"Shut up, SHUT THE FUCK UP", Nicolas tried to calm himself by walking across the room vigorously but it did not seem to work. "What did you see exactly", he asked looking straight at Alice again but the poor girl could no longer speak out of fright, "ANSWER ME"

She almost jumped, "When you pulled the man's tongue."

"Oh—", Nicolas paused as if finding relief, he was quick to change moods and started laughing, "That man— I see". Letting out a sigh, "Yes, I killed him and I do not regret doing so. Are you satisfied now?", he explained, his arms spread out in the air before deciding to sit down the opposite side from where Alice were, "He deserved it anyway."

"You killed a person Nick, murder is murder. You took a life, that's not something to be proud off", Alice as stared in Nicolas's cold eyes.

"After all I've been through, I don't care anymore", Nicolas finally calmed.

"After all you've been through?", she wiped her tears. It took her two whole minutes to calm down but after a long pause, she finally continued her inquiry, "Then what about this", She raised the hair clip, "Where did you get it", for whatever reason, she noticed Nicolas's face turn from calm to aggrieved.

"I'll ask you again, please, put that down. I don't want to keep yelling at a friend", he uttered softly. Looking to the side, avoiding her as he balled his fist, holding it with the other to stop it from shaking.

Alice felt relief hearing the words friends from the boy but she'll never it sway her, "I will not, not until you tell me where you got it", she tried raising her voice as she stood. Acting cool despite the screams of her body to run.

"Why do you even care. Sorry, but even if you want it, I can't give it to you."

"I don't want it; I'm just asking why you have this thing."

"That's none of your business", Nicolas sighed, once again feeling annoyed.

"Where did you get it then", she continued asking, the feeling that she really has seen it before is fueling her pursuit.

"Haven't you had enough already. You're annoying."

"Don't talk to me like that or— or I'll throw it out the window", Alice threatened Nick, but his sharp gazed came back along with his knife unsheathed.

"Do that and I'll kill you, right here, on the spot. I'll chop you up and feed you to the animals in the forest and no one will ever know you're dead", he stood up, his brown eyes blitzing a streak of blue, quickly fading before Alice could even notice.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Feeling the same crushing force she felt from a day ago, Alice immediately recoiled from where she stood, gulping every bit of her saliva down her throat. Asking herself if it's even worth her life knowing the answer behind the familiar box. The mysterious force as prompt as it appeared, quickly washed over her, long before Nicolas could even lowered the knife back to its sheath.

"You know what, fine. I'll tell you just so you would leave me alone", he walked towards the window. "A friend gave it to me— After the orphanage I was in was burned down. Don't ask me why because I don't know— so would you please give it back. Even though I'm not sure, I think that's something important and no value in gold would tie its worth".

There was a long silence, only to be taken over the by the ticking of the hands of the clock.

"You grew up in an orphanage?", Alice repeated, feeling sorry and shaken.

"That doesn't make me less of a murderer does it?", Nicolas stretch his arm for the box while Alice looked at him straight in the eyes, a mixture of pity, empathy, and confusion flickering in them. "What? are you suddenly feeling sympathy for a murderer?", he smirked.

Alice handed him the item. Victorious, for she got the answer that she want yet defeated for its not the answer she wanted to hear. Silently, as she went down the stairs, she's even more confused than when she started.

"By the way, Alice", Nick called so she looked up. "Check the bulletin boards in front of the town's library tomorrow, you'll know the whole story. And no, I did not kill the lady", he watched as she finally reached the bottom and later followed her from the window until she slowly disappeared in the crowd.

He took the box and placed it back. Laying down the cloth that had been serving as his bed for a year and a half now, he can still remember the lively life he had once lived and the bright days together with his only friend Alisa. Someone who he spent his whole childhood for seven years. Although it is not perfect, it's much better than his current state.

"This is my most important possession more than anything", he thought, fidgeting with it before finally unfolding its contents. The hairclip that was the only proof of their friendship and most likely what's left of it. "It is what's left of those bright and warm days, a memento of the times full of smiles and laughter".

He stared at the low ceiling above him, "Before everything went downhill", he closed his eyes, "I already know what I'll be dreaming tonight, of course I do, it never changed. The same nightmare over and over", At first it was a dream that felt like a nightmare, but as time went by, he got used to its horrific nature.

He opened his eyes once again when he remembered the bulletin board this morning. He was particularly worried about one of the announcements pasted on it.

Missing

Nicolas Gregory

"Prince of Gregoria and Heir to the throne"

Any information that would lead to the Prince will be rewarded.

"1,000 Gold"

"They're here, it took them a little longer than I thought but I'm sure they're here. They even had my face on it, but that's a problem that can be avoided. I should probably take that announcement down before more people sees it, especially Alice. Since she tends to pry on another's business", he then rolled to his side before finally giving in to his exhaustion.

"I just hope mother is holding up well"