Chapter 18 STRANGE THINGS
The car slowed to a stop in front of the school gate.
Nikolai parked neatly by the curb and turned off the engine. The silence inside the car was heav and suffocating.
Anya’s fingers curled into her skirt, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
"Please don’t kill…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Nikolai didn’t look at her.
"You can go" he said flatly.
Her throat tightened. Anya gulped hard, fear clawing at her chest. She hesitated for a second, then reached for the door with shaking hands.
She stepped out.
The door slammed shut behind her, making her flinch. Without looking back, she rushed toward the school gate, her legs moving faster than her mind could keep up with.
The black car pulled away almost immediately, disappearing down the road like it had never been there.
It was afternoon already.
She had missed her first class completely. All because of him.
Her chest ached as she walked into the school compound, students moving around her, laughing, talking, living normal lives she felt completely disconnected from.
She still had one lecture left this afternoon.
As she crossed the courtyard, a familiar voice called out.
"Anya!" She stopped.
Marisa was waving at her, already hurrying over with a relieved expression.
"Where did you go?" Marisa asked breathlessly.
"You just ran off and never came back. You missed the morning lecture, and we were given an assignment"
Anya swallowed. "Oh…"
"Don’t worry," Marisa continued quickly, smiling. "I’ll fill you in"
Anya nodded weakly, her mind still foggy.
"Let’s attend the next lecture together" Marisa said cheerfully, grabbing Anya’s hand before she could respond.
The sudden touch made Anya stiffen, but she didn’t pull away.
As they walked, her stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl.
Marisa laughed softly. "That’s hunger"
Anya blinked. She hadn’t even realized she hadn’t eaten.
"Let’s grab lunch before the lecture starts"
Marisa said, already steering her toward the cafeteria.
Anya allowed herself to be led, her thoughts spiraling as the scent of food filled the air.
They arrived at the cafeteria moments later.
Anya followed Marisa to the counter.
They bought a few snacks and drinks, nothing too heavy, and quickly made their way out, lunch in hand.
They had barely taken a few steps when they bumped into someone.
"Whoa—sorry" Marisa said.
The boy adjusted the camera hanging around his neck, steadying it like it was second nature.
Ivan.
He smiled when he saw Anya, relief flashing briefly across his face.
"Good thing I saw you," he said. "I need your help, please"
Anya blinked. "With what?"
"I want to try something new with my camera," Ivan explained, lifting it slightly. "I need you. I just want to take some pictures of you to test what I’m doing. I’d really appreciate it"
"No!"
The word burst out of her mouth, sharp and sudden.
Anya froze.
Her eyes widened in shock. Her heart skipped painfully.
'I didn’t say that'
It felt wrong, like her tongue had moved on its own, like the voice hadn’t belonged to her at all.
Ivan’s smile faltered. Disappointment crossed his face as he nodded slowly, already taking a step back.
Anya panicked.
"No, Ivan," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I mean—yes. Yes, why not?"
He looked at her, confused now. "You’re sure?"
She forced a small smile. "Yes. Where should I meet you?"
His expression brightened instantly. "The school’s garden," he said. "I’ll wait till you finish your lecture"
She nodded. "Okay"
Marisa, who had been watching the exchange closely, finally spoke up.
"Can I tag along?"
Ivan shrugged casually. "If you wish to"
He adjusted his camera again and walked off, already distracted, his mind clearly back on his work.
Anya stood there for a moment, unease creeping back into her chest.
Something wasn’t right.
And she knew it.
Marisa turned to her, studying her face closely.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Anya hesitated for half a second, then nodded. "Yeah. I’m fine"
It was a lie, but it came easily.
Marisa didn’t push. She only gave her a small smile and adjusted the strap of her bag. "Alright then. Let’s go before we’re late again"
They tossed the empty snack wrappers into a bin and headed toward the lecture hall together.
As they walked, Anya’s steps felt heavy, her mind replaying that moment over and over. The way the word no had escaped her mouth without permission. The strange pressure in her chest. The feeling of being watched even when no one was there.
The lecture hall loomed ahead.
Students were already filing in. Marisa slipped inside first, pulling Anya along with her.
Anya took one last breath before stepping in.