Apparition

Chapter # 12

My heart was torn into millions of pieces and all I could do is to drown in penitence and despair with no hopes of coming to the surface and save not just me but others as well. From this unbearable affliction, I knew it all too well that I couldn’t escape, all I can do is to wait for a tormenting end and fall deeper into those pits of endless darkness and agony. I hugged my knees close to my chest and continued to sob out my anguish in the form of tears. Overwhelmed by the feeling of mourning, I felt my heart being crushed. I just want liberation from this hell and want to live my life the way I want but it seems impossible in his presence which is determined to kill me painfully slow and turn me oblivious of my surroundings and make me focus only on the ravage he is about to give me. 

I sniffed and wiped my tears as I took support from the wall and stood up, I went to wash my face. When I came out of my room, I saw the everyone has returned. I saw Ross walking somewhere so I walked after her, 

“Ross..” She didn’t stop and kept on walking. I saw Jenifer coming upstairs as I asked her,

“Did the funeral go fine?” Jenifer stopped in her tracks and looked at me. She smiled and nodded and went back. I lowered my gaze and walked after Ross.

“Ross, We need to change our home as soon as possible.” She didn’t reply and kept on climbing the roof. 

“Are you listening?” I asked, shaking her shoulder a little. She finally stopped and turned to me. Tears were brimmed in her eyes as if she was struggling but something kept her imprisoned and her eyes were begging for something.

“You okay?” I asked in a low tone. A tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered, 

“There’s no escape, Mary.” Before I could ask or comprehend anything else, she ran and JUMPED FROM THE ROOF. My whole being stilled as I couldn’t believe my eyes. My legs lost their strength, I lost my ability to think or feel. I remained motionless as if I was dead. On my knees like a lifeless doll. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. My heart stopped, a hard breeze knocked some senses in me as I screamed from the bottom of my lungs. I put my hand over my ears and let out a scream of devastation. Tears began to stream down uncontrollably, my whole being burned in the fierce fire of destruction, falling deep into the abyss and breaking apart. My suffering reached its peak as I ran away. Screaming, crying loudly, losing my senses in dread. I barefoot ran out of the mansion. The cold floor sends shivers down my spine. The devastation gave chills to my bones. My heart ached constantly from this upheaval. 

“What happened, Mary?” A soft voice of Jenifer came from outside. She quickly hugged me and ran her hands in my hair.

“What happened?” She asked. I hugged her tightly and began to cry,

“R-Ross… she.. she..” I cried hugging her tightly. My whole being was freezing from cold, but the fright that was evoked in me was immense that I couldn't feel anything but that unnerving feeling.

“What about me, Ms Aston?” She asked. I stiffed when I heard Ross’s voice. My energy deprived of me. My whole being stopped. My eyes widened in horror, extreme apprehension took over me, 

“W-What are you doing here?” I asked hesitantly.

“We all went to Brad’s funeral except you.” She told me. My lips began to quiver. I looked here and there frantically and saw everyone there.

“A-Aren’t you guys were i-inside?” I asked with my shaky voice. Jenifer looked at me worriedly, trying to pacify my desperate form. I mumbled words which I cannot even make myself under my breath. Tears silently streamed down my face. My heart was beating at an abnormal pace.

“Mary, Calm down. You are stressed. No one was in the mansion. You were alone.” Jenifer told me. Upon hearing it, I felt darkness over my eyes. Who were those I saw just now? My whole being trembled and I could myself lose in the abyss of fear and torture and lost my consciousness with the dread anticipated by the fact that if they were not here then whom did I see?

***

I woke up with a loud gasp and a throbbing pain in my head. I couldn’t make out what's in my surroundings, My heart was getting heavy by each passing second. I was lost in pitch darkness and I couldn’t see my path anymore. I am desperately looking for a spark of hope to be shown to me so that I can cling on to it and save myself. No one knows how much suffering I am going through. 

I ran my hands in my hairs and shook my head. I heaved heavily. I turned to look at the gloom of night which somehow seemed similar so my tribulation, my fright, my devastation. Fragmented, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes letting myself to lessen the sorrow in my heart and receive a lull for a few seconds so that I could think straight about how to save from this situation. 

It’s the time of the dawn. The fourth day is about to start. 

I gulped and before the fourth nightmare could start Julia came with a horrified look over her face,

“R-Ross… c-committed s-s-suicide!” My eyes widened when I heard it. I looked at Julia who was scared to no extent, “She… She..”

“Jumped out of the roof.” I completed her sentence. She just gave me a nod and Immediately ran to her. Please be an illusion again.. but this time, It wasn’t, It was real. She was there,

Lying, with her blood, sucked out of her body as the sword which hung in the hallway for decoration stabbed her heart.

HE did it. He will take them away from me. He will kill them one by more and in such a gruesome way that one cannot even comprehend, it was utterly disturbing and agonizing to see such a sight. I let out a convulsed gasp and blinks continuously wanting to know that it’s just a deception of my eyes by the sight before I am no lie, she was there, dead… all because of me. 

I ran away, panting heavily, not being able to bear this anymore, Crying. Losing my last bit of courage and hope. Vulnerable, dolorous and repentant, I ran where my feet took me and before I knew it, my blurred vision caused me to stumble and fall on the ground, I began to cry, losing my breath. He will take them away from me and all I could do is to watch. I raised my head only to see that I am in that revolting garden again. The garden I locked but still, it was opened and I am here. 

“4 Left..” A whisper echoed in the open air. My eyes widened in disbelief. I clutched my dress tightly and shut my eyes, not wanting to witness any more of his hauntingly exquisite form. Being suffocated in his presence, I held my breath involuntarily. Crushed by the ambience of his presence, I held my breath and began to lose my senses. 

I remained motionless, losing my senses, founding a reprieve in that suffocation. My heartbeat became feeble. I couldn't breathe in his pernicious presence, My lungs begged for air but I couldn’t breathe. All on my mind is despair. The intensity of anguish was so high that my blood turned cold.

“Ma’am, Breath!” A voice came from behind and shook me. I finally opened my eyes as a loud gasp escaped my lips. My lost heartbeat came back with much force as I began to cough badly to get some air and put my almost dead body back to life. I put my hand over my chest and pant heavily, My eyes couldn’t see properly, There was a blur, My heart was aching. It was a brief moment of death but I somehow came back from it.

“Are you okay? How did you come here?” I turned to see Carlos, looking concerned. I shook my head and remained silent. He helped to stand as I kept on breathing deeply to put my racing heart and senses to normal. Adrenaline rushed in my veins and I finally regained my senses. He took me to the library where everyone was already present. He made me sit on my place as Jenifer asked,

“You okay?” 

“Nothing is okay, Jenifer,” I said breathlessly. She nodded as silence came.

“I am telling you this place is possessed,” Julia said. “What proof we need any more, can’t you see how Sir Brad and Madam Ross died?” She said.

“And what we can do about it?” Jenifer asked.

“No human or animal can kill the like this.”

“W-where's..her.. b-body?” I asked hesitantly.

“The guards are arranging her funeral and... The maids are.. cleaning her up,” Carlos said and I nodded, feeling heartbroken by desperation.

“We cannot leave this place for now," Jenifer said. 

“If we stay here, we will die too. Do you know anything, Mr Carlos?” Jane asked.  

“I have never seen such incidents here in my entire life.” He said. “Then what we are supposed to do?” Jenifer asked.

“Police is also of no help and the town is no good too. No one would be willing to come here for help.” Carlos explained.

“What evoked all this in the first place?” Jane asked. Upon hearing it, My eyes widened as the truck of realization hit me. The murk become clear for a second and the ray of hope I was dying to find was given to me, the only way I could see to save them from this undesirable situation that leads so only one destination; death. I finally understood what I should do.

 My heart skipped a beat in dread but I knew there is no other way than that to save them. I cannot save myself but I cannot save others. I understand now what you meant, Jessica. I straightened my back and stood up,

“No one will leave this room until I come,” I ordered.

“What are you thinking, Mary? There’s a supernatural being, wanting to kill us and you are saying this?” Jenifer tried to stop me but my whole being turned devoid. Nothing but anguish in burning in my body but my soul was blank just the urge to save them has been aroused in me. 

“Mind devastated in delusions can only see those crimson Illusions. I have seen those crimson illusions.” I enunciated. All of their eyes widened in horror when they heard it. I turned to them and continued, “And only I can stop it.” I said deadpanned. 

“What are you saying, Mary?” Jenifer asked, scared. 

“All of you stay here.” I ordered, “How can we let you go alone? We don’t even know what is that creature is!” A devil who has my heart but not my soul in his possession. Jenifer reasoned. “It’s an order. Carlos, You will not let anyone leave from here.” I ordered and lowered my head and turned to leave.

“Yes, Ma’am.” He bowed.

“No! Mary! I can not lose you too. Don’t go, please!” Jenifer cried. A smile crept upon my lips as I turned and raised my gaze to look at her. A tear fell from my eye as I whispered, “If I don’t come back… Find my heart for me..” Perplexed by my words they all gave me a sorrowful look. I smiled and turned my back upon them with no hopes of seeing them ever again and having the same fate as Jessica; everlasting torture. I went to my room and took out my heart and said to myself,

 “ It’s time to make an offering.”