[chapter 26. He who ruined]
[part 1]
Highly suggested: read chapter 17 to understand this chapter in-depth [for a comprehensive understanding of this previously mentioned character]
Warning: mention of blood and gore
Declan's heart raced at the sight of Selena's arrival. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. He took a deep breath to calm the storm of emotions raging within him as he proceeded to greet her at the door.
As he walked towards her, he wondered about the nature of their attraction. Was it a chemical reaction in the brain or something more profound, a cosmic force drawing two souls together?
He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts as foolishness, and focused on the task.
As he reached the door, he put on his best smile and opened it. "Hello, Selena," he said, trying to sound casual. "Welcome to my humble abode."
Selena's eyes sparkled like emeralds, drawing Declan's gaze to her face as he approached the door. She wore a modest black blouse that covered her body, paired with golden earrings that added a touch of elegance to her outfit. Her hair was styled in a sleek bun, accentuating the graceful curve of her neck.
Declan's heart fluttered at the sight of her, and he felt a sudden shyness wash over him. He felt a sense of awe at how effortlessly Selena commanded attention without even revealing any skin or wearing any makeup other than simple lip gloss.
"Hi, Declan," Selena said with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "It's good to see you."
Declan's cheeks turned a shade of pink, and he stuttered a bit as he replied, "I-it's good to see you too, Selena."
As he reached Selena, he greeted her with a warm smile, trying to mask the butterflies in his stomach.
However, he felt she saw through him- like she knew the secrets he kept buried deep in his heart. He wondered if she felt the same pull towards him or if it was all in his head.
Declan was a boy born into privilege, shielded from the harsh realities of the world. He was naive, thinking money and status were the keys to happiness.
But as he stood before Selena, he couldn't help but feel that something was missing, like there was more to life than what others told him.
Samuel leaned against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on Declan, who was practically drooling over Selena. It was as if he could see the hearts popping behind Declan's head, and it irked him to no end.
The thought of Selena getting stolen from him was unbearable. It surprised him. Is this how being brother and sister feel?
Annoyance surged through him, and he rolled his eyes inwardly. He knew he had to do something to break up the tension. "Hey, even I'm present here," he muttered under his breath; but it seemed to go unnoticed.
Frustration crept in as Declan continued to gush over his sister.
Without another word, he brushed past both of them, his steps resounding through the hallway. He quickened his pace, hoping to forget the scene he had just witnessed.
"Why were you not in school for the past four days?" Declan asked, a hint of concern in his voice. Selena sighed; her expression pained. "Just some family issues," she replied, not wanting to elaborate.
Declan's mind started to race. Could it be- she was struggling with the rumors of her being an illegitimate child? He had heard the whispers around campus. But he refused to believe them. Selena was too kind, genuine, and too beautiful to be anything but legitimate in his mind.
He felt his heart clench with anger and sadness at the thought of Selena being bullied or harassed because of something as senseless as her parentage. He would make sure no one treated her poorly or spoke ill of her, no matter what.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked softly, his voice full of sincerity.
Selena looked at him with a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Declan. I appreciate your concern, but it's just some family stuff that I need to sort out on my own," she explained, her tone reassuring.
How kind! She does not even want to burden me, he thought.
Declan nodded, still worried, but he respected her wishes. He would be there for her if she needed him, but he wouldn't push the issue further.
Selena's eyes looked at him with a deeper meaning.
"Samuel," Declan finally realized that the boy was missing. "Ah, he went into the house while we were speaking," she clarified. Declan nodded, not caring about the boy. To be honest- no one cared about Samuel in the group.
As the two of them continued to walk down the hallway, Declan couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness toward Selena. He vowed to be her ally and friend, no matter what she was going through.
Selena's eyes dimmed as she followed Declan. "He has some really shitty friends," she muttered to herself. "Samuel, you poor boy," she added with empathy. She felt bad but it was Samuel's job to make the decisions.
"You said something," Declan turned.
"No."
"Oh ho, young sir," the man exclaimed. "And oh my, what a lovely friend you have." The words dripped with an insidious tone that made Selena's skin crawl.
Declan turned to face the man with a smile, clearly unaware of the significance of his words. "Uncle," he beamed. But Selena knew all too well what they meant.
It was the same kind of honeyed flattery that the man had once used on her before his true nature got revealed. The memory of the past flooded back, and Selena felt a tsunami of rage. Her nails dug crescents into her skin.
"Uncle Carl! I haven't seen you in a while," Declan exclaimed, his face lighting up as he hugged the man. "My boy, your father called me back for some work," Carl responded, patting Declan's back affectionately.
"And the young lady?" he asked, his gaze turning to Selena, who stood still, her expression inscrutable.
"A good friend from Academy," Declan introduced. He turned to Selena, "Uncle Carl works for my dad."
"Hello, Selena. Nice to meet you," Carl said with a warm smile.
When Carl turned his gaze to her and asked about her, Selena felt a prickling sensation run down her spine. She could feel his eyes on her as if he was sizing her up. It made her feel uncomfortable and exposed.
Selena's heart pounded in her chest as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She could feel the weight of the dagger 'strawberry' strapped to her back, and she knew what she was planning to do. Her hand curled around the hilt of the weapon- her fingers closing around the metal.
As Carl continued to talk, Selena's gaze never left him. She could feel the anger boiling within her, fueled by the memories of what he had done to her. She couldn't let him get away with it again.
Selena snapped.
With a swift fluid movement, Selena pulled the dagger from its sheath. The metal glinted in the dim light, and she felt the coolness of it against her skin. She took a step forward, her eyes locked on Carl.
He barely had time to react before she leaped forward, her body launching at him. He stumbled back, caught off guard by her sudden attack. The dagger glinted in the light as she brought it down toward him.
The blade sliced through the air, and Selena felt it connect with his shoulder. She heard a sickening sound, a wet tearing as the blade sank deep into his flesh. Carl let out a cry of pain, and Selena felt a surge of triumph as she watched him fall to the ground.
Her face twisted in a feral snarl, her eyes gleaming with a manic glint, as she continued to plunge the knife into him, over and over again, until all he could hear was the sickening squelching of his blood and not his cries.
Finally, she stopped, panting heavily, and looked down at her handiwork. The man lay motionless on the ground, a pool of blood forming around him.