The Strings

Chapter 4

Piper

I went back to the seat where I came from but I can't find James. It took me almost an hour to find him. I can see clearly that he is pissed off.

I approached him and said loudly, "I got a sign from Cece!"

Everyone around us was shocked. The silence lingered for awhile in the room.

"What are you talking about? The book signing has not started yet Piper!" he whispered angrily.

"Yes, I know, but I managed to--"

"Can I see the sign in your book?" A middle aged woman approached me and asked politely.

I looked up to James and he just nodded back. I opened the book and handed it to the woman.

She wore her glasses and took the first book of Cece from her bag. She held two books in each hand and compared the signs.

"Uhmmm, I can't believe this. This is authentic. The ink she used and the signs are totally the same. Only Cece can sign like this, only Cece has a bloody ink used for signing." The woman said proudly.

It just occurred to me that Cece's sign is bloody red in color.

"If you want, I can buy this book from you for 50 bucks" she said in a convincing way.

"I can buy it for 60" another man said.

"I'll buy it for 70!" A young boy said.

"No, I'm going to buy it--"

I grabbed the book as fast as I can and took a few steps closer to the edge of the wall. The auction continued among themselves. The situation is getting more and more out of hand so I grabbed James in his arm.

"Let's go!" I whispered.

He seemed hesitant at first. He didn't get his sign yet, I know there is no way he can forgive me for this but I pulled him and he followed.

Just a little more, just a few steps...just a few to get out of here.

I was about to reach the exit when I heard a loud thud. Everyone was shouting. Everyone was panicking.

I looked back and I can see blood on the floor. I can see people gather over it.

I was in the verge of getting out and going back when I see it.

It was a woman. And she fell from a three-storey building.

*****

Cece

I was fading in and out of consciousness as the sound of people screaming kept on ringing my ears. I faintly hear the commotions of people trying to save someone.

Wait...what?

Is it me they're trying to revive?

I don't know and I don't give a fuck.

The darkness kept on luring me I have no choice but to give in. I dosed off to oblivion with thoughts of what happened in the lake playing on my mind.

The Lake 3 years ago...

I felt it. The hysteria trying to escape from my mouth.

I blurted out empty laughs as I tried to decide whether or not to believe the man in front of me.

"You are offering another way to escape?" I confirmed. "Escape from what?," I asked incredulously.

" Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I can smell the aroma of despair from your soul Cece. You try to act brave on the outside but the light from your eyes are gradually losing its bright. You're drowning. And instead of trying to stay afloat, you welcomed the water to fill your lungs."

My eyes get wider as comprehension slowly sink into my mind. How can he know? What the hell?

" Who are you?", I can't help but ask.

After hearing my question, Ray's face turned menacingly dark as he continued to pin me with his look.

" I'm the demon that lives in your darkest fear Cece. The man behind every man's suffering, the nightmare that haunts your dreamless sleep." His heated gaze landed on my face.

"....and I am here to offer you the way to forget all your pain. "

Any other day I might have laugh from his words but he caught me in my lowest moment I can't help but cling to his offer of comfort from endless hurt.

" What's in it for you?"

" You seem to miss my point Cece. I told you I'm a demon. So what do you think I want?"

I gasped as realization dawned on me. " You...you..y..o..u...you want my soul? Is that it?", I stuttered as I ask

" See now you're thinking," he replied sarcastically. "Yes Cece. I craved for your soul. In return, I will give you freedom."

"Freedom? You just said you wanted my soul and now you're saying you will give me freedom. I think you confused the two."

" You heard me right the first time." He reiterated. "I will give you freedom. Freedom from pain. From guilt. A life were you can be free of sorrow...of feeling anything." His voice turned eerily dreamy as he enumerated the things he can give me.

I thought of the time I woke up from the hospital and learnt for the first time that Keiran died from our leap in the cliff. I remembered how lonesome I felt after realizing I just lost my best friend, my other half, my everything. I ached for him. And he's not here. At least not in this lifetime. Now I don't want to feel anything. Call me coward or whatever, I'm just so tired of feeling this way.

I lifted my eyes to Ray and said, " Take me." I shrieked. I cleared my voice and repeated, "take me as you please."

Ray smiled sheepishly, " Your wish is my command Princess."🇵🇭

Author's note:

You know the drill guys. Vote and share. Thanks.

-N/A