*this chapter has been edited*

Joshua and I reached my school to find the place in a frenzy. Fear encrypted itself in my being, and I felt like this was a forewarning of things to come.

Everyone was talking amongst themselves. My brother left, wishing me the best of luck not knowing how much I'll need that encouragement. I quickly passed through the crowd looking for Aria.

I couldn't help but hear some of the things most of the students were discussing.

"A serial killer is said be on the loose, raiding homes and killing unsuspecting victims, she might be a victim as well."

"It's said she was taken somewhere, kidnapped they believe."

"That's terrible! I heard her room was full of blood and scratches, it'll be a miracle if she's alive."

"She could be dead for all we know. The fresh blood has been sampled and their still trying to determine who it belongs to."

"Her body has yet to be discovered. There was no sign of forced entry."

I passed by the students having an eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach. Like a stab or a soccer punch to my midsection, I felt sick all over again.

The words that I read this morning flashed through my mind:

'Today one is taken

Again another shall follow.'

It was ridiculous for me to believe that all this was connected to the book I received, but all this seemed too coincidental to not be from the same source.

I don't even know what's happening and my mind is all over the place. I was trying hard to rationalize everything, while my heart jumped with fear and anxiety, I needed to get it together and remain calm.

I finally found Aria among two other students, Rachael and Jessica. As soon as Aria saw me she immediately walked, more like sprinted towards me and grabbed my shoulders in a tight grip. Her eyes as wide as saucers.

"Cecile, everyone is so shaken up. I can't believe something like this could happen in Sauran Valley," the words spluttered out of her mouth that I almost didn't hear her.

"What is it Aria?" I asked, panic gripping my heart.

"It's Sylvia, she's missing." I gasped at the revelation, notions of the book now no longer becoming a coy to scare me.

"What do you mean? Is she dead?" I tried to make sense out of all this. I hoped she was okay, and that we'd stop whatever was happening before things escalated.

Aria slowly shook her head as a response, "Nobody really knows Cecile, and her room was ransacked. Everything was all over the place with scratch marks and blood all over. The principal has called an assembly to notify everyone on this. We'll be heading there soon, but everyone is totally freaked out. This has never happened before at a town like ours," She spoke softly, worry etching her face and reaching out to grasp me in its strong grip.

I held her, not knowing what words to say to comfort her. The bell rang after a few moments and everyone walked towards the hall, slowly, as if not to rush things, Sylvia's disappearance was a huge weight upon every students shoulder.

We entered the hall, taking our seats. In front of the podium stood our Principal, Miss Gen, she was young yet ran this school with a firm hand. She was really beautiful with blond hair that just reached past her shoulders and striking blue eyes. She is a woman I admire to be, strong-willed, independent, and having young energy even as she is reaching her mid-thirties.

She is a responsible, kind-hearted, determined woman, generally a happy person, but today she was anything but bubbly. Her demeanor was shaken up, bothered by the disappearance of her student.

I watched her solemn expression from where I sat. It seemed as though she wasn't really with us, even when she glanced around each and every one of us. She seemed off. I tried to figure it out, maybe like everyone else she's just shocked that something like this happened in our town, but before I could even dwell on that she started talking.

"As most of you have heard a fellow classmate of yours is missing. I cannot disclose much information, but we have opened a missing person case, as it is believed that it is a kidnapping. Nobody knows as to what the cause is.

Police are looking into the matter and anyone with information or any links to her disappearance can stay behind so a statement can be made," her melodic voice spook as she nodded at the door where two policemen stood.

"Our deepest condolences goes to the family of Sylvia. We hope to find her as soon as possible. Safe and sound. Thank you, you may all return to your classes," She said and we all stood up ready to leave.

On my way out I accidently bumped into Tom. My mood dampened even more.

"Hey," he greeted, his smile was polite and posture straight, yet he seemed nervous. I gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

"Cecile I know this is probably a bad time with what is happening but I was wondering if you would like to have dinner or something later on today or tomorrow -I mean not like a date if that makes you uncomfortable or nervous, but like friends hanging out." He asked.

For a few seconds, I just stood there.

Well, I never expected that. I didn't think or expect Aria's predictions to be true. I won't lie, Tom is a breathtaking sight, beautiful hazelnut eyes, dark brown hair, killer smile, nice physique and a beautiful jawline, but I didn't really see myself dating him.

He made me feel suspicious.

This was going to be hard to break but nevertheless I exhaled a deep breath and let him down easily.

"Look Tom, I'm sure you're a really good guy and all, but I'm not into the whole dating thing. I'm just not the girl who can do relationships right now." Or ever I wanted to add, but decided to leave it there.

He took in my words his whole posture became dejected, shoulders sinking and smile dropping, "Oh no it's cool. We could hang out as friends sometime in the future, right?" He asked hopefully.

No.

"Sure Tom," came my reply.

He walked away after that, still dejected from what I said, I caught him turning back a few times, looking like a wounded puppy.

I felt bad, but I had to say no, he'd be falling for the wrong girl. Besides, he can get a girlfriend easily with not only his looks but his ranks here at school.

I watched his slow retreating figure, his footfalls were dragged, defeated.

He looked so hurt, yet he hardly ever talked to me which confused me even more.

I gave a sigh and turned around only to be met with grey eyes glaring daggers at me.

A nervous laugh escaped my lips before I had time to comprehend anything, "Did I do something wrong?" I innocently asked Aria.

Her face clearly showed annoyance, and she rolled her eyes at my question. "Obviously, but you know what I won't push you. It's your funeral if you don't want him," She stated as she turned her back towards me and started walking off.

For some time I just stared, watching her leave. I gave off another sigh and decided to catch up with my blonde friend.

I had almost reached her when I overhead Rachael, the girl Aria was with earlier, talking to a few people.

My steps slowed down when I heard them talk but my heart rate didn't, it spiked.

"Guys, I'm telling you I'm not the only one with this, I don't even know how I got it. 23 other girls have this marking, and none of them didn't go and get it, it just appeared when we woke up."

I stopped dead in my tracks and faced her. Rachael did in fact have a bow and arrow engraved on her neck and if what she said was right 23 other girls had it.

Sylvia had this marking before she disappeared. A deep feeling told me tomorrow would be even worse, but how could I stop this?

I shook my head at the thought, almost laughing out loud, how could I even solve this? No one would even believe a book was part of this whole ordeal.

I'll let the police do their job and not get involved, with that I decided to block it out and focus on school, yet the nagging never stopped.

The threat of danger continued to lure me to read the book as soon as I got home.

And that is exactly what I did.

After school the first thing I did was run up stairs. Reaching my room in quick strides I made sure it was locked before looking for the book. As soon as I found it I turned all the pages only to find them all blank. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

Why was I given a book that was incomplete?

I noticed only the two pages I've read so far had words, but just as I was about to close it and call it a night. Words started appearing on the third page of the book. I let out a small gasp and almost dropped the book in the process.

I closed my eyes, counted to three, and reopened them. Only to find that I wasn't imagining it and words were really forming from the once blank page, I couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes. The words finally settled, and with a heavy heart I started reading:

A new day brings a new task

slowly more questions you may ask

but with so lil' time to find the answers

Lo' where will you get them?

No longer will time be wasted

Patience is a virtue

It is true

yet the fate bearers have no patience

The battles are fast approaching as with the increase in speed

25 girls are now gone

25 more are remaining

the mark of the warrior is engraved

soon we start as the HUNTER

Seeks for answers

Weapons are a means of safety

But none are as effective

as the huntress' bow and arrow

The Sarion shall rise

Meet fowl creatures and ghouls

The battle has only begun

And death is the only thing to save thee

No more going back, only moving forward

Lies, deception, greed and revelations

All this and more you will find

The clock is ticking

It's only a matter of time

From 1 to 25 to finally all

Wait each sunrise and sunset for more

I read the final words with a feeling of dread engulfing me. This battle that was coming, was something I did not like the sound of.

Who else will be involved?

Why choose the people of Sauran Valley as the place for this battle?

××××××××××××××××××

Fourth chapter and ongoing. This is getting more mysterious. What's going to happen next?

I hope you enjoyed reading and until the next chapter. Love y'all

Mercy💜