Chapter 6
Eliana Adler's POV

The stitches on my head looks scary but the doctor said it will be vanished in some days. Gramps wanted me to take more rest and stay at home. But it's been two days since and I didn't went to school cause of the injury. I have been texting to Joshua and Adi, Chloe barely gets online. But they were very supportive and caring. Staying at home would make me more sick, I want to go to school and talk to my friends.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Nan asked. From that day nan just don't want me to leave alone, she is always checking on me.

"No I'll be fine on my own" I said with a soft smile.

"If those people again disturbs you, just call me. I am gonna break their legs, I still have some juice in me" nan said angrily and proudly. Juice? That sounds inappropriate.

"Of course, bye" I said, and left. Gramps went to his laughing club today, a new hobby that he is been bragging about all day. I get inside the Toyota and start driving, I like to drive in the safe limit.

After few minutes I arrived the school. As usual, the place was crowded, specially the parking lot. I parked the car and walked into the school building, everyone stared at me, some were whispering. All I know that Nina didn't spill my tea, maybe she is going to blackmail me with it later. The good thing is that, I finished my dare. The whole school knows that I found the jade vine. I am carrying it to school, incase Nina wants to see it. Very few people get out of that forest alive and I am one of them.

My first class was English. I was a little early, so the class was mostly empty. I saw Chloe, I walk over to her and settle down beside her. She was noting down something on her book.

"Did you have an amazing adventure there?" She notices me and asked with a laugh.

"Yes it was fantastic" I said sarcastically.

"Do you know there's a rumours that Jade vines are magical, they protect you from harm" said Chloe with a surprised look. Actually I need protection very much from those two bullies.

"Good I guess" I said.

After the class was over, I went straight to the library. There is something weird going on. I need to know the town history. People might think I am crazy but that was not a normal wolf, it was a creature, wolves are not scary. Also I want to find out about that weird symbol. I walked over to the librarian, she smiled at me.

"Where can I see the town history?" I asked. The women showed me the computer and on it for me, then she left. I searched 'town of Gevaudan' and the first result pop up was a wolf looking creature with red eyes. This is bullshit, those things are not real. I Guess, Joshua's urban legend is very famous here. But it's true that this place was previously known as Gevaudan.

The most fascinating theory I found was that in 1767, over 700 people died and some disappeared but this is the best part, it was not because of some beast, people died because of smallpox. That time there was no cure of smallpox, so people died. Some children couldn't take the loss and made up this bizzare story of a creature which is taking people and killing them in the woods. It was just a story, that creature was never real. That day, I must be hallucinating and after Joshua told me the story, I kept thinking about it, due to which I might have imagined the wolf to be a little larger and scary. It was all my imagination, it was just a regular wolf. I try to search about that tattoo but nothing came up. I guess I have to ask someone, but who? People might think I am crazy. I have to find someone who is crazier than me and knows about this stuffs. Joshua could help but he is too careless. The craziest person I know is Chloe, she also do tarot card reading, so she might know something about tattoos. I should talk to her. I turn off the computer and ran out of the library. After walking a distance, I realised Chloe is not in my next two classes, I have to wait till lunch.

My next class was biology. I enter the class and everyone started saying "bitch" and "slut" to me. I spotted Nina, she was smirking at me. Seriously? This is the lamest thing ever. I walked past her and settle down in the last seat.

"So miss slut did you sleep with Adi to turn him against us, cause he never done that before" said Nina, I could feel that excitement in her tone.

"Does that mean you bully people before?" I said, sarcastically. The other students started saying "boo" continuously.

"I don't bully people, infact I give them favours" now she is playing the buffoon. Yeah, she give favours then she bullies them or blackmails them. Soon after that the teacher enters the class and everyone went silent. The teacher took out her book and start reading it.

The class ended as usual, everyone quickly swing their bag on their back and left. I waited for everyone to leave and then walk out of the room. To my surprise and unfortunately, Nina and her bitches were right outside the door.

"Did you really thought if you collect that stupid vine, we'll leave you alone" Nina said with bitterness in her voice.

"Not for once, I know you people don't keep your promises" I said looking straight into her eyes.

"I don't know about your family issues but I love my brother unlike you. So tell the principal to reduce Samuel's suspension" Nina said with a threatening voice. I knew that she would ask that.

"What if he doesn't listen to me?" I said.

"I don't care, if you fail I'll tell everyone" her face was dead serious. I hate it when I can't do anything. She turn around and started walking away with her devotees. But then she suddenly stopped and turn to face me.

"By the way, I think Whitlock suits you more than Adler" after saying that she left, moving her butt left and right. I want to her hurt her real bad. She is getting on my nerves. I need to cool down.

My next class was maths which didn't at all helped me to cool down. Thankfully the teacher left early cause of some problem and the class was over early.

The cafeteria was as usually crowded with people. Thankfully I got a place with Joshua and Chloe. I settle down beside them. Nan gave me a hamburger today for lunch.

"Yo sup" I stare at the voice, it was Adi. He settle down with us, beside Joshua.

"Why are you sitting with us? Sit with your jock friends" Chloe asked with a annoyed look.

"My friends kinda hate me now" Adi replied, he looked unhappy.

"It's okay, you can sit with us" Joshua said with enthusiasm.

"Yeah" I said. Adi's lips curled up into a smile. Yes! we successfully cheered him up. Chloe didn't look happy at all, she hated those bullies. But Adi is not at all like them, he is good.

Joshua was having an apple, apparently he loves to eat healthy foods and that's also what his blog is about. Chloe was having peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which looked a little dry and Adi was having vegan noodles. My food seems a little too much in comparison to theirs. I wanted to talk to Chloe about the symbol but I didn't, Joshua and Adi might judge me. Chloe can judge me too but it seems like she loves this kind of stuffs.

"Exams are near, I hate this feeling" Adi said, suddenly. Everyone hates exams, except the hardcore nerds. I wish I was a nerd cause I hate studying and I loose concentration real quick.

"Those exams are easy, you should think about the final term" Chloe replied. Chloe is definitely studious, her marks are so good. She can easily enter into a good college without worrying much.

"I don't worry much cause I know how to cheat" Joshua said with pride. Me and Adi stared at Joshua in surprise, Chloe just rolled her eyes.

"What about you Eliana? I can help If you want" Joshua asked with a wink.

"I don't need help, I am doing fine" I said hurriedly while shaking my head.

Soon the bell rang and our lunch period was over. Everyone rush out of the room. When Joshua and Adi walked away, I stopped Chloe. She looked at me with confusion.

"Can we talk? It's kinda private" I asked.

"Sorry but you are not my type and I am not into girls" Chloe replied.

"What? No. I just wanted to ask you about a symbol. Maybe you would know cause you are into tarot reading" I said awkwardly.

"Okay shoot" she said. I took out the drawing that I had drawn when I was in the hospital. She took the paper out of my hand and stare at it for few seconds.

"It's called Celtic dara knot, it represents strength and inner strength. How do you know about this? It's pretty old" said Chloe. Strength? Cool tattoo idea. I don't know why but it fascinates me.

"I found it in...my grandma's journal" i said hesitantly. I am not a good liar, I messed up most of the time.

"I should go, thanks" I get up from my place and gather all my things.

"You saw it didn't you?" Suddenly Chloe speak up with a serious look on her face. She is always serious but this time it felt different.

"Saw what?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows. Is she talking about the man? But then she wouldn't referred to him as 'it'. The wolf?

"You saw that oak tree, right? This symbol is carved on it. Apparently the symbol comes from the Gaelic word
'Doire', which means 'Oak Tree'. People think it's sacred" Chole said intellectually. Oak tree? I have not seen any oak tree here.

"Why is it sacred?" I asked with curiosity.

"It's the only place where the wolves don't go, previously wolves used to roam that place. It's a weird phenomenon" Chloe said.

"Previously they could but now they can't go near it?" I asked. It is weird on a whole level. But why? I am curious to know the reason. Is it really sacred? I want to check it out but I am afraid to go back in that forest.

"Next time if you get a dare like that, just find the oak tree, bye" after saying that Chloe left with a sarcastic laugh. Oh, I am not talking any dare ever again. But that's a good idea, the only problem is that it will be difficult to find a oak tree in a deep forest like that.

I check my wrist watch, 'shit I am late for my next class', I said to myself and quickly ran out of the room.

***
1900 words