Bringer of Bad Luck

Chapter 7

That morning, after enjoying the sunrise and breakfast with his daughter, Crimson's father invited her to the backyard pool, where they would celebrate the 'newfound Crimson.'

While her father swam about in the pristine water, Crimson sat on the side of the pool with only her feet in the water. She watched the different colors that the water presented as it moved with the activity of her father who was swimming from one end of the pool to the other. Sometimes, he'd stop to collect snacks that awaited him right next to where Crimson sat.

In addition, every now and then, Crimson's father would watch her with an expectant gaze, eagerly waiting for Crimson to do something unexpected and unlike her 'old self.' But much to the man's disappointment, Crimson did nothing  out of the ordinary. She'd gone back to her simple way of sparing him an expressionless glance.

Eventually though, the man gave up and reverted to just swimming around.

Everything went as normal, that was, until Crimson decided to observe her father's efficient breast strokes. By that time, her father was in a relatively deep part of the pool, away from the edges where he could support himself.

Then, out of nowhere, an uncomfortable feeling held him.

A burning sensation like fire with the assistance of gasoline, stretched from the tips of his toes to his lower back. Within a mere second of his sudden suffering, the man couldn't fell his legs, to him, they were suddenly non-existent, all he felt was the pain.

Without much thought, he panicked. His heart galloped in his chest as he was dragged under the water by no one but his weight. He held his breath for as long as he could while he struggled to reach the surface, but it was all a futile struggle, nothing and no one could save him now.

With the strength if his hands, Crimson's father resurfaced, drawing in as much air as he possibly could, until invisible hands grabbed hold of his feet and forced him back to his 'water bed.'

He struggled and fought with all he had, but this time, it wasn't enough. Gradually, the fiery sensation reached his hands, up to his neck, causing him to feel no part of his body, yet, he still struggled. He used those now unfeeling hands to reach for the surface, but it was impossible.

All he felt was the pain, but none of his limbs. But then, his pain was increased ten-fold. By trying to reach the surface, all in vain, he wasted his breath, now, water gushed into his lungs, flooding it and causing him to feel as though the fire that had gathered in his body, would escape through his mouth. But there was no fire, it was the feeling of his final moments, painful.

Due to the lack of air, Crimson's father absently held his throat. He was in pain and was considerably disoriented, but, he knew, he knew that this was the end of the line for him. And with this thought, he stopped his brawl with the water, and with the last bit of his energy, he looked up, not to think of the surface and what could've been, but what was beyond, his daughter. Her feet were no longer in the water, but he could see her fuzzy shape beyond the chlorine and the tears that would forever go unnoticed. He could only recognize that she was probably looking into the water.

His last thought was of his daughter, apologizing that he couldn't continue protecting her, but he had to be with mommy now. He was sorry that he couldn't continue hearing her play the violin, and he was sorry that he couldn't continue on with his promise of loving and treasuring his daughter for both himself and his beloved dead wife.

Overall, Crimson's father had always been thought to be a lucky man, lucky in business and money, and was never affected by his daughter's unlucky presence until then, but like all good things must come to an end, so too did his life.

When her father had been swept beneath the water, Crimson had drawn her legs from the water and assumed a standing position at the edge of the pool. 

She didn't try to jump into the water to save her father or even attempt to fetch help, rather, she'd stood in her spot and observed the bubbles created by her father's wrestle with the water. She didn't seem scared or worried, instead, she still had her blank features. Did she not care?

To her father who couldn't see Crimson's face during his final moments, he probably thought she was worried about him, as she'd looked into the water, however, from another person's point of view, rather than from her sometimes delusional father's perspective, Crimson's expression would mean something completely contrary to what her father believed.

To another, Crimson may not have enjoyed her father's company at all, rather, he could've been like a pest, like a cockroach she was finally able to flatten under her shoe.

She probably didn't value him, didn't care if he lived or died. But why would she kill the only person in existence who cared, treasured and protected her? She must be nothing more than an empty shell, one that most likely didn't care for the feelings of others, or maybe this was her fate, she was born to do nothing but destroy lives and strangle one's desires and aspirations.

The wretched demon child was responsible for a number of dire injuries that persons were agonized with, and now, she was to be held accountable for the death of her own father whom showed nothing but love and kindness. How many more victims? How many more lives did she have to ruin with her presence?

Evidently, Crimson was nothing but pollution to humanity.