SWNOVELS Chapter 6: Shadows of Greenhills
"Greetings, young lady. Get up," I heard a gentle voice as I opened my eyes to see a pair of concerned eyes staring at me. It took me a few minutes to gather myself before finally looking away and slowly standing up. I felt dizzy and disoriented, not entirely sure what had happened to me. Did I hear a voice yesterday? I couldn't be sure if it was real or just my imagination, but the man's straightforward words now added to the confusion.
"The time has come for us to get together."
Those were the words I heard before I passed out yesterday, spoken by a voice that sounded strangely familiar. But I couldn't find a place where I had heard it before.
As I ventured outside for a walk, I was startled by a distressing sight. Numerous corpses lay around, and the place was filled with blood. What shocked me even more was that I could feel their pain and hear their faint pulses. They were struggling to survive, but there was nothing I could do to help them. The overwhelming emotions and gruesome scene became too much for me to bear, and I lost consciousness once again, my head spinning.
The mysteries and horrors surrounding this university seemed to grow with each passing moment, leaving me feeling even more lost and desperate for answers. I knew that I had to uncover the truth behind these haunting experiences, but the path ahead seemed increasingly treacherous and uncertain.
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The nightmare had left me feeling uneasy and disoriented as I abruptly woke up. It was a recurring dream that always gave me goosebumps and made me question my sanity. The fear it instilled in me was overwhelming, and the haunting images of those who had died in vain weighed heavily on my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to do something to make amends, but I had no idea where to start or how to do it.
Just as I was lost in deep thoughts, loud knocks on the door jolted me back to reality. I sighed, feeling a bit irritated, but I knew I couldn't complain about it. Nathalie was taking me on a tour of the campus, and I hoped to gather more information about the various locations within the university.
Reluctantly, I stood up and approached the door. As I opened it, I was met with a frown on my face. Shawn was standing right in front of the door. I couldn't help but wonder why he was here and what his purpose was in seeking me out at this moment. The mysterious events of the past days had left me on edge, and Shawn's appearance only added to my growing list of questions and uncertainties.
"Fix yourself so we can eat, and then we'll go exploring later," Shawn stated. I was about to respond, but he turned his back and walked back to the kitchen. Frustrated, I stomped my legs, annoyed by his behavior. What was his problem? But I knew I had no choice but to follow his instructions, even if he seemed like a jerk.
After taking some time to freshen up, I headed straight to the kitchen. Shawn was sitting there, calmly reading a newspaper while waiting for me. I didn't want to keep him waiting any longer, fearing he might get irritated. On the table, I noticed the food was already prepared: a tuna sandwich, milk, pineapple, egg, and bacon. Despite feeling hungry, I didn't show it to him.
"What happened to the rest of them?" I asked, noticing that he was still focused on the newspaper, causing my brow to furrow.
"They're on a mission," he responded coldly.
I raised my brow in response to what I heard. A mission? Could it be connected to the creature that escapes after the failed experiment? If so, then the group they're a part of is useless and probably responsible for the problems in Ottawa City, as I had already suspected. But who else could be involved in this assassination plot?
"Just start eating," Shawn said once more, urging me to begin.
"Why don't you join them?" I inquired, looking at him intently. He glanced at me, lowering the newspaper he was holding.
"I have to deal with your next blunder. It's my task for today, and I need to look after you because Nathalie is currently working in my father's office," he replied without a flinch.
"Then you're a useless son," I retorted, taking a seat. He glanced at my plate with a hint of disapproval as he shook his head. Nevertheless, I allowed him to serve me and babysit me, as he insisted on doing so.
I shifted my focus to the newspaper on the table, waiting for Shawn to finish what he was doing. The information on the page immediately caught my attention, and to my surprise, Shawn didn't stop me from taking the newspaper right away. The food he had served on my plate went unnoticed as I became engrossed in the newspaper, and I could sense Shawn's keen interest in my reaction. As I read the article, a shiver ran down my spine.
"In Ottawa City, 2000 persons were reported missing. And the fact that all of the missing individuals will turn 18 next year adds to the skepticism and perplexity. Who was the mastermind behind all of this?" I read aloud, my voice trembling slightly.
The newspaper also contained various photographs of the missing 17-year-old girls and boys. The gravity of the news I had just read hit me hard, and I dropped the newspaper immediately, unable to bear the weight of such a disturbing revelation.
"Simply put, consume your food first. Save your inquiries for later," Shawn stated, and I turned to face him. He seemed to be in a good mood, which only added to my frustration. It appeared that he and his companions were completely unconcerned about the missing individuals. I couldn't fathom their cold-blooded behavior. How could he act in such a manner?
"You're not concerned about them," I said bitterly, clenching my fist as I stared at him. He returned my gaze, and we found ourselves locked in a tense staredown.
"I was concerned about them. I'm not as cold-hearted as you think. But the truth is, we are powerless to intervene. Do you have any plans? Is that the case?" he responded with irritation. "Now just eat and don't worry about anything going wrong! Nisha, you're seventeen, and you need to find a way to get away from them before they catch you!" His words left me speechless. He was right. I would turn 18 next year, and if I didn't carefully consider my actions, there was a risk I could become one of those missing individuals. I sighed, averting my gaze, and shifted my focus to my plate, starting to eat.
Making amends was not something I excelled at, and it was something my father had also taught me. I wasn't quick to apologize if I had done something wrong or hurt someone. Instead, I believed in showing my worth through actions. Perhaps they were taking advantage of my reluctance to express remorse. Whatever had been done in the past couldn't be changed now. I needed to focus on the present and find a way to demonstrate my value and protect myself from the ominous fate that seemed to loom ahead. My father's belief that actions spoke louder than words resonated with me as I tried to navigate this dangerous and uncertain situation.
I shifted my attention to the door as someone sneezed, and there stood Nathalie with a stern expression on her face. She seemed entirely different from the Nathalie I had met the day before. Something terrible must have happened, and it appeared to have greatly affected her mood.
"I'm curious as to why you're still here. You're going to get into trouble. The situation is now risky, and you're not allowed to spend the night outside," Nathalie said firmly. She walked over to the table and grabbed the newspaper, tearing it to shreds. I simply shrugged and chose to continue eating. I didn't care about the newspaper; at least, I had seen the news before she destroyed it.
Shawn had been unusually quiet since I started eating. He didn't touch his food, so I couldn't tell if he was hungry or not. His silence intrigued me, but I didn't press him for answers.
As Nathalie's tension-filled presence lingered, I could sense that something significant had occurred, but I couldn't figure out the details just yet. I decided to wait for the right moment to ask her what had happened, not wanting to add to the already tense atmosphere.
After finishing my meal, I drank some water to wash it down. Nathalie's gaze was fixed on me as I turned around to face her. I observed her elegantly dressed in a knee-length red dress that accentuated her curves, with her flowing brown hair adding to her graceful appearance. Her outfit was completed by red stilettos, and a touch of red lipstick enhanced her natural beauty. As she turned and walked away with poise, I found myself blinking twice, slightly taken aback by her striking presence.
"I'm just dropping by to check on you. Stay cautious, okay? I trust Shawn will take good care of you," she said softly, her parting words lingering in the air. With everything that had transpired, I could only shrug in response.
As Nathalie disappeared from sight, I turned my attention back to Shawn, who was now looking at me intently.
"Are you finished yet?" he asked, his eyes still fixed on me.
"Of course," I replied hastily.
He stood up and began cleaning the table, a sight that surprised me as I had never seen someone as capable as him doing household chores. It was unusual for me, but I found it intriguing. I got up and waited for him to finish. Shawn appeared well-dressed in black jeans and a white t-shirt, exuding a sense of sophistication. I, on the other hand, opted for a casual outfit consisting of trousers, a polka dot top, and flat sandals. I never wore makeup, relying on my natural attractiveness, and I let my shoulder-length hair flow freely.
"Let's go," he stated. With that, he walked ahead of me as we made our way out of the room and into the West Building. I followed him closely, noticing several other students who appeared to be newcomers, likely transfer students.
As we walked, Shawn began to explain, "Are you familiar with the East Building? It's a private structure, only accessible to significant individuals."
"Do you think you'll be able to go inside?" I inquired about him. He nodded once more as he glanced at me before returning his gaze to the East Building.
"I'm sure I can. But I only enter when I have a mission to complete there," he explained. I nodded in understanding, though it seemed like he barely noticed.
"Next, the West Building," he remarked, staring at the structure in question, "is where all the students' dorms are located. It's where we reside throughout our time here until we graduate," he continued, still not glancing my way. "The other two buildings are the North Building, where we study. It houses the libraries, classrooms, bookshops, and other school-related facilities. And last but not least, the laboratories are located in the South House. There are only 20 laboratories available for students interested in becoming scientists," he elaborated.
"And they're conducting experiments there?" I innocently inquired once again.
"Yes, for research purposes," he responded, "but no, not for the Peur Organization. They prioritize student safety," he added. I rolled my eyes at his explanation, but I still nodded in acknowledgment.
We continued to walk in the opposite direction, away from the main campus.
"Our next stop is a secret location. Consider it a favor from me, even though it's not part of my initial plan. I'll show you where some people were laid to rest. There's a path to Greenhills that only the locals know about," he mentioned once more.
Every time I heard the name "Greenhills," an inexplicable shudder ran down my spine. I couldn't explain why, but the name seemed to evoke a sense of dread within me.
Is that where I can find dead bodies?