บท 16: 016 ~ Eden High

At first, Sydney was torn between staying in Ryder's pack and going out to find her sister. But Zane assured her that he would accompany her to find Esma when the time was right. He had mentioned the dangers of going out alone since there was a terrorist group after her and nobody knew why. She believed him because she had witnessed firsthand how that man with red eyes tried to kill her or better still, kidnap her.

After the adoption process was done, Zane found her a place to stay, not too far from his apartment. It was a one bedroom apartment owned by the community for people who genuinely had nowhere to live.

"This looks great." She muttered, not really spiked about living in the pack of her now ex-husband.

"Yeah..." Zane dropped the bags he was holding on the couch and moved to the window to open them. Looking down, he saw the alpha standing there. Narrowing his eyes, he stepped back and went to the door.

"I'll drop by later. Call me if you need help." He dropped his credit card on the table.

"The pin is 5311." Without waiting to hear a reply, he dashed out. Sydney didn't know why he did so but she didn't really bother. She felt he must have had a good reason. She proceeded to sweep the entire space when she heard voices coming from outside.

She moved close to the window, shifted the black curtains a bit, and looked down. She saw Zane and the alpha discussing something. When Zane left, the alpha looked up to her. They shared a curt glance at each other before she closed the curtain and continued her work.

"He's not coming up here, right?" She asked, unsure of whether she wanted to see him or not. She had lots of questions to ask him but maybe, they could wait until she was ready to face him.

By the time she was done with the place, she was satisfied with the day's job. Ina dropped by with some food and drinks and they laughed till into the night before Zane came around. He was glad to see them get along with each other.

When Sydney first came into the pack, Ina was one of his worries because he knew how bad mouthed she could be at times. But seeing the two of them laugh like they've known each other for years gladdened him.

"Here, I got some essentials," Zane handed her a package. Sydney skeptically received the package and put it away.

"Alright everyone, the party's over. I need to catch some sleep." She announced and stood up in a bid to push them both out. Surprisingly, they willingly approached the door. Unlike her sister Esma who would take forever to leave her room.

"Yeah, and by the way, I'll pick you up in the morning," Ina informed her, causing Sydney to raise her brows.

"For?"

"School, silly." Ina rolled her eyes and scurried out. Sydney turned to Zane who just shrugged and disappeared also. Before she could remember to give him his credit card, he had already gone far.

Not wanting to bother about what Ina said, she just hit the showers, changed, and went straight to bed.

She found herself in that same forest where she had seen the white wolf but this time, there was no wolf. It was just a lady who appeared behind her. She turned immediately, sensing the murderous intent the strange lady oozed.

"I know you. You're the one trying to kill me." Sydney shifted back with terror written all over her face. But there was a lake behind her and so, there was nowhere to run.

"You have to die, Sydney. I cannot be killed twice. That's the only way to put me out of my misery." She said. Those words sparked a remembrance in her mind. Her eyes darted to the sword in the hand of the lady and then back to her.

"Why? How am I connected to you?" She asked, hoping to stall. It would give her time to think of an escape plan.

"The thing is, we're both reincarnations of a goddess that was killed hundreds of years ago. And her soul is reincarnated after every one hundred years but somehow, after I died, she reincarnated in you. You don't know anything and that's why you need to go. I will take your soul and put an end to all our misery."

"Wait, nobody's taking anything from me without my permission." She told her but the lady only approached her deviously.

"Sadly for you girl, your permission isn't needed." She slashed the sword. The impact dragged Sydney out of her nightmare and she woke up to the sound of a blaring horn. Feeling pains all over her body, she managed to get up. She walked to the window, opened it, and looked down. Ina was already there to pick her up for school.

"Oh look, already late on my first day." She wiped her face and reluctantly had a bath. She pulled on some clothes, styled her hair, and grabbed the backpack Zane brought last night. All through the ride, Ina bragged about her school but Sydney's attention was on the dreams she had been having. She was trying to connect the dots and wished she could go back but getting killed every time wasn't something she looked forward to.

"Welcome to Eden High School," Ina's loud voice tugged her back to reality.

"I'm having mixed feelings about this." She finally aired.

"Come on, it would be fun. I promise." They both got out and headed for the principal's office. Zane had already informed him of Sydney's arrival, thereby making the process very easy. She got her academic calendar, books and some stationary, even the locker code. Everything seemed perfect but Sydney didn't entirely care about school. There were too many mysteries to be solved. Her fingers instinctively darted to the necklace that was given to her by Esma.

"There's someone I want you to meet." Ina grabbed her hand as they both ran across the hallway. The path Ina led them through brought them out into the open field. For the first since Sydney stepped her feet in Eden High, she was amazed. Students were scattered all over the field, especially under a big tree that stood on a small valley.

"I could get used to this place." She mused a smile but it was cut short when Ina dragged her again.

"I believe I should be getting a warning before you drag me about." She objected but Ina just laughed it off.

After some seconds, they were standing in front of a girl who was knitting. When Sydney noticed the wheelchair she was seated in, her hard expression softened. She wanted to ask what happened but she didn't want to seem offensive. Much more to her surprise, she looked exactly like the one who had been chasing her in her dream.

'Could she be....?' She thought.

"Rita, this is Sydney. Sydney, Rita." Ina introduced them excitedly. The two ladies shook hands, each with a smile.

"Ina has told me a lot about you. Welcome to Eden High, Sydney." Rita smiled widely.

"Thank you, Rita." She replied, unable to shake off the wind of fear and terror that engulfed her, just like her dreams.