Ruby:
As I burst through the broken door and stepped into the hallway, a cool breeze brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. With my wolf still close to the surface, my senses were heightened, and every sound and movement seemed amplified, fueled by the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
I scanned the hallway, my eyes darting from side to side in search of any sign of Jane’s fleeing figure. However, she was nowhere to be seen. Determined, I proceeded to check our shared office space, but her scent seemed to have vanished, as if she had been swallowed by the shadows of the night.
It was strange, leaving me with a sense of unease.
Frustration gnawed at my insides, mingled with a deep-rooted anger that threatened to consume me. I couldn’t let her escape, not after what she had done to my son, to Mrs. Thompson, and to me.
She had to pay.
“Trust me, you can run, but you can’t hide forever!” I called out into the hallway, my voice echoing off the walls. I knew she wouldn’t have gone far in her injured state, but there was no response-only the eerie silence of the hallway in return.
I opted to search outside the academy, clenching my fists in frustration. Stepping out, my senses remained heightened, scanning my surroundings for any sign of Jane’s escape route. Immediately, my gaze landed on a trail of bloody footprints leading into the forest, a stark indication that she had fled into the darkness beyond my reach.
My heart pounded in my chest as I pursued the trail, knowing that justice loomed tantalisingly close yet still far away. I understood that apprehending her would pose challenges, given the uncertainty of her tactics or the potential presence of accomplices nearby.
In summary, it would be stupid for me to go after her.
A rustling in the bushes caught my attention. Thinking it was Jane, I tensed, readying myself for a confrontation. But as I approached cautiously, I realised it was just a rabbit darting away into the underbrush. Disappointment washed over me, mingling with the gnawing sense of failure.
With a heavy sigh, I steeled myself to go after her into the woods, knowing I had no choice, as there were still loose ends to tie up and justice to be served.
I couldn’t dwell on my shortcomings; my focus had to be on capturing her myself. It was fucking obvious that Liam would need more time to process the news of our son’s survival, and I doubted he would have the strength to pursue Jane after the bombshell I had dropped on him. Nevertheless, I could only hope that he would do the right thing this time around for the sake of our son.
As I was on the verge of stepping into the forest to commence my search for Jane, the watch given to me by Madame Nelly began to ring, its piercing alarm breaking through the tranquility of the air.
I glanced at it in surprise, wondering what could be causing the sudden disturbance. Then, I slowly remembered that it was time for me to administer Mr. Smith’s medication-a task that couldn’t be delayed.
Feeling a sense of frustration at the interruption, I tore my gaze away from the forest, forcing myself to focus on my main priority. My shoulders sagged slightly as I resigned myself to the fact that Jane had slipped away for the time being.
But even as I turned my attention to Mr. Smith’s health and my campaign for the position of council president, I couldn’t shake the burning determination to bring Jane to justice. She may have escaped for now, but I wouldn’t rest until she faced the consequences of her actions. I would find Jane and make sure she answered for her crimes.
Bracing myself, I set off towards Mr. Smith’s house. With each step, my mind continued to churn with thoughts of Jane and how to go about capturing her. Perhaps I could seek help from Damian, as he seems to be the only reliable person I know.
Approaching the doorstep, I raised my hand to knock, but before I could make contact, the door swung open, revealing Mr. Smith himself. His usually stern expression softened into a faint smile, a rare sight that caught me off guard. It was unusual for him to answer the door personally; usually, it was his wife who greeted me.
“Good evening, Mr. Smith,” I greeted, my surprise evident in my voice as I met his gaze.
“Good evening, Jane,” he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of warmth. “Please, come in.”
I hesitated for a moment, my instincts urging me to proceed with caution. Mr. Smith’s demeanour seemed different tonight, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. But, pushing aside my reservations, I stepped across the threshold and into the dimly lit foyer of the house. The air was heavy with anticipation, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease settle over me.
“Is everything alright, Mr. Smith?” I ventured, unable to shake the nagging feeling of apprehension gnawing at the edges of my mind.
Mr. Smith’s smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. “Everything is fine, Jane,” he assured me, though his words lacked conviction. I nodded, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was keeping something from me.
“Okay then, I’ll go get your medication,” I said with a polite smile. He nodded and moved to the living room. I sighed as I watched him disappear, a sense of foreboding washing over me. Tonight felt anything but ordinary.
Where was his wife, anyway?
Turning away, I made my way down the hallway towards the room given to me, where I stored the medication. Just before I reached the door, a faint sound caught my attention-a soft, muffled cry echoing from the other side of the hallway.
What was that?
I searched around, my curiosity piqued, and I paused in my tracks, my senses on high alert as I strained to identify the source of the noise. It sounded like a child’s cry, muffled and filled with sorrow. My heart skipped a beat as I realised that it was coming from the room adjacent to the one I was heading towards.
Could that be their son?
Mrs. Smith’s warning about not snooping
into another room rang in my ears, but I ignored it, and without hesitation, I changed course, following the sound of the cries.
As I approached the closed door, the cries grew louder and more desperate, like a cry for help, and with each step I took, my heart pounded in my chest, my mind racing with a myriad of possibilities. Who could be causing him such anguish?
Bracing myself, I reached out and grasped the doorknob, feeling a slight tremble in my hand as I prepared to push it open. With a deep breath, I pushed the door open, revealing the room beyond, and my eyes met a pair of sad brown ones.
Instantly, I recognised him as the boy from the picture; his resemblance to Lilith was striking, though he shared some features with Mr. Smith but not his wife.
Time seemed to freeze as we locked gazes, a sense of uncertainty hanging in the air. He bowed his head shyly, his demeanour timid and guarded, and for a moment, I hesitated, torn between minding my own business and approaching the boy.
The room felt suffocating, like a prison, and the sight of the boy locked away only heightened my unease. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to find out more.
With a trembling hand, I approached him and gently touched the boy’s shoulder. Startled, he looked up, his tear-streaked face illuminated by the soft glow of the room.
“It’s okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible above the sound of his sobs. As he calmed down, I watched as he pointed to a picture in his hands, his eyes pleading.
“Please, can you take me to my mother?” he begged, his voice trembling with fear and longing. I met his gaze, a flicker of hope reflected in his eyes, while a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach, and I lost the ability to breathe as I recognised the woman in the picture-the woman he called mother.