The Risen HODWII

Chapter 52 : Break the Record

**Xenon's POV**

"No way, I won't force myself on a person who will never love me back," I said with determination.

I love Claire... I love her so much, but I will never let my love imprison her. I set her free... I let her go, even if it’s against my heart. Lov—

"Ouch! What was that for?" I asked, looking pissed at Drena, who just hit my head.

"What are you saying, 'never love me back,' you idiot!?" she scoffed, both hands on her waist.

"She said it herself. She doesn't love me and never will," I stated sadly, remembering her words that broke my heart into pieces.

"And you believed her!? Oh Adrian, how did you ever get a foolish friend like him?" she said, frustrated, slapping her forehead lightly.

"This is what I wanted to tell you... idiot," Lucas said, tapping me on the shoulder, but I shoved it away, and he laughed mockingly.

"I don't know him," Adrian said, looking away, whistling innocently.

"Tch. What do you want to say, that she lied to me?" I challenged. Claire wouldn’t—

"Exactly!" they all said in chorus while Zoey smiled playfully.

"She did lie to me; everything was a lie! Her actions before, her—" I messed up my hair in frustration. "I don't even know what's the truth!"

Standing up, I decided to go upstairs but froze after hearing those words.

"Claire... woke you up from the dead." I immediately faced Drena, full of confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The day when you got poisoned by Marco. The doctors said it was deadly, and no cure had ever been made for that kind of poison. You were dying, and we couldn't do anything, but there was a sudden blackout. Confusingly, only in this house, and then I saw... Claire. I saw her coming from your room. You died suddenly and were brought back to life," she said, shocking everyone.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, upset.

"I wanted to, but I wasn't sure before... when I discovered that she was the Legendary Silencer, from then on, I was sure that it was her who brought you back to life," she stated sincerely.

That time... when I was dying, I felt her come into my room and... kiss me—but I thought it was just a dream. Shit!

I immediately took my phone and dialed Blake.

"Hey, dude! What's up?" he said the moment he answered the phone.

"I have something important to ask you," I said.

"Anything, what is it?" he asked, but I knew he sensed where it was leading.

"Where is Nicholo?" I anxiously asked.

"I don't know if I have the right to tell you about it, but I think you already know the answer to that," he gradually stated.

"Did she kill him at the time I got... caught?" I asked nervously.

Does it mean... there was no 'someone' who came and rescued us but...

"Yes," he answered.

That is all I wanted to hear. It was Claire who always came and saved me.

"Thanks." I aimed to end the call, but—

"Wait, I think you need to hear this." I listened to every word he said, which left me shocked. What the hell!?

"Got it. Thank you for telling me," I said and ended the call.

'Do you like me now?'

'What if I say, yes.'

Why am I doubting her love when her actions are enough to tell me the truth?

Shit! I'm a fucking idiot.

I immediately walked toward Zoey. "Where is she?"

"Our lover boy has been awakened!" Lucas cheered, and the others smiled.

Tch.

Zoey shrugged. "Don't ask me, I was busy with my own business," she said, emphasizing the word 'own.'

Aish. I won’t get anything from her!

"I'll escape. Coby, prepare my car. Lucas, find a pathway, and Adrian, keep an eye on that bastard," I ordered.

"But Xenon, where will you find her?" Cassy asked.

"To her place." Everyone froze on the spot.

"Don't tell me, you will go to..." Lucas hesitated with the words.

"Yes, I'll go to Tarre's Mansion." They gasped in shock except for Zoey, who seemed to like my idea.

"No, Xen, it is very dangerous. All the people there are ruthless killers! No one has ever set foot on that mansion uninvited," Adrian said, trying to change my mind. He’s right, but...

"Then I will be that one. I love her, and nothing can conquer my love. Go now; we shouldn't waste time."

******

"Xen! I found a way out on the east back corner, but there is a dog you have to kill," Lucas reported the moment he got inside the mansion.

"That's fine. Where's Coby?" I asked.

"Right here!" I looked up the stairs to find Coby clinging to Cassy. "The car is waiting for you a mile from here."

"Don't tell me I have to run for a mile," I dared.

"You have to. They left the car right there, and I had no other choice." He shrugged.

Aish. "Fine. Seems that I don't have any choice either." There, I saw Coby smile sheepishly. I sighed. It's getting dark, but I have to get the love of my life back.

"I'll be going," I stated, and then I heard them cheer.

"Send my regards to Claire!" I heard Drena yell before I got out of the mansion. When I reached the east back corner, I saw a man guarding the wall. I took a thick wooden stick and slowly got behind him. Before he could recognize my presence, I immediately hit his head hard, causing him to fall down with blood flowing from his head.

I hid his body in the nearest storage house and locked it from the outside, then I climbed the wall.

The moment I got out, I ran as fast as I could. A mile later, I saw a black car. I smirked; the key was on top of the hood.

I got inside and drove fast. Everyone knew the Tarre Mansion, but no one had ever gotten inside... alive.

I will break the record. I will do everything to win her back. I was an idiot when I let her go, but I'll never do it again.

'I don't love you, and I never will.' I shook my head.

What bothers me is... why did she lie to me? Doesn’t she really love me? Will she never love me? Is my journey worth it?

"I have only one question for you, Claire... Do you have feelings for me?" I asked, hoping, and she nodded.