47. Deceit

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Nicholas pushed himself up from the bed. He grimaced tiredly as a headache made him regret waking up. He reached for his head, a heavy bruise proved that the last night had been difficult. Memories from the day prior slowly poured through his mind as he became aware of other sensations. He lifted his left arm and made a fist. It felt a little numb. The upper area was heavily bruised but still functional, despite the sharp pains above the area he couldn't feel. It wasn't broken, it just needed some rest. His legs felt weak and his spine felt like it was burning. He wasn't sure how fast the curse sent him flying or how harshly he landed but he didn't seem to care. What seemed to be the most prominent was his throat being dry and itchy. He was parched.

He headed to the kitchen slowly to observe his surroundings. It was quiet. Grizelda must have been gone, or at least he hoped so. His first instinct was to look for any red that had been left behind, but to his disappointment the kitchen was completely bare of it. Still groggy from the aches and tiredness he decided to grab a bucket and head for the well in the back. He tied it and dropped it and watched as it fell down. He felt as if the sun was beating on his back. He gripped his head again slowly rubbing at his temples as he used his other arm to fill up the bucket and bring it back up. The cool water did nothing to soothe his thirst. His lips felt even more chapped as he found himself draining the bucket of it's contents. Sweat began to form on his forehead as he splashed his face to wake up properly. What was happening? His arm began to shake a little as his anxiety rise.

Heading back into the home he heard familiar laughter behind him. "Go away! You shouldn't be here." He turned quickly to push whatever poor soul had approached but he saw no one. Nicholas groaned before entering back inside. He sat on the table waiting for his mother to return. His fingers tapped quickly on the table. He needed something to soothe his thirst but refused to put those poor souls downstairs under harsher conditions.

"She's a goddess... Her eyes were absolutely radiant." Nicholas felt his cheeks flush as he looked around quickly. Where was this voice coming from? He needed to get something to drink. He was going mad, it was the only explanation. How hard had the curse hit him? He held his head low as he stomped down in frustration. He wasn't a monster like Grizelda he only needed it. His breathing became shallow before he gave in racing downstairs. It was gone.

"What?" Nicholas asked hesitantly. Grizelda's dungeon usually filled with crying children and torn bleeding parts was completely empty, and clean. Old blood stains taunted him before his parch worsened at his desperation. This was going too far.

"No, I forgive you. I just can't take the gesture. Stand up and keep your dignity." Nicholas looked behind him again looking for the source of the voice.

"Silence!" He yelled. He found his eyes water as he heard his own voice speak up. "Punish me." This wasn't a voice. This was a memory. He had wanted me to punish me, but even when I had discovered that he was going to murder him in a few days I forgive him. He felt his heart heat up as the memory continued.

I tried to be angry. I raised my fist but it went down. Our friendship had grown too far. "I won't." I had shown him mercy. His breaths grew shallow as a fever overtook him. Love didn't exist. He couldn't love me, it would make his mission impossible. He didn't want to face it. It was a lie. He was monster, there was no way someone could have such mercy towards him.

"Where is Grizelda?" he asked to himself trying to avoid the echoes around him. He was just too tired. That was all it was, he must have hit his head too hard this time. "Where is she?" he asked louder. He needed to drink but he wasn't going to hurt anyone. That defeated the purpose. There was no way that he had unleashed the curse and it had let her die regardless. It wouldn't, they were too close.

"Right now you're about to break my heart." My voice echoed louder.

"What is this!" He yelled. He felt his chest feel like it was being torn apart. When the door opened and someone stepped in Nicholas nearly scurried on all fours. His eyes widened. His breath nearly stopped. She looked... better.

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