CHAPTER 64

I was seated in the cafeteria early the next morning having breakfast when a shadow fell across my table. I dropped my spoon on my plate and looked up.
'What do you want?"
'Someone isn't very happy to see me."
'Why would I ever be happy to see you?"
'That wasn't the case a couple of years ago," Ryan said as he grabbed the seat opposite me and made himself comfortable. I noticed his guys weren't around him this time.
'Exactly," I sneered. 'That was in the past."
'Why don't we go back to how things were before?"
'Are you crazy?" I hissed.
'Watch your mouth." His voice was a low growl which nearly shut me up immediately.
'Just leave me alone and let's pretend neither of us exists."
'Oh, but that's impossible now," He grinned wickedly. 'Especially considering what you know."
I realised he was talking about the fact that I knew he was involved with THE REDs.
'I won't tell anyone."
'Unfortunately, I don't trust you to keep that information confidential so I'll be watching your back very closely." He whispered the last words and it sent a chill of dread through me.
'Why do you love to torment me like this?" My fingers clenched around my spoon, my appetite was long gone.
He said nothing. He simply smiled and walked away. I was sick and tired of his games but I didn't have the upper hand and we both knew that.
>>>>
Later in the evening, the girls and I decided to treat Lisa to dinner at a popular restaurant on campus which was known for its quality, but a costly menu.
'Okay, you guys, what's the occasion?" Her gaze was filled with suspicion as it moved from one person to the other.
'Once in a while, there is a need for a little bit of change." Alison shrugged.
'Well, this is quite an expensive change though." She raised an eyebrow.
'Jeez, just enjoy it while it last.
Even the air smelled different in there. The plastic chairs I was so used to seeing in the school cafeteria were replaced with plush, velvet comfy looking chairs and the harsh lighting was replaced with a soft glow that gave the place a certain air of sophistication.
'I now see why some girls are so eager to get a guy to take them to this place." Alison sighed.
'Good thing we can take ourselves." I grinned.
'Although it is a group effort." She said.
'It doesn't matter." Lisa shrugged and grabbed the menu off the table. 'Hmm, let's see what they have here."
We took it as a cue to go through our own menus and ended up wincing at some of the prices. After a lot of deliberation, we decided to go Chilly dogs meshed with burger for the appetizer and macaroni Bolognese for the main course. The girls argued over the choice of dessert but eventually agreed on strawberry ice cream sundaes. Suffice to say, the meal was heavenly.
'Hey," Lisa whispered. 'What's going on over there?"
We followed the slight tilt of her head towards the direction where we found a couple in the middle of a heated argument.
'Uh oh," Stacy snickered. 'I guess there's trouble in paradise."
We watched as the buff looking guy held the arm of a girl who was already halfway out of her seat. I just hoped he wouldn't squeeze too tight or else she might lose an arm. It didn't seem like he planned to hurt her though, just to keep her in place. The girl rolled her eyes before she sat down and folded her arms across her chest. I squinted closely at the back of the guy's head. Something about him looked familiar, especially his build. That was when it clicked that he was the huge guy I saw on the night of the raid. The same guy who I also saw with Ryan.
'Are you guys through yet?" I asked the girls.
'Not yet," Stacy said, licking her sundae. 'Why? You seem nervous."
'I just remembered I have some things to do back in the hostel, how about I catch up with you guys later?"
'What're you talking about? You can't bail on us. We came here together so we're leaving together." Alison said firmly.
I angled my body away from the view of the couple and lowered my head as I took another spoonful of ice cream.
'Have you guys heard the latest gist?" Stacy cleared her throat.
'Nope, what's new?" Alison asked as she turned to her eagerly.
I wish they'd just hurry up already, it so wasn't the time to gist.
'You guys remember all the fuss about THE REDs right?"
'Who can forget that night?" Lisa shook her head.
I gave her an encouraging look because I knew her mind had gone far ahead of what they thought she meant. I mean, one would have expected it to be one of the cultists that would commit such a violent act, not a lecturer to a student.
'John told me that the group is planning to make another comeback on campus, in fact, many of its members are already on campus as we speak." Her voice was as low as a whisper.
I knew she was talking about Ryan and his friend but who knew how many others were out there.
'Only God knows what would happen if another raid happens on campus, it'll be worse than the last one.
That's it, I'm calling my parents and going home." Alison said.
'Don't be stupid, exams are just around the corner," Stacy rolled her eyes. 'Where are you running to?"
'Well, not all of us are protected like you are."
At this point, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, that the couple had gotten up from their seats and they walked out arm in arm like they never fought in the first place. I didn't feel at ease until they walked out of the restaurant. I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding and tuned back into the conversation.
'This is the last time I want to hear about this." Stacy hissed. 'I love John and he loves me, that's what matters."
'I still think you're being very stupid Stacy, he's a cultist for crying out loud." It was Alison that said this.
The girls were so silent you could hear a pin drop. My spoon clattered unto my plate in shock and I stared at their faces. It was like an open secret among them, something I was completely unaware of.
'I think it's time to leave." Lisa cleared her throat and got up.
'You're right." Stacy got up next but didn't wait for us before she stormed out of the restaurant.
'Did you really have to go that far Alison?" Lisa asked.
'Someone had to tell her. We all know what happens to most girls who date cultists. They get hurt, badly. Maybe not now but in the long run, they do. I won't just sit quietly while she throws her life away." Alison was the next one to storm out of the restaurant.
Lisa and I exchanged glances and quietly walked out too, we had caused a scene already so it was best to leave as quietly as possible.
'What's all this about John being a cultist?" It was the first thing I asked once we were a distance away from the restaurant.
'It's kind of a recent development, what I mean is, we found out only recently after the raid. The fight between him and Ryan, the whole gang attitude thing they had going on were clear warning signs. Alison decided to confront Stacy about it when she returned days after the fight. At first, it was because she felt she hadn't been there for you when you were in the hospital but then Stacy kinda spilt the secret about
John being a cultist."
'You mean John is part of THE REDS?"
'Of course not, there's a rival group called Fugitives."
'What do they do?"
'Well according to what Stacy said, they sort of want to take out the members of THE REDs."
'So basically, they're asking for war?"
'Exactly," She clicked her fingers. 'And we're right in the middle of it."
The following day, Lisa and I went to the hospital to get the results of her test. She tapped her foot impatiently as we waited until I grabbed her leg and told her to stop. Once it was our turn, she held tightly to my hand as we walked into the doctor's office.
'I have good news and bad news." The doctor began. 'Which do you want to hear first?"
'Um… bad news?" Lisa didn't even sound sure of herself.
'Alright, the bad news is that your test results were initially switched with that of another patient. When we discovered the staff who did this, we had her removed from our service immediately according to the hospital's policy."
'And what's the good news?" I asked.
The doctor smiled and looked from Lisa to me.
'The good news is that you were never HIV positive and the confirmation tests we ran were negative. You're very healthy."
'Oh my gosh, that's great news! Lisa-" I turned to face her only to see her slumped in her seat. 'Lisa!"
'She must have fainted due to shock, don't worry she'll be alright." The doctor sprang into action and sprinkled a bowl of water on her face. Minutes later, she became conscious again.
'Please take good care of yourself from now on and as her friend," He turned to me. 'Please watch her carefully."
'I can't believe how lucky I am." She said once we left the hospital.
'Imagine if you'd gone and killed yourself for a disease it turns out you don't even have." I nudged her shoulder.
'Okay, I agree that was stupid of me."
'Finally, she listens to me."
'But I really can't thank you enough Monica, you've really been a good friend and you're the last person I expected this from."
'What can I say? People can surprise you." I shrugged. 'But what are you going to do now?"
'About what?" She asked.
'Mr David, are you just going to brush it off like it didn't happen?"
'I don't know Monica, I want to forget all about it."
'What if it he does something like this again?"
'You're right, I'll think of something." She nodded. 'Come on, let's go get some food. I think all that relief has made me hungry."
'I second that." I smiled.
The first sight we saw when we opened the room door was an enraged Alison seated with her arms folded across her chest as she stared at the door. She held a piece of paper in her hands which she raised immediately we stepped in.
'When were you going to tell me, that's if you even planned on doing so?"
'What're you talking about?" I asked.
She shoved the paper at Lisa and went back to her position.
'I knew you guys were hiding something but I didn't expect it to be this big!"
'Lower your voice okay?" Lisa hissed. 'And why on earth would you go through my stuff?"
'Lisa, how could you keep something like this from me, only to tell Monica?"
'Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" I spoke up.
'Stay out of this okay?" She snapped at me. 'I don't mean any offence but you're the last person I expect her to tell."
'Alison, take that back," Lisa said. 'She's been more supportive than anyone else."
'Well, that's because she's the only one you told."
'She's the only one I trusted at that point!"
Alison was silent and her mouth dropped into an ‘o' shape.
I decided to let them be at that point so I walked out of the room in order to clear my head. I tried to be reasonable and see things from Alison's perspective but she had no right to treat me that way. Lisa was free to tell her secrets to whoever she saw fit and if Alison had a problem with that, I wasn't the one to take it out on.
I'd walked as far as the regular student hangout when I decided to turn back or head in the direction of the library. I still had some time to kill so I could put it to good use. I was about to head in a different direction when my eyes stuck fast to the scene ahead of me. A couple was entwined in what I felt was a blatant display of PDA. The guy was none other than Ryan which I found highly disgusting but the girl was very familiar. I squinted at her features and gasped when I realized it was the same girl I saw at the restaurant earlier with Ryan's hulk of a friend.
Wait, could it be? I thought. Could she possibly be two-timing both of them? Two cultists for crying out loud?
I made a U-turn and headed in the opposite direction. She was so doomed.
****
The first semester exams were fast approaching and half the population of students were a nervous wreck. It was then that a level of seriousness could be seen that was unlike anything during the semester. The time I spent hiding away in the library was converted into time for studying and I didn't research as much on THE REDS as I wanted to. I figured there wasn't much Ryan could do to me that he hadn't already done.
From what I'd seen a few days ago, he was doing pretty well with himself in the aspect of the female company and Lord knows I didn't want his eyes or hands anywhere near me. He might make my life a living hell but as long as he wasn't interested in me romantically, I didn't care what he did with his life.
There was still some tension between Alison and Stacy but I decided not to get into that. Lisa was practically glowing these days and her smiles were as infectious as ever since the news that her test results were negative.
'That's it, I'm giving up." Becca threw her notebook across the table, startling the rest of us. I'd agreed to join a study group organized by some of my course mates.
It was our third day of tutorials and I'd made some progress, even found some new friends among them.
'It's not rocket science Becca, just binomial distribution."
Victor sighed. He'd joined us in the MTH102 tutorials and I was glad he did because he was a math genius. We'd be lost without him.
'At this rate, rocket science would be much easier." She grumbled.
He tossed her an irritated look but underneath, there was something I couldn't quite define. Maybe it was affection. I smiled secretly to myself, thinking this was why he'd told me earlier not to worry about any unwanted attention
from him.
'Let's just start over again." Maya, the chubby girl from MTH102 that always made googol eyes at Mr. David spoke up.
When we finally called it a day, I was about to head to the library when I got a call from Lisa.
'What's up?" I asked as I gathered my books into my bag and swung it over my shoulder.
'Are you busy right now?"
'No, I just finished tutorials."
'Could you do me a favor, please?"
'Sure, what do you need?"
'I'm stuck running some errands and I need to pick up my cousin who's visiting today. Please, could you help me sign him in?"
'Um, when are you expecting him?"
'In less than thirty minutes, he's already on his way."
'Okay sure." She described him to me and said she'll send a picture too just in case. I had some minutes to spare so I took my time in getting to the university gate where most visitors usually stayed in the reception. I was about ten minutes early so I put in my earphones and listened to some music. My
phone beeped with a message from Lisa and my mouth fell open in surprise when I saw the image and his name. I looked up from my phone screen to find
him standing before me.
'Charles?" His name slipped out of my mouth.
'Monica?" He said with a grin.
I quickly stood and walked towards him.
'You're Lisa's cousin?" I asked. I'd thought I'd most likely never see him again after the incident that happened during the field trip.
'Yes, and you're the friend she asked to pick me
up." He said as we shook hands. I glanced down and nodded towards his leg, almost forgetting that my hand was still in his.
'Does your leg still hurt?" I asked.
'You remember that?"
'Of course."
'It's much better now and I hope you haven't been running into any deadly reptiles lately."
'Not recently, no." I laughed. 'Thanks again for saving my life that day."
'Don't mention it." He shrugged it off. As I looked
at him, something about him suggested that he was rough around the edges and that gave me a hint that he'd dealt with
creatures that were more deadly.
'So.." I was interrupted when my phone beeped with another message from Lisa.
He should be here by now.
'It's Lisa," I said. I sent a reply that I'd seen him.
Great, thanks! I'll meet you guys in front of the cafeteria in few minutes.
'Let me sign you in," I said. We headed over to the guard at the
reception desk and signed in. Afterwards, I led him towards the cafeteria. 'Sorry, Lisa is running late but she'll meet us in about ten minutes."
'I don't mind my current company." I looked away when his eyes lingered for a moment longer than I could handle.
Something about him gave me warning signs but still drew me to him.
'So, did you know we were on that field trip the day we first met?" I asked.
''Lisa told me you guys were in the area but I didn't actually plan to bump into any of you."
I wondered how close they were and why she had never mentioned him before.
'You look like you've got a lot of questions for me."
'I'm just curious."
'About what exactly?"
'Why Lisa hasn't mentioned you until today."
'My cousin and I don't always see on certain matters." He shrugged. Just then, I saw Lisa headed towards us and for some reason, I felt like there was more
to this visit than she let on. Her eyes were serious despite the smile she had on her face and when she greeted him, her smile still didn't reach her eyes.
'Sorry for bothering you." She said to me.
'Oh, it was no big deal." I brushed off her apology.
'Um, I'll see you guys later."
I turned and tried to slip away.
'Monica," Charles said before I could take a step.
'Yes?"
'Thanks for your help."
'You're welcome."
'I'll… see you later."
For some reason, he made it sound like a promise and I tried to ignore the effect it had on me. My steps felt like hot coals were under my feet and I didn't slow down my pace until I was out of sight. I leaned against a wall and tried to
calm down. It had been ages since I'd felt anything other than irritation, bitterness, fear and suspicion towards a member of the opposite gender and I tried to convince myself that I felt nothing different for him.
I went to the first place I could think of which was the library and picked up the journal about THE REDS to continue from where I left off.
As I turned a page, I noticed a few words at the bottom of the page that looked like scrawled handwriting. Someone had definitely written those words there. I squinted at it for a closer look and saw a name and date written 1670AD (DARKLORD).
I brought out my phone and took a picture of it since I couldn't make any sense of it. My phone beeped with a
message from Lisa
We're going to get some food, are you interested?
I thought about it for a while. Despite my grumbling stomach, I didn't trust myself to be around Charles. Something about him triggered feelings I had no business with, not after what I'd been through.
Don't worry about me, you guys should go ahead.
Are you sure?
Absolutely.
As I set my phone aside, I tried hard to ignore the little voice in my head that told me I was a coward for running away from him.
'What're you up to?" I jumped at the sound of the voice behind me and spun around to find Victor watching me.
'When did you get here?"
'A few minutes ago, why?"
'Nothing."
'Don't tell me you think I would waste a few precious moments of my life staring at you fiddling with your phone."
I rolled my eyes at him as he sat down beside me.
'Where did you get that?" His eyes narrowed at the book that was open before me. I realised too late that I hadn't thought to keep it out of sight when he came.
'It's just a book I found in one of the History
sections." He inspected it for a few seconds and frowned.
'You do realise this book is mostly about cults right?"
I didn't say anything.
'Monica, what're you searching for?"
'What do you mean?" I shrugged.
'Why aren't you reading a novel or maybe a textbook.
Why this?" He held the book up in front of me to drive home his point.
'I was just curious, okay?"
'You know what they say about curiosity."
'Well," I snatched the book from him. 'It's a good thing I'm not a cat."
I got up to leave but then I realized I would have to leave the book behind because it couldn't be checked out of the library.
'Just sit down and hear me out." I sighed as I did
so. I figure it couldn't hurt to hear what he had to say.
'You need to be careful, especially when it comes
to matters
like this."
'I'm just reading a book at the library."
'A book that contains information about a cult as deadly as THE REDs which was original called ORION. I don't know if you've heard but things are kind of tense around campus and don't say you heard this from me, but there are rumors that the former leader of THE REDs. descendants of the Dark Lord of ORION is back on the surface after disappearing for so long.
Imagine what changes that could bring about." He looked around the nearly
empty library before he continued. 'Sometimes, playing ignorant is better than acting smart. You don't know who's watching."
His words still rang in my head long after he left and as I walked back to the hostel, I wondered what would happen to those of us who had unwillingly gotten entangled with members of THE REDs.