The Perilous Haven

Prologue

Copyright © ScribblerMia, 2013

"Damn that asshole!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"Damn him for making my baby Alex cry," Zoe added. She was banging her head to the loud music being played inside the car.

I laughed, a humorless laugh. I was wearing a skimpy red tube dress and a pair of three-inch red stilettos. I had smudged red lipstick and mascara. My hair was now messy from all the dancing and making out with random guys at the club. The interesting part was that I only had one Sterling silver dangle earring left. I couldn't even remember where I put it or when was it gone.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. I looked at Zoe. We looked the same, wasted and untidy. Typical Alexys and Zoe.

"Oh my God! I so love this song," Zoe shouted like a madwoman. Diamond Pistols' Midnight Magic was being played.

I glanced at the silver mirror beside Zoe's black Hermes clutch, and I smirked. I looked like a character from a horror movie, like one of those bitches who went with a stranger in a dark and quiet place and then got dragged and killed.

Zoe raised a bottle of Pétrus wine. "Here's to the fucking asshole Seraphin who screwed the bitch Shannon who looks like a fucking frog," she shouted.

We both laughed in unison. I was holding my stomach dahil sa walang humpay na pagtawa.

Zoe handed me the bottle after drinking.

I took the bottle from her and raised it as well. "To fucking Seraphine Arkwright and fucking Shannon Blackburn!" I smirked before drinking the wine. Ah! Damn, it was good.

Zoe was laughing hysterically. "Oh, darling, I just love her surname--Blackburn. Like blackburn in hell, Shannon." She raised her middle finger.

I sniggered and did the same.

We were busy shouting, drinking, and cursing when Zoe's car stopped at the corner of the street near our mansion.

The loud music was suddenly turned off.

"Mesdemoiselles, nandito na po tayo," untag ni Clotaire, ang driver nina Zoe. Nakatingin ito sa salamin sa harap ng kotse. Hinihintay ang sagot naming dalawa.

Zoe giggled. "That was really fast, Clotaire. That's why I like you. I like it fast." Zoe winked at the emotionless guy. There was something in her tone when she said the word "fast."

Napailing ako at napangiti. Trust Zoe to flirt with every hot male she knows, regardless of status.

"I'll go ahead, Zoe," I smiled at her, not reaching my eyes.

Zoe returned her attention to me. "Are you sure you're okay?" Her face showed a concern expression. Tila ba saglit na nawala ang kanyang pagkalasing.

I nodded. Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pintuan ng kotse at walang-ganang bumaba.

Saglit akong nag-inat bago hinarap si Zoe at sumilip sa bintana ng sasakyan nila. "See you tomorrow." I tried to smile. Shit! It's really hard to pretend you're okay when everything inside you is aching.

Zoe slowly nodded and blew me a kiss.

I returned the kiss. Sinulyapan ko rin ang driver nito. "Thanks, Clotaire."

Clotaire just nodded.

"Bye, Alex! If you need me, I'm a just a call away. Okay?" Zoe giggled. Umayos ito ng upo kaya mas lalong umangat ang suot na maikling black tube dress. I could almost see her underwear from here.

Napailing na lang ako at napatawa. It's quite obvious why she did that.

Zoe just winked at me and ordered Clotaire to start the engine.

I waved as I bid them goodbye.

Tumalikod ako at iiling-iling na naglakad. Hindi ako bumaba sa tapat ng mansyon namin dahil malalagot na naman ako pag naabutan akong ganito ni Papa. He would surely ground me for a week or more, and I didn't like that idea.

Saglit na kumirot ang ulo ko nang dahil sa alak na nainom ko kanina sa bar hanggang sa wine na ininom namin ni Zoe sa kotse niya. I closed my eyes for a few seconds then opened them again. Kinilig ko ang ulo ko para mahismasan. At nang sa pakiramdam ko ay kaya ko na, tinahak ko ang daan pauwi sa amin.

Nakatira ako sa pinakaekslusibong subdibisyon sa Avercrombe City. Malayo ang pagitan ng mga bahay rito dahilan kung bakit malayo-layo ang nilalakad ko tuwing bababa ako sa kanto. Halos mga malalawak na bakuran at matatayog na mga puno ang nadaraanan ko. I thought about how the road probably has unseen dangers, hiding behind those enormous, well-designed mansions.

Tanging ilaw ng mga poste sa daan at mga poste sa bakuran ng bawat mansyon ang nagbibigay liwanag sa dinadaanan ko. Bigla na lamang akong kinilabutan nang marinig ang angungol ng mga aso sa tapat ng mansiyon na dinadadaanan ko kung kaya't binilisan ko ang paglalakad ko.

There was a full moon, hiding behind the clouds. I found it weird that the sky seemed to be starless. The place was disturbingly silent except for the clacking of my heels. Natawa na lang ako nang muntik na akong matalisod sa sanga na nakaharang sa kalsada. I was too drunk to even think of the consequence.

I suddenly felt a December breeze, slowly hitting my face. I hugged myself. At this moment, I was being regretful wearing this dress. 

Now that was funny. What a perfect time for sudden realization and repentance, Alexys.

I bit my lip and lowered my head. I kept thinking about what happened yesterday while I was on my way. 

It took me minutes before I saw the high iron fence gate of our mansion. Finally! I can shower and then sleep. I was about to heave a sigh of relief when I noticed that the gate was slightly open.

I stopped from walking and frowned. How is this possible?  There's no way that this gate would be left open.

Then, something struck me. Bigla akong kinabahan. Tila nawala bigla ang kalasingan ko. Where are the guards here?

Dali-dali kong tinanggal ang mga sandals ko at binitbit. Naging maingat ako sa paglalakad palapit sa gate habang patuloy sa pagkalabog ang puso ko. Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng aking katawan sa pinaghalong kaba at pagtataka.

Nang nakarating ako sa harap ng gate ay napatigil ako sa tangkang pagpasok.

Tumambad sa akin ang lalaking nakatingkayad na nakaupo habang may pinagmamasdan. He was wearing for what seemed to be a black leather coat, black pants, and black boots. I couldn't exactly see his face because he was against the dim light.

Sinundan ko ng tingin kung ano ang kanyang tinitingnan at awtomatikong nanlamig ang mga kamay kong nakahawak sa mga sapatos.

A loud gasped escaped my mouth, the reason the guy suddenly stood and ran.

Everything happened fast, as if my imagination played a trick on me. The guy vanished, leaving another person lying on the ground.

The December breeze hit my face again. Then, something broke the disturbing silence.

"Papa!!!" I screamed.

--

OST: Diamond Pistols- Midnight Magic ft. Karra

Mia's Message: I just posted this to pique your curiosity. Hahaha. I hope you'd support this new story of mine, guys. It's different from TBND, but I assure you that you'll enjoy it. Haha.