Rose screamed as she yanked Isabel's hair violently. Tears ran down Isabel's cheeks as she tried to free herself.
"She's a witch!" Rose shouted. "She's a witch!"
The noise drew attention quickly. Zach rushed out of the house, and within minutes villagers began gathering.
Zach pushed through the crowd and pried Rose's hand away from his wife.
"What did my wife do to you, Rose?" he demanded.
"Yes! What did she do now?" one of the village women asked.
"I heard she had a hand in Bubu's death," someone from the back said.
"Yes," another added, "his body was found in the forest. It looked like his life was drained."
"He was just a child! What could he have done to deserve that?" another voice accused.
"She must be evil."
"I didn't kill anyone," Isabel said.
Her voice was steady.
"She doesn't even look remorseful," a woman muttered. "Look at her standing there like nothing happened."
"You've heard it, Zach," Rose said sharply. "Your wife is a witch. Why do you keep protecting her? She's dragging you into the Abyss with her. You know nothing about her. She has no past. No background. And everyone here remembers what happened yesterday. That boy only poured water on her during the fight. Now he's dead."
"Crucify her!"
"Crucify her!"
"Crucify her!"
The chant grew louder.
Zach felt something twist inside him.
Was his wife truly a witch?
The thought disgusted him — yet it had crossed his mind.
He turned slowly to Isabel.
"Did you kill the boy?"
For the first time, something flickered in her eyes.
Pain.
Not fear.
"No," she said quietly. "I didn't kill anyone."
Zach nodded once, then faced the crowd.
"You all heard her," he said firmly. "My wife didn't kill anyone. No one has the right to accuse her without proof. If you believe she is a witch, bring evidence. Otherwise, I will take this to court for defamation."
The crowd murmured.
"Don't regret this, Zach," Rose warned coldly.
One by one, the villagers left.
But their stares lingered.
*****
I stood in front of the mirror after taking my bath, trying to arrange my messy hair. I've never been the type to care much about my appearance, but today I wanted to look decent.
As I struggled with my hair, I froze.
My eyes.
They weren't crimson.
They were purple.
Deep. Bright. Not mine.
I blinked.
They were normal again.
I stared at my reflection.
Nothing unusual.
A laugh escaped me.
"I'm hallucinating now," I muttered.
First, the weird dreams.
Now this.
And those eyes.
The ones I keep feeling on me, like something is always watching me.
I shook my head and forced myself to move.
After knocking, I entered my parents' room and asked my mom to help with my hair. She smiled and did it happily, unaware of how unsettled I felt.
After breakfast, I left for school.
The uneasiness followed me.
I was meant to go to class.
But somehow, I ended up at the pool.
I don't remember deciding to come here.
I went and sat down.
I just… sat there with my thoughts drifting.
"Skipping class?"
The voice was smooth.
I turned slowly.
My breath caught.
He was beautiful.
Not just attractive.
Unreal.
If Dave was beauty on earth, then the man sitting beside me was something else entirely.
There was something familiar about him.
Something I couldn't place.
His hair looks messy, it seems he is just coming out from the shower. He was on black short with a bare muscular chest that pulls me in.
"Hi…" I heard myself say before I realized I had spoken.
He smiled slightly.
"Have we met before?" I asked carefully.
"Yes," he replied.
Then he added casually, "At the walkway earlier… you didn't even notice me."
I blinked. "Notice you?"
He leaned back slightly, a smug look dancing on his lips. "Wow. I can't believe my handsome face could even go unnoticed."
I scoffed. Did he just compliment himself?
I stared at him in disbelief. "You aren't that good-looking," I said flatly.
A faint smile curved on his lips , slow, and confident.
And unfortunately… dangerous.
My heart did something stupid inside my chest.
"I'm Dylan," he said, stretching out his hand for a handshake. "And you are?"
I quickly stood up instead of taking his hand.
"Don't get full of yourself just because you think you have a pretty face," I shot at him. "You're not that handsome."
I turned sharply and walked away.
Behind me, I could feel his confusion.
But just as I took my second step—
My foot slipped.
Everything happened too fast.
Cold water swallowed me whole.
I fell into the pool.
I couldn't swim.
Water rushed into my nose, my mouth. Panic exploded inside me.
"Help!" I gasped, struggling.
Through blurred vision, I saw him standing there.
Watching.
Looking at me struggle with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"I couldn't believe he didn't even try to hold me as I fall, he just shifted making me to fall into the pool".
"Save me,I begged water gushing into my mouth ".
"I only save pretty ladies," he said lazily.
The two guys standing at the opposite side of the pool burst into laughter.
Was he insane?!
My arms thrashed helplessly. My chest burned.
Oh God.
I was actually going to drown.
In a swimming pool.
Just as darkness began to creep into my vision—
I felt someone dive into the pool.
Strong arms grabbed me.
He pulled me close, looking at my terrified face with satisfaction.
I glared at him.
If you continue looking at me like that, you will be spending the night inside this pool he said with a smirk.
I just bit my lower lips subduing my anger.
He smiled.
I was later pulled out.
Air.
Sweet, burning air.
I coughed violently, sucking in breath after breath.
When my vision cleared, I glared at the person holding me.
"Don't look at me like that," Dylan said. "I wasn't the one who pushed you into the pool."
He smirked. "You should be grateful. Not only am I handsome — I'm merciful."
Unbelievable.
Before I could think twice, I shoved him hard.
He fell back straight into the pool.
This time, I smiled.
Devilishly.
And ran.
Behind me, he stared in shock from inside the water.
At the pavilion.
I sat alone inside the pavilion, my clothes dripping.
Embarrassment clung to me worse than the water.
"Hey."
I looked up.
Dave stood there, holding a bag. His brows furrowed in concern.
He walked closer and gently placed a jacket around my shoulders.
"How did you get wet?" he asked softly.
"I slipped into the pool," I muttered. "It's nothing serious."
His expression tightened slightly. "You should be more careful."
I nodded.
Silence settled between us.
Then he cleared his throat.
"Are you free this weekend?"
"Why?" I asked cautiously.
"We could hang out."
I tilted my head. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"You're very direct, you know."
He chuckled lightly. "You asked me for lunch before. I thought I'd treat you."
Oh.
Oh no.
I had completely forgotten.
Embarrassment hit me like a truck.
"Right," I said quietly. "Yeah… we should hang out."
The weekend came faster than I expected.
Too fast.
I woke up early — way too early — and started trying on outfits.
"Nope."
"Nope."
"Definitely not."
Clothes flew everywhere. My room looked like a battlefield.
After trying what felt like my entire wardrobe, I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Why was dressing up this stressful?
A knock came at the door.
"Come in," I called tiredly.
Helen stepped inside — and immediately froze at the disaster in my room.
"Are you preparing for a date?" she asked, raising a brow.
"And how is that your business?" I snapped before I could stop myself.
Her expression softened. "I just wanted to know if you needed help."
Guilt stabbed me instantly.
"I don't," I muttered.
She nodded and left quietly.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
I shouldn't have spoken to her like that.
After a long internal battle, I dragged myself off the bed and walked to Helen's room.
I knocked softly.
I almost turned to leave when the door opened.
"Eh… um…" I scratched the back of my head, suddenly forgetting every word I had prepared.
She just smiled gently.
"Come in."