the silent heartbeat

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"Constance..." 

I can't help but to hear Oliver's voice in my ears again and again. We have been walking down the maze for the last few hours and I can feel my feet weakening, but I didn't budge. I stayed at the back of Holland and was the last person Berryl's front. If we were going to visualize everything that would be: Kaleb's leading in the front, followed by Berryl that stayed on the right side, then Wallace, then Holland, and me as the last person. 

I honestly wanted to stay in the back so that they can lead the way. They're much more familiar in this place so they should be in the front because they could protect me immediately. Since, they're much stronger than me, even surpassing the human strength, then they could be of good use when it comes to protecting me. 

"Constance, my love..." 

I still heard that voice. It keeps pestering me. What does it want from me? I have nothing much to give to that voice. I shut my eyes closed and gulped. We headed towards the left side of the maze, then on the right. I would sometimes look up and would saw that the maze where we are right now is towering. The sun's rays is hitting the leaves of the walls on the upper sides. 

"Constance, you shall answer my plea..." The voice talked to me. 

I gulped again. This is different. Its not Oliver's voice. Even though it mimicks his subtle and gentle voice, my heart still denies that its not him. Its actually somebody else, like how a spirit that mimicked Claudia a while ago appeared before me, and telling one thing that until now, makes me feel guilty. 

Aish, fuck. Why the hell did I lie in front of mom? Ah, I have good reasons. For sure, if I try to explain everything that I experienced, she would not believe me. I assume that she would even prohibit me to complete this mission and stop my madness. She might ground me for saying lie. Although she haven't said anything about it because I haven't been able to tell lies all the days of my life, but still I feel utter nervousness. 

"Constance..."

The whisper started faintly, almost like a lingering memory, but it grew louder, haunting me with each passing second. I shook my head, hoping it would stop, but it persisted, burrowing into my mind with an insidious persistence. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I spun around and shouted into the empty air, "What do you want from me?!"

My voice echoed through the air, and everyone around me froze, shocked by my sudden outburst. Their eyes widened with concern, and they immediately closed in around me, questions tumbling from their lips.

"Constance, are you okay?" Kaleb asked, worry etched across his face.

"What's going on?" Berryl pressed, looking around anxiously as though trying to spot the source of my distress.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could speak, something cold and clammy wrapped itself around my shoulders, pulling me back. I gasped, turning my head to see who—or what—had grabbed me. I felt a chill run down my spine as my eyes met its face.

A demon. Its face was twisted, grotesque, with skin that looked stretched and cracked. Its large, black irises stared into my eyes, its gaze both terrifying and mesmerizing. Blood streaked across its face, dripping from its cracked lips. I felt my heart freeze for a split second, a scream welling up from the depths of my fear. Its taller than the rest of us, much bigger and feels stronger. 

Unable to contain my terror, I screamed, thrashing wildly to free myself from its grip. I saw Holland, Kaleb, and the others, faces filled with determination, advancing towards the demon to protect me. But as soon as the demon's gaze shifted to them, they cried out, their bodies collapsing onto the ground as if some invisible force had pinned them there, writhing in pain.