(Asher’s POV)
I was woken up when I choked my breath. That, was what I initially thought but common sense betray me here in The Flesh, when what I actually choked was blood which had gotten inside my mouth when I found myself almost drowned in a huge lake of blood.
Luckily, the lake is much shallow than it look. I turned to my surrounding to see the level of blood is just below my knee when I stood up. But still, my clothes are drenched in blood, which I’m convinced will surprise my mother when I got back to the real world.
IF, I managed to get back there.
For one more time, I darted my eyes to the new surrounding of The Flesh. This time is a bit different than the last time, where I stood in a cavernous place—the interior is still fleshy red—but instead of damp, soft and dry ground, the ground I’m stepping on is flooded with blood until as far as my eyes can see. I squinted my eyes to perceive my surroundings.
While in constant confusion, I h
(Elaine’s POV) Even in death, I guess it’s unavoidable to dream your last dream. As my body limped from the amount of blood I lost, the sight of my detached tongue—cold and stiff on the surface of the bed—was the last thing I saw before my eyes closed. The darkness continued until I mysteriously heard a familiar voice near me. Silence filled my ears again after that last desperate call, then it appeared, this time right beside me. I felt something warm engulfing me, something I don’t even know but I feel safe in it. Is this what death feels like? If so, why didn’t I think of dying sooner? It’s better dying than living, it’s better to end this suffering than constantly getting trapped in it. “You’re beautiful…” My heart jumped in elation from that single sentence. I tried to look for the person who said those cherishing words to me, but apart from the unclear red view I’m seeing, the person’s face is blurry. It’
(Asher’s POV) I don’t know whether to be impressed, or horrified. A few days ago, I was eating with my beloved mother, and due to my lack of tact and preparation, I was summoned to The Flesh, involuntarily. That’s not the worst part, to be honest. After my victory inside the new environment of The Flesh, I, was teleported back to the real world, drenched in blood, and inside the communal toilet where people can go in and out freely. You might be able to guess what happens after that. The staffs of the restaurant looking horrified? Absolutely. My mother looking horrified? Well… Of course. That’s where me getting grounded in the main house started. Luckily it was just for the whole weekend, and I understand why my mother did all of this. Particularly triggered by the stench of blood—which probably triggered the traumatizing memory of the death of her husband—my mother, worried and frightened at the same time, want me to stay close to her so I am not los
(Elaine’s POV) I was shocked when I saw the image of my lucid dream. I was in a cavernous membrane, with blood gushing through it’s punctured walls. My breath hastened when I realized the space I’m in has it’s floor almost entirely flooded with the dark red blood. I groaned in panic and gasped my breath as I dragged myself to the nearest hole and tried to close it with my hands. The blood sprayed to my body and face. I was not in a condition to think about myself, whether I am in a dream or not, or whether I am naked, or even whether I’m still alive in this nightmare I just created to resent myself. Although I prayed to God for death, the emotions I felt is fear, great fear. “W…What is happening…?” I began to weep. “Where is everyone-” I choked on my wailing voice as I looked to the empty view behind me. No one. No one will be able to help. No one wouldn’t even dare to help me. I’m all alone in this frightful place, dying from
Elaine Elaine was trembling from head to toe after the maid—who addressed herself as Mia—tended to her and asked her to rest inside a room Mia said is specially prepared for Elaine by the Madame. That being said, the ‘tending’ part instilled horror in Elaine’s weak heart. Right after Mia said about her assisting Elaine’s bath, Elaine was immediately pulled away—abducted, to be precise. The two of them stepped farther from the room Elaine had left and began their journey, entering one corner to another, passing through several living rooms and resting area, pacing through a huge main hall, entering another corner until they found a door. After that, was where she introduced herself, curtly, as her thin pair of hands flung the towering door open effortlessly and let Elaine in. The first part of her nightmare began with Mia swiftly undressing her while ignoring her “Master’s” frantic flailing and wails. Then, although the bath tub is big and filled with warm bat
(Asher’s POV) The night I spent sleeping on the same bed as Elaine felt peaceful albeit short. Morning came, which means the biological clock inside me—which I’ve practiced since the repetitive rounds—woke me up from my sleep. I was about to bask myself in staring at Elaine’s sleeping face when her disappearance completely shook me up from my daze. “Elaine?” My voice croaked in panic. Ignoring the utter darkness, I tried to fumble the bed until the edge and even checked the floor to see whether she’s there or not. Where did she go? Don’t tell me she committed another suicide? But I didn’t hear any suicidal thoughts of whispers, so where… “Good morning, Master.” A slightly thin yet masculine voice entered my ears, startled me for a moment, before I creased my brows and heaved a tired sigh. I sat crossing my legs on the bed and rubbed my face. “Good morning to you too… Ezra.” My eyes leered from one corner of my room to another. Like a ghost, Ezra’s tal
Elaine Based on the appearance of the long hair rolling on her back—shining black and is layer cut—and her amber eyes that glinted a tinge of gold when it shines, an image of the madam whom she saw last night entered her mind. Elaine’s mouth gaped for a bit in quick realization. The woman—who’s sitting on the chair adjacent to her—grinned. “Greetings Elaine. I’m sorry for not introducing myself last night.” She shifted her seat a bit and pt her hand on her chest. “My name is Rhea Ildian, Asher’s mother.” Elaine slowly nodded her head, still astounded. In her view, Madam Rhea looked almost androgynous. Although her hair is long and her face amazingly beatiful, the woman in front of her emits an aura of both a mother and a father, somehow, that Elaine couldn’t help but to be in awe. “Alright, Elaine.” Madam Rhea shifted her seat before she suddenly paused halfway. “I can call you Elaine, right?” Elaine nodded, even though she couldn’t ev
(Asher’s POV) By the time I finished my jog and also took a shower, Elaine and my mother were still conversing about something. I don’t want to interrupt them because it sounded serious, so I put on my sleeveless brown top paired with black denim pants to go have breakfast outside. While it’s true they’re conversing in the dining hall, I can’t just cross the dining hall to the kitchen to take my breakfast and walk past them like “Howdy y’all?” And pulled a straight face after expecting their disturbed and worried faces. I was now on my way to the entrance of the mansion. To be honest, I don’t have fond memories of this mansion. No, it’s not about my dead father or my trauma, it’s simply because this mansion stood covering about 4 hectares of land. It’s that big that I have made up my mind to scram from this house. Because imagine this. You want to go too school. Let’s say on a particular day, you’re getting late, so you really have to hurry to school
(Asher’s POV) Although the weather is so peaceful, the still air surrounding the three of us felt strangely suffocating. I couldn’t help noticing Ezra stealing glances at the dazed Mister Nathan—who’s lifelessly eating his already cold grilled cheese—as one of his eyes occasionally shone the color of gold. What is wrong with these people? If Ezra can just say he’s interested in Mister Nathan, he can just say it. But I too should tell him that Mister Nathan can as well be your godfather, Ezra. I coughed loudly, causing both Ezra and Mister Nathan to flinch and moused awkwardly on their seat. Then I paced myself. I guess it’s better to tell Mister Nathan after all, he’s looking too miserable I couldn’t help but pity him. “Mister Nathan, do you know what happened to Elaine?” Mister Nathan shot his gaze to me, dumbfounded, before he slowly shook his head. Somehow I can see the corner of his eyes scrunched slightly, as if holding his tears. I
(Asher’s POV) “This place is…” Elaine gaped for a bit as she looked at the night sky in awe, the two of us were standing on the apartment building that acted as the witness to my first encounter with her that changed our entire life. “You remember this place, right?” I stepped beside her and glanced at every corner of the roof of the old apartment building. Now that I have seen my surroundings with clear eyes, the apartment block really looks brittle like it’s going to fall off anytime. Meanwhile, at the corner of my eyes, I saw Elaine nodded slowly, though her eyes still looking at the sky. It’s probably because of the clear sky that I am seeing Elaine’s eyes sparkled more than usual, but I couldn’t help myself from staring at her. Unwittingly, I let out a scoff. “If I didn’t jump to save you I don’t think the two of us wil be where we are right now.” Elaine turned to look at me and chuckled. “I know. I still wondered how we survived
(A few hour after Asher woke up)“Uncle Gary called me yesterday.”Elaine began, trying to break the awkward silence between her and Asher that came out of nowhere. Asher who was still in a daze flinched when she suddenly spoke, his eyes rolled to the exit door for a few minutes to register the fact that his mother just left to finish work and took the next few minutes to muster his courage to reply her.“…What?”Elaine heaved a sharp sigh. Given how he delayed his response, Elaine knew something was wrong with him, yet she refrained from asking. Despite Asher’s vital and his response is normal and all, he must have still be in shock after waking up from the coma.“My uncle called me yesterday. He asked to meet me for dinner.” Elaine stated while adjusting her knee length pleated grey skirt to cover a margin of her shin. Plus the air conditioning of this VIP ward room, the chilly weather outside didn
(Asher’s POV)It was the day after I woke up from coma. The chill from the fall season is really been getting into me lately. In spite of me telling myself I’m cold, nature’s weather is better than the coldness coming from the air conditioner of my ward. Because of that, I have been wasting the hospital’s electric bills by opening the windows and basking my face in the evening air and sunlight.“It’s so cold…” I mumbled to myself.“Of course it would.” A voice appeared from behind me, followed by the sound of a door sliding.I turned around to see Ryan and Rufus entering the ward, each of them was was holding a bag of their own.“Whoa…” I snorted, trying to not cry because honestly, I missed them two even though it’s only about a week.Ryan sighed. “I might as well apply for membership in this hospital because of how frequent I’ve been visiting
(Asher’s POV)The first emotion after I regained my consciousness and stayed dormant for a few seconds was shame. The clips of scenes when Elaine was saying the words I have said to her inside The Flesh previously haunted my mind in a repetitive cycle that I slowly mustered the strength to one of my arms just so I could cover my face in embarrassment.I was definitely shocked to hear those words. “We’re in this together.” Was the last words I said to her when we’re inside the poison region of The Flesh. If she remembers my words, doesn’t that mean she heard my confession?“No way…” I croaked, ignoring my scratchy voice from just waking up.Apparently my voice is loud enough for this deadly silent room, that Elaine was awoken even by the subtelity of my voice.She blinked her eyes as her head tilted up. Seeing as I was lying down with my eyes open, she immediately shot up and exclaimed my name.
(Elaine's POV)The two of us stopped at the side of the lake and he sat down. He waited for me to sit, before finally uttered a word in a form of random conversation.“This place looks beautiful, isn’t it?”I was absentminded for a few moments, before I agreed.“Indeed. Do you know where this place is?” I asked the oddest thing I have ever asked. It’s obvious that this is just a dream, a realistic dream at that, but most dreams felt like this one.Asher shot me an undecipherable look, his eyes looked quite empty even though the orange hue from setting sun glinted on the glassy surface. Then he stated, “This is my inner consciousness.”I thought he was talking gibberish for a second, yet the look on his face speaks the truth. He wasn’t lying.“What…” I breathed. “What are you talking about?”His facts were too hard for me to process, yet I have
(Elaine’s POV)Currently, I am in a pretty inconvenient situation. I blame my gut feeling for coaxing me to follow it’s orders, as right now I am walking through a long way of inside some woods, of somewhere I didn’t know. I just suddenly got transferred here like magic.I gave up on wondering where I am the moment these ivies and vines began moving on it’s own and attacked me. It might be just the trick of my mind, originally, but that doesn’t matter anymore if the plant literally tried to pull you back into the bushes. Only God knows how terrified I am at that time, which actually happened just a few minutes ago.Right now I am trascending through the path of the woods. With the entrance of the woods already closing behind me, there was only one way and that was to go forward. I really wondered why am I sent here when I was visiting Asher.Suddenly memories of him flashed through my mind as I trudged the gloomy path. That&r
ElaineAfter school, Elaine decided to visit Asher at the hospital. She was informed by Madam Rhea that Asher just escaped a life threatening condition—by dodging the bullet from getting straight through the heart. That being said, Asher still won’t wake up despite his condition, as if something is holding him down from coming back to life.The young girl avoided going to the hospital at first because of the fear and trauma of seeing Asher being shot like that. Even though Rose Chadwick is already as good as inside a grave, that wretched woman still managed to inflict trauma even at the end of her life. What a cunning woman.Falling in a daze, Elaine didn’t realize that she had already reached the hospital. She went out from the car and thanked the driver before telling him that she will call when she wanted to get back. After that, she entered the building with a heavy heart.‘It would be better if Ryan and Rufus is here.’ T
ElaineThe poor girl named Elaine was once again inflicted with damage to her emotions. Unlike her surroundings which were pretty loud and chaotic; siren coming from the ambulance bellowing through the air from the distance and the paramedic doing their job, security and defense team securing the peremeter and the other spectators who were bustling into chattering among each other, Elaine felt her senses pretty numb for someone who just witnessed someone close to her being shot right in front of her eyes.Her daze lasted even until the ambulance went away. Only her guardian, Rhea Ildian’s voice managed to shook her out from daze.Elaine shot her gaze up to meet Madam Rhea’s.Despite adam Rhea asking her condition, the middle aged woman was trying haard to not show any sign’s of trauma or discomfort for this young girl who probably faced many more fears than her. Yet her feelings still spill out to reflect upon her eyes. Still, she picked
(Asher’s POV)“H-Hello?” I don’t know why I’m stuttering, probably feeling nervous now that all the tension that’s building up just because of Elaine’s case had cleared up most of the space inside my heart, I now am able to think about something else involving us.“Hey.” Elaine chirped.I then unknowingly rubbed the back of my neck as I fell silent.“Oh, sorry. Did I call at a wrong time?”“What? No, not at all. It’s just…” I pursed my lips. “Anyway, what are you doing right now?”“I just took a bath and was on the bed.”“Oh.” I chuckled. “It’s still about 8 and a half in the evening, yet people are so tired.”Elaine replied my statement with a chuckle. “No doubt about it.”The silence between us ensues. Elaine suddenly thanked me, saying that she is just a random st