tales of the unfortunate

Red Flag

"what is my baby doing?" he said, both hands on my waist. he squeezed them a little bit and to my suprise, i didn't jump.

"im cooking of course, are you done with your business in the attic?" i let go of the knife and turned to look at his handsome face. my eyes used to widen upon seeing this sight but im used to it now. i wiped the blood on his left cheek.

"you're so beautiful . . god really gave you to me," he whispered while admiring me with his beaming hazel eyes. his lips separated and meet mine, his kisses wasn't as sweet and tender, before.

"i love you," i cupped his face with my palms, "im going to be here for you. . forever."

he nodded and i swear he had tears in his eyes.

. . . .

"have u seen this girl?"
they probably saw the sweat on my forehead and the way i was playing w my fingers.
"no," i said sternly.
"then have u seen-"
i quickly went inside and lock the door. did i make it too obvious? they ringed the bell a few more times before they left.
did i change that much? it must be my hair. my hair was short in the picture.
maybe that's why they didn't notice.

. . . .

"my love, you're home! i made yakisoba, your favourite food. ."
"...."
he looked at me and sighed.
then i saw the girl behind him.
the room was dead quiet and i was contemplating on what i should say.
i smiled cheerfully and said,
"im his sister! would you like to have a meal with us?"
she displayed a warm smile and declined politely.
she seemed like a nice girl. .
she has a beauty mark on her upper lip.
he ruffled his hair in frustration and said,
"no, we're going to go upstairs."

i stared at the ceiling as her moans echoed for the whole night.

. . . .

"baby.. the neighbours complained about the smell coming from our house. . are you not gonna do something about it?" i asked shakily.
i didn't want to make him mad.

he stared at me for a long time before he made his way towards me.
he looked nervous. .

he grab my throat lightly and whispered,
"it wouldn't be a problem if you were a better cook,"

i smiled , "yes, i know. im sorry,"

"what else are you sorry about?"

i didn't know what he meant by that.
was he mad at me?
i didn't want to lose him. .

"everything," i struggled to let that word out of my mouth as his grip started to tighten and i could feel my throat shrinking.

"im tired of living this way. . you are crazy!"
he screamed to my face. his other hand was gripping the back of my neck and choked it harder.
"i.."
i can see my reflection in his eyes and i was red. . i couldn't breathe.

"you love me too much. . "

he let go of my throat as a faint police siren can be heard in a distance.
i gasped for air and cough heavily.

i could hear the police cars pulling up on our front porch.
i knew this day would come sooner or later.

"hurry up, they're gonna take you away from me! let me hide you!"
i took his arm and forced him to follow me climbing up the stairs .
he didn't seem to be scared or worried.
in fact, he was relaxed.
i should've took that as a red flag.

his pace slowed and eventually stopped.
all i can see was his head hanging low.
i was anxious because the police were at the door and they can burst in and take him away anytime.

he finally decided to look up and our eyes interlocked for a few seconds.
i was confused but before i could say anything
he flashed the most genuine, loving smile to me.
i've never seen him so happy to see me. .

" thank you. .
for everything,"

he muttered as he slowly thrust the kitchen knife in my chest.

my eyes that were filled with happy tears now became blurry . .

the sharp pain i felt in my chest was unbearable and the blood was splurting everywhere.
i fell down the stairs as my wobbly legs couldn't bare the weight of my body.

he didn't catch me.
he said he would catch me whenever i fall. .
maybe he was hesitant due to the bloody mess i made.

i blamed the ugly tears in my eyes.

he took the knife out and slit his left abdomen and smeared the blood all over his hands. .
his eyes were dark.

he limbed down the stairs and screamed for help.

—severine
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