Apparition

Chapter # 6

“These apparitions are lethal.” 

Upon hearing it, my eyes widened in dread as I began to cry out loud, 

"Let me go.. Please.. I swear I will find that jar, please.." Tears flowed down my cheeks, uncontrollably. He gave my neck a final kiss and pulled away. My wobbly legs fell on the ground as I began to let out convulsed gasps to put my heartbeat and senses to normal but it was so difficult to do in his vicious presence. I put my hand over the cold wall, shivering endlessly, scared to no extent. All I could see was those ruthless eyes looking down at me like I am some inferior being and it highlighted under the moonlight which enhanced his overpowered form a million times. 

"To morrow." His deep voice echoed in the hall, I nodded as sweat rolled my cheek with my heart thumping against my chest in dread. 

He took a step back and disappeared thin into the air. I put my hand over my chest and coughed, helpless in his presence.

Not being able to bear it anymore. I quickly left the ball ignoring those suspicious gazes upon me and those talks these women usually do about me being shameless and ill-mannered just because I had no support and what I am is my own hard work. 

I shook my head and put my hand over my chest to calm myself. I put my hand over my pounding chest and leaned back. I clutched my dress tightly and moved my hand from my chest to my neck and pressed it on my neck and winced in pain;Where he bit me. That barbaric devil kissed me, touched me. This thought made me want to throw up.  It made me feel repulsion, it was utterly disgusting to be touched by a creature like him.

And why the hell am I stuck in this situation, in the first place? 

I reached back home- which is not a home at all and remains silent to Jenifer questions about coming back early. 

"I am tired. No more questions. Go back!" I ordered and went to my room. I didn't let anyone enter the room and help  me to take off this awful gown. I somehow managed to change without any help and waited on the balcony for the gloom to feel upon the sky. I hugged my sides and inhaled when a soft breeze wrapped around me. 

When the darkness spread everywhere, I took the candle holder and mustered some courage to go at that place knowing I only have this night. 

My heart is on the verge of leaping out of my chest as my lips begin to tremble. I emitted a few breaths and pushed the door open.

My eyes widened when I saw fireflies igniting the garden and making it look so exquisite that I couldn't look anywhere other than this light of hope and my heart felt calm.

I smiled and tilt my head and walked closer and considered myself brave to come to this place at night. I went inside the chapel and my heart began to beat fast again. I swallowed hard and began to look around the dusty chapel to find the jar. I was so scared that something might not come out of nowhere and kill me. After searching for a while I walked close to the altar and saw it on the ground, amazed that the glass of the jar still hadn't broken. I picked and quickly ran back to my room with no intention of spending even a second at that place. 

I went to my room and calmed my rapid breath. I put that jar on the table and wiped the dust from it. I still couldn't see inside so I opened it wanting to know if it was his heart or not. 

I sat on the bed and opened it. My world came to a halt as I couldn’t believe what my eyes saw was reality or a cloud of mist before my eyes. 

There, a heart, still beating, fresh new, resides.

Bile built up inside me as I quickly closed the lid and threw it back. My hands began to shake, not believing what I just witnessed, how is it even possible. It was a disturbing sight, I covered my mouth feeling aversion rushing in my veins. It was a heart. A heart which is still beating for I don't know how long. A heart of a devil. 

I couldn’t even bear to look at it. My hands were shaking because I touched this unnatural phenomenon of nature.  I let out a few deep breaths and sat on the bed, trying not to think about it and just give it back to him without save save myself from it.

***

The next day, nothing happened, I kept the jar close to me not wanting anyone to see it. I was in my studies, it’s almost midnight and my anxiety is at its peak. I hid my face in my hands and put my hand over the desk and closed my eyes because I haven't slept peacefully in a while and want to receive a lull which this place has decided to take away from me. 

The moment I was about to fall asleep a rush of wind entered the locked room. I shot my head and all the candles of the room blew off, except the one on my desk. The darkness in the room has the only source of light, my candle. 

This crushing presence is enough for me to know that it’s him. I mustered some courage and turned my head to my side. A gasp escaped me when my eyes fell upon the most alluring man I can even imagine. My eyes went wide when I looked at him. Such enchanting features hiding the fact that a heartless devil resides in them. His face, so close to mine and I can clearly espy his face for the first time. My lips parted as I found myself in his charm.

His silver eyes shone like crystals. A perfect jawline and that tanned complexion, those thick lips accompanied by that triumph beard and those soft raven locks falling on his face, making him look irresistible. Too enthralled in him which is unbelievably pleasing for a human- let alone a devil. I couldn’t avert my gaze from him as if they were made to stare at them. 

His loose shirt, showing his toned chest and those black bottoms, fitted to his legs, barefoot with those black nails. 

“Where is it?” His deep voice, matching his aesthetic features brought me to reality as I turned my head away, not wanting to look at this archangel anymore. His lips brushed against my neck where he marked me- which I have been trying to conceal. I gripped my dress tight and didn’t dare to open my eyes when his lips brushed against my neck, forming goosebumps all over my skin and giving me some strange feelings which I decline.

I pointed to the corner of my desk that it’s here, alarmed in his presence. 

Please take it and leave me alone.

I repeated these words like a mantra, crumbling apart in his presence, losing my sense now that I have seen him. I don’t want to be blind in his prepossessing features. 

“What have you done?” His voice came out like an enraged whispered and before I could register what happened, he threw me across the room. I scream in pain and fall on the ground as blood flowed from my mouth and nose. My vision blurred as my heart felt like it was constricting in someone’s hand and I let out another scream. Lost in anguish that what he wants from me now. I continued to whimper. He gripped my hairs and bend to my level, looking at me with those piercing gaze which evoked aggressive shivers from me. 

“Put it back..” He continued and moved close to my face and continued his sentence while brushing his lips over my ear, “The. way. it. Was.” He let go of me and the only thing on my mind was that I have to obey him if I want to live. 

I took the jar and ran out of the room, with the jar clutching close to my chest. And running as if my life depends upon it- it does. 

My legs gave up on me, my vision got lost in the murk. The coldness hit my body making it ache but I continued to run and when I entered the garden which was ignited by fireflies thankfully again. I finally released the breath which got caught in my throat. I leaned on the wall and tried to give my lungs some air. I sob escaped my lips mixed with fear and pain throbbing in my body. 

I tried to keep myself not lose consciousness and fall into an eternal slumber and raised my gaze only to a lady leaning on the door, looking down. 

Wearing a white wedding dress and her face was hidden with the veil. I swallowed hard and walked close to her waiting to enter the chapel.  

I stood in front of her, she slowly lifted her gaze and looked at me with her amber eyes glistening as her rosy lips curved into a gentle smile. I can clearly see her auburn hairs moving down to her back and she looked so beguiling, she was such a beauty I have never seen before. She blinked and kept looking at me with her exquisite features. Looking so gorgeous that I almost forgot why I am here. 

“Don't go there..” She said in a low yet sweet voice.

“Why?” My voice came out like a vague whisper. Her smile turned to a sad one as a tear of blood rolled down her cheek and she replied in a whispered,

 “He will take it.” 

“I don’t have any choice.” I replied in a crooked voice, not having enough strength in me to brewer this affliction anymore.

“Don’t make any more offerings, Mary.” Not going to ask how you know my name. She said in her charming voice. I lowered my head and moved to the corner and held the door knob,

“I am sorry, I have to..” I said in a barely audible tone and pushed the door opened. 

“Don’t.” Her voice became firm. I tried to get out of her grasp but she just held me tightly and didn’t let me go. I winced and turned to looked at her.

My frightened eyes widened in horror when her face melted right in front of me as a repulsive sight took over and the appealing beauty was turned into a hideous woman. 

“I SAID DON’T!” She shouted, I screamed. I felt a creaking sound and it felt like my wrist cracked but in a sudden moment, somehow, she was pushed against the wall and I ran to the chapel and closed the door behind me. In dread, I quickly put something over the door  and began to cry out loud not understanding why my life took a sudden turn like this and my peaceful life turned into a mere show of apprehension and gore. 

And here I am stuck, If I put the jar back, the woman outside will kill me and if I don't He will kill me. 

What do I do?