Chapter 28: Chapter 28

I was back in my room, at the town of Emberton. Sweating profusely, I felt like my body was burning up. Was that really one of those nightmares? It's so strange. I don't even recognize them, the people inside my head.

There was smoke covering the room. I can smell something burning. I looked around and saw that the room was dark, really dark that I couldn't see a thing. I can only feel the soft, warm sheets beneath me.

I let out a cough; the smell of smoke suffocates my lungs. I tried to touch my surroundings, hoping I would get a hold of something useful, like a lamp.

“Where is the lamp when you need it?” I mumble to myself before getting up from my bed.

As soon as my bare feet touched the floor, I walked towards the window. Why is it so hot in here? I scanned the surroundings and pressed my hand against the wall. I opened the window and let the cool air in. The ghastly smell was slowly fading. Thank god.

I looked up at the sky and saw the bright moon. My arms wrapped around my body when I shivered because of the cold wind. It’s snowing outside.

The moonlight illuminated the room just enough so I could see. My brows furrowed when I saw something lying on the ground beside my paintings. It was dark so I could barely recognize what it was, perhaps a canvas that fell?

I walked towards it, aiming to put it back with the other paintings but I gasped when I saw a body. My heart felt like stopping when I saw whose body it was.

“Izaac,” I whispered in surprise, my lips quivering as I reached towards his body. I sat next to him and saw his sleeping face. He looked so real. Is he really in my room right now? I need to know because for the past few days, I’ve had trouble discerning dreams from reality.

“Izaac, wake up!” I yelled. He wasn’t moving.

But as soon as I touched his skin, ashes fell on the ground. His body was no longer there, only these ashes. It was like the body had been there for hours and the ashes had hardened. My lips parted in shock.

“Oh my god!” I exclaimed, my voice trembling as I let out a shaky breath. I covered my mouth with my palm, too shocked to even cry. What happened? Did I?

This is, no. He’s not dead right? This is one of those episodes again. I should wake up right now. This isn’t real.

“No, this isn’t real. Wake up!” I screamed at myself, holding my forehead. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

The door busted open revealing Ambrose and Daniel looking down at me.

“I…” I stuttered, not being able to find words.

I let out a shaky breath, “I didn’t.” I cried, gripping on my hair. Oh, god what have I done?

“Izaac, he…” I whispered, my throat became parched all of a sudden.

“You killed him.” Ambrose stated, staring at me with emotionless eyes.

I shook my head, “I didn’t. I just saw him lying down on the ground when I woke up.” A tear escaped my eye. I turned my head to Daniel, hoping he would say something.

“Please believe me.” I begged, staring at him with teary eyes. My vision was blurry but I didn't care.

“Izaac,” Daniel spoke, fear visible in his eyes as he looked at the ashes on the floor.

He looked at me afterwards, his lips parted. He is scared of me. Daniel has been distant from me ever since that incident with the rogue wolf. Now he’s scared of me more than ever. He’s terrified and I couldn’t blame him.

Maybe I am what they said I am. The rumors are true after all. I am dangerous.

“He was going to check on you because we heard a scream. You were having another episode.” Ambrose stood a few feet away from me, looking at me with a blank face.

Shaking my head, I cried to myself with my palm covering my face. So I ended up killing someone because of these shitty episodes. I let out a scream when I felt this sharp pain in my head. I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth, hoping somehow it would lessen the pain but it didn’t. The pain goes on and I have to scream again.

I saw another flash of image, it was somehow blurry. There was a man, he held my hand. We were moving slowly along with the soft hum of the wind. I saw how his blood red lips would curved up. I felt his happiness radiating through his laughter. I heard it too, my laughter echoed in the place where we stood. It was an abandoned church, a huge building that seemed to be empty. We were alone.

The man let out a genuine smile, “I love you, always.” His voice was just as manly as his gestures. For a moment, I felt an emotion stirring inside me. But I don’t remember what it was. But it was strong, burning and just passionate.

My eyes opened, the water in my eyes felt hot. Suddenly, I felt lonely and longing for his touch again. That man, I’m sure he’s in one of my memories.

The sudden burst of emotions pouring in me felt consuming and uncontrollable. It scared me.

“Leave me.” I muttered through gritted teeth, my knees aching from kneeling on the ground. I put both of my hands on the floor, I can’t hold it any longer.

I looked at Ambrose and yelled at them, “Stay away!”

I don’t want to kill them. I can feel the heat running through my body, through my veins. It moves as fast as lightning. This force is just inside me, waiting for me to let it out.

“It was an accident,” I said softly, my eyes slowly closing at the scent of something, a herb. I can smell the strong fragrance lingering in the air.

Light footsteps came towards me and I saw Ambrose staring down at me. I’m not sure but I think I saw a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. Maybe, I’m seeing things like the usual hallucinations.

“It’s alright. Everything’s going to be okay. Sleep now.” Ambrose said, his hand touched my forehead.

His voice came out soft, like a lullaby putting me to sleep. So I did, I was embraced by darkness. My heart suddenly felt at peace from racing so fast. However, my conscience won’t let me live after this. I killed someone, I killed a friend.