Delicate by Young _Wizard

Chapter 4: Cloud of Secrets

>>Cloud of Secrets<<

        Usually, I don't believe in ghosts, but I guess that shadowy figures entering my room pretty much convinced me that ghosts and spirits were real... only when they are summoned.

        I sat in a fancy chair at the kitchen with hundreds of maids trying to heal my swelling and sprained ankle.

        "What was it?" I asked for the hundredth time to Allyza. She remained silent and unresponsive. Allyza sat next to me with our chairs facing each other. Her legs were crossed, her left arms drooped on the left armrest and the other had its knuckle placed firmly under her chin as her eyes wandered into another universe. She barely moved that every few moments, I thought that she was sleeping with her eyes glued open at my foot. Her eyes were no longer calm, they were filled with a mixture of curiosity. Every minute, she would constantly bite her lip in a nervous way.

        Usually, I would panic because I just realized there was a ghost living in my bedroom, but with all the maids as company and all the soft-cushioned furniture made me feel like I had so much company to protect me from any demon. To sum it all up, I felt safe.

        I drew circles on the cushion with my fingers, it became a habit of mine ever since I sat on the extremely comfortable chair.

        The maids finished off with wrapping my foot with a protective cast.

        "Thank you" I told to them, and they stared at me bewildered by my comment. They must not have received much thanks in the family. They all bowed to me and Allyza and then all walked back into their dorms.

        "Thank goodness, we now have some peace and quiet" Allyza cooed. She straightened her position, straightened her dress, and her eyes showed relief.

        "What was it?" I asked once again, hoping that she would respond.

        Allyza closed her eyes wearily, and as they opened, they looked right, deep in my eyes as if looking for answers.

        "Her name... is Jackie, Jackie Simson" Allyza breathed, almost whispering the answer. She suddenly turned as pale as chalk.

        Allyza rubbed her hands together and began to speak more but got cut off instantly by footsteps that seemed to be heading toward us.

        We looked back at the huge spiral staircase and found Stephen clopping down the stairs sloppily with a wine glass in his hand. He sipped a tiny amount of the black liquid wine into his tongue and then swallowed it.

        "Best not to tell her, Ally" Stephen warned, his eyes looking sleepy each time he took a sip of the poison.

        Allyza looked suddenly uncomfortable with a look of irritation on her face. "Must you not drink that... thing in front of Aria" Allyza snapped sternly, her eyes cold.

         "It's not like she'll drink it too, right Aria?" Stephen looked at me. I shook my head awkwardly and he smiled smugly.

        Allyza looked like she was a bomb ready to explode, but once Stephen's finger traced her neck, she shuddered and closed her eyes. She then snapped back to reality and corrected her posture like a professional.

        The smell of wine that clouded the air represented that Stephen was completely drunk... a drunkard.

        He leant down next to Allyza's ear and whispered something in a husky tone when Allyza's expression told everyone that she disagreed with it.

        Allyza bit her lip as if resiting the urge to tackle Stephen.

        Stephen chuckled and went to the kitchen to get more wine.

        "I apologize for that Aria. Stephen can be just... a bit uncontrolled" She slowly pronounced the words as if unsure that it was the correct thing to say.

        I nodded.

        Allyza looked at the time and gasped. "Oh my... it is past 11. Well, I suggest you sleep near our room tonight. Search around for room 314 at the 3rd floor. That's the closest empty room to ours, 319" She smiled warmly and then stood up, followed extremely closely by Stephen.

        I sighed and walked to the direction of my temporary room. I was surprised at how comfortable my cast was. It felt as if my foot wasn't even in need of healing. Also, the cast fit like gold. It had a small yet trong brace tightened to the spot where the major wound was located, and it wrapped around my foot.

        As I passed by the halls toward room 314, noises erupted from a voice that I guessed was Allyza's.

        I nearly vomited by the sound as I rushed to room 314.

        The room was much plainer, but I can tell it was much safer.

        I plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. My thoughts always seemed to wandering everywhere ever since some ghost named Jackie met me. Why did she want me to get out?

        I rubbed my foot against my sprained foot, feeling the softness of the cast. The voice never seemed tl escape my head... 'Ghhhhh...Ouhhhh', getting louder and louder.