Chapter 267 - 267: Fate Is Cruel

{ A Special Chapter having FL's POV }

~«» Elle's POV «»~

I am not afraid of dying. Dying is something I have longed for before. Since my parents died in my arms and had witnessed those cruel things that happened to them, I never had a peaceful moment in my life.

The nightmare kept haunting me. The demon in my past never left me once. I almost go insane. I tried to stop my misery by disappearing in this world. But due to circ.u.mstances, I failed over and over again.

Then I found my reason to live and that is to seek vengeance for their deaths and avenge them. Sad to say because of that I remained to this living hell.

Sometimes I just wish that Mother and Father would come and fetch me. I am always hoping to see them and ask them to bring me with them.

In sad times, I wanted to cry but I couldn't. Until my heart became cold and numb. I reached the moment when I could no longer feel anything. All I wanted to do was to kill and to survive.

Master Phantom became a vital part of my life. He accompanied me all throughout this journey, guiding me and training me to become stronger. Sometimes I could feel that he was acting like a father to me but I refused to accept it and ignored it. 

Having a father-figure around me would just remind me of the feeling of having a family and it would just give me pain as I remembered how I lost my own family.

Along the way, I met Charles. He was someone who brought noises in my very quiet world. I kept thinking that we are both the same. Losing our parents at a very young age but how come he still had that very bright and cheerful personality in contrast to mine?

Since then, every time I would hear his loud cheerful voice I couldn't help myself but feel annoyed and irritated towards him. But Charles was an interesting fellow.

Despite my cold treatment towards him he remained persistent and never tried to leave my side. Instead, he stuck with me like a permanent glue who kept on bothering and pestering me every day.

It did not take long when I became used to his presence. Deep inside I started to like him and wanted to make him my brother and my friend. But I never showed him that I truly care about him.

Having those two by my side helped me to keep going but still, it was not enough to give a sense of hope to live my life again. Because at that time, I felt like I was only existing but not actually living. This is what they called a living dead.

They said that when you are about to die you will see a series of flashbacks that contain significant memories in your past.

Why do I keep seeing my past moments with them? Am I going to die now? Am I dying? Is this the end of my lonely journey?

I couldn't help but smile with that thought. I think it is better this way. I am tired of this long battle.

Mom…. Dad… grandma… grandpa… will I be able to see you again? 

Sigh! 

I think I am not going to heaven. How can I see you? Only hell is waiting for me after the things I had done in the past. You are all good people. I was the only one who went astray and got lost in this sinful path.

I was in this very deep thought when someone popped up in my mind. It was Erick.

Seeing this familiar handsome face of the man I loved I couldn't help but shed my tears.

Why is my heart hurting like this?

Then my mind wandered back to the recent moments before I fell into this deep slumber.

It was just a while ago when I last saw his face. The moment our gaze met, I could see the relief and joy in his eyes as he gave me his most gentle smile.

I waved my right hand at him, telling him that he didn't need to worry and I am coming to his side.

But then I heard the gunshots and something pierced me at my back. I felt the pain. I tried my best to endure it and keep my mind clear. I knew from that moment I needed to leave there.

I looked at Erick worriedly. I saw the shock and horror in his eyes. I didn't want to see him having such expressions. It hurt more to see him like that.

I knew my body well. I believed that I was not hit in my vital parts but I couldn't explain how I am feeling as of this moment. The burning sensation was spreading fast in my entire body like a raging wildfire.

What is this kind of feeling? Something was not right. It seemed like it was no ordinary bullet.

I tried to turn around to see the face of the person who shot me but I failed. In an instant, I felt limp and fell on the ground. My vision became blurred. I tried to fight the urge to sleep but my eyelids suddenly felt so heavy.

After several seconds, I felt someone grab my hand, checking my pulse. That person also brought his hand at my neck, trying to feel my pulse.

At that moment, I wanted to ask for help but to no avail, I couldn't utter a word. 

Though my eyes were close I still had a remaining awareness of what was happening in my surroundings. Another sound of gunshots resonated in the area. Someone was shooting again in my direction. The person who checked my pulse stood up and left me.

Then I heard another footstep coming in my direction. I was slowly losing my consciousness but I tried to fight it back and hold on a little bit longer. In my subconscious, I was waiting for someone.

After a while, I heard the voice of the person whom I longed for at that moment.

"I said I Am Not Leaving Without Her!" 

My heart skipped a beat hearing Erick's voice. I wanted to see him badly. I mustered my remaining strength to open my eyes but I couldn't. Once again I felt very helpless.

Then I heard another voice.

"Are you insane?! You also want to die with her. It's too late now. She's dead! Let's leave now. Your parents are there at the boat, waiting for you."

After hearing that my heart sank. I wanted to shout. That person was lying to Erick.

No! I am not dead. I am alive.

I continued to listen to their conversation.

"W-What did… y-you say?" Erick said to him. I could hear the worry and disbelief in his voice.

I became more frustrated. The dizziness was slowly consuming me. I felt very weak as time went by.

"I said she's dead! Even if you stay here you can't save her. It's too late now, Erick!"

Then I heard Erick let out a humorless chuckle. I could also feel his pain and fury by just listening to those words. I knew he was having a hard time.

"You're lying! She's not dead. Let go of my hand, now!"

Those words were the last words I heard coming from Erick. After that Bryan spoke up.

"Buddy, I am sorry."

When I heard Bryan say those words I already knew what they were planning to do. Should I feel bad or be happy with that?

I couldn't blame Bryan. I understood him. I was the one who asked him to protect Erick. He was just fulfilling his promise. 

A few seconds later, I heard the sound of footsteps drifting away from my location. I felt like the last string of hope that I had popped like a bubble. My world fell into pieces.

I just wanted to see him one last time. I just wanted to touch him and feel his warmth one last time. I just wanted to say how much I love him for one last time. But in the end, fate didn't allow me to do that.

Why is fate always cruel to me? Why does it allow me to meet Erick, if, in the end, it will just separate us? Why does fate always separate me from people I loved?

I smiled bitterly. A single tear involuntarily came out from the corner of my eyes then I was finally engulfed by darkness.