The Shadow Stalker Around Her

Chapter 16

Skyla

(Past)

I closed my eyes as I couldn't take that horrifying scene anymore. A hot breath fanning over my face. I didn't want to open my eyes. I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. Why me? I shook my head and tried to get up from that nightmare. I was hallucinating. These aren't happening in real. Nobody dies like this. Then why am I still listening to their screaming? I felt someone held my face and caressing my face with his knuckles. No! no-no. It's not true. He can't possibly be here. A sob came out from my mouth as soon as I felt him touching my lips. Then suddenly he grabbed my jaw in a tight grip which made me scream in fear, and my eyes flew open. I looked at him, but his face was covered with a hoodie. I looked at the ground and saw no one was there. They were gone and those snakes too, but blood was still there on the floor. I turned my gaze toward him. His lips curved upward. 

He said, "This will happen to those who try to hurt you." My feet turned cold. I tried to get away from his grip but failed. He tightened his hold around my jaw. I whimpered. I held his wrist and pushed his hand, but he stayed unfazed, instead, he brought his face to come closer and said in a dangerous tone,  "You didn't listen to me." I frowned at him and shook my head in denial. I never defy him. He told me to stay away from others, and I did listen to him. I refused to make friends. I only talked to my teachers and Carl. Carl isn't someone you would like to talk to, but he is my violin teacher. I tried to reason with him, but words refused to come out from my mouth. 

He said in a maniac tone, "Now see, because of you, that boy is dead now." Did he kill him as he killed my foster family?  I looked at him in terror and tried to remove his hand from my face, but he pulled me in his arms. I shivered in fear. If he kills me here in his classroom, I won't be surprised. If he wants this, then be it. I can't live like this. Those people lose their life because of me. I know they aren't innocent, but no one deserves to be killed like this. He has no right to kill them brutally. 

He said in a cold tone, "I told you to stay away from him, didn't I?" 

I shook my head vigorously and stuttered, "I-I d-did s-stay a-away- "

Cutting me off, he yelled out at me, "Do you want me to do the same thing with your granny?" I broke down after listening to him. He will kill her. My granny. He isn't lying when he wrote that in that note on the day Carl went to my granny's home. He was there with a bloodied knife, standing at the backside of our garden. He killed everyone. And now his target is my granny. He didn't kill her that day, but he would defiantly if I don't do anything as he says. 

I couldn't take that anymore and ask, "Why are you doing this to me?" He didn't say anything and stayed quiet. I became frustrated. He left my face and held me by both shoulders. He kept staring at me. He could see me crying, but I couldn't see him. I lowered my head and cried my heart out. 

I asked in a whisper, "Tell me. Who are you?" I wanted to know him. If somehow I offended him in the past, I decided to beg him for mercy and leave that elderly woman alone. She doesn't deserve this painful death. She is kind-hearted and that's why she sheltered me and admitted me to a reputable school in our town. She feeds me and gave me motherly love, which I have been craving for so long. I am going to kill myself if something happens to my granny. She is my guardian angel. 

I began ranting with a sob, "Why are you doing this to me? Did I ever have offended you in the past? If I did, please forgive me or punish me, but please leave that elderly woman of mine. She doesn't deserve this kind of death. Hurt me as much as you want, but not her. I never talked with anyone in this school. Believe in me. Whenever they come to talk to me, I leave that place right away. Please leave her. Tell me your name. Who are you? What wrong have I ever done to deserve this? I come here to look for a peaceful life. Why? Tell me about my mistake. I am grateful to you that you saved me from my foster father that day. Why did you kill my foster mother? Give me answers. Please. Who are you?" 

I began to cry uncomfortably. I couldn't breathe. My skin was burning as if I was standing near a blast furnace. I was shaking. I couldn't standstill. It hurts. I wanted to get away from that place or just wanted to die and get rid of this emotional torture forever. But I want to see granny one last time. One glimpse of her face will be enough. I wanted to meet with Carl and say to him I am leaving. And I so wanted to ask for an apology to break my promise to him to win the violin competition. I am very grateful to him to teach me how to play the violin. He made my wish come true. He was a great teacher. I could never tell him how talented he is at this young age. He is a senior, but he is the best violin teacher ever. I am sorry Carl and I am sorry granny. I couldn't keep my eyes open. Maybe my time of leaving this world is here. 

I heard that person said, "You will know soon, Skyla. They got what they deserved." 

Shaking my head, I tried to say something to him. With great difficulty, I said, "No. No one deserves this. Please stop this."

For a few moments. He didn't say anything to me. He rubbed my head and said in a calming tone, "Close your eyes, Skyla. You are going to forget everything." I frowned, but couldn't say anything. I eventually closed my eyes without caring I was still in his hold. 

I felt someone shaking me, and a sound is calling me continuously. My head was painfully hurting, and I couldn't open my eyes. I struggled a lot. But I couldn't. I was sweating badly. I felt uneasy. I opened my eyes slowly, and a painful scream came out of my mouth.