Chapter 12

Andrianna stood through the service that was held for Francis. Wearing a black dress with a similar hat. Francis had bought it for her. Without knowing the first time Andrianna would wear it would be at her own funeral.

It was ironic.

Marshal stood beside her, reeking of alcohol and misery clad in a black suit, barely able to stand up.

Andrianna watched the mud being sprayed by the ones close to her, they said beautiful things about her. And because Andrianna's real father was attending so were the reporters.

Her father held Andrianna by her shoulders as she continued to hold Marshal's hand. Andrianna looked up to find Francis against leaning against her tombstone. Smiling.

Her eyes were glazing as she ran her index finger across the letters engraved, brimming with tears. Andrianna saw the deep purple marks on her wrists and neck at being held onto too hard. Too hard by the man with the devil eyes. The man who took her life. Tarnishing every memory Andrianna cherished of Francis.

Francis' face suddenly turned to face Andrianna, almost sensing what Andrianna was thinking.

"Mi Cherie… kabalesro cobala dampe"

It was a language Andrianna had never heard before and yet when Francis spoke the words Andrianna understood what she said.

'It wasn't your fault, mi Cherie'

But, Andrianna did not believe that.

She felt her father lean in and whisper to her, "You may stay with me, Andrianna. Your mother has run off somewhere and I will not be leaving you alone."

Andrianna simply denied the request and asked to be left with Marshal.

In the end, Andrianna's father arranged for both Marshal and Andrianna to be staying in his house. At least, until her mother decided to return.

Andrianna stood huddled in the closet as the guests arrived. She did want to speak to anyone. Humming to a song that Francis sang to her when Andrianna woke up to a nightmare.

"But I can feel the rhythm of your heart and the sweet smell of your hair. What I can no longer feel is the love you once gave…"

It was dark inside the closet when she felt the soft whisper of wind. It was odd because it was a closet, a room without windows. And the eerie gush made Andrianna shiver for she recognized what it was.

They say before an epileptic has fits they feel coming. It's called an Aura. This was Andrianna's aura. The gush of a soft wind. Followed by the menacing laughter.

It echoed throughout the walls of the small closet, coming from every direction and place.

"Andrianna…."

She heard the woman call her name. She did not need to see her to know who it was. She knew it before the walls started making the shrill noises of scratching of nails against the walls.

She knew when she heard her breath hot and heavy at the side of her neck. This was, after all, Rachel's carnal pleasure. To watch Andrianna tremble in fear.

"Andrianna…"

She called again.

This time Andrianna felt a pair of hands on her back.

"Andrianna���" she whispered leaning to her ear before her tongue darted out to lick the shell of Andrianna's ear before she continued, "Let's have some fun"

With that, she felt pain. Where Rachel's fingers fingered before suddenly tore at her clothes, her nails digging into Andrianna's flesh. Like sparks of fire that dug into her back.

The pain nearly had Andrianna's dropping on her knees, as she banged open the door of the closet. Running around the living space screaming, grabbing at her sides.

"Marshal!"

Her footsteps grew louder as her breath became shorter and the pain grew further.

She was bleeding.

"Andrianna! Stop!" Andrianna heard her father's voice. His arms holding her still.

"What are you doing Andrianna"

Concern filled his eyes as he looked down at her hands.

While hers filled with confusion. Because her hands were curled around a knife. The knife was covered in her blood as she clutched at it tightly.

"It was her father... It was her"