2 A.M. #Wattys2017#specialawardwinner#iceaward2017

Chapter 18

I was ready before sunrise. My favorite tee, the gift from Kate's dad for my last birthday, still fit me fine. It reminded me of my family. If my dad and mom were alive now they would protect me. They would shower me with love and take me out of this struggle. I really miss them. But, Dr.Bel was like my dad since my parents death. He never differentiated between myself and Kate.

I have grown sharing Kate's dad as mine. Her friendship and Dr.Bel's love has helped me survive till now. A silent thanks to these two.

I finished dressing up with a corduroy pant and fade jacket complimenting my tee. Zipping my backpack with my dad's book, pepper spray and a bottle of mineral water. I wore Ella's locket as a final touch.

Before leaving I checked on Rohan. He was still asleep. Moaning with pain most of the night he still seemed pale and at loss of energy. I am pretty sure of his maximal blood loss. Hoping for his survival till my return I kiss him mildly. His soft lips quiver on my touch. My heart aches as I walk out of my room. I love him and I need to come back for the same.

With a weak and slow pace I start walking the dark route. Street lamps seemed meek below the summer rain clouds. The peculiar climate was overwhelming. It was blunting every nerve in my body, literally.

After walking a mile a glint of sun rays penetrates into troposphere. It is the first time I am witnessing sunrise in Rosefield. As the light spreads over the fields I see the roses blooming. Into the heights of the valley I imagine young couple sharing love. The tree under which Rohanthan gazed into Ella's eyes stood still with leafless branches.

The vague virtue of living the past was felt for an instance.

Towards the end of the road stood the ancient structure, Earl mansion. It took me a minute more to reach it.

Embarkment of loneliness wimped in unknown sounds. When I pushed the rusty gate a swift urge of bile made me fumble. Deep in the corridors lay death. My weak pace got weaker. Caution blinked from within.

The front door was wide open as though my arrival was expected. Now I was having second thoughts of returning back home. The gloom was going to bury me in itself.

Clutching my jacket tighter I examined the indoors of the mansion. Ancient architecture was royale portrayal. A whisk of sturdy dust rose from every inch of the floor. The place was clearly unoccupied.

The huge hall was centered with staircase narrowing upwards. At the top if the stairs a long frame of world's most beautiful portrait by far hung elegantly. It felt like my enlarged image. Ella smiled soulfully. Underlining the frame were the letters 'EE'.

I started to climb the stairs. They were wide and short. The carpet that seemed sophisticated a long time ago now reeked of dirt. My boots creaked the wooden stairs revealing their age.

Suddenly I heard clapping sound from below. I turned around and felt the blood drain out of my face. The bastard, cryptic cabbie stood grinning at me.

"A galore of success. The lioness in her cage! Welcome Ella Earlson.", he spoke with utter hatred towards me.

At the same time the front door was pushed open. A female outline walked in. The sun had just risen and their wasn't enough light.

As the girl walked closer the figure looked familiar. I started to climb down. To my surprise Kate stood just behind the ugly cabbie.

I rushed to protect my friend and encased her with my body.

"Dare touch my friend you jerk.", I screamed on his face.

The bastard raised his eyebrows and grinned wider. At that instant a hard snap surfaced my lower back. I fell over and hit my forehead hard.

" Trying to protect villain of the story my dear friend?", Kate's voice astonished me. I turned to meet he ferocious gaze.

" Don't feel surprised you dirty little filth. You really thought I would let you steal my father from me? Your bitch of a mother had affair with my father. She married ditching him but never left his back. Your happiness soured me because my father was depressed.

I had to kill your parents to find my solace. It was a clean chit isn't it? But, you loathing arsehole gained his attention. Since then he's forgotten I am his true blood.

After meeting Roger", she gestures towards the cabbie and continues her tormenting words, " it was great luck to have you tackled back here. Before ending your sweet life I will allow Roger to give you more shock treatment.", she winks at Roger.

" Hallelujah! How does it feel to meet the great great grandson of Morson the great?. Ella Earlson your husband ended our reign and made us to suffer. I am here for revenge. I was the one who made Rosefield feel eerie, deathly and dark. I wanted to embed scare in people to establish Morson dynasty again. I killed people to build my empire BECAUSE I AM THE END OF ROSEFIELD, WHICH KILLED MY FAMILY. The scary people let there ruler to be cut into pieces bringing end to our royal life. We had to live like beggars due to them and your BLOODY ROHANTHAN. A CHEATER, BETRAYER AND MURDERER.

Only if you had not run away with him...", he tugged me up by my throat feeding all his anger into a tight grip, "he would never make a move against us. A whore!", he blared into my ears and threw me onto the wall.

Shock had taken over me. I tried using my pepper spray but it was too late. They were about to spring on me with sharp knives.

I closed my eyes and bent over as the piercing knife forced towards me. Inches away from slitting my chest, the hands that held the knives were kicked hard. I sighed with sudden relief.

When I got up I was bewildered to see Dr.Bel.

He spoke in hoarse voice turning towards a blue uniformed man, " Sargent Vines please note these two guilty and put them under the bars."

Sargent Vines ordered for an immediate arrest and Roger, Kate were taken into the police car.

Before Kate got in, her father put his palm on her shoulder and said, " Your mother would be ashamed of both of us. I couldn't be a good father and you were a miserable daughter. El was your friend Kate, I love her because she loves you. I am sorry. ", he just stepped back.

Kate's guilt showed clearly on her face but it was too late to change.

I was still shocked and felt wobbly. Dr.Bel requested my retreat and obliged a ride.

Back home I knew my love was waiting for me but I had one unfinished deed.

At the top of the mansion I searched for a bird cage and found it effortlessly. The owl was asleep as it was daytime. I opened the cage and stroked its head.

The kind animal set on flight and never returned.