Cherreads

Chapter 4 - CHAPTER FOUR

THE SIDE EFFECTS / THE AFTER MATH

After Hardin near death experience Melanie notices how his perspective on life and death had significantly changes his loss of fear of death vanishes, Hardin tend to have a stronger belief in an afterlife, and a heightened sense of purpose. After his terrifying experiences he was recommended to a professional psychologist called Alina who specialize in trauma she was able to provide him with support and guidance. Two days after the Thestral twins Lilliana and Jace was rescued from their pods Alvaro and Jace had significantly becomes extremely close with each other while Lilliana gets to rekindled her friendship with Cordelia and at first Lilliana thought that Cordelia had replaced her with Tori-An however her suspicions immediately disappear after she'd been reassured by her. At Aquarius high the students gathered inside the assembly room where they're introduced to their new principal Miss Bailey, her glamorous presence instantly made the students warmed up to her. After the assembly the students heads to their classroom, inside Zariyah classroom Lilliana sits on top of a desk facing the gigantic glass window her striking appearance made most boys falls in love, soon Zariyah enter the classroom ready to teach her students seen Lilliana, Zariyah reminded her that Miss Vicky is already in her classroom sighing Lilliana heads to her class not before looking Zariyah up and down. Though a bit taken it back Zariyah dismissed Lilliana strange behavior and went on to teach the students. During lunch hours Melanie had make a slightly remarks indicating that she's having a relationship with one of her male teacher, though suspicious Candace coughs giving her a warning to stop talking, seen that both Cordelia and Lilliana were staring intensely at her Ivanita instantly changes the topic which made the duo more suspicious. Ivanita feeling somewhat tired ask Jace to grab her something from the machine to drink right as Jace stood up he accidentally bumps into Valerie who seems somewhat distress Cordelia signals to Serena to switch seats with Melanie so that she could set closer to Lilliana instead of Valerie. Right as Jace grabs the drink from the machine he suddenly heard loud commotion coming from the hallway all the students including Jace rushed into the hallway and was in total shock after seen how two Senior boys forcefully held down another student from the Junior class, Hardin suddenly appears with a sinister smile and shoves the Junior student off the staircase just in time Alvaro manages to grab the student hand preventing him from falling the student dangles from the ledge and Hardin urges him to let go reminding him that he's fully capable of harming him Hardin insist that the student won't die. Lauressa senses a dark presence around Hardin, which indicates that he's already going through significant changes. Zariyah accompanied by three teachers and the principal Miss Bailey shows up and separated the students, Hardin gave Lauressa a cold stare which sends shivers down her spin Arianna silently observe him body language and becomes concerned when he continues to flinch anytime someone goes too close to him. After school the students rushes into the parking lot. Alvaro and Hardin were having a discussion suddenly the conversation strike a nerve when Hardin mentioned Tori-An name, but before it can turn into an argument Jace arrival and the two leaves. Seen Tj in his police uniform Serena bits her lower lips as he walks pass her. Meanwhile Lilliana grabs her phone from her locker when she's encounter Tj his feature made most girls falls for him Miss Bailey strikes up a conversation with Tj and his colleague, Lilliana walks by him as he brushes his hand against hers. Unbeknownst to her Tj was staring at her silhouette as she fades little did the two know they're fateful encounter was far from over Lauressa knows that her sister Lilliana knew exactly what she wanted an how to get her way. Realizing that the after effects of their ritual had started Lauressa knew that it won't be long till Hardin loses his humanity. As the side effects on Hardin life's takes a toll for the worst Alvaro Jace Jaromir Tori-An Cordelia Lilliana Arianna Lauressa and Serena accompanied by Jaromir ventured out to find a cure, leaving Kyllian and the others to watch over Hardin. During the drive Jaromir signal both Arianna and Alvaro to pull over to the side of the road, right as the three cars pulls over they all exit as Serena questions Jaromir why they had to pull over, without answering he pointed towards Tori-An who's bent down vomiting both Jace and Alvaro checks up on her to make sure that she's alright. Minutes later they reenter the their cars and went straight back on the road, Arianna tried to overtake a speeding car the vehicle made a slight stop as Arianna narrowly avoid the crash. The vehicle speeds off as the Pack realized that they have takes a wrong turn. Now lost they're faced with two paths, right or left. Unsure of which path to take Lauressa prefers to take the left route, but Jaromir chooses the other route mentioning that there's a Motel ahead, reluctantly Jaromir agrees to follow her lead. Unbeknownst to them that path will leads them straight into a trap, upon reaching the rundown Motel which is almost abandoned in appearance. They exits their vehicle's and heads straight into the Motel after speaking to the owner Jaromir was given two keys for their separate rooms. Upon entering their room the girls smelled a foul odor Tori-An rushes outside to throw up while the others made themselves comfortable, in the boys shared room Jace texted Josephine and informed her that the room is a mess and that the Motel is rundown and abandoned. Unbeknownst to him someone was eavesdropping on his entire conversation. At midnight Alvaro heard a loud thud outside and immediately rushes outside to his horror his sister Tori-An was seen laying unconscious he shouts for Jace help. The duo carried her to the girls shared room. Dispite his efforts to wake her, she doesn't move. A sense of unease fills the air. Suddenly there's a top onto the window panics and fear washes over them as they realized that they're on the seventh floor which is impossible for a human to knock on the window Serena hid behind Lilliana while the boys went outside. Hearing Jaromir calling out their names the girls sprinted outside seen the fear in Arianna eyes Instead of going to her aid immediately, Jace stared at Lilliana who then gave him a slight nod. The Pack glances up and was horrified to see Hardin climbing through the window soon Candace and Brooklyn accompanied by Rhydian showed up to at that moment Alvaro makes a chilling remark that replayed over and over again in Candace head. His words unsettled her, realizing that Tori-An is still inside Rhydian rushes in and carried her outside Jaromir ask Serena to check on the owner. Though a bit skeptical, Lilliana accompanied Serena to the front office, unaware that they're been watch, the others rushes to find Hardin little did they know that staying at that Motel will lead them to something far more sinister standing in front of the Pack, Hardin smiled in a way that suggests he'd already know the horrors ahead. Back at Sagittarius town Lorelei sets out to locate the others with Kyllian and Josephine. Unaware of what lies ahead, the Pack continues towards their destination, Candace is still visible upset, as Alvaro words echoed in her mind. Memories from Hardin past resurface. A sudden jolt interrupted their conversation, the girls were suprise to see that a rusty car was parked in the middle of the road, no one realized that blood seems to be dripping from the ceiling onto the ground as Serena leaves with Lilliana unbeknownst to Serena the mirror was reflecting Hardin silhouette, hearing something falling behind her, she called out Lilliana name but there was no response fear grips her gut as she tiptoe around the room she reaches for the door handle and immediately stops upon seen a pair of feet pacing back and fourth the flashlight clattering onto the ground as she scramble away from the door she glances intensely at the exit suddenly she screamed after been grabbed by someone spinning around she sigh upon seen that it was Lilliana, Lilliana then places her hand over Serena mouth and pointed towards the door indicating that something was lurking on the other side the duo the climb through the window and meets up with the others. Unbeknownst to them a disaster was about to strike. As entire Motel began to trembled just as the Pack rushes outside the Motel went back to normal, staring at the entrance the Pack watches as Hardin slowly walks out of the Motel just when Candace was suprise Hardin stretched out his hand to hers Candace was about to touch his hand when Rhydian senses that something was wrong he immediately pushes Candace hand away and tried to grab Hardin suddenly he was directly knocked away by the electric current. Hardin then directly launched towards Jaromir who narrowly avoid the attacks to protect Jaromir, Arianna attacks the Creature the pain as she's been pierced by thousands of arrows the Creature retaliate and throws Arianna onto the ground. Serena immediately launched her own attack and was completely overpowered, the first blow Serena had received was fatal she collaspes onto the ground bleeding, Maelyn didn't hesitate to created a protective barrier around her giving her more time to heal, knowing that she has the ability to heal Hardin told her to tranform so that she could heal faster dispite been born as a coyote Serena had the ability to heal and due to the fact that she haven't learnt how to transformed into her true form to heal. After she'd fully transforming into a Serena leaps on top of Rhydian car and howls alongside Alvaro and Jace. The trio was able to signal the others to their direction, Jace stared straight ahead patiently awaiting the Creature to attack, as the Creature attacks Jace, Rhydian saw the right moment and stabbed the Creature with a arrow filled with fire the Creature immediately becomes furious as the Pack scattered in different directions Brooklyn Arianna and Lauressa abandon the car and runs into the woods however with Arianna sprained knee she wasn't able to move fast enough, and eventually the Creature catches up with the trio. Soon the Pack meets up with each other suddenly they screamed after been frightened by Tori-An who's awake Tori-An explained that Hardin had knocked her out after she'd seen him consuming the owner, remembering that there's a puddle near by the Pack accompanied Arianna to watch the blood from her hand as she was about to dip her hand into the water Lauressa stops her. To their horror the puddle suddenly glowed bright, though they didn't know what it meant and without realizing it both Arianna and Lauressa had jump into it without hesitation Lilliana had a hard time controlling her powers, the duo leaps from within the water and together the heads back to the Motel seen the Creature Lilliana tried to distract it giving the others more time to attack it. Hardin had intense pain as the Creature tried to leave his body, and with Arianna boost of magic the Creature manages to leave his body Lauressa quickly reacted and created a barrier around him, Jaromir warned Hardin not to step outside the protective barrier no matter what happened. Suddenly the Creature leaps towards him and was thrown backwards by the barrier rain began to fall as the four witches Lilliana Arianna Lauressa and Jaromir fights against the creature. The power of three Jaromir shouted as the glances at each other the Creature seems to know what they were about to do a immediately strikes an attack sending Lilliana crashing into the ground. In the heavy rain Lilliana had her head down with rage of anger in her eyes the second she looks up at the beast her eyes apparently shifted from sparkled to dark she immediately unleashes a powerful purple aura from within herself which causes a powerful, as the windows and doors of the Motel closed under her control. With one swift blow Lilliana send the Creature crashing into the building. Free from the Creature grasp Hardin hugs Candace the Pack was great full that Hardin had returned to his normal self Lilliana body suddenly releasing a dark aura that no one notices not even her.

TALLULAH THE FIRE BREATHING DRAGON

After successfully releasing Hardin from the Creature grasp the trio Lilliana Arianna and Lauressa had unknowingly awaken another darkness. Distance away from where the Pack parked a fire breathing dragon watches closely as Lilliana exit the Motel the dragon slightly moves forward and suddenly stops in its tracks after seen Serena trailing right behind her, both girls attempted to flag down a passing vehicle right as the car pulled over Serena start at Lilliana as the car door opened Hardin stepped out wearing a grey hoodie suddenly he notices something moving in the distance, thinking that he's hallucinating Hardin keeps staring into the distance when Melanie voice shakes him back to reality Lilliana then whispered something in Serena ear and the two proceeded to reenter the Motel. Minutes after entering the Motel the fire breathing dragon disguises it's as a gorgeous lady who seems to be older than him. Seen Melanie staring in the distance with her eyes fixed onto something Hardin followed her gaze taking a side glance he becomes dumbfounded upon seen her beautiful lady walking towards them her hair moves in the wind as she gently waves at him Melanie becomes concerned after seen her appearing out of nowhere. Suddenly both Tori-An and Cordelia came running into their direction with a look of horror across their faces. Seen the lady standing still Cordelia immediately senses something off and dragged the trio inside the Motel, unbeknownst to them the lady with anger immediately sheds her disguise the Creature in its dragon form swiftly moves towards the Motel entrance, inside the Motel Lilliana was seen talking to Serena to two seems oddly close Serena gently touches Lilliana hand when suddenly they're approach by Jaromir seen the two he sends Serena to accompany Lauressa while he handed Lilliana the phone. After receiving a phone call the dragon watches as Lilliana face contorted into complex mix of emotions. Minutes later the entire Pack exits the Motel and heads straight into their cars and drove off. The next day the Orlando and the Alysson siblings gets ready for school, upon reaching school the students gathered inside the hallway and watches as Alvaro slowly went down on his knees in front of everyone and announced his love for Cordelia. Alvaro held the ring in his hand and declared his feelings for her Cordelia taken it back didn't know how to react at first but once she'd seen Lilliana Tori-An and Serena cheering for her she accepted his feelings as he stood up and gently places the ring onto her finger, the two then kiss just as the students shouts with happiness and joy. After school Alvaro accompanied by his now girlfriend Cordelia and her friend Tori-An heads to the diner to have milkshakes fries and burger. At the Thestral Sherwood home Serena lay on Lilliana bed while Lilliana sitting in the chair skips through pages of spells suddenly she's interrupted by Serena, who keeps talking about Cordelia close bond with Tori-An, without saying a word Lilliana glances at her then rolled her eyes. Though filled with mix emotions Serena didn't know whether she wants to be with Lilliana or with Alvaro or Tj, seen that she's zoned out Lilliana gently shakes her back to reality. Back at Aisha diner Tori-An becomes agitated after seen that her meal seems to be taking too long, dispite Alvaro trying to strike up a topic Tori-An heads to the owner however before she could speak to the owner she's interrupted by Alvaro ex girl Maddie, thinking that she's still not over Alvaro, Tori-An flaunted over his new girlfriend Cordelia, though filled with jealousy Maddie rekent Tori-An statement with a slight grin seeing that she's trying to embarrass her Tori-An didn't react and just walk straight back to her table. Face with the truth Maddie exits the diner accompanied by her three friends. Two hours later Tj colleagues heads to his house after he haven't showed up seen his door closed his colleague thought that he's over at Alessandra apartment. Unbeknownst to them Tallulah had snatched him earlier and to prevent him from leaving Tallulah fastened him it twine and chains, in Tj head he's thinking of a way to escape he even tried to pierced Tallulah heart directly however he knew that she will miraculously it recover, in Tallulah mind she throws gasoline onto Alessandra then lid a lighter and without hesitation throws it onto her and watches as she's sets ablaze. Tj skin was crawling with ants as she struggled with the chains. The moment Tallulah had struck Tj the pendant fell straight out of his hand seen how he moved with surprising agility snatching the pendant midair with ease his eyes sparkled seen that his skills are exposed he deliberately fell and smashed the pendant, that memory keeps replaying in his head. Learning about Tj abduction the Pack becomes worried after hearing Kyllian saying that a fire breathing dragon had kidnapped him the Pack immediately ventured out to find it suddenly they're attack by the dragon who continues to blow flames into their direction which they immediately scattered into different directions. Before any of them could catch their breath an unknown Creature was rapidly approaching it Tallulah though she sees her prey she didn't quite attack. Tallulah then transformed into her dragon form and sets fire to the bridge trapping both Lauressa and Lilliana, dispite Arianna trying to shake the Creature she didn't flinched the Pack was the force to watch as Lilliana and Lauressa struggled to held onto the ropes seen that the rope won't be able to held the two Lauressa releases her grip and leaps into the abyss. The Creature then goes after the others Candace method was indeed effective driving away Tallulah but her method could only work for a shot time and before they could catch their breath the Creature reappeared staring at Arianna the Creature didn't seem to be in a hurry to attack her instead it searches for the bracelet and only after finding the bracelet did she slowly approaches Arianna and attacks her though Arianna powers didn't inflict a fatal wound the dragon fled in pain Arianna knew that Tallulah will eventually comes back so both her and Ivanita tried to find a way to escape the Creature gasps. At the meantime the four teens Rhydian Melanie Maelyn and Josephine slowly made their way through the woods trying to hide from the Creature that's when Josephine notices movement not far away she instinctively began to survey the area. Soon the Pack regroup, they made their way towards Lilliana whereabouts and upon seen her Lauressa runs towards her the sisters hugs and Lauressa made Lilliana promise that she won't do that again. The Pack then meets up with Kyllian Lorelei and Jaromir, realizing that something was wrong Lilliana frantically pulled out a mirror and tried to conformed Tallulah location through its reflection, her survival intense kicks in as she lured the Creature into her trap giving the others more time, Alvaro hurriedly tore off his clothes to bandage Arianna sprained knee with the power of three Arianna Lauressa and Maelyn cast a powerful spell that releases green aura sending the Creature back where it belongs. After regaining consciousness Tj finds the surrounding very quiet the silence made him extremely alert suddenly he heard Lilliana shouting out his name, though wounded he manages to climb out from the wormhole. The two were separated by a huge tree and nearly missed one other luckily Jace had a keen smell and quickly located him through his strong perfume both Jace and Jaromir rushes to his aid pulling him from the ditch, Jace immediately turned to Lilliana shouting for her to bring the extra clothes. Removing his shirt Tj handed it to Jaromir who then thightly wrapped it around his hand, the Pack then exits the woods. At the Thestral Sherwood home Jaromir heated the blade until it was scorching hot and when Tj was distracted by Lilliana, Jaromir carved the knife into Tj palm to remove the sharp splinter. Amid the pain Tj fainted in Lilliana arms, Lorelei then attempts to dress his wound seen Lilliana gently rubbing his hand Tori-An whispered in Cordelia ear the duo stared at Lilliana and with one look from her, the duo slowly looked away.

LISTENING TO KHARI CONFESSION

In the town of Sagittarius something was about to happened that will send shock throughout the folks with his new confession. After been rescued by the Pack from a fire breathing breathing dragon, Tj lay in bed replaying the moment he gently laid his head in Lilliana arm her kind jerked made his heart races. Suddenly he's jerked awake after nearly falling off the edge of the bed, meanwhile at Charity's mansion Melanie received a break up text message from her boyfriend and wasn't too surprised, Melanie turned to her friends Floyd an Prisha with a smuggled look across her face Melanie tried to hide her discomfort after seen how her aunt Charity had barged into the room without knocking and seen the two, Charity knew that they're both bad influence for Melanie but knowing that Melanie will lashes out Charity reminded her to be home before twelve. Later on at Dominic night club a group of eight colleges boys were seen roaming outside the club selling drugs, while Melanie accompanied by her friends patiently waits in line Prisha decided to used her looks to get in, after her little trick had work her Melanie and Floyd heads inside the club while passing by Melanie, Zion brushes pass her. Seen Prisha, Zion decided to sell her and her friends drugs, Zion first saw Melanie drinking with Prisha Floyd and four other girls her outfit made him suspect that she's a colleges student wearing a mini skirt and a jersey with her hair dyed baby blue. The two immediately hits it off, Zion gently grabs her by the neck and began kissing her suddenly his hands were all over body, the two then decided to leave together Zion begged her to come over at his house dispite feeding unsettled she argued. At Zion apartment Melanie felt somewhat revealed to have find someone that loves her, his charming smile instantly made her fall in love with him. At the Raeken Skyscraper Alvaro reminisce about the past as he's in a trance. Early Saturday morning a cellphone was place inside a wrapped box onto Tj table, and after returning from a protocol, he enter his office and saw the box laying onto the table upon opening the box he saw the tape that says play me as he played the tape he heard, my name is Khari and this is my confession for over a year i have been keeping a secret tampering with evidence, thinking that i was protecting my friends, when really i was protecting myself you will find the truth about Parker death at the, abandon cabin close to the Rae home. Early Monday morning Aries police sirens could be heard an seen driving in Aquarius high school parking lot the students alongside their teachers an principal gathered outside the parking lot, Alvaro stood close to his friends while his Tori-An stands infront of them suddenly the police exit their vehicles an Tj glanced at Khari who had locked eyes with Alvaro, Tj alongwith three other police arrested both Khari an Alvaro in connection to Parker Alysson accident, an with the new evidence piling up along, with the confession police now knows who they were searching for. Tuesday night Parker navy blue Mercedes was discovered few blocks from the abandon cabin with several scratches and dent the windshield was cracked blood was inside the car an several bullets were also inside an outside the car Khari fingerprints was all over the murder weapons located at the bottom of a cliff. At Tj apartment Khari sat in the living room and realized that his past actions had finally catches up on him suddenly there's a knock at the door with his hands shaking he opened the door and was instantly punched by Kyllian. On July third, days before Parker accident a distress call was made to Aries police station and later a restraining order was made against Khari, two weeks since Khari joined Aquarius high school he became best friend with Parker who had convinced him to join the football team Alvaro didn't seem pleased to see Parker getting close with Khari. Alvaro sister Lorelei had informed her friend that Alvaro and Parker knows each other since childhood the trio were inseparable they won't leave each other sides for a second. At the station the witness claims that on the ninth of July Parker went to a bar to meet few of his friends a disagreement took place between Khari and Alvaro which leads to Parker taken Alvaro side Khari didn't seem happy and decided to leave later on Khari called to apologize to the two who then reconcile, the witness then confirm that around nine thirty pm Khari an two other guys changed clothes the witness claimed that the two boys seems nervous, while Khari seem rather happy minutes later the three boys heads back to the bar with cleaning supplies and a black garbage bag the witness ask what their reasons for the suppliers were, and Khari claim that they hit a puppy on their way to the club, he also notice that Parker wasn't with them Khari claim that Parker went to meet up with Alvaro though the witness felt a bit suspicious she brushes it off as Parker had always stayed close to Alvaro. On the night of Parker murder investigators claimed that Parker was one of six people fatally shot during a shoot out early on July ninth and when the Ares police arrived at the crime scene Parker wasn't located there he was already on his way to Gemini hospital that when his vehicle collided into few other cars the boys who were at the scene was charged with first degree murder it turned out that Khari was the one who staged the crime scene to have it looks like an accident. The witness takes the stand against Khari the defense attorney claims that both boys are innocent they were at the wrong place at the wrong time the boys were handcuffs and detective finds more evidence leading up to Parker case which will either have the boys arrested or place on bail or set free. As the trial continues new evidence keeps piling up Alvaro lawyer claims that hours before the shootout Alvaro and Parker heads down the Lahey street, Alvaro had notice that Parker was holding something in his jacket as his hands were kept in his jacket the entire time they were walking he also notice that Parker wanted to cross over to the otherside an when confronted by him Parker received a phone call and the two went their separate ways Alvaro heads back to his block when he received the message that Parker had been shot Alvaro refused to believe due to the fact that he was just with him Alvaro blamed himself for not staying, he told his friend that maybe he should've stayed with him would have been here that night Parker should have return to the their block. Khari changes lawyers four times as the boys tried to get their stories to match with the each other the trio went over their stories a couple of times just so they would have the same story to tell. Tuesday morning the case was drop after the third witness refused to testify against the boys the other witness hang himself leaving only Alvaro as the soul witness Charity claims that when she heard the news of the boys arrested in Parker case she was surprise because the boys had never argue before and their friendship was solid, even with the new evidence the boys were set on bail. Candace glance at them from time to time wishing she could have done more to help her brother case even now that Parker story is been told Alvaro feels guilty for not protecting his best friend like he protected him, Parker case is now closed until further notice.

More Chapters