Chapter 37
Ava strode into a garden, she had never been here before, this place looked incredible, it must be a dream "You can't have her Alex " the voice mumbled from the other side, moving close to listen properly I fastened my steps. " she is already engaged to someone else and he has waited for her to grow to this age "
" Mr. Gerald, I can make her love me " Alex murmured, " won't you want what's best for your daughter, to marry a man that loves and cares for her?"
" I do "The man looked down " If you can make her love you then I think I will cut off the engagement, she has never met this man before, from the tales I heard about him… he was an abomination "
"Lara will never love such a man " Alex shook his head " I wish to meet her, let me talk to her "
" Alex " Gerald looked worried " I fear for my daughter, this man isn't someone to joke with, he made her his when she was just sixteen, he has waited for a while now " he swallowed " I fear he might kill you if you touch her "
" worry for me, not Gerald " Alex smiled, his clothes ancient " I can handle myself and promise to handle your daughter "
" Why do you want her " Gerald's eyes filled with curiosity and from the looks of things, if Alex says the wrong answer, he will send him off.
" I love her, she is a special breed " Alex smile brightly" A natural vampire is hard to come by, and to top it up, she is the most beautiful in town" Gerald doesn't like this answer "You owe me, Gerald, I save your arse back then and what I want now is your daughter "
" fine " Gerald look down "Do to her as you wish "
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Ava woke up drenched in sweat as the room's unbearable heat suffocated her. The dream she had just experienced left her perplexed. Who was Alex talking about? And why did people keep mistaking her for someone named Lara?
As she tried to make sense of it all, a thought crossed her mind. Could she possibly be the reincarnation of Lara, the person Alex and Gerald were discussing in her dream? She quickly dismissed the idea as absurd, reminding herself that such things only existed in works of fiction. Vampires, engagements, and murderers were not part of her reality.
Feeling a sense of urgency, Ava scanned the room, searching for an escape. She moved towards the window and opened it, allowing a cool breeze and the dim light of the moon to infiltrate the stifling room. Just as she started to calm down, a voice called out to her from behind.
"Ava," the voice whispered, sending a chill down her spine. She turned around, expecting to see someone standing there, but there was nobody. Confusion and fear gripped her as the voice called out to her once again, seemingly emanating from thin air.
"Who's there?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. She scrutinized the room, searching for any sign of an intruder or a hidden speaker. But the silence that followed her question only intensified her unease.
Growing bolder, Ava took a deep breath and mustered up her courage. "Reveal yourself if you're truly there. I won't be frightened by unseen forces," she declared, her voice laced with determination.
Still, no one materialized, and the voice persisted in its mysterious presence. It was as if she was locked in a puzzle, struggling to uncover its secrets. Ava knew she couldn't let fear overpower her. She had to stay composed and find a way to protect herself and uncover the truth behind the strange occurrences.
"It is I. I've been following you," the voice came again. "You have a complicated life... blink three times if you wish to see me." Swallowing nervously, I did as he instructed. I closed my eyes and blinked three times before opening them again.
"Look left, I'm sitting on the bed," the voice continued. Opening my eyes, I turned to the left and my eyes widened in shock.
There, sitting on my bed with crossed legs and a smile on his face, was the wizard who had been stoned and burned to death. My mind raced as I struggled to comprehend what was happening. "You...you're alive?" I stammered, unable to believe my eyes.
He chuckled, holding his stomach. "I am not alive. Haven't you ever seen a ghost before?"
"No," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Well, today is your lucky day, Ava," he said, smiling. It suddenly dawned on me that he knew my name. He had mentioned before that he had been watching me. "I haven't seen you naked or when you were intimate with your lover. I always excused myself."
"That... that doesn't make me feel any better," I managed to say, still in shock.
"I know," he replied empathetically.
"Why are you here?" I looked around the room, trying to make sense of it all. "And how did you get in here...oh wait, you're a ghost. But why have you been following me?"
"It turns out you're the only one who can see me," he explained, rising to his feet. "The blinking thrice was just nonsense. I never expected you to see me."
"Why am I seeing you?" I asked, perplexed.
"Maybe because you prayed for me. When I was dying, you cried, and my dying wish was to know more about you," the ghost said with a smile. "But then, two strong men are already fighting for you. I think I'll have to remain in the friend zone." He took a step closer, extending his hand. "Call me Sebastian."
I shook his hand, noticing that it felt warm, which was strange for a ghost. As I let go, my frown deepened. "Why am I not freaking out? I'm talking to a ghost, a real ghost!!"
Sebastian chuckled as the door suddenly swung open revealing an angry Alex.
"Who are you talking to?" he growled, glaring at me.
I frowned and looked around the room. "Alex, is there anybody else in this room? Do you think I've gone mad?" Folding my arms, I saw Sebastian moving closer to me. In a low voice, he whispered, "Help me, I'm scared!" The absurdity made me fight back a laugh, but I couldn't hold it in. This only seemed to mystify Alex further.
"What's so funny?" he furrowed his brows. "Have you lost your mind, Lara?"
I snapped, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Stop calling me that, Alex!" I yelled, tired of people treating me like I'm someone else. "I am not Lara, and I never will be. My name is Ava, Ava, and not Lara. Put that in your mind!"
Alex's tone grew more threatening. "Do not raise your voice at me, Ava."
My frustration intensified, and I raised my voice even more. "Or what? Will you slap me again? Hit me, beat me up, burn me? What will you do?"
Suddenly, Alex groaned and grabbed my arm, pulling me close. "I will fucking rape you, Ava!" he snarled, his grip tightening. The words chilled me to the bone. Just as my fear peaked, Sebastian launched himself at Alex, hitting him on the head with so much force that I feared for Alex's safety.
"Stop!" I pleaded, trying to keep my voice as low and steady as possible. Sebastian shook his head, a determination to harm Alex in his eyes. But when I frowned, he seemed to understand. "Leave, Alex. I don't wish to see you right now," I said firmly, my voice filled with exhaustion and pain. Alex lifted his head, pain evident in his eyes. He must have felt the impact of Sebastian's hit. "You've hurt me enough. I don't need any more."
"I see," Alex's voice was tough as he spoke. "See you tomorrow." With that, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. As I took a deep breath, I realized that everything happening was new and terrifying.
My thoughts raced, reflecting the confusion that had consumed my life: Alex's changed behavior,
Encountering a Spirit
A Haunting Dream
Contemplating Past Lives as Lara
Navigating Life's Confusion
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Encountering a Spirit
Amid the night, I found myself in a perplexing encounter with a ghostly figure. Unable to comprehend what was happening, I tried to make sense of the situation.
A Haunting Dream
The dream that had shaken me to my core still lingered in my thoughts. The haunting images and inexplicable presence left me wondering about its significance.
Contemplating Past Lives as Lara
In moments of introspection, the idea that I may have lived as Lara in a previous existence unsettled me. The notion of past lives and reincarnation whispered through my mind, adding further complexity to my already confused state.
Navigating Life's Confusion
My entire existence seemed to be ensnared in a web of uncertainty and bewilderment. Questions without answers, paths uncertain, and a perpetual state of confusion clouded my thoughts.
As I grappled with these overwhelming sentiments, I reminded myself to approach each aspect with patience and self-compassion. The encounter with the ghostly figure and the haunting dream provided an opportunity for introspection and exploration. Instead of allowing these experiences to fuel fear or frustration, I chose to embrace them as catalysts for growth and self-discovery.