Chapter 23 Reality Check
Kai's POV
Something felt wrong the moment I opened my eyes. It wasn't the morning fog that had just started appearing signalling the beginning of the winter season. It felt like something bigger and I didn't know what it was yet.
I quickly freshened up, check through my phone files to see if I had gotten any message from Dr. Voss but there was nothing in my message box.
Then it ticked. The ill feeling I had been having all morning.
I hadn't seen Zara and Mira since we parted ways last night. I felt like everything was not okay but at the same time I didn't want to push it. I went for breakfast and I didn't still see them.
I searched around to see if I could find them anywhere close to the cafeteria, but they were no where to be found. I quickly rushed through my breakfast before going to stand in the land for a second time, just maybe I would meet up with her.
Still nothing, sk I started heading to my class for the day. I still hadn't heard from Zara and honestly, it was becoming suspicious. I mean.... that had never happened before.... so what could possibly be the reason why I didn't get any news from her.
I saw Luna on my way to class, but within the blink of an eye, I lost track of her.
Weird!
The alarm rang signalling that everyone had to be in their respective first classes.
By the time the first class started, my knee wouldn’t stop bouncing. The instructor's voice faded into the background while my mind pushed one thought forward.
Find Zara.
I felt someone tap my back gently, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shaked my head trying to get rid of the gnawing feeling that was basically eating me up.
"She's outside. I smelt her." He said.
Rex did!
But when I turned to face him, he wasn't looking at me. It seemed like he had never even touched me.
Maybe it was my head playing pranks on me. I didn't want to think too much into that so I just let it go before thinking up an excuse to approach the instructor with but just then, the bell rang.
I practically bolted out the door the moment the bell rang, scanning the hallway like I was hunting something. I almost missed her. She walked past the labs quickly, shoulders stiff, head lowered like she was trying to shrink into herself. Her steps told the story. Fast, sharp, unsettled.
“Zara!”
She stopped like the sound hit her spine. Slowly, she turned.
Her face broke my chest in two. Her eyes were dull and swollen, like someone who had cried and refused to admit it. A tremor ran through her fingers before she hid her hands behind her back.
I walked toward her carefully.
Calculating what to say to her.
“Hey.
"Where have you been”
She opened her mouth but only air came out. It took a few seconds before her voice finally pushed through.
“Kai, I need to talk.
"But not here.”
“Alright. Let’s go.” I said.
I led her through the side corridor and out toward the old greenhouse. Broken windows, overgrown leaves, sunlight spilling onto abandoned tables. It was quiet here. Too quiet. Zara stepped inside like the silence relieved her and suffocated her at the same time.
I waited until the door clicked before speaking.
“Tell me what happened.”
Her chest rose sharply. She shook her head, pacing between dry flowerbeds.
“I don’t know how to say it.”
What could she have done?
“Start anywhere.” I assured her.
She stopped walking. Her hands covered her face. I heard her breathing quicken.
“Kai, Mira thinks I poisoned her with wolfsbane.”
I stiffened.
Definitely not what I was expecting.
“What?" I muttered under my breath.
“And the worst part” her voice cracked
“Something tells me that she is not wrong.”
The words landed like something heavy dropped between us.
“What do you mean?” I questioned, quite taken aback.
Zara backed away until her shoulders hit the wall. She slid down to the floor slowly, like her knees refused to hold her up. She looked up at me with wide, terrified eyes.
“Kai, I remember things from last night.
"Flashes. My hand. The vial. The scent.
“I remember being angry.
“ I remember being jealous."
Her voice wavered.
“I didn’t want to hurt her.
“I swear I didn’t.
“But I was jealous and I was angry and everything just spiraled inside me.
“I acted before thinking. I thought it was harmless. I thought it would just make her rest.”
She pressed her palms to her temples.
“Fuck!" I gritted through my teeth.
“I did it. I actually did it.” She exposed herself in plain colors.
I lowered myself in front of her. The sunlight flickered across her face, painting all her guilt in raw color.
“Zara, look at me.”
She refused at first, but I gently touched her wrist and she finally lifted her head.
“There is more” she whispered.
“Luna came to me this morning. She wore my face.
"She showed me things. Not visions. Memories. Mine.
“The ones I tried to ignore. She didn’t lie.
“She didn’t manipulate anything. She made me see what I did.”
Her breath shook violently.
“Kai, I hurt Mira. I did it. Me. Not Luna.”
Silence stretched between us.
She grabbed my sleeve, desperate.
“Tell me something. Tell me I am imagining this.
“ Tell me Luna twisted my mind.”
I shook my head slowly.
“Zara, with everything you've said. I think you did it."
"And I think you know that too."
Her grip loosened. She looked like she might crumble into dust.
“I did this because I was jealous” she whispered.
“Because she got close to you."
Her tears finally broke free.
“I am a terrible friend.”
I leaned closer, not touching her, just close enough that she could feel steadiness.
“You were overwhelmed. That does not excuse it, but it explains it.
"Zara, you need to fix it. You need to talk to Mira. And you need to tell her the truth.”
“She will hate me.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But she deserves the truth.”
Zara wiped at her face with trembling fingers.
“And Luna”
“Luna forced you to face reality,” I said gently.
Zara laughed softly, but it was tired and hollow.
She looked away, eyes glimmering.
“I don’t know how to face her.”
I gave her a small smile.
“You will. One step at a time.”
Zara exhaled shakily, leaning her head back against the wall.
For the first time since I saw her this morning, she looked a little less lost.