Chapter one
It hurts, but why? I knew this was going to happen. Stupid parents, stupid big over protective brother! It's all his fault! My parents were offered a job to travel the world to look for old artefacts as they were geologists, they haven't worked as geologists ever since my brother and I were born. I could have stayed in Oakland where it's always sunny, where I've lived my entire life, where my friends are, where it's so familiar. But no my brother had to open his mouth and say I couldn't take care of myself and that it would be better if I went to boarding school with him where he can 'keep an eye on me'. He twisted my parent's arms and they agreed I was going to boarding school in West port. I would have argued that I didn't want to go to boarding school and that I COULD take care of myself I'm 16 for goodness sake! But they guilt tripped me into going by saying 'if you don't go we won't go either' and so I had no choice.
Matts always been overprotective of me ever since I was almost kidnapped by some stranger, I was nine at the time, my brother was late to walk me home, so I decided to walk home by myself. It was a bright day so I thought I would be safe, I was walking home alone when a car came up to me, the man inside asked me if I wanted a ride I said no and continued walking. He got out of the car and grabbed my arms and pulled me towards the car. Matt came just in time and hit the stranger with a rock from the side of the road, he must of hit him hard cause the guy was feel unconscious, he was arrested. But ever since that day he's been keeping tabs on me. I mean I was scared but everything was okay, it's nice to see he cares and all but its getting way out of hand, I love my brother. He just needs to give me some space. Even with him at boarding school, he would ring everyday and talk to me for 20 minutes a day, he would text me are you at school? Are you at home? Your okay? Where are you? You're not alone right? Ring me now! Aggg brothers!
Why couldn't Matt (my Irritating always in my way brother) just stay home with me, for the last two years he had been attending boarding school, I asked why but he and my parents always ignored my questions and so I never bought it up again. I'd Looked at the pamphlet of the school 'West Port academy' it looked like a prison, high walls made of stone, Hugh dark classes, they had a gym and a pool as if id use it, everything looked so grand, I already hated it. At least I get my own room, I didn't want to be sharing my room with a total stranger it's just weird. There was a knock on the door I quickly sat upright on my bed, "Ruka honey can we come in" it was mom and dad. I guess they want to talk one last time before me and Matt leave tomorrow grrr…
"Yeah come in", I said it without any emotion.
"Honey we just want to know if you're packed for tomorrow and if you needed anything else?" Mum said.
Why do we have to go through this it's just going to make you upset I thought, "No I have everything, I've packed all my belongings, the bags next to the door and don't worry I gave Matt my plane ticket just in case I decided to rip it into pieces", I said this with as much anger as I could.
"Ruka please don't be angry, we don't want to make you leave but your 16 you're a big girl now. You'll be fine at boarding school" dad said a little sad.
"Fine, I don't want to get into an argument let's leave this conversation on a 'happy note' okay, I'll be gone tomorrow and you two can live your lives the way you always wanted without kids" I said this with sarcasm; I was starting to get irritated! It's been 3 months about the same thing over and over again 'you'll enjoy boarding school honey' my parents would say, sigh…
Mom started talking I zoned out I don't want to get angry at them when this would be the last time I see them for a while. All of a sudden I heard my name being said but it wasn't said out loud it was in my head? 'Ruka' the dangerous silky voice spoke, I've heard this voice in my head ever since I heard the news I was going to boarding school, it's as if this voice didn't want me to go either I smiled at that thought. I was going crazy but lately I've been hearing it more and more, and each time I hear it, it gets angrier and despite each time. It sent shivers down my back.
I was snapped back to reality when my Mum said "I'll email you whenever I get the chance okay. Get some rest you have a long day tomorrow, I'll get Matt to take your bags down for you. I love you Ruka" She hugged me and left the room, I didn't return the hug.
Dad looked at me with pleading eyes "When she emails you please reply, it's hurting her that you and Matt are leaving. You will be fine honey. I love you" Dad kissed me on my forehead as he did ever since I was little he hugged me and left my empty room that I was going to miss.
Matt walked into my room soon after. I was going to scream at him, but I was too tired to have the conversation for the fiftieth time. Matt sat on my bed I rolled my eyes at him "I'm sorry you're going somewhere you don't want to be, but with time you will understand why you had to leave, you will be safe at boarding school. I know you hate going to new places but I'll be there" he said this smiling at me. What did he mean have to leave, and being safe? And then again I heard the voice in my head 'Rukaaaa' it was being screamed at me, it gave me a headache. Matt looked concerned I just put up my hand. He knew what I meant he picked up my bag turned his head and said 'good night Ruka'. He closed my door, today had been exhausting with all the arguments I pulled the black and white duvet over me and put my head on the pillow and feel asleep almost instantly.
I was dreaming, It was a cold night the sky was clear with many shiny stars, my heart was beating fast I was running away from the boarding school. I could see behind me the school getting smaller and smaller this made me smile, I was going to be free. I was running into the forest it was dark, and quiet to quiet then all of a sudden I heard a branch snap I turned around to see something running after me. I felt fear run through my body along with adrenalin it made me run even faster but not fast enough. Whatever had been running after me had caught me, it rapped its cold hands around my waist I struggled and screamed but he was strong he turned me around and thrusts my body to his. I looked up it was a man he looked to be the same age as my brother he had the most darkest green eyes I had ever seen, one of his muscular arms were rigid around me and one was wrapped around my mouth to prevent me from screaming any more, in the moon light his skin looked so dull and lifeless, he made me feel dizzy and my heart was beating even faster. He didn't even look tired from running after me, strange I thought. I was trapped I tried to struggle under is iron grasp but couldn't. The man looked at me seriously and said with a pleading voice "your safe with me, please don't run away, I lost you I..."
I woke up to Matt knocking on the door, dam it I thought what did he want to say 'I lost you I..' it felt so real, what the hell had I just dreamed, my breath was ragged and my heart was beating so fast, it was like I had run a mile. "Can I come in" matt said weary of what I'd be like today.
I rolled my eyes and got out of bed "yeah come in" I said tiredly.
"Are you okay?" Matt said questioningly. What was that about I thought did he think I would run away? Where would I go? Tears were about to come out, this always happened when I got angry.
"Yeah, I'm going to get ready okay" He nodded and left me be. I got in the shower got dressed in my favourite black dress, I liked it so much it was heavily pleated, so whenever you twirled it would twirl so beautifully. I put on the matching shoes with silver buckles and reached for my black scarf when I heard the voice again ' RUKAAAAAAA' I feel to the floor unable to breath, what was happening to me, I'm going crazy I thought. Matt walked into my room without knocking, he was quickly by my side "what's wrong" he said in a desperate voice.
I caught my breath "just a really bad headache don't worry I'm still going to the stupid school" I said with venom. He didn't deserve what I was doing all the anger and hatred but I didn't care I was hurting, I was going somewhere without my parents, to a strange place with strange people.
"I'll go get something for your headache" he said with caring eyes.
"No I'm fine now" I got up but nearly feel back down, Matt caught me and helped me down stairs.
Just before we reached the kitchen I ripped my arm from his grip "I don't want to upset mum and dad so don't tell them what happened upstairs, they might think I was faking it any way…" I said a little upset.
Matt complied and didn't say a word. Mom and Dad had made blue berry pancakes for breakfast; they were mine and Matts favourite. We ate in silence. I helped clear the table and heard the taxi roll up into the drive way, it was taking me and Matt to the airport.
"The taxis here Ruka" Matt yelled.
Before I could think I heard the voice again "Rukaaaaaa don'tt", I have to go I thought. We said our goodbyes Mom hugged me while dad and Matt put the bags in the car. I was glad I left without leaving my parents upset by my behaviour. Dad hugged me and reminded me to email back as soon as possible they were leaving tomorrow to Egypt.
Matt opened the door for me I didn't look at him, I waved good bye it was going to a long time when the four of us would be together I thought. I wanted to cry so badly but I didn't want to cry in front of my brother I was angry with him and that's that!
We reached the airport twenty minutes later. I got out of the car and headed toward the back of the car; Matt paid the taxi driver and got the bags out of the car. I was about to grab my bag when Matt started hugging me. I felt confused "Ruka please look at me. I'm sorry Ruka that you're going somewhere you don't want to be. But with time you will understand you will be safe there. I know your sad so just let it out just cry" He said this with love, the anger melted up and I started crying. "I'm sorry to Matt" I said with a shaky voice. All of a sudden Matt tensed up, my entire body started shaking and feel to the floor Matt caught me just before I hit the ground, what was happening to me? I looked up to see Matts face I couldn't see well because of the tears I wiped them away and saw his face full of shock he wasn't looking at me, but straight ahead. I turned and saw a black silhouette blocking the entrance to the airport.