CHAPTER 26
“Rachel, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be inside?” Erik asked with a raised brow.
“I was just leaving.”
“Were you?”
Iliana nodded.
“Oh. Did you see Rajesh? He has been talking about you lately.”
“I…did…not.”
“Well, I’m going to see him. You should come with me.”
Iliana was neither reluctant nor hesitant. She followed Erik to the cabin. As she went into the cabin, she witnessed the expressions of David and Rajesh change to something polite, innocent and void of any skeptical feeling towards her. It amazed Iliana how fast they changed faces, however, she expected it.
“Rachel, we were just talking about you.” David chuckled.
“Please seat while we wait for the others.” Rajesh ordered
“The others?” Iliana wondered as she grabbed a seat not too close to them and not too far either.
“So, how is Alexander?” Rajesh asked.
“I believe he is fine.”
“You believe.”
“I never see him around. When I do, I always want to make the best of it.”
“I see.”
“I haven’t seen Alexander come home for a while. I don’t even know where he stays.” David said; making Iliana remember him saying something like this but two weeks to come.
“Rajesh, I want to ask you something.” Iliana turned to him.
“Go on.”
“What relationship did you have with this…Jonah. I remember the other day you were excited about his death and yesterday during the execution, you mention his name.”
“I have always want to know that, too.” David said. Iliana was more confident in the question with David on it.
Rajesh expressed a sigh and scoffed afterwards. “Jonah Claude of the Shadow pack. Let me tell you something, I have never hated Jonah neither did I hate the Shadow pack. Even when Jonah and Don were set aside by other packs, I did not. After the Shadow pack was founded, we had a dream to unite both the Shadow pack and the Silver Creek.”
“Don?”
“One of the founders of the Shadow pack. He was Johan’s very close friend. They were inseparable—we…were inseparable.” Rajesh said as he walked behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.
“What happened?”
He poured the whiskey into small glass cups “Johan and Don had other plans. They stabbed me in the back. I trusted them, yet…” Rajesh took a breath. “I was betrayed. The Silver Creek was betrayed. I swore never to let any thing happen to us again and that is why I will take back what belongs to me. I tried the first time but I failed. This time…there will be no failures.” Rajesh finished.
Iliana saw no lies in what Rajesh had just said. She wanted to hear more about what happened but it seems the tale had to wait; Catherine, Jacqueline and Alexander entered the Cabin. Iliana was relieved that she was not the topic. With Alexander there, she knew she was safe.
“You’ve all come. Good.” Rajesh said as he gulped the whiskey from the small glass cup. “Follow me.” Rajesh walked out of the counter and led them out of the cabin.
They walked through the forest’s various paths. Everyone who follow Rajesh was confused as to where they were headed. Although, they recognized the environment –excluding Iliana– but they were still confused.
“Rajesh, where are we going to?” Erik asked.
“Just follow me.”
They kept walking. Suddenly, there was a feeling of animosity. Hatred. Rage. Envy. It made them walk with caution.
“Rajesh…” David felt multiple presence. Rajesh came to a halt.
“We’re here.”
There was nothing particular to see, only more trees and bushes. However, the atmosphere felt too different.
“Rajesh, why are we here?” Catherine asked.
“Recently, I discovered this spot. You feel something, don’t you? This place has become my new addiction. It flows through my veins—the hate, the mayhem. This is the only place I can trust, the only place I can talk to.”
“What are you going on about?” Jacqueline asked.
“Beneath your feet; beneath my feet, are the numbers I have taken in the past, all in my quest to take what I have lost. I have tried time and time again, I have failed. Even the new intakes lie beneath.”
Iliana’s eyes lit up.
“I brought you here because I can be honest around here and I want you to feel what I feel. I will beg of you all; lend me your strengths. Let us create Silver Creek together. I have nothing more to ask of you.” Rajesh lowered his head.
“Rajesh,” Alexander called. “We are Silver Creek, there is nothing more.” Alexander walked away with Iliana in hand. They both left the uncomfortable environment. Iliana couldn’t help herself from feeling sick and saddened by what Rajesh had to say about the numbers beneath them.
“He’s crazy.” Iliana whispered under her breath.
“That’s Rajesh for you.”
“I’ve always wanted to know why you hate him.”
“He…he did something in the past I cannot forgive. My brother may or may have not forgiven him, however, I have not forgiven him. I don’t think I will.”
“I see. While I was in the cabin with your brothers and Rajesh, Rajesh told us the Shadow pack and Silver Creek were once united. He mentioned Johan and someone named Don. It was my first time hearing the name but I am interested in who this person is. Do you have an idea?”
“I don’t. I will not tell you to find out from Rajesh himself, you can ask Catherine or Jacqueline, they may have a clue.”
“Oh.”
They both had a people walk through the forest side by side until…
“AHHHHH!” A scream echoed.
People rushed to where the scream came from. There was quite a commotion around there and a loud cry. Alexander and Iliana who happened to be close walked to where people gathered with their brows furrowed. They made their way through the crowd that gathered. Iliana and Alexander widened their eyes at the sight.