Page 71 of The House of Whispers

Jakkal’s voice seeped through my brain.Remember when the two of you were dancing earlier tonight?The memory of Chesmu and myself dancing in the center of the ballroom flashed into my brain, distorting itself and I watched as my hand removed his necklace while we danced, dropping it to the floor as he remained fixated on me. I had purposely pulled it from his neck while he was focused on me.You planned this—quite impressive.

No, no, no!

“Casper.” My hands gripped my head as a high-pitched ringing stung my ears, forcing me to my knees as I groaned in pain. Chesmu hurried to my side, reaching for me, unsure of what to do but desperately trying to console my mysterious pain.

“It’s no use, little ghost.” My bloodshot eyes moved to Jakkal, now standing directly in front of us. He bent down as Chesmu’s eyes remained fixated on me. “Until you make your final choice,” his finger tapped the underside of my chin, “your mind will continue to unravel, leaving you crippled in absolute madness.”

“Why,” I whispered through a cry. Chesmu stopped, looking at me confused as my focus stayed on Jakkal. “Why must I choose?”

“Casper? Who are you talking to?” My head snapped to him, my eyes filled with horror as he stared back at me with concerned eyes.

“W-what do you mean?” My throat burned with overwhelming emotions.

Chesmu pulled me close, hugging me as he kissed my forehead. I broke down, sobbing into his chest while he tried to soothe me. “It’s okay, it’s going to be okay.”

No, it's not.I screamed, trying to drown out Jakkal’s overlapping voice as it whispered in my head.

Chesmu tightened his hold on me, tears falling from his eyes onto my face as he tried to help me. “It’s not too late; we can still leave.” My heart raced, wishing the choice was that simple. “We can leave this behind us, all of it. We can escape this nightmaretogether.”

Jakkal’s voice continued, wrapping around my brain as something snapped within me.

“I just want to be free.” My crying stopped as Chesmu’s arms fell from my body. I leaned away, glancing down as he stared at me, his eyes bulging. My eyes blinked, glowing brightly as they stared into his. “The only way to be free,” I whispered, pulling the blade from deep within his heart, blood falling from his chest, “is to embrace my true self.”

Chesmu’s body slumped to the floor, his blood pooling around him as I stood, silently handing the knife to Jakkal. Chesmu gasped, his eyes remaining on me as Jakkal bent down and sliced his throat. All feelings I had for Chesmu disappeared with his life, as he whispered his final words.

“I loved you.”

Madame Chepi’s Samhain masquerade ball had grown into absolute chaos as a raging storm brewed outside, causing the brothel to tremble as thunder roared outside. Nathair had left in search of Chesmu while I fluttered through the masked crowd hoping to spot Casper. I had no luck in the ballroom. The guests had become reckless, drugs and drinks amplifying the ecstasy that hung heavily in the air. I didn’t feel safe alone in the large crowd.

I forced my way through the tight crowd, shoving away handsy, masked men who tried to pull me aside, fluttering my wings as I burst from the ballroom into the parlor. The air reeked of smoke, fogging my vision as I coughed on the lingering smell mixed with touches of fairy dust. The room was filled with people, laughing and enjoying each other’s company as they drank, consuming numerous drugs as they socialized while draped across the furniture. This entire night had run out of hand.

The candles of the room flickered as a gust of cold wind forced the front doors of the brothel open with the storm raging outside. The room fell quiet as everyone turned, gasping at the sudden commotion. A few drunk men stumbled to the front doors, laughing as they closed them, the room returning to its previous mischief.

Nathair rushed from the back hall. “My love,” he glanced around, “how are the doors open? What happened?”

“It must’ve been the storm outside. The wind must be growing, somehow breaking the doors open.” A deep sigh left my lips as I looked up at Nathair.

“Things really seem to have escalated around here.”

I nodded. “I can’t find Casper.” Everything we had planned had gone wrong. “Did you at least find Chesmu?” Nathair shook his head. Everything was wrong. Chesmu was missing, Casper wasn’t well, and who knows what happened to Madame Chepi. A killer was running free, drowning The House of Whispers in evil, leaving no trace of good behind. “Nathair,” my eyes stared into his, admiring the vibrant green hue of his irises, “prepare a carriage. I think you’re right. It’s time we leave.”

Nathair’s arms looped around my waist. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, leaning into him as he embraced me, resting his head atop mine. “This house is no longer safe. It’s time we left and created our own life. Tonight, we rid ourselves of this nightmare.”

Nathair softly kissed my forehead as one of the house Whisps suddenly appeared at my side, her pastel wings fluttering while she gently tapped my shoulder. She looked as though she’d seen a ghost, her dark face drained of color beneath the venetian butterfly mask that concealed her face. “Min?” Her voice wavered as she whispered my name.

“Yes?” I pulled away from Nathair and faced the Whisp. Her pale pink eyes sparkled as they bolted from myself to Nathair and back to me. She was holding something small in her hands, fidgeting with it as she hesitated for a moment. “Can I help you?” The Whisp bit her lip as she grabbed my hand, sliding a folded piece of paper across my palm. “What is this?” I asked, directing my gaze to the new object within my grasp, confused by the whole interaction.

“I-it’s from Casper.” Her voice wavered as she swallowed before quickly fluttering away in haste.

Nathair placed a hand on my lower back, leaning close with curiosity. “What is it, my love?” He questioned as I opened my palm, noting a small drop of blood in the corner of the folded piece of paper. My fingers uncurled the paper as my eyes scanned the messy handwritten note, reading what was inked along the page.

“Here,” I refolded Casper’s note, placing it into Nathair’s scale covered hand, “I need to speak with Casper. Fetch the carriage. I’ll be down soon.” I kissed Nathair’s cheek, grabbing a fistful of my dress as my wings buzzed.

“Min?” He called after me as I hovered from his side to the mainstairs. I forced myself to continue as my wings fluttered carrying me up toward the top floor of the brothel, the shadow of fear and anxiety growing with each second as I forced myself to keep moving.

Just make it quick, Min.

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