Darker Days Downward

CHAPTER FOUR - Stuck in Between

“Belle somehow noticed that the guy was palest – quite similar to how pale Cythare was.”

…

The first paranormal death in Paris was memorable; something I could never forget. I was still human then. I remembered, reading the front page of Paris Times one early morning. Margaret Wilsen came running barefoot from the woods into the servants’ quarter. A huge commotion suddenly followed – it intrigued me for it was the first time everyone’s face was in a distorted puzzle.

I stood up and buttoned my khaki shirt, I had barely touched my toasts but I sped up to see what the trouble was about.

“Mia Anna! Mia Anna!” screamed Margaret at the top of her lungs. Her dress waved gigantically as her body swayed without control. “She’s dead! Her body was found drained with blood!”

Frantic murmurs from the rest of the crowd erupted. There were accusations here and there. I stood there and watched how lines played across their wrinkled faces.

I remembered Mia Anna. She was the pretty daughter of Barnes Onnor, the owner of Late Day Pub just downtown. She used to tease with me and my brother whenever we came with Father to their shop – for business matters of course. I just could not imagine how someone so beautiful could die as brutal as that.

A gunshot pierced the air with every noise suddenly vanishing as if it was being sucked by a giant vacuum. Senyor Pedro came and tucked the gun beside his left pocket, his body guards quickly followed. He was Father’s visitor, they came from Spain and decided to buy a portion of the land up north – he was obviously here to make some negotiations with my Father.

“What is all these noise about?” Senyor Pedro asked as his beard curled instantly.

“We found Mia Anna’s body naked and drained with blood in the woods!” shrieked Margaret and some other women in unison.

“Diego, Theodore secure these people back to their quarters,” commanded Senyor Pedro to the two huge men behind him. They wore lose clothing; obviously just awaken by the noise for they just live some blocks ahead of our manor. Senyor Pedro turned to face Margaret again. “Lead the way!”

I quickly followed Margaret and some others as they lead us to that distinct part of the woods. I could see how some of the other folks were very eager to also see brutal scene but they were warded off by two of Senyor Pedro’s bodyguard.

Margaret led us between partings by the woods just behind our manor. It was still dark here as the trees grew towering way above us that the sun’s rays merely made it to the forest ground. The oaks diffused an eerie smell that sent chills to my insides, knowing that some minutes from now I would witness the very first dead body in my life.

Our journey was silent. Everyone was all buried in their own thoughts that it made me wonder what is it about. After some more lefts and rights we finally arrived at a rocky creek. The sound of soft rippling echoed through the air, with the trees swaying madly above us.

Margaret hopped across the creek and we followed.  Senyor Pedro’s hands quickly secured the gun from his pocket. I wondered if it were reflex for he was actually frightened too on what scene he was about to witness.

“Mia Anna!” Margaret cried as she went down on her knees, her face buried into her hands.

“Dios mio!” Senyor Pedro gasped. So did the rest of the people who followed.

I hopped a little more and tried to see what is behind the huge rock that sent them to awe.

And behold, there she was. Her body was oddly sitting just behind the rock as if resembling a broken mannequin. Her eyes were wide open and her jaw obviously due to post mortem hardened in a very disturbing oval. She was naked and blood had dried already all over her body. Her skin was very pale as if all the colors were washed away by the creek.