Chapter 28: Chapter 28

JONEA

"Stop crying! I won't be able to understand if you don't say anything but cry and cry!" shouted Marilyn, who couldn't hold back her patience anymore.

Marilyn had never been this mad at me. Maybe I've gone too far this time. I also stopped crying. I wiped my tears and wiped my snot that kept dripping. I already finished a box of tissues.

"You've calmed down now?"

I nodded.

"Then, try to sequence the story from the beginning. Why are you crying like this? What happened to you?"

"My life will end, Marilyn. I only have six months left. I will die then. But, before that time comes, I must be able to save Aland no matter what."

Marilyn was stunned. Her face turned pale. We stood on the roof of one of the deserted campus buildings.

We ditched our first class that morning. Marilyn saw me coming with a puffy face and swollen eyes. She also decided to ditch and invite me to talk on the roof.

"Watch your mouth, Jonea! You can't just talk nonsense on Blue Sapphire. Now, even walls have ears. Surveillance is everywhere. You better not talk about nonsense like that."

"Marilyn, I returned to the Blue Sapphire with one goal. I want to save Aland."

Marilyn covered my mouth with her hand. She whispered something into my ear.

"You know perfectly well that Aland Hamilton was on the list of rebels who were enemies with Luke Draken, including Edison Fuller and Elmar Delamo. All the news media said they had been removed. Don't expect anything. How do you know Aland is still alive? All family members and their packs have also been removed. Nothing remains of the names except–"

"Hunter Abraham? I know he survives today because he turned away and is now even Luke Draken's slave."

"So, please Jonea. Do not get involved again with things that complicate your life and the lives of all of us. You've suffered enough in the past. We'd better live a new life with more caution. Aren't you coming back as Jonea Rawling?"

Marilyn was right. I don't want to put her in any more danger. I shouldn't have told Marilyn all my problems. Let me bear it myself. Marilyn had gone through difficult days in the past.

"Come on, let's return to class!" asked Marilyn. She dragged me by force.

We walked along the campus grounds that separated Building 1 and Building 2. A black sports car was coming at high speed when we crossed the parking area.

"Look out, Marilyn!" I shouted while holding Marilyn's hand to stop walking.

The car driver didn't care even though there were many pedestrians, including us. He drove his car without reducing the speed, even in the campus area.

Marilyn almost fell, and I caught her. Some of the students who were also standing around us were grumbling.

"Fuck! Who drives like that?" Marilyn protested angrily.

"I think it's Hunter Abraham," commented one of the students standing near us.

Marilyn came closer and turned to look at me, but I wasn't surprised.

"Jonea, you know that?"

And I nodded.

Marilyn swore again silently.

Students near us commented. "Hunter Abraham, who used to rule this country, even built this university?"

"Yes, right. That was before Luke Draken attacked and took control of this land."

"Wow, he turned out to be a legend on this campus. He is known as a playboy who dates 15 girls at once," commented another student.

"So Hunter is back at school after a year off? Is he going to make a scene again here? Is he going to break his own record this time?"

Me and Marilyn were just silent while pinching each other's hands. We listen to the students' conversations and gather information, although we don't know what is true. We only know Hunter Abraham in the past.

"I am not in the mood to attend the second lecture today. Come on, Jonea. We go to the cafeteria and eat!" cried Marilyn. She again dragged me away from the crowd.

Net messages go to our respective cell phones. Marilyn checked the message first. Then I also checked the messages on my own phone.

"What?" shrieked Marilyn quite loudly. "The new class distribution list has been announced. I will be in the same class as Hunter? Jonea, how about you?"

I'm not so enthusiastic about reading the list of names of students who will be my classmates this semester. Lectures now really do not interest me at all. I didn't come here to study or do other fun things. I have a more serious mission. My mind keeps on being preoccupied with my goal to save Aland and awaken the wolf inside me.

"Jonea? Jonea?" reprimanded Marilyn even louder to interrupt my reverie.

"So what if you are in the same class as a Hunter?" I sucked the juice I ordered. "Isn't he just an evil playboy who likes to make women cry?"

Marilyn fell silent and felt guilty. Marilyn knew very well how our relationship was in the past.

"I will repay him. I will pay back for everything Hunter did to you in the past!" said Marilyn hotly.

I glared at her sharply. "Didn't you say a while ago that we live for the moment? We just forget about the past and focus on arranging our days ahead. Just pretend you don't know him. I don't want you to get in trouble with them either."

"I'm sorry, Jonea. I really didn't think long when I said it. I'm not in your difficult position. Am I, not a selfish friend?"

My phone rings again. I read a short message from one of the librarians.

"Sorry, Marilyn. I have to get back to class first. There is urgent business. We will continue this conversation another time. And remember to pretend you don't know Hunter! Stay away from them all."

"But, Jonea–"

I rushed to leave Marilyn alone in the cafeteria. I have to go to the library to meet the librarian.

Some time ago, I asked to find some reference books on Blue Sapphires. This book is very important to find out about Aland's whereabouts.

The librarian gave me three reference books. The books look very ancient and old.

"Be careful when borrowing this book. Actually, you can't take these books out. But since you got a special reference from someone, then I allow you."

"Thank you very much," I kept saying to the librarian.

I also hugged the three books that were quite thick and heavy and hurriedly left the library.

While walking, I always try to avoid people. I don't care if they know me or not. I was really wary after the last incident.

Warlocks can camouflage and disguise themselves as anyone. They can even hide the red mark on the forehead.

"Wait, Jonea!" call someone from behind.

I stopped and turned my head. "Why do I have to meet him in a place like this? Why did he say my name? I'd better run away and pretend I don't know him."

I turned and walked faster. But he kept following me behind.

"Jonea, I don't want to bother you. Did you drop something?" he shouted.

I checked the things I was carrying. "Fuck. I dropped my library card."

I stopped and turned to him.

"Isn't this card yours?"

Damn it! I couldn't deny it and just left the card. My name is clearly written there that the card is mine.

"You dropped it!" said Hunter, holding the card to me.

I was really scared to see it. Instead of taking the card from Hunter's hand, I took two steps back.

"Just put the card there!" I pointed to a concrete bench in the library courtyard.

"What?" Hunter confused.

"Just put the card on the bench," I said louder.

Luckily, the library yard was quiet at that time, and almost no one was there.

"Hey, what about you?" protested Hunter. He looked offended. "I was just trying to be nice by returning your dropped library card. But is this how you thank me?"

Is he angry? Well, it's up to him whether he wants to be angry. What is clear is that he has a red mark on his forehead. I have to be more alert and careful. Maybe last night, the red mark on my forehead didn't affect me. But who knew he had another negative impact on me?

Hunter put the card on the park bench with a confused and offended face.

Very carefully, I bent down to pick up the card.

Hunter drew closer to me, holding out his hand. I screamed and kicked at him. I grabbed the card quickly and ran.

"Is he after me?"