Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos
Chapter 49 One Step Away

Chapter 49: Chapter 49 One Step Away

Olivia let out a deep sigh. A crease formed on her forehead as she looked at the expulsion letter, her pulse thundered against her ribs. As she walked through the corridor, a voice suddenly stopped her in her tracks.

"Olivia." Alexa’s calm voice echoed in the corridor.

Olivia’s heart thumped in her chest. This was the last person she wanted to have a face-to-face conversation with. Hesitantly, she slowly turned towards her, with a fake smile on her face.

"Alexa!" she called, forcing a brightness in her tone. Alexa glared daggers at her, her aura was imposing and almost suffocating.

"Follow me," Alexa commanded before walking away. Olivia’s hands became sweaty as she quickly followed in her footsteps. They arrived in a secluded part of the school.

"So what are...." Before Olivia could finish her speech, her back slammed into the cold wall. The impact made her stomach churn, making her gasp for air. Her heart raced in her chest as blood splattered out from her mouth.

"You crazy, stupid b**ch. Are you trying to get me killed?" Alexa’s cold, angry voice echoed in the hallway.

Before Olivia could process what was happening, Alexa slammed her into the wall again, her arms pushed against Olivia’s chest.

A groan escaped from Olivia’s mouth, her fearful eyes locking on Alexa’s furious ones. She flailed her hands as she tried to get her to remove her arms, which felt like a grounding stone against her chest.

"Alexa... please." She pleaded, her fingers dug into Alexa’s arm. She was powerless against her, her face contorted with pain, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Do you know what you did? I don’t care if you die or return in pieces, but you shouldn’t try to sabotage me." Alexa’s blue eyes blazed with anger as she remembered how she was tied upside down, tortured by whipping, and her mind nearly shattered by compulsion.

"Why must I take the blame for your impulsive actions?" Her teeth gritted, as pain flickered across her eyes.

"I’m sorry... I’m sorry." Olivia quickly said. She had no idea what she’d done to incite her wrath, but she needed to say anything to make her stop. Shock flickered through her eyes. She had always thought Alexa was calm and in control. But is she being brutal?

For a moment Alexa’s gaze flickered with a death intent, her eyes closed, her chest deeply rising and falling. By the time she opened her eyes again, her gaze softened, and her hand gently fell to her side.

Olivia’s legs buckled beneath her, she gasped for air, her hand rubbing against her chest as if to soothe the pain.

Alexa’s fists clenched, her nails tugging against her flesh. It wasn’t from anger at Olivia; rather she was angry with herself, disappointed to be doing the thing she hated the most.

She took a step closer. She wanted to apologize. She didn’t mean to hurt her that much, it was an impulse.

’What just happened? A moment ago she wanted to kill me... now she looks like she might cry. Well, I’m not that stupid to buy her act.’

Olivia scrambled closer to the wall as if it could protect her, she feared that she would hit her again. She wasn’t the type to cower, but the force from Alexa could disintegrate her in seconds. The dread she felt from Alexa was different from the one she felt from the monsters. Her body still trembled from the impact, the aura from Alexa was chilling and suffocating.

Alexa gritted her teeth. "We will talk some other time." She glanced over Olivia’s trembling body before walking away.

Cough.

Blood splattered from her mouth. She weakly wiped off the blood with the back of her hand. Her gaze lingered on Alexa’s retreating body.

The hallway echoed with her retreating footsteps. Then... silence.

Like a dam burst open, her thoughts flooded through her mind. ’Was it because I left without her notice?’

’No it can’t be, she is not that petty. Did I offend her unknowingly?’ Tears trickled down her face. She lay on the ground, her heart felt like it had been squeezed. She curled herself against the wall. ’Why do I always cause trouble... Why does no one like me... why am I so lonely, no one to call my own.’ Her lips quivered as they stretched into a thin line.

Her heart bled from pain. Her blood painted the marble floor red. She sucked in a sharp breath, as she jolted upright, her eyes frantically searching for an unknown.

Olivia’s instinct heightened, someone was watching her. This figure was familiar—the scent, the aura—it was all too familiar. But where is he?

She swiftly wiped the tears from her red swollen eyes. She sniffed the air, tracing where the scent was coming from.

She arrived at the back of the school. Olivia was amazed by the forest maze, a sight she never knew existed. Olivia was uncertain if it was a good idea to go into the maze, but the anguished feeling in her chest made her take a step forward.

She had to know why she felt drawn to this person, why his scent made her feel safe and comfortable, and why her heart ached when he disappeared.

"Come out!" She called out. "Who are you?" She took another step toward a tree. The smell was coming from behind it.

"Do you know me? You were there, right? In the monster’s domain?" she asked as she cautiously walked closer.

She saw a glimpse of his black coat. Her heart thundered in her ears, anticipation creeping up her chest. "Say something, please." Her voice cracked as she begged.

But the person remained silent. Not even a single word or sound came from him.

’Fine, if you won’t come to me, I will come to you.’ She thought as she inhaled sharply before steeling herself. She walked closer, twigs snapping underneath her boots. Just as she raised her foot to step around the tree, her body froze.

"Olivia, what are you doing here?" A voice called out from behind.

Olivia’s heart stopped beating for a second. She saw his pale hand—just one more step and she would see him.