The Light Bearer

I opened my eyes to a bright light shining directly into my face. I tried to move, but my whole body felt numb. Frozen. Heavy. The room around me was dark except for that single light. Figures in white stood nearby. A surgical room? I screamed that thought inside my head. A sharp pain on my neck alerted me. I tried speaking, but nothing came out. I only felt pain. I struggled to move at least a little, but nothing worked. The pain was severe , I couldn’t even breathe properly. “She’s awake,” I heard someone whisper. Then an unfamiliar male voice said, “You can’t be serious. Why are you so incompetent? I asked for a quick job and yet you’re taking your time. You still, never mind, it’s a good thing.” Cherry!!! I would never mistake her voice for anyone else. I heard her heels clicking steadily as she came closer. I struggled to get down, to speak, but no ,nothing. “Hey, sister,” she said, now standing before me with her face visible enough. She had an evil smirk on. She wore bold red makeup. This wasn’t Cherry. This wasn’t the little innocent girl I knew. This lady may look like her, but she could never be her. Cherry never wears heavy makeup; she looks fragile and innocent. But this lady,this lady before me,looked fearless, unbreakable, wicked. “What is it, sister? Do you like my new look?” she smiled. I broke out in cold sweat. Cherry ..I mean, the lady in red,noticed and wiped it with a towel. “Don’t sweat too much, darling. You’d ruin this beautiful item I want.” The look in her eyes alone made me wish the earth would open and swallow me. Tears began rolling down. I wanted to say something, I opened my mouth to speak.. “Shh, don’t say anything, sis. Don’t even try, because you can’t. I have taken out your vocal cord. And for why you can’t move? You were sedated. I’m sure you knew that already,” she smirked. “You see, sister, I have always lived in the shadows for long. First my parents no, no, it has always been you. Well, no more.” She smiled, then continued, “Let me share a little secret with you. You remember those weak parents of mine? You remember how they died, don’t you?” She paused as if reading my expression. “Well, I was behind it. Those weak people actually thought they could control me, can you imagine?” she laughed. “And ohh, auntie? I killed your beloved mother. She actually thought she could report me to the police. What a joke.” She laughed again, then became very serious. “Don’t be scared, sis. It was only death I could offer. They were too foolish and weak.” She picked up the scalpel and traced my face. I could feel the cold blade on my skin. Tears trickled down my eyes. ‘Mom, I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you. I can’t even protect myself. I am so useless.’ “Your heart of gold , how I always longed to be like you, Zara. Even after all your sufferings, losing your precious mom, you still didn’t give up. Your voice, Zara… what an angelic voice. The voice that steals the souls of many, just by talking alone, let’s not even mention when you sing. Most importantly, your face… ahhhh, how I have always come second place next to you. The look of a goddess, they’d say.” She traced my skin with the scalpel. “Oh, Zara, I’m so sorry, but I have to take them all.” “BYE BYE, cousin. It’s time to meet death too. You’ve suffered enough already. Rest well , my lovely cousin.” On hearing this, Zara tried getting up. She struggled, and Cherry watched joyfully… then she stabbed her chest and carved out her heart… --- Great Bridge Villa (China) Cherry Kings rushed into the house with tears all over her face. “Dad, Dad , Zara was found dead on the bridge this afternoon. She was seriously injured and unrecognizable… her face was peeled off too. I was...” “You killed my daughter, Cherry. You killed my only successor!” Laughs “Oh, so now she’s your successor and no longer your puppet? Oh please, Steven.” “How could you be so heartless?! I did everything you wanted. Gave what you asked for. I kept the secret of your parents’ death to save you. I gave my daughter out in marriage to that monster as you asked, just, just to keep her alive!” he yelled in tears as he continued, “I did all you instructed, Cherry, but you went for the one thing , the one person I lived for. “You have killed my last thread of hope and joy. You are a monster. You even went down to kill my grandkids. What did they ever do to you?” Cherry smirked. “I also killed your beloved wife. Add that too.” Hearing this, Steven’s heart broke even more. He couldn’t believe his ears. He held his chest and screamed, “No, no, no! You are lying! It can’t be true!” Cherry watched and laughed. “Uncle, as for why I killed those kids , it’s simply because they were Zara’s kids. They also deserved death.” She reached into her bag and brought out a dagger. “Uncle, I know you are heartbroken. I brought something to ease your pain.” She squatted and wiped his tears with a smile. He could only see horror , pure evil. “Never. I’d never commit suicide. Anna won’t be at peace.” He slapped her hand away and got up, staggering. “I’d avenge my family’s death first before I die. You’ll pay for all your sins.” He turned to leave. Cherry got up with a frown. “The number of steps you take… is the number of times I’ll shoot,” she said in a low tone he could barely hear. After three steps, Cherry shot his right leg first. “Ahhhh!” he screamed in pain. “You will die a slow and painful death, Cherry. Our God will avenge for us!” “I’d like to see how your God will do that.” She shot him twice more, leaving him to die, then walked out of the house with grand steps. Two men in black masks came to meet her. “Take him out and clean up the scene,” she instructed. Then she turned to the house and said, “He wouldn’t have died if he hadn’t been too smart. What a pain in the ass.” --- Hawthorne’s World Lucien Hawthorne got to hear the heartbreaking .. I mean, heart‑attacking news. “What do you mean her and her family were wiped off?!” He kept talking on the phone, then, “Find the killer. Now,” he instructed and cut the call. He looked at the picture on his desk , his beloved, his one true love. He picked up the picture frame which held her and her kids with shaking hands. “The one who killed you will pay greatly, my love,” he whispered. He clutched her picture tightly as tears trickled down. This was the worst news he had ever heard. Through his tears, he whispered, “Slowly and painfully will they all die.”