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“The sea is beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes...it truly is.”
The deep, red sea washed upon the shore rhythmically, brushing my bare feet. My eyes bled, an endless flame dancing up in the black sky.
I looked at my right, admiring my beloved spouse. My hand warmed by hers, her hand warmed by mine.
She turned around, her smile filling me with love.
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Her blue, beautiful eyes pierced my soul, while her golden hair danced with the wind.
She placed her hand on my cheek, as her sweet, soft lips met mine. I touched her body, exploring her flesh as we deepened our kiss.
The flames danced more vigorously, the waves started to wet more land.
We pulled away from each other, our hands joined for eternity.
“The day that man allows true love to appear, those things which are well made will fall into confusion and will overturn everything we believe to be right and true.” She recited, her voice a sweet nectar.
I kissed her hand gently, smiling.
I knew what that meant.
We both knew it.
And so we burned together, in hell.
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Chapter I – Numbing
I woke up with tears all over my face that day. After going into a frenzy a killing two of my dear sisters, I slept like an innocent baby...the tears weren’t for that.
I had a weird dream. I was in a shore with someone at my side. I didn’t really remember anything more than that. The tears probably came from that dream.
I turned around and saw Nelya’s spot. Empty.
I knew where they all were. I didn’t have the courage to show up.
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“This is...this is just crazy!” Annaliese held Katherine's body in her arms, crying as always.
“She was killed...b-by Katherine.” William muttered, horrified. “Why?! Why would she do such a thing?!”
Gale and Vance were out before the could receive any of these news. So it was just me, Nelya, Annaliese and William. Lillya was still asleep.
Last night, I heard Katherine’s door getting opened. I knew she wanted to do something really bad, so I immediately rushed out to stop her.
But I didn’t see anyone. I searched for a while on the first floor...and then I realized that the door opening could have meant her going back in her room.
So I went back in her room, and saw her body right against the wall. She slit her own throat.
Then, I closed the door gently and prayed for her all night.
The next morning, Rosie was also found dead by William, which was going to head to her shop with her.
And so, our family shrank even more.
I walked out of the room as Kruz helped my two siblings to clean and carry Rosie out of her room.
I was desperate. I was so close to go crazy.
It was all my fault. I didn’t have nor the strength, nor the courage to stop the witch...even thought I was the only one that knew about her. I should have done more, I sh0uld have thought more. I let everything happen while faking confidence and braveness.
“FUCK!” I screamed, hitting the wall with my foot, hurting myself.
I looked out of the window, I stared at Ferya, Satomi and Steelia, as they examined Katherine’s body.
She had to be the witch’s pawn...yet, I felt sad. After seeing my enemy die, I realized how much I wanted to help that enemy, not defeat it. Because the real enemy was that witch.
“Erika…”
I looked at my left. Nelya stood there, tears on her face as she sniffled.
“Nelya.” I pronounced her name with soft tone. “I’m sorry.”
“Why? Why is this happening to us?” She muttered, hugging me suddenly. “You’re so smart and calm...please! Tell me! Why is this happening?!”
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I hugged her back. I wanted to cry too. I was as lost as she was.
Despite the death of her pawn, I knew it wasn’t over.
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The funeral of our two sisters was brief. The funeral parlor made it clear that they were starting to be wary of our family, and that rumors started spreading. So many deaths, one a clear murder. Police was eventually going to get involved if we kept declaring deaths like this. They told us that it was better for them and us to bury bodies by ourselves from then on. William almost broke the nose of the man that said these things, because he was very religious and wanted every family member to be blessed after passing.
It was raining, and the whole family gathered in the living room once more.
Annaliese, William, Gale, Vance, Erika, me and Nelya.
“I’m sorry William, but this is too much.” Gale said suddenly. “I talked about it with Vance...and we want to leave. I can find a job in the city and he can live with me.”
“Do you really want to leave this family?! After all that has happened?”
“Why, yes!” He shouted. “There are fucking murderers in this house!”
“Katherine wasn’t a murderer! She...she just was…!” William swallowed tears. “FUCK! FUCK!”
“I can’t do this anymore…” Annaliese broke down crying again. We were so few that she could sit with me and Nelya on the same couch. “I can’t! How am I supposed to live like this?!”
William roared, hitting the wall with his fist, making everyone flinch. Nelya sobbed, her mind a broken mess.
I sighed and leaned back, deep into the couch. At that point, I didn’t even care. Still, I silently trembled, feeling a lump in my chest.
What I feared was what the witch was going to tell me that night. I killed Rosie and Katherine on my own, completely changing the plans and what the witch wanted to happen. I also resisted her commands.
It was either going to be my demise or theirs. A flip of a coin.
“You can’t hold us back.” Gale muttered.
“What about these three?! They’re fucking little girls!” William looked at me, Nelya and Erika.
They both looked away in shame, standing up. “We’re sorry, girls.” Gale said, looking at us with a sad face. “We are not strong enough.”
“You’re not going to pick up a single dime from dad’s funds, you hear me?!”
“We won’t.” Vance muttered, standing up. “Don’t worry, William.”
They both left the living room...and the family shrunk even more. William breathed loudly, sitting on the couch. He cried silently, slowly giving up.
I hated him for what he did with Rosie, but that image of my strong, dear brother made me realize how weak people really are, when faced with the right amount of suffering.
Annaliese stood up and looked at us. She smiled weakly. “W-When...when William goes back to the capital, I will be the last one remaining.” She said, holding her sobs. “I won’t abandon you. I promise.”
I looked in her eyes. My despotic, mean sister was now trying to give us hope and joy. Erika sighed, shaking her head and leaving the room. Nelya rose, hugging her.
I sat there. Motionless.
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Night. She cried in my arms bef0re falling asleep.
I looked at her, breathing softly as I ran my hand over her body slowly.
I realized that the witch was right – it didn’t make any sense anyway, all of it. And I was going to be punished.
So, why not indulge and enjoy the rest of my time with her?
I leaned my face over her neck –
And then it struck.
Everything I saw before killing Katherine.
I somehow had forgot it during my sleep, but as I smelled Nelya’s scent...everything came back.
I immediately jerked away, slapping my face. What the hell was I doing?
Katherine saw someone similar to me at some point, and that person told her ‘’you won’t have to suffer anymore’’.
What were those visions? What was that ache I felt in my heart? Were they memories from my past? Were they another person’s memories?
It was then that I saw Milo, staring at the rain-coated window like last night. He didn’t move an inch since I gave in and killed by my own will.
I closed in to him, caressing his head. Though, he didn’t purr, nor meow. He just ignored me.
I needed to talk to the witch.
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“I knew you’d come.”
The wet air around us pierced my nose as I walked forward, ignoring the cold. She sat at the same table, with two glasses full of wine.
I sat on my chair and tossed the glassed on the floor, making their liquid spread across the tiles.
“What is going on!?” I asked her.
“I am the one who should ask such a question.” She replied, sighing. “Why did you kill your sister Rosie? Didn’t I say you had to kill only Katherine? And didn’t I also order you to do it after Erika observed her behavior?”
I swallowed hard and replied. “I don’t know.”
I didn’t really know. Rosie and William, doing such a vile thing...provoked my very core. “They just made me so mad that...I killed them. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to kill that I didn’t think anything of it.” I explained.
“Hm.” She looked at her hand, her pointy nails shining despite the clouded moon. Then, she raised her head, locking her gaze with mine.
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She was different. Her face wasn’t the same anymore. She didn’t smirk, nor she acted angry. She was...calm.
Her cold hand suddenly grabbed mine, resting on the table. Her thumb moved slowly on its back, a sweet smile forming on her lips.
“What did you see last night? When Katherine said those things to you?” She asked me. “Be truthful to me, puppet.”
“I saw...a white-haired woman, and heard some voices. I don’t remember much.”
A single tear then fell down her cheek as she smiled more. Then, after rising...she made me stand up. Despite her authority, we were the same height.
She held my face, caressing it with pure love.
“I didn’t expect you to come back so quickly.”
“W-What?” I muttered, pushing her away. “What’s going on?! I want answers!”
“You will have them.” She nodded. “You will understand. Just keep following my orders...and we will achieve happiness.”
I stared at her smile, confused.
Was she insane? What did she mean with me coming back? Why was she acting so weird?
But most importantly…
Why wasn’t I afraid?