Night fell before Roxanne knew it, and the promised time crept closer. Having burning and twisted rage dwelling within her, Roxanne impatiently waited as she glanced at the clock every second to see when she could leave.
Finally, the clock hit 9:30 and Roxanne bounced on her feet, immediately heading for the door. Not even paying attention to Amaya, who made her usual jokes, Roxanne’s hateful face cemented as she made her way to the gym.
“Coach… Everyone… I’m coming!”
[9:57pm]
Roxanne stood before the gym building and waited for the time to ring at 10:00 before she rushed in.
“Should I just go in now?!” Roxanne questioned impatiently.
No! It was too risky. Asher was unpredictable, plus she had to consider everyone else.
The one he really wanted was her, and she couldn’t afford to get others entangled and suffering for her impatience.
Her eyes glowed and she felt her body surge with power from the moonlight, coupled with the anger she let Roxanne prepare herself.
During her moment of waiting, she had contemplated what to do in her encounter with Asher. Only one thing came to mind.
“Fight!”
She had never fought with him, and she wasn’t confident in any way that she could win.
But, she was certainly not leaving for the village, turning her back on the new prospects that awaited her. At least not without a fight. Still, she felt a strange check within her… This conviction whispered to her that something wasn’t right. But, being swallowed by worry and rage, Roxanne refused to listen to the still voice.
>BEEP<
Roxanne checked her phone and realised it was finally 10:00pm.
Walking steadily, she advanced within the gym.
As she titled the doorknob, a strange sensation coursed through her, making Roxanne feel a little drowsy.
Taking a step back, Roxanne brushed off the wave of nausea and proceeded to venture in.
The gym was dark, and the silence generated an eerie vibe for Roxanne.
The absence of light did not pose any problem for her though, after all her night vision was active.
Upon sensing there was no activity on the ground floor, Roxanne sped across the stairs and in a moment, she was at the top floor.
A dark vibe radiated across the room, and every ounce of her instincts screamed at her to leave.
However, she kept advancing. Suddenly, her eyes picked up a figure within the room.
The man stood upright, alone in the empty expanse.
"C-coach…?"
Roxanne muttered as she recognized the well built silhouette. Waves of tiredness continued to affect her, but Roxanne still brushed them off as she walked slowly to the man.
The fact that he stood alone in the dark room meant Asher was pulling the strings from somewhere.
She didn't know where and how, though. She had tried sensing him, but Roxanne found no traces of him around.
There was a familiar scent in the room, one which was linked to a werewolf, but she couldn't pinpoint whose.
Her senses had started to dull. She had to get out of there as soon as possible.
"Coach!" She gritted her teeth, increasing her pace. She instantly appeared before him, placing her hand on his shoulder as she observed him closely.
His eyes displayed emptiness as she shook him slightly, trying to rouse him from the trance she believed he was under.
"How does one break 'Domination'?!" She asked herself in puzzlement.
If only Katrina had told her!"Coach! Can you hear me?!" She said, shaking his body which displayed no form of resistance.
Worry swept through her. Has he become a vegetable? Has the art Asher used on him turned him into a mindless puppet only useful for bait?"Asher… How could you do-"
>SQUISH!<
A sudden sound caused Roxanne's eyes to bulge as she felt a sharp sensation of pain on her stomach.
"-thisss…" She mumbled, looking unbelievably at the sharp blade which pierced her in the gut.
A familiar hand held the blade, and as she raised her head to see the man who did so, she shook her head in disbelief.
"Hello, Roxanne… We meet again" Donald gave her a devilish grin.
"C-coach…?!" Roxanne mumbled in shock.
Donald had used a concealed blade to pierce her, sending the pain she felt now into her. His smile widened upon seeing her troubled and frightened expression.
"N-no way… Asher… why are you doing this?" Roxanne mumbled staggering back as she detached herself from the object embedded in her.
Blood splattered on the floor as she grabbed her bleeding stomach in shock.
A wave of fear crept within Roxanne as she began to feel even more nauseous.
A painful heat wave enveloped her, making her body throb in reaction to an unknown force.
"How stupid can you be? To think it could actually work so well. It seems 'he' was right, after all… That Asher guy trick really worked on you, eh?" Donald said with a pleased smile.
His eyes taunted Roxanne, and from the way he spoke, she was beginning to doubt whether he was actually a vegetable or not.
"W-what are you saying…?!" Roxanne mumbled in drowsiness and shock.
"Don't tell me you still haven't figured it out. There's no Asher, or anyone from your village here. It's just us! Goodness, what kind of brain you must have not to have figured it out at this juncture.
As expected of nothing but a filthy beast!" Donald spat, half in jest at her pitiful state, and half in spite as he glared at her with disgust in his eyes.
Met with the look of disdain Donald gave, a slow realisation began to dawn on Roxanne.
She had ignored it all this while, but the aura around her coach… Was of pure malice.
The same aura she had sensed since she entered the room.
And the smell that wafted through the air. Roxanne was too distracted, and the scent was masked with a stronger musk so she couldn't smell it on time.
It was wolfsbane. It was no wonder she had been feeling weak since she entered the gym.
She could also sense more wolfsbane around her, as well as multiple humans. Even with her dulled senses, she could get a glimpse of their equipment.
They reminded her of the men who invaded the village and caused the death of a couple of werewolves.
The way her Donald spoke also sounded just like them.
"N-no way… Coach, you are.. "So you've finally realised. Yes, that's right! I am a Hunter, and you… filthy sow, are a werewolf, a sick being that should be extinguished from this world!" He smiled as he approached.
Roxanne's body felt weak. Weakened from the wolfsbane, the blood loss, and the gnawing pangs of betrayal that left her speechless.
As she glanced at Donald's superior glare, Roxanne began to feel herself fade away.
"Hehe, looks like the poison is finally kicking in. I laced my blade with a more concentrated version of a wolfsbane variant. You are done for, little one. Just perform a final good service to mankind, and die!" Donald said, pointing his blade at her.
"N-no, I don't want to die… I don't…"Reminded by Katrina's warnings, Roxanne felt a huge wave of regret.
To think the one she was worried about ended up being the cause of her waterloo. Guilt also filled her heart.
She had blamed and suspected Asher even though she knew within her that he was innocent.
As she slowly began to lose consciousness, seeing the mocking smile of Donald…
A new emotion surged within her. It was primal, it was raw…
An indomitable desire to live!