23. Nightmares

Mrs. Nzula walked into the bedroom after knocking softly on the door. Angela was seated on the sofa next to the fireplace. The heavy curtains closed plunging the room in darkness. Her feet tucked in and the mask she wore for the whole world was off. Mrs. Nzula placed the bottle of whiskey on the table and joined her on the sofa. "This time it is so hard Nana," she whispered softly.

"My little girl," Mrs. Nzula said softly, "You knew it would be when you made your choice. You told me you were prepared for it."

"I was prepared Nana, but I didn't expect the pain to be this bad," she turned to look at her. Mrs. Nzula reached for her and Angela moved into her comforting arms just like she used to when she was a child. Angela placed her head on her laps and let the tears fall. "Cry all you want my dear. I will always be here to shield your pain and tears from the world," Mrs. Nzula said caressing her hair softly. "Do you regret killing your father and uncle?" she asked. Her question was met by silence for a few minutes. "My father deserved his fate a thousand times over," she whispered firmly. "My uncle was indeed a horrible man, but he didn't deserve to die. His only sin was he found out something I wished to remain secret."

"How long little one, do you think it will remain secret? Someone else will follow the crumbs."

"And they too will die at my hands before they take another breathe." Mrs. Nzula sighed and reached down to hold those very hands she spoke off.

"What if it is Adrian who finds out? We both know that boy will do anything to protect Shirleen including trying to find something to blackmail you."

"Even if he finds out he will have no choice but to keep it. He is part of the five families after all. He knows the rules. In this world only three people know my secret and two of them would die before they give it."

"Stacey and I are your family we would never give up your secrets," Mrs. Nzula said and turned her face to look into her eyes. "I will take responsibility for every person you kill. It will be my burden to bear and never yours, I promise."

***

Angela opened her eyes to a cold steel at her neck held there by a trembling hand. She looked at the owner of the hand and her eyes held Shirleen's determined yet frightened eyes. "Taking a life is never easy and it is extremely messy especially if you use a kitchen knife," Angela said calmly. "If it is your first time be prepared for the nightmares that will accompany you for quite some time. Slitting of the throat is a bit messier especially if you don't do it right. You risk your victim bleeding yes but not dead."

"You killed my mother," Shirleen said her voice desperate wanting to end the woman who had plagued her nightmares for years.

Angela's eyes raised in arrogance "Did I?" she questioned. "How do you know? You were only like seven years old."

"When that man came at me after killing her I heard you say do not harm the girl with your heels clicking on the marble floor. I will never forget that as darkness took me. There is something wrong with my memory I remember everything down to dates and specific events."

"Hyperthymesia," Angela whispered to herself before a smile appeared on her lips. "I am sure your mother will be very proud if you kill me, I mean you will be following my footsteps and become just like me," Angela gloated. Shirleen looked at the knife in her hands and staggered back horrified taking away the knife from Angela's throat.

"Did you know Angela that at some point in my childhood I had a favourite Japanese animation? It was called black butler. The child in that anime was eight when her family was killed. She disappeared and two years later she reappeared but pretended to be a boy so she could inherit her father's lands and wealth. But you see there was one problem she really had died during that fire. As she was dying, she raged at the unfairness of it. She had watched her parents die in agony and she wanted vengeance, so she prayed to anyone who was listening asking for a chance to find the killers. Someone heard her plea and from the darkness a voice asked, "What would you give up to have the vengeance you crave?" and her answer was anything. The voice was pleased, and it asked would she give up her soul for it. She answered yes. The voice reminded her that if the bargain was met and the contract formed her soul would be lost for eternity and she would never see the gates of heaven. Do you know what her reply was?" Shirleen asked Angela her eyes tortured beyond imagination. "Her reply was that she had lost faith and hope a long time ago. She did not mind where her soul ended as long as the people who had tortured and killed her parents died in absolute agony and pain. She agreed to the contract not asking who she was making the contract with or what the price she had to pay."

"That is a horrible animation for kids. I would not recommend it," Angela said pointedly.

"I gave up everything including my kindness and humanity to be able to kill you. My mother cannot say anything because she is not here," Shirleen said looking at the knife in her hands. "Do you know what the worst part is Angela? That I really do not mind blood, the sight of blood excites me. Killing does not terrify me," Shirleen said a maniacal laugh on her lips. Angela's eyes just for a moment went soft taking in the girl before her. Within moments she shot off the bed and pressed on the nerve at Shirleen's neck rendering her unconscious. The girl fell slowly to the floor releasing the knife. Angela reached for her before her head hit the hard-cold marble floor. The door opened suddenly, and Adrian flew in looking around wildly. He took note of his girlfriend in the arms of her arch nemesis and his worried face turned to an enraged snarl. "Relax," Angela said almost nonchalantly. "She is not dead just unconscious." Angela placed the head she was holding on the floor and moved away. "Take her away including the knife if you please. I do require my sleep." Adrian touched her neck softly confirming her living status before picking Shirleen from the floor. "It seems I have to leave the estate tomorrow," Angela said with a sigh and Adrian stopped on his way to the door. "The next few days will be interesting. When I call you answer, and you have my permission to find out the secret I have literally been killing to keep. I believe you will be more efficient after you find out but beware Adrian for no one else must know."

"Why?" Adrian asked and she laughed hard and long.

"You will soon find out but you will be unable to tell anyone since you are the heir of the Dragon family," she replied grinning.