Chapter Five

Five days ago

Who is he? At the flower shop, in the bookstore, the coffee shop, and even in my house I was receiving books. My favorite books. Someone was delivering them which were painted in red blood. I didn't know if it was real or not but the smell was strong.

At first, I labeled it as a prank but days passed by and I kept receiving them now and then. Mrs. Rose smelled the book and said they might be coming from a spirit. I doubted that though.

I didn't show any of them to Mia. She was worried about herself. I kept them under my bed. I was scared of the stack that was growing day by day. I felt like if I asked for help things just might go against me.

The smell of blood became vivid and the stack grew. My gut feeling kept replaying those eyes I saw on the balcony. I kept thinking that he might be the one to do all this. Why? I have lived a quiet life and never messed with anyone. Why would this happen to me or what was the purpose of all this?

"Why?" I whispered as the wind blew on my face. I was on top of a cliff. The stack of books was beside me. I decided to burn them today. All these days when I received the books I kept them on the stack and hid them without even checking what was inside.

This morning I found the picture inside the book. Every second of myself since the party until last night. All of my pictures were inside. The bloody letters were numbers spelled backward that ordered me, again and again, to come to a specific address.

I was horrified. And that's when I received Mia's pictures. Whoever was behind this was after her as well. It was infuriating. I will never let anyone harm her. Whatever they want, I'm ready to give.

I burned the books. Keeping one for me I wiped my tears and threw my shoulders back. I am a woman. Whoever it is trying to mess with me, I will be dealing with it pretty well with them. I headed for the bus station.

I don't even know where I am going. I have no weaknesses. I will kill or be killed. My past carved me into someone who can't fear people anymore.

The bus stopped. I looked out. This was the last stop in front of a forest. Taking a deep breath in, I got down.

The weather was right. The cloud rumbled above me.

I walked towards the forest. I was hoping it's not a deep end where a serial killer lives. I do not have any weapons to fight a monster either.

I snuggled in my coat. The chilly breeze was stinging my skin. I crunched on barn twigs. After walking for a while I reached a road. I looked around. This was in the middle of nowhere. Solidity surrounded the place but I smelled something.

Sin. I smelled sin after a long time.

I could not find anything so I turned my heels, intending to go back and that's when a breeze hit my side. I looked beside me.

My eyes grew wide at the scene. I was in shock because beside me stood a mansion so tall and majestic that diamonds dropped from its sides. It was close to a palace. The numbers are written on the books.

005 was etched on the golden plate boundary.

After a few moments of wonder, with shaky and hidden feet I went inside. There were guards that I waited for to forbid me to enter. They spared me a glance and didn't question me or stop me.

I was surprised but I suppose this is where I was supposed to come.

One of them opened huge doors for me. Inside more wonders lay with extravagance. A huge corridor was in front of me.

A middle-aged woman dressed in a maid's suit approached me. "Ms. Adler. You are to be on the second-floor balcony. Master is waiting."

I was afraid to even question anyone or anything. It all felt like a fever dream. So I did as I was told. I felt the consequences of refusing because I could feel what might happen.

Whoever this Master was, I suppose he was the one who was sending me those books. I wanted answers so I headed for them.

As I reached the massive balcony the rain started. The balcony was covered by a glass roof above and I could see the raindrops.

But something inside my heart clenched when I saw the figure of a man leaning on the balcony eying me. I wanted to run away when I saw his face. His gaze pierced his soul.

He reminded me of something very horrible. I might not have any weaknesses but I do have my past. My childhood I wanted to run away from and this man reminded me of my past. His eyes did.

"Ayah," He whispered. Audible for me to hear.

"Come sit,"