Owned? - Chapter 78:Life or death?
•Arius
Everything felt so cold. It was like I was walking through a snowstorm. The cold felt like it was piercing through my body.
I walked through pitch blackness unable to determine where I was, why was I here, I didn’t even know why I was walking. It was as if my body was doing it on its own.
After walking for God knows how long I saw something shine in the distance. It had an orange-yellow glow.
I paused for a second then ran towards it.
As I got closer the view became clearer and as I made out the scene in front of me I slowed down.
There was a fire dancing on the firewood in the darkness, casting it’s orange glow on the old man sitting on the log in front of it.
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Huang-fei?”
He turned his head towards me and smiled.
“We meet at an odd place.”
Well, no doubt about that. The place is very odd… Something suddenly crossed my mind and I sat down on the log across Huang-fei’s and looked at in horror.
“Am I dead?”
He snickered, “What do you think?”
I gave him a weak smile, “I thought that hell was hot.”
I furrowed my brows, “I can’t decide if I should be happy about it or not.”
“Life is a gift child.” He stared at the fire.
“Not really…” I looked at the orange flames dancing in front of me.
“It is.” He glanced at me and I gave him a brief look, “It’s up to you to decide whether you want to make it a beautiful one or terrible one.”
“…” Do I even have the choice? I sighed and looked at the ground which was nothing more than pitch blackness.
“You will always have the choice young master.” I looked at him in surprise when he answered the question I only thought about.
I didn’t say anything in return and looked down again at the ground.
“Where are we?” I asked him.
“Perhaps somewhere between life and death.”
“Why are you here Huang-fei? Don’t tell me your soul got stuck here because you were too worried about me.” I raised my head and looked at him. He wore a rather sad smile.
“I am already dead.” He said soundly, “Where I sit, you can not come.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His words didn’t make any sense, “Aren’t we sitting at the same place?” I stood up to go to him but ended up bumping into something, “What the hell!” My eyes grew wide at the realization.
There was something in front of me . Something I could not see but it wouldn’t let me go any further.
Like an invisible barrier.
“Young master.” Huang-fei called me and I looked down at him, sitting calmly in the same position with a soft smile on his face, “You are not yet dead.”
I stumbled back and sat down on the log, “Can I only come there when I’m dead.” He nodded.
“Do you wish to die?”
“I don’t know…” At the very least, I don’t want you gone. Even though I know you already are.
I stared at the ground again.
After staring at it for a little while I furrowed my brows and stared at the ground more intensely.
A closer look showed that it was actually giving out a reflection.
I saw myself in it.
My face was filled with worry.
With fear.
With concern.
In that reflection was my answer.
I looked at Huang-fei and he gave me a nod.
My surroundings started getting warmer.
I did not choose death.
I had a lot to do with my life.
The dark scenes around us started getting lighter.
“I wish you a happy life young master.” Huang-fei spoke with his fatherly smile as he too started to become lighter. As if he was going to fade away.
“Huang-fei?” I looked at him with sorrowful eyes.
“Yes?”
This was perhaps the first and last time I could tell him this in person but I wanted to.
“I love you.” I smiled as I felt all my emotions swell up.
As everything around me almost faded I saw him close his eyes, “I love you too son.” There was a satisfied smile on his face as he vanished into nothingness.
***
I opened my eyes lazily.
Everything was blurry. I had no idea where I was or where I was supposed to be.
My eyes weren’t adjusting properly but I noticed that there was a lot of steam around me and I felt wet and maybe a bit weighed upon too.
I looked down at my naked skin that was being hugged by another person. Her arms were around me while her head rested on my chest.
My head throbbed but I still tried to makeout the person.
“Azalea…?” My voice was dry but she immediately shot her head up to look at me.
For some reason she was shocked but I couldn’t keep myself to stay awake.
Even though it felt nice that there was someone with me in pain, I ended up falling back asleep.
***
I woke up and found myself in the hospital.
I looked around nervously and sat up.
How did I end up here?
I scratched the side of my head trying to remember stuff but my memory only took me as far as it could manage and the last thing I remember is Caesar coming to save me on the mountain.
I stood up from the bed and began walking out.
It was somewhat hard because I felt a bit sour but its nothing serious. It could be warded off with a little jog.
As I walked the corridor I realized I was no longer in Lorelai.
This was definitely not a small hospital.
I was back in the city.
I made my way to the counter and tapped the surface to get the attention of the nurse.
“Yes?” She raised her head to ask me.
“Can I check out?”
“Has the doctor allowed it?”
I nodded, “Yes.” I lied.
“State your name please.”
“Arius Alucard.”
She began working on the process and I looked around, “How long was I asleep for?”
“Your report says two days.”
My eyes went wide at the news.
“Two days?!”
“Yes.” The nurse smiled and handed me the document, “Have a good day sir. Your bill has already been paid in advance.”
I nodded and left the hospital in a trance.
I shook my head again and again to remember anything but nothing came to mind.
Was I unconscious from the time Caesar came to me?
Wow…
I took the cab to the mansion.
My men and the servants were delighted to see me.
I couldn’t believe that some of them even cried.
But that didn’t bother me.
I was bothered by only one thing.
The way Caesar and Azalea ignored me when I saw them.
I first saw Caesar in the lounge. He gave me a glance and then left the room ignoring my presence.
I called out to him but he didn’t respond.
That was astonishing.
He never does that.
Then I saw Azalea walking in the corridor.
She too glanced at me then turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge my existence.
I stood there bewildered.
What the fuck is happening?!?!