Devil's Queen

Chapter 2

“Honey, what’s wrong? Are you still feeling sick?”

Elisha couldn’t take her eyes off of the lady in her late thirties. A slightly cold but warm hand touched her forehead measuring body temperature.

“Good. Your temperature hasn’t increased.” The lady sighed in relief.

“Dear, why are you looking at me like that?” Still feeling the piercing gaze from her 14 year old daughter, Rona couldn’t help but ask.

Elisha didn’t reply as tears streamed down her faces. Panicked Rona immediately wiped her tears.

“Eli, what’s the matter? Why are you crying? Are you hurting anywhere? Should I call the doctor? No, wait I’ll call your dad.” Rona panicked as her daughter’s behavior was strange and alarming. She’s been like this ever since she recovered from fever last week.

Elisha hugged Rona and cried her hearts out.

‘I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I missed you’

Elisha cried until her eyes were swollen. All the pain she carried finally burst into tear forms.

After crying for a long time in her mother’s embrace, she calmed down. It was hard to believe for someone isolated and caged in a bloody ruthless mansion. No way her family is alive, all were dead in that psycho’s hand because of her.

Being here for nearly a week she finally came to conclusion, she’s back in time. Back to 13 years. But why? She didn't have the answer.

“Now, tell us what’s wrong? What happened? Did anyone bully you in school or anywhere? Tell mom, I’ll take care of everything.” Rona's jaws clenched, with every question her eyes grew sharp.

Elisha gulped, this side of her was scary. Victor shook his head at Rona and sighed. His wife can become abnormally scary sometimes.

“Eli, we won’t press you to tell us. But remember we are family and family stand together to fight anything, okay?” Victor asked in soft voice earning a nod from Elisha.

“I…I had a nightmare.” Knowing her parents she decided to make up a story and put their heart at ease.

“You, mom and Kyle died saving me, I was alone, I was chased.…” Tears welled up in Eli’s eyes and couldn’t continue. It wasn’t made up but the truth, but not in detail.

“Ahh…this girl, what are you? 10? Still believing in nightmare and behaved strangely and cried every night just because we died!? Listen up young lady, we, Crosswood’s won’t die easily, at least I won’t die, not until I send my great grandkids to college.” Rona slammed the table hard.

Elisha flinched but a smile appeared on her face. Yes, this is the mom she knew and loved. Dramatic and fearless. Victor sighed again but still agreed to his wife silently.

----

“Kyle!” Elisha ran and hugged her brother, who was seventeen.

“Li, slow down. Just now you have recovered.” Kyle frowned but still patted his little sister's head.

“How are you now? Feeling better?” Kyle inquired. Elisha nodded. She wanted cry until her eyes got swollen again but didn’t wanted to worry her family anymore. Just like Rona said, it was her past and now only a nightmare, all that matters now is present.

"Yup. And I have something to ask." Elisha hesitated.

With a nod from Kyle, Elisha took deep breath and placed her request.

“Kyle, please! Mom won’t listen to me, so please convince her.” Elisha begged with puppy eyes.

“She would never agree to send you to Pelorem. Why would you even bother to go there? Although Pelorem is highly advanced and emerging place, it’s still too far and there’s a lot of things going on there. Even I wouldn’t agree to send you there all by yourself.” Kyle refused plainly.

“But just think how wonderful it will be if I can get into Liage Academy. You know how obsessed I’m with painting. Kraighley is the art lecturer there! I want to watch his work closely, so please, please, please talk to mom. Anyways I’m not going right now, am I? Admission opens in falls, so I still have five months.” Elisha tried her best to convince him. God given second chance she would do everything to live a life she wants and protect her family from the chaotic future.

Her going to Pelorem will change lot of future events. She won’t be meeting a so called best friend Adin, or won’t be meeting ‘those’ people, where all her hell began. It’s not only to change future events but also for her to grow strong and even if she cross roads with them later she wants to be in a situation where she would win and will able to protect her family.

Kyle sighed looking at Elisha’s determined look. There was nothing to stop her.

----

“Well, I like broccoli, when I was a kid, I hated it so much, I used to puke just by looking at it. But now, I can’t go a day without broccoli. It’s nutritious and healthy. Do you like it?” His bright cheerier voice became slightly annoying for her.

“Not a big fan.” Elisha sighed swirling the half empty wine glass.

“That’s okay. You’ll love it later. Let’s teach our kids to eat all nutritious food. Growing healthy is very important. I spend 2 hours in morning and one hour in evening every day at gym. Staying fit is utmost important. My fitness coach is Trioy Alpheus, he is the one of the top 5 nutritionist. His girlfriend is a famous yoga instructor. You’re not fat, but you have little bit of cheek fat. I love your figure though, the proportion is perfect everywhere.” He continued in his cheerier attitude. Elisha tried her best not smash his head on the table. If only he was not sent by her mother, things would have got bloodier.

If she ever had to date him even for a day, he will be floating dead in a nearby river.

“Time’s up. I have a meeting, so I’ll take my leave first.” Elisha stood up not waiting for his answer.

“Okay, we’ll meet again later. Let me walk you out.” He stood up like a gentleman.

“No thanks.” Elisha’s cold voice stopped him. It was a clear sign saying they’ll not be meeting anymore. He nodded in disappointment.

Elisha was glad he took the hint unlike the other guys she had a date with.

Getting into her car Elisha sighed loudly.

‘Was he 18th or 19th guy?’

She had forgotten the count after going on for so many dates in last three months. She should have never fallen to Rona’s scheme. Well anyway the agreed time period is about to end and she’ll be free later. Thinking so she made her way to home.

“How was it? Did you like him? Was he good? Should I start preparing for an engagement?” Rona bombarded her with question as soon as Elisha opened the door.

“Well, he was good looking. He loves being fit. He said I have cheek fat and would suggest me to a yoga instructor.” Elisha updated like a robot as usual. She was exhausted.

“How dare he say you have cheek fat!? I’m already worried you’re too skinny and he has the balls to suggest you an instructor!” Rona was furious. Rona hate it when others criticize her kids.

‘At least he’s out of the list.’ Elisha left relieved.

“No issues. Mother got it covered. Georgia’s friend’s son is a cardiologist, he’s well mannered and good looking. Meet him on Friday. I’m sure he’s the one for you.” Rona smiled brightly contradicting her previous expression in seconds.

“Mom stop it already. I’m sick of the all dates.” Elisha groaned.

“Young lady, have you forgotten our deal already? I still have 2 weeks left until then. And you have to attend every single date I tell you.” Rona declared it as final decision.

“Dad, Kyle, please help me.” Elisha turned towards her life saviors hoping to get a lifeline.

“You guys have anything to say?” Rona asked the father son duo with a sweet smile.

“No.”

“Nope.”

Victor and Kyle avoided Elisha’s gaze. They both knew not to intervene between the two to keep their good health.

“And you, my dear daughter, what do you mean by help? For god’s sake you’ll be 24 in few months. Yet, you don’t have a boyfriend. Heck, not even a single relationship. All your friends are either married and have kids or are in a relationship. And what do you do all day? Wake up, eat and work till midnight and sleep.” Rona lashed out leaving Elisha speechless, she really didn’t have anything to argue with.

“So now if you don’t have anything to say, shut up and meet him on Friday.” Rona declared the final words. Elisha wailed in her heart.