Apparition

Chapter # 4

Violent shivers evoked from my very core as I woke up with a bright morning glory entering through the balcony; glowing my room. I sat up with a scream, glistening with mixed liquid of tears and sweat. Gasping loudly for air and life, I cannot make the fathom of his words which sucked my life out of me. The words which are echoing in my mind and causing a disruption in it, losing my senses, I ran out of the room and fall on the ground and crawled back as my back hit the wall,

“He was here! Brad! He was here!” I shouted, crying, being suffocated due to the lack of comfort. I put my hand over my mouth to conceal my cries while pointing to my room with my other hand. Trembling endlessly, I frantically looked around, wanting to know what he wanted.

“H-He wants i-it back!” I whisper-yelled. My shaky lips were losing their sound. My heart is beating like crazy in fear.

“Ms Aston, no one came to your room. I was outside all this time.” Brad said softly, bending on my level.

“No! He was! He wants something from me!” I shouted, sobbing loudly while hugging my knees close to my chest.

“No one can come from the balcony and from outside.” He explained. I shook my head and continued to let out convulsion gasps of fright. 

“It was nothing but a nightmare.” He tried to say reassuringly.

“It was all a nightmare.” I cried, hiding my face in my knees. 

“Mary!” Jenifer rushed to me and engulfed me in a hug. “What happened?” she asked, worried to see me like this. I held her tightly and pointed to my room, “There was someone in my room last night.” I whispered, beyond afraid. I began to let out a deafening sound of despair, not wanting to bear this anymore. 

“There was nothing, she just had a nightmare.” Brad said again.

“It’s okay Mary.. Don’t worry.” I held Jenifer close to me the way I used to when my Parents died and I had nightmares about it but she consoled me like always but this time, it’s a different matter. 

“He wants it back..”  I spoke in a barely in an inaudible voice.

“What he wants?” She asked, softly. 

“I d-don’t k-know.” I stutter. To say I am scared would be an understatement; I am petrified. I am terrified of these apparitions that are killing me from inside and making me lose track of reality and illusion.

Just in that moment, Carlos came, I gave him a seething look and yelled at him, “Just what the hell are you hiding from us!?” 

“There’s nothing Ma’am.” He said, gently in compassion.

“What’s hidden in here!” I screamed again.

“I believe Ma’am it’s because of that garden, we should seal it as soon as possible.” He suggested.

“Don’t increase her fears more. There’s nothing in this place. You are just not well and need a doctor.” Jenifer scolded him and told me that I needed a doctor. I shook my head and hid my face in her chest whispering these words like a chant, 

“His eyes were glistening in the dark.”

“His eyes were glistening in the dark.” 

“His eyes were glistening in the dark.” 

Jenifer cupped my cheek and looked at me, “Even if they were, don’t let it get this to you.” She said firmly. My convulsed lips formed a thin line as I gave her a hesitant nod by my whole being was against it and not convinced by it. 

She helped me to stand and was about to take me back to my room but I moved back, “No, Anywhere but that room!”

“Mary, I am here, no one cam harm you.” She said with a soft smile over her lips as her blue eyes were shining in assurance. Believing her words, I agreed to enter this room of abhorrence.

 I held her close and laid back, she ran her hands in my hair as I found a darkness to wash over me and take me away from everything… even for a mere instant.

Soon, my eyes fluttered opened and I heard voices from outside,

“Yeah Doctor, She had nightmares like this before too.”

“Make sure to give these medicines and not leave her alone.” 

They are not illusions, they are so realistic, they can’t be. I bit my lips and sat up. I ran my hands in my hair and let out a sigh of consternation. 

Soon, Jenifer entered and soothed me.

“I am glad you are awake.”

“Why is the doctor here?” I asked her, narrowing my eyes at her.

“To check you up, why else?” She laughed nervously.

“I am not distraught with fears, I am fine.” I said agitated. I put my bare feet over the cold carpet around my bed.

“Mary, slippers.” Jenifer told me sternly. I remained silent and walked moved to the floor as the creaking sound of my feet making against the wooden floor reached my ears. The coldness invoked a shiver and I closed my eyes and felt weak that bearing my own presence is difficult for me.

“Mary, you will catch a cold.” Jenifer said, moving the slippers close to my feet. I looked at them devoid of any emotions and wore them. She then wrapped a shawl around me as I sat back on the bed,

“Call Carlos.” Shen ordered and called him. “Did you call someone to seal that door?” I asked.

“Yes. A guy from the town came. His name is Samuel.” I nodded and motioned him to leave. 

I looked at my hand, lost in dismay of what was just happening to me and why. Am I going crazy or it’s just a mere show of what the future has in store for me?

The time passed quickly and before I knew it, twilight fell which gave me eerie coldness. 

I took my medicine hoping they will help me to have a sound sleep and mustering some courage, I decided to sleep in my room. Just to see what I am seeing is real or not. 

“Jenifer, stay with me for tonight.” I almost pleaded her. She smiled and nodded. She sat on the sofa in the corner as I laid back down, trying to sleep. But this time I was relieved that Jenifer is here and who  that person is won’t come because she is here and I can finally have a sleep of solace.

As I was sleeping, I felt someone tracing it’s finger in my locks, so gently and lovingly. A smile crept upon my lips, thinking it might be Jenifer. I exhaled in tranquillity, receiving a sensation of lull. I let the strong scent of roses hit me which made me realize that it’s not Jenifer and the relief turned into dread. It’s not her, it’s Him. The strong scent filled my nostrils and gave me immense fright. 

My whole being began to shudder as I quickly got up. Before I could yell and wake up Jenifer who was sleeping on the sofa, A hand covered my mouth, pulling me to him as my back was pressed tightly against his hard chest. I began to vibrate fiercely, ultimately terrified of his atrocious gaze which stared directly at my soul. My senses were turned into a blur under the ambience of him. His other hand traces his finger from the side of my side and down to my body, roaming it as if it belongs to him. I shivered tremendously when he made contact with my body. Filled with aversion and dread; tears along with a muffled cry tried to release themselves but it was futile. 

I didn’t dare to meet his malicious gaze but I can feel his hot breath lingering over my neck, tracing his lips over my skin, over the scar which starts from the side of my face all the way to my cheek. He inhaled my scent causing me to immerse in the terror more. 

I wanted to call anyone for help but his hand over my mouth refrained me even from breathing- let alone to speak. 

He slowly moved his lips from my neck to my shoulder. I was shaking, desiring to get away as far as possible from him but he had no intention of letting me go, not before he torment me in the worst way possible. 

He slowly implanted a kiss over my neck, moving his lips over  my body as I suddenly arced my back and leaned my head back as a sudden blissful wave of pleasure rushed in me which made me feel so disgusted but avoiding was beyond my capabilities. Tears streamed down my face as I wanted to beg him for mercy, to leave me but he has no intentions of doing so. 

He slowly departed his lips and spoke huskily in my ears, “Where is it?” 

I, who was convulsing in something gloomy dread, tried to speak something. I felt his breath over my face but I couldn't see his face other than those breathtaking eyes, observing my petite form. 

He moved his hand from my mouth slowly as I let out the breath which was caught in my throat, “What do you want?” I asked, faintly, breathlessly. 

He again moved to my neck and before I could call Jenifer to save me from him, his grip around my tightened, holding my neck and controlling my life. And that moment I knew; my life is in his hands and in one moment, he can do anything. He lips bit my neck slightly and spoke in whisper which startled me, causing me to fall into those abyss of menace,

“My Heart.” 

“I don’t know what you are talking about..” I cried in a whisper. He grip over my neck tightened as he hissed, 

“If you don’t have it, I will take yours.”