Chereads / While Asleep / Chapter 5 - Behind the shadows

Chapter 5 - Behind the shadows

Not only their family is worried, everyone is. As Loralai and Callum arrived at school, Looking and observing the students around them talks about the controversial daily murder news. How evil the murderer to make a killing as its daily habit, or maybe even a lifestyle. It was not often that they hear such news like this, so it's really something to be worried about. Their safety, the peace, and the trust of people in each other will crumble if the situation is not immediately taken care of. These times, people need to unite and be one to solve a small issue that may become a big problem.

As expected of Loralai, the supposed to be a test of their powers or abilities went nothing but unexpected. She thought that her professor will stop humiliating her after all these days because none comes to benefit from doing so. But she's wrong. Loralai's professor made her a laughing stock, a stress-reliever. Even her classmates laugh at her for not being able to wield her power, when in fact, even an elementary student can do so. Their powers are natural to their body since they are born, so Loralai has no excuse for not wielding hers well. It's not like her ability was given to her yesterday and can't still use it well.

Throughout their class, her eyes almost didn't stop rolling. She's pissed at how her professor acts. Immaturity and lack of knowledge on how to perform his duty well. Teachers can be like that though. Even though you have no real connection between them, they still have the nerve to humiliate you, call you names, and say offensive things like you are some real relatives exchanging some sort of jokes to pass the time. Loralai has been cursing her professor until he gets out of the room. She was hoping that she will be excused to the activity though, some sort of consideration and mercy to beings like her.

As soon as the bell ring, Loralai stood up from her seat, grabbed her packed lunch on her bag, and walked straight to the school's garden. It's peaceful there and relaxing since she's alone. Students at those times often stay at the school cafeteria to eat lunch and have some boasting sessions with other students that may end up in physical fights. She just laughs every time the thought of students fighting each other crosses her mind. Immaturity, really. Like high school students, they still get to be involved in some nonsense fights because of simple teasing.

"Hey," Adria, her so-called friend approached her. Out of all, Loralai is more comfortable with Adria being around than her foster family. "How are you?"

Loralai slightly laughed. "I'm fine, of course. Why would I be not, right?" She answered, glancing at Adria who is sitting on the garden floor while also eating her packed lunch. "How about you? You look cuter now than when I see you eat at the cafeteria." She joked.

"Oh, come on. I'm cute wherever place I eat," Adria jokingly rolled her eyes like Loralai's compliment was nothing but an obvious remark. "I'm fine, yeah. I've been deprived of sleep since I'm really busy at night."

Loralai took a bite and focused her eyes on Adria. "What's keeping you busy?"

"Just personal things, you know." She shrugged. "I've been having a hard time adjusting to our new place. I can't even get a good night's sleep. So, I'm just keeping myself busy with something else."

"Hmmm," Loralai nodded as a response. "Do you want to know my secret on having a goodnight's sleep?"

"What? Tell me."

"Ask your mother to beat you up, real hard, until you pass out," Loralai said it calmly like it's not something. Adria secretly gulped at what Loralai said. Like hell would she do that. She can't even stand up after tripping, what more to be beaten up by her mother? "That's effective, I'm doing it every night." Loralai laughed after seeing Adria spurt out the food on her mouth like she said something unbelievable and out of this world.

"E-Every night?" Loralai nodded. "H-How? I mean, how are you still alive?"

"I just can endure the pain, maybe," Loralai glanced at Adria. "Why? You can't ask your mother to do that for you?" Adria shook her head. "You can't get a good night's sleep then. Your loss, not mine."

"As if I'm like you. I'm not strong as you think I am."

"Same here," Adria glanced at Loralai like she said something unbelievable. "I think you are strong enough. Strong enough to accept strong punches and counter powerful abilities."

Loralai secretly shook her head. Adria really has a lot of trust in her. She's the friend that looks up to others like they are really high and mighty. It boosts her confidence more than anything. That's why she became closer to the woman. They're not in the same section, but they always eat lunch together, well, not really. Aside from that, Adria is the only being that Loralai can talk comfortably to. No judgment, just genuine reactions, and advice.

"If you think so," Loralai said, dismissing the topic that may lead to more. They just finished their food and immediately went back to their classrooms for the continuation of classes.

After everything, Loralai waited on the waiting shed again for the arrival of Acheros. Her eyes toured around, observing the surroundings for something she can't point out. Loralai thinks she might find someone or something suspicious that may point to the murder incidents that are bothering the whole place, or most probably the whole country. They wouldn't know who will die next, or where will it be. They need to be cautious cause they don't have a single clue who the killer might be. Everyone is at a disadvantage, and being attentive and observant are two of the things they can do for now. They are sure they can find who is behind everything, just not now.

Soon enough, Acheros arrived, same time as Callum walks past by her. She just dismissed it because it's just nothing and went inside the front seat. Everyone is quiet while they're on their way back. Along the way, Loralai's eyes settled on the forest beside the road that they are currently in. It's dark, and scary, and creepy. Loralai flinched as she saw something moved behind the dark trees near the shadowy part of the forest. She suddenly became nervous and began looking around. She just felt like something is watching them, her. She can't calm her mind until they arrived home. After sliding herself out of the car, she wandered her eyes around, she walked outside their gate and quickly scanned the surroundings.

The quietness of the surroundings made Loralai even nervous. It's like the calm before the storm. The quietness before the raging nose. The peacefulness before someone's death.