Chapter 1: Crimson Eyed Man
SERAPHINE MONTE RIEGO
The heat of the sun's rays woke me up one Sunday morning. I sighed and felt as if something partially heavy was lying on my chest. I rubbed the sleepiness off my eyes and saw a ball of fur purring softly on top of me. It was my cat, Charism. She was this sweet Siamese cat I grew up with. I cannot really tell how old she is, but so far, she never fails to make me feel safe every time she is around me. She is both charming and mysterious, and she has a great sense when it comes to meeting humans. It's like she can tell what kind of person you are through your scent.
I caressed her soft white fur. She looked at me with both her crimson and sky-blue eyes. Yes, Charism is one of those rare cats born with two different eye color. I always envied that about her, and all the other cats. They have this amazing set of eyes that pierces to your soul as if they already know things more than you do. Not to mention, they don't even have to wear contact lenses just to make their eyes look crystal awesome.
"Sera, are you ready?"
I looked at my bedroom door and saw my Mom dressed in a black silky flowing dress that compliments her white complexion. Her silver rose pendant shimmered when it caught a bit of the sun's rays creeping into my room through my crimson blinds. Charism jumped off the bed and went elsewhere, as usual. Going away slightly unnoticed must be one of my Charism's specialties.
I turned my attention back to my mom who was now opening my closet, ravaging through my clothes. "I'll be down in a bit, Mom."
She took out a short black sheath dress with white outlines and laid it on my bed, "Wear this at the funeral. "
Flashback's of my 16th birthday suddenly played through my mind. I could even hear the soothing sound of the water fountain and the band music on the background, the laughter, the dancing, everyone was so alive. I looked ahead and saw my grandma dancing at the beat of La Bamba, her long white curls was like a crown to her golden age. Despite being 65 at that time, she was still as strong and energetic as she was a few years back. I could still remember her whisper on my ear as she hugged me softly, "You're no longer a baby, my little angel. Someday you'll be more than what you think you are."
After the long thought, I saw my mom closing the door. I got up and glanced at my cellphone's main screen, November 5th, 2020, 6:36 a.m. Time to get ready, Seraphine.
Everyone at The Lion's Grave wore a silver rose pendant on their chest, a symbol to pay respect to my late grandmother. I on the other hand had to go to our pavilion to check if my supposed to be pendant is there. I fixed my white Hermes scarf wrapped around my finely curled, brunette hair that traces down to my neck.
As I walked the narrow path of what seems to be like a secret garden, I felt a quick breeze of air brush on the back of my head. I looked back and saw nothing but the same stone path I was walking on a few moments ago. I flipped my scarf back to position and decided to move on. I was interrupted at my right turn when a broad figure suddenly appeared right in front of me. His abrupt appearance startled me on my tracks which made me lose my balance. Heck, I was wearing a 3-inch black stiletto. I know, foul choice of shoes. I was prepared to fall and could direly feel the weight of the gravity pulling me down. I don't know how to explain it, but it seems like time froze and in a matter of split seconds he's right behind me. Catching me as I fall. I opened my eyes which was close due to the expectation of my supposed to be sudden fall and what I saw mesmerized me deeply.
They were bright red, shimmering through this man's pupil. Each dying second I stared at his fiery orbits, I felt like I was being drawn nearer, closer, and my mind inevitably turns blank. Suddenly, the man blinked and I felt everything move around me once again.
He helped me up, and I awkwardly fixed my dress and my hair that is now fully exposed due to my scarf sliding down. Then I noticed his eyes, I gasped and pointed at him. "Your eyes."
He looked directly at me, a hint of confusion and a sly grin appeared on his face, "What's with it?"
"It's black!" I almost exclaimed, still surprised. What the hell was that?
He chuckled, "As it should be."
I stuttered, "b-but, it turned red earlier. I mean, what was-"
"Sera!" I heard the familiar voice of my cousin, Claudia. I looked and saw her standing a few steps ahead of us, I figured that she came from our pavilion.
I turned to look back at him and saw that the guy has already backed away, he smiled and whisper before he turned and walked towards the exit gate of the secret garden.
"It was nice meeting you, Sera."
What the hell was that?