Casket of Lights

Chapter 5 : First Slaughter

Rossé Lilybeth's POV

Time was slipping by, out of my hand. Desperation rose from within me together with a guilt leaving in a valve. I struggled to plug it, contain it, and gathered my composure. I felt the vacancy inside me growing in haste like I always felt. Like the empty jar and a withered rose in a close space, gasping for air.

I wrinkled the corner of my eyes and faced him. I felt eyes watching me killing me in his gaze like in prison giving me pressure and numb to the sensation. I saw a man wearing peppa pig design on his white fitted shirt and his laboratory coat as his eyes glazed with fire.

Look at the irony, a fine-looking man stuck in his childhood life. I looked away to fight the urge to laugh. I shook my head momentarily and darted my eyes at him as he walked towards our direction, eyes squinting at me.

I quickly recomposed myself and yelled, "H-Hey!" I winched, stumbling over words.

He walked past through me and stopped when he reached Alex. I locked my gaze at him.

"Alex, get away from her"- he said, clenching his jaw. He looked at me before grabbing the right hand of Alex, looking down at the cat. - "and from that filthy cat."

I furrowed my brows at him; my mouth went slightly agape. I stood up, placing the cat on the wooden bench, grabbing Damon's free arm. "Can we talk for a while?" I asked, waiting for his respond.

His eyes sparked with anger as he let go of his son's soft hand. "Negotiable."

I flinched the moment he pivoted his feet as his arms brushed against mine. It was harsh, not even a sign of mercy.

We walked towards the pine tree, not that far from the child's place. "Don't you dare call her filthy, Doctor," I said, raising my voice higher than usual. I let go of his hand, folding my arms leveling my chest.

The corner of his mouth quirked up, jaw clenched, and asked, "Wearing a laboratory coat doesn't mean I'm a Doctor, stupid. Who are you? This is none of your business." Damon's face hardened as he leaned towards me, locking at my gaze. "Take away that cat."

I drew closer and said, "It's not just a cat." I raised my brows, eyes squinting at him while my heart was pounding fast. I looked away. I shut my eyes momentarily as I felt the cold breeze kissed my bare skin.

"Who the hell are you?" in a stern manly voice, he asked. "I'm going to break your jaw if you keep talking."

There was something hard about his gaze like its edged with steel and guarded with a brick wall. It reminded me too much of the way people used to look at me when I was first placed in jail. Distant. Removed. Unforgiving.

I glanced back at him, turning up the corner of my lips and whispered, "Probably I'm the one who'll kill you."

"Pardon me?" he shouted, clenching his fist and his jaw. "Get out of my sight!"

I heard small chuckles. I looked up and shook my head. The scent of roses filled my lungs making me winced. No, it was not a rose. It was acidic.

"This is definitely not a quiz, I won't repeat twice," I mumbled, giving Damon a lopsided grin that made him furrowed his brows.

At a glance, you wouldn't have thought that this man was a killer. I glanced towards the child once again. Poor soul.

He threaded a hand through his hair and asked, "Do I know you?" He went poker-faced, vein popped out in his neck making me froze at my spot.

I blinked and loomed closer. "Can you shut your mouth?" A loud thug landed on his face that made him stepped back. He clenched his jaw, rubbing his face. "There's a child here," I added, making me pursed my lips fighting the urge to slapped him once again.

"Don't shut me up!" He shook his head, clenching his jaw. He leaned closer, almost giving me a mini-heart attack. "And now it makes sense," he said, giving me mirthless laughs.

"Are you really his father?" I asked, still furrowing my brows. I stepped away as I stuck my nose in the air. "Poor child," I mumbled.

His pupils flared for a while, and stared at Red. I followed his gaze and saw Alex gently patting the cat's body. "Alex, away from that cat. Now!" Damon yelled as he walked back at the bench. I mentally face palmed. This Damon was getting into my nerves.

"But daddy!" I saw Alex stomped his feet, nibbling his bottom lip. I walked towards him, smiling bid and wide, standing with my chin held high.

"Don't give me that look, Alex," he warned, making poor Alex frown in his place. 

I tilted my head, looking at Alex's reaction. If only looks could kill, I am already dead.

"Now move, butt out!" he said as he straightened his back. 

I dragged my feet into Alex's place as I instantly covered his ears. I pursed my lips together, locking my gaze into his. "Wait! What?" I gawked at him; eyebrows snapped together. "You can't just boss me around," I added, raising my voice a bit higher than before.

"I told you to shut your mouth. Just shut up." Damon balled his fist as terror overlooked his face.

"Is this how little you think of me? Don't shut me up," I mumbled, copying what he said minutes ago. My face flushed red as my mouth twitched and said, "I'll stitch your mouth if you can't lower your voice."

He gave a bitter laugh. "Just shut it if you can," in a stern, cold voice, he said. He brushed his palms together momentarily and lifted his chin. He grabbed Red's hands, making him jolted upright.

I drew a long breath. "Look, I am trying to be professional here," I uttered. I pulled my hand from Alex's ears and I pivoted my feet to faced him.

I bent my knees, locking my gaze at his midnight eyes. "Hey, Alex! I'll just take care of the cat for you, 'right?" I asked, giving him a smile as I glanced towards the sleeping kitten momentarily.

Alex pursed his lips together and jerked his head in my direction as he extended a finger towards me. "Pinky swear?" he asked as his eyes flickered with worry.

The corner of my lips curved into a smile. I nodded as I intertwined our fingers and uttered, "Pinky swear." I let out a harsh breath as I saw them walked away from me. I stood up, recomposing myself. "See you soon," I yelled.

My eyes instantly furrowed as I saw Damon stopped at his place. Alex pivoted his feet, running towards me. I smiled.

"Goodbye!" Alex screamed, made me almost stumble as he kissed my cheeks.

I shook my head, patting his soft hair and mumbled, "Silly!" I looked up and saw a smile in Damon's face, but it instantly vanished, making the smile from my lips formed into a frown.

This will be harder than I think. How can I kill him? It's no doubt. I haven't figured it out...yet. The more I thought about him - being killed by me and his son was crying out in grief - I could not draw any conclusions. Looking at him with his son only seemed me to push them further away as I am confirming his death - the death of him.

I walked back at the bench ang placed the cat on my lap. I gazed towards the round yellow object on the horizon kissing the land, creating a beautiful view that the strongest words were not enough to describe its magic.

"Show yourself, pinewood," I yelled, crossing my arms into my chest. I smiled the moment I saw the sun drowning in the endless land making a magnificent prospect with its colors going from red to orange then the mixture of warm, dreamy colors like purple and azure. "I know you're in there."

"How did you know that I was here?" he asked, climbing down from the tree near the bench...the exact spot, Damon and I talked.

I leaned back on the bench, feeling the soft wind brushed through my skin and said, "Your perfume sucks."

"Thanks." Redhair chuckled. "A killer who loves kids, I'm surprised and -" His smile faded. The cat meowed, crawling into his shirt, piercing her paws, and continued, "and now you're a mother."

Redhair cringed, his face contorted, and said, "It's now easy to kill the target." He removed the cat away from his skirt, placing it into the bench.

I looked at him, laughing. "Easy? You think it's easy?" I yelled. I placed the kitten on the wooden bench, gently combing her fur when my fingers. "How can I possibly kill him knowing that Damon has a child?" I asked, gazing at him.

He let soft chuckles and retorted, "Think wisely, Ocean. The kid or your freedom?"

I pursed my lips together then I nibbled my lower lip, and said, "I'm an orphan, Redhair. I know you knew and if I ever killed that Damon..." I looked away, trying to recompose myself. "Then what will happen to the child?" I added. Why does it have to be me?

A complete silence and the soft cold breeze muffled into our ears. I looked at the horizon once again and broke the heavy ambiance. "I can't do it," I whispered.

I caught him smiling, placing his hand on mine. "I know you can," he said, assuring me.

"I can't," I mumbled. I swayed my feet, setting my hands on the bench, palms up. "Then what's your plan about that child?" I asked, forcing a smile.

"Based from my sources, Damon has a wide range of relatives, they can just keep the child." His eyes darted at me as if trying to analyze my inner thoughts. I faced him, heart racing fast. "Or we can help him find another parent," he added that made me lifted my brows.

My hands squeezed into fists, pursing my lips shut before I said, "It's not that easy, Pinewood."

"Then when will you kill him?" He asked making me froze instantly at my spot.

"Churchill Bummer, Diamond, twenty-three," he uttered, locking his gaze at mine. He scratched his nose and placed a white folder on the wooden bench. The cat meowed at him, purring. "Vehicular Manslaughter," he said as he sat at the edge of the chair away from the cat.

I shook my head and grabbed the white file. As I flipped the first page, my brows knitted. "This guy he reminded me of someone I knew -" He cut me off, making me pursed my lips.

"Clinfort," he mumbled, resting his chin on his palm. He looked heavenward and said, "Cousin of Clinfort Felix."

I tilted my head as my mouth went slightly agape. "What?" I asked as my brows knitted in confusion.

Clinfort had changed. I didn't know if there was a factor or a turning point that made him different. He looked like a sweet innocent child before or so I thought. We did have deep conversation in the past but I didn't know that it would be our last.

He shut his eyes closed and replied, "Just be careful, he is twice your strength."

I blew a deep breath and raised a question, "So, what's the plan?" I folded my arms leveling my chest as I stared at him.

"Lower his guard while he's in his most vulnerable state...deep sleep." He opened his eyes and gaped at me. The corner of my mouth lifted. He gnashed his teeth as if waiting for my response. "How about this cat?"

I blinked as I smiled at him and said, "Just keep her for a while." Grimaced plastered on his face, scratching his nose. "Buy her some stuffs, cleaning her a bit... pretty please," I added as pressed my lips together.

He rolled his eyes and mumbled 'fine'. Minutes have passed when he tapped his fingers on the wooden bench. He snapped his fingers and leaned closer to me while having a grin on his face. "Tonight," he whispered. "You'll kill, Bummer."

My eyes widen, "Perhaps, I heard it wrong, right?"

Silence filled the air as the whistles of the wind bumped into the trees. It was as if an angel walked pass us. Or was it an angel?

He rose from his seat, placing his right arm in his chest to support the kitten as he walked towards the oval. "You heard it crystal clear."

"But aren't they on high alert? Their friend was murdered three days ago." I bit my lower lip, trying to recall Chuckie's state.

Seems like we're not the only one hunting a prey. Was it an ally or was it another game?

"I bet not." He paused, looking directly at my eyes and continued, "Ocean, I got you."

I got you... His voice echoed inside my head, repeating on a loop. It was reassuring, indeed, but why are those words piecing through my mind? It felt like a needle slowly stabbing every inch of my organ.

I stepped back. Enough of these thoughts. "Okay, then. You have mentioned Francine Silva. Why is she in there?" I asked.

The momentary confusion on his face was replaced with an easy smile. "You know her?"

"Yeah, she's definitely alive and I talked to her. I - ," I was cut off by his respond.

"Francine survived."

I blinked. How is it possible?

I sighed as I gazed towards the fading sun. The serenity of the auburn sun, pale pink hues, and the rich light radiating from the ends of the to the last grain of sand in the field was enough to achieve absolute perfection.

He cleared his voice before he spoke, "Years ago, she was in a coma. Luckily, she has a pulse when they found her." He rose and continued to walk ahead of me. In just a blinked, I saw the kitten jump as it followed Redhair.

I nodded, almost have no words to say. "Lucky for her, I guess." I headed towards the gate but only made it a few paces before the toe of my sandal caught the edge of the entryway rock. "Tragic!"

Like an i***t, I stumbled forward on shaky legs fighting not to go down and instead I stumbled into him. He grunted softly as I collided with his hard chest. I knocked him back a half-step but his steady hands locked onto my waist. Tragic! This is indeed tragic!

Embarrassment flickered through me but as I lifted my flustered to his, the emotion burned away. The sensation of his hands on my body made my breath catch in my throat, just like the first time he did it. This is just a job, Lilybeth...just a job. No more, no less.

"We're making history, baby," he whispered. There'd been concern for my near-fall in his expression seconds ago but it evaporated as his hold on me tensed. Something was in his eyes--something that looked a hell a lot like warmth. Muscles running along his jaw tightened and flexed. Abruptly, he released me.

"Are you all right?" His voice came put strange and uneven.

"Yeah," I breathed.

We were standing too close but Redhair was too magnetic. I knew this would be a lot of trouble, isn't it? Tragic, am I be the one that needs saving? I snapped out of my thoughts.

He laughed like a lunatic asking, "Would it be a crime if you fall for me twice?"

My blush faded instantly pulling out the gun in his pocket. "Oh shut it, pinewood," I chuckled, pointing the pistol gun at his head.

"Rubbish, your movements are slow...too slow." He shook his head, both hands were raised upwards. "So, are you up for tonight? Deals still on the table, Ocean."

I had to be imagining it. There was no way he was looking at me like he was about sliding his hands around my back and drawing me closer. It was a mistake. Silence once again rose at the atmosphere, mixed laughs and shouts of the children playing at the field filled the air.

"Tonight," I mumbled, nodding, pulling out his trigger. "Bang," I laughed. "You're a detective and there's not even a single bullet here."

He shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

I stretched my arms upward, trying to reach the sky. I averted my gaze back at him and said, "Alright then, I need a chainsaw." I throw him his pistol and looked back.

My insides were twisting, turning, flipping, and squeezing. It felt like I was on a ride, dropping down except it was never-ending.

Sunset with its subtle changes in the sky as the sun falls down over the mountains, trees, houses or buildings makes you feel like tomorrow would be another day to waste your time living or to let yourself enjoy the never-ending plan for the future.

I gazed at him. The corner of Redhair's lips twitched and said, "This is exhilarating."

I glanced at him, flashing a snapped eyebrows. "No, it doesn't." I remembered the first time we meet. Who would have thought that this little pinewood would capture my thoughts too?

"Hey, officer, Stancio Alexander! How long should I wait?" My silky hair flopped onto my face and I huff, throwing my cuffed hands into the table.

"I told you not to call me that name, call me Stan." He slammed the door before leaving making me froze at my place.

Ten minutes before it strikes six when a man wearing a black suit with a red colored hair came in. "Is he my therapist?"

"Excuse me?" A deep mocking voice came and cleared his throat. "Detective Redwood Felix. What would you like to know?"

He squeaked as I stretched out my long longs. His eyes were still stuck on me.

"What was your experience like in here?"

"May sound cliche... but I run this place." I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Good for you then." He spike fluently like there was no time to waste and there was a hint of an accent. He smiled about three times in all and they were breath taking. He wasn't disrespectful at all. He was something else.

"Time to go." The guard barged back in and I watched this pinewood sent him a glare.

The sound of a hissing cat made me back to my senses. It was Redhair and the kitten busy playing along side.

But after all those thoughts, a question remained. I took a deep breathe as I looked at his face.

Would it be a sin too if I'd fall for this guy?