HAZEL -"You've been cooped up in this bedroom for two days straight!" Rachael exclaims as soon as I open the door. "Please get outside and soak up some sun later, have fun and relax will you?"Three days have passed since the encounter with Grigori. I've been remaining in the security of the guest room except when I dined with the servants in the servant's quarter."I just don't feel like it," I replied glumly. I glance at the time, 5:40 am. How can I relax, knowing that I can't escape your enemies even after I have left your residence? And if I don't leave, your demonic brother will murder me instead."oh come on, tell me what's bothering you? Is it the upcoming court case on Friday?" She inquires sternly.Oh great, I forgot about the litigation I filed against my father. Not only was my life in complete peril, but chances of moving back in with baba were fully shattered beyond repair. He must have read the mailed court summons by now. He's probably wished death on me every hour sin
HAZEL -The despondency of the severest kind takes root ever stronger with each step I descend. Misery has engulfed me in the far recesses of my mind, expanding with each breath I inhale. Last year this time around, you lived a conventional life, as an ordinary teenager."Hazel!"I glance away from my shoes, only to spot Beverly and Serge ascending the foyer stairwell in my direction. Faces brimming with genuine concern.No, please don't keep asking me the same questions, she will see and she will ruin my reputation further, she will not hesitate... it's what she always says.They halt below me a step and Bev begins. "It's over a week since we've been seeing you in a depressed state. It's as if by removing your headscarf you have also lost your normal self."That's because I have indeed lost my normal self... "Yes, what's going on?" Serge pipes in expectantly. "As we've said before, tell us what's bothering you.""I told you I'm fine, please just don't ask me such questions," I utter
HAZEL -"Come in here!!" I holler at them while frantically motioning them to get in my room. "Hide in here quick!!"They all clamber in, some nearly tripping on their dresses. Suddenly I feel tiny arms encasing my legs. I glance down and find a frightened Arielle, clutching onto my dress. Immediately, I haul her up into my arms and slam the door shut. The women are crying and sobbing."What's going on?" I question apprehensively while peering at all of their faces."We don't know, oh God it's horrible!" One of them wails. The rest voice their agreements and fall into a crazy chatter. Sounds of gunshots start piercing the air relentlessly, and we all let out shrieks while falling to the ground in discretion. Arielle begins bawling in my arms. "I want my mummy!!!"I clasp her tightly against my chest, vehemently hoping that Rachael, Katie, and Bev were safely hiding somewhere. That no innocent people be harmed in this nightmare come to life.Ya'Allah please please please make this all
HAZEL -Thank you for shopping at Waldorfs, return soon and have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!" Chirps the cashier, clad in a Santa Elf costume.Katie, Arielle, and I exit the upscale retail shop, carrying fancy plastic bags thickened with purchased merchandise. Huxley and a dozen undercover Molotov Mafia members trailing closely behind us.It's the holiday season and two days prior to Christmas. The shops are brilliantly illuminated and enhanced with Holiday ornaments. Mini Christmas trees embellish each corner of the pedestrian walkways. The streets are flooded by festive holiday shoppers, ecstatically piling in and out of stores. The absence of snow which I was adjusted to back in America, was the only detail missing from the exuberant setting"Miss Katherine, we should be returning to the manor now." Huxley reminds while momentarily peering at his wristwatch. Katie nods in acquiescence and then cautiously whispers into my ears. "Let's hope Arielle forgets about meeting Sa
It's-It's just that..." Anya croaks, holding back her sobs. "I wish he would at least come out for the holiday week, it really pains me to know he's chosen loneliness."Damn, these people are so attached to a conspicuously detached killer. I thought it was incredible really, how close-knit even the servants of the manor are to him. In all my stay here, I haven't witnessed him solidly display affection to any of them. For the exception a month ago of his kiss on Mrs. Agnelli's forehead."Shhh don't cry," I console, patting her back gently."You know, he's saved me from a terrible life.." Anya clarifies somberly as she sets the plastic carton on the countertop. "He's not as bad as you think he is. I refuse to believe he means you harm deep down especially since you've rescued Arielle."I bite the inside of my cheek, suppressing to refute her opinion. Without noticing, she proceeds. "Before I was offered employment here..I-I was..a..sex slave in Russia.""What?!" I gape at her. She nods
HAZEL -He begins ambling forward towards me, mouth twisting in a sordid way. In utter trepidation, I scramble backward utilizing my elbows. I notice he's inadvertently blocking the path I would have tread to my bedroom. In a matter of seconds, a rush of adrenaline kicks in, and I leap to my feet. Without sparing him a second glance, I hastily canter in the opposite direction towards the foyer.My heart hammers at abnormal speed as I rapidly descend the length of the stairwell. Once I get to the landing, I risk a glance up only to discover he hasn't pursued me. A heavy sigh of relief escapes my mouth as I stand still trying to calm my breathing.This wasn't supposed to happen according to plans! I wonder how I would manage to get to my room with him out in the corridor. A deep regret fills me for having attempted such a foolish idea of delivering the note to him. Considering that both of us were the only occupants currently in the manor, it was highly incongruous of me.I should inform
HAZEL -This morbid asphyxiation remains constricting around me. My strength evanescing, inept to repel it any longer. Suffocating despite not expiring. I drown in seemingly perpetual tears but yet remain to breathe. Impelling towards the ebbs of extremity, however not fading.Through the reflection of the mirror, the girl peering back at me is nothing short of an immeasurable condition.Dark tresses in wild disarray, primarily engulfing her small frame. Eyes brimming with drops of desolation. Leaving a trail of damp misery down the apples of her cheeks.Minutes must have elapsed and my eyes hesitantly shift to her face's lower feature, I had strived and yet failed to avoid a glimpse of it.Swollen, bruised, and trembling... the appearance of my lips took my breath away.Leaning forward at the mirror, I take a closer examination. The tip of my tongue darts out flicks moisture over the bloody fissure, and pain signals its way from the wound to my mind.My eyes blink shut, yet there mat
HAZEL -Instantly, those incisive pair of azure eyes arrest me. I nearly choke on my tongue.His expression hardens. My heart nearly constricts, legs feel like blocks of concrete. The memory of last night resurfaces. I briefly avert my gaze toward Mrs. Molotov and the child before looking back at him again.His rigid stare remains on me, visage inscrutable now. The man next to him pauses speaking due to the lack of interest. With confusion, the man follows the demon's gaze and looks straight at me.I feel my face flushing as I approach their vicinity. I adjust my sight on Mrs. Molotov and the child instead.She smiles at me sweetly. I recognized the semblance between her and Serge. The little boy took more after Mister Molotov in the looks department.Placing the pitchers before them, I glance nervously into the demon's presence again. The entirety of his focus continues ensnaring me.By now, I'm drenched in repleted apprehension as I curl my perspiring hands into fists against my