I stared into the road trying to focus so that my mind wouldnt drift away.  We finally found Lorraine's car in a deserted parking lot. Ashley was passsed out and Lorraine was just dozing a bit.

And here i am, driving. Lorraine had actually offered to drive us back, but oh heck no! I aint letting her drive with the face she has right now. My knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

Im so dead if my dad finds about this night... its okay Carly... its okay. No one will know. A little secret wont hurt!

I sighed and stopped at the red light. The whole place was a glittle gloomy with onky few cars moving around. The flashbacks of the woman back there came back to my mind. I shivered and clenched the steering wheel harder.

Why? Why am i afraid? 'Save yourself' ? The phrases... the necklace. Why does it haunt me? Why am i like this?

I heard a honk from the car behind us. I came back to reality and saw the light had already turned green. I accelerated the pedal, shifting the gears.

******

I drove and after some time i turned around right to Ashley's home. Ashley's place was really a cozy and a homely home. It was always the last resort when we came up with problems... for instance, getting drunk? She never yelled at us or gave a typical-parent's 2 hour long lecturs for doing crazy things, since she feels life is all about crazy things... and we have to see more of the world rather than being the quiet one, missing it all out. She is one wonderful woman who always lets her crash at her place no matter what time we show up. Ashley's home is like my second home and i love being there.

Ashley lives here alone with her aunt,  Elizabeth Kent. Since her aunt is like all chill... with no question-downpour, we all loved her. She's from England and almost 60. From what i heard from Ashley, she is a widow and her children are in England and Tokyo. Why she is still staying here? Its because this city was the first time she met uncle Clad Kent. So many memories attached her to this place and she refused to leave even after he had passed away 3 years back. Guess, true love exists after all...

I parked the car in the driveway and turned off the engine. I pulled out the key and woke up Lorraine.

She yawned, "we're already here?"

I replied, "yeah.." i got out of the car and slammed the door. I stretched my arms and my back. Lorraine too, came outside and stood next to me. We began walking towards the house just then we heard a small thud.

Ashley..

We both looked at each other and sighed groaning. I took heavy steps to the car and opened the passenger door, revealing the mighty Ashley sleeping with her legs sprawled on the seats' headrest.

Lorraine came stomping, shoving me a little to the side, "Hey! Feet off my car! Now!"

"Whaaattttttt? Stopppp yellling... i haaavvee twoooo ears." Ashley said getting out from the car. She did a okay-sign at Lorraine's face, "okay?" She grinned widely and fell on me, linking her arms around my shoulder.

Lorraine removed her glasses off and tried to loosen Ashley's grip on me. Ashley reeked of alcohol.

How much did this girl drink? seriously..

"Myyy... Carllyyyyyy..." she said caressing my face, practically slapping me. I winced at the sting of the pain. Then suddenly her head dropped and she became motion-less passing out. I glared at Lorraine and she tried looking away.

This all happened because of you... Lorraine.

We gathered all of our strength and lifted Ashley towards the door. I was already exhausted when we reached the doorstep. I rung the doorbell and waited for Aunt Liz to arrive. It seemed like forever but then she finally showed up. I smelled the sweet smell of muffins as she opened the door. Its 11.20pm and there are muffins baking somewhere in there... the usual Aunt Liz. She was short with a round face and a small nose. Her golden auburn hair was always tied up neatly in a bun. Her eyes were blue and they gleamed in mischievousness everytime. She had a pleasant always-approachable personality and her smile i always found too cute.

I smiled at her as she looked at me and she smiled back, but soon later her smile turned into a frown when she saw Ashley half-way almost to the ground.

"Sweet Jesus! what happened to her?" She asked worriedly looking at us

Lorraine laughed awkwardly "uhh... about that Aunt Liz... We had one hell of a night" she said smiling widely at the end.

She laughed back "You both smell like rotten apples. Go get washed up. Carry her upstairs to her room... make sure she doesnt sleep just like that." She said moving aside, so that we can walk in the house.

Damn... Ashley is heavy... why did Lorraine had to get this idea of 'fun' out of all the plans?

The house was warm and it felt so nice. The smell of the baked goodies and the light Beethoven music hit into my ears. It was so calming and my mind felt at ease. I inhaled more of the sweet smell before turning back to Aunt Liz.

"Ohmy dear... i havent seen you both in ages!" She said hugging me
"I would have hugged you Lorraine, but you gotta take a shower first!" She said smirking. Aunt Liz... i nodded my head and Lorraine laughed.

"Ashley should have told me about you guys... ohmy! Carly.. dont you like the chocolate vanilla shake? I will get that for the three of you right away... even my muffins are baked now. I will be up in a few minutes. Off you go... go right now." She said scurring into the kitchen.

One more reason i like her is that... i always get to eat the best baked goodies in the whole  town. I know im a little selfish... but who can say 'no' to baked goodies like muffins and cookies?!

We carried Ashley up to her room. I plopped down on the bed right next to Ashley whereas Lorraine occupied the bean-bag. We both eased ourselves stretching out our arms and legs.

Lorraine poked Ashley on her sides, and she groaned waking up. She looked at us as if we were, possessed by demons who had travelled through time. She got up and made her way to the bathroom slamming door. We both stared at the door

"Well... that was awkward"  Lorraine chuckled

I smiled ending up laughing like an idiot.

*****

Oh shit! I forgot about my dad... its 12. I panicked and checked my phone. There were no messages... i sighed on relief.

"Hey.. guys i gotta go.." i said slipping my phone into my pockets.

"Go?" Lorraine asked me eyeing up at me who had just come out of showering. Her hair was still wet and she was wrapped in a towel. It would have been awkward if it were any other girl, but since it was Lorraine.., i was fine with it.

I nodded my head.

"My dad will be worried..." i said dropping my shoulders.

Lorraine walked up to me and pulled out my phone from my pockets. She unlocked and went to the 'calls' calling my dad.
She walked out and i crept behind her. They both kept on talking for minutes like best friends. Sometimes i wonder if it is me Lorraine is friends with or is it my dad?

She hung up wishing "goodnight" to my dad.

She came over to me and tossed my phone, luckily i caught it.

"You can stay over... you're welcome." She said smirking moving to the closet

I sighed smiling to myself.  I do not know what magic she plays on my dad in times like these... but it sure does work out a lot.

"Thankyou..." i said in a child's voice smiling ear to ear.

Lorraine chuckled nodding her head, "you better get changed too... you dont want me to eat all the muffins do you?"

I ran into the bathroom grabbing a pair of pyjamas and a white shirt. I changed into them quickly. I seriously cant trust Lorraine.

I finished and came out quickly. I saw Ashley sprawled on the bed with her eyes open

This kid is fine now.. thankgod.

"Glad youre staying..." Ashley said putting up a thumbs-up

"Dont you ever get drunk again" i said rolling my eyes.

"Yes... maam, i wont" she said dramatically clasping her hands.

I laughed at her cheesiness and we began talking about random girl stuff over midnight vanilla-chocolate shakes and chocolate muffins. Perfect way to end a day... i thought to myself.

We played games and finally my eye lids were dropping. I lazily looked at my phone and i saw the time.. 2.15 am! Freaking 2.15!

Stupid stupid Carly...

I got up and walked towards the bed, yawning

"Going to sleep already?" Ashley asked me

"Guys.. its 2.15... " i said covering myself with the blanket.

They both gasped and looked at the time. We were having so much fun that we didnt even see the time escape.

Ashley and Lorraine are on one king-sized bed and i occupied the other spare bed that is always kept as an extra in Ashley's room so that we can crash on it when we stay at her place.

I eyed my coat in suspicion and got out of the blanket, walking towards it.

I put my hands in the pockets and pulled out a silverish necklace from there. I clasped it in my hand and walked back to the bed. I laid down pulling the blankets over me.

I opened my hand and let the necklace dangle in air. I looked closely at the pendant and i kept remembering the words she had said.

"The circle stands.. for the time of your life
The line for the shadow of balance
The triangle stands for the worthless crown
Placed high up with the diamonds

The two curves shall stand for the
Savage swords that would reap your soul and the others'
Finally it would shatter the glass
Making the world cold forever"

I remembered each line clearly. I already had trouble sleeping for the past one week and now this happens.

My nightmares didnt stop coming in... each night i had the same dream... me standing on the window ledge and stabbing myself.... just why?

No matter how hard i tried not to think of todays incidents.... i thought deeper about it. My whole body shivered and i got goosebumps making my hair stand up against the blanket. I cant share this to anyone either... people would think its just nightmares and shrug it off.

Ashley turned off the bedlamps and went to sleep with Lorraine. It became silent and i saw the moonlight seeping in through the windows. The room was illuminated by the light and there was something weird about it. The night was calm but the thoughts in my mind were like in a raging sea.

I cant get my thoughts straight anymore. The words and the scenes keep repeating.

Do they mean anything? Does it have to do anything with me? I stared at the pendant and then held it close to my chest. I sighed loudly and kept it on the bedpost. I opened my eyes and stared into the ceiling

Whom should i save.... why should i save myself, most importantly... what should i save all of us from?

I cant... all this.. its just too much.

I cant sleep... everytime i close my eyes... i see death... his death. That boy whose name i do not know of... the girl.... Jenriark...

Why is this happening to me?

All that pain... and night raiders... i shuddered again and a cold sweat seeped down my face.

I shouldn't think about it... its normal... perfectly...

Normal...

Authors Note

Sorry for the short update... this chapter is lame... lmao.. i get it!😅😅😅

Anyways... a lot of shiz is gonna go down in the next chapter. So many revelations and new theories... dont worry, you will understand everything in the next chapter which you had no clue of until now....

If there are any theories, lemme know in the comments. Im all ears!😁😙

So... I've also decided on writing a new book aside from this... you guys should check it out... it will be out soon!

The chapters are not yet published... but maybe in a week a chapter will be out..

Anyways.., have a great day.. love yall😍😍😍😍