82. Ask it!

Emerald's POV

I don't remember ordering anything. Maybe I did and forgot between these chaos. 

I grabbed the parcel and went back to my room, Ruby and Mom looked worried about me but I am more worried about something else. 

I screamed and yelled at Egon but his eyes were so genuine like he was also hurt. 

I don't know what's happening. 

I clearly heard him mentioning punishment, did I really do something to deserve what he did to me? 

What I could have possibly done. 

I placed the box on the table, being in my own thoughts and ripped it open. 

It had some photographs. A deep frown appeared on my face when I saw that these are my photographs, but I don't remember doing all this. All were candid. 

I was in expensive clothes, with luxurious cars and bodyguards all around me. 

Is this really me? Who was I, what changed and why? 

First of all, who sent me this. I searched for sender name but it had nothing. 

Is there someone who wants me to know about my past but who? And if they want me to know everything then why can't they tell me directly? 

I kept those pictures in my drawer but restlessness didn't let me stay still. 

Giving up, I decided to go out for a walk. 

"Emerald, what's wrong? Where are you going?"

Ruby asked. 

"And who the hell told you that you can question me!"

I replied and walked out. I closed the door behind and then realised that I replied to Ruby rudely and it felt very natural to me. 

What the hell is wrong with me? 

I went inside again and heard Ruby talking to mom. 

"She replied like queen used to talk to me!"

What are they talking about? They froze when they saw me. 

"Sorry, I didn't realize that I was rude."

Ruby smiled like she wasn't offended at all.

"I understand."

I just nodded in guilt and went out to roam on the street near my house. 

I breathed in fresh air as I walked through blocks, the night is peaceful and feels free yet there are tight knots in my heart. 

Life never felt so confusing where there is no guidance. 

I stopped when I saw familiar person, sitting on the road, beside her bike and fixing something. I don't know if I should approach her or not, she is his sister after all. The doubt of her supporting her brother was intense in my mind. What if she was also my tormentor?

But she might help me with something, even a hint would be helpful. 

"I didn't expect you here"

I stopped by her, placing hands in my pajama pockets. My voice was neutral. 

She didn't look at me, like she has recognised my voice or maybe she already saw me. 

"Neither do I!"

She was busy pouring some oil on lower parts of her bike. 

Maybe her bike has some issue, otherwise I don't see any reason for her to stop so close to my house. Coincidence sometimes is amusing. 

"Where were you going?"

Well it's none of my business but I am hesitant to come to the point directly. 

"Nowhere!"

She wiped her bike parts with cloth which is already dirty with oil. 

Maybe she was also out for a fresh air like me but her bike betrayed her. 

Her voice was just as neutral as me like she was also afraid that I might ask her something. 

"Arabella, do you know what happened between us?"

She didn't replied immediately, she stared at her bike part which she fixed. 

"No, I came much later in the story... I am not the right person to ask."

"Then who?"

I never sounded so desperate. 

She wiped her hands with fresh clothes with a sigh. 

"Egon!"

That name sent chills down my spine, like my body recognised unknown fear. I feel like crying whenever this happens, I have felt the same in nightmare and it's a terrible feeling. 

"Someone else? Someone is there, I got a parcel with my pictures and I know that it's not from him."

Arabella got up and leansd against her bike, looking at me nonchalantly. It looks like her personality, she is not fond of emotions it seems. 

"Then ask those pictures!"

My brows frowned in V line. 

"How?"

"You are smart to crack it... I can't involve myself in this, this is your story, you have to lead!"

She patted my shoulder and got on the bike. 

"Go home, monsters roam around in night... And yours is out for hunting!"

Was she teasing me? I watched her riding away in the dark. I was still processing her last sentence when it came to reality.

"What are you doing out so late?"

I heard that deep, haunting voice. My body froze with the speed of lighting. 

Why is he here, what is he doing here, is he here to punish me again. 

I could feel the sweat on my forehead as I turned around to face him. 

He didn't look like a monster I imagined him to be. His face was worried, eyes were soft. 

Almost like his soul was dying with something.

My heart felt something different when I saw him defeated. The feelings were mixed. 

I could act for a minute, we were just staring at each other. I wanted to ask so many things but my courage had taken a back seat. 

"Go home!"

He ordered.

I was still staring at him like I have seen a ghost, he stepped towards me and suddenly everything around me changed. Like a horror movie illusion. 

There was a huge castle behind him, his smile was evil. I was trembling in fear and sweat. 

"Run!"

His voice and smirk was mischievous. 

The earth beneath my feet started spinning as I turned on my heels and started running with terror filled heart. It felt like death is chasing me. 

I was running through forest, the branches were slapping my face but it wasn't hurting. 

It was horrified realisation that I was living a nightmare. 

My streets has turned into his forest. 

This wasn't real, nothing was real. It was just my illusion. 

I slammed the door open and closed in panic. The safe home didn't feel safe anymore. 

Ruby and Mom came rushing towards me. 

"What's wrong, Emerald?"

Mom held me worriedly. Her motherly touch brought little sense of safety in my veins. 

"Please help me, he is behind me."

I blurted out, even though my mind knew that he is not chasing me and I am just living my nightmare. 

The high alert beeped in my mind and I heard something between those chaos. 

'Ask those pictures'

Arabella's words pierced through my stormy head. 

Right, those pictures will tell me the story. 

It's time that I unfold the truth.