Chapter 4 Guilt

⚠️ Note: This chapter contains dark and haunting moments, but at its heart, this is still a love story — about guilt, healing, and the road toward redemption.

Don Vo Domaill.

A small town, yet it holds so many secrets.

A past that lingers. An uncertain future.

On a fine evening, laughter echoed through Ms. Mary's Jewelry Store — a sound so light and harmonious it seemed to dance among the shimmering gems.

Emily, brimming with life, leaned closer to Selena, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"And then he just left! Without even looking back!"

Selena burst into laughter, shaking her head at the absurdity of Emily's story. But then — Emily turned to her, voice soft and curious, as the night grew chilling.

"What about you? When are you coming?"

Selena frowned, confused. "Coming? Where?" she hesitantly asked.

Emily's expression shifted. The warmth drained from her face, her skin turning gray, peeling, rotting.

Her once bright eyes darkened, sunken into hollow voids.

Her voice — once smooth and cheerful — twisted into something unearthly.

"I want you to come… and join me in the grave."

A scream. A sound so raw and horrific it split through the room.

Selena shot up from her seat, heart hammering, stumbling backward toward the door.

Emily's voice chased after her.

"You can run now, Selena! But you cannot run forever…"

The word forever twisted, stretched, echoed in her ears, growing louder, louder, until she clamped her hands over them, trying to drown out the sound.

Selena woke up — gasping, drenched in sweat.

Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath.

But even as she sat in the dim glow of her bedroom, the image of Emily's distorted face lingered.

Her voice still whispered, crawling beneath Selena's skin.

This wasn't just a nightmare.

It was following her.

Tears burned in her eyes as she clutched her trembling hands together.

"I'm sorry, Emily… I'm so sorry."

She whispered the words like a desperate prayer, hoping — pleading — that Emily would let her go.

At the clinic…

The sharp scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mixing with soft murmurs and the occasional cough from waiting patients.

Behind the reception desk, Emma stood with effortless grace. Her pristine nurse's uniform hugged her figure perfectly, every button fastened just right. Not a single strand of her golden hair was out of place, swept into an elegant twist that made even exhaustion look glamorous.

Her lips curled into a polite smile as she finished a conversation with Selby, her more reserved, muttering counterpart.

"It's no wonder patients adore you," Selby mumbled, adjusting her sleeves.

"That smile could probably cure the flu faster than medicine."

Emma let out a light laugh, brushing off the compliment — but she didn't deny it either.

And then — the clinic doors creaked open.

A gust of cold air swept in as Selena stepped inside.

The mood shifted instantly.

The warmth in the room seemed to dull, the light that Emma effortlessly radiated now dimmed by Selena's presence.

Selena's posture was stiff, shoulders hunched like a weight had been pressing down on her for far too long.

Her face pale and drawn, as if the very life had been drained from her body.

But it was her eyes that unsettled the most — dark-rimmed, haunted, the kind of look that didn't come from simple exhaustion, but from something deeper, something unshakable.

Emma's polite expression faltered for just a moment, her fingers tightening against the desk.

Jealousy slithered through her like a slow burn — not for Selena's state, but for the attention it would bring her.

For the way Dr. Gary would surely drop everything to tend to her.

For the way everyone would look at Selena now — as if she were the most fragile, tragic thing in the world.

Emma hated that.

Selena greeted Selby with a low, tired voice.

"Good morning."

Selby nodded. "Are you sure you're ready to work? After everything you've been through… it's only been a month. Selena, you don't have to force yourself."

Selena's expression was unreadable.

"I just want to keep myself busy… so I don't think about it."

Selby understood and let her in without another word.

But for Selena, work was anything but an escape.

Every time she saw chloroform, it sent her spiraling — back to Emily's hospital bed. The cold sheets. The sterile air. Emily's lifeless eyes.

Emily's eerie whisper, calling her back… pulling her to the grave.

Selena's hands trembled. Her fingers twitched uncontrollably.

Before she even realized it, a bottle of Tamiflu slipped from her grasp — shatter.

Glass and liquid scattered across the floor.

The sound echoed in the room, snapping everyone's attention toward her.

Her body was shaking, her mind trapped in that horrible night.

Then —

"Enough!"

A deep, authoritative voice rang out.

Dr. Gary had stepped in.

"Emma, go monitor the patient. Selby, clean this up. Selena, come with me."

Selena followed him into a small office, her hands still trembling.

Dr. Gary studied her before speaking.

"Selena, you need to take a break."

But Selena shook her head.

"I've been working under you for so long, Doctor. I know what diseases can be cured… and what can't."

Her voice cracked.

"And the one I have now… is beyond repair."

Tears shimmered in her eyes.

"I keep getting nightmares, and they feel real. It's not just in my sleep anymore — it's following me in the daytime too."

Dr. Gary remained calm, his gaze steady.

"Selena, listen to me. Every sickness has a cure. In your case, it's not medicine you need… it's clarity of mind. Take the time you need. Go clear your head. Heal yourself first."

Selena hesitated, then slowly nodded.

Without another word, she left the clinic.

Selena sought Ms. Mary's attention, but Ms. Mary refused to see or speak to her.

Selena didn't blame her.

She knew what she had done was beyond forgiveness.

Lost, with nowhere else to go, she stood lifelessly in front of Ms. Mary's shop.

No options left.

No one to ask for help — lonely, alone, and broken.

As she stood there, her thoughts drifted to Emily. She searched for a sign, for inspiration…

Then, the door creaked open with an eerie, groaning sound.

A little girl — Emily — stepped out, reaching toward Selena with a glass of water.

Yet Selena knew.

It wasn't water.

It was chloroform.

Little Emily's innocent yet haunting voice whispered,

"Let's drink this. I know you like this." 

Selena trembled.

Tears filled her eyes.

Then she ran.

She fled toward the harbor, heart pounding, vision blurred with panic — until she slammed into someone — strong arms catching her, steady as stone. For a brief, gasping moment, she looked up and met his emerald-green eyes, sharp and steady, framed by tousled brown hair. His presence wrapped around her like an anchor, holding her in place as her trembling body collapsed against him.

Aaron.

Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

"Calm down, Selena! You are safe," he reassured her, his voice steady.

Selena murmured,

"I killed Emily…" over and over, her breath shaky, her body trembling.

She clung to him, sobbing — submissive to her emotions for the first time.

Later, Aaron took her for a drink.

They sat together by the metal railing overlooking the sea, the cold steel pressing against Selena's arms as she leaned forward.

Below them, the waves crashed against the shore, filling the silence.

Then, Aaron spoke gently.

"Selena, I know it's hard for you. But do you mind telling me what's going on? You're looking… pretty bad. Tell me."

Selena took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

Finally, she spoke.

"I keep having nightmares about Emily."

Her voice broke as she said her name.

Aaron nodded thoughtfully.

"Then… have you been visiting her grave?" he asked.

Selena's expression shifted to fear.

"No… I'm scared. Ever since the last visit… I never went back."

Aaron extended his hand toward her.

"Come," he said calmly. "I'll take you there."

He smiled — gentle, steady, effortless.

His calm presence made Selena feel comfortable, safe.

She nodded.

For the first time, they walked together to Emily's grave.

Selena hesitated.

Her steps faltered.

Aaron guided her forward, leading her to the tombstone.

The atmosphere was unsettlingly still — no wind, no sun, just a dim, muted hush.

Selena's hands trembled as her gaze landed on the tombstone, where Gordon's necklace lay — a symbol of his love.

Her heartbeat raced. Her legs locked in place, her body urging her to turn back, to flee.

Yet —

Aaron placed his hand over hers.

His touch was firm yet gentle.

Slowly, he guided her trembling fingers to Emily's tombstone, pressing them against the cold stone.

In a soft whisper, he reassured her,

"Don't be afraid. Talk to her."

Selena shuddered at first, but then… she felt it.

His warmth. His presence — anchoring her, grounding her.

For the first time, she closed her eyes.

For the first time, she confessed to Emily. She apologized.

Tears spilled freely as she sobbed, her heart unraveling with every word.

Aaron slowly stepped back, watching over her from a distance.

Yet close enough to be there.

After a long day without proper rest, Selena finally drifted off to sleep.

She lay in her room, the door left slightly ajar.

Aaron lingered for a moment, watching as her breathing steadied.

Only when he was sure she had fallen asleep did he step away.

He walked toward the front door, exhaling softly.

"Finally. Sleep well," he murmured, reaching for the handle.

But just as his fingers brushed the door —

A bloodcurdling scream shattered the silence.

"GO AWAY!"

Selena's voice rang out, raw with terror — as if something was chasing her.

Without thinking, Aaron rushed back to her room.

He found her thrashing in bed, trembling, lost in the nightmare.

Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

"Selena!" His voice was firm yet steady.

"Selena!" He called her name three times.

Finally, she snapped out of it.

Her eyes shot open — wide, unfocused — before the tears came.

She broke down instantly.

And just when they thought it was over…

The nightmare kept coming back.

Whenever she was alone, it always returned.

Aaron watched her, his jaw tightening.

Helpless.

His gaze shifted toward the window, where the moonlight barely touched the glass.

And then, in a low whisper, almost like a prayer —

"Gordon… if you still love her… see her."

With no other option left, Aaron spoke calmly.

"Selena. Let's seek Gordon's help."

Selena's eyes widened at the mention of his name.

She shook her head frantically.

"No, no, no — I can't see him."

Aaron sighed but remained firm.

"I know. But I can't leave you like this either."

His gaze locked onto hers, steady and unshaken.

"Do you want to keep running from this nightmare? Or are you more afraid of facing Gordon?"

Silence.

Selena swallowed hard.

Deep down, she'd had enough.

She was tired of running.

She just wanted to leave.

"But we don't even know where Gordon is," she muttered.

Aaron smiled.

"You think he could survive out there without me?"

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Come on. I'll take you to him tomorrow."

But then — his expression shifted.

His playful smirk vanished.

His eyes darkened, serious now.

"But —" he paused, making sure she understood.

"Keep this a secret."

Selena nodded slowly.

Aaron stepped closer, pulling off his long green coat.

"Use this," he said, draping it over her shoulders.

"No one will recognize you in it."

His coat was warm, heavy, carrying his scent — the scent of the ocean, of the earth, of him.

Selena held onto the fabric tightly.

Tomorrow, everything would change.

Early morning at dawn.

The air was crisp, the sky still dusted with lingering shadows.

Birds chirped softly as the first golden rays of sunlight began to rise over the horizon.

Aaron waited near the harbor, standing beside a single black horse hitched to a small carriage.

The back was tightly packed, making it look like a simple delivery wagon — nothing suspicious, nothing out of place.

Then, in the distance — Selena appeared.

She walked toward him, struggling under the weight of his long green coat, the heavy fabric dragging along the ground as she moved.

Aaron's lips curled into a small, amused smile.

He said nothing — just watched.

Selena, frowning, caught the look on his face.

"Why are you laughing?" she asked, pulling the coat tighter around herself.

Aaron grinned.

"You look like Lancaster."

His voice was light, teasing — his smile bright, effortless.

He reached out and helped her onto the carriage, his hands steady, his movements second nature.

Selena blinked in confusion.

"Why Lancaster?" she murmured, the name unfamiliar on her lips.

Aaron didn't answer.

Instead, with a quiet chuckle, he took his place beside her, flicked the reins, and set the horse into motion.

Just like that, the journey began.

From Don Vo Domaill to Dravenfel.

Aaron's voice was calm as he spoke, his words carried away by the morning breeze.

To be continued…

Next: Chapter 5: Road To Gordon