Nuturing Evil

6- Call of Demise

“Stay, Rylan… please.” Rose whispered, giving my hand a tight squeeze, voice lingering in desperation, not wanting me to leave. “Relax, love. I am not leaving for the first time.” I smiled nervously, not apprehending her hopelessness. “Papa, please.” Kenny clung onto my arm, on the verge of crying, not letting go of my arm, “What’s with you two?” I sighed, picking him up, ruffling his hair.

“It’s not like I won’t come back.” I chuckled, hugging him closer. “Don’t say this.” Rose pouted, I chuckled, putting my chin over her head. Her height was comparably smaller than mine so I loved teasing her about it. “Don’t worry, I am undefeated, no one can harm me.” I assured her, kissing the top of her head. 

“And us?” Kenny asked innocently, “Oh, no one would dare to lay a finger on you.” I smirked, over confident in my capabilities, in my pride which ate my identity, I was reckless. “Be home, soon, love.” Rose whispered, tip toeing and pecking my lips, “I will be.” I smiled, putting Kenny down, “Take care of your Mama, champ. We will go to the festival in town when I return, okay?” I grinned, watching how his face was lit up in glee, effervescent about the idea, “Really?!”

“Yeah, we will have a blast.” He made a bump fist with him, “Amazing! Be back soon, Papa.” He was utterly jovial about it, “Okay then.” I smiled, giving Rose a side hug, kissing her cheek, “I will be back and don’t forget to pick your reports from the doc.” I winked, earning a bright blush from her. After bidding them goodbye, I left for work leaving Kenny in Felicity to go to the festival and Rose prepared my surprise of becoming a father again but not all your dreams come true and even the strongest and firmest loses their shore as that day never came…

***

“I wish we could have gone to the festival at least…” I breathed out, remembering old times while staring at the ceiling in my room with no expression. My eyes were void, holding my hand out, trying to hold onto the little remain of nothingness leaving my cold embrace into eternal darkness. 

“Look what your worthless pride cost you.” Closing my eyes gradually, I exhaled deeply, letting my body relax and be at ease which was impossible in this curse’s presence which was constantly whispering in my ears about things I tend to leave behind and hold no faults. 

“Damn this curse.” I growled, getting up, shaking my head thinking of something to end these voices. After taking a cold shower, loosening my muscles and grabbing a bottle of wine, I left my house without having breakfast and decided to go to Ed’s shop since he was the only person who could provide me with answers. On my way, I bump into Robin, 

“Oh Rylan, I heard you found the girl.” She said, “Yeah..” I hummed, rubbing my hand over my bandage around my arm. “Hmm. So you took her to the orphanage?” She asked. “Yeah, She finally realized, she is safer there.” I nodded. “So, are you going to pay her a visit?” She asked again. “No, Why would I?” I asked, “I don’t have any reason.” 

She gave me an odd look, wanting to say something but decided not to, “What happened?” I asked, “Nothing. I am amazed how you keep up with your own self.” She derided, narrowing her eyes in pity. “Existing somehow.” I chuckled hollowly, putting my one hand in my pocket, taking a sip of my drink.

“And stop drinking, the day has just started.” She sighed, “Does it matter?” I asked back. “It was wrong of me to expect compassion from someone like you. Good Day, Mr Scott.” She said sadly, almost disappointed in me while I stood stunned not understanding the depth of her words. 

Shaking my head to let her words out of my mind or else this curse would find another way to sting my scars, I finally went to Ed’s shop, 

"Oh my, Mr Scott, which corpse is about to knock on my door now?" he asked excitedly, repulsed by his exhilaration related to death, I remained silent, looking for a place to sit but he pointed at a coffin as I sat on it, taking a sip of my drink.

"Are you alright?" he asked, leaning over the counter, putting his elbow there, humming a strange melody, "And they hate me." I muttered, displeased by his delight.

"You know, detest is given to who deserves it." He grinned, twirling his fingers around his long white locks. "Besides, I do nothing wrong. Death is an irrefutable reality, It's the final ceremony of a person and my job is to ensure it's done properly. You wouldn't want a bland goodbye, do you?" He chuckled, tapping his nails on the counter, still humming.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." I ignored his weird talks, pretending I was listening. "So, what brings you to my humble shop?" He asked in a chirpy voice. "Why didn't the curse affect Hays but me?" I asked sternly, coming right onto the topic. "Simple, you are carrying the ring." He smiled.

"But, he carried it as well." I reasoned. "And why Lucy died?"

"Lucy died because you were too late to save her, by the time Hays took the ring away the curse was still targeting Lucy and when it ended, you were the one who was carrying the ring so it affected you." He explained what's going on. I should have known but gladly at least Hays is save from my stupid action.

"So. Are you carrying the jinx now? Oh my fortune, shall I take your measurement to prepare an exquisite coffin, Mr Scott?" Ed asked, ecstatic to know I might die soon and he will have the privilege to prepare my body for it's farewell.

"Yeah, I am but too much to your dismay, I am not dying anytime soon." I smirked, closing my arms at my chest, "It's fatuous to presume your death, Mr Scott, you never know the next moment could be your last." He smiled maliciously, giggling as the sound sent shivers to my spine. "You're right, I guess." I sighed and when I looked up, he was right in front of me, gasping softly, I narrowed my eyes, staring into his atrocious ivory eyes. Moving his hand across from me, whispering in my ears,

"All things aside, you shouldn't have let the girl go to the orphanage, Mr Scott. Have you forgotten the doomed one curses the ones around them?" He asked seriously, making me stiff in apprehension of his deadly words.

"But I am carrying it." I tried to reason but my words were no excuse for what he was saying. "And she originated it." He hummed, poking his long nail on my cheek, "And after you die, they will know and cremate her. You would have left her alone in the first place." He shrugged, sitting beside me, wondering what I would do now.

"What will you do now?" he asked nonchalantly but since I didn't know it's answer myself so I got up and simply walked out without exchanging further words with him but after talking with him, one things was quite assured-

What I have brought is nothing but a call of demise, destined to perish with the first glance of darkness.