30_ Unexpected surprise

The next day started like any other. I walked into my lecture, sat in my usual spot, and focused intently on the teacher’s words. The material wasn’t exactly riveting, but it gave me something to concentrate on other than the mess my life had become. For a moment, I felt almost normal—just another student trying to get through the day.

But the illusion shattered when it hit me again.

My surroundings faded, and I found myself back on that lonely, desolate highway. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind. My heart pounded as I looked around, unsure of where I was or why this kept happening.

And then I saw her again.

Sabina’s mother stood in the distance, her pale figure illuminated by a light I couldn’t source. Her piercing eyes bore into mine as she spoke the same chilling words: “You’re not supposed to be alive.”

Before I could respond, the scene shifted violently, throwing me into the heart of the woods. The stench of death hung heavy in the air as I realized I was surrounded by bodies—werewolves. Their lifeless forms lay sprawled on the ground, their fur matted with blood.

“No…” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Sabina’s mother was there, standing among the bodies, her hand extended toward me. Her presence radiated an unnatural power, and before I could move, a searing pain exploded in my head. It was like fire tearing through my skull, relentless and consuming.

I screamed.

The sound of my own voice snapped me back to reality. I blinked rapidly, my vision clearing to find myself back in the classroom. Every head was turned toward me, their faces filled with a mixture of confusion and concern.

Heat flooded my cheeks as embarrassment overwhelmed me. Without a word, I bolted from the classroom, ignoring the whispers that followed. I hurried down the hall and made my way to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, I leaned against the sink, gripping its edges as I tried to steady my breathing.

My frustration built like a storm inside me. The sink beneath my hands groaned under the pressure of my grip, but I didn’t care. I was tired. Tired of the visions that seemed to rip me from reality whenever they pleased. Tired of being thrown into situations I couldn’t control or understand. Tired of the unanswered questions piling up around me.

My reflection stared back at me in the mirror, eyes dark with weariness and rage. Why is this happening to me? I thought bitterly. Sabina had claimed the visions might be clues, but what good were clues when they made no sense? Each one only left me more confused, more isolated, and now—potentially exposed.

I felt my breathing quickened as the anger took hold. It wasn’t fair. I never asked for any of this. I never asked to be pulled into a world of witches, curses, and death. All I wanted was a chance to live, to figure out who I was, and maybe even find peace. But no—every step forward seemed to drag me deeper into chaos.

My fingers tightened on the edge of the sink, my knuckles turning white. The room around me blurred as my vision tunneled, my focus narrowing to the torrent of emotions crashing inside of me. Heat rose in my chest, spreading to my limbs as my frustration transformed into something darker, something primal.

I glanced up at the mirror, my reflection staring back at me. My face was pale, my hair slightly disheveled, and my eyes…

I froze.

My eyes had changed. They glowed an unnatural, piercing yellow.

“No, no, no…” I whispered, panic surging through me.

I lifted my hands, and my stomach dropped when I saw claws where my fingernails should have been. My heart raced as anger and frustration bubbled up inside me.

I closed my eyes, taking slow, deep breaths. Calm down, Katrina. I repeated the mantra in my head, forcing myself to focus. Suddenly a voice forced me to snap my head towards the door.

“Are you okay?”

Hannah was standing there. Her face was etched with worry, but as her eyes traveled over me, her expression shifted to one of pure fear.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, backing away.

“Hannah, wait!” I called out, but she turned and ran out of the bathroom.

Damn it!

I took a minute to close my eyes and calm myself down. Gradually, I felt the tension leave my body. When I opened my eyes again, my reflection was back to normal.

I stood frozen for a moment before I pulled my phone out of my pocket with trembling hands. I didn’t know what else to do, so I called Dylan.

When Dylan arrived, his car screeched to a stop in front of the school. He jumped out, his face pale with worry as he rushed toward me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern as he gripped my shoulders.

“I’m fine,” I said, though my voice wavered. “But it happened again. The vision. And something else…”

I quickly explained what had happened in the bathroom, including my yellow eyes, claws, and Hannah seeing me. Dylan’s jaw tightened with every word, and by the time I finished, his worry had morphed into frustration.

“Don’t worry,” he said, his tone firm. “We’ll handle this.”

I nodded, though my stomach churned with unease.

Dylan’s mind was already working. “Go back to class. After school, bring Hannah to the back of the building. I’ll call Sabina and have her meet us there. She can make Hannah forget what she saw.”

I hesitated, but Dylan’s determination was unshakable. “Okay,” I murmured.

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The rest of the school day passed in a blur. I tried to focus, but my mind was consumed with worry about what would happen next. When the final bell rang, I found Hannah in the hallway.

“Hey,” I said, forcing a small smile. “Can we talk for a minute?”

Hannah hesitated, her eyes scanning my face like she was searching for something. For a second, I thought she would say no, but then she nodded.

“Sure,” she said quietly.

I led her to the back of the building where Dylan was waiting. As we approached, Hannah’s eyes darted between us, suspicion creeping into her expression.

“What’s going on?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“I’m sorry,” I said, guilt gnawing at me. “For what’s about to happen.”

Her frown deepened. “What are you talking about?”

Before I could answer, Sabina appeared behind her. Hannah turned, startled by her sudden presence.

“Who are you?” Hannah demanded.

Sabina didn’t respond. She raised her hand, her lips moving silently as she began to cast the spell.

But before she could finish, Hannah muttered something under her breath. It was so quiet I almost didn’t hear it, but the effect was immediate. Sabina dropped to the ground, unconscious.

My eyes widened in shock as Hannah turned back to us, her gaze sharp and unwavering.

“What the hell?” Dylan breathed, stepping protectively in front of me.

I stared at Hannah, my mind racing. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice trembling.