Chapter 22: The beautiful beast

Mellisa was sleeping peacefully. Her facade lined up with smiles but she was sleeping.

What a sleeping beauty.

"You know I love you, Ria."

Mellisa hurried and give Riana a back-hug. Snogging her captivating heart-shaped pinky lips on her friend's shoulder and at the same time tickling her waist.

But she looked sad. Such a bummer.

Her eyes were already red like the crimson.

She wriggled herself out of her hold. Fronting her with that concerned and inquisitive look.

She isn't crying, right? Well, she is and there is nothing she can do about it.

"Where have you been all this while? Riana grimaced and Melissa heave a sigh, rolling her eyes as well.

That explains her awkward resistance. Because it can never be Ria. Resisting her friend's lovey-dovey clingy moment. She treasures Mellisa so much that she will do anything for her. Now she is infuriated and Mellisa got some explanations to do.

"I went on a break and I got you something. See..." She brought out two golden bracelets. Dangling it in the air closer to Ria so she gotta have a closer look at how precious the gift is and that she bought it for their friendship's sake.

"Are you still mad at me? She beamed at her, her lips already curve up displaying that heart-shaped sign.

"You aren't bribing me, right? Ria crossed her hands and pout her lips away from Mellisa's face. What a childish way of keeping malice. That one.

Mellisa giggled at her friend's childishness. She sure is still the mummy's girl. Why should I? Never thought of lying to you. Of all things to bribe you with not a cheap bracelet; Madam classic Riana." She rolled her eyes. Tucking her hair at the back of her ear.

Did she just call that' Cheap" The price alone can feed and clothe a minimum of thirty kids from the Northern Coast Ghetto. Jezzzzz... She must be sick.

"You know I'm always cheap when Mell is involved right? Come here." She opened her arms, calling her friend for a hug.

Mellisa chortled, running towards and crashing herself on her dear friend. What a friendship moment. They must have missed themselves so much.

"You smell different." Ria chuckled after sniffing her nose all over her friend.

"Good or bad." Mell's eyes widen outrightly.

"Well! Well!! Well!!!" You smell like him. She joked. She loves pulling her legs and she enjoyed it.

"Him; is not a scent. You pu*ssy."

"OMG... wait." Ria raises her palm. "Did you just cuss? "Whatttttttttt..... Who schooled you." She screamed and tucked her harder to her bosom.

Hope they aren't celebrating because Mellisa just called someone a pussy... Jezzzzz. Well; they loved using kinky words on each other. Not bad.

"Tell me, Mell. You got a boyfriend, right? Ria cupped Mellisa's face. Her brows pulled up in curiosity. "Who is he?

Her heart leaps for joy. She can't wait to hear his name, but Mellisa shook her head in disappointment.

Wow! Sorry to disappoint you bestie. Mellisa is as single as you Riana McCarthy.

Ria's face dropped. She looked like someone who was hit with a basketball by her crush the school hottie.

"I went out to have fun." Mellisa began carefully. "We don't hide a secret. What is bestie for? If I'm seeing a guy, then Riana will know. Am I wrong" She widened her eyes at Ria.

"No, you aren't... Nothing has changed." She pulled her cheeks, smiling widely at her.

"Besties and trust" Ria begins raising her pinky finger.

"Besties and trust," Mell repeated and slowly clamped her pinky fingers together. Making that forever pinky promise.

When they broke their hug, Ria flashed her that curious look.

"Now tell me where the hell you are; Mellisa Keller?

Shit!!! Someone got lots of explanations to do. She tapped her forehead and shrugged.

She tried to open her mouth to speak but then, she was in another environment.

Is she in a trance?

Just then her eyes shot out rapidly and she stepped back nervously. Her face showed fear and trembling.

She was in a misty environment. Everywhere is covered in mist and she can't tell where exactly she is.

Now this is getting scarier and scarier. Someone seriously wants her dead but who?

The environment she is in now is different. It looks like she is trapped in the winter forest and it snowing heavily on her. She crossed her two hands over her shoulder. Snowflakes falling on her.

She is in a dank condition and she needs something to keep her warm. If not she is about freezing to death. Her teeth clattered. She puffs her cheeks, blowing out the coldness trying to silence her.

She is walking on this lonely winter track road barefooted. With a sleeveless gown. She looks like a homeless lassie.

She slowly spins, swirling around trying to understand her bearings. Just then a rumbling sounds like that of a mighty wave was heard. She covered her ears, swirling around to see where the noise is coming from.

Then she halt, her knees shook violently and her hands trembled in fear. She blinked repeatedly as she behold the sight in her front.

What is that scary thing emerging from the dark? With it, blue eyes shoot out a bloodbath.

A winter beast.

No. That's a winter mystic beast.

Its furs were of different colors, brown, black, white, and golden, and some shanty colors.

What a dangerous beautiful creature.

The appearance of the beast sends shivers down her spine. She can feel her adrenaline rushing. The presence of this beautifully hungry scaring beast speed up the already damp temperature of her. Now she already heating up. All thanks to her fearful instinct.

Now she isn't freezing to death but rather. Holy heaven. She ain't getting eaten up by that thing. No way.

Her aorta already pumping and she can feel the blood circulating.

Mellisa tried to run, but unfortunately, her feet were stuck in the sand.

What a bad day to be alive.

Its claws and fangs elongated as it snares at her. Making her fall back, crawling backward. She needs to defend herself.

But what will she use? A winter white sharpy sand? No freaking way.

Will that shield her from being devoured by this beautiful hungry beast?

Definitely No.

She trembly crawled back, her teeth shivering uncontrollably. Her whole body merged in fear.

Shit is creepy. She shut her eyes waiting in fear as the beast advance towards her. She is already sick and tired of fighting for her life.

Now she is ready to embrace what will come next. If she perished she perished.

She shut her eyes waiting to be devoured. She already knows it is futile to fight a beast. And a winter beast for that matter.

No matter how strong she is, she will still get devoured. She shivered backward.

She ain't no hunter, no zoologist. Neither is she the female Sampson of the holy book, neither ways; She's not going to rip the beast apart. Who dashes her strength?

She closed her eyes, silently praying for a cold slow death. Which part of her body should be devoured first? Her body quivered as the thought clouded her as the beast already touring her body. She tightly shut her eyes as the sounds get louder. You know that loud scaring snares that says "Thank you Lord for giving us our daily bread. Her eyes remain closed. She ain't taking a peek of her killer. Ain't no way she going to look at the beast before it devoured her.

She won't look!

She shut her heart. clenching her fist. Her sweat dropped like she was drenched by the rain. She was already anticipating the part of her body that will feel the pain first, and at least let it serves as a departing memory for her to the underworld.

But unfortunately, none came. She waited amidst shivers to make sure she ain't dreaming. But none came.

Did the beast disappear in thin air or did it run away or an angel whispered to it? The snares dropped dead. Now instead of being scared only, she is troubled and inquisition to know what exactly is wrong.

Slowly she lifts her right hand and covered her face. She decided to peer at the beast to know what is happening.

She peered.

Her jaw dropped.

Did her guardian angel just appear and touch it? Something is not right.

Shocked and bewildered, she slowly opens her eyes to behold the scene.

Her eyes can't believe it.

Hope this is not another illusion and hallucination.

Hope it's not what she is thinking!

Hope she ain't dead.

Ain't no way.

She pinched her skin. Well, she can feel it. That means she hasn't taken the form of spirit.

The devourer was already calm like her pet and laying down next to her. Closer to her lap.

Hope the beast is not counting the number of bones she got in there before feasting on them.

She gradually and trembling shifted her legs, yet the beast was calm.

Still in disbelief.

She sneakily rose to her feet. She is running for her dear life and nobody is telling her otherwise.

She stepped back tremulously ready to take off on her heels when something caught her attention.

The beast.

It looks familiar.

Yes! Like the one, she kept seeing in her dreams.

The reoccurring beasty dreams. But then something is different.

The beast. It's crying.

Must be the winter mists covering its eyelids right? But she is certain.

The beast looks sad. Troubled.

She ain't no zoologist but she knows a troubled pet when she sees one.

The beast slowly buried its face in the sharpy winter white sand.

Now she is stuck between knowing what to do.

Maybe touching it and soothing it like she always does with her pets Melia and Phox.

Her beautiful pets. She misses them.

But no way. She shook her head in disagreement.

This is neither Melia nor Phox. Don't be deceived, Mellisa. This is the only chance to take off to your heels and save your dear life, Mellisa Keller.

But no. She already made up her mind. How can she be so stupid?

She was saved once. Ain't no way she is buying a second death by herself.

Her shoulder shrugged, and her eye welled up. She wants to go; her spirit is willing but her body especially her feet refused to cooperate. Why aren't they moving and taking her out of here?

Why is she stuck between choosing to be killed or killing herself? A perfect example of the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

No! She stepped forward. Tired and frustrated but she kept stepping forward until she reach the beast's side.

She fell on her knees as well as her tears fell to compassion with her.

Slowly she drift her hands and began soothing the beast. The best she can do right now.

The beast relaxed and when she tried to open her mouth, her eyes fluttered open.

The beast dreams again. She tried to get up but felt weak.

There was noise in the room, someone is talking and the person is not alone.

They were three. As far as she can see with her blurry vision.

"Who are they?

"Ouch," She winced in pain and the men rushed to her bed; but who are those men?