The creature appeared to be familiar to her. She believed she had seen him in her nightmares almost every night.
This art academy was extremely suspicious. But she had no idea what was wrong. Her mind was still trying to make sense of the guard's explanation, so she could only nod in agreement. The answer was insufficient to satisfy her.
Gina took Emelle Lee's arm. She could still feel her body shaking. She decided to take her home.
"Where do you live, Emelle?" Gina asked.
"Chinatown in the downtown," she answered.
"Ah, I see. Should I walk you home?"
"Thank you, but no. I can go home by myself."
"Alright. If you need anything, please let me know. Don't be shy."
"Sure."
The two young women walked together. Gina looked at the statues on the terrace's pillars, which gave off an unusual aura. Her attention was drawn to the garden pads with the fountain in the center. Around it, colorful flower pots are neatly arranged. A number of students were seen passing by.
Gina was happy going through the park with Zeryon; today should be fun to prepare an art party with him. Unpredictably, it ended very bad.
Arriving in front of the gate, their steps stopped.
"How would you go home? Do you have a vehicle, Emelle?"
"Yeah, I brought my dad's car." Emelle took the key out of her bag.
"That's great."
"By the way, Gina—"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Are you close with Zeryon Drax?"
"Not really. I knew him from Youtube. I've watched his videos for years. But we just met in person lately," Gina explained, "Why are you asking?" she added.
"Nothing. I was just curious." Emelle lowered her head. It seemed she was still in shock from the incident earlier.
"Everything is fine. You're all right now." Gina stroked her shoulder to soothe her.
"It's not that it. I just feel there is something wrong with this academy. And also with the teachers," she said.
"I don't know...well, maybe." Gina looked back. She had seen the magnificent academy building before returning her gaze to her friend, "This campus feels a little weird. I thought it's because my first day," she continued.
"I know right? What's more weird, that creature doesn't seem to be human. I just don't believe what the guard said." Emelle's eyes widened and her hand gripped Gina's arm.
"Actually I...ah never mind, you don't need to think too hard. You better hurry home, take a bubble bath and relax your mind," Gina suggested.
Gina didn't want to stress her new friend out and negatively impact her mental health. So she changed the subject of the conversation.
"Okay. My head is throbbing too. I don't really feel well now. Need to get some rests. I'm going home first, okay?" Emelle asked.
"Okay. Be careful, okay. See you tomorrow." Gina said and she waved her hand.
"You're not coming home? I can ride you to your home."
Gina shook her head, then responded, "Thank you, but I still want to wait for my friends first. Maybe next time."
"Okay then."
Gina remembered something and said, "Oh wait, please give me your phone number and let me know if you arrive home safely."
Emelle nodded in agreement, and they exchanged phone numbers. She then said goodbye and she hurried home, leaving Gina still arguing with her own thoughts.
She had broken her mother's rules. She wanted to prove that she could survive in the outside world. However, what had just happened had caused her to reconsider and become somewhat pessimistic. She started to doubt if she really made the right decision.
However, if she stopped now, she could show nothing but failure. Therefore, she had chosen to continue her education and later when she graduated, she could show off her diploma to her mother and gain her appreciation.
From a distance, Gina could see her friend walking towards her.
"Hey guys!" Gina held her hand high and waved it.
Yesiba and Bryn waved back at Gina. A few seconds later, they arrived in front of her.
"Hey Gina. How was your class?" Bryn asked.
"No bad," Gina answered.
Bryn was not sure and exclaimed, "Really? But you look weird. Is there something happening?
"Not a big deal. Just some messy at the art party aula."
Meanwhile Yesiba immediately hugged her. "I had a great time in dancing class. It feels like I was not at the school because I was just so happy by doing it."
"Same with me. I learned about ancient statues. How people used to sculpt them. Some of the statues even lived in their time. But I think they just made up that kind of myth," Bryn said.
"Was the story true?" Gina asked.
"No way. If it's true, I don't mind studyng the knowledge. I would show my masterpiece to the world and I would be famous."
"Sounds like a plan. Don't forget me after you're famous," Yesiba responded.
"Of course not. You'll get my free picture and authograph."
"Uhuh. I don't need that since I got your dirty pictures playing mud on the rains."
Yesiba and Bryn burst out laughing. But Gina's mood had completely dropped, so she didn't feel like laughing with them.
She was concern about the hidden truth behind the academy. She wanted to figure out what was going on.
Suddenly, Gina's phone rang. She immediately scooped up her phone from her bag, then she tapped the accept button and answered the incoming call by saying "hello".
"Gina! Help me! Come home soon!"
The voice on the other end almost made her heart break into pieces.
"Modesty, what's goin on? Modesty? Are you there?"
"Gina! Gina! Hurry up!"
"Modesty, stop joking! It's not even funny."
"I'm not joking!" Then the call suddenly cut off.
Gina's blood felt like it sank after hearing the sound of her sister's screams. Her heart pounded as fear and worry ran through her.
"What happened? Is everything alright?" Yesiba asked.
"I don't know. Let's go home now, Guys! I'm afraid something bad happened to my sister."
Bryn and Yesiba's faces immediately paled after hearing Gina's words. For a moment they froze. A split second later, they woke up and immediately headed to the car park to go home.