Keep A Promise or Die

Chapter 2

Ivy was going to do something she never would have imagined herself doing. She was going to follow Chirp home, or rather, stalk him. She knew it would worsen her reputation if anyone found out, but she had to settle it before he told others. After Chirp entered the house, Ivy crept around the back, feeling like laughing at the idea of seeing Chirps shocked and petrified expression when he found her in his room. She went in through the back door which Chirp must have unlocked when he came in, and swiftly made her way into the room that said 'Chirp' in bid bright letters on the door.

The house was empty, and silent. Ivy waited. She heard water running in the bathroom, the toilet flushing.  She heard glass breaking, and Chirp swore. She tried not to laugh. Finally she heard footsteps coming up the hallway. She stood next to the window, turning her no-expression self on. Then the door creaked open and Chirp came in, still in his uniform, with a fresh bandage on his thumb. He was balancing a plate with a sandwich on one hand and a water glass in the other. He kicked the door close, and for a moment, Ivy felt panicked. Then, as if Chirp sensed another presence in the room, looked towards the window.

A number of things happened in an instance. Chirp dropped his plate and cup, china chattering to a million pieces, his sandwich smacking onto the wall. A shard of glass flew from the impact and buried itself into Ivy's arm. Chirp backed up against the door, trying to grasp the handle. Ivy rummaged through her bag for a tissue in her schoolbag, and Chirp managed to get the door open and scrambled into the hallway. She's come to kill me, thought Chirp.

Ivy was confused. She knew she might have surprised him, but she didn't expect Chirp to be crawling in the hallway like a terrified dog.

“Hey wait!” called Ivy. It was a long time since she had talked to someone other than her mum. Chirp stopped. Ivy didn't sound like anything evil. Her voice was like anyone else’s, but there was loneliness in it that reminded him of an empty seaside. Shakily, Chirp got off the floor and searched for words. But he had no idea what to say.

Then he saw the blood dripping off Ivy's arm. “That looks bad” Chirp finally said. Ivy shrugged, as if she didn't care,

“You’re clumsy”.

“Second one today” replied Chirp feeling stupid.

 “Wait, I’ll get you a bandage” he added, running out. Ivy leaned on the wall, and slid down, and watched as the sandwich did the same.

She looked around the room, and suddenly realised that this was the first time she had been in a classmate’s room or in a room of someone her own age. It was different. Her room was large and spacious which made it feel empty. Her mum had inherited the mansion from Ivy's grandma. Her room had an open hearth, a huge bed and a very big work desk, and a window that took one whole wall. Even if the mansion had electricity, Ivy preferred to use the elaborate candle holders that were fixed to the wall. Her cupboard was built into the wall and was nearly as big as Chirp's room.    Chirps room, on the other hand was fairly sized, had brightly coloured walls, and it was so fully packed with furniture and hand painted pictures all over the walls, made it welcoming. Ivy was really awed.

Just then, Chirp crept into the room, holding a bowl of water, a small towel and bandages. Ivy quickly stood up, taking the bowl and towel.

“Thanks” she said. When was the last time she used such words? Chirp was still shying away, staying far and jumping at every sharp movement Ivy made. Seeing this, Ivy smiled, the sensation making her face tickle. Then, she remembered why she was sitting in this room, and her smile faded and her face hardened. Best to finish the work quickly.

 “Chirp, you do know why I'm here, right?” Ivy asked. Chirp felt the misty aura of fear and mystery envelop Ivy again. Ivy could visibly see Chirp getting pale, and she sighed, “aren't I intimidating?”

Chirp saw Ivy's cheeky smile, ashamed to be afraid of a person, more a girl who was probably even younger than him. He wondered how she kept her face so still and vacant at school, and now, her face moulded itself into different ways, and wow, she really enjoyed it, as if it was a new experience.

“Now that you know I won't eat you, I'd like you to tell me something” Ivy said, mopping the cut with the wet towel. She pulled a sharp piece of white china out of the ghastly cut. Chirps eyes widened. “See, I’m completely human, no black blood or green blood or whatever you thought.” said Ivy, putting on the bandage, then taking out the leather book that Chirp so never wanted to encounter again. “I have strong feeling this is familiar to you” Ivy said mockingly. Chirp felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He couldn't deny it.

“Yes, I have read it, and I regret it, Ivy” said Chirp, saying her name for the first time. At school, she was seldom spoken of, and when she was mentioned, it would be that she wasn't called by her name, but as 'Ms Venom', 'Her' or more commonly and popularly used amongst the children, 'The Witch'. He felt guilty, for even he had called her a witch. No one said her given name. It sounded foreign, unfamiliar but was daring and bold. Such a name suited the tough and silent school Ivy, not the cheeky, vulnerable and lonely girl who sat on the floor in front of him.

“I have to go, So, I'd like you to promise NEVER to tell anyone about what you have read, nobody, no-one” emphasised Ivy.

“OK, OK, I promise, now go, before my brother gets home and starts quizzing me.”

“No, how would I know if you are speaking the truth or not” retorted Ivy. Chirp shrugged, feeling cornered. He might slip it out when he's least cautious.

“Then say, cross my heart and hope to die, if you ever spill whatever you read in my diary” she said, inquiring that Chirp was to repeat after her. As if in a trance, Chirp heard himself saying it, and only after he had said the last word realisation dawned on him. He felt light headed, and nauseous. For the first time in his life, he truly felt close to death's door.