MORNING WITH PARENTS 1

The sound of his alarm clock abruptly woke him up, causing him to groan and rub his bleary eyes. As he glanced around the room, he realized that it was the start of a new semester, and he was no longer a freshman. With a sigh, he climbed out of bed and made his way to the bathroom.

He splashed water onto his face, only to be hit with a sudden and intense headache. It felt as though someone was repeatedly striking his head, and he instinctively covered his ears in an attempt to relieve the pain. However, his efforts were futile, as the pain became unbearable. Eventually, his legs gave out, and he found himself sitting on the bathroom floor.

"Do you know who you are?!" a voice echoed in his mind, causing his heart to race. This voice seemed to haunt him every time he suffered from the terrible nightmares. He took a deep breath as the voice gradually receded along with the unbearable headache. Exhaling heavily, he tried to understand why he was constantly tormented by this voice, accompanied by migraines and horrifying dreams. He stood up and faced the mirror, where the reflection of himself stared back at him sternly.

"Who are you?" he whispered softly, only to be interrupted by a loud thud on the door. He quickly turned on the tap, allowing the running water to wet his face, knowing that it was his sister Grace who always banged on every door before entering. After turning off the tap, he walked back to his room, dressed in black shorts and with his bare chest on display, revealing his broad shoulders and defined abs. He sat on his bed, his back pressing against it, as he stared at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts.

"Yeah!" Grace, his younger sister, exclaimed joyfully as their mother placed two balls of akara on her plate. Chido, his immediate younger brother, asked about the bread, earning a glare from their mother.

"Don't you know how to go and buy it yourself?" she scolded, to which Chido chuckled, taking a seat at the dining table. Their mother then asked about Precious, stating that he needed to buy provisions for school, as she wouldn't allow him to stay in the house any longer.

"Cut him some slack..." Chido spoke attempting to hear his mother's angered voice.

"You're speaking too much English. Just go and call him down. If this akara finishes, there won't be any more" their mother retorted. Chido laughed and got up from his seat.

"Bro Chido, please tell him to bring down my doll," Grace pleaded.

"Which one?"

"The Barbie. I left it in his room the night I slept there because I was scared."

Chido didn't respond, but instead went up the stairs. He knocked on Precious' door, and when it opened, he asked why he was still asleep. Precious didn't answer, but allowed his brother to enter.

"What's wrong with you? You seem out of it this morning," Chido remarked, walking into the room.

"I had that dream again," Precious replied.

"The one that made Mom force us to pray all night? Please, keep it to yourself. I don't have the energy," Chido replied dismissively.

"I didn't plan on sharing it anyway," Precious responded.

"Good. That's my boy. Anyways, the akara will be finished soon and Mom said she won't be frying anymore for anyone, including you," Chido warned.

"I'm coming," Precious replied simply.

"Okay, I'll be waiting downstairs. And don't forget the shopping. Shoprite or Everyday Market will be fine," Chido instructed.

"Chido!!" Precious shouted, startling his brother. "Just go, please," he said.

"Jesus, sorry," Chido apologized hastily before leaving the room. Once his brother was gone, Precious rubbed his hands together, feeling the lingering unease from his dream. He had been too startled to remember the details, and he didn't want to dwell on it any longer. He stood up from the bed and made his way downstairs.

As their father joined them at the table, he addressed Precious, offering to drive him to school the next day. However, Precious declined, asserting that he was an adult now, and it was university, not secondary school.

"Dad, please drop me," Grace interjected, her face glowing.

"I will, sweetheart," their father replied, making her smile. Peculiar, their mother, observed her son Precious closely as he sat silently, not touching his meal.

"Are you okay, son?" she asked, concerned. "Did you have the dream again?"

David, Chido, and Grace looked at Precious with apprehensive expressions, their faces filled with dread.

Precious forced a smile. "No, mother, I didn't," he answered, causing them all to exhale in relief.

"Thank you, Jesus," David whispered, and Peculiar gave him an annoyed look.

"I don't understand why you all shy away from prayers," she scolded.

"We don't, mother. It's just that when you start..." Chido began.

"You never stop," Grace finished, helping her brother.

"Whatever," Peculiar mumbled. "Just eat up, all of you," she instructed, and they resumed eating.

STRANGE ENCOUNTER 2

Precious and Chido strolled through the mall, picking out items they needed for school. Chido attended Federal Government College Port Harcourt, while Precious was a 300-level student at the University of Port Harcourt.

Precious glanced at his brother, whom he had yelled at earlier. Chido seemed unusually quiet, barely speaking a few words.

"Do you want these?" Precious asked, pointing at a can of Pringles. He knew Chido enjoyed them.

Chido looked at him suspiciously, hesitating before looking away. "No," he replied.

"Why?" Precious questioned.

"Because you're holding it, and I don't know what you're up to now. I refuse to fall victim," Chido responded.

Precious laughed. "I'm getting it for both of us," he said, placing the can in their already filled basket.

"Yeah, you and Grace," he whispered.

Precious suddenly stopped, causing Chido to do the same and look at him skeptically. "Why did you stop?" Chido asked.

"Are you still mad?" Precious inquired.

"No, I'm super happy," Chido scoffed sarcastically.

"I didn't mean it. Sometimes you can be a real pain in the ass," Precious apologized.

"I agree, and I know you sometimes wish I were a girl," Chido remarked.

"I can never wish that," Precious replied.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Chido muttered.

"What can I do to make it up to you?" Precious asked.

"Hmm," Chido pondered. "Well, you'll do two things."

"I'll count to ten, and you can pick whatever you want. But when I'm done, I'm done. No second chances," Precious declared.

"What did you say?"

"One!" He started counting.

"No, wait, let me think!" Chido panicked.

"Two."

"Wait, Precious!"

"Three, four."

"Aaahh!" Chido shouted, running like a madman around the shopping mall, grabbing as many items as he could while Precious counted.

"Ten!" Precious shouted, stopping Chido.

"Hey, did you even count to two?" Chido asked, and Precious chuckled.

"Let's go pay for these," he said, leaving as Chido followed.

They stood in the long queue at the counter, waiting for their turn to pay. Chido grew increasingly impatient, making uneasy movements to show his displeasure. He always hated having to wait.

Precious paused, inhaling deeply as he watched the people in motion. His mind wandered to the coffee he planned to buy. He was willing to sacrifice sleep to avoid having nightmares, especially since he would be starting school again next week.

"Chido, wait here," he told his brother, walking away before Chido could respond.

He hurriedly reached the shelves, searching for the coffee he desired when he accidentally bumped into someone. "I'm sorry," he apologized hurriedly without looking at whoever it was, continuing his search.

"Is that how you apologize?" a female voice asked sarcastically, but Precious did not reply. He wasn't in the mood for small talk.

"Hey!" she called, grabbing his jacket forcefully and turning him to face her before grabbing his arm. He looked at her in disbelief, amazed at her strength as she effortlessly pulled him. Just as he was about to inquire, he noticed the way she looked at him. He wouldn't be surprised if she was stunned by his beauty and charm, as he had seen girls speechless before. However, her gaze was different, filled with energy and interest, as if she had found something she had lost.

He sighed, attempting to break free from her grip, but it was futile. He could only stare in astonishment at her unyielding hold. He couldn't comprehend how a woman could be this powerful and strong, unable to even remove her hand from his arm. He opened his mouth to speak, but her words silenced him.

"I found you."

Confusion filled his mind as he tilted his head. "What are you saying?"

"It's you," she beamed, the most charming smile he had ever seen. But he wasn't in the mood for idle conversation, and Chido was waiting.

"Listen to me, you've got the wrong person. I don't know how you managed to be so strong, but you have to let me go now."

"Let you go?" Her voice was filled with disappointment and anger as her mood suddenly shifted. "I've waited a hundred years for you, and you're asking me to leave?!" Her voice rose with rage.

"Okay, calm down," he tried to pacify her. He didn't understand any of what she was saying, but he didn't want to provoke her.

Her grip tightened on his arm, and she pulled him closer, their faces nearly touching. He held his breath as her cold breath brushed against his face.

"I will never let you go," she whispered, her words lingering in his ear. Who was she and why would she say such things?

"Precious!" he heard his brother's agitated voice from behind and slowly turned his head. Chido stared at them in surprise and confusion. He didn't know his brother was interested in a girl, and most especially, he didn't know why they chose a mall where everyone could see them interacting.

"Uhh, Precious... could you give me the ATM card? I... I need to make payments," Chido stammered, taking slow steps towards them.

Precious understood the situation. The girl was unwilling to let go, and he couldn't break free from her hold. He didn't want Chido to witness this scene, so he faced her with determination.

"I'll never run away from you. I'm all yours," he declared.

The girl's face lit up upon hearing him. "I knew you couldn't shy away."

He forced a smile before speaking again. "Could you let me go now? I'll be with you soon. I need to take care of him," he explained, referring to Chido.

Reluctantly, she released him, her eyes narrowing at Chido, who stood a distance away.

"Is he bothering you?" she asked, scanning Chido with her eyes. He didn't understand the implication behind her question, but he wouldn't allow her near Chido, let alone harm him. He couldn't believe such psychopaths still existed, and he wondered who had allowed her to roam freely.

"He's not bothering me," he replied with a smile. "I'll take care of him," he assured her, making his way towards Chido.

"Will you be back?" she asked.

"Yes, without a doubt. I already told you, I'm not leaving your side," he stated firmly.

A look of happiness filled her as she watched him. "I'll be waiting here for you."

"Yes, please wait," he told her before turning to Chido, gripping his hand tightly, and storming out. Chido couldn't help but giggle at how his brother eagerly paid for their goods and hurriedly left, pulling him along as if he were a child.

They reached the car, and Precious unlocked it, stepping inside. Once Chido was in the car, he drove off quickly, as if being chased by a vicious ghost.

The car screeched to an abrupt halt in their spacious compound, and neither of them uttered a word. Chido stole glances at his brother, whose heart was still pounding audibly.

"Pre..."

"Don't!" Precious interrupted, silencing him before he could complete his sentence. Chido closed his mouth, trying to suppress his laughter, which filled his eyes with tears.

"Chido!" Precious called authoritatively, and Chido knew it was time to respect his brother's request. But he found his brother amusing; he didn't even want the earlier incident mentioned.

"Not a word about this to Mom or anyone. Don't even think about it, clear?"

"Yes," Chido responded, attempting to sound serious while holding back his laughter.

Precious looked to his side, maintaining a straight face.

"Can I get out now?" Chido asked.

"Yes," Precious replied, and Chido immediately exited the car, opening the backseat door and grabbing the shopping bags before heading into the house.

Precious exhaled when his dramatic brother had left. He rested his head on the steering wheel, trying to recall everything the girl had said. It was supposed to be a normal day, he was supposed to feel normal, but something felt off. He couldn't shake off the strange feeling, and a part of him longed to learn more, to understand what was happening.

He inhaled deeply and yet again remembered her, he knew he couldn't dwell on it for too long. School was starting soon and he had to focus on that. He shook off the strange encounter and got out of the car.

As he entered the house, his mom greeted him with a warm smile. "How was your shopping trip with Chido?" she asked.

"It was fine," Precious replied casually, not wanting to bring up the unusual encounter at the mall. He handed her the shopping bags and excused himself to his room.

Once inside, he sat on his bed and pondered over the events of the day. Who was that girl? Why did she seem so familiar? And why did she claim to have waited for him for a hundred years? It all seemed like a fantasy, something out of a movie.

But as he thought about it, he couldn't shake off the feeling that there might be some truth to her words. He had always felt a sense of longing, a sense that there was something missing in his life. Maybe this girl had something to do with it.

Precious sighed and decided to push the thoughts aside for now. He had more pressing matters to attend to, like preparing for school. He took out his textbooks and began studying, determined to focus on his academics.

Days turned into weeks, and soon it was time for Precious to leave for school. As he packed his bags, his mind kept wandering back to the mysterious girl. He wondered if he would ever see her again, if there was a chance for him to unravel the secrets she held.

But as he boarded the bus and waved goodbye to his family, he knew that his priority for now was his education. He had to put the strange encounter behind him and focus on his future.

As the bus pulled away, Precious couldn't help but glance back at his home. He hoped that one day, when he was ready, he would find the answers he sought. But for now, he had to leave it all behind and embark on the journey ahead.

MEETING SELENE 3

Every student eagerly viewed their results on the dashboard, celebrating their successes while those who had to repeat courses expressed their frustration.

"Hey, Precious!" called out Daniel, Precious' close friend. "Have you seen your rank? You did amazing, bro," he praised. Precious forced a smile before checking his name. They had six courses, and he achieved four A's and two B's. Danny had the same results, but Michael received three A's and three B's. Precious smiled and started to leave, but Danny stopped him.

"Where are you off to? I was thinking we could hang out, just the three of us," Danny said.

Precious forced another smile, feeling overwhelmed with everything on his mind, including the nightmares that haunted him. "I'm a bit busy right now, maybe later," he told Danny and walked away without waiting for a response. He could see the surprise on Danny's face since he was usually the one to plan special events, but at that moment, Precious just wasn't in the mood. He quickened his pace and left the area.

Back in his room, Precious dropped his bag on the bed when his phone rang. It was his mother calling. He answered, and Grace screamed from the other end.

"Hey, big bro!"

He smiled upon hearing her voice. It had a way of brightening his mood. "Hello, princess," he replied and could hear her giggling. "How are you?"

"All good. How about you?" she asked, and then his mother's voice came through.

"Stay on the line, Precious. Let's make it a video call," she said, ending the call. In a few minutes, they connected through a video call. Only his mother and Grace were present, as Chido had returned to boarding school.

"Where's dad?" he asked.

"He's not back from work," his mother replied.

"How are you?" Grace asked.

"I'm okay, Gracey. Did you eat?"

"Yeah. Mom's making fried egg and yam tonight."

"Hmm, I'm already drooling," he joked, and she laughed.

"I already miss you."

"Awwn, same here. I love you."

"I love you too!"

"Alright, go ahead. Let me talk to Mom."

"Okay. Take care. Muah muah muah!" she said before blowing a kiss and giggling, and leaving.

"What a wonderful conversation," Peculiar said.

"Good evening to you too, Mom," he greeted, and she smiled.

"How are you? How's school?"

"All good. Results were released, and I did great."

"I knew you were capable. How about the nightmares?"

Precious was silent for a moment. "Well," he finally spoke.

"Well, what?" she asked anxiously, waiting for his reply.

"I'm not having them anymore."

"Are you sure? I'm feeling skeptical about your answer."

"Mom... I'm fine, and I mean it. Let's not dwell on it."

His mother sighed. "Fine, I believe you. Just take care of yourself and make sure to eat. That's the most important thing, okay?"

"I will, Mom. Please greet dad for me, and I love you."

"I love you more. Take care," she said and ended the call.

Precious sighed and placed the phone on the bed before heading to the bathroom. He took a cold shower and then settled down to study before eventually falling asleep.

Two weeks had passed, and school had officially started. Everyone was busy with assignments and other tasks. Precious got ready for school and set off. After their classes were over for the day, he walked with Daniel towards the park when Cherish, a fellow classmate, approached them.

"Precious!" she called, stopping them in their tracks.

"And look who we have here! Hi, Cherish," Danny said playfully, and Precious shot him a glare.

"Are you leaving already?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm heading to the Abuja park," he answered.

"Oh, well, I was wondering if, um...," she began.

"Of course, you can walk with him," Danny interrupted with a smirk. "I'll just go meet Michael. Bye, Precious!" he waved before walking away.

"Well, since we're alone, can I walk with you?" Cherish asked.

"Yeah, I'd be bored walking alone anyway," he replied, and she smiled as they began walking together. They discussed different topics until they reached the park and boarded separate shuttles to their respective destinations.

Back in his room, Precious locked the door behind him. Exhausted from the day, he planned to take a cold shower and have a good night's sleep. He reached out in the dark, searching for the light switch. When he found it and turned it on, he saw a figure seated on his bed. His heart skipped a beat, and he almost screamed but quickly placed his palm over his mouth. The figure was a girl who avoided making eye contact with him; her gaze scanned the entire room as he stared at her in astonishment.

"Who are you? And how did you get into my room?" he asked anxiously.

"I sense fear and tension," she replied in a voice that was neither calm nor sweet, but rather cold and mean.

"That's not the answer I'm looking for," he snapped, inhaling deeply and trying to compose himself. He was a man and needed to handle the situation head-on, even though it involved finding a girl in his room sitting on his bed in the middle of the night. He made a mental note to change his keys.

"It's a good thing we found you when we did. Otherwise, you would have made a fool of yourself," she commented.

"Hey!" his voice rose, tired of hearing nonsense. He had grown accustomed to his recurring nightmares but would not tolerate anyone saying anything disrespectful to his face.

"The name's Selene," she whispered.

"I don't care. I need you to leave my room. Get out!" he shouted, pointing towards the door.

"I'm not leaving," she stated plainly.

"Excuse me? If you don't leave, I'll forcefully remove you!" he threatened, unwilling to tolerate any further disruption.

"Do you really think you can do that? You seem more like a gentleman to me," she taunted.

"Get out!" he ordered, and she chuckled.

"You don't know who you are," she said, and he stopped talking. "Do you know who you are?"

"What?" he asked, recognizing her voice as the one he always heard in his dreams, the voice that haunted him every time. How did she...? Could she be...?

"Still want to throw me out?" she asked, approaching him as she stood up from the bed. "I can provide details if you let me stay."

"I'm not interested right now. Leave," he insisted.

"I'm not leaving. You'll have to get used to having me around," she said defiantly.

"I don't need you right now. Leave."

"I already told you, I'm not leaving."

"I am calm, but it seems you don't understand that language. I don't want to see you here when I come back," he said, grabbing his bag and leaving the room.

"Wait!" the girl said, slowly reaching out to touch his shoulder as he walked past her.

"Let go!" he screamed, sharply turning and pushing her away. His force sent her flying into a wall at the far end of the room, and she fell heavily onto the hard ground.

Precious's breathing was rapid as he stared from her to his hands, and then back to her. "What the hell?" he whispered.

THE ATTACK 4

Selene's eyes opened slowly as she looked at him. He was seated, reading a book, with a cup of coffee beside him.

"I can't believe you threw me," she started, standing from the bed.

Precious put the book down from his face and faced her. "You're awake. You need to go."

"It's very late, and you know it's unfair to let a lady leave this night."

"What do you want?"

"You..."

"Why?"

"Because you... you're important to me and my sister. You're the black wolf, and without you, our entire clan will be controlled by some other pack who will torment us. We took the risk to come and find you after so long, so I think it's fair if you listen to us"

Precious muffled a chuckle, dropping the book on the table. "You need to hear how stupid you sound saying all those."

"Excuse me?"

"You'll sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the ground, but on no occasion must you come down."

"I'll try."

"Good. Wait here. I'm going to take a shower," he said, turning to go.

"I'm supposed to protect you..."

"I don't need your protection."

"That's what you think..."

"I don't think it, I know it," he stated, lifting the coffee to his lips to sip when she spoke.

"It's my duty to follow you anywhere, so I'm following you into the bathroom..."

Precious choked instantly from the coffee before glaring at her. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

The girl chuckled before walking close to him. "I'm not joking, Precious. We belong to each other, take it or leave it."

Precious took a step backwards before clearing his throat. "You know what? I'm feeling so cold this night, so I won't bathe. Just lay on the bed," he told her and walked towards his wardrobe, taking a cloth as he stole glances at her.

"You live alone?" she asked, looking at him.

"No, I stay with my friend by the door," he replied, and as she turned to the door, he hurriedly made his way to the bathroom, locking the door as he got in.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," she started as her footsteps came closer to the door.

Precious stood by the door as the knob turned before breaking. The door creaked open, showing her vicious glare. He was lucky not to have taken his clothes off.

"You idiot!" she screeched and grabbed him by his collar, throwing him from the bathroom into the room as he crashed against his shelf. She walked towards him and raised him from the ground. Precious looked up at her with her eyes blazing yellow in color, her hands had grown claws and fangs in her teeth.

"Jesus!!" he whispered.

"You cannot run from me!" she shouted and threw him towards the television set, breaking it with his body. She stormed towards him again, and as she picked him from the ground, he yelled loudly, creating a powerful quake in the town before grabbing her and raising her above the ground. His eyes were red in color, and fangs had grown out of his teeth as he stretched his claws to bury them into her body.

"It's you," her whisper stopped him. His breath was fast and heavy. He narrowed his eyes to a mirror and saw his face. He dropped her on the ground and fell on his knees, watching his claws grow back into fingernails.

"What... What..."

"I told you, Precious. You are an alpha. You are the one we've been looking for. Your roar tells it all."

"What was that...?" he asked, and she squatted to his side.

"Look at me," she told him, taking his face in her hands as they stared at each other. "You are Ravnagen!"

Precious slapped her hands away, moving backwards. "Get away from me..."

"You've got to come with me..."

"Get out!!" he shouted.

"You roared, Precious. You've alerted the people after you, and they'll find you... and kill you."

Precious gasped on hearing this. "Get out!"

"Don't you get it?" she said, making to touch him.

"Go!" he roared, slapping her from the room as she broke the glass window with her body, falling outside. He rushed to the window and watched as she stood staring back at the window. He took slow steps backwards before falling on the ground...

Peculiar glanced over at her son, who was seated on the couch, as the police searched the property.

"Was it an attack?" one of the police officers asked him.

"No," he replied.

"Then what happened? Your neighbors reported hearing strange sounds coming from your room, and now we're here."

"It's nothing," he responded.

"Precious!" his mother called out, turning to face the police officer. "I'll talk to him," she told him, and he nodded before leaving. "You will talk to me, young man."

"Mom..." he called, looking slowly at her with a mean expression on his face, as if he didn't care about anything that had happened. "I need a break."

"Do you need something to eat?" she asked.

"Yes, please," he told her, and she stood up, helping him to his feet.

"I need to take him out for lunch. Call me if you have any updates," she told the police officer.

"Okay, ma'am," he replied. Peculiar turned to her son.

"Come," she said, and Precious nodded, walking with his mother. As they left, he caught a glimpse of the police officer's eyes fixed on him. Just as he looked away, the officer's eyes emitted a bright light that almost blinded him, causing him to yelp and shield his eyes.

"Are you okay?" Peculiar asked, concerned, as the police officer approached them.

"You okay, boy?" the officer asked.

Precious glowered at him before his mother pulled him along.

"He's alright," she told the police officer before leaving with her son.

Both of them sat down in a restaurant, and Peculiar ordered some food. "What are you thinking about?" Her voice brought him back to reality.

He was thinking about the girl from last night. He didn't know why, but he felt a need to see her. He didn't regret putting her where she belonged yesterday, but he was curious. It was becoming clear that he might be in danger, considering the glares and scrutiny he had been receiving from people.

"Precious!" his mother called, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Mom..." he called back.

"What is it?" she asked, still worried. "You know I just want to help you."

"I don't think you can help me."

"What? How can you say that? You..." Her sentence was cut short by her ringing phone.

Precious sighed, looking away, when his eyes caught a girl staring at him from outside. Her eyes emitted a bright light, just like what happened with the police officer. He looked at the waiter, and the same thing happened. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to walk into the bathroom, but he stumbled before reaching it.

"Precious!" his mother called, rushing to him. She helped him stand, with the phone still on her ear. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, becoming scared. "Precious, talk to me!"

"I'm fine. I just need to use the bathroom," he said, pulling away from her and walking into the toilet, closing the door behind him. He washed his face with the tap water, when he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up and saw a man with a smile on his face, wondering how he had gotten in because he thought he was alone.

"You finally showed up, Ravnagen," the man said, and Precious raised an eyebrow, trying to remember where he had heard that name before. "I thought you'd be lost forever!" The man ranted and revealed his hands, which had sharp claws dripping with blood. His eyes were now blazing red, and he smiled, exposing his devouring fangs. "I'll take pleasure in killing you!"

"No," Precious whispered, turning to run when someone blocked him from behind. A quick slap left a deep scratch on his face from the man's claws, and he turned back to see the man gripping his neck with his hand.

"Bye!" the man whispered, piercing his claws into Precious's body. Intense pain followed by a burning sensation overwhelmed him as he fell to the ground, using his hand to apply pressure to the bleeding wound. He struggled to breathe as blood flowed from his mouth.

"And they said it was hard to kill you," the man cackled. "I'm loving this!"

Precious's vision was fading, but he could only think of her. The thought that she might be able to save him gave him hope. He needed to be saved; he couldn't die. "Selene," he whispered as his eyes closed slowly, his hand dropping from the wound he had been holding onto earlier.

Suddenly, a powerful bang filled the room, sending two people flying. Precious opened his eyes slowly and saw her, his savior, but she wasn't alone. He wondered who else he owed his life to.

"Precious!" he heard his name, and she knelt beside him, placing his head on her lap. "Wake up, you have to heal!" she shouted, slapping him lightly on the face, but he was too weak to respond, even though he was still alive, if only for a short while.

"Sarah, now!" she signaled to the other girl, who rushed to her side and took her hand as they held onto his other hand. They counted to three and roared so loudly that his eyes shot open, blazing with reddish flames as his wounds healed, sending scalding sensations throughout his body. He fell back into unconsciousness from then on, not knowing what happened next, but he knew he was safe with Selene. At least, that's what he thought.

As Precious opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a bed in an empty room. He tried to stand up when a voice came from behind him. His face lit up, but then became dull when he saw someone else there.

"Where's Selene?" he asked.

"Don't you recognize me?" she asked, wearing a smile. He took a closer look and finally realized.

"You're the lady from the mall," he stated, and she chuckled.

"Very clever. I'm Sarah," she introduced herself, extending her hand to him. He hesitated for a moment before the voice he longed to hear entered the room, wearing her usual mean expression.

"Cut it out, Sarah," she said, walking close to where Precious sat and placing a drink in front of him. "It's made of ginger. It'll help."

Precious slowly raised his shirt and saw that the wound was gone. A brief flashback of what had happened came back to him, and he gave Selene a surprised look.

"What?" she asked.

"I was stabbed..."

"But you're fine," she replied.

"How? I didn't go to the hospital..."

"You healed."

"Give me a reasonable answer, please."

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked.

"That's so rude, Selene. You're scaring him," the other girl said, sitting beside Precious, whose eyes were still fixed on Selene, who had looked away. "You're an alpha, so you can heal. It gives you a huge advantage. You healed when you got hurt. Is that clear?"

"Yeah," he replied. "I need to go home."

Selene shot him a deadly glare. "You're not going anywhere."

"Did it occur to you that my mom was at that restaurant with me? She'll be looking for me by now."

"Did it occur to you that she might had found you dead, if we didn't get to you?"

"I'm not dead."

"Because we came for you. Do you really like getting hurt and having us come to your rescue?"

"Your wish..."

"Oh, shut it, Precious. Seriously, anyone but you should be Ravnagen!" she blurted out.

"Then you should start looking for whoever you want, because I'm sick of being here," he said, standing up from the bed.

"Don't test me, Precious. They know you and will come for you. They could even use your family against you..."

"Nothing is going to make me stay, okay?"

"Not even our kingdom and people who are suffering and need your help?"

"Keep your folklore to yourself, for God's sake. I'm fed up with..." His words were cut short by a slap, and he closed his eyes in response.

"Folklore? You pathetic soul!" she cursed.

"Selene!" Sarah shouted, rushing to her sister and pulling her away. "You're overreacting!"

"Go! Get out! But if you ever need any help, never call us, because we won't help you. I won't help you, ever!"

"Selene, calm down," Sarah cautioned, before turning to face Precious. "Just calm down, okay? She'll be fine. That's how she is when she's pissed."

"Thanks for saving my life, but I have a family, a school, friends, and a life. I'm not going to abandon them for something as lame as that. I'm sorry," he apologized and made to leave when Sarah stopped him.

"If you die, we would have wasted a hundred years searching for you. Please reconsider."

Precious didn't reply but walked out of the building. He could hear roars, probably coming from Selene - she was the one who was really angry. He loved their folklore, their story, but he wasn't going to ignore his family and school for something as vague as that. He buried his hands in his pockets and increased his pace, heading toward the bus stop.

TRYING TO LIVE NORMAL 5

"Everyone, please take your practical assignment very seriously as there will be no forgiveness for lack of effort," the lab coordinator spoke, walking around while observing each student. "Great work, Precious," he commented before moving on.

"Dude gets all the praise these days while we get nothing," Daniel muttered, causing Precious to laugh.

"Maybe if you perform better than me, you'll receive some praise," Precious teased.

"Yeah, like that'll ever happen," Daniel scoffed sarcastically.

"Alright, everyone, stop!" The lab coordinator called out. "Time is up. Submit your manuals and leave!" The students hurriedly complied with his instructions.

"I need to excuse myself for a moment. Can you hold my bag, please?" Precious asked Danny, who agreed to keep an eye on it. Precious walked towards the restroom when suddenly, a gust of wind halted his steps. He paused for a moment before scanning the area, but there was no one in sight. The faculty building was nearly empty, and all he could hear was distant chatter. "Excuse me?" He called out, still searching with his eyes. He took a deep breath and turned to leave when a loud shriek followed by a shooting arrow targeted him. However, his reflexes were quick, and he caught the arrow before it could harm him. He stared at it in his hand, wondering where it had come from. He looked towards the exit once the area fell into silence and felt a sense of unease. He cautiously entered the restroom, locking the door behind him.

After finishing in the restroom, Precious opened the door only to be forcefully pinned against the wall by an invisible force. The window shattered, and a green-clad woman jumped in. Confusion filled his mind as he wondered how she had managed to enter the faculty building. Holding a sharp spear, she pointed it menacingly at him. Just as she made a move to attack, he roared, freeing himself from the invisible hold and grabbing her by the neck, lifting her off the ground. She managed to stab him with the spear, but he barely felt the impact. Increasing the pressure on her neck, he used his claws to pierce her body, causing her organs to rupture. Once she dropped lifelessly to the ground, he slowly retreated back as both his eyes and claws went back to their normal form. He stared in horror at the life he had just taken. He had killed someone. His gaze turned to the exit, and he ran out, but then abruptly stopped. His hands were covered in blood, as was his once-white lab coat. He rushed back, turning on the tap to wash his trembling hands. Removing the lab coat, he looked at himself in the mirror, relieved that his shirt had been spared from staining. He then ran out, heading straight to his residence. Fortunately, he had a spare key hidden in a safe place, which he retrieved to open the door.

After bathing, Precious sat in his study and opened his laptop. He saw messages from Danny and Michael, both of whom were looking for him. He sighed and sent them a text. "Had to deal with an emergency. I'll pick up my bag later." He took a deep breath, trying to relax in his chair, when he felt something cold against his neck. He made a move to react, but a low, threatening voice stopped him.

"Don't even think about it."

"What do you want?" Precious asked, his voice filled with tension.

"I want you... dead," the voice replied, pressing the dagger even harder against his neck, causing a cut. Precious winced as blood began to flow.

"Then just kill me already," Precious spoke defiantly. The voice laughed, and he couldn't comprehend why those words had escaped his lips. He felt as though he was already someone who was prepared to die.

"I will, but first, perhaps you'd like to say something to Chido... maybe your last words to him?" the voice giggled.

Precious's heart skipped a beat. He could let them torment and break him, but he wouldn't allow them to harm his parents, Grace, and especially Chido. "Stay away from Chido," he warned.

"I'm sorry, but it's nearly impossible. I cannot stay away from those who can break you. Call home now!" The voice commanded.

"I don't have my phone," Precious claimed.

"Oh, don't play games with me, Precious. I know you have another phone," she scolded, and he reluctantly pulled out a smaller phone from the drawer. He dialed his mother's number, and after a short while, she answered.

"M... Mom!" Precious called out, his voice trembling.

"Hey, baby, how are you?" she asked, unaware of his distress.

"I'm fine... How's Chido?" he inquired, anxiety filling his tone. His mother became silent. "Mom?"

"He..." she stammered, and panic surged through Precious.

"Talk to me, Mom..."

"He was involved in an accident at school, and the doctor said..." Her voice broke, and she began sobbing. "The doctor..." Her cries filled the phone line.

Precious clenched his fists as he listened to his mother's tears. Blaie had warned him that something like this might happen, but he didn't listen. Not Chido. Not his Chido. In the middle of the call, he forcefully pushed the dagger away from his neck, standing up to face his attacker.

"Enough!"

"Don't test me. I can kill him if I want. I can kill him in his hospital bed before you or anyone can find him!" she threatened.

"Not if I kill you first," Precious snapped, moving towards her, and they began to fight using their fists. He couldn't deny that she was fast and her movements were unpredictable, but he was also experienced in confrontations like this.

Suddenly, a strong punch landed on his face, sending him stumbling backwards. As she prepared to attack again, his door swung open, and Cherish stood in the doorway, wearing a confused expression.

The attacker glared at her and threw the dagger in her direction. "Cherish, watch out!" Precious shouted, rushing towards her with such speed that he managed to protect her by using his body as a shield. The dagger struck him instead.

Cherish placed her hand on Precious's shoulder as he peacefully slept. After the attack, the assailant had managed to escape, and Cherish had to call for help. His neighbors had come to their aid and brought him to the hospital. She wanted to inform his parents, but he begged her not to, not wanting them to worry.

Danny rushed into the room upon seeing both of them. "Oh my God, Cherish, how is he? What happened?"

"We were attacked by a woman, but Precious saved me," Cherish explained.

"A woman? I don't understand..."

"It's complicated. Precious will provide more details when he wakes up," she said, gently rubbing Precious's hair. "He's such a kind and wonderful person. He doesn't deserve any pain. I want to take away all of it. Everything," she whispered.

"Oh God," Danny exclaimed. He sat down with his eyes fixed on Precious as different thoughts ran in his mind.

Some hours had passed when he stood up. "Take care of him please, I'll be back soon," he excused himself.

Precious slowly opened his eyes just immediately Danny had left and attempted to sit up.

"Wait, don't!" Cherish's voice filled the room as she rushed to his side. "The nurse has put a plaster on your shoulder. You shouldn't move."

"Ouch," Precious whimpered, experiencing discomfort as Cherish helped him into a sitting position.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

"Did you tell anyone about the attack?" Precious questioned.

"Um, just Danny, and I'm sure he informed Michael as well," Cherish replied.

Precious sighed. "Did... did anyone come to see me?"

"Danny was here, just left a while ago," she answered.

"No, not Danny," he looked around. "Anyone else?".

"Anyone, like who?" Cherish asked, confusion lacing her tone.

"Well... a girl?"

"What? Um, no, just me," she stuttered.

Precious sighed. He had hoped Selene would have come to visit him, but it seemed he was mistaken. Maybe when she said she was done, she meant it. He glanced towards the door, catching a glimpse of someone. She quickly covered her face with a hoodie and hurried away.

"Selene," he whispered, unable to see her clearly but certain it was her. Or perhaps it was Sarah, but Sarah didn't show much interest in his life. "Selene," he said, making an attempt to get out of the bed.

"Precious, hold on!" Cherish pleaded, stopping him in his tracks. "You can't leave. The doctor didn't approve it."

Precious exhaled and settled back into the bed. He truly needed to see Selene, he couldn't deny it. She had become incredibly important to him, and he couldn't forget her. He needed her for Chido. The woman who had harmed him was still out there, and he had to find her before she reached Chido...

Precious knocked on the door repeatedly, but no one answered. He examined the property once more and was certain it was where they had brought him after he was stabbed. Did this mean they had moved out? He was about to knock again when a voice stopped him from behind. He turned around and luckily, it was Selene.

"What do you want?" She asked, walking towards him.

"Hello, Selene," he said, walking towards her.

"What do you want, Precious?"

Taking a deep breath, he knew it was going to be tougher than he thought. "I'm sorry about what I did the other day..."

"Sorry? Does that mean you're willing to come with me, or do you only need me because your brother was threatened?"

"So it was you in the hospital."

"I won't help you, Precious."

"Please, Selene..."

"Get out now!" She ordered.

Precious exhaled. "If my brother dies, I will never forgive myself."

"I don't care," she said and walked past him.

"Selene..." He called, reaching out to touch her arm. In a swift reflex, she pushed him against a wall, holding a pen knife close to his neck.

"Selene, calm down," he pleaded, his voice trembling.

"Calm down? Do you think I'm capable of calmness? My people are dying!"

"And so is my brother!"

"No...your brother wouldn't have gotten hurt if you had listened to me, but you were too smart. So, I'm sorry, but I won't do anything for you. I don't care what happens to you."

"Says the girl who shot an arrow at my attacker after I got stabbed and watched over me in the hospital."

Selene's eyes dropped. "You don't know that," she whispered.

Precious slowly lowered her hand from his neck. "I do. You care about me, Selene, and you know this tough act is just a facade. You'll still help me save Chido."

"The nerve you have..."

"I'm sorry that I can't live the way you want or wish. Selene..." He hesitated.

"You disgust me. Good luck mourning Chido," she said, making her way away from him without a backward glance.

Precious sat silently in his room, lost in thought, unable to come to a conclusion. He stood up, grabbed his already packed bag, and locked his room before leaving. He was going to go home and spend some time with Chido and see what would happen.

When he arrived home, he was greeted by an empty house. His parents were not around, and Grace seemed to be at school. The gatekeeper locked the gate, and Precious walked in, heading straight to his room. He stripped off his clothes, took a bath, and went to prepare dinner for his family.

Late in the evening, Peculiar came back with Grace to find the lights in the house on.

"Rufus, why are the lights on in the house?" Peculiar asked.

"Oh, Oga Precious has come back," he answered.

Grace screamed at the top of her voice and rushed into the house. She opened the door and saw him wearing an apron as he set the table.

"Precious!" She screamed, forgetting to put the brother in front of the name as was their usual habit. He lifted her off the ground, and she planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "I missed you, bro."

"I missed you too, sweetie," he replied, playfully poking her nose, causing her to giggle.

Peculiar walked in with a serious expression on her face.

"Mom!" Precious called, dropping Grace before hugging his mother. However, she did not hug him back. He pulled away, staring at her in confusion. "Mom, what's wrong?" He asked, peering into her swollen eyes.

"Mom has been crying about Chido. She doesn't even want Dad and me to comfort her," Grace explained before Peculiar faked a smile.

"Grace, you must be hungry. Why don't you eat while I talk to your brother?"

"Alright, Mom. Make her happy again, okay, bro," Grace said to Precious, who smiled before following his mother up the stairs.

They entered his room, and Peculiar locked the door behind them as they entered.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Precious asked, still trying to comprehend what was happening.

"What did you do to him?" Her voice broke.

"What?" He asked.

"What did you do to your brother? Where did you hide his soul?" She asked, frantically looking around his room.

"Mom, stop! What in the world are you saying?"

Peculiar glared at him as tears streamed down her face. "Are you going to lie to me?"

"Mom, please stop!"

"Fine. Luckily, I have evidence," she said, reaching for her phone, scrolling through it, and playing a video.

*****

"Enough!"

"Don't test me. I can kill him if I want. I could kill him in that hospital bed before you or anyone could find him!" A female voice threatened.

"Not if I kill you first," Precious voice came.

*****

"Explain to me what this means?" Her voice thundered.

"Mom, it's not what you think!" He tried to explain.

"I was on a call with you when I heard this. Precious, tell me the truth! Who wants to have your brother killed, and who do you want to kill?"

"Mom, it's nothing serious. I..." A slap landed on his cheek, silencing him.

"You monster! Tell me you didn't use your brother for ritual money."

"Mom, I...!" Another slap cut him off, and tears filled his eyes.

"Don't lie to me, Precious! I am your mother!"

"Will you stop hitting me and let me explain!" He shouted forcefully, and she grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer.

"Don't you raise your voice at me, young man. I carried you for nine months..."

"I didn't forget!" He yelled, tears streaming down his cheeks. The fact that his mother actually thought he was responsible for what happened to his brother hurt him deeply. In one way, he was responsible, but it was never intentional. He would never harm Chido or Grace because he loved them and would do anything to protect them.

"I would never hurt my siblings," he stated firmly.

"Then tell me who wants to have Chido killed so we can tell the police."

"I...I... can't!" He stammered, weeping.

"Oh no, Precious. Please don't do this," she pleaded.

"I don't know!" He screamed, and there was a heavy pounding on the door.

"Why are you raising your voice so high, Precious? Have you forgotten that you're speaking to your mother?" David asked, still banging on the door.

Precious placed both hands on his head, and his mother took hold of them, holding onto both tightly.

"I won't hate you, Precious. I love you because you're my son, but you have to tell me who wants to kill your brother."

"I...I... can't, Mom," he wept.

"Why?!" She yelled.

"Because I don't know them. They don't exist! They're my imagination, my nemesis. I don't know them, Mom... Jesus, I'm cursed!" He yelled, walking away from her, pacing back and forth. "Mom, I..."

Grace's screams interrupted them.

"Grace!" Peculiar called, unlocking the door and rushing to her daughter, who was in David's arms, vomiting with foam coming out of her mouth.

"Grace!" Peculiar shouted, rushing to her. "What happened? What happened?"

"I think she has food poisoning. I'll go get the car keys now," David said, speaking quickly before rushing to retrieve the keys.

"Grace!" Precious called, reaching out to touch her, but Peculiar slapped his hand away.

"Mom..."

"Get out," she said, her voice cutting him off.

"What?" He asked, bewildered.

"Get out before you harm my children," she wept.

"Mom, I..."

"Leave, Precious. I don't want to see you!"

David hurriedly rushed out to the commotion. He faced Precious, who appeared to be in immense pain.

"I think what your mother is trying to say is to go back to school. You can come back when things get better," he suggested.

"Fine! I got the message," Precious nodded and turned away, walking up the stairs. He grabbed his bag and walked down, giving his mother one last look, even though she wasn't looking back, before leaving the house.

ALONER 7

"Your scores on this test aren't very impressive, Precious. Is everything okay?" The lab attendant inquired.

"Yes, sir. I... I just wasn't feeling well during the test," Precious replied nervously.

"Hmm," the lab attendant nodded before walking away.

"Are you still thinking about it?" Michael asked, but Precious remained silent. It had been two weeks since the incident, and his parents hadn't answered his calls or messages. He didn't even know if Chido was okay because even Chido wasn't reaching out to him.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Michael eventually said, looking away. Precious took a deep breath. His family was his everything, and he had never known life without them. The past two weeks had been somewhat good, though, as he hadn't experienced any attacks or strange nightmares, even though his mind had been preoccupied with thoughts late into the night.

"Class is over!" the lab attendant announced, and they began handing in their manuals.

Precious hurriedly walked out, eager to get back to his lodge and rest after a stressful day.

"Precious!" Cherish called out, stopping him. "Hi, well... I brought this for you!" She said, offering him a drink.

"I'm good, Cherish," he replied without even looking at her.

"Oh... well... alright. I just thought it might make you feel better," she stammered.

Precious took the drink from her and forced a smile. "Thanks," he said, and her face lit up. "Bye," he added before walking away.

Back in his room, Precious took a cold shower before settling down to study on his laptop. He glanced at the drink Cherish had given him and decided to open and sip it. It tasted refreshing, and he drank it all at once, feeling a sense of rejuvenation. However, as he moved to dispose of the bottle, he suddenly collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest. He managed to get up and stumbled into the bathroom, vomiting forcefully. It felt like his heart was about to burst out of his chest. He sat on the cold bathroom floor, panting heavily, as a chilling breeze seemed to freeze his entire body. He couldn't understand what was happening to him.

Footsteps approached, and he looked up to see her standing there, her hands wrapped around herself. He wasn't expecting her, but seeing her immediately brightened his darkest moment.

"Selene..." he shivered, and she blinked.

"You shouldn't have drunk that. It contained a stimulant that would shut down your system in less than an hour,"

"Cherish gave it to me..." he quivered. "I don't think she knew."

"Sure, she didn't," she replied nonchalantly.

"Please... help me," he whispered, his strength fading with each passing moment.

Selene took a deep breath before walking closer to him, removing her jacket and revealing the brown singlet she wore underneath. She knelt down, raising her hands to unbutton his shirt.

"What are you... doing?" he asked, confused.

"You need warmth, and luckily, I can provide that," she answered, successfully unbuttoning his shirt and exposing his chiseled abs. She gazed at them for a moment before using her finger to trace their contours. "You..." she paused and swallowed, removing her hand. "Lie down," she instructed him, and he complied, settling onto the bed.

"I don't feel any better," he stated weakly.

Selene climbed onto the bed, lying beside him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he reciprocated, holding her close. They brought their bodies close together, and Selene whispered, "You'll feel warm," as she rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Selene..." he called out.

"Shh, Precious. Just get some rest," she urged.

"This is... a very uncomfortable position," he whispered.

"It's to revive you," she replied, and he fell silent. After a while, he spoke again.

"Cherish is a nice person. She would never hurt anyone," he trembled.

Selene looked at him, their eyes meeting as their faces were inches apart. "Why are we talking about her?"

"She's a friend..."

"I don't care."

"Do you feel jealous?" he asked.

"Do you like her?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow, causing him to gulp nervously.

"Why? Do you like me?" he questioned.

Selene averted her gaze to his lips before returning her eyes to his. "Just be quiet!"

"Just answer the question. Do you like me?" he persisted.

Selene looked away momentarily before meeting his gaze again. Leaning forward, she locked her lips with his, kissing him slowly and passionately. Her hands roamed across his bare chest, and although he didn't initially respond, he didn't stop her either. She eventually broke the kiss, and he opened his eyes, which he had shut during the kiss.

"Keep quiet," she whispered, resting her head on his chest as he pulled her closer, a hidden smile crossing his face.

VISIT 9

Danny woke up to the morning, his head throbbing and body aching. He struggled to sit up, but a female voice stopped him.

"Don't sit up, you'll hurt yourself," the voice said, and he turned to his right.

"Are you Cherish?" Danny asked.

"No, my name is Sarah," she replied.

"Sa... what?"

"Sarah," she repeated.

"That's umm, a nice name."

"I know," she smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"Not great... I feel like I've been stabbed."

"The doctor said you'll be fine soon. I think you will be," Sarah reassured him.

Danny stared at her for a moment, confused. "How do you know Precious?"

"It's complicated," Sarah replied.

"I like complicated. Tell me."

"My sister knew him first. I'm just... well, let's call it secondary."

"Hmm," Danny murmured.

"He was with you, but he stepped out for a moment."

"And what are you doing here?"

"I'm watching over you."

"Watching over me? Do I look like a child or something?"

"No pressure, Precious asked me to do it. I couldn't say no."

The door to the room opened, and Cherish stood there, her eyes fixed on Sarah. "You again?"

"Huh? Who?" Sarah asked.

"Why don't you leave us alone?" Cherish's voice rose.

"Cherish, calm down. Sarah isn't doing anything wrong," Danny spoke up, facing her.

"Isn't she? She has done more harm than good!"

"Cherish, please," Danny pleaded as she walked into the room and stood before Sarah.

"Leave us alone, leave Precious alone!" Cherish warned, pointing a finger at Sarah.

"Whoa, whoa, lady. I don't take kindly to threats," Sarah responded.

"It's fine, Sarah. Please go," Danny said.

Sarah glared at Cherish, but left the room without saying anything. "Cherish..." Danny's worried voice came. "You shouldn't provoke people like that."

"Why? She's been getting on my nerves."

"Still, what's with you and Precious?"

"He's been acting weird lately, and I think it's because of her."

"What happened?"

"I saw him."

"Do what?"

"Making out with her in his lodge. I'm scared to think they might even be sleeping together."

"That seems extreme..."

"Is it? She's poisoned his mind, and I'm going to put a stop to it."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to call his mom."

"No way."

"Yes way."

"Precious wouldn't want that..."

"I don't care. I can't let him be with her all the time."

"Why? Are you jealous? Do you love him?"

"Yes!" Cherish exclaimed, clenching her fist. She didn't want anyone to know about her love and obsession with Precious since their first year in college. She felt he would reject her, so she settled for being his friend, only to see another woman take her place.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Why would I? He was so focused on his studies, and I didn't want to be a distraction."

Danny rubbed his forehead, muttering the word "women."

"I'll tell his mom, but don't worry, I won't make him look bad in front of her."

"I'm not sure about that... Precious and his family have been dealing with some issues, and I think..."

"This is the best way to bring them together. Don't worry, Danny, I won't cause any unnecessary trouble. And don't tell Precious anything about me calling his mom."

"Well..."

"Promise me, Danny!"

"Fine, fine! I promise," he yelled. "Just don't get involved in something you barely understand."

"I don't plan on it," Cherish replied, placing a covered flask she had been holding on the table. "I brought some food."

"You did? Oh, what would I do without you?" Danny whined, grabbing the flask and opening it. "Oh, it smells so good," he laughed, taking a spoonful and eating as Cherish sat on the bed next to him, occupied with her phone.

Meanwhile, Precious woke up with a terrible night behind him. He washed his face in the sink and realized it was Saturday and time to do some cleaning. He grabbed a broom and began sweeping the room, then mopped the floor when he finished. He decided to do the laundry before returning to the building when he saw someone standing by his door with their back to him. As he approached, he recognized the figure.

"Mom?" he called out.

Both of them entered his apartment, and his mother took a seat. "Do you have anything to eat? It's been close to a month since you last visited home," she said.

"I have something for you, but first, I need to know if you're interested," Precious replied.

"I'm not hungry, Precious," she answered.

"Okay," he whispered, leaning against the wall. "Why are you here?"

"Precious, you're being mean. You should at least be happy your mom is here."

"Should I? The mom who abandoned me when I needed her the most."

"That's not true, Precious, and you know it."

"Do I? Don't complicate my life for me, Mom. I just..."

"Listen to me, young man. I am here for a reason, to see how you're doing," his mother interrupted.

"After blocking my contact and separating me from Grace and Chido? How do you think I should be doing?"

"About that... I'm sorry."

"It's not enough."

"Precious, I'm trying here."

"It's still not enough!" Precious's voice roared. "I spent so many sleepless nights trying to make it up to you, blaming myself, calling myself cursed."

"Honey..."

"I don't need any consolation. I've already been consoled."

"By her? The woman you're living with?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I know everything, Precious. I know you're getting intimate with a woman here, and I want it to stop."

"Where did you hear this from?"

"Cherish told me."

"And you believed her without confirming with me?"

"There's nothing to confirm. You're so carried away that you don't even realize Chido is missing."

"What?"

"She... she... she..." His mother stammered, tears filling her eyes.

"Mom," Precious called, but she couldn't answer. She covered her face with her hands and began to weep uncontrollably. Precious walked closer to her, taking her hand in his.

"Mom, please calm down," he consoled her, his anger and frustration melting away as he witnessed her tears. "If you don't stop, I might start crying too."

"Precious, my child, Mommy is so sorry. I didn't mean to abandon you or keep everyone away from you. I'm so sorry."

"I forgive you, Mom. I do. Just please stop crying," he begged.

She wiped away her tears and looked at him. "There was this woman who paid us a visit, claiming to be your lecturer. The conversation started off well, but then her mood changed drastically. She begged me to disown you, to call you and tell you that I'm done with you. She said she wanted to see pain in your eyes, wanted you to break apart. But I couldn't do it. She attacked us, broke your father's arm, and disappeared with Chido. I was relieved that Grace was at school during that time. We called the police and did everything we could, but we still can't find or trace Chido. I can't find my baby, and it's been close to a month. I didn't call you because I was scared. She always threatened us with Chido's life. And now, after Cherish gave me this information, I had to come here and beg you to leave whoever you're with. I've done everything I can as a mother, and I'm so exhausted. She said she'd kill him if you don't comply... she said..." Tears prevented her from finishing her sentence.

"Calm down, Mom. Did she mention someone named Rumingan?"

"Yes," his mother looked at him sharply. "That's the name she kept mentioning. I'm sure of it."

Precious sighed. So they had gone as far as messing with his family. "I will take care of this, Mom."

"Honey, please. I don't want them to hurt you."

"I'll send you home, Mom, and you're going to do exactly as I tell you. Do you understand?"

"What are you saying? I'm telling you she broke your father's arm, and you want to get physical with her. What if she kills you?"

"She can't. No one can kill me... yet," Precious answered.

RUMINGAN 10

Peculiar watched her son with a smile on his face, amused by how his statement had affected her. Blushing again, he passed her a plate of fried eggs and said, "You came to my place, so it's only fair I serve you."

"I don't know what movies you've been watching lately, but I really hope they aren't affecting your studies," Peculiar said.

"It won't, Mom. I promise," he reassured.

Peculiar smiled at him. "Grace misses you so much, and Chido, he would give anything for you to pay him a visit. It's just that... I don't even know where he is. Precious, I'm so sorry you had to go through..."

"Enough, Mom," Precious interrupted. "Stop apologizing, okay? It's not your fault, and I won't blame you."

Peculiar smiled bitterly and took his hand, pulling him into a hug. "I love you, baby boy," she wept.

"Let's eat first; we can discuss other things later," Precious suggested, and Peculiar nodded in agreement.

"What will you do?" she asked.

"Please don't get involved in anything that will hurt other people or yourself," Peculiar pleaded.

"Don't worry, Mom. I have it covered."

"You do?"

"Let's eat first. I promise you nothing will happen to Chido, I won't let them hurt him," he assured.

"I trust you."

As Precious continued eating, he couldn't help but reflect on how he had said terrible things about his family abandoning him, even though they never had. He exhaled and looked at his mom, who ate quietly. "I'm sorry," he whispered. As if hearing him, she looked up and smiled at him.

Sarah stood by the door, watching Precious pace back and forth. "I'm telling you, she's not going to see you. It's just a waste of time," she said.

"Tell her I won't leave. It's a matter of life and death, doesn't she understand?"

"Well, if you didn't only show up when you have a problem, I might have agreed with you."

"Sarah, please, can't you see what's gone wrong?"

"I see nothing," she snapped, and he rubbed his forehead.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing, and don't ever raise your voice at me!"

"I'm not just here for Chido. I'm here because I want to get rid of Rumingan once and for all. I'm here to do the very thing you all have been asking and bothering me about, but you're shutting me out."

"Is that what you think this is all about? My sister almost died, I did too, and you think it's as relaxing as you thought it would be. Do you know how many people are after us? Do you know how we struggle every day to stay safe?"

"I'm sorry about that..."

"No, you're not. You'll never understand because it's not you. Humans are selfish. That's what I'm sure of."

Precious exhaled and looked away. "I just want to talk to her."

"She doesn't want to talk to you," Sarah stated firmly.

"Let her say that to my face, Sarah"

Sarah looked away. "She's not going to see you, and that's it. Nothing else."

"Let me see him," Selene spoke from behind, forcing both of them to look at her.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to. I'll stay until he leaves," Sarah said to her sister.

"I'm good, Sarah," Selene replied, facing Precious. He visibly relaxed at the sight of her. "Please leave us," she told her sister, who complied.

"Thanks for coming out," Precious expressed his gratitude.

"Don't thank me. I'm not doing it from my heart," she warned.

Precious chuckled. "Thanks anyway."

"Mm," she replied slowly, taking a seat on the stairs, and he did the same. "What now?"

"My brother is missing, and... I need your help finding him. Please help me, like you've always done."

"Mm," she said again, looking straight ahead. "There are some things we never want to talk about."

"What are those?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"My going home."

"Really?" he chuckled.

"Precious, you know... if we defeat Rumingan..."

"When," he corrected her, earning a smile from her.

"This will all become history. The experience, the ups and downs. It'll be like waking up from a long dream."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's going to be a dream, Precious. There won't be any 'us.'" She looked at him directly. "Any 'me.'"

"I... What..." he stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"You want to defeat Rumingan? Let's get on with it," she declared, standing up and taking his hand.

Precious faced her, feeling a renewed sense of enthusiasm. "Let's do this."

Dark clouds enveloped the sky as Precious stared out of his window. His mother and Grace, were safe in the house. It was the night he would take down Rumingan for good. He exhaled, his thoughts drifting to what Selene had said earlier. They had practiced together, and he couldn't help but be amazed by her skills. She had mentioned leaving, everything feeling like a dream. He wasn't ready for her departure; he felt like he still needed to spend time with her.

He pushed aside those thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. He walked out of his room, wearing a coat and stepping outside the house. Giving it one last look, he continued on his journey.

He rode to the destination and disembarked from his vehicle. Selene and her sister were already waiting for him.

"You good?" Selene asked, concern evident in her voice.

"You'll be fine, Precious. You're more powerful than you think," Sarah added, trying to reassure him.

"Thanks," he replied, though his smile seemed forced.

"You're welcome," Sarah said, looking away.

"If it gets tough, just surrender," Selene advised.

"Why?" he asked, taken aback. "You told me this was my destiny. You told me I had to defeat him to set your people free."

"I did," she replied. "But I forgot to mention that the fight is real. If you kill him, you've killed him. But if he kills you," she hesitated, "you'll be gone, Precious, for life."

"What?" he asked, shocked.

"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier. I didn't want to scare you..."

"I'm more scared now than I would have been then."

"You weren't ready to embrace who you were back then. It would have just scared you away," she explained.

Precious took a deep breath. "I'll do it!"

"There's another way, though. You can choose to surrender, and he'll spare your life," Selene proposed.

"And your people will continue to suffer under him?" he snapped at her.

"It's better... It's better than not ever existing to your parents. No one deserves that."

"I'll fight, and I'll win. I'll set your people free and... be real," Precious declared, determination evident in his voice.

Selene smiled. "I knew you were the one for this."

"Less talking, more action. Rumingan is here," Sarah interjected, drawing everyone's attention to the tall, imposing figure who walked with authority and oppression.

"Son of a..."

"You've got this. Make me proud," Sarah tapped him.

"I will," he replied, then turned to Selene, whose face displayed mixed emotions. She was scared that he wouldn't make it. He looked at her, feeling an overwhelming sense of urgency. He still needed more time with her.

He faced Rumingan, ready for what lay ahead, determined to succeed and eradicate the oppressive force that loomed over them.

"We meet again, Ravnagen," he began.

"I'm not in the mood for a conversation. Let's get this over with," Precious stated.

Rumingan chuckled scornfully. "In a hurry to die, I see. This should be fun." he retreated from him pulling down the coat he wore and, exposing his abs with Precious, didn't expect to be so intimidating.

"So, it begins!!".

DEFEATING RUMINGAN 11

"The moon hung high in the midnight sky, its ethereal glow cascading upon the desolate forest clearing. Leaves rustled in the chilling wind, whispering tales of an impending battle. Amidst the eerie silence, two male wolves stood at opposite ends of the clearing, their majestic figures outlined by the moon's gentle light. One was a formidable gray brute with piercing amber eyes, known as Rumingan, emanating an air of ferocity that struck fear in the hearts of those who crossed his path. The other, a sleek and agile ebony wolf named Precious, possessed a calm determination in his eyes as he prepared to face his formidable adversary.

"Just stop, the battle is about to begin," Selene interrupted her sister, cutting her off.

"Ah, right," she chuckled softly.

The two wolves stood face to face, their eyes ablaze with the desire to vanquish one another.

"And so it begins!" Rumingan declared, transforming into his wolf form.

Meanwhile, Precious stole a glance at Selene and her sister. "This one's for you," he whispered before confronting Rumingan. He placed a hand on the ground and lowered his body, undergoing his own transformation into a black wolf.

With a low growl rumbling deep within his chest, Rumingan lunged forward, his powerful paws propelling him like a thundering force of nature. Baring his sharp teeth, he aimed for Precious, intending to tear at his throat. However, Precious was no stranger to combat. As Rumingan's jaws snapped, he deftly dodged the attack, his nimble movements allowing him to narrowly escape Rumingan's savage assault.

Seizing the opportunity, Precious swiftly retaliated, circling around and launching himself towards Rumingan's vulnerable flank. His strong jaws clamped onto Rumingan's hind leg, sinking deep into the flesh. A howl of pain escaped Rumingan's mouth, fury clouding his amber eyes.

Unwilling to be overpowered, Rumingan thrashed and writhed, fighting fiercely to shake Precious off. Yet, the ebony wolf held firm, refusing to let go. Waves of pain coursed through Rumingan's body, weakening his spirit. With every ounce of strength left, Rumingan clawed at Precious, leaving deep scars on the dark wolf's sleek coat.

But Precious was undeterred. Utilizing his powerful muscles, he tightened his grip even further, his determination shining in his eyes. The pain only fueled his resolve, igniting a fire within his soul. Ferocity consumed Precious as he summoned his strength, pushing through the agony.

In a final desperate attempt, Rumingan tried to throw Precious off balance. A forceful jerk of his body sent Precious sprawling across the clearing. Rolling with the momentum, Precious quickly regained his footing, never taking his sharp eyes off Rumingan's imposing figure.

Taking a deep breath, Precious surged forward once more, his movements more intense than ever. His agile steps danced with an otherworldly grace, evading Rumingan's desperate attempts to overpower him. In a sudden and decisive moment, Precious struck, his jaws closing around Rumingan's massive throat.

Time seemed to stand still as the forest held its breath, awaiting the outcome of this climactic battle. Rumingan's struggles diminished into feeble gasps, blood trickling from his wounds. The light faded from his once fiery eyes, defeated by the indomitable spirit and unwavering will of Precious.

"That's it!" Sarah whispered in disbelief, her voice filled with relief and joy. "We did it. It's finally over," she exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

As the winds whispered their song of victory, Precious released his hold, allowing Rumingan's lifeless body to collapse onto the forest floor. A triumphant howl reverberated through the night sky, melding with the chorus of the midnight wilderness. Bruised and scarred, Precious stood as the victor, a symbol of unwavering spirit and unconquerable will.

"He won! He won!" Sarah jubilated, her voice tinged with the pain of years of suffering her people had endured.

Stepping forward, Selene approached Precious, her eyes brimming with tears. "You did it," she choked out. "You have no idea how much joy you've given me."

Precious chuckled softly, wincing from his bruises. "You're welcome," he whispered.

Unable to contain her excitement, Selene rushed into his arms, embracing him tightly, never wanting to let go.

"Here," Sarah handed Precious a can of water, a gesture of gratitude.

"Thanks," Precious appreciated and she nodded before leaving.

"Thank you," Selene said.

"You don't have to keep saying that. I heard you the first hundred times," Precious replied, taking a sip of water.

"I just can't believe it's finally over," Selene said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and disbelief.

"It is over, and you'll go..." Precious trailed off, his voice clearly implying he didn't want her to leave.

"I can't stay. I had a life. And so did you," Selene replied.

"I know, I'm just... I don't know..." Precious struggled to find the words.

"Shh," Selene placed a finger on his lips. "That's enough."

"I always fought with you, never giving you the chance to..." Precious began, but he was silenced by a kiss on his lips.

"I said it's enough," Selene whispered. "Just hold me." She moved closer to him, seeking comfort in his embrace, hoping that the moment could last forever.

Exhaling as he stood in front of his house, Precious had left Selene's house because it was late and his mother would be worried. Stepping out of the car, he was startled by the sudden opening of the door to his house, with his little sister Grace running out in her pink gown.

"Big brother Precious!" she giggled, running into his arms as he lifted her off the ground.

"Hello, princess," he teased, playfully poking her nose and eliciting a beautiful chuckle from her.

"Did you forget about me?" Chido's voice echoed from the doorway, and Precious slowly turned to look at him.

"Chido," he whispered, setting Grace back on the ground and walking towards his younger brother.

Chido chuckled and hurried into his embrace, tears filling his eyes. "I was so scared. I thought I'd never see you again."

Precious held him tightly, realizing just how much he had missed him and how grateful he was that Chido was safe. His little brother was perfectly fine.

"Dinner!" Peculiar exclaimed, dropping the food on the table before narrowing her eyes at her children, who were happily engrossed in the television. "Dinner, everyone," she repeated, capturing their attention as Chido and Grace rushed to the dining table. Precious remained in his place, lost in his thoughts. Peculiar approached him and sat by his side.

"Did you remember to thank Selene for me?" she asked, a soft smile came on her lips.

"I thought you never believed in these things," Precious replied, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"I guess I saw it for myself and was forced to believe," she responded.

"Yeah," he muttered.

"I can tell something's bothering you. What's wrong? Chido, Grace, and I are here, and your dad will be joining us tomorrow or the day after. So tell me, what's on your mind?"

Precious exhaled. "She's leaving."

"Who?" Peculiar inquired.

"Selene," he answered, his voice filled with reminiscence and sadness. "It's not like I didn't want her to leave, but I spent so much time arguing and complaining that I didn't realize... I feel differently about her."

Peculiar smiled. "And now that she's going, you wish she could stay?"

"Yes, and what's worse is... I won't remember any of this afterward. Her, her sister, the battle. All of it will be lost."

"What do you want to hear that will make you feel better?" Peculiar asked. "I don't know if I can say that you're enough or that you'll meet someone better, because it doesn't seem like any of those words matter to you."

"Mommy..." Precious began, searching for the right words.

"Precious, take your time. Breathe in and out, and tell her how you feel, at least before she leaves. I have a feeling there's something about her that you won't forget, even if the world says you will," she smiled.

"Thanks, Mom," Precious whispered, feeling a glimmer of hope rekindle within him.

"You're welcome. Now come on, let's eat so you can gather the energy to bid her farewell tomorrow," she said, helping him stand and leading him to the dining table.

LEAVING 12

As the sun began its descent in the sky, casting a melancholic glow upon the world, a heavy sense of departure hung in the air.

Precious stood with his arms folded, his mind far from whatever the morning had in store.

"Breakfast is ready," Grace announced as she faced the door, offering a smile that he returned before she left. He turned his attention back to the window, feeling a sense of emptiness settling in. Selene would be leaving today, and he knew it was for the best, but a part of him wished she could stay.

He glanced at his wristwatch. It was time. Walking out of the room, he met his mother's smiling face, and she nodded in approval. Forcing a smile, he left the house and drove to the destination she had chosen, coming to a halt as soon as he arrived.

Selene stood with her sister, searching the area for him with her eyes. She let out a sigh of relief when she spotted his car. However, he remained seated in the car, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his gaze fixed on her. His feelings and emotions swirled inside him, unspoken and unexpressed.

Summoning his courage and suppressing his emotions, he stepped out of the car and walked towards her.

"Look who's here!" Sarah smiled, while her sister fixed a bitter and somber gaze on Precious as he approached them.

"Hi," she waved once he stood before her.

"Hi," he replied, offering her a smile.

"So... this is where we say goodbye," she said.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice barely audible.

"Let's go," Sarah said, gesturing towards an open space. She muttered some words, and a portal immediately opened.

"Goodbye, Precious," she waved, being the first to step in.

However, Selene, with a heavy heart, still stood with her eyes fixed on him. "It's all going to seem like a dream, all of this," she said.

"You've said that a lot, and I was paying attention," he replied.

"Yeah," she whispered, turning away from him and facing the portal. She took a step towards it, but Precious hastily commented, stopping her.

"I want to see you again."

A bittersweet smile formed on her lips, reflecting the pain she felt inside. They were destined to be separated; their lives called them in different directions, demanding responsibilities they couldn't ignore.

"You know it's not possible," her broken voice came.

"I know," he trailed off. "I just... wish."

She faced him. "I wish too," she said, looking away immediately. With unwavering determination, she whispered softly, "Our lives are entangled in different webs, and we cannot escape the threads that bind us."

"I know," he lowered his gaze. "I'll be fine," he encouraged himself, causing her to muffle a bitter chuckle.

"You will be. You're stronger than this. Black wolf."

Precious smiled bitterly. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," she made to leave but stopped. She turned to him, running into his open arms for a deep and comforting hug. "I'll find you," she whispered.

Precious slowly pulled away, looking into her misty eyes. "You better."

She reached out to gently touch his face. The love between them could have been stronger if given time, but sometimes love alone was not enough. "Goodbye, Precious!" She moved away from him, walking straight into the portal.

With a heavy sigh, she took one last look into his eyes, etching his tear-streaked face into her memory. Though her heart crumbled with each step, she summoned every ounce of strength to turn away, bidding him a heartbreaking farewell.



Precious watched as the portal slowly closed. "I love you," he shouted, still unable to tell her. He fell to his knees, his head lowered. And she left, never to return again.

A bright light suddenly appeared, almost blinding him and causing him to shut his eyes tight.

? - - ?

"Precious... Precious..." a familiar, small voice called.

His eyes flickered open, meeting Grace's. She wore a beautiful smile. "You sleep like a kid sometimes."

"All the time," Chido spoke from the other end, immersed in the video game he was playing.

Precious sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What happened?"

"Mom made akara balls, and I'm sorry to announce they're finished. She said you and Chido should go shopping for school. It's a new semester," Grace explained.

"I was going to suggest Everyday Supermarket or ShopRite," Chido spoke.

"Buy me something from ShopRite," Grace begged, but Precious still felt dizzy from everything that had happened. Selene had said he would forget it all, but it was still clear in his head. He remembered her.

"Hello...!" Grace snapped him back to reality. "Mommy said something," she reminded.

"Oh, right," he said, getting up from the bed and walking into the bathroom to wash his face. He could hear his siblings bickering in the room as he shut his ears to the noise. He remembered her.

"Bro Precious...!" Grace called.

He hurriedly grabbed a shirt and walked out. "Let's go."

"Cool!" Grace exclaimed.

"One minute, please," Chido begged, trying to quickly finish off his opponent in the game.

"Come on, Chido," Precious said before leaving the room with Grace.

"Why did you sleep for so long?" Peculiar asked. "Breakfast is over."

"I'm sorry, I just... I didn't have any nightmares again so I had a peaceful sleep."

"What nightmares?" she asked, and both Grace and Peculiar looked at him with confusion.

"Uh... well," he stuttered, realizing they had no idea what he was talking about, and he didn't plan on explaining it further.

"Nothing," he answered, faking a smile. "Let's go."

"Yoo!" Chido yelled, running down the stairs.

"You need to listen to me and stop running, or else you'll lose a tooth," Peculiar warned.

Chido chuckled, hiding behind his brother.

"Take care, all of you, and Precious, take care of Grace," Peculiar said.

"I will," Precious replied, leaving the house with his siblings. He drove them to ShopRite, and during the ride, he passed by the mall where he had first met Selene sister. Everything still seemed so real, as if it had just happened yesterday. He didn't think he would ever forget her. Forget Selene.

"Time's up!" the lab attendant announced as they all submitted their manuals. "Congratulations on making it to your final year," he added, and everyone chuckled.

"Give us a good mark, sir!" someone shouted, and the laughter grew louder.

"Precious, my guy!" Danny yelled, running up to his friend. "I've been looking for you."

"Me too," Michael joined in.

"Looks like we're all here. Let's do something special. We'll be in our final year next month," Danny suggested.

"I agree," Michael said.

"Cool, what do you say?" Danny asked Precious.

"It's a wonderful idea, Danny. Go for it."

"Cool, there's this place I want us to try out," Danny started, excitedly describing the beauty and adventure the place had to offer.

Precious listened to his friend, who seemed so enthusiastic as he narrated. His life wasn't so bad after all, even though he sometimes felt Selene's absence. But he had decided to move on, embracing everything life had to offer. He carried with him the brief connection they had shared, which he would never forget. Life had a lot to offer, and he was determined to live it to the fullest. He was the black wolf, and nothing would stop him.

THE END.

Blaliy Lilian.A.

[email protected].