Chapter 13
"Frieyla! Frieyla!" a small girlish cry echoed throughout the wide, open hall.
"Ney...Frieyla..where are you?" yet there was no answer to her call.
Silence...
"Frieyla..." only her own voice was ringing back.
"Frieyla..." feeling weak, she could feel a coldness sting inside her heart. It hurt. The coldness she never once realized before.
"..."
"Grieta..." came a serenity voice from behind her.
"Frieyla!" turning around she felt excited and happy that she found her friend.
"Frieyla...where have you been? I've been looking for you!" running toward the white girl, hastily she took and grip the cold hand and smiled brightly.
Frieyla avert her gaze, turning her face sideway.
"Frieyla...?" Greta tilt her head questioning the silent girl. "What is it?"
"Greta..." Frieyla grit her teeth. "Its time for you to go" The words came out as cold as the castle itself. Without any emotion.
"Go? Go where? Ney Frieyla..." as if pleading, Greta gripped hard on the cold hand inside hers.
"Leaving. Your friend, Cain is here." another cold answer.
"No. I won't leave you." Greta raised her voice.
"Greta, you can't stay here. You have to leave or you'll die from my spell."
"Why? I want to stay with you. Forever..."
"Leave..." Frieyla paused, inhaling before she continued. "Leave. The feeling you have now is just from my spell. Once you're out of this castle, you are free. Forget about this castle, forget about me. Leave..." Frieyla tightly closed her eyes and yank her hand out of the grip.
"Frieyla..." feeling rejected, Greta sobbed.
"Leave!" with a loud scream, a gush of wind push Greta through the big crystal door. With a loud bang, the door shut close leaving Greta outside of the castle by herself before she heard a call from Cain in the midst of fierce snow storm...
A loud crash sound from upstair alarmed Shizuru as she jumped in her seat. Panic started to creep into her heart for she knew, the only room upstairs is Natsuki's room. Closing the book she read, she threw it aside clumsily and rushed toward the sound. Pushing the door open, she found Natsuki laying on the floor. Blood smear on her shirt. The room was in disarray. Sheets everywhere, broken vase and glass on the floor. Cold wind blowing from the broken windows.
"Natsuki!" Shizuru run toward the body on the floor.
"Urgghhhh..." came a reply from Natsuki as she flinched in pain.
Inspecting closely at Natsuki's form, Shizuru could see a wound on her stomach.
"Natsuki..." carefully putting Natsuki down, Shizuru reach for the phone and call the number that came into her mind. Haruka.
Five minutes later, a siren could be heard stopping at the house lawn. Haruka rushed toward Natsuki's room after kicking the door open with a loud bang. Inspecting the wound, Haruka reach for first aid kit and wrap the wound. Sweat already wetting her shirt and forehead but her action swift and controlled. She moved calmly and unhesitantly, while Shizuru still frozen in her panic, unable to do anything. For the moment there, Shizuru could feel her heart stop and her knees weak. She shivering in fear. She feel lost.
"The wound is not deep. Its just graze her side, so she is fine. I think we should call Youko-sensei for further inspection. Yukino.." Haruka glanced toward her assistant before inspecting the room. "What happened here, Bubuzuke?" after no reply, Haruka turn toward Shizuru. "Oi!" she bark. It manage to wake Shizuru from her shock.
"Its..." Shizuru voice quivering. "anoo... I... I heard crashing... then... then... Natsuki... on the floor...hurt"
"Tchh..." Haruka clicked her tongue. "Yukino, take them downstair and wait for Youko-sensei. Call Ahn too. I need to look further here"
"Hai, taichou." a clear reply from Yukino as she escorted the couple downstairs.
...
Tending to the wounds, Youko wiped away the sweat from her forehead as five figures now silently sat in living room. Each locked inside their own thoughts.
"Don't worry... once I get the results from the crime lab, I'll make sure to catch the culprit." Haruka broke the silence, hoping to reassure Shizuru.
"Do you think the Shang is behind this?" Ahn slowly proposed.
Haruka closed her eyes tightly, pinching her nose bridge.
"Natsuki..." Shizuru look at Natsuki worriedly.
"I'm okay, Shiz..just a little scratch." smiling softly, Natsuki reached for Shizuru's hand to reassure her.
"Mutt! Can't you tell us anything about his appearance? How about height?" Haruka slammed the desk in front of her.
"Calm down, Haru-chan" Yukino interrupted trying to calm her partner.
"Hey! Mutt! Any clue at all?!" Haruka barked loudly.
"Haruka, like I told you, the room was dark. When I opened the door, there was a person behind my desk and tried to escape through the window. I tried to stop him, then he stab me, pushed me before jumping out. It happened too fast."
"Tchhh...you are useless, bubuzuke-puppy" Haruka clenched her fist but before she could slam the desk again, Yukino stopped her.
Natsuki sighed, feeling defeated.
"Are you two sure you still want to go for vacation tomorrow after all of this?" this time it was Yukino's turn to ask the couple.
"I think its a better plan to leave here for a moment. I'm afraid the culprit will return here again, so I think it's safe if we can escape this place" Shizuru replied with a weak smile.
"Yeah. This time I barely escape with just a scratch. I don't know if the culprit will ever be coming back to get me. But being far from here is the only idea I have for now" Natsuki approved.
"Therefore, we will be leaving for now. I have ordered two of my officers to guard your house for tonight."
...
"Good afternoon, Nat-chan" Natsuki was greeted with a kiss on her cheek as her arms snaked around softly and wrapped around her waist from behind.
"Hello...stranger..." Natsuki smiled as she pecked Shizuru on her lips. Short and playful. "I told you not to call me that" Natsuki pout.
"Fufu..." Shizuru released her from her hug, taking a seat next to her wife. "I can call my wife whatever I want..."
After putting a cup of hot green tea in front of Shizuru, Natsuki return to the task at hand. That is preparing food for their dinner.
"Looks like you had a nice, long sleep. Its already pass noon." Natsuki chuckled.
Shizuru blushed. "Kanin na. I didn't know what happened to my body. Its very rare that I'm waking up so late like this. Yet, I'm still feeling a little bit tired."
"Hurmm... maybe you're just working up too much. You know... these last few days.. we have been..." Natsuki stopped in the middle of chopping and blushed "...busy..."
"Umm...ah..." looking at blushing Natsuki, Shizuru couldn't help but blush too as she remembered the time they had spend at Natsuki's summer house.
Honeymoon it was. The first night they arrive at the simple cottage house, Natsuki as being very passionate in making love to her. How many times was it? She can't even remember. Her mind was already clouded with soft sighes, moans, and groans. Its like they spent the whole night exploring each other, embracing and kissing. Hands wandering everywhere. Even when the morning sun penetrated through the windows, they started it over again. Both didn't show any sign to rising up and leaving the bed until Natsuki's belly start screaming for food.
Last night they had a candle light dinner, and Natsuki being so romantic, giving much attention to her, sharing her story as they laughed and smile sweetly to each other. But sadly, maybe, the activity before taking a toll on her body as she was feeling rather tired and unwillingly excused herself to retreat early to bed. Lovingly, Natsuki stayed by her side, and embracing her until she drown into her deep slumber.
"What are you cooking, today?" Shizuru was peeking at Natsuki.
"I guess...chicken stew." Natsuki paused her knife and turned toward Shizuru, smiling brightly.
"Chicken stew...yummy...what a lucky person I am. Today, my wife is cooking stew for me." Shizuru kissed Natsuki on her cheek. Natsuki flinched at the sudden contact.
"Careful...don't want to get distract.." Natsuki's husky voice complained playfully.
"As much as I want to get distracted...I have..." Natsuki words was cut short as a shrieking brake sound coming from the front their house. Both stayed silent waiting for their intruder.
The door crack open and came in Haruka, as Yukino followed behind.
"Na...Natsuki...ehem..." Haruka clear her throat and glance toward Yukino.
"Ermm..anoo...Shi..Shizuru-san, may I have a moment please?" Yukino nervously asked.
"Ara? yes, what is it, Yukino-san?" Shizuru raised her brow, feeling confused.
"I mean, can we talk outside?" Yukino looked directly at Shizuru as if trying to tell something important. Haruka's hand tucked inside her pocket as she stood beside Yukino. Her face show...urgency? Serious?
"But..how about we talk here and enjoy tea together..." the situation was making Shizuru feeling more confused. It feels like they are on edge. Why are they act like this? Its feel like they...
"Come over here right now, Bubuzuke!" Haruka extend her hand as she yelled loudly, but before she can take step forward, her eyes widen and she froze.
"eh..?" still confused, Shizuru could feel her arm being trap behind her while she could feel cold metal on her neck. She blinked rapidly.
A husky voice chuckle softly from her right side. The husky tone that is very familiar to her, yet it also sound like a stranger.
"Haruka..." the husky voice speak low with menacing. "I never knew you found out too soon"
"N...Natsuki...?" Shizuru was still unable to comprehend the situation. Not believing.
"The Shang..." Haruka reached for her gun.
"Tch..tch..tch...ah..ah..ah...don't move." Natsuki chuckle. "You know me..."
Natsuki smiled wickedly as Haruka swallowed a lump in her throat. Natsuki's voice sounded different to Shizuru ears. It's as if... the person behind her now is someone else with a murderous attention. Different from just a moment ago.
"Now, shall we take...a little walk outside, honey?" Natsuki's voice dripped with venom even though the words she uttered is inviting.
Grabbing and pushing Shizuru toward their car, Natsuki order Shizuru to drive while still keeping a knife on her neck. A kitchen knife she used just a minute ago. Shizuru still can picture the bright smile on Natsuki's face while she happily chopping the vegetable with it.
What...what is happening? Why Natsuki pointing a knife to me? Natsuki...
Glancing toward the person beside her, she can see something she couldn't understand behind those green pools that are currently focus on her neck. Singing softly, her eyes void of any emotion, just staring at the blade.
Tick Tock Tick Tock~
Its my grandfather clock~
She click her tongue and she continue to sing again.
Tick Tock Tick Tock~
An antique clock on the wall
Every hour it sound
Tick Tock Tick Tock~
Telling me what time it is
Tick Tock Tick Tock~
Its my granfather's clock
Tick Tock Tick Tock~
Shizuru could feel goosebumps as a shiver was running down her spine.
Has Natsuki gone insane?
Natsuki...
Silently she cried inside calling her lover's name.
Kicking the break, Shizuru stopped the car.
"What?" Natsuki raised her voice and turned towards the road. The police cars were already blocking the road with Ahn standing at the front.
Natsuki hissed. "Get out...slowly..."
Natsuki grabbed Shizuru from behind and pull her towards the edge of the cliff. Knife still on her neck. They were trapped with nowhere to run.
"Ahn...haha..." a short laugh from Natsuki echoed creepily strange. It's as if the person behind her now is someone else. "How did you found out? I can say, after years of playing cat and mouse...I can praise you for this achievement"
Right at that moment, another police car pulled up as Haruka and Yukino arrived at the scene.