Matteo's fingers clenched around the small card Ayda had left behind. The location was printed in neat, simple letters, yet it burned into his vision like a brand. His breathing was uneven, his hunger clawing at his insides, but that didn't matter now. What mattered most to him was Nora, Nora was in danger.
He shoved the card into his pocket and bolted out. His limbs felt heavier than usual, his strength faltering, but he didn't stop. His mind kept repeating Ayda's words "If you truly love your precious Nora, I bet she owes you her life now."
Damn her. Damn them all. Matteo stormed through the school hallways, his senses on high alert. He needed to find Nora. The faster, the better. He knew what his people were capable of doing.
The streets blurred as he ran to Nora's house. His feet barely touched the ground as he pushed himself forward, his heart pounding like a war drum. The moment he reached the familiar doorstep, he banged against the door.
"Nora!" His voice was loud and desperate. "Nora, are you in there?"
There was only silence. Matteo's breathing was ragged as he tried the doorknob. It was locked. His fist pounded against the wooden surface again, but there was no response.
He swallowed hard. He knew for a fact that something wasn't right.
His mind screamed at him to move. If she wasn't here, then maybe she was at school. Maybe she was safe. Maybe Ayda was bluffing. But he still knew that Ayda never bluffed. At least she wasn't his mother, Adel.
With renewed urgency, he spun around and dashed back toward the school, barely noticing the stares of passing students as he stumbled through the halls. He felt weak. The hunger was at him, whispering dark temptations into his mind. Not now.
As soon as he spotted Emma near her locker, he rushed over, gripping her shoulder. "Emma, where's Nora?"
Emma flinched, startled. "Jaytee? What's wrong with you?"
"Where. Is. She?" His voice was almost a growl.
Emma pulled back slightly, confusion and concern flickering in her eyes. "I…I don't know. She didn't come to class today."
Matteo cursed under his breath. His grip on Emma's shoulder tightened before he forced himself to let go. His vision was hazy. The hunger. The desperation. It was all colliding.
He turned without another word and ran.
The air inside the abandoned building was thick with dust and the faint scent of rusted metal. The walls were half-built, and exposed concrete pillars stood like skeletons in the dim moonlight that seeped through the broken ceiling.
Nora sat on the floor, her wrists tightly cuffed behind her. She struggled, twisting her arms, but the tie was too tight on her.
Across from her, Ayda leaned against a support beam, arms crossed.
"You're wasting your energy," Ayda said, her tone amused. "Those cuffs aren't coming off."
Nora glared at her. "What do you want?"
Ayda chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart, this isn't about what I want. It's about what your dear Matteo will do to save you."
Nora's jaw clenched. "Who is Matteo? Who are you?" She asked with so much curiosity
"Sorry…. What's his name again, Jaytee…. Jay… tee" Ayda said looking at the very surprised Nora.
"You're using me as bait," Nora asked again.
Ayda smiled. "Smart girl." Nora's heart pounded. "You're making a mistake."
"Oh?" Ayda raised a brow. "And why is that?"
Nora's eyes burned with defiance. "Because Jaytee won't let you get away with this."
Ayda's smirk widened. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
She walked forward, crouching beside Nora. "You see, my dear, Matteo….. Jaytee is already losing himself. He's already weak. And when he gets here, when he sees you like this, he'll be so desperate he won't even realize he's walking right into my trap."
Nora's stomach twisted. The thought made her blood run cold.
Adel stood before Ben, she had released him from her grip, her green eyes glowing in the dim light.
He had seen strange things before. He had suspected things before. But now, staring at Adel, he knew.
She wasn't human. "Y-You're…" His voice cracked.
Adel's lips curled into a smirk. "Go on, Ben. Say it."
Ben's hands trembled. "You're… a monster."
Adel let out a low chuckle. "That's such a boring word. I prefer something more."
She took a step forward, and Ben instinctively pushed himself back against the wall.
"But since you're so curious," Adel continued, crouching down to his level, "I'll tell you a little secret."
Ben held his breath. "I'm not just some random student," she whispered. "I'm Jaytee's mother."
Ben's eyes widened. "That's not possible."
Adel smiled. "Oh, but it is."
Ben shook his head frantically. "You look….You're young…"
Adel's smirk deepened. "And you're slow."
Ben's heart pounded against his ribs. He had been right all along, about Jaytee, about Adel, even though he said it the wrong way, they did have a relationship together, but he had no idea how deep the darkness truly ran.
Adel stood up, her gaze darkening. "And now, I think it's time for a little trip again, a little punishment to remember."
Before Ben could react, the world around him blurred.
Ayda checked her watch, an impatient sigh escaping her lips. Matteo was taking too long.
She turned to Nora, a smirk playing on her lips. "You think he'll come for you, don't you?"
Nora glared. "He will."
Ayda rolled her eyes. "You're so predictable."
Just as she was about to say more, a rustling sound came from the entrance of the unfinished building. Footsteps echoed against the concrete floor. A slow, calculated clap followed.
Ayda froze. She knew that sound. She turned, and there, stepping into the dim light, was Adel.
And she wasn't alone. Ben was with her, his face pale, his expression one of absolute terror.
Ayda's smirk faded. "What is this?"
Adel's emerald gaze locked onto her. "You've been busy."
Ayda's eyes flickered to Ben, then back to Adel. Something was wrong. She hadn't accounted for this.
Adel tilted her head, an almost amused expression on her face. "A little surprise for us"
Ayda's fingers twitched "Why did you bring this weak human, he is not part of our plan"
Adel stepped forward. "I don't know when next I'll be visiting the school again, I just needed to finish my business with this fool," she said, her voice smooth as silk as she turned to Adel again and then to the very surprised Nora "Shall we begin?"