Sphinx of Archedia

My hands tremble as I try to grab the knife that was lying on the table. I could hear the faint noise approaching nearer. If they find me here they are going to kill me. There is no chance that I could defend myself from those hunters. I need to think quickly and escape the place. I went to the window there were more of them surrounding the place. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my blood. My ever cold hands were burning as I shivered out of fear. I closed my eyes and wished I was a vampire as they think I am. I am helpless but I can’t surrender my life. I have to live for my only goal. No I can’t die so pathetic. The sound got louder and I could clearly hear the footsteps. I picked an apple from the basket and threw it through the window. It hit the hedges as I aimed. There were three of them standing outside the window. Two of them decided to check the hedge. Each of them had crossbow aiming in the air. The bolt was not an ordinary one. It shines blue in sunlight and red in the dark. I have seen it before. I hold the knife tightly and put it in the back pocket of my jeans then jumped out of the window. I fell into the ground. The one who was standing by my side noticed me. “There she is”. He screamed. I climbed off the hedges and ran for my life. I was running like a cat chasing a rat. Not today! I am not ready to die yet. I ran towards the gate. There was one hunter outside the gate. As soon as he saw me I took the knife from my pocket and ran towards him. I put that knife right through his stomach. He started bleeding I pull the knife and again started running. More of them were chasing me from the back. I ran into the forest. As I was running the crushing sounds of dried debris were screaming my presence. I cannot stop here. I need to find some safe place. I knew they were coming for me. I should have known better. There no better mistake than the ignorance. I should have believed my dream. I slowly pulled my head to the side edges of the tree and saw them coming. Again I ran out of my willpower. Suddenly a lake appeared out of nowhere. Without having second thoughts I dived into it hoping that the water will swallow me and save me from those hunters. As I go deeper into the water I was moving into the realm of unknown. I felt like my destiny is cleansing my misfortune into that holy water. I could feel the presence of something I couldn’t see. Slowly I was breathing water and my eyes were closing. I choose not to fight this one. I was in peace. If this is meant to be my end I surrender my goal for the next life. I felt connected to everything on earth. I closed my eyes. It was dark. I kept moving in. As I walked through the tunnel for the first time I was not scared of the darkness. I intended to know what’s beyond this pitching dark. I was moving in with hope to find the light even if it would be dim light I was sure that it could bet the darkness of my misfortune. I started running straight through the dark tunnel. I feared of colliding into the wall but that didn’t stop me from running. Suddenly I realized that, to surrender onto something does not always signify the vulnerability. Sometimes it gives you the power over your fear and once you overcome your fear it no longer has an authority over you. As I walked into the darkness it started to feel that I belonged here long before my arrival. Suddenly I heard a voice coming from the distant. I felt someone holding my hand into that darkness. I turned around to see them. I opened my eyes. I saw the sun and a guy smiling in front of my eyes. “Am I alive or dead”? He laughed at me and said, “I am a grim ripper and I came her to collect your soul.” “No, you can’t be”. “You okay”? “Yeah, I am fine. How long have I passed out”? “Quite a long time. I am not sure how you are still alive”. You saved my life. Thank you! “While I was swimming I saw you were lying unconscious in the bottom. I thought you were dead but then I saw your fingers moving. It’s a miracle that you were hanging in the water for that long”. I smiled at him. I realized that I was running away from the hunter. “Did you see any armed man passing through this place or somewhere nearer”? “No, I didn’t see anybody. Are you in trouble”? “No, I am fine. I thought I saw one but I think I was hallucinating”. “I am Lucas”. He looked at me with an eye of an angel. If it wasn’t him I would have been dead by now. “Grace”. Are you alright? Should I drop you somewhere or is there anything I can do? How can I tell him that I am being chased by the supernatural hunter and they almost found me? I have no place to go and the irony is I am not even a supernatural. “It’s cold”. I was shivering and all wet. He took off his black leather jacket and handed me. I refused to wear at first but he kept insisting and I knew I needed it so I took it. It loose fits in my body but I didn’t care. I had bigger issues to think about. He asked me where I live. I told him that I was staying in my uncle house for quite some time but it’s time to go back home. I need to get the train to Heavendel. He wanted to drop me to the station but I refused him at first. He offered me to stay in his place for the day and he promised me that I can trust him. I was in a dilemma. After considering the possible odds I agreed to go to his place. I told him that my last train would be leaving at 11pm and I can’t miss it. He said that he would drop me to the station on time and with that note we both headed towards the small trail that leaves the forest. On the way to his place I suddenly had an idea of having a haircut and buy something from the thrift store. I told him that. He said I have my friend who is a great barber and she knows a lot of people here. We enter the salon and she welcomed us with a warm smile. He told her that I am his old friend and that I needed a great haircut. She handed me the catalogue from 1990s to 20s. I didn’t had much time to go thoroughly to the catalogue so I picked one 90s pixie and asked her to do it for me. She told me that I have a unique choice of haircut. I asked her how long does it take and she told me an hour. I start to panic thinking about possibility of those hunters finding me. Again I asked her that who is allowed to come to this place. I think she sensed my insecurity so she told me that if I am not comfortable to get my haircut in the main hall then she has a private cabinet as well. I asked her to move there. It only took half an hour for her to get my hair done. She knows what she is doing. She offered me to get some beauty treatment but I told her that I am in a hurry. She called Lucas and said, “Doesn’t she looks pretty”. “Yeah, she is beautiful.” We left the salon. Lucas took me to the nearest thrift store as she suggested. I grab a jeans and boots there. I was stalling on the jacket section and Lucas told me that the leather jacket I was wearing suits me best then him. I told him that I can’t keep it but I couldn’t find any good there. As I was walking down the exit I saw a hunter guy standing across the street. He was with another man whom I haven’t seen before. They were trying to cross the street. Lucas was already outside and he called me. I walked inside the store and started to look the jacket not knowing what to do. There was one of an old jacket that has a hood. I took it and wore it to cover my face. Lucas enter the store and asked if I needed anything. I told him that while moving out I remember this piece and thought I liked it. He said that it suits me. We leave the place and I didn’t see a hunter then. We crossed the street and walked down the side lane. On the way to his place we talked about the Hawaii and the beach. I told him that I have never been to a beach and Hawaii is on my bucket list. I knew I am no any sooner going there but one day when it’s all over I will go there and enjoy a normal life. We reached his place and it was a grand place. He offered me a coffee and I accepted. He shows me the bathroom and I went there to take a warm shower. As the water drips off my hair slowing touching my face I remember the long day I had. I couldn’t think of the reason about the hunter trying to kill me. If it wasn’t Janet how would I have known about my name on the lists? Since I came here Janet is my only friend. She is a mini detective of this town. Though she is then years older than me we get along so well. She took care of me like an elder sister. I remember to call her and as soon as I finished my bath I checked my phone. It’s dead due to the water. I took the sim card and asked Lucas if I can burrow his phone. He handed me his phone and I enter my sim. I called Janet in a second ring she picked up. “Grace, are you alright? I was so worried”. “I am fine Janet. Don’t worry about me”. “Where are you now?” “I am in a safe place for now and tonight I am leaving this place.” “Where will you go?” her tone got thick. “I think this is the right time to go after what I have always wanted. We never have the perfect time to do what we wish for rather it’s not about the right time but it’s about acknowledging the fact that we are mortal and we never have enough time until we take it.” “You’re right”. “Did you find anything about my name being on the list?” “Nothing; I am trying to gather some information but I think it will take quite time. Let’s see what I can find before you leave. What time is it you are leaving?” “New York City subway station at 11.” “I will see you there”. “See you.” I took out the sim and saw Lucas holding coffee. I grab the coffee and stayed on the couch. There was mini swimming pool on the side of the house. He told me that the house belonged to his uncle and he stays there when he is not around. His uncle stays out of the town most of the time. He also mentioned that his uncle is coming tomorrow for his secret project mission. I saw a picture hanging on the wall by the stairs. I moved closer to picture and saw a man holding a crossbow and the women standing next to him. I was startled for a moment. It was a man whom I saw before across the street accompanied by the hunter.  His uncle is one of them. I can’t stay in this place for any second longer. I turned around and saw Lucas looking right at me. “I am leaving now.” “Why, Can’t I even look at you?” “It’s not that, I have some pending work to finish before I leave the town.” “Do you mind if go with you?” “I will have to meet peoples”. He wrote down his number and said I can call him anytime. He handed that piece of paper and hugged me. I wore my jacket and leave the house. There is no place safe for me. I need to find the information on my own and leave this town tonight. Without Janet it’s impossible for me to get any information. I need to call her. As soon as I walked down the street an old man suddenly came in front of me and grabbed my hand which got me motionless. He closed his eyes for few second and said that I will have to fight against my destiny to get into my final destination. He continued with a loud and creepy tone that the new moon has already risen upon me and I will have to taste the blood of my own creator under the full moon. He started laughing. I couldn’t process the words he just said. Then I realize that Lucas was holding my hands and staring that old man. The old man left with ever louder laugh and was saying; some blessings can be cursed and some cursed can be blessings. I pity you. What did he just said to me. Am I cursed? I know I am but why does it felt so bad when he said it. Who is that old man? Some many questions were arising in my head and I almost forget that Lucas was there. His grip got tighter and he was standing in front of me. “Grace he is gone”. “He is right Lucas. What he said was true. I am cursed”. “No Grace you are blessed”. “I am sorry but I can’t leave you like this; Let me help you Grace”. “There is nothing you can do for me”. “Try me; I saved your life and if there is yet another thing I can do for you I will gamble my life upon it.” “How well you know your uncle?” “What is the matter Grace?” “I think he is one of the hunters. Do you know who the hunters are?” “I knew it. He was in a secret research for so long. I should have known by his obsession with supernatural that he might be involved into some kind of mission. Are hunter’s bad people?” “They are trying to take hundreds of innocent life. I am one of their targets”. “What are you grace. Why are they after you?” “I am in as much of dark as you are right now. I don’t why my name is on the list and that is what I need to find out before I leave”. “Jacob uncle would be home by tomorrow and I will try to find gather information for you”. “I don’t know how I am going to thank you Lucas.” I gave him my number and told him that I will get the new phone soon. I will be waiting for his call. I hugged him and greet him a goodbye until next time. I pullover my hood and looking down the street I started walking. Suddenly my thoughts went to the Heavendel. I always had a blurry image of a place that has lots of pine and coconut trees fruiting above the sand and the tangerine sun. I had a vivid image of running along the shoreline. I can feel somebody chasing the little me as I giggle while running. I knew Heavendel is the place where I truly belong. I have no image of my father and my mother but with that blurry image I find comfort to think that my parents were the one chasing me. I need to find my origin and the mystery that was long buried has now demanded the quest. I saw a payphone across the street. I should call Janet and see if she was expecting my call. I dialed her number and in a single ring she picked up as if she was expecting the call. “Hello.” “Hi Janet it’s Grace.” “Grace I am in the middle of something. I will call you in a second.” with a fareal tone. She hung up. Did I call her in the wrong time? She sounded extremely serious. I think I should wait for her call. The telephone rang: “Hi.” “Grace where are you?” “I am in the 5th Avenue Street. What’s the matter? Did you find something?” “It’s not solid. They have arranged you in a complicated category that means you are something they don’t know yet and yes you are in their top priority list.” “Thank you: Janet for always being there for me.” “You should leave now. The more you stay in this place the more you are in danger.” “I love you.” “I love you too. Stay safe.” How am I going to know my truth when I don’t have any supernatural powers? I don’t drink blood neither I am an animal. Why did they keep my name on the list and that was not enough for them so they put my name on the priority list. I am leaving this place now. I pull my hair to the forehead and wore a hood. They should not identify me from the distant as I used to have long and black hair. Everything has changed ever since the reconciliation of the hunters. The town has begun to shine with the lights but my heart was trapped in the darkness of the hidden mystery. People were walking on street as it was just another casual day. As they walked down the street their eyes were deeply lost on their own thoughts as I was lost on mine. It was 8pm and I was going to the subway station. I kept up the pace with people walking on the other side of the road. Finally after walking for an hour or so I reached the station. The place was crowed and the loved ones were hugging and kissing to bid a farewell. Some were starting into the crowd. My train to Greenland would be in twenty minutes from now. After I reached Greenland I would have to get two hours of ride to finally reach Heavendel. I went to the washroom. As I look into the mirror the face I saw was strange. The eyes I saw were not the same that I used to have. They are scared yet strong today. I washed my face and thought what am I? Who are my real parents? Does Heavendel will unravel the mystery? When I was returning to the subway I noticed someone is following me. I raised my pace and begun to run. He was after me. I ran through the subway and saw a train coming around fifty meters away. If I cross the trail before train pass I can buy some time. I didn’t have a second thought and I jumped over the trail. I was standing on the other side of the subway and train was passing in between. I never wanted to be a fighter but if my destiny chooses me to be a warrior then I am becoming one. I ran along with the train. I ran for the sake of running and didn’t look anywhere. Something hit my back and I stopped to look at it. As I turn around I saw a blurry image of a man wearing black overcoat in a distant.