The Falling Kingdoms: The Hidden Coffins

Chapter Thirty One: The Maroon Coffin

The darkness was engulfing me in its claws, pulling me downer clasping itself over me tighter with each second. My eyes were dry now and I just lay on my bed, staring into nothingness. I knew this was not expected from me. I knew this was not what I was supposed to do right now, but I couldn't face anyone. I was too weak and broken inside to make myself stand on my legs and go out to face my friends. Leonie had been trying to break the security spell I put around my cottage from over a day now. I watched her when there was still sun over our heads from the window, trying to break in. She couldn't. Nobody else showed up, not even Nick after I disappeared from the hospital immediately. The ache that compressed my chest after the realization that he was dead, it was too much for me to handle. I travelled away in my cottage, locking it up. I had been sitting there alone ever since, hoping he would show up, calling me "love", making me smile. A painful, audible sob left my throat again at this thought. I desperately peeked out of the window, finding no one waiting for me but scary winds. Letting myself fall back on my bed, I curled myself and wished for sleep...only it never came.

A gloomy garden awaited ahead for me and I didn't know why, but I had to go in. I took small steps towards the small gate, swinging it open and entering inside. There was nothing around: no chirping of birds or blooming flowers, just weeds. A maroon coffin stood a few steps away from me, shaking. My breath hitched as I realized someone was trying to break out of it. The scratching sound continued as I moved forward with my eyes widened. I reached it, scared to decide what to do. Extending both my hands up, I kept it on the box and shook with fear as it stopped moving at my touch. My breath was audible, my heart was pounding and my hands shaking. I gathered some courage and threw open the casket, finding an invisible force pulling me in. I tried to scream but no sound came out of my throat as actual monsters of darkness pulled me in this time. My inaudible scream was deafening and I could feel the falling sensation in my body too well.

I fell off the bed with a thud and hit my head, moaning at where I hurt myself. My body was still tensed as if the dream was real. It felt too real. I carried myself in a standing position but my head still buzzed. The window against which I slept all night was still open, sunlight coming in from it. I sighed as the grievances of life hit me all of a sudden. With hopelessness and slumped down shoulders, I sat down on the bed again.

What was that dream?

A figured appeared into thin air suddenly and as a reflex, I stood up with my sword ready at the front. As I saw it was Nick, my hand relaxed. His eyes were swollen and he had shades under them as if he hasn't slept. But all of that aside, I was angry at how he came in.

"How'd you come in?" I asked him in a normal tone, keeping my sword in.

"I taught you those spells you put around, Aileen." He replied.

"Right," I muttered and sat down again, remembering how well Raymond taught me sword fighting.

"I'm sorry,"

When I looked at him as he said it, he genuinely looked sad.

"You hated him." I said without meaning to.

"We had our differences. But you should know now, we were almost friends once."

My eyes met with his' when I heard him say that. I couldn't believe what I just heard. And the realization of that Raymond and I will never talk again, that he will never be able to tell me about him anymore hit me really hard. There was so much I hadn't said to him. I kept it for later and now that later will never come.

I wanted to tell him that I loved him.

Strong arms wrapped around me a second later and my eyes automatically teared up. Maybe it was the feeling of overwhelm that someone knew how broken I was that made me wail like crazy. Maybe it was just the same grief of knowing that everyone that I ever loved, died.