The old town didn't change a single bit. Everything remained the same as I remembered but still, it felt somewhat odd to be back here
This was the place I had spent eighteen years of my life. It was filled with so many memories....most of them have to do with HIM.
Whether I want it or not he was still a huge part of my life .. whenever I stare into Hazel's pair of gazes that were so much like his... Hers was very alive with happiness and light while he was dark and forbidden.
They were two things that should never come across.
Some days I could just manage to convince myself that I wasn't the same weak eighteen-year-old anymore, that he doesn't have any power over me anymore and I don't have to always watch my back just like I'm doing right now. Many times I doubt if he still even remembers me or I was just the only one...
I watched the burial processions from afar, a safe distance away, made myself invisible as hard as I could.
The light rain pelted over my face as I watched the woman who raised me being laid to rest.
There were just a few people around, some of her old colleagues that I remembered, and some of our old neighbors.
I still found it hard to believe that she was gone...Just like that.
Everyone left the place but I still stood at my spot staring into space, It was almost dark when I gathered myself enough and decided to leave.
"I'm really glad you could make it, mom would be so happy right now " Ashley spoke from behind me.
"I really hope she is " I mumbled out honestly, I cast her a glance, her hair was raised in a ponytail, her completely black outfit made her looked even more drained...
There was no point in me staying here any longer than I already did, although Hazel would be spending time with Mrs. Paula it would still be nice if I could get back to her today itself.
"I... uh kind-of don't have a drive back to where I live, it's just a ten-minute drive from here.. since you are here well..... " She trailed off staring at me hopefully.
I stared up at the now darkened sky, a flash of lightning accompanied by thunder threatened heavy rain.
I probably won't see her soon after today, I might just offer her a ride before we both part ways.
"Just get in"
All I wanted right now was to get back home and lay down in the comfort of my own bed. As soon as she entered I sped off.
I didn't try to start a conversation but so did she, to me, it seemed as if she was nervous about something.
Or maybe everything was just taking its toll on her just like it was on me right now.
We had barely even driven for about seven minutes when the car screeched to a halt.
What was wrong?
"I'll check on that " I mumbled out pulling my side of the door open and ventured into the cold heavy rain outside.
Maybe it was the gas, but how could the gas just finish so suddenly? I had ensured that the tank was filled up before my arrival.
"What's wrong? " Ashley asked pulling her side of the door open.
"I don't know, it seems like the gas just suddenly finished but it isn't that. .. I just don't know... "
I was completely drenched to my skin now and my body was shivering badly.
I hurried back to the car to get my purse for my phone, there was no network, I guess it has something to do with the bad weather.
"We have to get to safety first then search for help " she suggested staring at me worriedly.
My whole body tensed on high alert, I couldn't afford to stay here any longer, I just had this feeling in my lower stomach that...
No. No.
"No. I need to get back home "
She huffed aloud, crossing her arms to stare at me.
"Don't be stupid, look at the weather! "
I turned around and a wave of tremor ran through me. I stared at the huge mansion as if in a daze.
How did the car stop right in this spot?
it stood tall... So dark intimidating and.....forbidden.
I didn't realize I was hyperventilating until she made a firm grip on my hand.
"We can go for a quick shelter in there alright?... You are already shivering "
"No!" I hissed out shrugging free of her hold.
I was in a state of panic right now, how did I get into this situation, I was beginning to think I made a huge mistake.
I shouldn't have...
"You said that your house is just nearby right... We'll better go there instead"
"No. I lied so you would agree to give me a ride, it's still about twenty minutes from here... And in this bad weather condition ?...you are already shivering with the cold, do you see any other houses around this place? " she paused only to draw In a sharp breath.
"And you can't possibly be suggesting that we sleep in the car, it's totally unsafe. Trust me It is completely abandoned, no one lives there anymore, at least for the past six years anyway "
I stared from her back to THEIR mansion.
There wasn't a single light coming from the house, there couldn't be anybody inside, I figured she might be right but there was no way I'm ever going inside.....
I shook my head frantically in refusal, I would have to get back home tonight itself.
But at the same time, the storm was also getting worse, even if the car was alright it wouldn't be all that safe to drive back in this condition.
"You can stay here, I'll go look around for a mechanic "
I ignored the crazy look she sent me and walked out of the car.
"Wait I'll come with you "
I refused to argue with her, hence wasting more time so I just shrugged in agreement.
I had barely taken few steps when I felt a sharp nick on the side of my neck, I gasped at the sudden burst of pain, and turned around to stare at her in disbelief and shock.
The now-empty injection rolled from her hands onto the floor.
"W..why? What did you g..give me?" I croaked out, my legs giving way as I fell on the wet rainy ground.
Her face was streaming with tears, it was raining so hard but I could still make out the tears ....sadness?
"Just something to make sure you cooperate, believe me, I had to do this, I had no other choice, it was either I succeed or.. " she spoke out wiping off tears
It was becoming hard to keep my eyes open, my lids were heavy and falling close.
"I just have to keep you in There, at least that's what HE told me "
Red alarm bells blared in my head as she pointed at the house, I tried to move but I was just too weak, I tried fighting off the darkness but I know I couldn't hold it off for long.
"Who t..told you? " I managed out weakly
She gave a slight shrug "You might know that better than me "
"D..don'.." I mumbled breathlessly before I fell limp completely on the cold went ground.
"Goodbye sister " was the last thing I heard before the whole world spun around me and everything went black
*
*
"