Chapter 6

Aurora POV

My body jerked violently as the bullet pierced through my arm, ripping my skin apart.

“Haaaaaa!” I screamed, a loud agonizing scream ripping from my throat before feeling weakness all over my joints. My strength suddenly gave way as warm blood flowed endlessly from my wound, soaking my clothes and pooling beneath my feet.

My head gauged up, looking at the person that had put me in this mess.

Dante De Luca.

He sat so comfortably in that chair like he was some kind of hell king, watching me burn in fire.

I wasn’t all wrong because that was the exact thing he was doing.

His eyes settled on me, with unsettling coldness, completely devoid of sympathy. The silence around him felt heavy, carrying anger far more dangerous than an outburst.

Tears rolled down my eyes, with fear aching in my heart each passing moment.

Is this how I was going to die?

No.

I haven’t even gone to law school.

Neither tasted love.

Or had my Prince Charming.

“Please…” I found myself begging. If there is anything I truly need right now, it is to stay alive, survive all this, and get my revenge, not only on my family but also on the ruthless Dante that had turned my life into the worst nightmare.

“I didn’t mean to enter that room…” I begged, words almost choking my breath and my body all shaky.

My voice cracked even more with another sob. I tried not to cry too much, but the pain was too much with each passing moment. Strength was already leaving my body, but I wasn’t ready to let go of the only option I had to stay alive.

Begging.

“Dante, please have mercy,” I panted.

If only I knew begging would only lead me into more trouble. Dante never forgives, and the myths about him were true. He was cold as ice.

“Paaaa.”

Another bullet pierced into my left arm, tearing all of my muscles and making blood flow out even more, staining all of my clothes.

He smirked, the only expression different from the cold frown he had been showing earlier.

The crowd all watched in fearful silence.

No one moved.

Not even Isabel, his mistress.

My head lifted a little again, eyes meeting with his mistress. Her teeth were all out as she watched every drop of blood leave my body.

Behind her was the girl who I thought was helpful earlier.

Now I get it.

It was all Isabel’s doing after all.

“Paaaa.”

Dante pulled the trigger again.

The bullet hit the tree above me, barely missing my head.

Fear ripped my heart apart even more.

What if he hadn’t missed? I would have been on my way to seeing my ancestors in heaven.

Murmurs, chats, and the noise of crows in the morning brought me out of my sudden fear.

Through my blurred vision, I sighted him turning away, with his guards trailing carefully behind him.

Isabel followed after, so did the crowd who slowly walked away in silence.

Some looked at me with pity, while some wore neutral expressions.

What next?

Is this how he will leave my body here? At least, for what it was worth, I deserved a burial even if it was not befitting.

Another hot tear rolled out of my eyes, mixing with my blood.

I waited for death just like anyone in my situation would, but it didn’t come early. The evening turned into night, the clouds closing up, with the moonlight shining brightly on my misfortune.

The cold breeze of the night grazed my skin and the wounds, making me feel chills and pain.

The crickets kept chirping, unbothered about a girl who was about to die on a strange island.

No one came to check on me.

Nobody tried saving me.

Reality dawned on me. Dante had left me to die an agonizing death, to feel pain before finally facing my end.

Just when every hope was lost and darkness had completely swallowed me, I felt something.

A scent.

Movement.

Loosening of the ropes tied around my body.

Warmth brushed my skin, a strong arm, or should I say a paw.

My heart skipped. Was the wolf in the room earlier about to devour me?

I was a girl with big dreams, but then I had suddenly become a meal for someone. Can life ever get worse?

I tried forcing my eyes open, but all I saw with my fading vision was darkness.

Through my half-closed eyes, I pictured that what was lifting me wasn’t human.

I tried focusing my sight, but it only got blurred even more.

Whatever was carrying me was moving me away from here.

My eyes finally shut closed after so much struggle trying to stay conscious.

…..

The loud cry of a baby pierced through the deep sleep I was trapped in. I wanted anything but to stop that cry that was too disturbing.

My eyelids fought to open. A soft groan escaped from my mouth as I forced them open. The sudden brightness of the light made me shut them back close.

I tried opening them again, this time slowly, until the brightness of the light became bearable.

My eyes were greeted by an overwhelming shade of light.

White light.

White walls.

White curtains.

Even the figures moving around were all dressed in white.

Is this heaven?

Am I dead?

I tried to move my body, but I was completely paralyzed. Nothing moved.

For a brief moment, I completely believed I had finally come to join my ancestors.

But that thought vanished when my stare landed on the clock hanging on the wall.

Its hands moved steadily, each tick echoing in the room.

Realization dawned on me. The ticking sound of the clock was what jolted me awake, not a baby’s cry.

Did heaven keep track of time too? I wondered weakly.

“She’s awake.”

A sharp voice rang in the room, startling me.

Before I could process what was happening, all the figures I thought were angels guiding heaven rushed to me. An elderly woman stood out. She had a stethoscope around her neck.

Her wrinkled hands connected the stethoscope to my chest, examining my body.

“Can you see me?” she asked, her hands waving in front of me.

I parted my lips to respond, but nothing came out. I forced again, but nothing came out.

“It’s okay,” the elderly lady said, as if noticing my struggle.

“Just nod once if it is yes, twice if no.”

“Can you see me?” she asked.

I nodded once.

“Can you move your hands?”

I nodded twice.

“Can…” the lady was still asking when the door went open, making everyone almost move back.

I turned, eyes meeting with that one person that I never thought I would see again.