PREFACE


The woods were filled with silence and I looked around for any signs of the slayer. As I heard the leaves on the ground rustling, I turned around and there he appeared from the treetops of a nearby 나무, 트리 and he gave me a sly smile which sent shivers down my spine before slowly approaching me and my 심장 was pounding inside my chest. I was vulnerable as there wasn’t anyone to protect me and I knew that I was going to die here, alone. Please let this be over fast, I thought to myself.
Every step that he took towards me was another step closer to death. His long, black hair was flowing as the cold and 쓴, 쓰라린 wind blew and I found myself shivering because of the coldness and the fear that I felt.
Would anyone find me here after I died? 또는 would I be 로스트 forever in this horrid place?
These 질문 filled my head and I knew that he was still watching me as my breathing became heavier. I never expected this 일 to come but ever since Luke and his family’s arrival, I should have seen this coming soon and this was one of risk that I took for being with him but I would gladly pay the price. As I looked directly into his dark, black eyes, I saw the hatred and anger that had consumed the slayer’s mind.
I knew that this was the end of me now.
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CHAPTER 1 A NEW START


“So, how are 당신 fitting in your new school? Is everyone being nice to you?”
“They are really… friendly, mum. I’m fitting in and the weather is cold but I’m doing fine. Is everything alright, mum? 당신 seem awfully quiet,” my tone became worried and I was curious about the silence that filled the end of the other line.
“I’m fine. I’m engaged, sweetheart. I’m just so excited about the wedding and 당신 should see the ring. It’s simply beautiful. You’ll be my bridesmaid, right?”
The thought of me in any dress was simply horrible as I would never be seen wearing a dress even if it was my wedding but it was going to be my mum’s special 일 and I wanted her to be happy. She had been seeing David for two years now and he seemed like a wonderful guy for my mother.
“Absolutely, mum. I can’t wait till then,” I quickly lied and tried my best to sound enthusiastic about it. “Um… I’ve to go now and cook 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 before dad comes back. I’ll talk to 당신 soon.”
“Okay then, Ashley. Send my regards to your father for me. I 사랑 you.”
“I too, mum. Bye!”
I ended the call and stared at my handphone for a few moments, thinking about my mother. She seemed really different but still like her old, care-free way and I wondered if David, her new fiancé was taking care of her as I’d did when I’d been staying with her. I stormed downstairs to the 부엌, 주방 and started taking out the cooking utensils out from the cabinets. I decided to cook my favourite dish, 스파게티 with creamy 버섯 sauce and as I was busy in the kitchen, I heard the front door opening and closing and my father appeared in the 부엌, 주방 a few moments later.
“I thought I smelled something good. 당신 shouldn’t be doing all the cooking, Ashley. We could always eat at the 식당 and save 당신 the time of cooking and cleaning up.” He took off his 코트 and stood at the doorway with his hands folded.
“I like cooking, dad. It helps me to relax and I don’t mind cleaning up. It’s better than eating at the 식당 every night,” I kept my eyes on the bubbling pot of the sauce and slowly stirred it. “Dinner’s almost ready, dad.”
“Alright then. I’ll get cleaned up then I’ll help 당신 set the 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 table. It’s the least I can do to help as 당신 have been doing all the hard work of cooking for me.”
“I’m fine, dad. 당신 should get cleaned up and I’ll set the table,” I gave him a weak smile before he walked out the room and went upstairs to freshen himself up.
After a few minutes, he returned to the 부엌, 주방 and I’d already set the 표, 테이블 and our 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 smelled delicious. We ate in silence for a few moments until my dad spoke.
“So… how was school today?” he took another bite of the 스파게티 and looked at me, waiting for my answer.
“It was fine. I got some new 프렌즈 and everyone is really friendly to me. How about you, dad?”
“The hospital was a little crowded today but I managed to treat all the patients. Luckily, the new doctor and his family are arriving tomorrow. Everyone in this town seems to be

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getting ill and we are short of hands to help,” he sounded relived as he spoke and he seemed exhausted these few days.

“That’s good. 당신 seemed tired since everyone started falling sick. So, where’s this new doctor from?”
“I’m not sure. Noone seems to know much of him and his family but I do know that he’s really attractive. So are his children. I’m pretty sure that the whole town will be gossiping about them when they’ve arrived.”
“Well, maybe the whole school will stop paying attention to me once the doctor’s children are attending my high school. I talked to mum just before 당신 came back.”
“How’s she? I haven’t heard much about her,” he looked down as he spoke and I knew that my dad’s feelings towards mum were still the same and I sighed softly. It was going to be difficult to tell him about mum’s engagement.
“She’s… great. She’s getting married to David,” I looked at my father’s face and tried my hardest to study his facial expression but he remained calm after hearing the news.
“That’s… great news. So… when is the wedding?”
“I’m not sure but mum wants me to be her bridesmaid and she’s really excited about it.”
“I see. Well, I’m going to watch the game before I tuck in early. Do 당신 mind doing the dishes tonight? I’ll do the dishes tomorrow if 당신 want me to,” he got up from the 표, 테이블 and walked out to the sitting room.
I heard the 텔레비전 turned on and I started to clean up the kitchen. After the 부엌, 주방 was spotless enough to my satisfaction, I ran upstairs to my bedroom and shut my room door. I tried to start doing my homework but I was distracted 의해 my thoughts. The only reason that I’d decided to stay with my dad was because I’d felt guilty about leaving him all alone and since my mum had David, I decided that it was time to spend some time with my father. I figured that he would be delighted as I hadn’t visited him for a few years now. I went into my bathroom and took a glance at the mirror. I combed my 라푼젤 hair and tied it into a ponytail. I tried my best to convince myself that this was the right choice but a part of me knew that I couldn’t agree and that I would regret this decision. I have to be strong for my father. I can’t show my dislike and my unhappiness in front of him 또는 he would be disappointed. I took a long, warm bath and changed into my favourite loss fitting 셔츠 and a grey shorts.
As I was tried to figure out a calculus 질문 that Mr. Richards had given, there was a knock on my door and my father stood at the doorway. His expression on his face was emotionless and I tried my best to read his face. He looked tired but not depressed over the news that I had given him earlier.
“Hey dad, I’m just finishing some homework.”
“That’s good. 당신 should probably get some sleep after you’re done with your work.” There was an awkward silence as I kept doing my homework and I knew that he wanted to say something else but he was having some difficulties in bringing the subject up.
“Um… dad, is there something that 당신 want to talk about? I’m kind of busy and…”
“Yes, of course. I was just wondering if 당신 were planning to go anywhere with 당신 new 프렌즈 during the weekend,” he looked down as he spoke and I knew that he felt guilty bringing the subject up as it was a really touchy subject to me.
“This weekend? I-I’m not… sure. But maybe I was wondering if 당신 don’t mind, could I catch a movie with Lisa, Melissa and a couple of other people 다음 week?”

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He looked relieved as I spoke. “Sure. 다음 weekend I’m working at the hospital anyway so you’ll be alone at 집 the whole 일 if 당신 don’t go anywhere. I’ll be a little late for dinners tomorrow so don’t wait for me.”
“Meeting with the hospital department again? I thought the monthly meeting was last week?”
“It’s for the new doctor. He’s starting tomorrow and everyone’s anxious to meet him. We’re having a small party for him tomorrow. Anyway, I’m going to 침대 now. Goodnight, Ashley!”
That's all for now!!!