Chapter 180 ~The Vanishing~

Chapter 180 ~The Vanishing~
(Fiona’s POV)

Terror instantly spread through the students as they scampered in different directions for fear that the creature might call their name next.

I could hardly move. I watched the chaos as people ran every which way, not knowing what exactly safety was supposed to be. It looked like something out of an award-winning horror movie. And me? My leg was trapped to the ground as if I couldn't move. I guess we all processed threats differently, some with flight, others with fright, but mine? Freeze.

As I stood still, a boy who was running with fright evident in his eyes bumped into me, throwing me to the ground, and he lost his footing. I closed my eyes, waiting for the impact of him falling on me but…

“Matt Turner.” 

… it never came. 

Just like that, he vanished into thin air.

Panic spread through the crowd once again, and people were trampling on each other in a bid to escape far away from the Dullahan.

Finally, it seemed like I'd snapped back into reality and realized I needed to run as well. I turned and began to flee with the others.

But then something I hadn't predicted happened.

“Ziva Whitaker!” the Dullahan called.

Then, I froze.

Ziva was running, just in front of me. Her hair flying in the wind, her shoes long forgotten somewhere behind her. She was barefoot, horrified, and running blindly.

I ran toward her in a flash, grabbing her shirt tightly. 

But it was too late.

She slowly disappeared. Staring at my clenched fist, I realized that I was gripping nothing but air.

“No!” I let out a scream that echoed. A scream of terror and of pain.

–-------------

(Xander's POV)

I felt something ripple through me, and instantly, I halted in my tracks.

“What's that?” Atlas asked, observing me silently. 

I just couldn't explain it, but I felt like something had happened. I couldn't tell why or where.

“Something feels odd.” I couldn't seem to shake off the feeling that something had happened to someone I loved. Maybe Fiona was in danger. My heart fell. “I need to mindlink someone at Wintercrest. Something really does feel odd.”

“You can't,” Atlas responded. “I tried mindlinking someone earlier, but it didn't work. I think it has something to do with the fact that we're here.”

I attempted to nevertheless, but like he'd said, nothing was working in this realm. Uneasiness crept into me.

Atlas, who must have noticed how troubled I was, moved closer to me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Remember what Athaliah said,” he reassured. “We can't change anything that's happening at Wintercrest; all we can do is wish them well.”

I knew we were on our own quest and all that… but how could I fight the dreadful thoughts that something bad might happen to Fiona and I wouldn't be there to save her as always?

As if Atlas could read my mind, he sighed. “Xander, that's a whole Tribrid we're talking about. Perhaps the reason you were sent on this journey is so that you're away from her. She needs to be independent and face her destiny.”

Maybe he was right…

He was right.

I sighed tiredly as I ran my hands through my hair. “Fuck it.”

I guess I had to focus on my own ‘journey'.

Speaking of journeys, since Athaliah left, I'd been trying to process everything she revealed. From the Horn of Vielor to Black Hollow to the King of the Thrall—who apparently was the same shadow king who controlled the shadow demons—and at this moment, my head was swarming with thoughts. I felt like I was the lead character in some thriller movie.

“Do we keep walking?” Atlas asked finally. 

“Apparently,” I breathed. Athaliah had left us with no other instructions apart from ‘Do not touch anything', so I guess we'd have to figure it all out on our own.

The geared gates led to a pitch-black passageway that looked a lot like the caves that led to this place. For a while, I wondered if it was the same place and if we were just running around in circles—an unending loop.

Then, I saw something that looked like a little door. A very small door that could barely fit a person, let alone two.

We halted. 

“Looks like we've arrived at our destination,” Atlas said.

I stared at the door that was less than two feet. “I guess we crawl in?”

It was a question, but Atlas was already on his hands and  knees, crawling through the door, while muttering something about it being a ‘humiliation ritual.’

I followed suit, and when I heard Atlas' scream, I braced myself. 

It was actually a door that led to a tunnel. A very narrow tunnel.

I couldn't stop a yelp from escaping my throat as I was violently sucked into the tunnel that felt unending. I closed my eyes, hoping it would help with the dizziness. Whatever this was, it better be worth it.

I crossed my arms over my chest as the tunnel spiralled even more violently. I felt like I would get sick… or at least throw up.

After a while, I heard the sound of a thud and knew Atlas had gotten to the end. I braced myself for my turn.

And it came in a painful, spine-rippling landing landing on a hard and rough surface.

My ears were ringing as the sound of something like jingling metal filled my ears.

I should open my eyes, I knew.

But I also knew I was terrified of what I would see next.