Conch Princess Red Thread

I gasped. I looked up. Finding Eliza already in front of my eyes. Eliza carved a small smile. Her straight hair was swept by the wind. It fell down, hitting my face. As always, she looked very beautiful. We both looked at each other. I blinked. Confused. Eh? Wasn't I getting beat up earlier? Why am I now lying on Eliza's lap?

"Good morning Prince November." Eliza's hand stroked my long hair.

"Eliza!"

"No, I'm not. I'm Princess Conch."

"Princess Conch?"

"That's right. Now call me Princess Conch."

I didn't care, to me she was still Eliza. I sighed heavily. Calming myself down.

"How did you have a nice dream, November prince?"

"Dream?"

"Yes, you must have dreamt that you were chasing me and calling my name, right?" Eliza winked, teasing me.

Instantly, the horrifying incident that had just happened to me, came to mind again. My tears fell. I pressed my lips together because I wanted to scream so badly. Taking a deep breath. Grateful, relieved. It turned out that it was all just a dream.

"What's wrong with you November Prince? Why are you crying?" Eliza asked. Frowning in surprise. Her right thumb, wiping away my tears. Softly.

I didn't answer. I pushed Eliza's hand away from my face. Got up. Sat on the edge of the bed. Lowered my feet to the ground. Wiped my nose that was clogged with snot.

"Kafka, are you disappointed with me because I left you in your dream?" Eliza asked me. Looking at me with a faded smile. Gloomy.

"I'm fine. It's just that I'm very happy." I replied. Bowing my head.

"What?" Eliza was shocked. She was stunned.

"Because we can meet again. I thought I would never see you again." I explained. Publish a smile towards Eliza. I wanted to tell her about my dream. Ah, it's not important to her. What's the meaning of a dream.

Eliza blushed. Hiding her face. Holding back a smile.

"Why is your face red, Eliza?"

Eliza suddenly brought her face closer. Right in front of my face. Only a few inches away. Staring at me intently.

"Looks like you've started to fall in love with me, Prince November."

My face heated up. I shook my head, several times. Misbehaving. Avoiding Eliza's gaze. Lowered my head. Don't get carried away when facing Eliza's fickleness. Understandably, Eliza is like that. It would be strange if she didn't tease me with chest-thumping answers.

"Eliza, where are we now?" I changed the subject.

"At the Wolasi hike. Waiting for the pick-up car."

"Where are we going?"

"To the Bombana festival." Eliza raised her index finger.

"Ha?" I linked my eyebrows.

"You don't know about the festival that is usually held at night to commemorate Bombana's birthday?" Eliza asked excitedly.

"No." I shook my head.

"Huftt. The festival starts seven days before Bombana's birthday on December 18th."

"What! December!?" I gasped in surprise. Glaring.

"Yes, it's already the 10th of December."

"Isn't it February?" I was shocked, incredulous.

"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. You were admitted to the hospital in February and in late November I woke you up with a peck on the lips--" Eliza bit her lower lip.

Eliza's sentence was not even finished yet, I hurriedly cut in,

"Eliza, I'm serious. What did I do in that hospital after February?"

"I'm serious too. You fell asleep. Then I gave you a kiss as a sign that a red thread had tied us together." Eliza showed her little finger.

I scratched my head, snorting in annoyance. Patience. Stay calm.

"It's like in fairy tales, when the prince kisses the princess on the lips to wake her up from a long sleep. But the difference is, for our story, it's the princess who wakes up the prince. And that's why I call you Prince November. The special month when I first gave you a warm kiss." Eliza added another explanation with an enthusiastic expression.

I stood up. Gritting my teeth. My frustration overflowed.

"It's useless talking to you Eliza. You always answer with a joke."

Eliza was indifferent, relaxed. She continued her explanation,

"In that hospital, I was the one who took care of you, changed your clothes, bathed you. I did everything just to keep you alive. And you haven't forgotten, have you? That night in the valley of the living. I kissed your neck but instead knocked you unconscious for over a week. I'm still faithfully waiting for you to wake up just like I did in the hospital."

A peck? I don't think so. I remember very well that night, Eliza cut off my head. However, why am I still alive until now? Or is it possible that she gave me a drug that causes hallucinations?

Uh, what about those corpses in the hospital? I'm sure those corpses are real people not illusions. Ah, since being with Eliza, my life has become confusing. I can't tell the difference between the dream world and the real world. Maybe Eliza deliberately damaged me mentally like a psychopath who plays with his victim before killing, which I used to watch on television. What a dangerous woman. Moreover, she has harassed me by changing my clothes without my permission. Hoodie jacket, long black pants, and sneakers clung to my body. I was angry without being able to do anything. Frowning. I need to get out of here immediately!

Look in all directions. To my left, right and back lay a dense forest hill. In front of me, there was a paved road. It felt like a breath of fresh air. I just followed the highway, surely heading to the nearest town. Determined. Get ready. On the count of one two three. Run!!! Hurrying. Passing through a stretch of broken mountain rocks. Finally, stepping on the asphalt.

I looked behind me. Eliza was wearing a white dress. Patterned with lotus flowers. Showing off some of her body. Sexy! The corner of her lips, raised in satisfaction. Radiating a bright face. Waving a hand, as a goodbye gesture.

I walked along the straight road, uphill, turning. Looking up, I gazed at the bright sky. Birds were flying. Chirping lovingly, accommodating the rumbling of the heart. The sheen of sunlight illuminates the steps. The screech of insects breaks the tension. Washing away the sweat of the morning dew that was gripping, pouring down my temples. How far have I run? I think it's very far.

Shit!!! Staggering and unsteady, I could no longer run. Taking a step feels heavy. My energy was drained. Why didn't I see a single house? The highway was deserted, with no people or motorized vehicles. Only a hill on the left side, and a ravine on the right side of the road. My breathing was labored. My vision blurred. I saw the highway in shadow. Brukkk. I fell to the ground. Fainted.

***

"I want blood and torture." Eliza's melodious singing voice, awakened me.

I blinked. Adjusting the incoming light. Looking at Eliza's two brown eyeballs.

"Good afternoon Prince November." Eliza greeted, before asking, "How come you woke up so early?"

"Where are we?" I asked back. Confused.

"In the car." Eliza answered briefly.

I was silent. Moving my pupils in all directions. Apparently, I was lying on Eliza's lap again. I felt the shaking

the car, speeding up. We were both in the very back seat.

"What's wrong Prince November. Are you thinking of running away again?" guessed Eliza whispering in my ear. Then she pointed her little finger, "How many times do I have to tell you Kafka, you won't be able to hide from me, because this red thread will always lead me to find you."

"You--"

I was choked up. What does Eliza want from me? Why won't she let me go? Love? Ah, no way. There's nothing special about a lowly man like me. Handsome? No. Rich? Also no. Then what? I forged restlessly. Trying to get up to sit. Immediately Eliza restrained my neck with her stranglehold,

"Stay lying on my thigh Prince November. Or else I will kill the people in this car like those in the hospital. You remember, right?" Eliza smiled widely. Staring savagely. Tightened the grip of her hand.

I choked. Feeling incomparable fear, panic.

"Exactly, who are you? Why are you so obsessed with me?"