Heart Vacancy

Chapter 24

Aaliyah was nearly 10 minutes away until she finally got to the others. Happiness spread across her face, having no doubt Cynthia will win and become queen of Haven. She couldn't hold back the excitement and decided to call for them about the news. Beth's face was going to be priceless.

"Guys-"

that was all she could say until she rammed into what looked to be a cane that unexpectedly appeared in a corner.Aaliyah flew backwards stumbling on the floor. Her teeth gridded in irritation of this unknown person trying to block her way of giving the news. Aaliyah looked at a man that giggled at her in a playfully manner. This man was old to the bone but somehow looked mischievous in a way. With his high hat he gestured it forward for greeting and smiled showing off his rotten teeth.

"Let me guess your here to stop me because Beth told you so?" Aaliyah said flatly and annoyed.

The man only chuckled and skipped closer to her as if he was a jester.

"Indeed. The name is Fredrick, Fredrick Pickles the Great magician." The man laughed.

A brow raised on her forehead by the odd choice of a name. Never had she heard something so utterly stupid. However she thought of something that was another clue, the man. If Fredrick was a magician then he was Beth's supplier for the magic potion. That's why he was here. Fredrick suddenly held the cane over his head, ready to strike, looking at Aaliyah eagerly.

"And now you are going to die." Fredrick lashed the cane towards Aaliyah's head but she quickly reacted and stabbed him with her ink pen on his ankle. The cane missed her head completely and Fredrick groaned in pain. Aaliyah sprang to her feet and before she could go the direction to the others, a gun was pulled out on the side of the mans pocket. Judging her options, she observed the mans posture and determined what he will do. First, he will shoot at her but will miss cause of his pain in his ankle, followed by three more shots that Aaliyah could easily dodge if she ran the other way moving straight forward. However the fifth shot will hit her hip if she tried running around the corner which was her only escape. It was risky but she was willing to do anything. Aaliyah ran the other way, following exactly her plan. The bullet was shot,missing completely as she continued running. So far the three other gun shoots triggered, missing the target like Aaliyah predicated. It was time for the fifth and Aaliyah was gaining speed around the corner. The gun clicked and made a loud bang. The trigger was pulled. The bullet seeped into flesh,blowing out the hip bone causing Aaliyah to scream in pain. Because the walls of the castle were so thick no one could hear her. Although one side of her hip was completely useless, she could still walk or more like limping. Once she made it around the corner her options of surviving was at a 0 percent chance. Aaliyah winced in pain of the wound. Massive blood poured on her side, ruining her pink silky dress. She sadly looked at the proof she was still holding in her hand. She knew the man would take it and burn it ,hiding the evidence. Frantically she looked around for anything she could do until she saw what can help her. The plan was absolutely brilliant. But before she went through with it she needed to write one last thing on the paper. Since she didn't have her pen she used her own blood to write one last important detail. After she was finish setting up she gripped her side in pain. Tears of knowing her fate will come to and end came streaming down her face.Death came calling, coming closer for her. Aaliyah made low sobs but noticed a dark figure walk towards her. Fredrick came to see the helpless girl in pain. A crooked smile was plastered on his wrinkly face, enjoying the view.

"That was a nasty thing you did little girl. I hate to say that the show is over." Fredrick lifted the gun at the Aaliyah's head. Just before he pulled the trigger she lifted her hands in defeat screaming "WAIT!"

Fredrick looked at her hard and filled with boredom, wanting to badly kill the girl.

"Before you kill me.. One request on how my death should end?" Aaliyah said hopeful. Fredrick smiled, motioning closer to Aaliyah. Scared eyes watch his every move. Fredrick magically replaced the gun in his hand with a knife.

Luna watched her son be in rage, Cynthia in tears, and Beth watching satisfied. But something was wrong and she can feel a strong sense of emotion screaming that there is trouble. Using her ability an illusion of blood trailed down the hallway. Luna's eyes could see things that no one else can that are indescribable and bizarre that lead to a sign. The blood was a long trail and Luna motioned toward it, following where it would lead. Blocking out everyone she couldn't hear what the others were saying. Alistair knew his woman to well and knew that she was seeing something. They all followed behind her, curious to know what she was looking for. Luna noticed that the more she followed the trail the greater the blood became. Even the walls were oozing with blood. It seemed like a game of hot and cold. Luna saw the blood made a turn around the corner and followed it. Once she did she screamed in fear. Aaliyah was laying on the floor by the flower garden gasping for air as the knife was stuck in her stomach. Cynthia moved aside from Luna and saw her friend, her sister slowly dying before her eyes. Everyone ran towards the dying girl, all except for Beth. Cynthia collapsed to her knees and grabbing the back of Aaliyah's head, gently placing it on her lap. Tears burned through Cynthia's eyes.

"No no! Please Aaliyah hang in there! Luna help please!" Cynthia begged.

Luna only shook her head in fear, bearing her own tears from falling on her face.

"It's to late. She is to far for me to bring her back to life." Luna said, her voice filled with defeat.

Cynthia cried and looked at Aaliyah dying right before her eyes. Aaliyah smiled but she looked like she was fading away.

"Cynthia." Aaliyah said so low that Cynthia was surprised that she could hear her.

"Aaliyah! Please please don't go,don't leave me!" Cynthia sobbed.

"Cynthia..don't worry about me... I'm happy this way...I finally get to go home..." Aaliyah chocked out the best she could. Cynthia held her so tight that she hoped that God himself didn't take her away.

"I was honored to have meet you Cynthia...." Aaliyah gasped painfully. Cynthia stroked her hair soothingly with more tears filling in her eyes.

"I should be the one honored."

Cynthia said with a weak smile. Aaliyah groaned in pain and grabbed Cynthia's hand tightly. She looked up at her with her eyes halfway shut.

"Cynthia....one last thing before I die.."

Cynthia came close, ready to hear her dear friend.

Aaliyah chuckled a little, fighting back the urge to close her eyes.

"On my death bed...will you place some red roses for me?" And with those last words, her last breaths Aaliyah closed her eyes. Aaliyah laid in Cynthia's lap...dead.