Apparition

Chapter # 13

The time you will read it, I won’t be there anymore. I will be lost somewhere in darkness with no hopes of returning but, don’t worry I will still be present in your hearts.

But even if I am not here, I want to tell you that I love you and all of you made my life memorable, you gave me a reason to live and I am grateful to you for it.

Please take care of yourself. I will always love you,

Mary.

I put the goodbye letter on the table and took a deep breath. I gathered courage and left with no hopes of redemption, this is the only way to make things right. My heart was thumping against my chest- Oh, sorry, against the jar. I can hear the loud sound of it, stirring my mind in dread. My legs began to shake violently in dread. I was losing my breath, my senses were in a blur and all I could feel is this tingling sensation of consternation rushing in me. He wants a heart, I have to offer mine so that he won’t take anyone else.

With great effort, I walked towards the gates of hell, I stopped outside the entrance of hell. The entrance of an eternal reality that has nothing but despair for me, nothing but the feeling of being a toy for him to do as, please. Almost losing consciousness, I took a step and I thought that my heart would burst from beating that fast but I knew that I have no other option and I have to do it. 

I walked forward and went down the staircase. I entered that dusty chapel I broke which is once again back to it’s the condition when I saw it for the first time, everything was back to normal, no signs of destruction just the dust and spider webs here and there which gave me eerie coldness. I walked towards that statue and inhaled deeply and put the jar back. I put it back from where I took it. Offering my soul to him.

Lost against the cruel games of fate, a tear rolled down my cheek, nothing felt different but a feeling of heartbreak took over me. Without uttering a word, I let those tears of devastation roll down. I leaned on the wall and hugged my side, waiting for my end. All those moments of loved ones flashed in my mind, my parents, Jenifer, my staff. A smile crept upon my lips as I was mentally prepared for the upcoming dread.

“What have you done?!” An enraged voice echoed in the chapel. I raised my teary gaze and looked at him giving me a malicious look. His aura is darker than usual, giving me a bad omen. But, I don't care because I am ready for my death. His ferocious form walked towards me as my legs lost their strength in his lethal presence, immersing me in those endless pools of fears. I swallowed the lump in my throat, preparing myself for my end. He took steady steps towards me and by each step he took closer, my heart skipped a beat. His silver orbs of ultimate dominance bore into mine fragmented one which was filled with extreme anxiety. I pressed my palm against the cold wall to give myself some support and not to fall in his overwhelming presence. He stood in front of me as I lost my senses, on my tears glistened cheeks, a smirk form, showing my insanity.

“I have saved them.” I hissed, my eyes wide opened, showing the mental torture he gave me which turned me like this. I lowered my head and laughed hysterically. His perfect features raised an eyebrow at me, still looking heartless as always. Those eyes of immense fatality one cannot even comprehend. His bewilderment was masked by his deadly looks which glared at my soul for angering him.

What I don’t understand is why he was that much infuriated? I gave him what he desires, I gave him my soul, I offered myself to him yet still he is giving me that menacing look. My laughs died down as I looked at him with a stern look. I opened my mouth to say something but he slammed his hands on the wall. 

His hands are on either side of me, trapping me in his arms, leaving me at his mercy. He glared at me, his eyes filled with extensive fury. His eyes also showed an unfathomable and mysterious emotion which is beyond my understanding. There was anger yet compassion flickering in his eyes. But, His intense glare sends shivers down my spine as I let out a convulsed gasp. The way his eyes scanned me, they deluged me in apprehensions. I cannot even imagine what will happen to me. My body drowns in the ocean of his silver fury. My trembling lips gulped and looked at his eyes which held the incapability of being explored. My vulnerable form is trapped in the prison of his arms. I was left powerless before him. No matter how frantic I am. I am still being crushed under his terror. The rage is emitting from his very being alarming me for a tormenting and cruel end.

He leaned in close to my face, My eyes couldn’t look anywhere else but him. His lips parted as I heard him whispering,

“Why.. Mary?” I heard him calling my name for the first time, My heart stopped when my name rolled over his lips. A low-pitched voice of disbelief and terror left me as I kept looking at him timidly. His eyes glimmered with a look of pity, an in-depth emotion of fondness. Like something precious has been broken and all you could do is to cry over it. His eyes show a hint of intense hurt and remorse. He was slumped in dejection which left me staggered. That tiny spark of hurt startled me when someone like him is looking at me with such looks. But, his remorse is masked by his anger which is far worse. His eyes showed a mixed emotion of hurt and anger.

“That was the only way to save them.” I managed to whisper back in a croaked voice as my tears sting my eyes. I held the hem of my dress tightly to create some distance but I could still feel his hot breath over my face which is causing my hairs to stand on their edge.

“What about you?” He asked in a low vehement voice which sent chills to my spine. My eyes widened in shock upon hearing his words. He looked at me with adoration as if I am something to cherish. A look of endearment as if I am a treasure which is so mystifying. He narrowed his eyes a little showing a look filled with affection as if he never wanted me to do that but what’s done is done. His yearning cannot give me my soul back.

Before I could explore these emotions more, he concealed them by his mercilessness. These emotions were replaced by his aggravation. He slammed his hands on the wall, I squeaked and shut my eyes tightly.

"You are under my possession. Forever!" He hissed in pure anger. I was breathing heavily in great apprehension of his presence. I was scared to no extent. I was horrified by him and wanted to end this as soon as possible but I knew he would not let me die that easily. The way he looks at me is enough for me to know that he was more terminal plans hidden for me than this. I didn’t dare to open his eyes and met his sinister one. He slowly backed away as I exhaled in relief.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. His strong scent of roses filled me, making me stiff. He walked closer to the statue and picked the jar. I gulped and felt utterly terrified about his plans to do with my heart. Not being able to read his expressions, I just watched him.

He opened the lid and took out my heart. My heart was in his hands.

I gave him a look of disapproval aroused by his unpleasant act. It was disgusting and I could feel the repulsion in me. He looked at me with his exquisite eyes and squeezed my heart.

My eyes widened in horror as an intense pain shot in my chest. My heart was about to burst from pain. The sensation elicits in me was unbearable as all I could do is to scream. I fell on the ground and clutched my chest tightly in pain. I screamed so loudly, the intensity of hurt was so high that I thought that I was dying, I could have my life slipping out of my grasp, taking me to an eternal slumber where my soul will burn mercilessly. Tears began to fall from my eyes. I let out loud cries of anguish. The fierce pain of my heart being squeezed made me dizzy. I kept on crying, losing my strength because of his action.

He put the heart back in the jar and walked toward me. He looked down on me like I am the dirt of his superior presence. But, I am in too much pain to pay attention to anything else. He then bent to his knees and gave me a seething look- terrifying me without any extent. I shut my eyes and remained stiff as I continue to groan in pain.

"Your soul belongs to me now. You belong to me."

He gave chills to my bones when he emphasized the word 'You'. I tried not to apprehend his words and continued to whimper as my petrified form didn't dare to open its eyes.

Soon, I felt arms being wrapped protectively around me. My shaky form shivered at the contact with those warm arms. I feel like being picked from the ground to the arms which are gonna protect me. But, I know that I can feel anything but safe in those arms. His ruthless nature was covered by such tenderness I never felt before- Perfect trait for a Devil. I gripped his shirt, still not opening my eyes. I buried my face in his chest as my grip tightened. I began to cry out loud. I let out the agony he gave me. The metal suffering I am receiving, Since the first day, I came in this cursed Mansion. I continued to cry at my misery, how life threw me into a dark abyss. How in a few moments, I'll lose my life. How I have offered my own soul, my heart to a devil. I continued to cry in his chest, my tears soaking his shirt as he continued walking; taking me to my nightmare.

A violent shiver travelled in my body when I heard the creaking sound of the door being opened.

I felt like a corpse being placed in its coffin. But, Instead, I felt the soft feeling of the comfortable mattress beneath me as I slowly opened my eyes. My teary eyes met his silver eyes, which are void of any emotions. He looked at me with an inexplicable emotion. I can feel the gentleness and the warmth of his arms but, His eyes show a clearly different emotion. His mystifying eyes bore into my emerald ones which are filled with tears.

 He wiped my tears using his thumb. My heart skipped a beat when I felt the feeling of... Love from him. This feeling is evoking a strange sensation in me which I don’t want to accept at all cost, the ways his actions are affecting my mind, it was terrorizing. I gave him a pleading look to stop. To stop tormenting me with his brief affection. To stop killing me under his presence. To stop making me insane from his terror. Tears brimmed in my eyes again. He noticed my distress and pulled away.

I abruptly sat up when he pulled away and covered myself with the duvets. My whole being was trembling. And the fact that we are alone here is filling me with dread.

He walked toward the table and picked up the goodbye note. My mouth gaped when he burned the letter in front of my eyes. I hugged my knees tightly and hid my face in it.

"Why are you doing this? Please free me... Take my life.." I begged him. An involuntary screech left my mouth as I backed away when he put his hands on either side of me and towered over me. Tears fell from my eyes without any control over them. My heart is pounding. My mind is clouded by his anger. The feeling of panic he evoked within me is irremovable. My horror-stricken form plead to him again,

"Please... liberate me.." He gave me a look filled with extreme but unwanted anger. His every action is breaking my every tranquil. My mind is in a state of chaos, which is so difficult to tolerate. I am burning mercilessly in an endless suffering, he gave me without pitying my petite form. Enduring this tribulation is beyond my capabilities. All I can do in his cruel and Dominating presence is to beg. But, his ruthless form took it as some sort of amusement as he showed a little hint of compassion and then a passionate hatred and anger. Breaking me in such a horrifyingly wicked way that my powerless form can never be saved. Falling deeper in the pits of a bottomless tunnel filled with his evilness which is beyond any redemption.

He moved closer as I gave him a horrifying look.

"Sleep..." That's all he said as darkness took over me and I found myself losing in that...