LIII. Fight or Flight

Raine’s POV:

Never before had I noticed how time acts like water; so slow yet so fast. It can pass by a drop at a time or freeze in a blink of an eye.

Right now, I’m frozen.

The edge of Sonny’s lip curled in a smile, “I’m right, aren’t I?” He leans in closer, “You’re not from this world.”

My emotions are split into several states; thrilled, shocked, and most of all, fearful.

The birdsong from outside seems to grow louder, and Sonny’s voice somehow fades.

I’m afraid.

Sonny grabbed my hand, “I’m not going to hurt you.” I guess I’m not that good at hiding my emotions. “Breathe.”

I inhale a shaky breath. I’m not afraid of Sonny, but I am scared of what he knows. In this world, similar to my own, they don’t like unknown things.

That’s why the war happened when werewolves revealed themselves.

It isn’t a secret that each species have their own experimental group - to create an edge over the other.

Who knows what will happen to me if they found out I’m from another world?

Even worse, what will happen to me if they find out I’m from another world and I happen to have powers to travel to different worlds.

Sonny points at himself, “I’m from another world.”

“What?”

“I’m not from here. I’m from another world,” he said slowly.

Then, storytime began. Sonny told me how he got transported here.

Sonny told me he got kidnapped from his family. Afterward, they experimented on him and sent him through a portal into this world. When he entered this world, he got caught and was used as an experiment since his scent was different from the creatures in this world.

Right now, he’s using a potion to mask his scent and identify himself as human.

He laughs, “It’s funny because I am human, you know? Just not from this world.”

There are obvious loopholes in this story, and I’m sure Sonny knows it.

There’s a part of me that’s curious, but curiosity seems to treat me unwell today.

I’m not going to be curious.

There must be a reason why he chooses to hide the information from me.

And for him to make it so obvious that he’s lying, it shows that he doesn’t care.

It also shows that I’m not a threat to him.

“I can’t do anything,” I said. “I don’t know why I’m here.” Sonny has secrets, but so do I. All because he tells me he’s from a different world, it doesn’t mean we’re best friends. It doesn’t mean I have to trust him fully.

“You don’t know why you’re here?”

“I don’t know.” It’s not a lie. I don’t know why I’m here.

“Do you know how you got here?”

I can sense it - he’s suspicious of me. “No. I don’t know how I got here.”

Sonny opens his mouth but closes it. He leans forward with his elbows against his thighs. “I see.”

“Yeah. Sorry. I wish I could help more.”

The edge of Sonny’s lips curved upward, “If you knew, you would’ve gone back to your world already.” He patted his thighs twice and stood up. “It’s still nice to know, though.”

“What’s nice?”

“It’s nice to know that there are others who are teleported to this world. It...It makes me feel like there is-”

“hope.”

Sonny nods, “Yes.” He exhales softly before he shoves his hands into his back pockets. “Oh. Your friend called earlier. They said they’re almost here. I told them to meet you in town. You know, you wouldn’t want them-” he points his thumb outside the door, “to meet your friends. I’m heading into town later so I can drop you off.”

Steadily, I stood up. “Thank you for letting me stay here, Sonny.”

He scratches his head, “Not a problem. Come on. Let’s take you home.”

The longer I’m with Sonny, the worse I feel. I shouldn’t have felt that way. After all, I’m only protecting myself. For all I know, Sonny may be lying to me.

Inside the car, I twiddle with the seatbelt strap. When I looked outside, I could only see trees. The music played a low melody in the background - it’s raining.

Soon, we arrived at the destination.

“Here you are,” Sonny said. He unlocked the door. “Good luck in whatever it is you’re going to do.”

I smile, “Thank you.”

Sonny saluted me.

I closed the door and turned down the street.

My shoes stop moving after a few steps.

I can hear the engine start behind me.

Immediately, I turn around and rush towards Sonny’s car. I knock against the window, and Sonny rolls it down. “Did you forget something?”

My hands grip against the edge of the door. “If I find a way to go back, then I’ll definitely find you.” I pull out my pinky. “Pinky promise.”

I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t walk away. Even if Sonny is lying, my conscience won’t allow me to turn my back.

Sonny smiled and twisted his pinky around mine. “I also promise that.” He removes his pinky and digs into his pocket. He took out his phone and threw it at me. “Keep in touch.”

I nod, “I will.”

After we say our goodbyes, I turn towards the street and make my way to the hotel. The wind rushed across my warm cheeks, and a grin broke through.

Even if it is a lie.

It’s nice to know someone else is the same as me. Someone else does not belong. And the longer I walked, the larger the hope inside of me got.

When I heard birds chirp, I looked up. They seem to be dancing in the air - so freely. My hand went towards the grey sky, and it expanded. Steadily, sunlight leaked through the grey clouds and between my fingers.

“Mom. I’m coming back soon.” There’s a part of me that knows I’m lying. I don’t know when I can go back home. I push the despair down.

“Pardon me.”

Two words.

It only took two words to break my happiness.

That preppy voice.

I know that preppy voice.

Steadily, I lower my hand and look forward. It’s the woman who checked me into the homeless shelter.

“Raine. Right?” She took a step towards me.

Involuntarily, I stepped back.

When she noticed my response, she stopped walking. The two large men behind her also stop.

“Do you remember me?” She asked.

I nodded.

She smiles again, “I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried since I didn’t see you!”

“Pardon?”

“It’s just...generally those who check into the shelter stay for a few days. You only stayed for a day, so I thought something had happened to you.” Before I knew what happened, she was in front of me. She smiled again, and her fangs emerged - vampire. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

I didn’t respond to her. I couldn’t.

“Oh. You poor thing. You’re shaking! Come with me. I’ll give you something warm to eat. And you need to wear much warmer clothes than these.” She ran her hand down my sleeve.

I shrug her off. “No, thank you. I’m fine. My friends are actually on the way here for me.”

“Your...friends?”

I nod, “Yeah. We were on vacation, and I got lost. Misplaced my ID and all. So, I stayed at the shelter for only a night. But, we got in touch, and I’m all good now. Thank you for your help!”

The woman stares at me for a moment before she smiles again. “That’s good! You’re going to meet them now?”

I nod, “Yeah. They’re almost here, so I got to run. It’s nice seeing you all again!” Slowly, I passed her and then the two large men.

They didn’t pull me back.

They can’t.

At least, not on public streets.

So, that’s precisely what I did to stay safe. Even if there’s a shortcut to the hotel, I decided to take a long way. I’m not taking any chances.

The longer I walked, the more sweat I got. I swallowed the lump inside my throat and increased my speed.

Someone is following me.

I can’t see them, but I can feel them.

Maybe, I’m paranoid.

Yes.

I’m paranoid.

I should calm down.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe-

I saw one of the men down the street.

No more breathing. It’s time to run!

Without a second thought, I ran down the street. I didn’t care if I looked like a crazy lady - let them think that way. This is my life on the line, not the life of a stranger.

For all I know, they could pull up a dark van. Put a bag on my head, throw me in the back, drug me, and drive away. Before anyone in the streets can digest what happened - I’m as good as dead.

I’ve had experience with those events, so my imagination isn’t too far off.

The more I run, the faster people disappear. The phone thumped inside my pocket. “Stupid! You could’ve stood in the middle of the street fill with people, and call Cory and Helen to pick you up there!” I gave myself one good smack on the head before I took out the phone.

I was too occupied with fear to think logically.

The phone clicked, “It’s Raine! I can’t meet you guys at the hotel! I need to stay in the middle of the street filled with people because these strangers from the homeless shelter are after me. I hope I’m crazy, but I think they want to kidnap me and experiment on me!”

My eyes went towards the street signs. “Here is my location. I’m going to stay here and wait for you all. Please tell me you’re almost here!”

I wasn’t stupid enough to stand next to the streets where they can pull up a van; instead, I stood close to a building filled with people. The people inside can hear my desperate pleas.

I grip the phone close to my ear, “Calm down, Raine. It’s okay. You can always scream fire.” I realized that you could get people’s attention faster if you screamed fire instead of help.

Funny.

I inhaled a sharp breath, “Helen?”

No response.

“Cory?”

Again. No response.

I look at the screen. It’s Helen’s number. I pressed the phone against my ear again, “This isn’t funny guys.” I closed my eyes.

What if they had enough?

What if Cory and Helen had enough of me?

They don’t want to be my friends anymore.

The tears streamed down my trembling chin.

I don’t blame them.

I would’ve gotten sick of me - a weak human who always depends on others.

Always self-pitying.

Always hoping, but never take action.

I know my weakness, and I’m certainly not proud of it.

Whenever I open my eyes, I feel like a child—a small kid who’s afraid of her own shadow.

A howl.

My teary eyes roamed the streets - werewolves.

Most of the human-like beings around me are werewolves. They may look like humans, but the moment you tick them off, they shapeshift into a six-foot wolf.

Sharp canines.

Claws.

The strength that can crush...anything...anyone...like me.

I closed my eyes and looked away. My breathing went shallow and fast. The tears fell even faster, and my body curled into a ball as if it’ll keep me safe from everyone.

“Please,” I whispered.

“Help me.”

I desperately gasp for air.

“Anyone. Please.”

It’s getting harder to breathe.

“Leon.”

“You called?”

When the familiar voice appeared, I opened my eyes and looked up. Above me stood a young man who seems to age over the past few days. His hair was rowdy, and there were sweats all over his light skin.

When he went down on a single knee, my body thrust towards him. I embraced him firmly, “Leon!”

Yes. I am embracing the werewolf I’m running away from.

I can feel his warm arms around my waist and his raging heartbeats against my chest.

After a few seconds, my mind and body seem to calm down. I open my eyes to see the woman from the homeless shelter. She stood in the dark alley with the two men behind her. One of them whispered into her ear.

She doesn’t seem pleased.

Steadily, she disappeared into the shadows.

I’ve confirmed it.

They were after me.

Leon’s grip tightens, and he inhaled a deep breath into the nape of my neck.

Not creepy at all.

I grunted slightly before I struggled to move away from him. His grip loosens but not by much. “Listen,” I whispered into his ear. “I don’t know how you got here, but my friends are coming soon. So, when I see them, I’m going to try to run and you-”

The car window in front of me rolled down.

Helen and Cory.

They were tied up in the backseat of the car with their mouths covered in duct tape. With widened eyes, they shook their heads.

“No.”

“W-What?”

Leon’s grip tightens again. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“W-Why not?” I pray it’s a joke. It is a funny, scary joke that Leon decided to play on me before we part ways.

Another dosage of adrenaline floods my system. It goes so fast that I think my heart will explode. His heartbeats only escalate - maybe his will burst before mine. My body screamed at me to run again.

He’s not safe.

He’s not sane.

But, instead, my fears root me where I am.

Fight or flight.

Both responses seem to be broken.

I know at some point, I will have to move.

But, the second I made any movement, he only pulled me back in.

He won’t let me go.

I'm trapped.

“You’re...mine.”

TO BE CONTINUED...