The Value Of Life

Afternoon

No matter how much I pestered him, Christian refused to give me any insight about what was going on.  When I asked I got answers like "Don't worry about it."  "Why does it matter?"  I had no idea what he was hiding from me, and it made me angry. At the moment  we were walking to class, his fingers intertwined with mine. His hand felt cold, and almost foreboding. I bit my lip and swallowed the lump in my throat. This wasn't the normal feeling I got when I held his hand. I was supposed to feel safe, and loved. I was supposed to feel the happiness radiating from his fingers, and gaze up to his adorable smile. Instead, I felt sadness as if we were about to say goodbye.  His face seemed almost blank, from my view of the side. I could no longer take it and whirled him around to face me. I wanted to see his face , and I wanted him to face me.  However, My face paled when I saw it. The golden eyes I had come to love hung From their sockets, glossy with blood and slimy liquid from the once lively  eyes. His face looked like it was decaying from the inside out, lips black and bloody, skin leathery and melting. Blood leaked from cracks and crevices within the disgusting mess that used to be my boyfriends face. I held back the urge to empty my stomach, as he pulled me closer by my waist. It did not feel like christian was holding me. It felt like a monster was. When I went to scream , he placed a finger to my trembling lips, leaning in close to my face. He parted his lips, and in a raspy, demonic voice that was sickeningly sweet said, "My sweet, sweet Lavender...... You think everything is simple... You never look below the surface.." He let out a chuckle that sent shivers up my spine. "It will be your downfall my dear.... " He smirked and I screamed. 

My eyes snapped open as I lied in His arms. Fear rushed through me, and I stood up , breathing fearfully.  His face was intact again, eyes back in place, and filled with regret, as if he had been the cause of my internal turmoil.  I gulped, my throat still aching from screaming. 

"Christian..." I choked out, voice raspy and trembling,  "What is going on?" He averted his eyes, tears dripping from them as he held me closer. " I'm sorry Lavy... I had to.. I hope you can forgive me..." His voice trembled with tears. I felt fear begin to wave across my body, and I had no idea why.  

"Forgive you??? What are you talking about?!" My voice was frantic. He did not answer me instead, pushing hair behind my ear, and whispering; " I love you." 

Before I could press him further , the bell for dismissal rang and he let go of me. He got up , beginning to walk away. My eyes widened.  It was as if he had became a different person , and had forgotten our conversation.  "Christian!!! wait!" I called after him, grabbing for his sleeve. It was in vain, as he acted as if he didn't hear me. I wanted to go after him, but something inside me told me not to. It was a gut feeling, and I trusted it, gathering my things and leaving. As I walked home, I felt the cold biting at my body. I shivered pulling my coat closer. I wasn't sure what had happened with Christian, But it scared me and I did not want to dwell on thoughts about it. I was just glad to get home and relax. As I saw our door, fear rushed through me. The paint chipping from scratch marks on the door, the knob hanging from its empty hole.  I ran inside fearing for my mothers safety. 

"Mom!!" I cried. there was no response. The house was trashed but deathly silent. No sign of my mother, or life made itself apparent. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and my throat went dry. As I put my stuff down, I shakily walked through the house. The tension was crushing, a weight upon my chest and lungs. I could barely breathe as I still haven't located my mother. Finally, I walked into the kitchen, and a horrible smell wafted into my nostrils.   I gagged, my hand going to my mouth to stop bile from spilling. The scent was enough to send me reeling, and it overtook the room like a thick cloud of pungent death. I screamed as I finally found my mom. She was leaned against the counter , a plate in her lap. Her own heart, still coated in thick blood, was on the plate. I shook as my eyes wandered up to her face. Blood leaked from her mouth, which was frozen open in a scream. Her chest cavity was ripped open, blood sputtering from it, organs spilling in a mess on the floor. I screamed and I could no longer hold in my vomit and I emptied my stomach.  After I'd finished, questions began to race through my mind. What had done this to my mother? Why? My vision of Christian crept into my mind. His decaying face, and terrifying words. Something being wrong was an understatement.  Though my mother's face was frozen in a scream, The only sound was my own heartbeat, and wavering breath. I had to figure out what was wrong with my boyfriend, and what had happened to my mom. 

Normally, when I went to christian's house, I felt warm and excited, but today I felt terror and dread. I almost hoped he wouldn't be there. While I wanted the truth,  I was terrified of finding out.  Finally I was coming up on the house I had made so many memories in. The one Christian had asked me to be his girlfriend in. The thought of him being a traitorous murderer made me angry and sad.  Tears were already cascading down my cheeks because of my mothers death. With a deep intake of air , I opened the door.