Chapter 5 Back to Kasandre

It's been two years since I ran, and I haven't stopped running from fate ever since. I always have the feeling that they're after me or just lurking behind the bushes and watching my every move, ready to pounce back on me and drag me to my old life. But I knew I was just paranoid.

However, I need not to worry, because I relocated to a much distant place. A place where I started a new life.

My mom, Mary, health has been deteriorating ever since, and I don't have the money to take her to the hospital to perform the full surgery. They demanded 450,000 dollars for her heart surgery. She was suffering a heart problem which took 80% of my income and still..

"Rory, are you okay?" Tina, my co-worker tapped me and I snapped out of my thoughts. I jolted and turned to her, worry laced on her face.

I currently work in a hospital as a cleaner. Not what I expected after graduating but it is sustainable. "Oh, I'm fine. Just zoned out a little' I chuckled while holding onto a mopping stick.

"Come on, it's almost midnight. We have to go" she said while walking to the janitor's closet to keep the bucket she was holding.

"Night Shifts are the worst. They take longer than usual" I complained to myself and continued mopping the marble white floor. Although it was a lie. I hate night shifts because of the horrors people tell. Some said they saw ghosts, others said the dead came to life.

After a few hours, my shift ended and I went to my locker to get changed into my casual clothes.

I greeted some patients goodbye and some close nurses of mine before heading out with Tina.

"How's your mom's health right now? Are the drugs working?" Tina started a conversation as we began walking a lonely path. Few cars sped by and the night had a full moon with stars twinkling high, illuminating the dark streets.

I lifted up my gaze to the sky before replying to her "she's getting better" . My reply was short. Lump already building in my throat as I speak.

"She'll be fine" I assured myself and blinked my eyes. Tina stayed quiet just staring at me before turning away her gaze. "If you need money I can lend you..."

"I'm fine Tina. I said already, I can manage on my own" I said, my voice croaky "I'm fine" I whispered again.

She sighed "if you say so. If you need anything. Don't hesitate to call me" she said and feigned a smile

"See you tomorrow then. My apartment is on the other side" Tina said, pointing across the road. She waved to me as she began using the zebra crossing lane.

I looked around and saw nobody, the air was becoming chilly and I had no jackets.

The silence became deafening so I put on my ear phones and began walking home.

It was hard to find a taxi by this time so I had no hope of getting home on time.

Mom will have to eat dinner without me.

The music blurred in my ears as I walked on. Suddenly, I saw a shadow behind me.

"Better just ignore it" I said to myself then kept waking, listening to my music.

Soon, I heard a faint sound making me turn down the volume of my music to listen to. I heard two men speaking behind me, their words were inaudible but I became paranoid. This made my heart race and I increased my pace.

The men also increased their pace and it became rapid that I had to start running. I ran to every corner hoping to lose them but every turn I made they were just right behind me.

I sprinted down the street, my legs blur as I desperately tried to avoid them. Suddenly, I tripped and fell, my body crumpling to the ground in a heap.

My ankle broke and I yelped in pain.

My pursuers stopped, panting as they looked down at me. I looked up at them to see their faces but it was covered with a mask and a cap.

"Why were you running?" The first one said, panting loudly.

I stared at him confused. "What kind of silly questions is that?" I fired at him still holding my broken ankle.

The man pulled away his mask and face cap, exposing a face that was eerily familiar. I racked my brain trying to place him, but he just scowled his face looking pissed. Then I suddenly remembered who he was, Charlie.

"Charlie?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm Charlie." He replied aggressively. Charlie was from my set back in college. I never paid much attention to him because he was very quiet but rude.

"What are you doing here? And why are you after me?" I asked

He sighed and turned to the other masked man. He pulled away his mask and his face revealed Ethan, the same Ethan that made fun of my cloth.back at the graduation ceremony.

"What the hell do you two want?" I asked angrily, glaring at them.

"I see you still have that courage. It pisses me off" Ethan spat while staring at me "we're here to take back to Kasandre town" he went straight to the point.

My gaze hardened as I heard that town. I've vowed never to step foot on that land ever since I ran away. Nothing was ever taking me back.

"I'm not going with. You really have some nerves coming back to me after how you treated me back in college" I said, trying to get up.

"It's on order. I also don't want to see that face of yours. I'm in spite just looking at it" Ethan Said, irritatedly.

"Why the hell would they want me back? It's not as if I'm needed or anything" I said, sitting back down while the two men towered above me.

" The Alpha's dead. Nobody knows what happened to him, and what caused the mysterious death. But the nightshade pack needs a new Alpha to run it.." I cut him off with my sinister Chuckle.

"How am I supposed to help in such situations? Or do you want to embarrass me like the way you did two years ago. Hell no" I said with a disdainful smirk

"If you let me finish. The pack members need a pack and a Luna" he paused, staring at me before continuing "the twins need you." He finished.

I stared quietly before bursting into laughter, making the few passerby to stare at me.

"Tell them I'm not coming," I said again.

Charlie gritted his teeths in annoyance then said "after you left. The Alpha died. The pack wanted a new Alpha but we had two which isn't a custom to us. So the councillors told the twins to get Luna for one, just one to be crowned Alpha. The Alpha's have been in constant fight Ever since and we believe you'll be of help" He explained.

My gaze softened as I tried to imagine how everything had gone. The Nightshade pack is in ruin, if I don't help. But they disgraced me and made me feel worthless.

"My words stand. I'm not going. They can all die and perish in hell for all I care" I said stubbornly

Charlie sighed before saying "we know you'd refused. So.." before I knew it, he bent over, holding out a long syringe, "what are you doing? Trying to drug me?" I said while struggling. Ethan held my arms at my back while Charlie injected something in me. They let me go after and stood in front of me.

"What did you inject in me? Are you trying to kill me?" I yelled, trying to draw some attention but people here don't care about this. They'll rather leave one to their fate than be entangled with it.

"If you kill me how will you get your so-called Luna?" I asked but they went silent and watched me rant. I was still ranting,when all of a Sudden, I started feeling dizzy. My head became light and it began dangling on my neck. My vision was also blurry making everything to double

Soon after, I passed out from the drug effect.

**

I blinked my eyes and found myself lying on a bed. I stared down at myself and found my legs were bandaged up, with the pain reduced. The room was very unfamiliar to me. I gazed through my right, out the window and noticed an unfamiliar environment. Have I been kidnapped?

"Where the hell am I?" I asked myself. Just then, the front door opened and someone stepped in..my gaze widened in shock as k stared at him.

"Welcome home, mate," he said with a smirk.