6: Only The Dead Knows

"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead,"- Benjamin Franklin.

Rose's POV:

I was back in the beautiful pathway that led to Victor manor.

A manor that screamed of darkness.

The roads seemed dull, yet strangely alive, as if, it was talking to me. The murmur of the dry leaves at the beginning of the winter and the hum of the gentle breeze played like a monotonous music in my ears.

I just stood there, in the secluded road, all alone as the autumn breeze caressed me gently, reaching deep into my soul.

I felt like a diaspora, standing there in the strange, dark valley.

Suddenly, all the colours that was in the background and melted together in a bland combination. Everything swirled as I stood there, trembling.

Something bad was going to happen, I knew it.

The colours that melted together, suddenly, started separating, creating a vague form of shades.

Red. Black. Brown. Scarlett.

It was like witnessing a mighty artwork unfold in front of me. Shades of red, brown and black diademed the canvas, yet not getting mixed together, as if they harboured misogyny.

The form became more vivid as the lifeless colours brought life in the painting.

And then, like a gentle stroke of a fine paintbrush on the canvas, an obnoxiously metallic smell of blood wafted in my nostrils.

Blood!

The colours swirled and turned into something more vivid. I could see the form clearly now.

I scrunched up my nose as the smell of fresh blood became more intense, almost unbearable. I walked to the figure through the blur and hollow, my instinct telling me to stop.

One step.... two steps...

My legs halted abruptly as I took in the figure.

Madeline!

She was laying there, the pool of her own blood, her lifeless eyes that were open, made her look extremely disturbing.

I started to hyperventilate and my body shook vigorously.

HELP!

I tried to scream, but nothing came out of my mouth.

It was becoming harder to breathe.

Help.....

I started struggling for air. I was gasping and writhing.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" A loud voice echoed throughout the blur of the colours, making me flinch.

I have to run...

But my legs felt like it was made out of stone, they weren't moving.

Suddenly, a man with hauntingly beautiful turquoise eyes emerged from the azimuth of the frightening shades that surrounded me. He had an unforgiving looks plastered on him, his jaw clipped, fists clenched.

He didn't look any less than a goliath.

He advanced to me, like a predator.

Help...

I gasped like a fish out of the water. I couldn't breathe.

Help....

He seemed determined as he strode toward me at a supernatural speed.

HELP!

Why couldn't I move?!

My lungs burned and everything felt dizzy.

"HIJA!" I heard a voice from distance.

Wake me up please!

"Hija!"

The voice was clearer now.

I could breathe again.

Keeping my eyes closed, I sucked in air, desperately needing oxygen.

"Hija?" The soothing voice of mama reached my ears and it sounded like a melodious music at the moment.

My nightmares came back.

After years.

I opened my eyes as I felt a drop of tear escaping me. "I'm okay mama," I whispered in a hoarse voice.

"Thank god!" Mama sighed, "I thought something happened!"

I smiled at her reassuringly as my eyes darted off to the clock.

3:34 AM.

Mama nodded at me, leaving me alone with my thoughts and nightmares. She must be tired.

I pondered on my situation, analyzing it.

One week.

It had been one excoriating week since the blood curdling incident.

I exhaled as I tried to let go of the tension that was forming in my body. It was a mess. I was tangled in strings of mess.

Christmas was just couple of days ago, but it didn't feel like one anymore. Me and mama celebrated it in the restaurant, under the huge tree that sat just at the corner. It wasn't fun anymore, it was more gloomy and the constant fear of getting to me chased me constantly.

And the most cataclysmic thing was, I was not afraid of having witness Madeline's murder.

Yes it left an impact on me, I still shivered whenever her dead lifeless eyes drifted in my vision but..

I was more scared of Marienne.

As soon as the the police enquiry session had come to an end, I ran straight to my flat, brought out my laptop and tried to find as much as information I could manage about them. And what I found about them wasn't shocking but still, it chilled me to the core.

Marienne Carlisle Victor.

A French-American businessman, who is best known for his ruthless statistics and strategies in the corporate world. Devilishly handsome looking but taken from at the age of 19. Well known for taking risks. Those who opposed him and threw dirt at him, vanished into the thin air.

He could take the most eerie path to achieve what he wanted.

Madeline Quarsiekiev.

A Russian interior designer, well known in the community for her outstanding skills and aesthetic sense. Beautiful, outgoing, free of scandal. Many men wanted to possess her, but she was taken, from the age of 18.

She was with him for 10 years.

My head spun as the load of the information weighted down heavily on me.

10 years.... they were engaged for 10 years.

Their relationship went way back.

And ever since, I had not been the same. The night of the incident left a huge dent on me. I had been having nightmares, constantly. Every single dream ended up with me witnessing Madeline being shot and Marienne chasing me, accusing me of his fiancée's murder.

And one thing I knew, if that devastatingly impeccable man believed that I was his fiancée's slayer, there was no absolute way to escape his wrath. There seemed to be a serious problem with him.

I let out a laugh.

Abstractedly, my eyes darted off to the clock again.

It was almost five in the morning.

I groaned as I tried to comprehend the day ahead. Same old workplace, same old routine but Marienne's fear would add extra something to not look forward to.

Every passing day, I carry the weight of his warning.

The warning he gave me, only added to the hollowness that lived in me.

That smirk.... That bizzare smirk..... That cruel, demonesque smirk...

It spoke louder and clearer than any word could ever say.

He was going to find me and when he does...

I clenched my eyes shut as my thoughts clouded. Through the haze of it, I could only see one thing on the canvas of my mind.

My greys intermingled with black and then I was thrown into an odyssey of darkness. A maze of questions that didn't have answers.

Madeline's form that awash the canvas scarlet and beside that Marienne's beautiful Turquoise eyes that held hatred for me.

But I didn't do anything, so, why should I be scared?

Even if something happens to me, I will not bow down, because I know I am innocent.

But Victors were powerful, they could get whatever they wanted.

Marienne Carlisle Victor was rumored to be the reason behind the fire of Anneville, a place notorious for illegal business and sex trafficing.

If it was true and he actually got away with that fire.....

He could murder me or sell me to prostitution and no one would ever find me.

The alarm at the bedside table started buzzing, screaming in an annoying sound, indicating that it was time for me to wake up. I reached out and shut it down.

My head felt heavy as I tried to get out of the bed. The lack of sleep and the load of the nightmare was making it harder for me to manage myself everyday. My fear increased as by each and every passing moments. The demons of mine that I thought had died, reincarnated, opening up the old wounds.

The hollowness slowly morphed into fear and pain and these nightmares.

"Rose!" I heard my mama's loud voice, "Wake up baby! It's time for breakfast!"

"Coming!" I responded, my limbs becoming heavier by moment.

Uh....Why do my eyes feel like they have a pulse...

I lied down in the bed again, waiting for the painful throb to diminish.

A minute later, the door of my room burst open, revealing mama. I smiled weakly at her as she strode toward my laying form.

"Oh my!" She mumbled, "Do you have a fever?" She placed a hand on my forehead.

"No, mama," I gave her a reassuring smile, hoping to soothe her, "I'm fine, just a bad headache."

She nodded and took out some medicines from the drawer of the bedside table as she said, "You don't have fever. Just take some aspirin after breakfast."

She dumped a tray full of food on my lap and warned, "Don't take them in an empty stomach. You will have ulcers if you do that. Have rest today love, I'm going to the restaurant."

I nodded with gratitude and kissed her on both cheeks. She grinned and waved me goodbye.

I was left alone with my thoughts and dread.

I had my breakfast and medicines. Soon after, my head started feeling like a stone and I layed down on the pillow, grabbing one of my favorite books from the nightstand.

Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's 'Beauty and The Beast.'

Sighing, I opened the page, where I left off from.

"Ha!" exclaimed Beauty, almost angrily, "know that I would lay down my life to save his, and that this Monster, who is only one in form, has a heart so humane that he should not be persecuted for a deformity which he refrains from rendering more hideous by his actions. I will not repay his kindness with such black ingratitude."

I squinted my eyes, feeling the headache getting to me. Maybe it was not a good idea to read books now. I closed the book and kept it on the nightstand.

My eyes felt heavy and I closed them

Heavy.....

So heavy.....

It was like I was carrying a stone.

And I was running....

Run!

But I couldn't because of the heavy rock.

But I had to run...

And then I was falling.

Falling into an endless pit of nothingness....

Falling and falling...

"Wake up!" a voice commanded.

Obey... A voice whispered in my ear delicately.

"Wake up!"

Something cold.

It was cold, so cold.

Cold.....

I woke up with a loud gasp.

Wet.

My face was wet.

That was the first thing that came into my mind as I woke up.

I touched my face daintily. My cheeks felt warm but the wet substance was making it cold. Drops of it were on my lips, my eyes which were now dripping down to cheeks.

"You're awake," a smooth, mellifluous voice rasped, making my heart stir.

That voice.

My eyes widened as I gulped down the knot that was beginning to form in my throat.

Cautiously, I turned my head and let my gaze travel to the chair that was kept in the corner of my very small room.

A gasp escaped me as I spotted the intruder.

He was here.....

My breaths came out in pants as I struggled for air. My aquiver physique was making it harder for me to grasp the genuineness of the situation.

The intruder was dressed in all black, making him look arcane yet celestial. His form was relaxed, as if, he didn't have any worries. A selcouth smirk graced his lips, making him look intoxicating. His turquoise orbs shone with cruel fun.

He resembled a hauntingly beautiful yet mysterious artwork.

I grasped the end of my blanket tightly, hoping that it would provide me some sort of warmth or a sense of security.

But nothing could make me feel safe now.

My insides seemed to be burned and engulfed by a wicked wildfire as I started panicking. I was in the same room with a ruthless man, who was rumored to having left his humanity at the pit of hell and he broke in.

My first instinct was to scream, but I couldn't. Nothing came out of me, I felt myself being paralyzed, just like those nightmares.

"Want to scream?" The formidable man questioned mockingly.

My eyes widened as I sat up abruptly. I had to run, but my body was frozen.

"Oh my dear," Marienne let out a laugh, "This is going to be interesting."

He stood up and slowly approached me.

Just like that nightmare....

I was sweating profusely and my hands felt clammy. I closed my eyes and prayed with my entire being for god to save me.

"Open your eyes!" Marienne commanded roughly. As if on autopilot, my eyes opened immediately.

He was now standing in front of me. I could smell his intoxicating cologne from this distance.

Help me.....

I stared up at him with wide eyes, crossing my fingers and hoping that he wouldn't hurt me.

He only looked down at me strangely and assessed me.

My breath hitched as our eyes locked.

If it was a normal situation, i would probably develop a crush on him. He was a fine specimen. but right now, he looked everything but handsome.

Monstrous would be the perfect word to describe him.

One of his gloved hand came up and squeezed my cheeks. I whimpered in pain as the rough leather made contact with my skin. My breathing was coming out in harsh pants.

Save me.....

"Now, look. Don't be so scared. It just ruins the fun," he smiled at me menacingly.

My eyes became blurry as tears began forming.

"Oh don't cry!" He cooed, "Look, I could have had you arrested for having a hand in my fiancée's murder, couldn't I? I didn't do that because, I am a decent man and I like to take care of my own business."

He pulled onto my lower lips with his gloved hand, causing me to yelp. It was painful, but I chose not to give him the pleasure.

Monsters like him fed on pain.

"I thought it would be great to let you know that why you are facing me right now," He grinned evilly as he pulled out a file from his inner suit pocket with his free hand, "Yes, you didn't have any perceptible influence on my precious fiancée's flailing, but I did find a reason."

"How did you get in?" I questioned meekly, seeming to find my voice again.

"Oh she speaks!" He widened his eyes in mock astonishment, "It's none of your concern, chaton, for now, you have much more pressing matter in your hands."

"I didn't kill her!" I bellowed, tears now falling freely.

He let go of my lower lips and raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't?" He questioned calmly, too calmly.

"No!" I defended, "I was there to give her earrings back!"

He laughed, "Those earrings weren't even hers."

Shock coursed through me at his statement. Those weren't her earrings?

Then whose was it?

My eyes widened as the realization dawned upon me.

A lady sat on the same table at the second sitting.

If it wasn't Madeline's...

"I swear on my life I didn't know that!" I cried out as he remained impassive, "If I knew, I would never go to your home!"

"Oh? But why wouldn't you?" He trailed his finger on my cheeks, stroking it, "You wanted to kill her."

"Why would I want to kill her?!" I yelled, "I didn't even know her!"

A leathered hand came up and hit my right cheek with such a force that made me stumble back. A yelp escaped me as the burning pain defrayed through my nerves.

I just remained inanimated for a while.

He had slapped me.

Shock settled in me as I stared at him widened eyes.

A vague memory I thought I had forgotten of someone hitting me flashed in my vision....

"Don't lie to me!" He boomed, "IF YOU DIDN"T HAVE A HAND IN IT WHY WAS MADELINE STOCKING YOUR PHOTOS AND MARKING YOU?"

I couldn't comprehend any of his words as the after effect of the slap didn't go away immediately.

"Wait," I mumbled, rubbing a hand on my wound, "Why was Madeline stocking my photos?"

He threw the file at my face. "See it yourself."

With trembling hands, I opened the file.

Photos of me.

Lots and lots of photos of me.

My schooldays, my college days... my entire life was inside the file.

And my face was circled with red marker in each and every photo.

Why would she have my photos?

"So, you are saying you don't know her, Rose? If you didn't, why would she have photos of you? Y'know she's always been telling me...." He started inching towards me, his breath fanning my face, making it warm, "That she has a secret...." he whispered as he looked into my eyes. At the moment, he looked almost.... human.

His fingers started stroking the place where he had slapped me previously, making my heart flutter.

"And I think the secret is you...." He whispered, making me swallow a knot.

"She might have another reason.." I whispered back.

"Why would she?" He whispered, his face mere inches away from me.

I looked down, contemplating the situation.

It was something only Madeline knows. It was bizarre, but there was probably a strong reason behind of her having me followed and taking my snaps throughout these years.

"Enough time?" Marienne rasped.

"Huh?"

The cruel look returned on his face as he pulled out a syringe.

My heart stopped as I eyed the object.

What was he going to do?

"I believe that you have a hand in her murder," He pumped a little bit of medicine out, to check if the syringe is okay, "And what I believe is the truth. You will be under my surveillance until you admit your crime...."

He grabbed my arm forcefully. I began to struggle, but, there was no avail. His iron grip became firmer by moment.

He was going to do something...

Help!

He implanted the syringe in my flesh, making me yelp in pain. Sharp pain seared from the place where he had injected me as I noticed blood starting to drip out from the wound.

"I will teach you manners...."

I felt dizzy as the previous throbbing returned with force. My eyelids felt like rocks.

"And I will punish you....for taking her away from me..."

Nothing was coherent anymore. Everything seemed like a fuzz of colours as I felt myself losing control of my limbs.

"I will make you regret the day you were born and find the bastard who killed my Maddy.." The beautiful whisper of a voice resonated so near, yet so far away.

Madeline had my photos....

Why did she have my photos....

Only she knew....

"You are mine now, and, you will obey me..... my little torture doll...." The voice thick with French accent mumbled. It was like a firm hum caressing my ear in a soothing manner.

Madeline....

She took a secret with her, which only she knows and which probably can save me from this monster's den.

But how will I be saved when the savior is a secret only the dead knows....

Everything went blank after that.