Chapter 14: The eyes that Haunt

My eyes slowly drifted up to the sword, in what was once his room, that he left for me. I traced the outline of it with my finger. I peered at the small reflection I could see within it. It was mine own staring back at me. My own dull and lifeless eyes that now seemed noting but empty orbs staring back at me. They were they eyes of someone who has made many mistakes and their lost their vibrant blue color. I moved away from the sword and stared out the window that he made his dash to get away from me and this life. If only I was a little bit earlier that day then maybe I could have made him stay. I could have convinced him to stay one last time.

"Damn," I replied slamming my fist into a nearby table. Here I was sulking in what was left of me and that moment. Here I was pouring my heart out again…I am so pathetic. I promised myself I wouldn't do this again only to lie to myself once more. Same old, I always say I will try and forget but I don't want to forget something that I didn't let go of yet. Deep down I am still holding on.

"I bet he still never found Radu," I mumbled to myself as I left the room.

Time seemed to move slow yet so fast all at once. All I wanted to do was just stop it. I wanted to be able to stay in one point in time forever, where everything wasn't complicated and where I had a chance to live. With my daydreaming and in deep though I didn't notice Abel who I accidentally ran into. I landed softly on my knees just loosing my balance slightly.

"Oh dear," I replied looking at Abel, "I am sorry."

"No," Abel replied helping my up to my feet, "It is quite all right."

"I just wasn't paying attention," I said scratching my head.

"Tell me Esther," he replied, "Is something bothering you?"

"No," I replied back brushing a stray piece of hair from his face, "I am fine."

I then continued back off to my room.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied, "Do not worry."

I opened the door to my room and dipped my hands in cool water and splashed it on my face. It was nearing nightfall and I became very tired so I changed into my nightgown and laid down on my bed. My eyes were heavy and I closed them and pulled the covers up. A couple minutes later I began to toss and turn and could not fall asleep for some reason. So I decided to get up and get a drink. I lifted the covers from me and stood up. I rubbed my eyes, which still seemed so heavy but I managed to keep them open. I reached for the door knob and pulled my door open slowly and as quietly as I could. I then closed it behind me and made my way down the hall. It wasn't until I heard a noise that I darted into Ion's room. I thought it might have been Sister Simone or someone but I wasn't sure so I grabbed the sword from the wall just out of instinct. Though I thought my mind was playing tricks on me and I was overreacting I opened the door and continued down what was left of the hallway with the sword in my hand. I then stopped and realized how silly I was being. Surely it was just that of Sister Simone or Abel and I let out a small laugh as I made my way down the stairs and lowered the sword to my side.

"Abel?" I whispered, "Are you down here? Or is it Sister Simone?"

I noticed a outline of a figure looming from the kitchen.

"I just came to get a drink," I whispered making my way to the kitchen.

I saw a figure by the sink staring out the window. I walked toward it and made out a hooded figure. Instantly my mind flashed back to the alley with that encounter. I raised my sword and lightly used it to touch the figure.

"Abel is that you?" I asked my voice quivering with every word, "Tell me why do you not answer me?"

"I am not Abel," said the figure turning around to face me. I couldn't make out the face, "Ah we meet again."

"You are from that day in the alley aren't you?" I asked backing away, "What do you want? How did you get in here?"

He moved closer to me and I turned to run out of the kitchen only he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back. I clutched the sword as hard as I could to make sure I didn't drop it as I landed hard on the ground. I used my legs to push myself back away and I went to scream but his hand slapped my cheek.

"Open your mouth to scream again," he said, "and you will regret it."

His voice seared through my veins in a stream of fear. My hand shook as I raised the sword up and swung at his shin. I just barely nicked it and I stood up.

"I won't scream," I replied, "If you just tell me who you are."

"It's none of your concern, Princess," he replied.

"Do I know you?" I asked fear building up inside of me. I didn't notice that I let the sword fall to my side and he took this as his chance. He moved at lightning speed and come crashing upon me and pushing my body against the wall.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, "What do you want?"

He seized my wrist ignoring me questions and squeezed it with iron force. He then pressed his other hand to my throat. I tried to scream to do anything but I couldn't.

"Drop it," he whispered into my ear. I felt his hot breathe hit my skin and my eyes widened. I shook my head and moved my arms trying to break free. Tears trailed down my cheek from the corner of my eyes. I started losing all feeling in my arm because he was squeezing it so tight.

"I c…cant…b…breathe," I replied my eyes fluttering open and closed as I let go of the sword, and his hand latched onto it. He let go of my wrist and slightly relieved some of the pressure from my neck.

"Why…a…are…you doing…this?" I asked my throat dry and sore.

"Shh…" He said placing his fingers on my lips, "You ask too many questions."

He let his hand off my throat and I hit the ground. He held the sword in front of me. I let my back hit the ground and I laid on the floor. My body ached and I was restless from lack of sleep.

"Did you keep the blade sharp dear Princess?" he asked bending down and touching my cheek. His cold hand stung my cheek and I shivered from the contact.

"W…what…do…you…want?" I asked looking up to the ceiling, "P…please…just…leave."

"You didn't answer my question," he replied.

I ignored his presence and let another tear slip from my eyes.

"No answer?" he asked, "Just let me see if you did.

My eyes darted to the sword. It lowered to rest on my cheek.

"What…are…you…d…doing?" I asked.

The blade was pushing against the skin on my cheek now. I went to lift myself up but if I did the blade would go in deeper. It pierced my skin and I clamped my eyes shut. I went to move my head to the side but he grabbed my hair and kept me still. He then traced a small line on my cheek with the blade leaving a freshly opened cut on it. Pain was searing through my cheek as I felt the crimson liquid fall down it slowly. He then raised it up and I saw the tip had red liquid stained on it.

"Good," he said, "I guess you did."

My fingers went up to my cheek and I brought them back to see they were tainted with blood. I looked up to the figure and I went to reach for his hood to pull it off. He backed away and stood up. With all the strength I had left I forced myself up and my whole body shook. He stood there in front of me and moved his own hand to his hood of the cloak and slowly pulled it down. There my eyes saw and bored into his eyes that would haunt me forever…