Some say recurring dreams symbolize incidents of our past experiences. Events that may have had some very troubling and profound impact on our emotional and physical state.While yet others say such dreams may represent incessant and equivocal conflicts currently plaguing the dreamer. But of course, it all depends on the content of the dream.Laying awake for the past 20 minutes while my eyes fixed on the intricate ceiling, I've vaguely concluded that my recurring dream could likely be premonitions of what is stored ahead in my future.It's that recurring dream, sha dowy figures looming ever closer and nearly suffocating me when suddenly another darkened figure emerges and plucks me away. I dimly recall a pair of eyes as blue and vast as the ocean. At the very next junction for some ridiculous reason, my mind construes up an image of Vladimir's eyes.An instant scowl furrows my brows as I shake my head in denial at such a notion. That jerk would frighten me senseless in a dream instea
With tentative steps forward, I turn sideways and find two sets of large refrigerators. Next to it on the right is a long kitchen shelf under which are two sets of dishwashers and then a series of cabinets stopping at two sets of large stoves.On the left of the refrigerators is the door to the kitchen pantry and another door of steel labeled Freezer storage.Talk about opulence! These folks are extremely wealthy?I resurvey my surroundings and instantly a slight scowl knits my brows thinking of the jerk.Jerk is Filthy rich... an emphasis on the word filthy.I trudge towards one of the fridges and tug open the doors while wondering in what dastardly criminal ways he acquired all of this wealth. My eyes scan in amazement at the densely packed interior containing varieties of mouth-watering food and delicacies stored in luxury packaging, containers, and plastic wraps.Expensive edible stuff with unknown ingredients from foreign labelings in Italian, Russian, and German. I couldn't eat
She mouths a silent 'oh' as she places her left palm flat on the island surface. Her eyes flit about in a thinking gesture before settling on me again. "Is that all you prefer to have for breakfast today?""Um...I guess.." I motion with my hand towards one of the fridges. "I can only eat Halal or if that's not available then Kosher, but all the stuff in there is labeled in foreign languages except for the eggs and the tortilla wraps.""Ah" Her lips began to tug in a smile. "So you're Jewish."I shake my head in denial and point to my hijab. "Muslim..."Something akin to concern glints in her eyes before they return to merriment again and she flashes me a lively smile. "Oh, I see. Yes, of course, the headscarf will excuse my ignorance. I wasn't aware that Muslims are allowed to eat Kosher. What was that you said you eat?"Did she not know I'm Muslim the second she saw me?"Halal meat." I reiterate uncomfortably.I hope she doesn't hate me for being a Muslim like the demonic owner of th
I scoff outwardly.I bet he stares at himself a lot in the mirror, I mean how can anyone manage to look that good without putting so much effort into it?I shake my head thinking, there is only so much one can do to an extent with grooming but he was born with very attractive physical aesthetics.I snort. Probably spends half the night grooming himself before heading out on his killing spree.1Doesn't change his interior which is as ugly as the ugliest things that could ever exist! I huff in sudden anger.Rachael and Katie are nothing like him.Tilting my head, I think he's probably possessed by some demonic jinn... that could be the only reason he's such a cruel dastard and takes pleasure in killing people!"Are you alright in there dear?" Mrs...Agnelli queries from the kitchen. "The potatoes are right near the doorway, under the first shelf."I shake my head out of my irksome thoughts."Oh yes I'm fine, I'll be out!" I assure her as my eyes adjust over the sacks of potatoes.I gathe
HAZEL -My lips set into a grim line as the women lead me through the corridors.As soon as we arrive at the foyer stairwells, I spot Grigori in a black suit and a tie standing a few paces away next to Duffield the chauffeur, and Arielle.From a fancy box, Grigori holds out a cigar towards Duffield who examines and briefly sniffs it before handing it back.Arielle is tugging at Duffield's watch from his wrist, her red Shirley temple curls bouncing in the process. When suddenly she bites his hand and he yelps, snatching his hand away.She giggles at his reaction, hopping up and down before her eyes land on me descending the steps. She screams happily. "Princess Jasmiiiiiine!!" And then darts forward, I can only do one thing but smile and hold out my arms towards her. She jumps into my embrace and nearly tugs off my hijab in the process."Quit hollering so much, child," Bev comments as she walks past Grigori. "You'll cause us to go deaf.""Shut up Bev!" snaps the redhead in my arms."Ar
HAZEL -*Tick Tock* *Tick Tock* *Tick Tock*"Come on, come on!" I let out an impatient whisper harshly under my breath. "Any second now..."In complete anticipation, my eyes glued the digital Clock against the wall. I had been sitting there on the very edge of my bed for an hour, awaiting the clock to strike midnight already.Throwing consistent glances at the time in between watching the television. Yet the images playing on the screen did little to nab my attention from the slow minutes elapsing by or from the stuffy envelope clenched in my hands.The very envelope Mr.Mirza had entrusted to me since last I saw him. Many questions needed answering and I couldn't endure another entire night to pass.At midnight it will be the start of the next day, so I fully believe I've kept to my promise of waiting a week and now it needed to be fulfilled. The clock struck midnight and my fingers nimbly tore an opening through the well-sealed envelope.An unpleasant jittery mixture of nervousness
HAZEL - "Miss Rachael left for an important meeting at the corporations two hours ago," Anya exclaims, as she busily flutters the feather duster over objects in the foyers seating lounge area.My shoulders slumped in dismay. I really anticipated seeing her this morning to share with her the devastating news of Mr. Mirza's life-ending illness. I wasn't sure if I could reveal to her about Naheed and her evil implications concerning my brother's safety.Anya pauses dusting and pivots toward me with apparent concern. "Is there something troubling you Miss Kashani? Do you want me to have Miss Rachael phoned?""Oh no it's fine," I decline, shaking my head. "I'll just wait till she gets back, thanks."It was best that I spoke to Rachael face to face instead of breaking the news to her in the midst of what could be some crucial business interaction. I didn't want to cause her distress there."You look very tired!" Anya remarks as she places her hands on her hips and examines me with brows fur
Hazel -His close presence instills a torrent of despair within me. It serves only to immobilize my body.The unwieldy pressure of his cane across my stomach has entrapped my arms from mustering the strength to shove at him.Anyone who could incur this demon's wrath knowing full well what he's capable of would be just as terrified as I am right now.Under the dimmed lights of the kitchen, those frigid eyes glimmer dangerously.The drumming of my heartbeat increases against my rib cage. It's the only noise audible enough for me. I briefly wonder if he hears it.His lips twist in a sordid expression as he studies my face. Albeit there is a space of two or three steps between us, I can't help but feel a twinge of self-consciousness and sudden insecurity.I wanted to hide, bring up my hands and conceal my face from this intense scrutiny. As he continues staring, I perceive fully too well now what the saying X-Ray vision entails. And if looks could kill, I'd be very much dead by now.My mo
Six Years LaterHazel POV:In a vast Santorini sky, the sun's rays beam down upon a joyful occasion. The balmy breeze was laden with the scent of wildflowers. A gentle melody of an orchestra intermingles with sophisticated murmurs of the stylishly garbed guests, seated at tables adorned by sumptuous feasts.It is the wedding day of Serge and Katie.On a raised platform, the well-dressed groom eagerly awaits his bride to walk down the aisle. Next to him stood Bilal and the ever-reserved appearing Grigori and Huxley.As bridesmaids, Rachael, Rebecca, Bev, Arielle, and I, stood on the right of the altar's platform. The five of us, assembled in similarly lavish magenta-hued bridesmaid gowns. Except for the hijab on my head."I had always thought Aunt Katie and uncle Serge would make a great couple." Arielle's remark's fond to the rest of us. "Finally today they are getting married!""It took them long enough!" Bev snorts next to me, shaking her head. "Katie really shįt tested Serge every s
Sheer dread grips my heart in a strangling hold. Gradually, I raise my head from Vladimir's chest. His garments were soaked with my tears.My eyes meet with none other than Ivan Molotov's.He merely emits a sinister cackle, halting his applause. Eyes full of undiluted malice, regard me from across the room.In his gloved hands, he holds a closed syringe. Ever so slowly, he approaches ne arer. From his other hand, he drops a pile of slashed cords that were attached to Vladimir's body. My eyes trace them back toward the hospital machinery, now nonfunctional."Wh-What are you doing?!" Immediately, I vault from my seat. I nearly stumble, my footsteps retreating backward. My voice lets out in fearful disbelief. "Wh-What do you mean?"He sighs, shaking his head in seemingly mock guilt. "I'm afraid I have no choice but to also end you along Vladimir.""What?!" My eyes widen in terror as I look from his face to the syringe gripped in his palm. "Why?! What are you talking about?!""Shhh." He
My heartbeat thundered within my ears while my eyes brimmed with scathing moisture. The air around me continuously grew thin as my lungs burned with each breath I took. My legs refused to falter, I ran through the winding corridors of the hospital along with Rachael and Katie. The hijab on my head nearly slipped off. Yet my mind was only preoccupied with him."Doctor!!!" Rachael cries out as she grabs ahold of a man in a lab coat, strolling out of the Intensive Care Unit. "Please! We can't wait anymore, we demand to see Vladimir!!""Ma'am, neither you nor your sister's blood test is a correct match for your brother. We can not allow you to see him as of yet." The doctor's expression embittered as he shuffles through the papers on his clipboard. "We've discovered he's a rare blood type.""He's lost a great amount of blood!" One other doctor rushes out in front of us. "Whoever else is related to him, must get tested for the transfusion! RHnull type blood is rare and we don't have it in
After such a forbidden deed, would events always unravel in contrition like this? Can guilt be any more bitter than before? Will I ever learn from past mistakes?No, since when did you develop into such a weak mess?My head had been bowed under the clouds of shame drifting around the atmosphere of the jeep ride back. Five minutes had passed since Dimitri Molotov's intrusive phone call, disrupting the forbidden tryst I was involved with Vladimir in the back seat.Awkwardness never felt so constricting before to me as it did now. Yet Vladimir appears unaffected by it as if there is nothing awkward in regard to the physical exchange between us.Instead, his visage indicates a serenity that I don't remember witnessing ever before. As if he's repleted of a satisfied contentment that he lacked previously. It was increasingly evident, that he is very pleased with no regrets.His eyes had intensely remained locked on my face while he helped me get dressed in the back seat. Suffusing my blush
His brows crease in apparent concern as they caught the glimmer of tears swimming within my stare. I wasn't resilient enough to suppress the heartache of the past seven days. It took over me tenfold in his presence.He inches forward. "Hazel, wh-"Suddenly all of the lights switch on, impeding him mid-sentence. The entirety of the kitchen and connected lounge is illuminated."What's going on here?" I recognize none other than Rachael's miffed voice.She stands in her sleeping robes on the stairwell of the kitchen lounge. Confounded, her eyes flit between Vladimir and me.But she's not the only other presence besides the two of us here. My alarmed eyes catch sight of Katie and Bev. The lights had exposed them hiding behind one of the couches in the lounge. Guilt-ridden, they were smiling sheepishly at me.Within those awkward seconds, it dawns on me that this setup was construed by the two of them. With Rachael and I being unaware, they knew all along when Vladimir would be returning h
Dear Hazel Asalaam Alaikum, I hope you are safe and well. I'm writing to inform you that I'm admitted to a private cancer treatment hospital. I've discovered from one of my lawyers, that the wealth I've allocated to you has still not been touched. I had expected you'd find it beneficial once you had turned 19, but you haven't utilized any amount of it. Please no need to remain humble regarding the sustenance that Allah has rendered halal for you.The doctors say I've got an additional month left to live. I find it amusing, that these doctors can utter such words with firm conviction. After all, life and death are in Allah's hands.However, my condition is deteriorating. I'd like to see you and Rachael before I depart this world.Enclosed within this envelope are details and directions to the hospital center. I'm expecting you both soon, and if you choose not to visit me then it's alright, I would understand.Once I've completed reading, my eyes lock with Rachaels. Hers are just as gl
"What is it?!" I shriek in repleted panic. Besides me, Bilal is just as frightened. The overpowering stench of smoke engulfs us quickly as the helicopter malfunctions."There is good news and bad news," Vladimir responds jaw clenched in apparent ire. He pours all of his strength and effort into veering the helicopter off-course away from the villa. "Which do you want to hear first?""This isn't time for such games!" I shriek again as the helicopter continues impairing."Are we crashing?!" Bilal questions with eyes wide as saucers."Not we. The helicopter will crash, that's the bad news. We've been targeted by an enemy RPG." Vladimir replies eyes narrowed in focus as he ascends the helicopter to higher heights. "It seems someone within our circles has tipped the enemy off in regard to our whereabouts.""RPG?!" Bilal gapes horrified. "Enemy?!""What the hell is RPG?!" I snap in ensuing terror."Military weapon!" Bilal promptly answers before desperately asking Vladimir. "What's the good
I awake from a slight jostling, it's dark and I hear the soft continuous humming of some sort of engine. Then I instantly remember that I was on a plane.I groggily shift my body but freeze when I realize someone else lay beside me. The weight of their arm is firmly yet gently draped over my waist and I feel their minty breath shallowly caressing my neck. It seemed like they were asleep.I turn my face in their direction and lift my hand to touch their face in the dark. My fingers splay over chiseled angular features, and my heart hammers in recognition.But before I can shove at him, he murmurs in his sleep. "Hazel... hmm...so pure..."My eyes widen in alarm and I attempt to lift his heavy arm away from my waist, yet this proves as a failure. He draws me closer to his hard chest while murmuring again in his sleep."Hazel... I need you..."My face flushes with heat as my mind processes his sleep talk. I wondered what kind of dream he had about me.I try pulling away from him, yet tha
As soon as the vehicle approaches Bilal's private boarding school, my eyes distend in alarm. "You-How did you know?! Only Rachael knew about Bilal's school!""Don't worry about details, princess. Wait here, remember I've locked the doors and windows, so stay put." He provides lightly and exits the jeep without further word.The vehicle was parked a few blocks away from the school, in a vacant lot. No one would be able to catch a glimpse of me reclining in it since the windows were tainted dark from the exterior. I wait with my hands fiddling the hem of my sleeves as I continue glancing around nervously.Several minutes later, I spot the demon approaching along with my little brother, who is happily licking an ice cream cone. In one hand he's dragging along a small suitcase. My heart swells with so much emotion as I eagerly await Bilal's arrival.As soon as the demon tugs open my door, I fling my arms around Bilal, crushing his boyish frame against me. "Billy!! Oh my God!""Hazel!" Bil