Casket of Lights

Chapter 3 : Cosmos in Chaos

Rossé Lilybeth's POV

Life. I am puzzled because of its context that seemed to have no meaning. It exists together with the memories of yesterday and today. It exists for someone and then it doesn't for anyone.

Nothing could be contrived or interpreted. Like some photographer's morbid composition for a series of monochromatic, my life has become hell with the unmistakable shape and color of a black and whites.

I stay put for a while and counted my fingers and made sure my muscles were not tense. I instantly pulled and searched for the wires when I heard him spoke, "Wait don't do that."

My forehead puckered as I saw his eyes sparkled with hope as he clicked the emergency button and opened the glove compartment.

"I know some strings," he said, raising his brows up and down while laughing like a lunatic. I shook my head and shove the wires. Tragic! Did I mention that this guy really needs saving?

"May I ask who's turned up the emergency call?" a voice asked. He looked at me for a while, flashing his dimples, throwing me information about the owner of the car.

"I forgot my keys, I need you to turn on the engine," Redhair replied, adjusting the air vent directly at his face. I pursed my lips, trying to recompose myself, adjusting the coat on my legs.

"This is insane," I mumbled, folding my arms as I looked at him.

"Look, her water broke, and she really needs to go to the hospital," Redhair uttered. He looked at me like was planning something. He immediately grabbed my hair as he pulled it hard. 

I screamed in pain as I squinted my eyes at him. I clenched my tight, veins almost popping out of my temple.

"Okay the ambulance is on their way," the autobot said. I massaged my hair as I gave him a dismissive wave of my hand. The corner of my eyes crinkled, still locking my gaze at him, waiting for something to happen.

"No! She's gripping my hair tightly, Oh cows!" he said, acting like he was in pain. I shook my head knowing that his acting was completely absurd. "Please, turn it on," he begged.

"I need a confirmation," the device added. I halted for a while, as if my brain was processing the information.

"M-My name is wait," he uttered, pausing for a while I instantly searched for the name. I quickly raised the name of the owner of the car as pointed the name using my index finger.

"Maximo Mojojo," Redhair said, throwing a sigh after saying the confirmation code.

"What kind of name is this?" I mumbled, furrowing my brows. I kept on scanning the papers for further information. My eyes landed towards a picture of a boy, with spikes on his hair. Is he a Rockstar?

I saw Redhair ran his fingers through his hair and scratched his nose. "Start the car!" he shouted, furrowing his brows. I shut my lips to prevent myself from laughing because of his action. Our face lit up the moment we heard the car engine. This hypercar was lit.

"Cool!" We both said, laughing.

Minutes have passed, I maneuvered the car until we have reached the exit of the museum. I gazed towards the windshield, the day had been beautiful, and the sky was like a dome of plasma blue.

I looked up and saw that the clouds had looked like airy anvils drifting under the gleaming disc of sun. The moon seemed to turn the leaves into a flaming patchwork of colors: scorching-yellows, lava reds and burnished-browns. I turned my gaze back at the dark pathway.

"Anyone seen the target? What about the cctvs?" I asked, still locking my gaze straight ahead, gripping at the steering wheel. It began as a whispered in the air. The rain looked like tears from the eyes of the clouds, softly falling on the ground with a light pitter-patter sound. It poured down from the sky and met the ground with a calming noise, as if it were the sweet nectar of life that made Mother Earth radiate.

I heard a cop said, "Turn left, ten kilometers ahead." I stepped on the accelerator, while one foot was at the brake. I gazed momentarily towards the speedometer as I have reached the seventy meter per hour. I heard the highly distorted guitar signals upon the arrival of a police helicopter. It dogged above, sounding like a stinging bee, searching.

"Straight five kilometers, North," a cop said. I instantly nodded. I shifted the gear as I pressed the horn rapidly. I hit eighty meter per hour then ninety. In my peripheral, I saw Redhair quickly buckled his seatbelt, taking a tight gripped on his seatbelt.

The blue Lamborghini flew through the intersection, gaining. The corner of my lips twitched as he took a sign of a cross. I gaze towards the speedometer hitting a hundred, eyes towards the car ahead of me.

"Now, right. Turn right," a cop said, faltering from the other line.

I weaved from lane to lane, trying to catch him up. Minutes have passed when the car engulfed by the darkness. "The signal is jammed," I mumbled. All I could heard was static. There was no signal in the tunnel.

"Pinewood, are you sure that you're okay?" I asked, gazing briefly at his paled face. His face was almost as pale as snow, color was drained. "Where is he?" I mumbled into myself.

He shook his head and said, "I think I need to throw up." I just chuckled, still locking my gaze towards the windshield, gripping at the wheel.

"An intersection on your right," Redhair warned. I tilted my head to see the stoplight turned red ahead. I keened my eyes, blew a sigh, and accelerated at a maximum meter per hour. It is now or never. I dreamed about this before.

"Ocean, slow it down a bit," he uttered. I glanced at Redhair as he looked heavenward, tears filled his eyes. "He's fast," he mumbled as we came to the intersection.

I blew a sigh as the strand of my hair fell into my face. "But we're faster," I added. I placed my right foot at the break, pulling hard on the wheel, accelerated through a one hundred eight skid. I heard the cars roared in back the other directions with three black red and blues, sirens, cops on our back.

"Got you," I whispered, furrowing my brows. I looked on the adjacent artery, I could see the blue Lamborghini in parallel of our car.

"Game over," I added, grinning from ear to ear. I floored the hypercar to the next cross street and sweeps a hard left, directly to the Blue Lamborghini's front. It plowed through the intersection, forcing all the cars and the blue Lamborghini to brake violently.

I pulled up as I stepped hard on the brake. I heard Redhair rose from his seat, walking towards the man in the car. "Hands up," Redhair said, pointing a gun towards the windshield of the blue car. I shook my head as I have heard the sirens of the cops.

He climbed down from his car, raising both of his hands in the air. On the other hand, Redhair rushed towards him and pinned him on the car. I climbed down from the car and walked towards them while my hands placed over my head.

"Why did you kill, Chuckie?" I asked, locking my gaze towards them. Redhair pivoted his feet, pulling him up to face me. My eyes widen for a brief of moment.

"What are you saying?" he said, keening his eyes on me. His eyebrows furrowed and added, "I'm not the killer here, monster." He shook his head while the corner of his lips turned up.

"Clinfort Felix? Is that you?" I heard a voice said. 

I turned my back and saw Stan, still catching his breath. "Clinfort ya' brother!" Stan said, clapping his hands rapidly, making his towering hair, swayed. 

I fought the urge to laugh. "Are you serious? You both know each other?"

"Well ya see, I only seen him once," Stan explained. 

"Stan Lee, come on!" Clinfort said, turning up his smile. My heart melted for a bit. Why did I have not notice that it was him? He changed.

"I've got a call, hold on," Stan yelled, snatching his phone out of his pockets, and raising his palms into the air, signaling everyone to pause. "Mr. Fleuvis? Yes, yes sir!" he mumbled, nodding, keening his eyes on me and Clinfort back and forth.

"Ya'll dismissed," Stan uttered, flickering his hands quickly. I pursed my lips together as my eyes landed towards Redhair, who pulled his grip from Clinfort, scratching his nose.

"Copy," Redhair said, scratching his head, clenching his fist and jaw. My eyes landed towards Clinfort standing with his chin held high, face beaming with light, smirking.

I faced Stan, forehead creased, and asked, "Now what?" I paused for a while, recomposing myself. "Are you really sure that Clinfort didn't kill him?" I added.

Stan shook his head, chuckling. "I'm pretty sure he isn't." He massaged his temples as he stroked his beard. "I'll go get his statement, ya'll wait for me." He walked towards me, his eyes squinting.

"So, we're chasing the wrong person?" I asked, brows snapped together. I surveyed their reactions, while pursing my lips.

"Yes, yes we are," Redhair uttered, still scratching his nose, nibbling his bottom lip. I furrowed my brows at him.

I looked up. "Just like that?" I asked, frowning.

Redhair said, face twisted, shaking his head gently, "Just like that." I winched so I pressed my lips.

"Told you, Lily," Clinfort yelled, raising his thumbs in the air while having a grin on his face.

Lily. All that was left were hums and fizzes, and my own thoughts: thoughts like projectiles ricocheting which I could surely hear. The only hint at emotion was a dull unease of the base of my stomach, gently butterflies of the past - or a premonition of ill winds to came and destroyed me. I shut my eyes closed momentarily, trying to gain my strength.

I was about to pivot my feet away from him when Clinfort asked, "What is in your face?"

I stopped. I gazed back at him, grinning and asked, "Beauty?"

I caught the corner of his lips turned up as he whispered, "Beast."

Redhair decided to take me to his home as her mother called him a while ago. Although out the ride, I remained silent as he drove using his car. I climbed up and saw how beautiful their house was.

After several knocks, the door flew open and we saw a beautiful maiden around forties who were plastering a sweet smile, wearing a floral dress almost levelling her knees.

I started to walk away from the door as my eyes roamed around their house. It was a modern broad design having a clean, crisp lines and a simple color palette. The use of materials that were metal, glass and steel corresponded with the wall and the decoration inside their house.

"Is she your girlfriend?" she asked, creasing her brows up and down, grinning from ear to ear.

"Ocean?" he uttered, letting a small chuckle. I looked up to saw their house. The modern design employed a sense of simplicity in every element, including furniture. Their house was sleek, and there was not a lot of clutter or accessories involved with a modern style.

I gazed back at them. "No, Aunt," I said, smiling at her.

But Redhair snorted beside me and said, "Yes, she is." His face beamed with light, scratching his nose. 

I glared at him, trying to recomposed myself. The nerve of this pinewood detective.

"Thank God! I thought you never have one," she said, clapping her hands slowly. She patted my back that made me froze for a while. 

I gulped, still could not believe that her mother would act like that. We continued to walk towards their spacious living room. Why am I here anyway?

"Mom, we need to rest," Redhair warned, looking at her mom. I shook my head and took a glimpse that her mom. Her delicate features and Redhair was different except for their eyes. She smiled at me and softly ran her fingers through my hair.

She walked away having a smile on her face. My eyes landed towards Redhair and in a stern voice, he said, "Let's go." I nodded. We walked towards the stairs, and I was amazed on the interior of their house. He twitched the silver doorknob and his bedroom took notions of modern design and simplified them further.

"You can sleep here," - Redhair said, pausing for a while. He looked at me straight in my eyes, - "for now." Color palettes were neutral and airy; furnishings were simple and streamlined, and nothing was excessive or flamboyant in accessories or décor. It was ultimately defined by a sense of functionality and ultra-clean lines.

"But I have my own remember?" I said.

He walked towards his walking closet and pulled a t-shirt as I walked towards his black king-sized bed. "Just for tonight. I won't let you drive again, Ocean...never."

My eyes widen when he threw a black skull designed oversized t-shirt over my face.

I heard several knocks. I saw her mother peeking, opening the door, a hand full of donuts. "Midnight snack everyone?" she asked. I mouthed the word 'thank you' as she placed it on the wooden table.

"Mom?" Redhair screamed from his closet, trying to warn his mother.

She smiled at me before she yelled, "Francis Redwood, behave!" I heard a loud thug as she closed the door. I let soft chuckles muffled into my ears.

He changed his clothes from his black tuxedo to his white shirt. He scratched his nose as he walked towards my direction.

"Wanna play two truths and a lie?" he asked. 

I furrowed my brows at him, stretching my legs in front of me. The corner of my lips turned up, grinning from ear to ear and said, "Call."

"Number one: I never say goodbye to anyone," he uttered while his face was flashing a bitterness. He grabbed the donut and placed it on the bed. I smelled the donut on my hand. Alcapone donuts having nuts as a topping, my favorite.

I focused my eyes towards the bench outside that was lighted by the lights. I could barely see the geraniums. They were bobbing up and down under the weight and pressure. Their little heads flopped for a second before they were hit and pushed back down.

"Number two: I only have one crush since I was seven until now," he added. I furrowed my brows at him trying to analyze his reactions. "Number three: I have a brother," he said, scratching his nose.

"Why do I think that all of that are lies?" I asked, laughing for a brief of moment. I folded my arms as I roamed my eyes towards his room, trying to find clues. "One?"

He looked at me straight in my eyes, poker-faced and grinned. "No," he said, walking towards the cabinet, snatching the baby powder. I followed my gaze at him and saw that he squeezed the powder and placed it on the pillow.

My heart started beating faster. "What?" I asked, eyes almost popping out.

He raised the pillows full of powder and smashed it on my face. "The second one, Ocean," he said. I blinked. I gazed towards the mirror which were telling me that I looked like crinkles. This pinewood.

I was about to utter another word when my eyes landed towards the black cabinet. "Oh, that girl," I said, pointing my index finger towards the picture. "How is it?" I added, trying to wipe the powder near my eyes.

Sadness clouded his features. "At a certain point you will get tired of being hurt at the same way," he uttered, wrapping his arms around himself. My eyes landed towards the picture once again. Redhair was smiling with his arms wrapped around her white body. Her face seemed so angelic white as snow as her lips was as red as an apple. They seemed so close...sweet.

"Well, that sucks," I said as I took a bit from the donut. My eyes locked at his gaze.

My breaths quickened as his eyes twinkled with curiosity. "How about my Ocean?" he asked.

I pursed my lips together, reminiscing the old times and said, "I think the butterflies in my stomach are dead. I haven't felt them in a while."

"I'm pretty sure they were just sleeping," he said in between his chuckles.

Before I could raise another question, I heard loud barkings coming from the door. He opened the door and my eyes widen when I saw a huge dog, running towards me. "What's that?"

"Eighty six percent gray wolf, eight percent German shepherd and I forgot the other one," he said, chest sticking out while patting his dog. "Just a sec."

I gazed towards the window; the view was murky that even in close range was difficult to see. With so much movement before my eyes, I have to focus, carefully. Depth was indeed tricky.

The cool breeze which flowed into the house, rejuvenating every cells of the body. I really, love sitting cozily by the window and watching the rain falling. The dog was sitting, facing towards me. Should I play his game too? But he's just a mere stranger.

"Alright my turn," I said as my lips quirked up. I wrapped myself in it, feeling surrounded and safe. Wrapped in sound as vibrant as a drum, wrapped in cold as foreboding as stone. I pursed my lips together as I waited for Redhair from the comfort room. I could hear him sang in a broken voice that made me chuckle in my place.

"Alright! Game's back," he said as he pinched the top bridge of his nose.

"Number one: I am an orphan," I uttered, crossing my arms as the room started to gradually become colder. I shut my eyes closed as I heard small noises...rhythmic pounding.

Could I decipher all of this? How could I be become a killer whom they would be afraid of? How can I be myself once these things were finished? How could I live a normal life after I killed them?

"Number two: My parents tried to kill me," I added. But he just remained silence the whole time. The heavy feeling started to gather at the atmosphere. Suddenly, the drops of rain intensified creating like tons of ball bearings hitting the roof in a row.

I pressed my eyes closed as I saw the magnificent lightning came in. I have been always afraid of lightnings. It was as if any moment the lightning will came rushing towards me, frying me alive.

I sighed the moment the lightning ceased. It was followed by thunder creating the backdrop to the white noise in the skull - all around you. It was like shock therapy and meditation in one neat package.

"Number three," I said, halted for a while. I broke the silence and looked at him straight at his eyes, and in a calm voice, I said, "I slaughtered them."