.
The sun travels through the window, shining through the gaps in the shelf. Ruby blankly stares into it as she lay on Crystal’s lap.
With a frown, she asked. “Did someone give me medicine last night?”
“Yeah,” Raphael asked focusing on reading.
‘So that’s why…’ Sitting up, Ruby tries to dispel the bitter taste in her mouth.
Amelia looked at her worriedly, “Should we leave now?”
Stretching out, everyone packs their things and navigates the maze.
“Who are you?”
Blocking the group, Raphael stood in front of the old man. Forcing herself, Ruby tugged at his sleeves.
With a gulp, they look at the old man, his face is full of wrinkles along with the eye bag under his eyes, he looks terrifying.
Estimating his age, Raphael spoke up. “Sir… we’re the one that just came at you earlier at the counter.”
The old man briefly scrutinizes this group before a smile blooms on his face.
You look even more terrifying than earlier!
“Uh, I see!” Scratching his head, the old man walks back to the counter. “Must have forgotten… Read as you please then.”
Sighing, Ruby let go of his sleeve. “Don’t you know how dangerous that was?” She whispered, glaring at Raphael. Watching behind the group, Alexander let go of his bracelet.
Walking towards the door, the group warily observes everything. Alexander watched the old man as he stayed at the back, faintly feeling something, the old man turned towards him with a smile.
Walking away from the library, they stopped. “Is this…” Ruby gripped Crystal’s hand, not continuing.
“A village.” Amelia frown.
For a moment, everything was still. People of different ages and statuses surrounded them. Some hurrying off to their work, while others calmy enjoy the serenity. With a ball bouncing towards them, the group avoided as they watched a child hurrying to get it.
The group would have felt serenity and even joy. If only…
“What happened to the forest?” Alexander whispered bending over them.
The child stopped on his track as he stood up straight, looking through their soul while smiling. Feeling a chill, they once again walk away.
Making sure that the child was out of their sight, the group calmed down a little.
“What should we do now?” Crystal asked, feeling lost.
“Why did we even go here?” Rolling her eyes, Ruby rubs her head.
“Because we’re chosen to study here?” Amelia smiled like a kid getting the right answer.
The group fell silent. “How are we even supposed to know where the school is?”
“Ask around,” Alexander spoke.
Getting a silence in return, he turns to look at them. Finding them all staring, he shook his head. “No way.”
“Yes, way.” They nods their head in return.
