Fatal Love

Chapter # 12

After warning Esmei about the upcoming affliction which is truly lethal for all of us and pushing behind the reality falling on us, creating a fake image to turn ignorant to the facts and our sins, but it was extremely difficult to ignore the screams in my head, to let out the pain inflicted on my soul and If I want, nothing is in my hand and this pain is increasing b each second, I wish I had more power that time. 

After Esmei left, I lowered my head and pulled my hairs in distress, cursing myself,cursing all of us for the horrifying nothing where devils grasped our soul and led us to this day. But, Do I only feel this way or others are repentant as I am? And I know it, they felt nothing. No remorse, no penitence or anger for that. I closed my eyes, trying to collect my thoughts,

‘Us, Alan, Jeffery. Alan was murdered inside a locked room with no trace of the murderer, Jeffery died from suffocation, locked in a small room with no signs of someone entering. Now it left us… but What Lennox has connections with it? He wasn't there, only caught in our mess...’ I thought, holding my chin. It couldn’t be purely a coincidence, they are carefully planned murders and I strongly believe someone from inside is involved but left with no proof I cannot talk to Police about it or else it will remove the curtain from the holes and what we have sunk long ago but without it Police could never solve the case and with that, it will take us in the swamp as well. It would be better if I stay quiet and wait to see what fate has in store for us, either ultimate judgement or liberation. 

Closing my eyes, I tried to release these thoughts from my mind and focus on what’s ahead but it was utterly hard but I managed to earn a reprieve from this hell to a nightmare. 

“Stop it!!” Her screams echoed in the air. Tears streamed down my face as I sat in the corner, covering my ears, shaking violently in ultimate devastation, losing my breath, my senses in the unbearable agony, drowning in the pits of darkness which are sucking my life out of miserably. “Please… stop…” I whispered, hiding my face in my knees but to no avail, there was escape from the harsh reality and incomprehensible pain of repentance which will kill me slowly every moment.

“Stop it!” I shouted, breaking into sobs, pulling my hair as her cries reach my ears as the sirens of ravage, breaking my tranquil, inflicting the suffering of no halt. 

“What happened, Bro?” Esmei asked. “That’s it! I can’t take it anymore!” I yelled at their face and got up, running away from the repulsive sight, trying to run away from it. I could have fought, I could have done something other than running away but The fragile heart chose to run, trampling my hopes by each step. With a heavy heart, I began to run where my feet took me, desiring to turn this unwanted memory a void but to no avail, my every effort was in vain as I witnessed each sight of it, embedding the heartbreak in my core. 

As I was running, a sudden kick out of nowhere hit me in the stomach, making me fall back, “Woah! Where are you going? Sit back, you little s**t. We all are a part of it.” He laughed, kicking me again as I coughed up blood, holding my stomach. “Don’t wanna take part, it’s fine but none of us are going anywhere. We are equally doomed.” He smirked, opening a few buttons of his shirt. “You better stay still.” He hissed, putting his foot over my head, I tried to move but couldn’t. I was weak. I was pathetic. My heart shattered as I closed my eyes in defeat as a tear rolled down my cheeks, whimpering in a vague whisper, 

“Please…. Stop.”

“Sir!” I woke up with a loud gasp and a horrified expression on my face. Sweat rolled down my forehead mixing with my tears. My anguished in the worst nightmare I ever had, my heart was on the verge of bursting. My lungs begged for air frantically. I looked around to find any source of light but my blurred vision was deluged in misery. Breathlessly I looked around and saw Irene was sitting beside me, rubbing my back, 

“Are you alright, Sir?” She asked worriedly. My mind lost its ability to think, I couldn’t find light other than her embrace which might protect me from the abhorrence breaking me apart. Sniffing, I wiped my tears with my sleeves and put my head on her chest, shaking ferociously, clinging onto her as my last support. I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth as my heart ached. 

“Sh… It’s alright.” She whispered, stroking me while trying to console me but it was hard to maintain my posture which could break any time. Wrapping my arms around her, I shut my eyes, “They didn’t let me run…” I whispered in a broken voice, tightening my grip over her, breaking into a soft sob. “It’s okay. It was just a nightmare. You are fine.” She whispered again, running her hands in my hair, taking my one hand in hers, she intertwined her fingers with mine as my heart skipped a beat.

I glanced at her and lowered my gaze. “I am sorry… I am so sorry.” I cried, nuzzling close to her with my tears soaking her shirt. “Calm down, it was only a nightmare. We all are here for you.” She tried to provide me some solace by her soft tone and the warmth of her hand. I closed my eyes and remained enclosed in her arms which managed to suck the harsh sights from my mind somehow, finding my lost tranquility in her arms. 

After a while, she pulled away and wiped my tears. “It’s alright, okay?” I gave her a slow nod, not raising my head. “There you go. Drink some water.” She said, putting a glass of water close to my face. Shivering, I took it from her and drank it, calming down a little. 

“Everything is fine, if you need something, we all are here for you.” She assured me, patting my back and passing me a faint smile, getting up but I held her wrist. She turned to me, “Please don’t leave me.” I said desperately, holding her hand tightly with no intention of letting it go. 

“I won’t.” She smiled a little and removed my hand. “Freddy, don’t leave Sir’s side.” She motioned him without understanding that my heart wanted her to give me equanimity and not anyone else. 

“Amy left early, I will make dinner, until then you guys stay here.” She ordered and was about to leave but I called her, “Irene.” Stopping in her tracks, she turned to me, “Yes, Sir?” I opened my mouth to plead with her to stay but with what words could I ask for this permission when she is nothing to me? How can I seek her shelter when my path is miles away from hers? 

“No, nothing.” I replied, shaking my head and looking down. Humming she left me with others. I remained like this, “Are you alright, Sir?” Lucas asked. “Somehow.” I whispered.

“What did you see? You were crying.” Freddy said this time. “i***t, My mother says you should never speak about your nightmares.” Lucas scolded. “Why?” I asked, looking up. “They are related to your fears and it’s better if you keep them hidden.” He replied.

I chuckled emptily and asked, “What if they are linked with reality?” My grip over the glass tightened, not looking up. “When realities become a nightmare, better bury them or end them.” Johnson said. I remained silent, knowing he is right but my hands are tied and I can do nothing. 

“Here you go, it will soothe you.” Irene entered, offering me a bar of chocolate. I told my head in confusion but she just put it on the table, “It will help.” She said and left as I watched her leave with a question in my mind; How do you know what can subdue nightmares? 

It was silly but worthy. I turned to Johnson and asked, “Does Irene have nightmares as well?” They all looked at me for a few seconds then laughed. My brows furrowed, not getting what happened. Did I ask something funny?

“Sir, She is a nightmare herself. You should know.” Lucas said with a smirk, mentioning the time when I hated her eyes endlessly- I still do. “Hmm.” 

“Irene is a puzzle box, none of us know much about her.” Freddy shrugged. Nodding, I remained like this, soon Irene cooked dinner as we all left for it. 

“It won’t be the best but it’s edible.” She said, serving the food. “You didn’t have to, We can order.” I reasoned. “It’s fine.” She said, serving Mac n Cheese. We had dinner, it was neither too good nor too bad, the taste was average. 

“Are you fine now?” Irene asked. “Yeah… thank you.” I said sincerely. “No worries.” She said, finishing her plate. They washed their plates as Irene came to me, “If you are done, give me your plate, I will wash it too.” 

“You don’t have to. Amy will do it.” I reasoned. “It doesn’t make much difference.” She shrugged, they washed and were ready to go to their room but I stopped Irene, wanting to say something but no words came out. My words stopped at my throat as my vocal cords stopped vibrating. Shaking my head, I moved back, “Nothing…” Perplexed by my behaviour, she shrugged her shoulders and left for the room while I stood where I was, still wanting to tell her to stay and save me from the harm...