Chapter 3 Burned

I stopped the car at the police station as Kate told me. She said this is where we can find Red Celestine. Is she a policewoman? Maybe she's a detective. Oh, I don't know!

"Why we're here?"

"This is where we can see Red. She's been caught by the policemen last night, because of harassment. Oh, let us ask the chief." I rolled my eyes upon seeing who she was referring to, the very arrogant policeman. I bet he's already a senior citizen, he's too old for this job.

"Excuse me, Sir. May I know where can we see Miss Red Celestine? I am her cousin, Kate Livingstone."

"Just give me a moment." "Okay, please wait for her here."

"Thank you."

After a while, I saw a very beautiful lady, with an innocent face. Totally different from what I saw last night, since the light was so dim in our house at that time that is why I can't figure out how beautiful she was. And she was the lady who slapped me last night.

"How are you…Red?"

"Who are you? How did you know my name?"

"I am Kate Livingstone. I am the daughter of Stacey Green Livingstone, your Aunt."

"Oh, no! So you are my cousin, the niece of Scarlet Green, the crazy woman?"

"Yes…I mean, she's also your Aunt. She's your mom's sister."

"Yes, I know! But she's crazy, and how could she manage to kill your twin sister and everyone?"

"Yes, she's crazy and evil. That is why we need to stop her."

"But how?"

"Celine can help us." Kate looked at me.

"Me? Why me?"

"As you observed, she doesn't want to go nearer with you, because she's so damned scared to hurt you. Since she can see your father's eye in you. She's still in love with your father Celine. And she doesn't want you to go nearer with me. You are her greatest fear. So, please help us."

"Okay, I get it. So, what's the plan?"

"Wait, let me say something first. I just want to say sorry for what I have done to you last night Celine. You know, that Red key is my life. I am so sorry." she cried and I hugged her.

"You don't have to say sorry, people make mistakes."

"So, you mean, Celine is the reason why you are here in this police station?" Kate asked.

"Yes, but thanks to Celine. If I wasn't being here, maybe Scarlet caught me already."

"So, can we stick to the plan now?" I said, with a smile.

"Okay. So for our plan, Red, allow me to give this key to Celine. She'll keep it for now. Since Scarlet can't hurt her. And you have to go with me. We will find scarlet, maybe she's still in the library and we will give her a fake key." Kate explained.

"What? I won't let that happen! What if Scarlet will hurt her? What will happen to us, especially me? This plan is so insane!" Red said.

"Trust me! She's the only hope that we can have. And we don't have enough time! Remember, tonight is the first-decade celebration of your Grandparents' Death! If Celine has the key until 12 midnight, then Scarlet won't be able to enter the dungeon and pass the royal door of Celestine's Empire just to get and own the first hidden treasure of your family. Since Scarlet failed on her first attempt, she needs to wait for the second-decade celebration of Red Grandparents' Death, which is too impossible for her to wait that long. I know what you feel right now. But, I want you to trust me. Please!" Kate explained very well just to convince Red.

"Okay, fine. Just be careful, Celine. You are not just holding a key or a treasure, but you're holding my whole life. If we fail, I need to face one of the consequences, which is killing one of my sisters. And that's too impossible for me to do; I'll end my life first. So please, be safe, and don't you ever try to give it to her no matter what happens." Red said while crying.

"Okay, I promise," I replied.

"Ahhhhh!" it was Scarlet's voice. She's here!

"We need to go Red! Celine, be careful." Kate said and she hugged me tightly.

"Okay, I will. I have to go now." I said.

We're wearing a cap and facemask. Instead of hiding, I intentionally pass on the side where Scarlet can easily notice me. Then, I drove my car away from that police station. When I reach home, I called Kate to make sure they are safe. I closed the front door, but I didn't lock it. Then, I went upstairs to my room and locked the door. I went nearer to my window and I saw Scarlet, she's wearing a very wet maroon dress. I waited for her to look up to my windowpane, and when she already did, I raised the necklace with the Red key shining so bright while I am staring at the mirror as if I didn't notice her. She keeps on walking back and forth, thinking for any possible idea how she could get this key. I smiled because our plan really works. While she's no longer looking at me, I look for the tarp under my pillow asking Derek to prepare. I smiled when I found it, then I look at Scarlet, she's holding her hair while facing our front door. She made a few stepped forward, then she stepped backward again. I pasted the tarp on my windowpane facing outside. It was a picture of mine while holding the red key. Derek is so damned talented when it comes to graphic designing. When someone can see that tarp, they would end up thinking it is real, though it is not.

I did not waste any time, I ran to the backyard and climb into the treehouse. Yes, you heard it right; we have a treehouse in the backyard. It was built by my father when I was five years old. I used to spend most of my vacation time here in this treehouse. Since I love to paint, I did a lot of canvas in this place. It is a perfect place to do the painting because it is very peaceful and quiet.

I saw some of my paintbrushes and palettes. I remembered I hid two boxes of assorted paints. I looked for it, and when I found it, I spread it all over the place. I took one small can of red paint and place it inside my pocket. Then, I went back inside my room. And when I looked outside the window, I can no longer see Scarlet.

"Where is she?"

I detached the tarp from the windowpane, and then I took the paint inside my pocket and went outside from my room. While going downstairs, I heard her scream, maybe because she saw the clock and it is already 11:37 PM. Glad, I was already downstairs and she didn't notice me while I sneaked forward going back to the backyard. I saw her going upstairs, and she's holding a baseball bat. Maybe that was the baseball bat I used when I hit her in the school. I went to the tree near the treehouse and I hid there for a while. Then, I saw Scarlet went outside and she's now in the backyard. I grab a stone then I throw it to the roof of the treehouse. When she heard that noise, she climbs up the treehouse. Glad I already throw down all the canvas that I made. When she's already inside the treehouse, I spread all over the wooden stairs the red paint I hid inside my pocket. Then, I light up the matches.

"This is for killing your own niece and for ruining our lives." then I threw the lighted matches to the stairs and the fire starts to grow bigger and bigger following the path where I spread the paint.

I watched the treehouse as it burned together with that evil Scarlet Green. Then, I heard her scream in pain, and the treehouse was covered with fire. I grab my canvas and went inside the house. I need to go to school, but I called first Kate.

"Hello, Kate. I already did it. I'm on my way to school. Are you still there?"

"Yes, Celine. We're still here and we already locked the secret passage from the library's comfort room to the dungeon's hallway."

"Really?" I replied.

"Absolutely! As in, it is already locked permanently. And only Red can open this one. Actually, we're heading to the mansion now. Red invites me, I mean us, to her Grandparents' Death anniversary. We will wait for you there, or do you want us to fetch you there in your house?"

"Will you?" I asked.

"Of course! So, see you!" then I ended up the call.

But before I forgot, I called Derek.

"Hello, Derek. Where's mom?"

"Hello, Celine. We're here at Red Celestine's mansion. We are invited together with our mom. We will wait for you, sis." Derek said.

"Okay, I'm coming. See you." I waited for Kate and Red to fetch me up while wearing a smile on my face.

"Beep beep!" "Celine, come hop in!" they're here.

"Let's have fun tonight and forget all of those bad things that happen to us this day, okay?"

"Okay!" Kate and I said in chorus.