Rose


    Monarchy of Thilias, Dunkle Manor, year 2180, 5 years before the end of the World


    The heavy metal door, about three meters high, opened with an old creak, revealing a gloomy alley. A violent gust of wind struck me with a deafening roar, and my arms immediately crossed over my face to protect it. I was left breathless. The wind died down, and I cautiously leaned toward the dark corridor that sent shivers down my spine. So this is where I had to go? I swallowed hard at the thought of disappearing into that place. But I had no choice. At the end of this tunnel lay my ticket to freedom. A life without the chains that kept me trapped in this cursed manor.


    — You’re hesitating? my brother asked.


    — No.


    Felix scrutinized the mixed expressions on my face with that malice that characterized him. Straddling an old wooden chair, he observed me without saying a word. As for me, I preferred not to look at what was behind him. Chains embedded in the walls, scratch marks on the floor, accompanied by bloodstains. My fist clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my flesh. That’s when my brother’s slender fingers gently traced my cheek.


    — Come now… all of that is behind you, isn’t it?


    If this scene had taken place several years ago, I might have believed in his mask of a loving and protective big brother. But the truth was subtly etched in the cracks of his facade. A look that savored the fear coursing through me. His impeccable smiles and manners, which adorned his so-calm demeanor, had deceived many. But not me, not anymore. I pushed his hand away. He seemed briefly surprised, then resumed his usual expression.


    — Once you reach the end of the tunnel, you’ll have to use the compass to guide you to the ferryman.


    I clutched the precious object tightly in my fingers and stored it in my backpack, which I quickly closed. If I lost this tool, escaping would be impossible, and I would be condemned to this prison until death came for me.


    Felix never stopped staring at me with that look I had never been able to decipher. Tonight, I had to trust him to escape. Two voices battled inside me. One screamed not to trust him, and the other told me to accept his help, no matter the cost—freedom had a price I had to be ready to pay. The young man rummaged in the pocket of his black velvet pants and carefully pulled out an ornate box engraved with a red rose.


    — What is that? I asked warily.


    He tilted his head to the side, as if amused by my suspicion.


    — I thought a parting gift to wish my little sister good luck might please her. See it as a farewell present, in case we never see each other again.


    I have no intention of ever seeing you again. Neither you nor the others.


    He extended the hand holding the wooden box.


    — Come on, take it, I insist.


    A bit hesitant, I seized the box with a slow, controlled gesture, never taking my eyes off him. I had learned, from the moment I arrived in this place, that devious tricks were common currency. Hurting each other voluntarily was almost a form of love here. And despite him being the one who had shown me the most respect, Felix was no exception to this rule. After all, he remained one of the heirs of the monsters who had birthed him, and his angelic smile would fool me no longer.


    He watched my reaction, but I didn’t know how to react. The finely engraved rose on the box called to the pads of my fingers, which traced its shape. The intention behind this flower stole a bittersweet smile from me.


    — So you remember…


    My brother suddenly moved so close that I could see the beauty mark on his lower lip.


    — How could I forget my dear little sister’s favorite flower? The person I cherish most in this manor…


    His voice slipped into my ear like a whisper carrying a bitter sweetness, sending a shiver through me that I couldn’t control. His eyes narrowed at the sight of my reaction, and he twirled a lock of my auburn curls around his finger. The cold breath of his empty words was enough to paralyze me. And his lips were now pressed against my left ear, which rang with silent cries for help.


    — It’s certain that I will miss you terribly. You have been such a source of entertainment. I’ve never had so much fun with anyone before.


    Then he slowly pulled away, making sure to observe my gaze, filled with frustration, as he distanced himself. Looking almost ridiculous, Felix was satisfied with the hold he still had over me. A puppet dancing, manipulated by his vile words. That’s all I had ever been in his eyes.


    — None of you will miss me, I replied, staring straight into his eyes. You’ll have to find yourself another toy. It’s over, I’m cutting the strings.


    For a fraction of a second, the mask slipped, and Felix’s expression became blank, devoid of all emotion. His eyes hollowed like deep chasms one never escaped from. Two black holes staring at me. Instinctively, I placed one foot back. This family of monsters had stolen more than five years of my life. Today, I had the chance to escape them, yet I still didn’t know if I would ever truly be free from their macabre grip.


    The young man’s facial features resumed their usual facade. Moments when the mask faded were rare. He quickly focused on what I was holding in my hands.


    — Aren’t you going to open the box? he inquired, more impatient than I was.


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    I wondered what he could have put inside to be so attentive to my reactions. None of this boded well—I had a strong intuition.


    You better not have pulled a twisted trick on me, because this time, I won’t stand idly by.


    Inhale. Exhale. I took a deep breath and unhooked the small metallic latch. My hand stopped once again. My brother placed his white palm over my dark hand, with his usual false delicacy, and invited me to lift the lid. The contents made my stomach turn, my pupils flared with yellow embers, and my body ignited at the sight of the vials. A row of small bottles filled with a thick red liquid danced before my greedy eyes.


    It’s impossible. This can’t be what I think it is? My lips tightened, my gaze sharpened, and I immediately looked up at the one who had just given me this poisoned gift. Anger flushed my cheeks.


    — How did you get this?


    My hands gripped the box so tightly that it cracked.


    — Easy, dear, you might break the vials. It would be a shame if you couldn’t enjoy them…


    "Enjoy"? Was that what it meant to him? As if what I did pleased me. As if I had a choice to go without. His detached tone fueled my frustration. I had to control myself, once again, as always. Inhale, exhale. My breathing grew heavy.


    — Just answer my question, Felix. Where did you get all this blood? Who did you steal it from?


    Even though I was eager for his answer, I feared it would only deepen my resentment. I still had that feeling of being a feeble rabbit before a wolf disguised as a lamb. The latter enjoyed making me wait longer than necessary just to admire the madness creeping over me. With his polished posture, he sighed briefly.


    — And what if I assured you, dear little sister, that this blood is my own, and that I stole it from no one?


    A tremor ran through my body. Was he… telling the truth? I struggled to believe it. Was it possible? No, it had to be another trick. Another manipulation. But what for? What would he gain by giving me his own blood?


    My heart pounded violently in my chest. I clenched my teeth so hard that my jaw tensed.


    — You’re lying.


    My voice was cold, my glare unwavering. Felix let out a small sigh, as if I were exhausting him, then sat back down on his chair with exaggerated elegance. His long legs crossed, and he leaned his elbow on the armrest, resting his cheek against his palm.


    — You wound me, dear sister. After all these years, you still don’t trust me?


    I had never trusted him. And I wasn’t about to start now.


    My mind raced. If he wasn’t lying, then… why? Why would he do this? Why would he offer me something that, by its mere presence, made my throat tighten and my stomach churn with both repulsion and desire?


    I forced myself to breathe steadily. I had to remain composed, no matter what he had planned.


    — What’s your goal, Felix?


    He smiled. That damned, infuriating smile.


    — My goal? I’m just a brother looking after his dear little sister. I want to make sure you won’t collapse on the way. After all, the world outside isn’t as kind as our little home here.


    My nails dug into my palms.


    — "Kind"?


    My tone dripped with venom.


    — Oh, don’t give me that look. You and I both know you’ll need it, whether you like it or not. I’m simply giving you a head start. A small favor, if you will.


    His words were like chains wrapping around my throat, constricting, suffocating. I hated him. I hated how easily he played with me, how effortlessly he reminded me of what I was. Of what they had made me become.


    Felix stood up, brushing nonexistent dust off his coat.


    — You should go. Time is slipping away.


    His voice was calm, almost gentle.


    I swallowed back my emotions and slammed the lid shut, shoving the box into my backpack. Without another glance at him, I turned toward the dark tunnel.


    — Rose.


    I stopped. I didn’t want to. I wanted to walk away without acknowledging him, without hearing whatever twisted thing he had left to say. But I stopped anyway.


    — One last thing, dear sister.


    He was closer now. I felt his presence just behind me, the warmth of his breath ghosting against the back of my neck.


    — Don’t die too quickly.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    I clenched my fists, forcing my legs to move, and stepped into the darkness without another word.


    The cold swallowed me whole