8. A flock of birds
1208 Words
Alexa's Pov-
"Hello. My name is Diego Clifford. I came here to take a look at my property but rather got surprised seeing you guys. And don't worry, you can stay as long as you want." He says gazing into my eyes and Rhett chirps in.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Clifford!'" He says.
"Thank you, Mr. Clifford." I thank him too.
"Call me Diego." He says and I nod.
"Now." He says when I don't say his name and prepare myself to speak in front of him.
"Ye.. yes Diego..."
What was that!? Why did I stutter!?
I wallow in my self embarrassment as I walk behind them all. We enter where we slept and what an embarrassing scene it is. We literally look like a bunch of teenagers with struggling life. Brett is still sprawled on the make-shift bed as we all stand surrounding him.
"Brett!" Rhett calls out his twin and Brett doesn't respond at all.
"Brett!" He calls him, this time more urgently but to no avail. Then Desmond walks near him and kicks him in the butt making me giggle. I try to suppress my giggles when I notice Diego's eyes on me. I instantly shut up before lowering my head. It wasn't like he was warning me to shut up but I still did. He is intimidating...
I again raise my head when Brett lets out a groan.
"WHAT THE f**k!?" He shouts seeing strangers looking down at him. He looks around and quickly gets up before coming to Desmond's side.
"Brett, he is Mr. Diego Clifford, the heir and hence, the owner of this castle. He has come here to check on his property." Desmond explains.
"Oh... hello, I'm Brett, Brett Shaw." At least he introduced himself well.
Diego nods at him before giving me a short glance.
"You all came here to celebrate the birthday and because nature is trying to turn it down, I suggest you all stay here in the castle and celebrate your birthday here itself," Diego says making all of us shocked.
"No Diego! It's okay. We were about to go today in the morning anyway. We don't want to be a burden." I say before anyone could say anything. Diego turns to me and takes slow steps towards me.
"You won't be a burden. I promise. And please, I insist." He says staring deep into my eyes. He speaks with an authority that you can't just deny.
"Okay..." I let out.
"Better." He says before turning around and again stopping before he faces me again.
"And, what is your name?" He asks.
"Alexa Halls," I say and he takes my hand and bringing it closer to his face, he grazes his lips on my knuckles making me slightly flush.
"So, it is decided that you all will be staying here. I am certain you still have a lot to explore and enjoy your stay here. I'll make sure to get some areas clean for you all to stay comfortably." He says maintaining his gaze at me. At last, he gives me a smile and turns to my friends.
"You'll be safe..." And I flinch at the sudden sound. What was that sound? Someone whispered in my ears! I am certain, someone did! But there is no one standing beside me!
I wipe my face with my hands. 'You are just hallucinating Lex. It was nothing.' But it's hard to ignore.
"Alexa." And I snap my head to Diego.
"Yes?" I say and he takes steps towards me.
"How about we take a stroll outside till your friends settle the things here? They propose a helping hand." Diego asks and I took over his shoulder and meet Desmond's gaze. His expression clearly states that he isn't liking this interaction but Diego is also letting us stay here so, I can at least give him a little company. And it wouldn't really hurt to go on a stroll with this handsome being in the early morning.
"Sure," I say smiling and Desmond's gaze hardens again. I give him a smile too and Diego turns his head to look at him. Both stare at each other for a few seconds before Diego holds my hand and starts moving towards the exit. Oh... okay?...
We get outside and I appreciate the sunlight. We walk in silence and pass the gates.
'I thought the stroll was just around the castle.'
"So, is Alexa short for Alexandra?" He asks and something flashes in his eyes before it is gone.
"No, it is just Alexa," I say looking behind me, keeping in check what way we are heading. I had retrieved my hand from his grasp when we walked outside the gates.
"Don't worry. I know this area very well. It is imprinted in my mind. So... did you like the castle?" He then asks clearing my doubts about us getting lost.
'Is that even a thing to ask? Of course, I like it! Ancient things are always fascinating.'
"Of course! It is so huge! I am certain if it is cleaned thoroughly then it would even beat every fairy tales' castle! I wonder how the former people of the family might live in the castle. It must take them a lot of time!" I say. It is actually good to talk to him. I'm getting comfortable.
"Well, they were really punctual and everything had a fixed time and fixed designated place. So, they all used to meet at one place. And for women, there used to be carriages." He explains.
"Wow! Carriages!..." I exclaim.
"Yes, but..."
"AAHHH!!!" He stops mid-sentence and I scream out loud in fright. Why?
Because a bird suddenly came into my view and collapsed on the ground, just in front of Diego. My hands clamp my mouth in fear. I look at the bird and it is trying to flap its wings before the motion stops, indicating it is dead now.
"What... what was that? How come it di... died?" I ask stuttering but Diego just looks up in the sky before he holds my hand and turns us around.
"Let's go." He says and starts dragging me along with him. I do not argue with him since I don't really know what to do and the best I can do right now is to follow him.
I try to keep up with him but my curiosity forces me to look behind me. I turn my head while still walking and partially running but what I see makes my breath hitch.
There are a lot of birds, collapsing on the ground! It's like a giant flock of birds collapsing on the ground and that too... dead. The birds seem to pour from the sky and all dead. The ground is now covered with many flocks of dead birds and it seems unending.
What could possibly cause the deaths of so many birds all of a sudden? And why is taking me away as fast as he can like he knows what would happen if we don't get to the castle fast? Is it really a haunted place?
I'm so confused! Did we make a good choice on choosing to come here?
What is up with this place!?
- Writer
