What Lies Beneath

[ 5 | Who's Lurking In The Dark ]

Emily wiped her mouth after the hand finally released its hand from Emily's mouth. Emily sat panting and holding her chest, trying to catch her breath. She claps her hands together before blowing her numb hands. Her body continues to tremble under the person's embrace.

Emily shifted her head to the side "Who are you?" Emily blurted, finally taking a good look at the woman.

"Shhh, be quiet" The woman said, as she pulled Emily tighter into her embrace, looking intensely through the cracks of the small wooden house they were in.

As a deep growl rang in their ears, the little sunshine streaming through the cracks faded away. Heavy footsteps circled the house they were in, blocking the sun's ray from seeping through the cracks and covering the interior with darkness. Emily and the lady both flinch as the creature slams its claw against the wall.

It sniffs the house, scraping the thin wood walls with its claws. Emily trembled in the lady's arms, but the lady drew her tighter with each passing minute. Then it came to a halt, and the low-growling, clawing, and sniffing vanished into thin air. The little rays of sunlight filter through the fissures.

The lady let go of Emily, stumbling as she stood up and headed to the door. She gently opened it, letting the cold, rash wind to flatter inside making Emily shiver, Emily wrapping her arms around her body, rubbing her arms. The lady peek head through the tiny c***k of the door, her gaze wandering about her surroundings.

The lady gently closed the door, hurrying back to Emily, kneeling in front of her.

"Who are you? You seem new here, I have never seen your face. I know every single face that lives here." Said the woman, observing Emily's face and movement.

Emily's emotions were all over the place, it was invented on her facial expression. She feels scared, confused, tired and lost. Being in an unfamiliar place is not easy after what she recently experienced. Maybe it was better staying inside, was it safer inside?

Emily breathed out "I don't live here." the woman's face darkens, forming her lips into a straight line, she grabs Emily's arm, squeezing it.

"Then how did you get in? Did you sneak in?" The woman asked, instead of an angry expression she had a concerned one.

Emily felt uncomfortable with the way the lady gripped onto her arm. "No.. The- Someone said they found me lying on a pile of snow, looking pale and shivering, but I don't even remember how I even got here." Emily explained, trying to get out of the woman's grip.

"Who? Tell me who?" The lady asks, darting her eyes into Emily's.

"Their names were, Adwen.. Harnen and I think that guy's name was Casper or something." Emily shrugged her shoulders.

"Khabensky?" The lady asked, letting go of Emily's arm. Emily nodded her head.

"Adwen?" The woman gasps. The woman panicked, helping Emily lift her numb body before the lady pushed the door open, rushing out the door.

The woman continues to drag Emily through the thick snow, mumbling something inaudible to Emily's ears. Emily struggles to maintain her balance, the rash wind hitting her face making it a struggle for her to keep her eyes open.

"I don't understand!" Emily hiss, getting annoyed.

The woman whispered something but wasn't loud enough for Emily to hear. She was trying to fight off the strong wind— that could break her eardrums any minute.

"What?" Emily shouted.

"MRS. VIOLET!" A young lady calls out, yelling through the mist.

"What the f**k? who's that?" Emily murmured, the blinding snow sure did help her not see anything.

"Miss Swan!" Mrs. Violet called out, once again the lady dragged Emily towards the young lady.

"Help me with the girl." Mrs. Violet signals Miss Swan to hold Emily's other arm, supporting her balance.

Mrs Violet continues to drag Emily through the thick snow with Miss Swan. Her numb body couldn't take it anymore, she's tired, confused and starting to get sick. She closed her eyes, letting the two ladies drag her.

"Here this way." Miss Swan said, untangling the gate before closing it shut. She pushes the front door open, helping Emily inside.

As three of them made it inside the house, though it was still cold, it was warmer than what was outside. The snowstorm is still raging on, roaring as loud as a horn, it felt like a violent war outside.

There Emily stood inside the house, the house was old, century old. The wooden floor cracking a sound every step, dust hanging from the ceiling, dim lights, boarded windows, fading colors, and falling wallpapers.

"Take a seat." Mrs. Violet led Emily to a chair beside the window.

"Here, some have tea, it will keep you warm." A random lady suddenly hands her a cup of tea, which Emily gladly accepts.

She glanced at the window, the sky is low, the travelling snow flake of snow getting carried through the barn. She squinted her eyes, she could see a figure through the thick mist, the figure was on the branch tree that seemed to be staring right back at her.

"Who are you?" Ask the old man standing from his seat. Emily shifted her focus on the man across from her.

"Uh, I'm Emily." She replied, rubbing her arm that is still shivering from the cold.

"You can't be here!" exclaimed the man as he leapt from his seat.

"Sir, please calm down!" Miss Swan pleaded, leading the old man back to his seat.

Miss Swan was pushed off by the elderly guy before he grabbed her by the neck, but she was strong enough to shake him off.

Mrs Violent rushed up to him and yanked him back, screaming "SIR, YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!"

They scream and shout back and forth, close enough to collide. Some of the people inside the home attempted to stop them, while some were unconcerned and stood there minding their own business, while others lowered their heads at every shout they heard.

Then they suddenly paused. Everyone froze, listening— that low-growl, that eerie scratching and that intense sniffing echoed around the house, even its heavy footsteps can be even heard inside the house. The people panic, pacing around the room, panicking as each of them pick themselves their own weapon, just something they can use to attack or defend themselves.

Knock knock...

Miss Swan hesitates, unsure whether or not to open the door. Mrs Violent pulled Miss Swan back, grabbing herself a shotgun. She sighed as negative thoughts flooded her mind. She fling the door open, closing her eyes, welcoming the worst.

"Good afternoon." Emily looks up to find Casper standing in the doorway.

"Oh, sir Casper?" Mrs Violent gulped.

Casper notices the shotgun pointing directly to his chest, he looks at the shotgun then back at Mrs Violent.

"Are you planning on killing me or?" Casper asked, tilting his head to the side.

"No-no, sir Casper." Mrs Violent immediately hid the gun behind her back.

"Okay."

"So..."

"Can I start?"

"Hello Miss Swan. My brother ordered me to pick up one of your freshly picked out flower." Casper said.

"It always made me wonder, how you could grow a beautiful flower in such rough weather." Casper flashed her a smile.

"I don't particularly know, sir Casper." Mrs Violet bowed her head.

"Chrysanthemum, is that what you call it?" Casper guessed.

"Chrysanthemum?" Mrs Violet questioned.

"Oh, wait a minute… let me get the bouquet."

"Please come in, sir Casper. It's freezing cold outside." A random lady offered Casper, handing him a cup of tea.

"Thank you, madam." Casper politely grabs the tea from the lady's grip.

Before removing his coat, he softly lowered his head and smiled at the guest. His eyes landed on the figure, staring directly back at him. He was taken back from her sudden appearance.

"Emily Winston?" Casper called out, not quite believing what he was seeing.

"Eh, Casper..." Emily mumbled those words as she stared back at Casper, she wasn't sure why she didn't move but she didn't have the strength to move.

Everyone's gaze is now fixed on her, searing her skin. She fidgeted her fingers, stammering her words but everyone's eyes shifted to Mrs. Violet rushing back to Casper and handing him the bouquet of Chrysanthemum flowers.

"I deeply apologize for the wait." Mrs. Violet lowered her head.

"I understand." He didn't bother to look at Mrs. Violet. He grabs the bouquet before walking past her, going closer to Emily.

"It's a surprise to see you here." Casper chuckled.

"Yeah.."

"Is this where you plan on staying?" Casper asked.

"..."

"No.."

"I mean.."

"You mean, what?" Casper raised his brows.

"Nothing." Emily shakes her head.

Casper nodded his head, extending his hand for Emily and she hesitantly grip on his hand, Casper smiled, leading Emily out the house. She hissed as that cold air embraced her once again.

"Thank you." Casper wore his coat while Mrs. Violet smiled, closing the door.

Casper notices the freezing state of Emily. He removes his coat, wrapping it around Emily's shoulders. This action made her stunned and surprised.

"Oh.. I- uhm."

"Keep it.."

Emily shifted her eyes beside her, it was a carriage, weird but fancy she thought to herself. Casper opened the door, extending his hand for her.

"Hop in, milady." Casper said, offering his hand.

"Why should I?" Emily questioned.

"Do you want to stay with them or what?" Casper ranted, which made Emily scoff.

"Let's go." Casper said, offering his hand once more- just to be ignored.

"Rude." Casper muttered before hopping in as he grasped on the horse rope.

"HEYAH!" Casper shouted, as the carriage started to move.

Emily shivers, grabbing to the side of the wall. The speed of the carriage was briskly and rocky making Emily bounce off her seat, causing her inside to fill with frustration.

"WHAT THE f**k IS HAPPENING THERE?" Emily shouted as she continued to bounce off her seat.

"You okay, milady?" Casper questioned loud enough for Emily to hear.

"No, does it look like I'm okay?" Emily barked, bouncing off her seat once more.

"Well, you seem okay, as you talked back to me." Casper chuckled, chuckling at his own jokes.

A good old minute has passed before the carriage finally stops, with a hard impact, tossing Emily to the other seat in front of her. Casper swung the door open, flashing her a smile.

"Hi, milady." He smiled, tilting his head to the side.

"Ouch, What the f**k? Are you insane?" Emily cursed, rubbing her face. She scoffed seeing the big smirk plastered on his face.

"Oh, I told you, my first impression is good that my "what the f**k" influenced you." Casper chuckles.

"f**k off." Emily hissed.

"Woah, is that how you treat someone?" Casper chuckled.

"Is this how you treat your guests?" Emily spit back.

"Well, you're my favorite guest." Casper cheered.

"Shut up.." Emily whispered.

"I heard that!" Casper shouted, walking away from her.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Emily demanded, getting off the carriage, she paused mid way, thinking if she should ask the question she just thought about.

Casper ignored her, making his way inside the palace and so did she.

"No, stop."

"Wait!"

"Hold on!"

"I said hold on!"

"Casper!"

"Bloody hell.."

"Oh my god, what!" He turned to look at her, anticipating for her to say something.

An awkward silence filled the atmosphere around them, the long pause made Casper impatient, he tapped his shoes before crossing his arms.

"Speak up." Casper demanded.

"Okay..."

"Soo..?"

"Uh.."

No, it just got me thinking about something, Emily thought to herself.

Do I speak too much? Emily thought to yourself once more.

Emily fixes her gaze onto Casper's eyes. maintaining eye contact with him, she bite her lips, hesitating for a while. She sighed, preparing her question.

"Well.."

"It got me thinking.."

"How do you even know my last name when I never told you my last name..?" Emily asked.