Crystal

Chapter 2 - The Illusion

I sat alone in front of our rectangular wooden dining table. Eating alone. I'm alone in this huge house. Normally, it would not bother me at all. I grew up like this. But now, it did.

I woke up confused. I don't remember tucking myself into bed. I was convincing myself that maybe I was too tired to even remember tucking myself into bed. Maybe that's it. But thinking about it doesn't help at all. I shivered.

I stood up, not wanting to eat anymore. I went up to my room, then to my en-suite to take a quick hot shower. Once I finished, I stood up in front of my vanity table looking at the girl in front of me. She has a big hazel eyes that pop out of her pale skin. I look sick. I cursed. Eslyn would scold me for not taking care of myself later on.

I wore a simple lavender sweater, skinny jeans and sneakers. I wasn't in the mood to prep up myself. Besides, I feel cold. A simple, warm sweater would suffice.

I sat in the living room waiting for Eslyn to pull up in front of my house. Many thoughts are swirling in my mind. Did they came home? They could have been the one to clean up the shattered glasses on the stairs. I mean, who could have brought me to my room?

But my mind keeps drifting to the thought that it's not them. Again, I shivered at the thought.

I should probably go out. I thought. I quickly grabbed my bag and got out of the house, locking the door behind me.

I sighed as I got out the gate. It is better here outside. I looked up the sky, the sun is almost up. I sighed again. Another day... Another agonizing day...

- - -

The ride to the school is quiet. It is surprising that Eslyn Archer didn't talk the moment I hop on her car. She's usually full of life even at seven in the morning. She should be scolding me for looking sick. But now, she's somewhat... how can I put it... vigilant. She's acting like someone would pop out of somewhere. When we reached school, she suddenly looked relieved. We were in front of her locker when I got the courage to ask her.

"So..." I started, making look at me. "What's with you today?"

This is the moment where someone should be stuttering because they've been caught, but, as usual, Eslyn looked at me with her innocent gray eyes. "Why? What's with me?" She asked while getting things from her locker.

"You look rather... alert while driving."

"I was driving." She deadpanned.

"Yeah, right, Sherlock. You were more alert than usual."

I was going to say something more but then she talked. "There was news yesterday that animals are lurking around. I don't want them to destroy my precious baby."

Oh she's pertaining to her car, it's a black Audi... I don't know what Audi. I'm not really into cars. Don't blame me. I don't even have one because I don't want to. Who doesn't want her own car? That's me. But thanks to that, I wouldn't be worrying about that.

Every student in school seems to worry about it. Actually, those who have 'nice' cars. Also, almost every professor gave us a 10-minute long warning about those animals. Well, almost. Ms. Perkins doesn't seem to be affected by this. She even gave a 25-item quiz the moment she entered the classroom. I am so sure that I flunked that one. I mentally smacked myself for sleeping so early last night.

After my classes, I went straight to the parking lot where I will meet up with Eslyn. The parking lot is surprisingly empty other than a few cars. Unfortunately, she's not yet there. So I lean on the side of her car while fishing for my phone in my backpack.

"It's nice to see you here, Mademoiselle." I heard a baritone voice said. I looked up and saw a man wearing a black suit. He wore a black sunglasses as well. He looks like Johnny Bravo actually except the blond hair. His hair is gelled to perfection, no piece of hair on his face.

"Are you talking to me?" I asked. I was more confused than scared. I should be scared that a large man approaching me saying that it's nice to see me. But instead, I am asking myself, 'Have we met? It seems like he knows me.'.

"Yes, Miss. Please come with me." He suddenly holds my arm and pulled me, causing me to drop my phone that I just found. I tried to pull myself free from his clutches but his grip is too strong. I looked around trying to find someone to help me but it is deserted as what I came to find awhile ago. I have no choice but to use my trump card.

"Wait!! Unhand me! I promise that I'll come willingly, just don't forcefully make me come with you!" I stuttered. He stopped pulling me and looked at me suspiciously. He then, hesitantly released my arm and murmured these words: "If you try to escape, I'll kill you."

I gulped. I know I'll escape the moment I said those words. The plan is to run when he let his guard down. But it turns out that he knew what I will do.

I heard him say to follow him, so I followed quietly.

"You're not taking her with you, dumdass!"A familiar voice shouted. I tried to look around but the man suddenly grabbed my hand again, making me cry in pain. The man hid me behind him, gripping my arm so tight.

"Too late, Decepter!" The man said then laughs maniacally. Suddenly, I felt a gust of wind from my back making me turn my head and see a black hole not far from me. I screamed. The man let go of my arm, letting me be sucked in by the black hole. I screamed for help. Even my hero won't seem to hear me.

"As you said, I'm Decepter. I deceive people." That familiar voice said again. On that moment, the man blocking the view of my hero was gone. Instead, I came face to face with Eslyn who was a meter away from me and the black hole behind me was gone.

"Eslyn?!" I exclaimed I look around and I saw the man awhile ago struggling so he won't be sucked in by the black hole.

"Take that, you asshole!" She mocked the man who was now sucked in whole by the black hole then she laughs. "You see that, he got sucked in. He's so stupid for thinking that he can go against me!" She laughs again.

I would've join her laughing if this is normal. I felt like I was dumped with a glass of cold water. What was that? What just happened? Did I just witnessed not so normal things?

"What was that, Essy?"

"That's-" She suddenly stopped talking, her face contorting like she's in pain. Blood oozed from her mouth. "Shit. I got a little too cocky..."She looked down, so I looked down to where she is looking. There, is a sword pierced through her stomach.

I gasped in horror. "Oh... Oh my... Eslyn..." I tried to get closer but she placed her hands between us like telling me not to come close. "But..."

"Don't..." She feebly said. Moments later, the sword was withdrawn making Eslyn grimace. She slumped to the floor, blood seeping out of her stomach. I hastily ran to her side. I placed her head on my lap and looked around. There's no else but us. There's no sword floating. Where did that sword came from?

I looked at the my best friend again but her eyes are closed."Eslyn!! Stay with me! Don't you dare die, you woman! You have a lot of explaining to do!" I said while slapping her face for her to wake up but to no avail, she's still unconscious.

I looked around, but to my surprise. we weren't on the same parking lot anymore. It is not the normal cement road and metal cars. All things around us looked like ice. I looked down at my best friend again. I see the color of the cement ground slowly disappearing into Eslyn like she's absorbing it. I touched the ground. It's not cold. What is this?

What the fvck is happening here?

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3 months. it took me 3 months... Hope you like it! :) Watch out for more! :)

Chapter 3 - The Deceit