A Breath of Scandal

Chapter 01 | Chaos

When you look death in the eye, and death blinks first, nothing seems impossible.

-Anonymous

You're dead. I killed you as well.

Waking up to find herself in bed with the enemy, Alaska Deluca was embarrassed enough as it is without having to look him in the eye.

As careful as possible, she eased herself off the bed, perching on the very edge whilst processing the alarming realization that she didn't remember how she'd gotten there. What the hell?

She shifted her weight from the bed to her feet a little too fast as she stood. The room tilted. To keep from falling, she instinctually reached out for support. Her hands found the side table with a smack. Miraculously, her clumsiness hadn't send her crashing to the floor. She glanced over her shoulder, her breath hitched, focusing on the spot she not too long was, her enemy lay completely bare and covered only at his waist.

The draft from the air conditioning vent above the bed was cold, causing goose bumps to break out on her arms. No longer concerned so much about how she'd got there yet she's more terrified about what happen last night, her body sore, stark naked in an unknown bedroom with no recollection of what took place the previous night.

Looking around, she took in the layout and furnishing of the bedroom. Obviously, it was Jared's place; there was pictures of him scattered about.

Groping in the darkness, she gathered her strewn garments and tip-toed her way to the bathroom as she managed to close the door without a sound. She braced her arms on the edge of the basin and gazed at her reflection as the image gazed back at her, whether with despair or disgust she can't quite fathom. Her skin pale, her once curled hair now knotted into a bird nest which has lost its vibrancy as dry blood diffuses across her body. She continued staring at herself before turning on the faucet and splashing cold water over her face. Once she's finished, she didn't tarry before getting dress. How she's going to face Jared? How was he not even up to gloat?

She took a deep breath and open the bathroom door. Jared was still asleep. How could that be? How could he still be asleep? and he hadn't even moved?

Her stomach plummeted, bile rose in her mouth as she lurched for the bed "Jared!" Nothing. No sigh or grumbling. Nothing, not even a slight shift. She touches his shoulder and gave a firm shake "Jared!"

She stood rooted to the floor, her heart thudding hard as the silence seemed to swallow her. She glanced over her shoulder, as her anxiety increased. She wiped her clammy palms against her clothes as she forced herself to move but she was petrified, her body shook violently as she reread the message on the wall that was written in blood 'Hell is empty. All the devils are out to feast...'