Beneath the Bloodstained Moon Chapter 8

In the Midnight

At Alarica's Hostel Room

The room is dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering streetlamp outside her window. The walls feel colder tonight, suffocating even.

Alarica sits on her bed, knees pulled to her chest, her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to hold something together—something inside her that keeps cracking.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

It’s just a phase. I can get through this. *Whispering to herself*

Her voice sounds hollow, even to herself. She reaches for her phone, hesitates, then presses play on an old voicemail.

Someone

Sweetheart, you’re always so strong, but even strong people need rest. Come home soon, okay?

Her mother’s voice.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

I wish I could, Mom… *Blinking back her tears*

She wipes her eyes aggressively. No. She wasn’t weak. She couldn’t be.

She won’t be.

Her father’s voice echoes in her mind. Cold. Ruthless.

Someone

You either win, or you disappear. *Extremely cold*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

I’ll prove it to you, Father. I’m not weak. I’ll show you.

A deep breath. Calm. Control. Conceal.

That’s what she had to do here. Survive. She knew Kael was watching her.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

He knows something. *Sigh*

She could see it in his eyes. The way he looked at her—not just with interest, but with knowing.

She wasn’t safe.

Not yet.

She leans back, exhaustion pulling at her body. Every day was a new fight. A new game to play.

And tomorrow…

Next day

Alarica walks into class, the usual chaos around her fading into the background when her eyes land on Sienna.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

(She’s here. Finally.) *Smile lightly*

For the first time in days, a smile tugs at Alarica’s lips. She strides toward her, expecting the same warmth in return. But… something is off.

Sienna sits stiffly at her desk, staring blankly at her notebook. She doesn’t even glance up.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

Sienna? *Frowned*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Silent*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Shake her shoulder and said softly* Oi, I’ve been calling you for a minute now.

Sienna finally blinks and looks at her, forcing a small, weak smile.

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

Ohh... Heyy *Smile*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

(That’s it? Just hey?)

Alarica’s eyes are narrow. This wasn’t like her. Something was wrong. She reaches out, grabbing Sienna’s hand—only to feel heat radiating off her skin.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Frown*

She places her palm against Sienna’s forehead which is Burning up.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Concerned* You’re running a fever. Did you even—

She placed her hand on her neck to check her temperature, but when she placed her hair to the other side, her gaze shifts toward her neck.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Silent*(Hickey?)

Suddenly her gaze turned to her cheek to take a closer look to her face.

A handprint

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

Alarica I'm fine, don't worry. it's just a fever and it will go away *Said and softly jerk her hand away*

Slowly, she reaches out again, this time touching Sienna’s neck. She carefully pulled her sweater down and saw the more bruised dark red abusive bites, covering her delicate skin.

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Flinches* Alarica....

Alarica Volkova (FL)

Shhh *Gaze at her warning*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Flinched*

Her fingers tremble as they trace the faint outline of a fingerprint. A man’s hand.

And when Sienna turns her face slightly, Alarica sees it—the faint but unmistakable print of fingers against her cheek. Her stomach twists violently.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

Who did this? *Said in a low dangerous voice*

Sienna jerks her hand away.

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

It's nothing *Muttered*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

Nothing? *Scoff*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

Alarica

Alarica Volkova (FL)

Tell. Me. *Ask dangerously*

Sienna looks away, biting her lip hard, refusing to answer. But Alarica is no fool. She already knows.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

(Alarica, calm down. You’re not supposed to lose control. Keep your anger in check. But—fuck—there’s no way this bastard is walking away without paying for what he did to someone innocent.)

Without another word, Alarica pushes up from her seat. Everything inside her is seething.

The students in the room barely get a chance to react before she storms across the class. She went straight to Ronan.

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

What? *Look up lazily*

The moment he looks up—her fist collides with his face. The force of her punch sends him back against his desk.

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Gasp and standup* Alarica

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

*Balance himself*

Gasps ripple through the room. No one has ever dared to look straight to Ronan. and here our alarica just punched him on his face splitting his lips.

Students/teacher

Did she just...

Random Girl:1

She likes to mess with them? *Look at them with disbelief*

Ronan stumbles back, wiping the blood from his split lip. He blinks, as if surprised, then tilts his head to the side.

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

You’ve got a real death wish, don’t you? *Eyes burning with anger*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

You think you’re a man because you can hurt someone weaker than you? Let’s see how you do against me. *Shout at him*

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

*Eyes went to sienna with rage*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Feeling blood cold* i... Swear... it's...

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Grab his collar* Talk to me bast*rd. How dare you!

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

Oh, sweetheart, I’d love to put you in your place. *Said angrily and pushed her away*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Step back willingly*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

Alarica please stop... *Step toward her*

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

Dare to move an inch *Said warning*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Freeze on her place* (Alarica don't fight for me)

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Clench her fist* SHE IS NOT YOUR SLAVE YOU MO!HERF**KER!!

Alarica was about to punch him again but this time Ronan was prepared. He stopped her attack and tried to punch her back

Alarica dodges his first attack—barely. She can feel the air shift as his fist narrowly misses her face. She twists on her heels, landing a sharp elbow to his ribs.

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

Kael... Where is he... *Shivering* This will go worse.

Ronan grunts but doesn’t stop. He grabs her wrist, twisting it, forcing her to spin around.

Pain shoots up her arm, but she grits her teeth. Using her momentum, she kicks backward, hitting his knee.

Ronan stumbles, but only for a second. Then, with terrifying speed, he grabs her by the waist and slams her down onto the floor.

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

*Laugh mockingly* Weak little bit*h.

The impact knocks the air out of her lungs.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Eyes teary and hear the mocking in her mind*

Someone

You are weak!

Someone

You’ll never be strong enough.

Someone

Such an embarrassment!!

Alarica Volkova (FL)

I'm not weak

Ronan stands over her, towering like a predator ready to finish his prey. But something in Alarica’s eyes changes.

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

Not so tough now, are you? *mock her*

Alarica glares up at him, hatred burning in her eyes.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

Fuck you bastard *Said with pure anger*

Before he can react, she kicks her leg up, slamming her foot into his knee. Hard.

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Try to getup*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Eyes widen*

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

*Clench his fist while cursing and stumbled back* And that's it.

And then—his fist swings toward her face. She barely has time to brace herself when—

Kael’s fist collides with Ronan’s jaw. The crack echoes through the classroom. The whispers stop. The fear shifts. Because now—Kael stands between her and Ronan.

Kael Vortigern (ML)

Touch her again, and I’ll make sure you regret it. *Said in a lethal voice*

Ronan Drax (ML friend)

*Shocked*

Sienna Larke (Fl Friend)

*Shocked*

Alarica Volkova (FL)

*Surprised* (What's going on?)

To be continued...

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