The Perfect Crime

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17 

 

I didn't know how long I've walked for. I didn't keep track of time. But it all seemed vaguely familiar. I had been through here before. But then I was weak. I now felt stronger after all the fighting with Amanda and I was better equipped. I was no longer afraid of the shadows. I was no longer desperate to find another pack to ensure my survival. This time, I do not care what happens to me.

It was day time and I was walking in human form. I try to use my wolf form as little as possible. No one would be able to catch up to me. I was too far into the land. And it’s not like anyone comes here anyways.

And I walked I could hear a humming sound. The farther I walked, the louder it got. Soon it was loud, so loud that I had to fight the urge to scream out. Suddenly it stopped.

"Over here, my child." I looked around to see who said. The voice seemed to be coming from nowhere. I chuckled to myself thinking I was going crazy. I hadn't slept in days. I could be hallucinating.

"Behind you." the same voice said. I turned around and true to his word, he was behind me. An old, blind man sat against the tree. He was not there before.

"Wha-how-how did you get there?" I asked.

"I was here the entire time. You simply did not look hard enough."

"Who are you?" I asked once again.

"I am merely whatever or whoever you want me to be."

"I would never want anyone to be blind." I said.

"You subconsciously wanted me to be blind. A poor, old, blind man would not be able to harm you. You feel safer with me in this form rather than in the form of a younger person." The man had a point.

"So why exactly are you here?" I needed to get a move on.

"I can help you. I can tell you what lies ahead."

"So, you're can see the future?"

"No, I can read people well. I can see patterns."

"Patterns?" I repeated, like someone who had a hard time understanding.

"I can see how people are connected. I can see their mistakes, their pattern of life. I'm not psychic, nor can I see the future, but I can predict your future patterns by observing you."

I must have looked like I didn't believe him because he continued.

"Your name is Laine Ryder. You were accused of your parent’s murder. I could tell that much from just looking at you."

I should have backed away then. It is not normal for someone to know so much about you. But my curious side won.

"But you're blind. How can you see me?"

"As I said before, I am merely what you want me to be."

"So you're just some creepy old man who knows my name. And everyone knows about my parent’s murder. You could have found out about that from anyone. And what does this have to do with patterns?" This man was a lunatic. Was he stalking me?

"Ah, the patterns," he paused, like he was thinking. "I know you had love, from your parents, and then you lost it. You were abused and hated. Finally after having enough, you ran away. Then you found love again. This time from a handsome, young boy. But then you lost that love. Once again you were abuse and hated by those very people that you're now running away from. Don't you see the pattern? That's your cycle and you're forever doomed to repeat it."

"You crazy-" I was cut short

"And what about that dagger you carry around. The one you swore vengeance on. The one you're so obsessed about."

"How did you-" Yet once again he interrupted me.

"The first time you ran away, that's what kept you alive. Weren't you curious as to why it kept the beasts away. It has dark magic on it. Or black magic as called these days. Do you know what dark magic does to you? It has a bad effect on you. It makes you crazy. And it WILL make you crazy. If my predictions are right, then the only thing I can say is get rid of that thing before it’s too late."

He pointed to my dagger. I was just about to swear him when he disappeared. Gone. Like he was never there. Had I imagined the whole thing? I was certain I hadn't. But I hadn't slept in a long time. They say people who are sleep-deprived hallucinate. Was it all a hallucination?

And for the dagger? What was wrong with it? I had this for 7 years and it had not affected me.

Should I get rid of it? I could just bury it somewhere in the land where I would never find it again. I quickly dismissed the idea. I needed this dagger.

The hunters had to pay. And if crazy was the price to pay, then so be it..