Chasing Hell

CHAPTER SEVEN: Maybe We Should Ask For Hell's Protection

CHAPTER SEVEN: Maybe We Should Ask For Hell's Protection

Everything’s dark. The sun’s light isn’t like its usual glow. The morning white clouds are the colors of gray. The sky’s as pale as a lifeless human. And everything felt dull. Lifeless. Like being sucked up in oblivion.

I looked around to see that everything’s the shade of gray. Where are all the colors? What’s happening to the world? Where am I?

As I tried to comprehend the current situation I am in, I saw a shadow movement. I saw a figure of a man, swiftly moving against the thin air. Effortlessly, gliding like faster than a figure skater on an endless pool of ice. Nearer and nearer, it moved.

The nearer it gets, the faster my heart beats. Like its beat is linked to the distance the shadowman’s striding.

Meters away from me, it stopped. His back’s on me. And he’s standing firmly right there.

“Hey.” I tried calling him out. But he doesn’t even budge.

“Hey Mister.” I tried calling him out again. But got no verbal response. Yet he’s slowly turning...

“Heaven.” 

My name echoed out of nowhere. I examined the place yet no one’s around except me and the shadowman. I turned to face the guy, but he’s nowhere to be found.

“Heaven!”

Someone called out my name again. Yet I can’t see as the darkness gradually eats this dull place I am in. As fast as the darkness consumed the place, a blinding light crept its way in, assaulting my poor eyesight.

Slowly, colors begun to fill my eyesight as I saw blurry images around me.

I blinked thrice to regain good vision. And as I opened my eyes, I saw the ceiling of my room. How did I know I’m in my room? Well, let’s say I am the kind of girl who usually stares at the ceiling after waking up on a lazy morning.

“Thank God you’re awake. I thought you’re in coma or something.” said a sweet voice that’s well acquainted by my ears. It’s Errine’s.

I tried to sit up and rest my back on the headboard.

“W-What happened?” I asked in a groggy voice.

“I found you near a club at Central Square.” said a voice on my right. It came from Kelly who’s sitting at the couch near my bed and being comforted by Errine, because as what I can see, Kelly’s shaking so hard. “You were lying unconsciously and... Oh My God, I thought you were dead... And... I was scared... I checked your pulse, luckily you’re still alive. So I ran and called for help. That’s when I saw Hunter coming out of one of the clubs. He helped carry you all the way here. But the poor child he left right after bringing you here.” said Kelly. I can see her trembling. Must’ve caused a trauma to her.

I tried reading through the things that’s happened and tried to associate it with what Kelly said.

That’s when I saw the image of myself walking into the dark spot near the clubs at Central Square. I saw Hell on the scene but he left me and we parted on opposite directions.

I gasped as I recall what happened. Someone grabbed me...

I lifted my hand near my neck. Scared of my own assumption, I touched it and checked my hand for blood or something. But nothing. Not a dot of blood or a stinging ache on my neck.

Can it be?

Are there...

“Are you feeling okay now?” Errine pulled me out of my train of thoughts. She’s walking towards me.

I gave her a faint smile and said, “Yeah. I’m cool. How long have I passed out?” I asked.

“Nearly two hours, I guess.” she answered as she sat at the edge of my bed.

“Oh, I see.” I turned to face Kelly who looks better than before. “I’m sorry to have caused you trouble.” I said apologetically.

“No, it’s okay. I was just scared. But it’s good to know that you’re safe now. You never should’ve gone to the dark places here in school. It’s not safe.” she said calmly and walked towards me. She held my hand and hers felt so cold. She may have been really scared at what she saw two hours ago. If I was in her place, it’d be just like how she did. Or maybe worse. “You should take a rest and eat. It can help.” she said and finished it off with a smile.

“I will.” I replied.

“So I better go. We have classes tomorrow.” she said.

“Will you be okay alone?” I asked. I don’t know where her dormhouse is and it’s late to be walking off alone. So I was kinda worried and would be guilty if something happens to her, too. I mean she’s out late because of the situation I put her through.

“I know these grounds better than anyone else, Heather. I’m good.” she said. “And oh, you can skip practice tomorrow. Take some rest. Goodnight.” she bid farewell and went out of the room.

“I’ll just accompany her downstairs and I’ll prepare some food for you.” Errine said and she walked out of my room.

I’m left alone in my room with nothing but the deafening silence and the weird thoughts that kept on popping in my head. I tried shoving those thoughts away but failed. The fact that I’ve known these creatures since the time I learnt how to read, was disturbing my ever unpredictable sanity.

Vampires only exist in books and fictions. There’s no scientific proof of such cannibalism existing in the 21st century. The primitive idea of vampires were nothing but work of fiction laced with weird imaginations. That’s what I believed in. Though I’m fascinated by the thought of having vampires around, still, the idea of it can immediately send chills through my body. Like my every nerve undergoes paranoia.

A vampire couldn’t be the one who attacked me. Or maybe that was just my imagination playing with my mind. Because a vicious vampire can’t and won’t let its prey be alive and breathing to tell the word of its existence. It can’t risk exposure. Right? It can’t.

But why is my heart beating erratically and is threatening to explode in my chest? Jeez. This is weird! Weird for me, because all my life, I’ve been reading about bloodsucking novels.

Oh fudge.

I better not over-think things.

But it’s like my eyes are being dragged at the open window of my room. And that’s where I saw something. My eyes couldn’t be tricking me at this time. Because standing just outside, in my balcony, was a figure of a person. A shadow. Just like in a dream. A mysterious shadow.

“Heavs, food’s ready.” Errine said while popping her head at the small opening she made on my door.

“Be right there.” I answered.

“Okay. I’ll just be downstairs.” she chimed and closed the door of my room. I sighed.

I took one final glance at my balcony, and the figure’s not there anymore. Like that’s something new. And so I walked towards my door but before I could grab the doorknob, the wind swished so hard and was being acconpanied by the most terrifying thing I’ve ever heard.

A whisper saying, “You’re next...”

I opened the door and hurried straight downstairs. And there I saw Errine sitting on one of the chairs on the island table.

“Hey, you okay?” Errine asked looking worried.

“Y-Yeah, I’m f-fine.” I said as I took the seat adjacent to hers. I heaved heavy breaths. That run I just made was really exhausting that I can hear my own heartbeats along with the audible breathing I’m doing.

“No, you’re not. It’s like you participated in a 10 mile marathon. What happened?” she asked deliberately as she examined my shaking body and my sweaty forehead.

I looked at her for a second then puffed a deep sigh.

“Remember what happened earlier? The moment when Kelly said I was unconscious?” I stated as I spun to face her.

“Yes, why? Wait... Were you being harassed sexually─” she gaped.

“What?! No!” I said in disbelief. Oh my God. I can’t believe she could possibly think of it that way.

“Wait. Let me finish. As I was saying, you know some of the boys here are undeniably perverts. And you, being a transferee, was like a new tasty meal being served on their plates. Having thought of that, they might go really excited about you and snap! You’re devoured. Were you?” she eyed me expectantly. Like what she said was true. Not even close, Errine! Not even close! Jeez! That thought makes me wanna gag myself to death.

“Oh my God! No! Will you please just listen to me?” I said feeling annoyed.

“Okay. Sorry. Your turn.” she said seriously. Her face’s so serious, it makes me wanna laugh.

“Okay. Here’s what happened.” I begin. “I wouldn’t just be lying there unconsciously if I wasn’t attacked─”

“I knew it! You were har─” I eyed her. “Okay, continue.” she said then grinned.

“As I was saying, I wouldn’t just be lying there unconsciously if I wasn’t attacked by someone... or something.” I continued.

“What could it be? Or should I say, who could that be?” she looked at me puzzled.

I shrugged my shoulders, “I don’t know Errine. But before that incident happened, upon entering Brooklyn Heights, I had this weird feeling that someone’s been watching me. I can always see shadows. On my balcony, on my window. And just now, I heard a whisper. It said, I’m next. Of course I don’t know what that i***t means by that.” I informed, I tried so hard not to sound shaky.

“Oh my gosh! Why didn’t you tell me?” Errine exclaimed as she held both my hands so tight. I must say, that was a tiny bit painful, the way she squeezed my fingers altogether.

“I was afraid I might freak you out. So I kept it to myself. Until now.” I said on my defense.

“But you could’ve told me! Heaven, your life’s really in grave danger now!” She said in a raised voice but not with a hint of anger.

“W-What do you mean my life’s in grave danger? Isn’t it already in the brink of doom because of Kohell?” I asked in brawling brows. I don’t understand. My life’s in grave danger? How could that be possible? I am sure as daylight that I don’t have any enemy in here. Well, if you consider Kohell, then fine, I have one.

“s**t. This is not good.” Errine stood up and started walking back and forth with her index finger on her mouth and she’s biting her nails.

“Hey.” I tried calling her out.

“This really means something bad.” she said while continuing what she’s doing.

“Hey, Errine.” I called her out again. Trying to get her attention.

“I should’ve believed her. Ugh!” She said while walking faster.

“Who?” I asked confusingly.

Errine sat on her seat and held both my hands. “Listen to me, but first promise me that you won’t tell anyone.” she said.

“Okay. I promise.” I answered.

Errine took a deep breath and began to do all the talking.

“These things, isn’t unusual to me anymore. Why? Because I heard the same thing. I was told the same thing.” she began.

“Who told you?” I asked eagerly.

“By Selene.” she answered straightforwardly.

My eyes widened at what she said. I share the same experience with Selene. And I thought I was just being delusional. But wait, if I share the same experience with her...

My hands automatically sprung on to my mouth as I reckon what she’s trying to say.

Oh my God. No.

“Listen, Selene’s been telling me before about these weird dreams, or more like nightmares she always have at night. A nightmare of a world with nothing but shadow and darkness...” The dream I had, it’s also the same with hers. The oblivion. The overpowering dullness. The feeling of complete darkness. “She told me about the shadows that are always behind her. Lurking in the dark. At first, I thought she was just crazy or she’s just playing with me. She kept on saying things like these. I didn’t believe it fully, but one day she just disappeared. And we saw her bloody backpack near the mouth of the Mystic Woods. No one’s folly enough to walk into the woods to check if she’s still there.”

“I really thought she was just hallucinating, or she’s just being delusional with what she’s been experiencing. Until I heard the same thing from you. Therefore, I am positive that she’s not crazy. But the issue at hand right now are the threats of your safety, Heavs. If Selene’s sudden disappearance was because of those dark elements that are seeking and tailing her, it is not impossible that it will happen to you too. The possibility was bizarrely evident. So you have to take precautions. Extra precautions.” she said breathlessly.

“Did Selene ever tell you about her, being unconscious like the way I did?” I asked eagerly.

“No, as far as I could remember. She hasn’t mentioned about it.” Errine answered.

“Oh, I see. So maybe we tend to differ in some ways.” I retorted. “I also had the same dream just like what she told you. Although, in my dream, there’s a guy. A dark guy. I haven’t seen his face.” I stated.

“Oh Heavs, I wish I could help you. There are far more bigger things at your hands right now. I’m so sorry. But if you need help, I’ll be here. I promise. The last thing I want is to lose another friend. I won’t let that happen.” she beamed at me.

“Thank you so much, Rine. But if I’m really in danger, I won’t drag you into it. A friend doesn’t want her friend to be in harm. So as much as possible, I’m keeping you out of this.” I countered.

“Nonsense! I will help you! If it means I would also put my life at the edge of a blade, I will! Heavs, I have no one left. You’re the only one closest to being a family. So I beg you, let me in this. We’ fight whatever this is.” she said close to tears.

I was overwhelmed by the sudden proclamation of rendering her life for me. But that is not to be. I won’t risk her life.

“I’ll let you in this, but if this will be far too great to be handled, I’ll have to omit you. Okay?”

She just smiled.

And we started eating.

My spoon’s halfway to my mouth when Errine spoke those 7 words, I wish she never have thought.

“Maybe we should ask for Hell’s protection?”

...everything went down the drain.

***

A/N: Hey there folks! I have something to tell you...

I AM SORRY FOR LEAVING YOU ALL HANGING FOR THE SECOND TIME AROUND. MY BRAIN’S SO DRIED UP,I COULDN’T THINK OF AN UPDATE.

I have come up with this lame update. :( I am sorry. :(

Happy 1k reads. Thank you so much!

Don’t forget to vote.

Now for my question:

IS SELENE STILL ALIVE? YES OR NO? AND WHY?

Love and Crawling Chickens,

Chachi Hemmings