"I called them 'The Abandoned Ones' or 'The Unloved Ones'," he said, his smile still lingering on his lips.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I remembered the betrayal of two people who were very important to me.

I stared at him blankly, wiping away the tears streaming down my cheeks.

Don't cry, Zendayah! They don't deserve your tears because they betrayed you.

"You must be pretty surprised by what I said," I looked at him.

"I-I'm not," I replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Is that so? Then, why are you crying?" he asked, smiling.

"It's none of your business," I said flatly, turning away from him.

I heard him chuckle, which annoyed me, so I started walking. I could sense him following me.

Is he teasing me? Why is he following me?

"Hey! Why are you following me?!" I shouted in annoyance.

"Because you have to come with us. With me," he said seriously.

"And if I don't?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You have to, or I'll force you to come with me," he insisted.

I laughed at what he said.

"Who are you to tell me that?" I shouted at him.

"Oh, did I forget to introduce myself?" he laughed, and then he smiled.

I admit it. He looks hot when he smirks and cute when he smiles.

"I'm Newt. Newt Enigma," he introduced himself, stepping closer to me.

"And you? What's your name?" he asked.

I didn't answer for a few minutes, took a deep breath, and then responded to his question.

"Zen. Zendayah Shane," I introduced myself as well. He smiled at me and raised both hands.

"Nice name. By the way, welcome to Enigmaland, Zendayah!" he said with a smile.

Enigmaland? That name sounds familiar... like I've heard it somewhere before...

But never mind. I need to focus on this person and figure out how to leave this place.

I need to leave because I have two people to confront back home. [Valerie & Lois]

I'll make sure to get my revenge on them for what they did to me. For betraying me.

I'll make them taste the pain and anger I'm feeling right now. I'll make them suffer!

I paused my thoughts as someone spoke, "You've got fire there," Newt said.

I looked at him. "So what?"

He laughed at my response. Then, slowly, he approached me and held both of my shoulders. He leaned closer to my ear and whispered.

"Well... I like fire."

I felt my cheeks heat up at his words, so I pushed him away and ran.

What the heck...?!

NEWT'S POV

I stared at her back as she ran away from me.

That girl... She has no plans to stay here on this island. But I need her to stay now because she belongs here.

She's with us now and SHE'S MINE.

I will not allow her to leave this island without my permission.

NO ONE can leave this island WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. Whether they like it or... not.

I secretly smirked because of my thoughts.

After that, I felt a presence behind me. I looked to see who it was, and Asura appeared before me.

My Right-Hand Man, And my best friend.

"Where's the girl?" he asked.

I glanced in the direction Zendayah had run.

"She ran," I replied curtly.

"You let her go?!" he exclaimed in frustration.

I laughed at what he said, and slowly, that laughter turned into a wicked smile.

"Do you really think that I would've let that girl go?" I scoffed.

He remained silent, just looking at me.

"Then, what's the plan?" he asked.

I tapped his shoulder.

"You'll see, Asura. You'll see. I'll let that girl stay here with us. WITH ME," I said and grinned.

He sighed. "That's your plan? What if she escapes and leaves the island?" he asked.

The smile faded from my lips. "Then, I have to kill her," I replied.

Asura looked at me seriously and spoke again. "What if you fall in love with her?" he said, causing me to pause.

And then, I rolled my eyes. "You know, Asura. 'What if's' are not in my vocabulary. I don't intend to fall in love with anyone. They're weaknesses," I said seriously.

He nodded. "If one day..."

I faced him, surprising him. "If one day, I'll fall in love with anybody..." I approached a large tree and leaned my back against it, took out my flute, played a tune, and glanced at him before speaking.

"You have to kill that girl, even if it hurts me," I said firmly.

"I promise. I won't do ANYTHING," I said before disappearing from his sight as if I were a bubble.

Asura stood there for a few minutes before leaving and returning to camp.

ZENDAYAH SHANE'S POV

I've been running for a while now, so I stopped to catch my breath.

Why did I blush earlier? So embarrassing!

I looked around. It was only now that I noticed I had come out of the forest and was in a small, secluded area.

Where am I?

I hugged myself as the wind suddenly grew colder.

It's so chilly!

What should I do now? I have nowhere to sleep, and it's getting late.

I became alarmed when I heard a rustle. I clenched my fist. "Who's there?" I exclaimed.

After that, I heard footsteps approaching me.

A man stood in front of me. I couldn't see his face because it was covered with a dark cloth, and he had a grin on his face as he looked at me.

"You must be the new intruder on this island," he asked.

I nervously replied, "So what?"

He grinned. Slowly, he took a step toward me, which made me take a step back.

"Don't come near me!" I shouted.

He didn't say anything and continued to approach me.

I took another step back. "I told you not to come near me!" I yelled at him, but he just laughed.

I looked at his hand, which was holding something sharp. Fear started to creep in as I tried to think of a way to escape from this man.

"You're going to die!" he shouted, raising the knife and preparing to stab me.

Terrified, I screamed, "AHHHHH! No!"

Just as the knife was about to hit me, someone kicked the man hard, causing him to fly away.

Trembling, I looked at the person who kicked him. It was...

"Newt...?" I stuttered, saying his name.

He stood there, arms crossed, and looked at me.

"Yes, love?" he said, smirking.

Tears welled up in my eyes due to fear. I ran towards him and embraced him tightly, surprising him.

I burst into tears while holding onto him. He awkwardly patted my back.

"Hey... It's okay now. You're safe now," he said.

It's my first time someone has tried to kill me. No one has ever done such a thing because my dad always protected me.

"Wow. Another lovebird of yours, Newt Enigma?" We both turned to the person who spoke.

I let go of Newt when I realized that I was still hugging him.

"What are you doing here, Jace Zermon?" Newt said coldly to the man sitting on the sand.

The man laughed deviously, "Do you even need to ask? I'm here to kill the New Intruder," 'Jace' said with a smirk, glancing at me.

I looked at Newt, who had a furrowed brow. "She belongs to us now and she's MINE, Jace. So, back off!" his voice carried anger and irritation.

The man burst into laughter. "She belongs to you? Are you kidding me?"

Newt remained silent as they locked eyes.

"Fuck. Alright, she's now yours. Imma get out of here," the man said, turning his back and walking away.

Is that it? No fight?

Newt turned his gaze towards me. "Let's go to the camp. Come with me," he said seriously, inviting me.

I didn't say anything.

Should I go with him? But I don't want to. I don't fully trust him yet since I just met him earlier.

But he saved me from that guy... argh!!

Nevermind.

I nodded in response, "Alright. I'll come with you," I said.

He smirked, "Great choice," he said.

I was surprised by his actions. He carried me in a bridal-style hold.

"What are you doing?!" I exclaimed.

"Carrying you so we can go (back) to the camp, ASAP," he replied.

My cheeks flushed, "D-do you really need to carry me? I can walk," I told him.

He nodded, "Of course. But if you walk, it will take us until tomorrow to reach my campsite," he said.

I couldn't do anything but let him.

"Close your eyes now, love," he said.

"But why?"

"Just close your eyes."

I followed his instructions and closed my eyes.