Grrrr… vrrrooom.
They were on a bus.
The bus had only two other people besides them. They were sitting in the back.
Noor was sitting by the window seat. Ria was sitting beside him.
"Was it necessary to take the bus for you two? And why are you sitting next to me? The women's seat is there," Noor said, annoyed.
"We're together after all. Also, we're friends," Ria said, smiling.
"Oh."
Shoosh—
Noor flinched as cold wind hit him.
Cluck.
He shut the window.
Fog and tree shadows covered the outside.
(What should I do now. I wanted to talk about the conversation with Mr. Kevin… and if they will let me go. My personal life is messed up. But I really don't want to reveal that in front of Ria.)
(Mom is already suffering a lot. I want to help her.)
Noor was lost in his thoughts.
Screeeech—
The bus stopped.
"I'm going now. And Noor, see you tomorrow at school," Ria winked at him and got down.
"Okay," Noor replied, deadpanned.
Some minutes passed.
"Umm… Je—I mean, Jenne," Noor stuttered, breaking the silence.
"You can call me by my name. The way you call me sounds weird," Jenne said, looking forward.
"Oh… okay."
(Guess I am a weirdo after all.)
"Anyways, why did you take the bus with me, since you can move faster than the wind… or maybe fly?" Noor asked awkwardly, gesturing.
Pfft—
Jenne cracked up a little.
(Oh, I'm being even more weird.)
"Having power doesn't mean you can always use it anytime," Jenne smiled.
"We didn't use our power because we didn't want to leave you alone. Since you fought those thugs carelessly, they might attack you again," she added.
"I don't think so. They're scared to death."
He paused.
"But wait… were you really worried about me?" he suddenly asked, looking at her.
"You can say I was concerned about you, since you're an idiot," Jenne said boldly.
Noor's face turned red.
(Woah… she cares about me.)
(Wait a minute. Why am I getting flustered? This isn't a romantic novel. I'm also ugly. Looks like Ria blabbing about romantic novel stories affected my brain, making me delusional.)
Noor cringed inside.
"Noor," Jenne called softly.
"Hmm."
"You said you wanted to know me better."
"Hmm. Yes," he scratched his head.
"Do you want to know why I killed those people?" Her tone became serious.
"Yes, I do."
"Okay then."
"Long ago, my mother was a noble vampire.
Her name was Elena," Jenne smiled slightly.
"She was part of the royal family—more like a princess. She lived countless centuries alone. But one day she met my father, fell in love, and I was born."
"For being involved with a human, she was banished."
"When I was five, my parents were attacked by a mysterious group of people. They wore red robes. Half of their upper faces were covered with bandages. Their mouths were slit."
Jenne clenched her fist.
"They attacked my mother with a strange weapon. She died in my father's arms."
Her voice grew heavy with rage.
…
…
"And now I'm looking for those bastards to give them a fate worse than death."
Jenne shook in anger, losing her composure.
"When my father raised me, instead of bedtime stories, he told me how my mother died… every single time."
"My sole existence is for avenging my mother. That's why I need to get stronger."
"And to get stronger…"
"I need you, Noor."
She grabbed his shoulder and leaned close.
…
…
Gasp—
Noor flinched.
"Please stay with me," she whispered. Her crimson eyes were filled with pain and suffering.
(I'm speechless. I don't have anything to say. She's in more pain than I am.)
(Here I am, selfishly trying to save my own skin, trying to flee. I was about to tell her her own father is evil… but maybe he's also broken, losing his love.)
Noor looked at her with remorse.
"Sorry."
Jenne took her hand off and turned away.
"You're human, after all," she added.
"Miss Je—"
Sigh.
Noor took a deep breath.
"Jenne… why do you hate humans so much?"
"Isn't it obvious? Most of the impostors are human. They sacrifice their own people to evil beings they can't hunt, just to gain power. They hunt other supernatural species one by one."
The hatred on her face was visible.
"But why?" Noor asked.
"They have weapons that not only kill…"
Jenne paused.
"It can also steal a supernatural being's power."
"Huh?" Noor was shocked.
"You're also curious about Ria, aren't you?" Jenne continued.
"The impostors slaughtered her entire species when she was a child. Then they abducted her and experimented on her. They infused the same power they stole from my mother into her, turning her into a hybrid."
She spoke softly.
…
…
"But one day she escaped. Our principal, Zake Smith, found her and raised her as his own grandchild."
"Her behavior changed lately because she learned the truth. Her parents didn't abandon her—they were killed."
She added.
"Now tell me… why shouldn't I hate humans?"
Noor froze in shock and despair.
(She's right. Humans are the worst species that ever existed… and I'm also one of them.)
He looked down.
(But after hearing all this, I don't want to leave her alone. I want to help her, no matter what happens to me.)
Noor clenched his fist.
Vroom—
Screeeech—
The bus stopped.
"We've arrived," Jenne said, standing up.
Noor followed her silently.
Some time passed.
They walked on an empty road.
(Home is close. She hasn't said anything yet. And me… I don't know what to say. My mind is empty. I'm ashamed of what I was about to do today. I owe her a lot.)
(Wait a minute… the impostors could go after Jenne if they find out.)
Noor panicked.
(I have to say something.)
"Miss Jenne," Noor called as they were about to enter the mansion.
"What?" Jenne replied flatly.
"How can I help you… and earn your trust?" Noor said straightforwardly.
"Huh?" Jenne looked confused.
"Please. I'm serious," Noor begged.
…
…
"You have to figure it out yourself," Jenne said, fixing her hair and looking away.
"Huh?" Noor was confused.
"I'll see you later at school," Jenne said, walking away with a slight smile.
(Okay then. I will find a way, no matter what.)
Noor clenched his fist.
He stood beneath the night sky, filled with shining stars and a glowing moon.