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2022-12-09 18:04:14Why exactly did I fall for that? I should be ashamed of myself not smiling like a fool. He just teased me and I fell for it – like a good old plane crash. Now forcing a frown “I will show him” I mumbled within myself, looking up at him who had now stuck out his head from the curtain since I haven’t followed him in but the look on his face forces my lips to cringe so I rush into the house hoping my fearful thoughts were just a mere expression of exaggerated worrying.
“Olivia” I mumbled, barely hearing myself as the words slipped from my red glossed lips, his head disappears into the hut as I got close. Swinging the beads to my right I badged into the tiny house hoping nothing bad happened to her, she must have not slept in the hotel yester-night maybe she ended up in this hut and then the shadows –
“Olivia” my voice deepens this time, with a huge sigh of relief I drop my shoulders. Tony stood watching Olivia hold the paper she was looking at. After the bout of relief I felt was a rush of burning rage.
Why would she just leave the hotel without telling anyone? What the hell are those papers doing in her hands? Did she seriously think she can do this herself? And the one question that screamed in my head was; why the hell did she make me worry like that? My dark brows cringe slowly into a frown and my sharp eyes emitting the rages that gushed through me. I was tired of her acting like she was the victim, this whole malice and bitterness was beginning to clog my throat – for God’s sake how long will she keep up this keeping-a-grudge attitude?
“What are you doing here?” I asked, changing my stance into a pose. It was quite obvious that Olivia was looking up the shadows, the papers that were once on the wall now piled up in her tiny hands as she slipped through them like a book. There is no denying that it feels good that Olivia was ok but, the whole keeping-a-grudge attitude was beginning to get the more irritating. Olivia scoffs barely glancing at me before returning to the book. That was it, she is crossing the line now
“Wow, how selfish of you – it didn't occur to you that some people might be worried about your ass” I add, adjusting my stance in a feat to contain my rage
“Bella, it's Okay. Let's talk about this when we get back” Tony was now between us his two palms facing against our chests, Olivia had dumped the papers and was on her feet smiling sarcastically at me.
"You chose to act like a ‘pretty little savior’ and I… am finding a way out of here alone - good luck dying without me” she said
“you bitch!” I spat out, plunging at her but Tony catches me before I could smack her little swollen face. Her comments is not my main issue but the fact that I was actually worried about her and she is here acting all nonchalant about it – my pride in the mud
“calm down Bella, I will talk to her” he was squeezing me at this point and I struggle and struggle to break free, Olivia’s smile tears through my soul and I struggle all the more that he had to drag me out from the house
"you called me a bitch?” she called after us, then she smirks and shouts “says the queen of bitches!” Her high-pitched voice pierces the windows of the tiny hut echoing from afar. Tony had dragged me away from the house holding me in a tight hug as he listens to feels my now racing heart get slower
“Breath” His whispers pass a warm breath across my cheeks and down to my neck
“it's ok, why hold her down – I have waited for ages to bruise that scornful lips of yours” Olivia had also left the house and is still shouting from outside
"ignore her” he whispers again. But this time, it wasn’t her bickering that annoyed me but snoopy tears clustering my eyelids and trying to drag the eyeliner that took me a long few minutes to apply to ruin– that is a better truth to the fact that Olivia seeing me cry would be to her satisfaction and I am not going to give her that luxury blinking fast as I bury my face on Tony's shirt. He could feel my shaky breath because he squeezed me all the more
“it's ok – she is not worth it” he says, tapping my back as I practice heavy long breaths. he is right, she is not worth the energy I am pouring on her
"let's get out of here” says my quivering voice with a breath-filled whisper, I dab my face on his shirt and break free turning away from them until I can control my tears.
“Olivia, you need to come with us” Tony calls after Olivia when she turned to enter the house again
"This is not mine anyway and the coal is running out already” she says casually
“you slept here?” He breaks his lids wider apart
“Isn't it obvious?” she replies sarcastically
"and – did your night of communing with burning coal pay off?” he jokes at her – freaking jokes at her!
Olivia scoffs in response and after a long second of silence she declares “you win, I cannot make anything from the papers, I waited for the house owner but he never came all night”
“did you find food at least?” he grinned at her this time
“There is the dry crusty bread I ate last night, still have some crumbs left” Olivia smirks lightly throwing a glance at me where I was now a few feet from them sitting on a huge stone and drawing something on the floor with a weak branch
“you know each other don't you?” he follows her gaze to me and I look away from them
“We have our rough patch” she mumbled loud enough that I can hear her and continued “she didn't reach out to me for two years – believe me, the feeling is mutual” I swallow the words waiting to burst out from my lips, repeating the one phrase that kept me from tearing off her head and force feeding it to Anthony for cracking a joke with her at this crucial moment – she is not worth it, I am better than this
Olivia packs the papers into her small black leather bag she probably found in the house and steps out “It’s getting late, we wouldn’t want to get captured by some crazy shadows” she jokes but Tony doesn’t laugh with her, instead his face grew into a worried look
“We won’t make it back to the hotel before the sun sets” he said thoughtfully, looking from me to Olivia
“If we don’t hurry” Olivia said
“And if we still don’t make it?” he inquires looking at the house
“You think we should stay the night?” I blurted with a frown, I am not staying in that whatever that is, he nods slowly looking hard at me but I persist “What about the actual owner?” who knows? For him to have that much information he could be dangerous or even the perpetrator of all these – how convenient would it be finding us lying pretty on his bed after a hunt night
“Screw the owner, his coal has burnt out anyway so staying here is not an option, we just need to hurry as fast as we could and hope nothing happens” Olivia had already sprint past me before she finished talking and Tony half jogs after her grabbing my wrist so I followed them – grunting obviously like who the hell made her in charge?
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Beneath the whispers Chapter 11
The cool evening breeze dispel my gold strands all over my face forcing me to tug them behind my ears every single minute, Tony and Olivia were a few feet behind me. We had stopped fast-walking when we got tired and after hours of trying to get us to talk to each other, Tony had found Olivia to be a very good ‘conversationist’ – his words not mine. Much to my displeasure, their giggles are growing loud in the silent atmosphere, and the houses a finger count some 50 plots around us, most of which were presumably empty. The breeze grew even colder making me squeeze her arms, shivering a little and some distant whispering grow in my ears like someone was talking into my ears and yet it felt distant at the same time. The words are indistinct and difficult to make out. “Did you hear that?” I turn towards them. Olivia’s face glowing from laughter and Tony's amused face managing a chuckle, I frown and turn away. This was the very reason I had not looked at them since I asked Tony to give m
Beneath the whispers Chapter 12
Anthony The woman's house is slightly bigger than the rest of the village, there is a thick mat in place of foam and it spreads wide across the floor. “You should know better not to go anywhere without light” The woman sets her coal inside her fire place and covers it with a paper-like door so the smoke leaves only through something that looks like a chimney. I am at the edge of the mat leaning on the white wallpaper now and I keep patting Bella’s back as she rests her head on my chest, her hands still trembling from earlier. Looking up at the crossed sticks that made up for the ceiling – all I could remember was some sudden wind gust and the next thing I am crashing into some tree losing Bella in the process I cannot explain what I had just seen other than the fact that I might have just experienced some spiritual attempted kidnap. Running my fingers through the strands of Bella’s hair and tugging them at the back of her ears, I grin softly at her, her eyes shut with long mascara
Beneath the whispers Chapter 13
Anthony “you should never go anywhere without a burning coal” The woman says. her charcoal-stained hand sweeps a handful of coal into the deep cylindrical can made of what seems like metal sheets, it’s hung by a thick rope which she held with the other hand. Tapping my feet impatiently I watched her fill the tin. A few long minutes ago, we had been awoken by the sudden screaming probably at the hotel. Left for the woman’s warning and Olivia’s reluctance to risk her life I would be racing down there by now. The screams, although not frequent and now distant still disrupted the silence of the night making it all the more difficult to just stand here and watch this woman slowly package some coal lamp. “If no one can leave this village for years. How are you even surviving?” I ask. Something I had been wondering from the moment my boss showed me this game ad to our long unbearable journey to this god-forsaken town. “Hopefully the lands are fertile” she replied. At this point, she was
Beneath the whispers Chapter 14
The whispers grew even louder as we got closer, stepping over the line of darkness from the hotel building, violent wind blew against the burning coal and with our hands we tried to block the wind from getting to the burning coal lamp Walking slowly through the front door, the Whispering tugged in our ears and the heavy wind slammed at the coal tin almost tripping it from my hands. Tony grabs on the tin's handle and we circle the tin with our bodies staggering blindly through the dark reception. The darkness poured on us like a heavy wind and the whispers grew to loud deafening wailings surging through the hotel building and echoing as far off. The heat from the tin gets too close to my body and wounds the flesh of my stomach sending excruciating pain purging through my veins and with a whimper I throw the tin and grab on Tony's arm. The shock in his face over ridden by the shabby dark clouds pulling us away from each other, I pant heavily grabbing on his arm tightly, but my hand sl
Beneath the whispers Chapter 15
I had never hoped for the light of the sun in my entire life like I did today, even my regular habit of enjoying morning sleep by bombarding excuses as to why eight hours of sleep is good for the brain and ignoring the fact that I intentionally stayed up till 12 am had disappeared It's been minutes since every one settled in Rose’s room and yet not a word. Rose had not recovered from the shock giving the way her legs trembled inside the tight embrace of her trembling hands, she still let out sobs in the midst of her shaky breath. The only person that seemed calm was Thelma who gazed at the top door frame blankly “They didn't take any one?” she asks slowly. Asking a direct question might just be the wrong decision and Thelma knew it but the silence needed to be broken “we don't know" Tony's deep calm voice was what the atmosphere needed. The whispers were gone but the aura they dispensed wasn't. He patting Rose on her back when her sobs grew louder, she curled up tightly resting her
Beneath the whispers Chapter 16
Sometimes playing a game would require knowing fully well the rules that control that game. Apart from helping us win the game, it can tell us the specific borders we shouldn't cross. But like most people, we only ever worried about the rules when our life started to depend on the game. it could be literal or not. But when we desperately made ourselves believe that beyond all reasonable doubt, we are in a haunted town with actual demons tormenting the villagers, we also realized that we could remain here unless we figure things out and save this village then it's practically our lives that we are fighting for I don’t believe in ghost though. I mean for some reason two twin children are haunting their village after their mysterious disappearance and then someone creates an ad and brings us here. But the truth is that I did experience what I experienced and I am still stuck in this town regardless While everyone seems to be cracking their brain trying to remember what the site did loo
Beneath the whispers Chapter 17
“So, what do you get from the code?” I had to ask. The way he was flipping the paper, raising it up to the sun and tilting it to view from different angles screamed confusion. I had left with Tony to figure out the code It wasn't easy though given that Rose was typically having a nervous breakdown and she wanted Tony to stay with her, but his solid point about him being more useful with me in figuring out the code than consoling her, won me a day with him and her only other option, Thelma went to the woman that saved us earlier to find out more on her husband before he disappeared and possibly the mansion mystery with probably some extra survival tips, leaving her with Olivia whom she still suspects to be working with the shadows – I hardly imagine it would go well “I suspect that we need to -” I approach him pulling on the paper to get a better view “These are symbols, either they have a meaning or they are just marked somewhere” I say, squinting my eyes I am literally trying to l
Beneath the whispers Chapter 18
Love is beautiful they say, but it stings and hurts yet it illuminates and soothes. It gives the sense of longing so intense with a touch of desire. But this is different. This stings harder and burrows deeper. Breaks free the darkness lurking within the glimmer of light in our souls, desire encroaching on our common sense and a deep sense of longing, a distraction to the dark tunnel that could barely let us stand. The broken rays of light from the sun interrupt our echoing giggles through the other side of the tunnel covered with a long-leafed plant. I stride towards it and rip the plant from the mouth of the tunnel taking time to inhale the cool moist air with a bright grin, I hold my head still as the calm wind slam on my face, pushing my stubborn strands away from my face – come to think of it, my hair is getting worse, I need to start packing it away I break free from the tunnel landing on the moist forest soil with hardly a leap, the trees piercing through the sky and their roo
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- Beneath the whispers
Epilogue
Its morning in France, the duplex vacation house on the hill reflects the sun away from the lawn The huge sized swimming pool at the back yard is blue with sit outs in pairs of twos lined up in one side of the pool and a huge fence on the other. I come out from the bathroom in a white robe and my wet brown curly hair falls on both sides of my shoulders.I get to the dressing table and with my finger collect a little potion from the cream can and apply on my legs. The flat screen television behind me has a blonde American woman on it“the increased rate of suicide within the country had pushed the government to consider closing the Sheetan bridge since it is considered the place with the highest record of suicide attempt over the past year. In comparison, other countries has reported growing rates of suicide attempts also and social media has been proven to be one of the major cause of suicide so the union government has decided to draw the lines on things permitted online”I appl
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 57
“that day, Rose had ran out of the bar when I was out. I looked for her throughout the bar and surrounding parks and when I didn’t see her, I went to her house… the door was open so I rushed in and found some men taking her, I saw the face of one of them because he didn’t have it covered When they saw me, I ran away and they chased and chased me until they caught me… A blow to the head and blank blank” Tony narrates and we nod. We were able to find some edible snacks on the shipI don’t know how long it had been but I do know that we didn’t have to wait with anxiety, instead we decided to use that time to bond since we would have to go our separate ways when we get back to civilization It is really sad though but I have learnt not to use the uncertainty of the future to stain an opportunity for good memories.Talking about our families and how much they will be happy to finally reunite with us, that is…when we have torn down this organization The boys on the other hand had no
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 56
The interior of the ship is a definition of luxury, from the wood brown furniture to the white beddings and curtains Inside the boat are four long couches arranged around a round center table. A curtain opposite where we entered from covering a king sized bed with white beddings and a brown wood frame structureThe inside smells of strawberry and mint and the cupboard has shelves with spare towels, toothbrushes and robes Beside the bed area is a bathroom, with an oval bathtub and a waterproof curtain. If anything, this cruise boat is the highlight of my stay in this island. Would you look at that? I don’t know Harem but this?The pain in my head suddenly disappears as I look through the boat, even the tension of waiting for them to leave had completely disappeared. I need a cold bath and to sleep on an actual bed and I didn't need get back to civilization to experience all these. I love my lifeI sink into one of the couches rubbing myself against the smooth fabric and beaming
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 55
“we need to move” Harper announces. The sun is kissing the hills now, its red light dimming by the minute making the forest darker and the shade from the trees aids this A day ago we would be wary of the shadows but with them gone we only have to worry about the group of men aiming for kill shots at us Sincerely, this is a lot scarier than the shadows. At least we had a fighting chance against the shadows and now? Even Willow has lost his weapon – imagine that He walks over me and takes out some white handkerchief from his pocket and gives Tony “tie something on that”I really should look at the mirror at this rate because the way everyone is looking at my head feels like my brains are out and Tony is already talking like he is scared for me. I smile weakly at Harper and he smiles back before hurrying to the othersTony folds the hanky and places it on my head, his rips out his inner shirt and wraps it over the hanky on my head, hitching it behind my head He fastens it tight
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 54
A flash of blurry lights hit my eyes and dims down again, the throbbing pain in my head slowly increases and a banging sound erupts in my head, I raise my hand to hold my head but my arm hurts too so I let it lay still. The light comes back clearer and leaves again“How many more are still alive?” I heard Harper sayI struggle to open my eyes but my whole body aches and I grunt lightly, a hand scoops me up into some huge body, the scent is familiar so I sniff harder and it is mixed with smoke and blood – blood! I shoot my eyes open but it only slowly breaks apart and I am looking at Tony, there is blood on his head and his arm has a deep cut that is bleeding. I gasp and try to get up but he holds me down“stop, you are hurt” he says“where?” I manage to say, my whole body aches so I cannot pinpoint where exactly is hurtingHe looks at my head and smacks his lips reluctant to answer my question “just stay still, we are trying to get the survivors out before they figure out how t
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 53
We had rode and rode through the sandy road as the afternoon sun heated up the bus, sweating and anticipating the sight of the beach even though we didn't know where it was. We don’t even know if we are going the right way – at least we are going at allThis journey reminds me of the journey that got me here and how I wondered if the experience was worth the long journey and yet even in returning I couldn’t wait for the journey to end“guys” I call their attention “isn’t the length of this journey familiar?” they all laugh Olivia smacks her lips “well, I for one... I was excited but that excitement turned to fury when the cab man wouldn’t talk to me” Olivia saysThelma claps “the snubbing cab man, I thought I was the only one”“he did talk to me eventually, I didn’t keep quiet” I boast. Beaming at myself“wow, I don’t even know what his voice sounds like” Olivia complains and we laugh“he also asks me what if the ghosts haunting the village was real” I say“wow, he did. You d
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 52
I step back, and stood transfixed staring as she stumbled and fell to the floor, my mouth drop open and my lids break apart“Thelma!”The girl wipes her broken bottom lip with a finger and look at me, her red strands that she had hidden away in a hair tie falls loose on her shoulder“I am sorry Bell” she almost stammer in breaking voice“don’t call me that!” I fume at herShe breaks down in tears and falls again on her butt, crying her eyes out “I shouldn’t, you just destroyed my only ticket for a better life!” She yells back at me“we were going to escape, we were going to finally be free and you, what did you do?”“I made a deal that would have helped me live normally. The way I could”“so we should all be damned so you live well, we were going to give each other that, that is why we connected”“you don’t get it do you? All you faced was a cheating boyfriend and you got yourself drunk. I freaking drove off a bridge. How did you think I would want to return to that same worl
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 51
We had intentionally not used the tunnel to get to the mansion given that it already was an obvious route and we plan on sneaking up on the shadows, if that is even possible We also needed to set as much on fire as possible and the tunnel will be our major route of escape but the moist weather in the forest area was going to be a problem so we switched to plan BWe head fast towards the mansion, the sun had just barely risen and the morning still had the flare of last night’s chill breeze. the mansion slowly comes into view We excitedly hurry towards it but stop when we notice that the door was closed. We raise our weapon and point it towards the doorWith slow calculated footsteps we stroll closer and closer to the door, when we get to the door, I gently push it and it strides open. Cool air hits my face and I freeze, aiming my spray can inside. I snap the lighter and slowly enter into the building“Rose, you will wait out here, find the back door” I say and Rose nods and leav
- Beneath the whispers
Chapter 50
AnthonyWe had arrived at the border not long after we left the hotel, the bus is not there as we saw it earlier. So we decided to wait. In the process of waiting we had slept through the night at the border and it is the morning nowI grunt “what should we do now?” the sun is barely risen but the light of day is upon the island“check out the brick house” Willow suggests and I nod along with himWe slowly make it for the brick house, one step at a time until we are leaning at the wall of the house. We walk slowly along the wall till we got to the rusty front door that was already slightly open“when will they arrive?” a huge man with chest tattoos and a tiny nicker says in a grumpy cracking voice“I think in fifteen minutes time. They are an hour behind us” says the younger one looking at his wristwatch, he is better dressed and has glasses on “oh, the package?” he asks looking from the chest tattooed man to another similar sized man“it's ready” the similar one answered“wha
