Ballad of Souls (Book 1/4)

Part 1 Chapter 5: Rose

For Lesili. Today marks another year that you have graced this earth with your lively and joyful presence. You are definitely one of my favorite human beings. ~2024/09/22

Rose sat outside of Kultenville highschool on a bench, under a tree. It was so peaceful where she sat. It was the only peaceful spot left, now that the first day was over.A feeling Rose has not felt in years. Rose tried to ignore the shaken feeling she felt when she saw that boy. That boy from three weeks ago. It was so surreal to her. Of course she was bound to see him since she was now staying, most likely temporarily, in his hometown. He looked so different from that night. Oh my god. That night. Rose thought. It was the same night he lost his parents. He went through so much. She still did not know why Samuel did that. Samuel might have changed so much over the years, but Rose did not really think he would be so heartless and psychotic as to kill someone’s parents randomly.

“Are you thinking about me again, Rosie?” Samuel mused.

Rose rolled her eyes and turned her head to look at Samuel. He wore his signature smirk. His eyes were staring intently at Rose. It was that annoyingly sarcastic look. “No,” Rose mused right back. “I am just reminding myself about how I kicked your ass the last time I saw you, Bane.”

Samuel tensed up and his smirk faded and his eyes narrowed. “I still do not like you for that. Very uncalled for. Oh, and by the way, reminding yourself about how you ‘kicked my ass’ is still thinking about me.”

“The feeling of dislike is mutual.” Rose reached for her bag to grab her dagger.

“Rose. Don't be reaching for that dagger. I have a deep disliking for it. I think I dislike it more than you.” He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a gashing red wound. “It won't heal.”

“I think I am beginning to like my dagger even more.”

Samuel tried to grab the dagger but Rose used the dagger’s hilt to jab him in the chest. He coughed and clenched his shirt, where Rose jabbed him. Rose twisted his shirt and pulled him towards her, until they were face-to-face. She put her dagger to his chest.

“If you do not want to breathe through your chest, you better leave me alone. You can consider your plans foiled. You hear me?”

Samuel chuckled softly. He grabbed Rose's wrist. He pushed it away. “Are you really stupid enough to threaten me, Rose?”

“I could ask you the same question.”

“Don't be funny. That's my thing.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll throw your dagger into his head.” Samuel pointed in the direction of the parking lot. Rose turned her head and saw Samuel was pointing to the boy. Rose turned back to Samuel, who was grinning.

“No you won’t.”

“Why wouldn't I? There is nothing stopping me. It would solve your problem.”

“What exactly is my problem?”

“Me.” He gestured to himself. “If I just killed the kid, my plan would commence and you would be rid of me. Doesn't that just sound amazing.”

Rose considered the deal. She did not know why she was even considering the deal. They were talking about a human’s life. On the other hand, Samuel would never bother Rose again. No, Rose thought, I am not a bad person. Fuck Samuel.

“No, Samuel.” Rose said, standing up in front of him. “You are a sadistic, psychotic little man who no one will ever love.” She turned around and walked to the parking lot. She got to her car and looked back at the bench where she left Samuel, but he disappeared.

Rose was about to get into her car when a hand grabbed her shoulder. She jerked her head to see who it was. The boy was the one who grabbed her shoulder.