Fentanyl E001: The Mysterious Experiment(Book 1)
Chapter 4: Veiled Truths at Ottawa Green Universit

Nisha's Point of View

Nathalie's hand remained on my shoulder, and she spoke softly, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room. "Nisha, we understand that you've been through a lot, and it's completely normal to feel guarded and hesitant. But you don't have to face these challenges alone anymore. We're here for you, and we'll support you every step of the way."

I nodded, grateful for her reassurance. It felt strange to open up to strangers about my past, but at the same time, it was a relief to share my burden with people who seemed to genuinely care.

Rebecca, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a compassionate tone. "It's not easy to trust others, especially when you've been hurt in the past. But sometimes, replaceing a supportive network can help heal old wounds and give you the strength to face the truth about your past."

Dylan nodded in agreement. "Exactly. You don't have to confront everything at once, but taking one step at a time and having people you can rely on will make a difference."

The atmosphere in the room had changed, becoming more understanding and empathetic. It was a stark contrast to the cold and distant environment I had grown up in. For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe I could replace a sense of belonging here, among these people who were willing to accept me despite my troubled past.

"I... I appreciate your support," I stammered, still unused to expressing gratitude or vulnerability. "It's just that I've always been on my own, and it's hard to adjust to having others care about me."

Nathalie smiled warmly. "That's completely understandable. Trust takes time, and we're willing to wait for you to feel comfortable. For now, just know that we're here for you whenever you need us."

As we continued to talk, I felt a sense of camaraderie and belonging growing within me. Perhaps, with time, I could learn to trust these people and open up about my past more fully. And in return, maybe they could help me unravel the mysteries of my birth parents and the Peur Organization. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to hope that there might be a brighter future ahead.

Listening to Nathalie's story, I could see the pain in her eyes as she talked about her brother. Losing a loved one is never easy, and it must have been incredibly difficult for her. Despite my reservations about sharing personal details, I felt a connection with Nathalie at that moment. We both had our share of hardships and losses.

"I'm sorry for your loss," I said softly, trying to offer some comfort. "Losing a sibling must have been tough for you."

Nathalie nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It was. He was my best friend, and I miss him every day."

Rebecca and the others offered words of support and condolences, creating a sense of understanding and empathy among us. It was both comforting and overwhelming to be in the presence of people who were willing to open up and share their vulnerabilities.

After Nathalie's introduction, the others also shared their stories, some with laughter, others with sorrow. Each person had their own unique experiences and struggles, but it seemed that we were all brought together by a shared sense of resilience and determination to face our pasts and embrace our futures.

As the night wore on, I found myself feeling more at ease in the company of these newfound friends. They had seen me at my most vulnerable, and instead of judging or pitying me, they offered support and understanding. It was a refreshing change from the cold and distant environment I had grown up in.

At that moment, I realized that maybe I didn't have to face everything alone. Maybe, with the support of these people, I could replace the strength to confront my past and uncover the truth about my identity and my connection to the Peur Organization.

"Now let's talk about my boyfriend," Nathalie said. I was just standing there silently observing them. They appear to be in a good mood, but I don't fully trust them yet. "Dylan Ty Punto here. He is now 21 years old. His family is also associated with the Peur Organization. Theirs is a dysfunctional family-full of secrets and hidden agendas."

Dylan nodded, acknowledging Nathalie's introduction, but he didn't add any further details. He seemed reserved, perhaps hesitant to share more about his family.

"Do you know who the Peur Organization's mastermind is?"

Nathalie's expression changed, and her eyes darted around nervously. "I... I don't know," she stammered, clearly taken aback by the sudden question. "The Peur Organization is secretive, and even those of us within it don't have access to all the information. The mastermind's identity is closely guarded."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to gauge her reaction. She seemed genuine in her response, but I couldn't be entirely sure. My instincts told me to be cautious, especially in a world filled with deceit and hidden agendas.

"I understand," I replied, my tone cautious. "It's just that, given the nature of the organization, I thought you might have some insights. But I suppose it's not something that's commonly known."

Nathalie nodded, relief evident in her eyes. "Exactly. The Peur Organization operates in layers of secrecy, and even its members often don't know the full extent of its workings."

As the conversation shifted, I couldn't shake off the feeling of doubt. I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but I also couldn't afford to blindly trust anyone in this dangerous world. My father's teachings had ingrained in me the importance of being cautious and vigilant.

I noticed Nathalie nodding to a man who gave me a gentle look. However, it appeared that they were all staring at me.

"My name is Dejada Cristopher, and I'd like to introduce myself. I am a twenty-year-old man. If you assume my father is a physicist, you're mistaken. I'm just a regular individual who lives in this neighborhood. To help pay for my education at the Green University of Ottawa, I work for the Peur Organization. I'm an educated scientist, but I still want to pursue my ambition of becoming an engineer. I have two siblings, one girl, and one guy, and my mum is already deceased," remarked the man who went by the name Christopher. I gave him a long look before nodding when I realized he wasn't lying.

"Have you been with the Peur Organization for a long time?" I asked him, and I could tell he was taken aback, but he responded.

"Four years," he replied matter-of-factly as I nodded. Not bad.

"Do you know who the organization's mastermind is?" He nodded when I asked him about it again.

He said, "Yeah, but his life is too private."

At the very least, I've uncovered something, and the mastermind in the organization is a man.

I simply sighed and switched my gaze to Rebecca, who is still clutching the arm of the man standing next to me. I can see she's nervous, possibly as a result of what happened earlier. Given that I've already divulged the other half of her information, simply stating her age would be enough.

"U-uhm... Yes, you are correct. Rebecca Villafuentes is my name. I'm eighteen years old. My mother was unable to attend, and my father is employed by the Peur Organization, where he is ranked second among all scientists. I have a sister who is also a student at this university," she explained. I studied her and the man sitting next to me.

"Are you two also in a relationship?" I asked right away.

"Yes/No," they all said in unison. Rebecca replies yes, but the man responds negatively.

When she says "yes," it means that Rebecca has feelings for the man, and she wants to be with him romantically, even though they are not currently dating. On the other hand, when he says "no," it means that Shawn does not want to be in a romantic relationship with Rebecca.

Nathalie smiled and remained quiet for a bit, but didn't take the gaze away from the two of them. I noticed that Rebecca is a pleasant lady, but Shawn appears cold-hearted and has a commanding presence.

Nathalie then revealed that Shawn is one of her cousins and his full name is Shawn Caylus Dwyne. She explained that Shawn was 20 years old at the time and their dads are brothers. Shawn's father is the school's headmaster, and this makes Nathalie's grandfather the owner of the university. However, despite this connection, the university's proprietor has remained a mystery to others.

As I continue to uncover the secrets surrounding the people, I feel that they are aware of the situation, and I sense that they are the driving force behind unraveling these mysteries. Today seems to be filled with intrigue and plenty of things to occupy my mind.

"Anyway, we still have to eat here. I'm not a student anymore. I'm only trying to help Shawn's father. However, this is exactly how our dorm looks. Every night, important people eat here in collaboration with the Peur Organization-"

"So, you're all connected to the Peur Organization, and I'm relevant?" I skipped ahead to Nathalie's remarks. Was it her intention to say everything? Is it possible that I've fallen into a trap? I noticed Nathalie nod as they all stared at me.

"Yes. For the time being, you must avoid any dangers and simply believe me," she stated. I smirked inwardly without averting my gaze. I just nodded and lifted my brow at her. I can't trust her-or them, for that matter.

When we heard a bell ringing from outside, I furrowed my brows, about to say something.

"What exactly is it?" I inquired of Nathalie, who simply grinned.

"Don't even consider it. It's the same way every day when it gets to 8 p.m. We're used to it. It's as if there's a sign that says it's forbidden to leave," Nathalie was the one who responded. Even though she was lying, I continued to act naive and believed her remarks. Really? Something is wrong, but I have to pretend I'm not interested right now.

"By the way, I'll be taking you to your destination. We're going for a walk tomorrow morning and giving you a tour of the university," Nathalie remarked. Shawn was the first to rise and say his goodbyes.

"I'll go ahead. We'll talk again tomorrow," he added, staring at me intensely, and I frowned at his gaze's intensity. I was about to ask him something, but he turned around and walked away from our dorm. Strange.

As I stood up, the others did the same. Nathalie put her arm around my shoulder, and we walked together. The ringing of the bell still haunted my imagination; it sounded eerie, as if something was wrong. It served as a metaphor that this university was shrouded in secrecy.

When we reached my room, I let Nathalie close the door behind us. I sat down and immediately stared at the ceiling. Everything was enigmatic, just like the individuals I was surrounded by. They had given me plenty of reasons to distrust them, and their actions had fueled my suspicion. They had provided ample excuse for me to dig into everything.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. In my mind's eye, images appeared-quite a few photos and illustrations of blood-clothed individuals. It was chaos, a complete disaster. I quickly opened my eyes, not pausing to consider what I had just seen.

What exactly are they?

That thought lingered in my head.

"It's merely a fabrication about me," I mumbled to myself, trying to make sense of it all. "They're concealing something-actually, my family and father were concealing something."

As I reflected on the disturbing images and the feeling of being kept in the dark, a mix of curiosity and fear began to well up inside me. I knew I couldn't trust them fully, and it was evident that there were hidden truths waiting to be unraveled. I resolved to dig deeper and uncover the secrets that had been veiled from me for so long. But for now, I had to play along and pretend not to suspect anything until the right moment revealed itself.