[Complete] An old mansion. A stranger with a gift. And a mysterious disappearance of a family.
***An Open Novella Contest 2023 Shortlister***
***2nd Place Best Cover at The Massive Awards***
***Bronze Winner at the Throne of Awards***
***Third Place...
"Tina-trollface! So what if you know that I have nude pictures on my boyfriend's cellphone? It's not like you can take his phone from him and show others anyway! I'm not afraid of you anymore." Cecile's tall frame towered over Tina. The bully looked like a distorted reptile with three eyes, never blinking.
Tina refused to be intimidated. She had cornered the girl before, now she just needed another tactic. Yes, it was Cecile's dream but Tina was the one connected to the Dreamweaver. Is it possible that she could manipulate this dream, too? She had enough of just questioning her bullies about their secrets.
They needed to suffer more.
"You look ugly even in your dreams. Guess Jonathan can't help you with your looks, after all."
That got Tina's attention. "You know about Jonathan's ability?"
"Duh. It's a 'secret' everyone knows."
"But you're still not afraid of me?"
"Before, I was. But, now, what the hell? Fuck you, bitch. Not anymore." Cecile's neck elongated as she stared Tina down. Her voice was full of menace when she said, "You know what? Tomorrow, I'll get my girls to take you to the women's restroom, the one on the second floor of the old building. No one goes there. It will be just us. Then I'll strip your clothes piece by piece and make you smile in front of the camera--"
"Stop!" Fright gobbled Tina. She shoved the reptile body of Cecile away. The bully laughed, but Tina didn't care. She had felt the coldness of Cecile's body and was able to hurt her. Even only a bit. She could hurt her! This time, it was Tina's turn to laugh.
"Why are you laughing? Wait. Wait! What is this? What are you doing?"
Tentacles that were Tina's hands encircled Cecile's long neck. Tina squeezed as hard as she could and found joy when the bully was unable to do anything but panic.
"Die, you bitch!" Tina was overjoyed. She laughed and laughed as she squeezed the life out of Cecile until the other girl's reptile body stopped moving and became limp. "You've died tonight and you'll die every night by my hands," Tina promised.
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Claire left Palasyo Marilag with Linda and the maids. Jonathan was in his room studying, Linda said. As far as Claire knew, Jonathan hadn't attended a single Sunday assembly nor participated in any activity by the Church of Heavenly Angels. Sometimes, he would just wait outside the church until the assembly finished. That was weird considering that his mom, Linda, was a devout. Maybe, he was one of those teenagers who knew what they believed in and did not let others dictate which religion they should submit to. In a way, Claire admired that trait of his. She could never imagine going against her father and refusing to devote herself to their church.
The sky was still dark when they reached the church. As Claire hopped out of the black van that took them to their destination, she saw her father enter the building with her siblings. She had the habit of greeting them every Sunday and every church activity after she was hired in the Belmontes' mansion.
