Chereads / Grounded One / Chapter 8 - Chapter 7

Chapter 8 - Chapter 7

We were enjoying the silence when Cerrabus burst through the door with a big smile until her eyes laid upon me. Her eyes narrow, swaying her hips she stroll over to Layton who had, yet to look up. She purred inaudible words into his ear while stroking strong unwavering muscles but he ignored her causing a pout. Cerberus whined continuously which irritated everyoneone, seeing Cleus annoyed expression I couldn't help but snicker. Cerberus glared at me with an infuriated expression before it turned into a smirk walking in my direction.

"You both are really alike....now, that I think about it.

"Layton" I hummed from my seat, his cold eyes look up giving me a curious gaze, "Cerberus seem to need your attention or is it care? I tend to forget" Cleus stifled a chuckle while Layton released a hearty laugh.

"Its a shame when you think people are just attracted to you" Cerberus rolled her eyes walking away.

"Are you trying to say something valuable?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I know why everyone just, absolutely love you" she said in a fake cheerful tone, "I know who, you remind them of" Cerberus turned to me smirking.

"That's enough, Cerberus!" Layton's voice ripped through the air causing us to jump in surprise.

Everyone stayed in silence Cleus looked as though he was reliving his words memory as the coloured drained out of him and a helpless look covered him. Layton was no different, even though his voice had sounded angry, his face hid sadness and an aura of vulnerability I had never seen before. I could tell whatever Cerberus was hinting at, is something sworn to never be spoken again. Cleus suggested we leave and I happily agreed as the silence grew suffocating.

I did not pursue the conversation since I, too had things buried and if they rise surely it'll be more destructive than any evil source. I decided to stay at the park near Lucan's home, I found comfort in the silent atmosphere. Hell wasn't coloured with screams instead it held a torturous silence... it make the voices in your head clear....stronger, they become unbearable. Those voices tell all the things you think but dare not say because kind is how you want to play. Hell is whatever you think, fear and cast aside fully materialize much to you horror because your demise is their desire.

Time passed slowly as demons rushed by on their journey, always late and never 'have' time. I looked on as Lucan passed me sitting on the swing set but it only took him a minute to stop and walk back to me. My eyes quickly averted to the ground as once navy blue shoe appear in sight, it was now devoid of any colour except the occasional blue glow caused by the moonlight. A welcoming hand stretched out and I entangle my own in his, Lucan pulled me into his arms. Eyes pierce my soul as he looked for an answer to unknown question, he didnt speak and instead pulled me towards the house.

"Lucan, what's wrong?" I asked as my feet struggled to keep up with his pace.

"What did Cerberus say to you?" his tone was stern, daring me to lie.

Pulling away I stopped just a few feet from the house, "why asked if you already know the answer?" I narrowed my eyes, "What Cerberus said had no effect on me, I didn't care to know what she was insinuating" his eyes soften approaching me but I immediately held my hand up, "After seeing your reaction I don't know what to think" with this I walked past him and into the house.

He didn't say anything for the remainder of the night and left early next morning, honestly what bothered me isnt Cerberus word; I was puzzled by their reaction. I know whatever it was, most likely pertained to someone loved by the trio. Surely it was someone who made even Cerberus a side topic in their hearts and mind, it was obvious by the way she spoke. Her voice was laced with envy for someone who was only a memory, now. I spent the day alone trying to figure out how my existence had led to here, Cerberus words slowly sank in and I started to wonder, was my existence here just a substitute for someone else? I tried to shake the foolish thoughts from my head but they only occurred more.

"Ash!" Cleus called from inside the house, I turned my eyes from the sky and to the backdoor.

"I'm back here" My voice seemed to reach him since moments later he appear.

"Why do you look sad?" Cleus approached me.

"You won't tell me even if I voice my concerns...why should I say?" my eyes returned to the sky finding comfort I their exposed being.

"You wont know unless you speak" I could hear the smoke in his voice as he sat beside me.

I was always a little curious about simple humans tendencies and one which amazes me, still to this day is friendship. It was an unbreakable bond created through hardship and misery yet it shines brighter than the moon. Cleus was my definition of friendship, he never left his friends roam with the demons inside their heads and told the truth. I voiced my concerns and I saw he was very hesitant about responding. Cleus replicated a fish out of water constantly opening and closing his mouth trying to find the right words.

"Cerberus was hinting at Hailey, Lucan's Ex" his voice was painstakingly sad, "She grew up with them and introduced us. Hailey was adorned by everyone and we all lived happily until the Great Chaos War happen. She was taken by an Archangel who had gained the Devil King's trust" his voice started to break.

"I understand, you don't have to say anymore" I smile giving him a comforting hug.

We stayed there comtemplating how our life has been dealt, this harsh hand. We had no answers as to why we had to withstand the death or lost of a loved one causing us to never be vulnerable again. Not letting people close was a rule we dare not break as the heartbreak of losing someone is too much to bare, twice. We were having a meaningless conversation when my body grew heated as though something was burning right through me. My body emitted an unworldly glow as chians wrap themselves tightly around me, I tried to break free to no avail.

" Ash! Ashlyn!!! what's happening?" Cleus panicked tone was barely heard over my screams of excruciating pain.

"Angels......are..... back" was the only thing I could mutter before falling unconscious.