Apparition

Chapter # 3

Bewildered by his words, I am just filled with extreme consternation that sucked my life out of me painfully like a poison and being a wimp bearing this affliction is beyond my capabilities.

“Mary! Did you even hear what I said?” Jenifer said, exasperated. I blinked and turned to her, “Sorry, I was just lost.” I mumbled and she sighed, “Is everything fine, Ma’am?” Carlos asked. I took a deep breath and leaned back on the comfy seat of the carriage. I closed my eyes and remained silent and continued our journey to the town. They both looked at me with a hint of worry but I remained silent. 

“Is there something hidden in that mansion?” I asked, out of blue. 

“I don’t think so.. The previous Ma’am never had any problems.” Carlos said.

“And who is she and why did she leave?”

“She was the late Earl’s wife, Emma Jude, wanting to live her life in peace. She came to live there with her daughter but some tragedy happened and her daughter suddenly died and she ran away. No one knew about her from that day.” I shuddered when he said that her daughter died. An unpleasant feeling took over me. My heart skipped a beat anticipated by the dread that I may not have the same fate as her daughter. I quickly shook my head and asked,

“Did you find the reason for it?” Carlos shook his head no and replied, “Being outside of the town boundaries, Police don’t get involved in our matters.”

“But she was the Late Earl’s daughter.”

“The Earl died and so did his legacy without a son.” Carlos said monotonously. I scoffed and turned my head to the window and looked outside. Trying to belittle his absurd words. 

The rest of the journey went in silence as we reached the small yet pleasing town. The icy breeze brushed against my skin, embracing me. I inhaled and wrapped my arms around myself and a smile crept upon my lips as I felt free like there are no restrictions or abhor. 

I turned to look around, greeted by the people giving me a somehow sympathetic look. “What happened?” I asked the child softly. “You came from the Crimson Illusion, right Ma’am?” The ten-years old kid asked in fear. I raised an eyebrow at him and smiled, “What’s the place?” I asked.

“Your mansion.” He replied. I nodded and asked, “Yes. What is in this place?” he motioned me to come close, “I have heard from my parents…” I moved close as he whispered in my ears, “A devil lives there. Did you see it?” My eyes widened when I heard it. I stilled as a shiver went down my spine. Lost in enigmatic thoughts that filled me with apprehension.

“Mary come here!” Jenifer voice came. I looked at the kid and smiled, “I don’t know where a devil resides but I know where an angel lives.” I said, pulling away, forcing a smile. “Where?” He asked, excited. I pointed at his heart and replied, “In a pure heart.” I ruffled his hair and went to see Jenifer. 

I bit my cheeks and tried to give myself the consolation that kids can say anything and what I saw is nothing but a nightmare. I keep repeating these words like a chant so that my heart can receive any equanimity from it and not think about it anymore. 

Somehow, I managed to keep my posture as We brought the necessary stuff and looked around for a while. On the way, I got separated from Jenifer and stumbled into an old woman. Her eyes were glimmering with a shade of emerald, she doesn't seem like a woman of middle society, I can feel it from her aura which was emitting superiority. I narrowed my eyes at her as she held my hand in her wrinkled one and stared deeply at it. I felt nervous under her shrewd gaze. Her long nails traced slowly on my hand and began to say in her deep voice, 

"You will have the same fate as hers… Regret leads to death. Your right is your wrong. Because…" She slowly lift her gaze and looked at my startled one. I tried to pull my hand away but she held it in a tight grip and spoke staring intensely in my eyes,  

"He will take it." A gasp of fright escaped my lips when I heard it. My lips began to quiver as tears brimmed in my eyes. I let out a whimper and was about to call someone for help. I turned to look at Jenifer and back to her but then she was gone. I let out rapid breaths and put my hand over my chest. I stumbled back and felt utterly scared. I walked back and ran to Jenifer. I held her shoulders breathless. 

"Jenifer! That.. Old woman.. Said we.. I will die!" I said while catching my breath. She sighed and put her hands over mine, "Look Mary, don't believe what everyone tells you. We all are fine. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"There is!" I shouted- gaining everyone's attention. Jenifer pulled my arm and said slowly to me, "Before anyone calls you crazy, snap out of it, Mary." A Tear rolled from the corner of my eye. I hesitantly nodded and pulled away. I looked at Carlos, looking at me in pity. 

I didn't said anything after that and when we came back, I finally asked Carlos, 

"Why is this place called Crimson Illusion?" He stopped in his tracks and turned to me. He passed me a faint smile and replied, 

"Because there's a saying about this place."

"What?" I asked, intrigued. He cleared his throat said said, 

"Mind devastated in delusions; Can only see those crimson illusions." my smile faded when I heard it. Mystifying thoughts came to my mind as a commotion wreck in my mind, everyone’s talk is pushing me into the abyss more. A darkness is spreading before my eyes as I find myself losing my ability to fight back. I turned my head away and went to my room.

“Don’t let anyone enter my room.” I ordered. 

“Ma’am dinner?” Carlos asked.

“I am not hungry. Tell Brad to stay outside my room.” I said and walked away. I curled my hands in a fist and grit my teeth wanting to know who came to my room last night, what happened here is reality or just a deception of my eyes. 

I went to my room and closed the door behind me. I leaned on the wall, closed my eyes and fell to my knees. I can feel it under my fingernail that something extremely menacing is about to happen, my heart ached and I hugged my knees close to my chest. It’s been a few moments and I felt so tired of this. I Just hope what I am witnessing is nothing but a delusion. But only my delusion can see those crimson illusions; those apparitions which I deny from my heart. I shut my eyes and tried to earn a short lived reprieve from this devastation and found myself losing it not wanting to see this anymore. 

My eyes shot open as I sat up with a gasp when the loud sound of the window hitting the frame echoed in the room. My eyes scanned the dark room as they fell upon the silhouette of a figure so large as compared to me. Eyes went wide when I saw those same exquisite grey eyes glimmering the gloom I saw that day I found the jar. They are so captivating yet dark enough to persuade anyone using these eyes. My heart skipped a beat as roaring but rapid breaths escaped my lips. My grip on the duvet tightened when I saw him staring intensely at me. Tears brimmed in my eyes, blurring my vision. I swallowed the lump in my throat, wanting to scream and call Brad but my voice is stuck in my throat and my vocal cords cannot produce any sound other than a whimper. 

He took a step close, his face wasn’t clear but the moonlight falling on his face made it glisten with malevolence. I crawled back when he moved to me. My voice caught up in my throat. Tears rolled down my cheeks like a river. Panting heavily as if his presence was crushing me, My heart was about to leap from my chest. I slowly moved my hand to look for the bell to ring and call Brad but before my mind could register what happened. His hands held mine. His hands were cold as ice, holding mine like a prisoner and felt like no less than some shackles which restrict my movements. My breath hitched as I began to shake tremendously. My teary gaze gave him a pleading look to release me but he just leaned in dangerously close to my face. A shiver of horror went down my spine and shook my core. My hairs stood on their edge, feeling utterly terrified of the superior presence before me. A soft voice of fear reached his ear. He didn’t break the stare and I could only see his eyes looking at me with malice. 

He moved to my neck, I shut my eyes, letting out silent tears, feeling vulnerable before the crushing presence before me, “I.want.it.back.” He whispered, vehemently and traced his lips all the way to my ear, I continued to shake in vexation, deluging in apprehension. He bit my ear and continued, “Give.it.back.”