Femme Fatale

Chapter 20: Genres in Life

My life is like a roller coaster, the day before yesterday it was romance, yesterday it was mystery, and now I’m on action and probably somewhat horror. We found the truth about the cult; they’re slicing the throats of their victims to get their blood for the ritual, where they could speak with the devil that their worshipping. I know that there’s a lot of supernatural beings in this world and I’m one of them but this cult is killing innocent people or maybe they have sinned but not that grave enough to take away their lives.

I already killed four but the remaining two got the better of me. The moment I woke up, I’m lying on the bed with my hands and feet tied up at the corners. They’ve taken off my mask and had me wearing nothing else but a thin white dress. One of them is standing above my head and the other one beneath my feet, both staring at me like they’re waiting for me to be conscious.

“You’re supposed to be dead by now, after killing our brothers, but you’ll be a great offering to Duble.” man above my head “Blood and body of a virgin.”

“We only need to call Duble to have you and wish for the resurrection of our brothers.” man beneath my feet “Good thing you have an accomplice who’s not good in hiding and fighting like you are.” pull down the curtain beside him and Justin-samchon got chained upside down “Wake up.” splashed him a pale of water “Wake up if you want to see the girl alive before you die together.”

“Che-Cherry are you alright?” Justin-samchon speaking in English “Good thing this fool gave me water, and they have no clue what I’m talking about right now, listen Cherry, don’t be afraid, we can get out of here, use your voice.”

“My voice?” pulling myself together “How could my voice help us to get out of here?? We’re both chained, we’re gonna die.”

“No, think about it, these fools want to speak with their false God, we’re not going to die, you have to calm down and think.” Justin-samchon yelled

“That’s enough!” man above my head shouted “These foreigners, they’re making us stupid because we can’t understand their conversation.”

“I’m going to kill this man now.” other man had his blade pointed at Justin-samchon

“Wait, you don’t have to take his blood to talk to Duble!” getting into my act “I can call him for you.”

“Don’t push your luck girl!” man above my head walk to my side “Duble only talk through blood, how can you possibly call him without the ritual??!”

“A word written in blood, that’s not a talk, I could even get you a conversation with Duble if you want.” thinking of the voice I should impersonate

“We’re not stupid, what makes you think that we’re going to believe you?!!” man B about to slit Justin-samchon’s throat

“My knife!” I shouted in a deep voice while growling like a beast as I think of the character, I watched in an exorcist horror movie

“What??!” men completely in shocked “What’s happening, how does her voice suddenly change?” man A “I don’t know, how would I know?!!” man B

“Aren’t you my loyal subjects?!! How could you not recognize my voice?!” continue speaking like being possess by the devil “You worship me but you don’t know who I am, you sacrificed humans on me, and I gave you a word as your answer, this is me, Duble!”

“Duble!” men bowed at me right away “Forgive our ignorance, we never heard your voice before, our Lord, Lord Duble!” man A “Lord Duble, that body, killed our brothers, please bring them back to life!” man B

“You’ve been loyal to me, I would bring them back, but first, get this body unchained … iron limits my ability when I’m in a human body.”

“Right away, Lord Duble!” both of them taking off my cuffs and setting me free

“Release the man too, this body of a young woman won’t last long, I need his body as back up meat suit.” maintaining my composure with the voice

“Yes, Lord Duble!” man B released Justin-samchon immediately and had him tie in rope instead while sitting on a chair

“Lord Duble, our brothers.” man A leading me to the cold bodies I killed

“Are you in a hurry?” growling at him “Give me the weapon used that took their lives.”

“Here, my lord!” man A gave the knife to me instantly “That knife seems to be different my lord!”

“A soul collecting knife to be exact.” I replied “You two, come over here.” tricking them to get near at me

“Lord Duble!” both kneeling in front of me and looking at my feet

“A life for a life.” stabbing one of them immediately

“Lord Duble, we’ve done everything for you, why??!” man A shocked when his brother falls to the ground

“Because you’re worshipping the wrong God!” pushing him down and stabbed him with my knife “It’s over soldier, now I have your soul too.” back to my original voice “These fools!” get off from the man’s dead body and look at Justin-samchon who watch me kill in live action “Let me breath for a while.”

“It’s different to see your mind and watching you in real action.” Justin-samchon staring at me blankly “We need to clean this place before the police.”

“I know, make it more horrifying than already it is.” cutting his tie loose “I’m going to change first, I feel like I’m naked with this thin cloth.”

“Go ahead, I think of a way to make this place convincing like everything goes awry without our intervention.” Justin-samchon rubbing his wrist

I changed back to my original attire and helped Justin-samchon lay the bodies down on the floor like the horror movie we’ve watched before. It was Saturday morning when we got out from the lair and the police discovered the crime at noon. Everything was the same the way we left them but there’s a word written in blood at the center of the dead bodies, MERMAID.

“I guess their Lord Duble is real.” having chill all over my skin “Am I going to haunted by the devil, now?” tucking in to Justin-samchon’s arm

“Shh, that Duble doesn’t care about those fools, I heard him laughing when you killed the last one, not the type to avenge the murder of his people.”

“I’ve never been scared to death before but at that time I’m so scared, if not for you I won’t be able to think clearly.” hugging him like I’m a child

“Geez, Nene, as long as I’m with you, you’re not gonna die, it’s just that things got out of hand but you need to be calm and think in that kind of situation, panicking won’t cause you any good.” patting my head “Now you know how dangerous it is to fight those people alone.”

“I’m not alone, you’re with me.” feeling safe and sound with his embrace like I’m hugging my late father “Is the doorbell ringing?” ignoring the sound

“That’s Kim Suho, I’m sending him back, stay here.” Justin-samchon stand up and walk to the door “Nene isn’t feeling well today, just see her in the campus next week, tonight’s not a good time to visit.”

“I see, please accept this anyway, and tell her to get well soon, I’ll be waiting for her in the campus.” Kim Suho’s voice

“I’ll relay your message to her, don’t worry, thank you for the oranges.” Justin-samchon close the door after their short talk “You want oranges?”

“Yes, please.” walk towards the shelf to get a video tape “Let’s watch a comedy movie.”

“Sure, I’ll slice these beautifully.” taking the box in the kitchen “That man is sincere to pursue you, Nene.”

“I know, he’s different from others, but he’s safer when he’s not part of my life.” choosing from the comedy tapes we have at home

“Then reject him in a nice way when he confesses his feelings to you.” slicing the oranges

“Is there a nice way to reject someone? I’m hurting his feelings if I reject him so how could it be nice??” put the video tape in the player

“You’ll figure it out when the time comes.” walking to the living room “I’m good in using knives now.”

“You should be, thanks.” eating a slice of orange “I just remember we’re going back to the campus tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow is the start of my last semester in third year.”

“Time flies so fast, right?” sit beside me “The next thing you know you’ll be graduating from college and a naval architect just like Jack.”

We left our residence Saturday afternoon and meet in the evening to eat out for dinner. Seaof and Poseidon were also back at their dorm so I had dinner with them too along with Justin-samchon.

“Alright boys, I’m leaving my candy cane bucket here, in exchange for the free use of your kitchen.” passing the bucket to Poseidon who seems to be keeping his eyes on to my bucket “Tomorrow I’m making cupcakes so don’t be surprise if you’re kitchen will be messy.”

“It’s alright as long as you don’t burn our room.” Poseidon eating a candy cane “I only have this during Christmas.”

“You’re always welcome, let me send you back to your dorm.” Seaof accompanying me outside their building

“I’m going to use your kitchen for a week, I hope you don’t mind.” walking with him towards the female dormitory

“Not at all, you may use it as long as you want, may I know why you’re into baking these days?”

“Just trying out my baking skills, I want to know how to make every kind of meal.”

“That’s very good of you, even if you’re into culinary school you’ll be their top student too.”

“You’re flattering me too much, cooking is just a hobby of mine, I haven’t thought of it as a profession.”

“Your future husband is fortunate to have you as his wife, you’re good at cooking and in everything you do.”

“If you’re not my professor I might think that you’re hitting on me.”

“I … I’m complimenting you not hitting on you.” stuttering all of a sudden “But Nene … if I’m not your professor, what do you think of me?” glancing at me shyly “Just casual question, I want to know what a lady think of me as a man.”

“Hmm, how do you want me to answer your question? What do you want to hear from me?” I know that he’s doing this on purpose

“Answer it the way you want it to, I prefer to hear the truth.” staring at me while we’re walking along

“Then let me do a comparison between you and Don, would that be alright?” teasing him a bit “Or am I being rude because I’m comparing you two?”

“It’s fine, this is not the first time I’m being compared to him anyway so go ahead and tell me what you think.” he’s a bit upset but he’s ready to listen

“Physically, he’s a better visual than you but you’re taller than him; Mentally, I think both of you are geniuses it’s just that he’s more complicated than you are; Emotionally, you’re way much better than him, I get along with you very well while I always argue with him.” stating the truth to him “But if I were to choose between you and him, I rather have you than him, I don’t want someone who gets too much attention from the public.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be happy or sad from what I heard from you, but if you choose me over him, that’s what matters the most.” smiling at me

“Geez, that guy is an attention-seeker, I won’t be having a peaceful life if I had him as a husband.” covered my mouth immediately “I’m not thinking that he’ll be my husband … I just got reminded of his interview when he proposes to a stranger.” (Why did it suddenly appear in my mind?!)

“I understand, that’s the talk of the town these days because the show to find his future wife will be airing this Friday evening.”

“Exactly, that’s what I’m trying to say, it’s like a competition between these girls who’s fighting over him, like some of a bachelor’s dating show in other countries, it’s just a pity because I don’t think there’ll be happy ending unless he chose someone who only look like her girl but not the real one.”

“Well at least we have some entertainment every Friday evening.” laughing a bit

“Yeah right, I guess I’ll be home early every Friday for me not to miss the show.”

The next morning, a new start of the new semester and as usual not everyone’s looking forward for our first class, because Poseidon is our first professor every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Seaof will be the last professor, like they just switched their timeslot in our class.

“Oh great! We’ll be wracking our brains first thing in the morning; I should’ve chosen the other block section.” Hammond whispering to me

“Just like first semester, I want to arranged your seats according to your comprehension, get one and pass.” Poseidon handed out the test papers to the people in front “You already answered those questions before so there will be no overtime, I want to make sure that you still remember our lessons last semester because we’re about to discuss it’s second part that is more complicated than the first one.”

“Booo!” everyone booing him “Prof. Nevaeh, you’re draining us first thing in the morning!” classmate A shouted “Please have mercy on us!” classmate B

“Hahaha!” laughing at us “I’m already showing you mercy because if not that test contains our future lessons, I’m giving you the past questions, to know individual’s present standing.” starts to roam around the classroom “Enough your delaying tactics, you’re just wasting your time whining.”

“Ahhh!” everyone whining like a kid

“Now I’m sure that I’m not gonna miss him when he’s gone.” Hammond whispered “I barely managed to survive last semester on his subject.”

Justin-samchon told me that Poseidon had this in mind last night, torture the student’s brain on the first meeting. I’m almost tempted to go over my test papers but it’ll be unfair to everyone who doesn’t know this sinister arrangement of him. He really enjoys seeing the hardship of his students.

We’re all traumatized after the first class and we had no energy left during our last class as if we’re all physically present but mentally absent. Fortunately, Seaof cut us some slack and instead of discussing our lesson, he had us discuss our summer vacation.

“I hope all of our professors are just like Prof. Godeth, he’s a saint!” roommate A “If only Prof. Nevaeh would be as kind as Prof. Godeth, our class would be perfect.” roommate B “Prince Don isn’t that bad of a person, he only want us to learn the hard way.” roommate C

“Exactly, to be honest, he’s being considerate with our exam earlier, it’s a shame that I don’t remember most of it because summer washed away what I’ve learned before, but at least I’m still in the last row and it’s not that bad to sit right next to our back door.”

“Yeah right, at least one of us girls had a spot at the back, the boys would belittle us if you haven’t got that spot.” roommate B “We’re on our third year but they still think that we’re inferior to them.” roommate C “If not for you, they won’t acknowledge what girls can do.” roommate A

“No, we all earned it, not just because of me, see we’re still eight, our girl group is solid.” looking at my girls and cheering them up

“Enough of the serious stuff, let’s talk about what happened on your summer.” roommate C “Rita told us that Kim Suho seems to be interested at you, is that true?” roommate A “Hey, Nene, Kim Suho is the heartthrob of the whole campus not just his department, he’s a big deal.” roommate B

“I don’t know if he’s interested, only he can answer that question not me.” feigning innocence “Can you just keep it a secret?? I don’t want to be on the spotlight because of rumors spreading around the campus.”

“You can count on us, but how about the others who’s been on the same tour as you, we can’t stop them if they talk.” Rita barged in to our room “And speaking of Kim Suho, he’s looking for you downstairs, I don’t think you can keep something as big as this.”

“What??! What is he doing here?!!” stand up immediately from my chair “How did you know he’s looking for me, what if he’s looking for someone else?”

“Uh, he actually called my name, I can’t believe he remembered my name, I’m still feeling high right now.” Rita said “He asked me to call you down.”

“Huh? What am I going to do??” panicking like I’ve been busted by a cop

“Hey, relax, just go down and see him, the more you waste your time here the more audience he gathers down there.” Rita hold my shoulders

“You’re right, I have to go down now.” trying not to run but I’m walking fast as I could “Am I excited to see him??” the moment I reached the lobby some of the girls already gathered around him like he’s an attraction at the park “Shh!” our eyes met and I walked away from the crowd naturally

“I think this is far enough from your dormitory.” Kim Suho ran towards me “Is visiting your dorm a bad idea?”

“What do you think?” I said sarcastically “Why are you looking for me??”

“I want to see you.” he said boldly “I visited you last Saturday at your residence but Dr. Tranter told me you’re unwell, are you feeling alright now?”

“Ah, yes, thank you for your concern.” looking around “I know that you want to be friends with me but you can’t just show up like that.”

“I’m sorry, I should be more cautious, by the way why don’t you want to see others that we’re talking to each other??”

“Because you’re the famous Kim Suho, it might cause a misunderstanding if they see me talking to you, I’m protecting your image here.”

“Pfft!” holding back his laughter “What image are you talking about??! I’m no celebrity, I can talk to anyone I want, and hiding like this from everyone can make them more suspicious, we’re just talking what’s wrong about that??!”

“You know what, you’ve got a point!” realized that he’s right “I’m thinking way too much” I don’t think he’s going to confess now and I’m being awkward here “Uhm, do you want a cupcake?” diverting his attention to something else “I actually baked cupcakes earlier and they’re at Justin-samchon’s dorm.”

“Well a stroll with you tonight is a good thing, and yes I like a cupcake that you baked.” smiling sweetly at me

“Yeah, I think I have a crush on him.” muttering to myself

“I’m sorry I didn’t catch that, what did you say??” looking at me curiously

“I was just thinking if there’s anyone in their room, they might be out for dinner and I don’t have a key.” making up a lie to cover my muttering

“We won’t know until we get there.” walking first on the way to the dormitory for faculty members “I want to have a taste of your cupcake, the Shu Mai dumplings you made last time are delicious, I’m pretty sure you’re good in baking too.”

“Ah, well I’m into baking these days and I’m baking a cake tomorrow, tomorrow’s Justin-samchon birthday.” following his lead

“Really??! I should buy a gift tomorrow then, though I’m not sure if he’s inviting me or not.”

“You may come, I’m inviting you to come.” I said excitedly “I’m the party organizer so I can invite whoever I want.”

“Hahaha, alright, I’ll go.” smiling at me “How old is he anyway, anything you can advise me to buy for his present that he would like?”

“Uhm, he’s turning 40, for the present … I guess you may give him an English music record, he likes to play music at home.”

“Noted, any particular singer, band or music that he likes?”

“Well he’s up to date in music, you may give him anything, he likes everything as long as it’s pleasing to the ears.”

“Alright, Dr. Tranter is an important person to you, is he?”

“Of course, he’s like my father, after my biological father died, he took care of me like his real daughter, though he’s been taking care of me since I got in this country, he’s the only family I have.”

“You have Dr. Tranter as your father and Hammond as your brother, even though you three are not blood related, the bond between you is more like a real family than any other family who’s only related by blood but doesn’t have a genuine relationship at all.” having sad eyes all of a sudden

“Hey, you can talk to me anytime, but if you need professional advice, I refer you to Dr. Tranter.” tapped his shoulder “I’m sorry, did I startle you?”

“A little, I’m not used being touched by anyone.” surprised expression written all over his face

“Sorry, if I’m a bit touchy, I didn’t know that you’re quite sensitive.” distancing myself from him

“No need to say sorry, it’s actually alright, don’t worry about it.” closing our distance again “I don’t mind if it’s you.”

“It’s just a habit of mine, but you don’t have to force yourself because of me, I’ll be uncomfortable if you do that.”