Chương 38: Chapter 37: Blood on The Grass

Late at night, Alice knocked upon Marley's chamber door.

"Come in. It's open." A voice echoed on the other side. Excuse me. Alice coiled her hand around the knob and pushed the chamber door open. The moonlight seeped through the half-open curtains, illuminating the room in its colors. Marley sat up straight at his desk, his hands resting on his lap as if he'd been waiting there for some time.

"Take a seat over here." He gestured to a cushioned stool to his right, likely brought in from outside. He's acting strange. Is something wrong?

"Are we going to practice?" Alice sat down, unconsciously crossing her legs.

"Not yet. I have… questions, if you don't mind." Marley turned his head to her halfway, a dry smile coming up on his lips.

"I feel like you'll ask me either way," Alice said.

"What would you do if it turned out your family has been lying to you from the beginning?" Alice furrowed her brows. Why is he asking about that out of nowhere?

"Go on, take your time and think." Mother and Father would never lie to me. But if they did…

"I would be angry, but… I'd think that there has to be a good reason why they did it."

"You'd think so? Maybe… but it still wouldn't be fair. We're Argent, for the Lady's sake… they could have told me before. I wouldn't have made a fuss about it."

"Told you what? Did something happen?"

"My… my parents were imprisoned on suspicions of blasphemy." Marley clenched his fist. Alice's eyes widened.

"What? Surely there's a mistake. You're nobles."

"There's no mistake. They found a pagan statue in Dad's office. Father Arno told me everything… they're going to be stripped of their title. We… we're no longer nobles. We're worse than commoners. We're heathens now." Marley took a deep breath.

"I can't believe it…"

"What about you? Are they going to take you away too?" Alice gulped.

"I don't think so. I hope not. Father Arno said I wouldn't be persecuted because I'm only a child. But… even if I go free, what happens after? Where would I go? Our lands are gone, our house, our manor, all of Dad's riches were probably confiscated too."

"The Church will help you. Surely."

"Would they really?" Marley pulled open the curtains and looked outside.

"Goddess, I hope they will. Because I don't have any other choice." Alice looked on in silence. I don't know what to say to him. Just… just listen.

"All that talk about joining the military… it sounds a little stupid now, doesn't it?" Marley looked back, tears swelling in the corners of his eyes.

"It doesn't. It's your dream, not your parents'. You do it because you want to, right? Not because of anyone else."

"Not because of anyone else…" Marley looked down for a moment.

"You haven't lost everything. You still have me. You still have Evelyn and Jack. Even Father Arno and Father Orlando." Marley looked up, a faint smile crawling up his lips.

"You're… you're right. Gods, you're right. Evelyn… she'd probably tell me I'm being pathetic right now. I should compose myself."

"Evelyn isn't that mean. She's really kind sometimes."

"I know… I know…" Marley nodded slowly.

"You've been spending a lot of time with her lately, haven't you?"

"I suppose so. She's shown me a lot of things, a lot of pretty things, things I never even bothered to think about before." Marley raised his brows in confusion.

"Pardon? What things?" Oh Goddess. Evelyn warned me not to tell anyone else.

"I'm sorry… I can't say much." Marley sighed.

"Ah, it's like that. Fine, I won't pry."

"Like what?"

"You know, I always wondered what kind of person she would be interested in. There are a few handsome lads in our class, but she doesn't bother with them. And I'm a noble, for Gods' sake—or rather was… and she didn't treat me any different. But maybe I was wrong about her from the start. Maybe it's not a man she'd like. Maybe it's someone like you." Alice felt her heart throb.

"You're saying that she likes me?" No, that can't be right. We've only known each other for a while. Evelyn's nice… but that would be strange, wouldn't it? But… it's not like I'm against the idea. It's just absurd.

"I said maybe. I could be wrong. I'm wrong about a lot of things." Marley shook his head, weakly slamming his fist into the table.

"I thought I had a chance with her, you know. I'm not much, but at least I was a noble. I thought that if I could give her a better life, then she'd consider me. But now I can't even give her that. I don't have anything to give."

"Marley…"

"Whatever happens, promise you'll take care of her. She's stupid, she's brash, she gets into trouble. Make sure she's in good hands. Can you do that for me, at least?" Alice gulped.

"I'll try."

"That's enough for me." Marley crossed his arms.

"Now, are we going to practice or not? I'm getting tired of talking."

"Ri… right. Are you sure you want to practice? We can skip tonight."

"I'm sure. My soul's the only thing going for me right now. I can't afford to be lazy."

"Alright, if you're sure." Alice planted her hand upon Marley's chest, feeling the light throb of his heart.

"Go on." She clicked her tongue, and the world turned white and black. Marley drew in a cold breath. A light shimmered beneath his skin, a tiny sliver coiling about the exit of his soul. Then blue light surged up to his sternum, to his throat, and then into his brain, flooding every inch of his inner tunnels like an oil spill. By the Lady… this is stronger than before. Can he handle this? Marley's eyes shot wide open, glimmering a blinding blue light.

The muscles in his cheeks strained, and veins popped around the corners of his eyes.

"One. Two. Three. Four. Five—" Marley cursed as spirituality spurted out of his eyes. He took a deep sigh and looked away in vain.

"Damn it."

"Try to at least control it. That surge was way stronger than before," Alice said.

"I hear you." Marley clenched his fist. Alice felt his heart throbbing faster and faster, like a hammer striking an anvil. But when she looked at Marley's face, there was hardly any sweat on his brow.

"Calm down for a moment. I can feel your heart pounding."

"I'm calm. It's just a side effect. Again." Marley closed his eyes once more. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"If you insist." Alice frowned, putting a little pressure on Marley's chest. A thick spiritual thread wrapped around Marley's soul, and then blue light surged up his body, taking the straightest path to his eyes. Alice felt Marley's heart pounding against his chest, and the inexplicable throbbing of his soul. It was as if both were seconds away from exploding. When he opened his eyes, a shimmering blue light stretched over his pupils, nearly spilling out.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven—" The bright light sparked and evaporated into the air. Marley groaned in pain and turned away.

"Again… again…"

"Maybe we should stop. Your control is all over the place," Alice said. Marley rubbed the corners of his eyes.

"I can do it. One more time."

"I don't think it'll be safe. There's no need to hurry. Let's do it again tomorrow." Marley took a deep, calming breath and pushed her hand away.

"Damn it… fine… I'm getting tired anyway. Let's stop." Alice let out an inward sigh of relief. Thank the Goddess.

"Be careful. Don't practice without me." She sprang to her feet.

"I know, I know." Marley grunted.

"You're going now?"

"It's getting late," Alice replied. Marley went silent for a few seconds.

"Take care." Alice nodded and headed for the chamber door.

"Night, Marley. Good night." Marley's voice called out for her.

"Th… thanks for helping me out, even if I'm such a slow learner." Alice stopped in her tracks but didn't look back.

"You'll be fine. Just keep practicing."

"I hope I will be," Marley replied.

"See you tomorrow." Alice stepped outside, gently closing the door behind her. Gods… that was intense. Alice resisted the urge to slump against the door. Let's just hope he keeps his word. Any more than this… maybe something would happen. A dark chill ran down her spine, but she quickly tossed away the thought. That won't happen. He knows better than to push himself. Alice walked down the hallway and returned to the safety and solace of her room.

She locked her chamber door and hung her coat on the hanger by the wall. She peeked through her blinds out of habit and spotted the five boys from before still sitting beneath the old oak tree. Their faces were a little blurred from here; she could hardly tell they were the same folk. They're still there? I don't blame them. It's a nice place. I wonder what it looks like at night. I just hope they don't take that place for themselves. Alice shut her blinds and quickly crawled beneath the covers of her bed.

She looked up at the ceiling as an unnatural tiredness swept over her body. Marley's no longer a noble. Marley likes Evelyn, and he thinks that Evelyn likes me… Gods, it's all so complicated. I just want to enjoy my life here. She closed her eyes and fell into the lulling land of slumber. Seconds, and then eventually minutes, went by. She slumbered peacefully, dreaming of nothing but a hearty meal and the good warmth of her bed.

But then, a bone-chilling wave of spirituality pulsated through her body, shaking her very core. Her eyes shot open and the hairs on her skin stood up. It felt like nothing she'd ever felt before. What… is that Marley? I told him not to— Her face twisted as she felt a thousand tiny invisible needles scrape along her body. Another wave hit her, bouncing off her awakened soul. Is this… really Marley? Oh Goddess…

She sprang out of bed and snatched the scissors from the table, sending the door slamming against the wall as she dashed into the corridor. What's happening to him? It wasn't like this before. No, no. A third, weaker spiritual wave hit her, sending a light cold down her spine. Her heart sank when she saw Marley's chamber door half open. She gripped the scissors tight and barged right inside.

"Marley!" she yelled, her eyes darting about the dimly lit room. Silence came as a reply; Marley was nowhere to be found. He went out?! Why?! She walked closer to the bed and felt her heart sink to her stomach. A bright splotch of blood stained the white sheets a deep red. That's a lot of blood… has he really… Suddenly, an eerie realization crept into her mind. She grabbed onto the windowsill and looked out into the moonlit garden below.

The five boys were still sitting underneath the oak tree, laughing, talking, teasing, whatever boys did late at night. Is he going… going to them? Orlando's lessons echoed in her mind.

"Those that fall shall either seek their closest aides, or those they hate." She pushed the windows open and bellowed out as loud as she could.

"Hey! You down there! Get out of there!" I'm wrong. I have to be wrong. But… I need to be sure. The boys hardly reacted. It was as if her voice was falling on deaf ears. Can they not hear me?

"You bastards! Do you hear me?!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. The lads hardly looked her way. In fact, it almost seemed like they couldn't see her, couldn't hear her.

"Damn it all." Alice gritted her teeth and sprinted back down the corridor. She had hoped to run into one of the ghouls or acolytes, but there were none. Marley, you dumb fat idiot. Where are you? Please just show up… please. She leaped down the stairs, her knees buckling as she landed. With a breath, she took a steep turn down another lengthy hallway. A fourth spiritual pulse reverberated deeper into the corridor, bouncing from wall to wall till it phased through her body. It all but confirmed her suspicions.

He's really going there. Goddess… what am I supposed to do? He's really… She ran as fast as she could when the garden arches finally came into view. Three boys emerged from the arches, and one of them screamed out loud.

"Run!" They sprinted right past her, faces paler than the dead. Alice looked back at their shrinking figures, but she shook her head and sped into the moonlit gardens. It can't be happening. It can't be happening. Not like this. The pungent stench of blood hit her like a train, and then came the grotesque sounds of crunching bones and flesh being torn apart. Her eyes fell on a shadowy thing hunched over in the shade of the tall oak tree, its back facing toward her.

Its arms swept downward, gripping and tearing into flesh, and inhuman noises croaked from its mouth, like it was munching on bones. Alice stepped closer, her eyes adapting to the dark. The creature wore Marley's red coat, and it mounted one of the children. The body beneath it twitched every time his hand sundered down. Blood swept across the blades of grass and spilled onto the cold stone pavement. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to gag. Oh Goddess… Goddess… I… I need to get out of here.

Alice's heart pounded against her chest as she took one step back. But then, a groan of agony rang from the darkness to her right. A boy crawled out of the bushes, with blood gushing out of his throat. He gagged and moaned, forming guttural sounds of pain. The creature twisted its head, its bloodshot eyes shimmering in the darkness.

"Ma... Marley…" Alice took another step back.

"It's me… you… you recognize me… right?" The thing went down to all fours and left the shade of the oak tree. The moonlight spilled over its inhuman visage, drenched in a layer of blood. Its mouth hung impossibly low, jaws so far extended they seemed broken. It looked back at Alice with a cold and unchanging expression. But beneath it all, it was still Marley's face. Alice took another step back, thinking that the tiny scissors were nowhere near enough.

"Ma… Marley?" The thing's jaws dropped even further. Its eyes rolled into its skull, and a low, spine-chilling croak came from the depths of its throat. That's not Marley. Alice dashed toward the garden arches, leaving the dying boy in the dust. She looked back and saw the thing scampering across the ground like a wild animal, closing the gap within seconds. No! Alice turned around just as the thing pounced and shoved her down.

She screamed as her back struck the ground with a loud thud, and its long bony hands dug into her chest. Its gaping maw hovered above her, spattering black blood and saliva all over her face. Get off me! Alice drove the scissors into the thing's neck, letting a shower of blood rain down on her. It snarled and grabbed her throat, its long bony fingers digging into her flesh. Alice screamed and plunged the scissors through its flesh again and again, feeling the thing's grip grow tighter with every passing second.

Why… why is it… killing me slowly… Alice's vision darkened and her mind began to slip, but then the thing's hold suddenly loosened. The light in its eyes dimmed, and with a pained moan it went limp and fell on top of her. She crawled out from underneath, rising to her feet with what little strength she had left. She screamed in agony, feeling a sharp jolt of pain in her chest every time she breathed in.

The air smelled like blood, and she could taste the bitter crimson deep in her throat, rising and falling with every heave.

"He… help… someone… help…" Alice shambled toward the garden arches. But then, the sounds of cracking bones echoed behind her. She looked back with widened eyes. The thing rose on all fours, and its blood had run dry, sealing the gaping wound on its throat. It shuffled toward her with a limp, letting out that same blood-chilling croak. How is it still… Alice threw away her scissors and grabbed a small rock from the bushes. She took a deep breath as the thing sped into an animalistic scamper.

And then, she hurled the rock with all her strength, hitting it right in the head. It fell back on the pavement, its arms and legs thrashing around like a fish out of water. It's regenerating… I need to… to kill it… now… kill it… Alice lifted a large piece of stone from the grasses and hobbled over to the poor squirming thing. It turned its head slightly to the side, looking up at her with tears and blood running down its eyes. Alice smashed the stone into its head with a brutal squelch.

Brain matter splattered all over her face as the thing let out gurgling noises half-clotted by blood running down its throat. When its arms crept toward her, she raised the stone and dropped it on its head. She walloped it with the stone again and again, turning its head into a lump of pulverized meat and bone. She didn't know when, but eventually it stopped moving and fell silent. She froze when she heard footsteps approaching from behind her.

She looked back and saw Father Arno and Father Orlando standing before her, as pale as ghosts.

"Fa… Fathers…" Alice let go of the piece of stone, dropping it on Marley's head for one last time.

"Alice!" Father Arno grabbed her by the waist and pulled her away.

"Ma… Marley… he's… he's…" Alice coughed out blood. Father Arno carried Alice into his arms.

"It's going to be alright. It's going to be alright." He turned to the stunned Orlando.

"Brother! Get the acolytes! Have them seal the chamber wing!"

"What about…" Father Orlando grimaced.

"Have the ghouls take his corpse to the cistern," Father Arno said.

"Fa… Father…" Alice murmured as she felt her eyes grow heavier and heavier with every passing second.

"By the Lady. It's not your time yet." Father Arno gritted his teeth and sprinted out of the garden. Ma… Marley… I… I killed him.