Chapter 27 - Darkness Ascending

I glanced back at the starry sky which was adorned with the shiny bright stars.

"Are you okay, Syna?"

Lolita's concerned voice was a reminder to me that everything was unexpected and the time was running fast.

With every passing second I was stepping close to my death, it was unclear whether I would die imminently or slowly and painfully with my heart aching and silently screaming. 

"Yes, I'm okay. You should sleep now."

Lolita handed over me the coffee cup an hour ago which still had traces of powder at the base of the mug.

"You should give your mind a little rest. I'm sure we will find out something soon."

She assured me by placing her hand on my shoulder and I simply nodded.

It was useless to worry about everything now and certainly to plan about escaping was the dumbest idea, as I knew that the 'Ghost King' would personally arrive to strangle me to death, if I attempted such a thing.

"Huh,Yes, I will be there in an hour."

Still sitting on the couch, I smiled at Lolita with surety and send her off.

"Wanna be alone for some time."

"Good night."

She would sense how I was feeling thus did not utter any word and strode towards her room, where I was supposed to trail after some time.

"Find a home for your expressions; a beautiful voice, a paint of colours, a few words; a hand holding another's, today is the day you show your true beauty, and let bygones be bygones; remember you are the most loveliest stardust even in a still cave;"

My gaze was stitched to the bright blotches in the sky, which were shining and the very words echoed in my mind, perhaps as a faraway voice was whispering. 

I became determined to try my last chance, maybe it was a useless attempt but I decided upon talking to Mr President about this.

I stood up from the couch and walked towards the room and placed the mug on the table under the lamp. I was about to push my body onto the bed when the door banged loudly.

I jumped in my place with many thoughts popping up in my head. But stood still in fright when the door banged again, this time much louder.

"Who the hell is this moron, late at this hour?"

I strode out of the room and walked towards the lounge of the mediocre apartment, in a defined area which was not so bad. The door banged again but this time with a gentle knock comparatively previous ones.

I was not scared and definitely was not a scared kitten type, I was involved in a fist fight a couple of times and dealing with these kind of matters were a piece of cake.

"This man will wake up all the neighbours in this whole storey."

I whispered to myself completely neglecting the fact that it was only me who could hear the knocking.

As I was about to reach the door a sudden thought hit my mind and I rushed towards the kitchen where half accessories were still unpacked but daily use one's were not, as Lolita just shifted in this fifth avenue. 

I hurriedly slid my eyes along the shelves for something pointed and sharp enough to hurt the next person.

"This…..this is perfect."

I picked up a knife and headed back towards the door where the knocking was not ordered anymore and I became assured that it was some thief, after all who would knock at your door at midnight.

"I think this is the new trick of thieves. Do not worry you idiots, I will spank your butts today!"

I was sure to beat them off as was skilled in taekwondo, which helped me throughout the school and college to beat the butts of bullies.

"Here I go!"

I placed my hand on the brown door handle, sighed and positioned myself for the attack. I counted to the two and opened the damn door, who was already begging by the smashing of those fists.

"Huh? No one?"

The door flung open and I became quizzical upon the sight, no one was there. I stepped out a little to peek outside.

"It's strange no one is here, and not a single bird is in the arcade, then who the hell knocked?"

I slammed the door shut and placed the knife on the shelf.

"Never mind, it must be some stray cat."

Shrugging, I headed towards the room where a cozy bed and satin sheets were waiting for me to hug them.

Little did Syna know that when she opened the door, a shadow laying on the floor like a liquid, crept into the apartment, which further took the shape of her own shadow in order to remain hidden from her eyes.

"So, here she is hiding, Miss Bride."

She left to sleep but the mysterious shadow took a solid form of a man, who was invisible to her eyes but remained rooted there, grinning at her naive actions.