NEWT'S POV
While I was enjoying my conversation with Sofia, I glanced over at Zen's spot and realized she wasn't there anymore, causing my smile to fade.
Shit! Where is she?
"Zendayah!" I called out, leaving Sofia's side. I heard them calling me, but I ignored them and ran into the dark forest.
"Zendayah!" I called her name again as I ran.
I know... She hasn't gone far. I can still sense her presence from where I stand.
I angrily called out to Asura, "ASURA!"
He appeared in front of me.
"What is it, N?" He furrowed his brow as he looked at me. "Didn't you tell her the Rules & Regulations?!"
He nodded, "I did tell her about R&R."
"Then, why did she leave the fvcking Camp?!" I yelled at him in anger.
He seemed surprised. "What? She left the camp?" he asked in disbelief.
I rubbed my temples and calmed myself. I don't want to cause harm now...
"Fuck! Tell the 'Lost Boys' to find her! Now!" I shouted.
He nodded and disappeared from my sight.
I started running again to search for her.
'Zendayah...'
'Once I found you... You'll be punished for breaking The Fucking Rules.'
____
ZENDAYAH SHANE'S POV
I was sitting on a large rock. I didn't realize I had left Newt's campsite.
Aishhh! What should I do?
How can I get back?
I stopped when rule #2 crossed my mind: If you leave the camp without the leader's permission, you'll be punished.
'You'll be punished.'
'You'll be punished.'
'You'll be punished.'
Those words kept repeating in my mind.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I might die.
I hugged myself as the wind grew stronger.
Cold...
I need to go back to Newt's camp. I was about to turn around when I heard someone singing.
Huh? Singing?
I followed the voice and ended up by a river. In front of me was...
A mermaid? Wait, what? A SIREN?!!
She was sitting on a big rock, looking at me.
I covered my mouth in surprise.
Wait... Am I dreaming?
Mermaids aren't real! They're only in fairy tales.
But how...? How did a mermaid exist here?
"Hi," the beautiful Siren greeted me.
I spoke hesitantly, "H-hello..."
"What are you doing here? It's midnight now," she said.
"Ah—" I was about to respond when she suddenly appeared in front of me.
Woah...
She's beautiful!
Well... Mermaids are beautiful.
"Can you swim with me, human girl?" she asked.
I shook my head, "No, thanks."
"Why not? This is a rare opportunity, and you shouldn't refuse when a mermaid offers to swim with you," she said authoritatively.
She grabbed my arm, "I-I can't... I-I don't know how to swim," I lied.
I really need to go back to the camp.
"I can teach you," she offered.
I didn't say anything.
Her voice... It's like I'm being hypnotized.
"Let's go?" she invited. I nodded absentmindedly.
She slowly pulled me closer to the river. My clothes got wet.
I faced her. She smiled at me while holding my arm.
"Now... Swim— AH!" she was cut off when an arrow suddenly flew past us, startling both of us.
She let go of my arm. I turned to see who did it. There stood...
Newt.
He frowned as he looked at us, holding a bow.
"I'll kill you if you drown her, fish," he said firmly.
"Newt Enigma..." I heard the Siren mutter, looking at him angrily.
He slowly released my arm and turned away. "Maybe next time... Human girl," she said, and swam away.
"Wait—" I was about to call her when someone pulled me.
He faced me, "What are you doing?! Do you want to die?! You almost drowned! Fuck!"
"W-what? 'You almost drowned'? She was just teaching me how to swim!"
"Teaching? Do you think she was teaching you how to swim?!"
"Yes! She was teaching me how to swim. She offered me to swim with her!"
He scoffed. "You don't know what you're saying, Zendayah! She wasn't teaching you how to swim. She was planning to drown you in the river!"
I froze in my spot. "The way she looks at you, she has already decided to drown you!"
I couldn't believe it, shaking my head. "That's not true! Mermaids are kind, even if I just saw them for the first time. Ifelt a connection with her."
He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me. "Listen to me, Zendayah! Mermaids, sirens, whatever you want to call them, they are not what you think they are! They lure unsuspecting humans with their beauty and enchanting voices, and then they drown them! They are dangerous creatures!"
"No! I don't believe you!" I shouted, tears welling
"Hah! Do you believe in fairy tales? MERMAIDS ARE NOT KIND, Zendayah!"
"How did you know?!" I exclaimed angrily. My blood boiled with frustration and anger.
I didn't believe what she said.
"Because I said so. They are not kind; they drown the people they see in the river every night!" - Newt
After that, silence fell between us. She let out a sigh.
"Let's go back to the camp. You've got a punishment for breaking one of the rules," she said, grabbing my arm and pulling me.
I allowed her to drag me along.
What is really happening on this island?
____
After a few minutes, we returned to the camp. Sofia greeted us.
"Oh! Zen! You're here already," said Sofia.
We didn't respond. She let go of my arm and pushed me towards Sofia, then she walked away and approached the 'Lost Boys.'
Luckily, they caught me.
"What happened? Why is N so angry?" - Serra
"Did you have a fight?" Sofia asked.
"N-no, we just didn't understand each other," I replied.
"Where did you go anyway? You were just beside us earlier, and when N glanced at you, you were gone," Crystal said.
"Since you're new here, you're already getting on N's nerves," Aira added.
"Yeah, you left the camp without N's permission," Lorie said.
I didn't answer.
"What really happened, Zen?" Sofia asked again.
I couldn't resist, so I answered her question, "He's mad because I almost drowned..."
"What?" they all exclaimed in surprise.
"By the mermaids," Newt chimed in from behind me.
He grinned mischievously at me. "Right?" he added, widening his eyes.
"What?!"
"Gosh! You almost got drowned by them!" - Sofia
"Yeah, the mermaids here aren't nice," - Serra
"See? I told you," Newt's words reached my ears.
I remained silent.
"BOYS & GIRLS!" Newt called their attention.
"That's your punishment, Zen..." Aira whispered to me.
"I'm here in front to tell you all that Zendayah Shane broke one of my rules!" he shouted.
Everyone looked at me and started whispering. "What the heck? She's new, and she already broke one of N's rules?" one of the 'Lost Boys' said.
(A/N: 'Lost Boys' or 'Lost Girls' means 'The Unloved Ones' or 'The Abandoned Ones')
"Yeah, she's the new one who first broke N's rules," another one added.
I still didn't know their names because Newt hadn't told me yet. Or maybe not... because he was angry with me.
"Now, LET'S PLAY! I called this game 'THE PREDATORS AND PREY.' As punishment for Zendayah, you all have to chase her, and when you catch her, tie her to a tree and shoot her with an arrow, but DON'T KILL HER," he explained.
I started to panic after hearing what Newt said. He grinned mischievously at me.
Sofia approached me and whispered, "I know you're in a shocked state right now, but we will tell you about N's. For now, RUN!" Sofia shouted and pushed me.
After that, I ran tearfully.
I didn't know about this...
I thought he was kind, but I guess... I was wrong.
Now... They're chasing me. And if they catch me, they'll tie me to a tree and shoot me with a bow and arrow.
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