Nuturing Evil

7- Crystal

What should I do now? Shall I get her out of the orphanage or not? I thought about it but I didn’t know what I would do next. What am I supposed to do? I am carrying a curse around, the girl is a walking death call and I can’t do anything to liberate myself or everyone else trapped in the vault of her curse. 

Sighing deeply, I walked down and passed through the orphanage and stopped. I kept staring at it, pondering, Lost in my vulnerability telling me to keep her out of danger but I am not sure if it’s the acceptance of the curse or my own feelings. 

Putting my hands in my pocket, I saw some kids running out and playing in the playground. She was also among them, playing hide n seek. An involuntary smile came to my lips watching her play. 

“That's what you deserve, girl.” I whispered to myself. 

“And what about you who deserves death?” A mocking laugh echoed in the air, sighing as I continued to walk away, “Shut up.” Muttering rudely, I went to a local bar, “The usual, please.” 

“Coming right up.” She grinned, making a cocktail for Gabriel, “By the way, did you visit Alice?” She asked. “Alice?” I arched my brow. Last time I remember, I didn't know anyone named Alice. 

“The girl you brought. They named her Alice.” She frowned, pouring the cocktail and turning to me, putting her hand on her waist, “Alice? Didn’t even suit her.” I responded rudely, putting my chin on my palm. “Whatever.” She scoffed.

“At least pay her a visit, that kid can’t even speak.” She said, taking out a bottle of Whiskey. 

“I don’t have time.” I mumbled when she poured me a glass. I finished in one go, “Yeah, he is busy remorsing.” Gabriel laughed from behind, this man never fails to hit where it hurts to most. Rolling my eyes at him, I called Rachel, “Rachel, can you give me the bottle, add it to my account.” I said, getting up, snatching the bottle from her, “Hey, Rylan! Don’t drink-” Before she could give me her worthless warning, I left, taking a sip of my drink. I don’t have time to listen to Gabriel’s s**t. 

“Alice, huh?” I gruffed, getting tipsy by excess consumption of alcohol. 

“What’s the point of this life?” 

“No, Don’t let it astray you, Rylan. If you die the curse will affect someone else.” I slapped myself, holding my face down, trying to throw these thoughts out of my mind. I can’t die at all cost, they will do the worst to her. They will steal the life of that poor soul.

“Don’t stray, Rylan!” Mentally scolding myself, I barely managed to walk afar but my feet somehow led me to an empty alley where I passed out due to exertion.

***

It’s been a week and things were monotonous, I thought about paying that girl a visit but couldn’t find a reason to do so. I had nothing to do with her so why even bother and keeping this in mind, I kept my distance. 

I still don’t like her name.

“Rylan, were you listening!?” Brandon yelled, dragging me from my thoughts. “Huh? Sorry, I wasn’t… Was it?” I asked, shaking my head to come back to reality, “I was asking will you raise funds for this year’s festival? It’s in two months.” He asked. Since Kenny couldn’t see this year’s festival, in his memory I raised funds for the festival to make it grand. 

“Yeah, you know I would.” I mumbled, looking out of the window. “And about their death anniversary, will it be the same every year?” Stinging my scars terribly by his question. “Of course.” I breathed out, curling my hands in a fist. Rose loved kids so I threw a party at the orphanage. Yeah, celebrating deaths. 

Chuckling dryly at my thought and gaining a weird look from Brandon, I got up and walked out of his home, “How long are you going to stay alone? Go get a girlfriend, doc.” I advised, patting his shoulder and leaving. 

And finally the day I was dreading to face, came. The day I am fearing the curse will truly make me commit suicide, the depressed state I was in right now would surely havoc my state. Pulling my hair forcefully, I was breathing sharply to keep my composure but it was impossible today, nothing could console me on this mournful day.

“You let them die.” 

“I didn’t!” I growled, punching the wall again again until my hand began to bleed, falling on my knees. 

“It was all your fault.” 

“It wasn’t! It wasn’t! It wasn’t!” My hand was badly injured, heavy rain poured and I wished this drop of water could steal my misery along with this liquid but it enhanced my devastation more, submerging my fragile body in the pools of dismal. 

“Just die, Rylan. Your existence is a stain.” 

“I know… I know but I promised her.” I whispered, watching blood flowing out, covering my face in my hands, the curse is affecting me as well and If I had to choose a day to die, then it would be today. I am tired to this life, of myself.

Gasping for air, I got up, wrapped a handkerchief on my hand to stop the bleeding and went to the nearest florist shop and got myself a bunch of red roses.

“Take care, Rylan.” Jessie, the shopkeeper, smiled, knowing I only Rose’s favorite flowers on this day. Not responding; in fact my body ceased to respond, my heavy steps led me to the cemetery. 

Standing under the gloomy rain, the murk I was living in began to consume me, the life I was living under their name no longer existed then why would I? What reason did I have left to hold onto hope? 

And this land? Why would I care for this worthless land? Let it rot in hell and laugh over it. At least this curse would leave my life. 

Before I knew it, I was right in front of their graves.

Rose Scott.

Kenny Scott.

“Happy Anniversary, Love.” I whispered, placing roses over Rose’s grave and Yoyo on Kenny’s. Bending on my knees, staring at my blood stained hand which has done nothing but commit sins all my life, I began to say in a croaky voice,

“I know… I know I promised to live on no matter what but I am sorry, Rose. This is where it all ends. I can’t do it anymore, my sins won’t let me, this curse won't let me. I am sorry for breaking my promise but I have lost all reasons to stay alive. I want to be with you guys...” 

My lips were quivering, my vision was blurred, My voice cracking, unable to produce a sound.

“That’s right. End this life, Rylan.” I should end it, there’s no point of living anymore. “I love you.” 

I took out my dagger I haven’t used in years, wrapped my fingers around it as all the painful memories of the past recollected in my mind.

“Rylan.. Live.” 

“You are the harbinger of death, Rylan Scott.” 

“You think you can live with that blood in your hands? With this sinful existence?” 

Closing my eyes, I breathed out, putting the dagger near my throat, A smile adorning my face, it was my relief; death. Taking a deep breath, I almost pressed the dagger but sensed someone coming to me and quickly hid the dagger. 

“Mr Scott.” Looking up with my mournful face, I saw Mother Jannet with that girl. 

Mother Jannet, The School’s principal and orphanage’s head. 

“My condolences and deepest apologies but I cannot risk other kids for the sake of one, I can’t keep Alice.” She said, moving her forward. “Why?” I asked, still on my knees. “You know it and if someone else came to know it would bring chaos. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone but Alice is a threat to everyone, I can’t keep her at the orphanage.” She replied, the girl came close to me nervously, 

“R..Ry..lan.” She stuttered my name timorously, bringing her hand closer to my wrist where I hid the dagger and shook her head in denial with tears brimming in her eyes, “D.. Don’t.” 

My eyes widened in disbelief, unable to react in accordance with the little girl’s words and fright to its utmost extent lingering on her face along with tears, “N-Not you, too.” She sniffed trying so hard to not cry but ended up crying, falling on her knees as well, “H-Hey girl, why are you c-crying?” I stuttered, I didn’t know how to react. 

“Your name is the first thing she said. Alice is a fast learner, she has learned to speak in a month.” Mother smiled, patting her head, “Hey, Don’t cry.” But Mother Jannet cannot apprehend the context of her talks.

Not you too. 

The five years old kid in front of me was ill-fated like her, she was living under the weight of regrets and countless lives, she doesn’t want anymore.

I stared at her for a few seconds, seeing my reflection in her but inhaling deeply and gaining my senses, I scolded, “Stop crying, little brat!” I said sternly, “Rylan, she is just a child.” Mother scolded me instead. She made an almost crying face, sniffing and trying not to cry. I sighed deeply and took off my jacket, putting it on her head, “You will catch a cold.” I muttered, getting up and helping her to stand.

“Rylan, if you could, keep Alice out of people.” Mother reminded me, I hummed and was about to walk as she held my shirt from behind again. I continued to walk but stopped, “One more thing, Mother.” I paused, turning to her, glancing at her beautiful eyes for a second and turning to her, “Her name is not Alice.” An invisible smile came to my lips, putting my head over her head, ruffling it tenderly, espying how her orbs glimmer exquisitely in a perfect shine and I could feel Rose smiling from behind at this time that I still got some breaths. And I gave her the name which suits her the most,

“Her name is Crystal.”