5 | The Mulvar Chamber

Wars become our shadow, haunting us down,

We can’t run, we can’t escape the bleeding crown.

They hail us to battle and we fought gram by gram,

Unknown that they only want us to go scram.

-G

-==-

"Oh gosh," a voice rang out, tone pitchy. "I can't believe to see you here."

He turned and saw a girl, maybe a junior, a camera on her hand. The blush on her cheeks looked appealing to him. Good thing that in 300 years of his existence, he could control now his hunger for flesh. By instinct, Primes hunt the prey at night in full moon once they were in full form, on their strongest mode. But their way of food cycle brought them trouble as human law sentenced it as murder. Gaining attention wasn't always good but they couldn't help who they were. It was on their 200th year that Algene fell in love with a human and adapt their ways of living. Conscience broke him and changed his perspective and they all made a pact not to harm.

He dismissed the lurking idea of mating and accidentally killing her in the process. Alcohol. He needed alcohol and sleep.

"Can you be my model?" The girl batted her eyes, motioning the camera on her hand. "I really admire you and want to capture your- "

"No, you can't. I'd rather you capture someone else's picture." He turned to leave without awaiting answer from the girl.

He put out his badge and swiped it on the huge door with foreign characters engraved on it. A click echoed and in beat, Augustus went inside the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Before his eyes was a spacious area to where four grand pianos were lined at each corner, its elegance reflecting on the shiny wooden floor.

"Why do kids these days feels so entitled about everything?" He murmured, shaking his head. He wasn't in his best mood and would kill for peace to calm his nerve. Just then, he realized a melody floating, the rhythm so delicate and soft, like a calm river stream. In a snap, the music brought him welcoming sensation, his ears seeking the source. Scanning the chamber, he saw someone playing at the far side of the corner, her posture told him she was lost into her music. As if she and the piano was in their own bubble. Slowly, he walked toward her, letting the rhythm call upon him.

Her fingers tapped the tiles as a deep sound emerged from it, changing the tone to its peak. The once soft river stream of melody turned heavier, like rigged waves of emotions. Then she halted, her fingers hovering over the keys, just when Augustus eagerly wanted her to finish the unknown piece. He looked at her for a moment, trying to remember which of the members of the Mulvar Chamber could play as good as her. Only four had a badge to enter his sanctuary, after all.

"Francesca?" He was astounded to see the stranger again, her doll face painted with sadness, he could tell. "What are you doing here?"

She looked as surprised as him. "I could ask the same question."

Augustus looked around, the vodka still on his right hand. "This is my place."

"You're Augustus, right?" she asked, her eyes focused on him. "Are you like the president of this room? Why can't you just hand me the badge?"

"I didn't know how well you can play the piano." He shrugged, smoothly opening the bottle and gulped down the alcohol. He hissed as the liquid hit his throat, welcoming the burn he felt, a tingling sensation running down his neck.

Chessa shook her head, biting her lip in disbelief.  All she wanted was to keep her mind distracted after receiving a call from her mother, only to know that she was with her young dumb boyfriend and the paparazzis caught them making out.  They would be all over the news tomorrow, she was sure. "As the president of this room," she began, watching him warily. "Why don't you show me how well you could play?"

"I could do that. Except," Augustus muttered as he sat down beside her, making sure there was a good gap between them. "I don't have to prove myself to anyone."

"Or you're not just as good as you thought you are." She was being sassy and she knew it. Chessa had no idea why she was being treated that way by a stranger who didn't even know her. No, she refused to be at the receiving end of the bullying.

Augustus smiled to himself. He chose to just take another gulp of vodka than answering her. "Why aren't you at the party down below?" he asked instead.

Chessa sighed, brushing her hand through her hair. "It's not really my scene."

"And here I thought college students like parties more than anything else. Especially now that summer is supposed to be a vacation from school."

"Well, I got more in my plate to add college hook ups and drunken moments." She glanced at him, noting the calmer expression in his eyes.

"What's on your plate?" Augustus turned to her. She avoided his eyes and just fixed her gaze on the piano keys.

She didn't want to be distracted at how sharp but mesmerizing his eyes were. "I don't know you that well to tell you."

She was careful. It was a first for him.  Whenever he talked to a girl, he usually did not have to ask details since they spilled it all to him. Francesca was different, more mysterious. 

"They say it's easier to tell your frustration to a stranger because they don't know you and won't judge." He could feel in her music the burden she was trying to hide inside. Gazing at her tired eyes, he knew the sudden turn of the deep melody rooted from her inner darkness. Or whatever strong emotion in her mind.

Chessa laughed, feeling her cheeks heated because of his stare. "Well, it's in human nature to judge and betray."

But I wasn't human, he thought to himself. "You’re free styling." He pointed at the piano. "I heard you when I came in and just knew you're playing whatever it is in your head. I never heard that piece before."

Chessa nodded, suddenly amused. "Will that earn me a badge?"

Why did she have to bring up the damn badge? He took another shot of vodka, letting his nerves calmed down. "Maybe."

Chessa turned her eyes away from him. His calm posture seemed to relax her as well. Augustus didn't look like the intimidating guy she met at the registration room. She had no idea why she was so intrigued at him.

He then caressed the piano keys, his silky long fingers touching the tiles with so much grace that she suddenly felt elated. But what gave her goose bumps was how Augustus easily played her piece, copying the melody, learning the flow that instant. He was good. So dang good.

"The piece is called Blue Memories." Chessa said in undertone. "Well... it's about a kid who got feed by lies. A kid raised by her grandmother, her greatest and only support. Then she… left. Gone. And the kid was left alone. She thought life is a fairytale, only to realize it’s nothing but lies and delusions." She balled her fist, denying to herself the pain she felt inside.

Augustus stopped playing when he saw her reaction and felt her breathing getting heavy.  The girl had her own issues and she was using music to heal whatever broken inside her. Instantly, he could relate. He gulped down the alcohol before handing it to her. "For Blue Memories." He then swiftly pulled out a badge from his jeans back pocket and placed it on the piano top. "I'll allow you to be here whenever you want. Keep it for now."

A genuine smile crossed Chessa's lips and carefully took the badge before taking a sip on the vodka. Once the smell hit her nose and the burn reached her throat, she coughed, closing her eyes and instantly regretted drinking it.

Augustus chuckled, shaking his head. He then caught her powdery scent, like a magnolia, his favorite flower. Damn. He suddenly felt the heat pulsating deep in his stomach. He glanced at his bracelet, knowing full well his inner demon had been sealed up and he had no intention letting the beast out. In a snap, he felt light-headed, realizing alcohol was now taking effect. "You smell good."

Chessa raised an eyebrow, watching him. "And now you're drunk. Great."

Augustus closed their gap, invading her personal space, letting his inner desire get the best of him. "Will you play your blue memories again? I wanna hear the end of it," he whispered to her, freezing her in place briefly.

The slur in his tone confirmed he was no longer sober. Chessa pushed him harder than she intended, to create the distance they had, causing him to fall to the cold floor with a heavy thud.

"Oh God," she said, obviously didn't think her action through. "I'm sorry. But why did you have to whisper like that?"

Augustus smirked and curled to the ground, closing his eyes. Finally, sleep was coming. Finally, he could rest his tired body. He was so exhausted.

"Are you sleeping?" Chessa walked toward him, tapping his shoulder.  "You got to be kidding me," she mumbled, rolling her eyes.

She sat across him, thinking the best thing to do. Should she call Minalissa or Matty for help? But she hadn't got the time to get their numbers yet. Looking over at him, the guy looked solemn, his jawline giving emphasis on his manly features. Yet his skin looked soft and silky, like he was easy to break. Before she could muster a plan, Augustus moved and smoothly pulled his hoodie over his head, doing the same thing with his white shirt underneath.

"Hey, no- " Chessa muttered, her heartbeat drummed, not expecting her night would end up that way. "Seriously?!"