Romulus : The Rise Of The Demon

Chapter 2 : Anastasis

I open my eyes and find myself lying on a bed in a room. I try to sit up but I feel a force pinning me down. I look down to see what is weighing me down.

My heartbeat races and my face turns pale when I see a man holding my hand and burying his face in my palm. The man, with black hair tied back into a small ponytail, doesn't seem to be aware of the fact that I am looking at him.

I look around, trying to make sense out of my surroundings. I find a basket of fruits, a bouquet of orchids, a calling bell and few get well soon cards on the bedside table. I notice few machines rigged up beside the bed. I detect a sofa at the corner of the room and the window which overlooks the corridor outside, where people with white coats and stethoscopes around their necks move briskly about with serene females in white uniforms trailing behind them. All this make me assume that I am in a hospital.

My eyes trail back to my arms on which I see something that totally gives me the creeps.

" Ugh! Needles! " I say, disgusted. The black-haired man straightens himself up and looks into my eyes. I notice a small scar on the left side of his forehead which is partially covered by his black hair. His light facial hair and well groomed features make him appear truly handsome. He has a V-necked T-shirt and faded blue jeans on. But the feature that strikes me the most are his eyes. Though I prefer blue eyes, his onyx coloured eyes hypnotized me. It is intimidating but at the same time, I feel peaceful when I look into his eyes. Not only that, I swear I saw them turn red for a moment. His face looks more handsome as he gives me a gentle smile.

" Cassie! ", the man exclaims before he hugs me. I begin to panic.

" Who are you? ", I blurt out and push him away.

I see his smile drop, disappointment clear on his face.

" Don't you remember me? ", he asks.

I shake my head in denial. His voice seems familiar. Then it suddenly strikes me – it is the same voice that was speaking to Freya in the darkness and Freya had called the owner of the voice pyro. But I still can't place a finger on who he is.

Suddenly the door opens and Freya walks in. Her eyes widen when she sees me.

" Cassie? ", she exclaims.

" Freya, what happened to your hair? ", I ask.

Freya, with a puzzled look on her face, runs her fingers through her red hair to check if anything is wrong.

" I remember you having short hair, how the hell did it grow so long overnight? " I say, quite puzzled myself.

Freya walks up to me. The man stands up and lets Freya sit on the stool beside the bed.

" Cassie, what was the date yesterday? "

I think for a few seconds before replying, "12th December 2018. Why? "

She looks at the man and questioningly says," Axel? "

" I will fetch the doctor ", says Axel. Great! The name of this handsome man is Axel! Axel then looks at me and says," I am glad that you are back ". He flashes me a genuine smile and leaves the room.

" Freya, what is going on? Who is that guy? ", I ask

" Honey, don't you remember him? "

" No, not at all. Please tell me what is happening here."

" Cassie, I don't know how to break it to you. You were in coma for the last five and a half years ", says Freya.