Page 76 of The House of Whispers
“Why can’t he see you,” I whispered as a tear fell from my eyes.
Casper fell to her knees, whispering into the empty air, her knife tight within her grasp as she stared straight ahead. She raised the blade to her throat, tears falling from her eyes as she whispered. I wriggled, roaring as my strength was useless against the dark magik. “Casper, stop!”
Jakkal had placed the blade along the skin of my neck, holding my head against his chest. “Allow me to set you free.” The blade swayed deeply across my skin, moving from one side to the other. The pain was surprisingly soothing, offering me the release I craved for so long. The feeling of my life slowly dripping away as my blood poured from the gash was sensational. As my life slowly faded away, so did my magik. My body slumped over, falling into Jakkal’s arms. His silhouette doubled, as I struggled to focus on him.
“You’re free, little ghost,” he whispered, fading away from existence.
Casper’s magik had weakened, allowing me to break free. I quickly scrambled to my feet, rushing to her as she bled out from the self-inflicted wound. “Casper,” I lifted her limp body, putting pressure along the gaping neck wound, “Casper, stay with me.” As much as I wanted to snuff her life out with my own bare hands, Min deserved better. Casper needed to live a long life, suffering for all the pain she had caused. “Focus on me, Casper.”
She gasped, her eyes rolling back as her voice faded into the air, “Finallyfree.”
Oh dearest reader, did you truly think this story would end in a content, poetic way?
I’m afraid the real world is as dark as this book, and much like reality, there are no happy endings.
“Time to eat!” A man yelled through a small sliver atop the door of my room. The rusted door to the dark, decrepit room unlocked, slowly opened, squealing loudly as it moved. A faint sliver of light burned my eyes as I curled in a small ball, my chains clanking together as I shook, trying to hide away. The tall man, dressed in all white stepped through the doorway, a ring of keys jingling at his waist as he carried a small metal tray. He tossed the measly tray of food onto the stained bed next to me.
“Enjoy. It’s more than you deserve,” he huffed, spitting at my feet. I flinched, my dirty hair hiding my eyes as the man slammed the door shut, locking it behind while the small sliver remained open. His eyes peered through the tiny sliver, watching as I crawled along the dirty floor to the bed, my chains clanking as they moved. My dirty fingers clawed into the bland, sickening food, frantically stuffing as much as I could into my mouth. My eyes bolted to the door, meeting the man’s as he intently watched me.
Another man stepped behind him, peering through as if me existing was a spectacle. “Why does it have two different colored eyes?” The second man asked.
The first man scoffed as I shoved more food into my mouth. “Have you never heard of shadow-kissed individuals?” The second man shook his head. “It’s said they’re possessed by a demon. That’s why their eyes are different colors. This one,” he pointed to me, “is the worst I’ve ever seen. Behold, The Ripper of Bedeville.” The two men stared for a moment before slamming the small sliver of the door shut. Their voices faded as they walked away from the room, the sound of the man’s keys jingling in the distance.
“Little ghost,” his voice lifted my spirits. I quickly swallowed the nasty food, wiping my hands along the dirty gown I wore as I stood to greet him. I opened my mouth to speak, my throat burning as my fingertips touched the bandage along my neck. Jakkal grabbed my waist, pulling me close as he removed the fox mask. “Do not worry,” he placed the mask atop my head and twirled me so I spun, full of glee. “I know exactly what you were going to say.”
I lifted the mask, revealing my glowing eyes as I stared into his—a direct reflection of my own. One violet, one vermilion.
Can you always trust your gut?