Toppled

Celinda wasn't sure how long she's been driving, but the ant crawling sensation was eating her alive. Every time she moved her fingers or clenched her fists; she had to bite down on her lips until it bled to keep her eyes focused on the road. As she passed by a quiet area, the heat in her body increased, making her sweat profusely.

Taking a water bottle from the back of the car, she chugged bottle after bottle. Still, it was not enough to quench the fire in her body. She was burning like raging flames from water meeting cooking oil in a pan. Explosion was not the accurate term to describe her suffering. Perhaps even a volcano eruption would be an understatement.

Once the last drip of water had run out, she panted breathlessly as if she had run for the marathon while holding her breath the entire way. She bit her hands when her fingers reached to unbutton her pajamas. The pain made her waken for brief seconds before the awful sensation crept under her skin again.

Like disgusting critters roaming on her skin or flies buzzing into her ears, she desperately looked for anything to cool her body down. Since she had rushed out of her villa, she left her phone on the bed. She couldn't call anyone for help and could only find the quickest outlet possible. Her legs weakened and numbed as she searched around the area.

Luckily, she found a river. Without a second thought, she soaked her body in the freezing water. Instantly, she closed her eyes and carefully calmed her system. She knew it was a short-term treatment, but at least she was in a clearer mindset now.

For her wedding gift, her brother transferred the villa under her name. It was around a ten-minutes' drive from where she was currently located. Once she had sat long enough in cold water, she hugged her soaked body and went back to her car.

Fortunately, she and her brother had a close relationship that he always gave her a spare key to his place. Out of convenience, she chained the key to her car keys in case she loses them. Halfway through the drive, her throat started drying up.

Even if she wanted to call out for help, her brother wouldn't hear her from his room. He was a light sleeper, so his room was sound proof. If she wanted help, she would have to carry her body upstairs and enter his room.

Somehow, she found the strength to get off her car and unlock the door to the villa. Crawling her way upstairs, she started having blurred vision. Before she collapsed, she had made sure she entered a room and plopped herself onto the bed. Her breathing quickened as a pleasant fragrance entered her nostrils, shaking up her tolerance.

She heard a girl's scream, but thought it was her imagination. Knowing her brother, he would probably get a girlfriend when he turns forty. Considering his poker face in front of women, nobody would want to stay with him.

Selina woke up when she heard her door creak opened. Before she could react, she felt something heavy on her legs. She gulped and bravely took a peek at the heavy, moving thing on her legs. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw a girl with wet, long hair in front of her; panting while looking at her through the messy hair.

Before sleeping, Selina and Jason watched a horror movie together. In that movie, the Grudge looked just like the woman on top of her right now! Covering her face, Selina screamed on top of her lungs and barged into Jason's room. Ignoring the sleeping figure on the bed, she pulled his blanket over herself and toppled over him.

Jason woke up when he heard her scream. The moment he wanted to react; she was already on top of him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and head buried in his chest. He sat up and hugged her trembling body in his embrace. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"The Grudge came to haunt me! I knew I shouldn't have watched that movie! She came onto me on my bed! She was soaked and all wet! I'm so scared!! She might drown me!! Wahh!!!" Her hands clenched onto his shoulders and tears soaked his top. He swore she had the most creativity even in her dreams.

"There are no ghosts and haunting spirits in our home. You must be dreaming. Come, I'll walk you to your room and nobody will be there." He comforted with his hands stroking her hair. Though his voice sounded calming, she refused to listen and wrapped her legs around his waist.

Sighing, he listened to her sobs. "She was really there. She was heavy and staring at me with one eye. I'm scared!"

Loosening her legs around his waist, he helped her off the bed and walked her back to her room. She hugged his arm tightly as she hid behind him. Switching on the lights, he saw Celinda shivering on the bed. Her ghastly pale face was drained of all colors. Her pajamas were soaked and body was shivering vigorously.

"Celinda! What's wrong with you?" He rushed to her side and covered her using the blanket. Selina realized it was an actual person and quickly ran to help.

"Call the doctor. I'll help wipe her body and change her into a clean set of clothes." Selina ran into her closet and came out with new clothes. Jason nodded and closed the door from behind. Taking his cellphone, he asked the doctor to come immediately.

Selina wiped Celinda's body with a hot towel and noticed marks on her hands, lips and arms. "Did you do this to yourself?" She asked.

Celinda nodded with no strength left to response with words.

Selina helped her dress into new pajamas and covered her up in bed. Celinda had always been conservative and disliked strangers touching her body. Oddly, Selina's touch provided her support and comfort instead. When Selina got up from the bed to tell Jason that she finished helping her change, she felt a light touch against her hands.

Turning back, she saw Celinda's parted lips as if she wanted to say something. Selina bent down and leaned her ear close enough to listen to what she was saying. "Roger drugged me."

The chilling message was like a ghostly whisper to her ears. Although it was only three words, the emotional despair and pain affected Selina instantly. "Hold on. I'm going to get Jason. We'll be with you, okay? You're safe."

Selina burst out of the room and pulled Jason into the room. Her bloodshot eyes terrified him greatly, making him think something worse has happened to his younger sister. With a rasped, dangerous voice, Selina repeated Celinda's words. "Roger drugged her."