“Living Within Shadows”
1. “Ending feels like Beginning”
Sometimes we wander, not to reach somewhere, but to wither along with the breeze.
It was late night when a girl was walking alone on Milan streets in harsh autumn.
Her heart was aching, eyes crying, her soul drained. But still she had to keep going, aimlessly to some place she probably doesn't know about.
Lilah Harrison
Why I have to face all this? *asked herself while holding loud sobs*
She kept walking at the silent road until she noticed something following her.
She halted for a moment, trying to see behind her secretly, and there was a car at some distance.
Lilah Harrison
Not again. *she sighed heavily in frustration*
She kept walking, hurrying her pace and then started running for her life.
And the car also speeded up making her nerves burst out of fear. She stumbled when she saw a red car standing ahead her and a man leaning against it.
More tears fell down her cheeks as her heart felt a sigh of relief. She thought of asking the person for help.
Lilah Harrison
You! *said while running towards him*
but before she could reach him, she felt a sharp pain on her back and heard a sharp voice of gun shot.
Lilah Harrison
Help me *she managed to mumble but unfortunately to herself only*
Saying this, she fell down. More tear drops fell down her cheeks. She has been shot on back by the people of her father's enemies.
She tried to move, tried to mutter the cries of help, but then at last let go the hope of survival.
She lifted her gaze to the person standing calmly at a distance from her. She wanted him to come and help, but he didn't seem to notice or he simply didn't care.
Lilah Harrison
Am I supposed to die without any reason?
Lilah Harrison
Is this my end? *worry filled in her nerves*
She gulped down the pain, as her heart slowed down and breath faltered.
Suddenly, the noise of tyre screeching echoed on the abandoned road, and she heard more gun shots, screams of men.
Lilah wanted to see around her, she was afraid of those men to take her body with them. But she was helpless, couldn't move her limp as pain and fear was making her numb.
At last, she decided to accept her fate. But before losing her senses, she saw a manly silhuotete approaching her. She could only see his figure, but not his features.
Lilah Harrison
I hate you, Mr Harrison. *darkness embraced her*
With this she lost everything, her life, her chance of fighting back bravely rather than running like a coward. But now, it was too late, too late to change anything.
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2. “Second Chance of death”
2. “Second Chance Of Death”
It was early dawn, the sun still not out. The entire sky was coloured in the fade colour of blue.
In the woods of Edinburgh, there was a huge mansion, with ancient sacred and sinful whispers engraved in the carving on walls.
Inside the embrace of shadows, a girl was lying lifelessly on bed.
The light coming from side window was only source of light in the room.
All of sudden, her fingers started moving, slowly but surely her eyelashes flickered. At last she opened her eyes.
Lilah Harrison
Where Am I? *mumbled to herself*
She tried to sit up, but her limbs were so weak to even move.
It was no one else other than Lilah Harrison. The girl who got shot one week before, the girl who met death, but was astonished to find herself still alive.
Lilah Harrison
Am I alive? *asked surprisingly*
Lilah Harrison
Thank you, God. I'm alive, yeahhhh! *she screamed happily, but only tried*
She sits up on bed, trying to see around her, to observe her surrounding she was in.
She walked out of bed, walking around barefooted.
before she could act, she heard the door being open with a chink, as a old lady entered inside.
Stella Parker (Head Maid)
Morning, miss. *greeted politely*
Lilah Harrison
Morning. *replied not before flinching because of her sudden voice*
Stella Parker (Head Maid)
It's good you are finally awake. *said with a light smile*
Lilah Harrison
What is this place? Where am I?
*asked curiously*
Stella Parker (Head Maid)
You should rest some more. I'll send your breakfast to your room. *she said immediately changing the topic*
Lilah Harrison
But what is this place. How long I have been unconscious?
*asked without stopping*
Stella Parker (Head Maid)
Miss, you should rest. I'll be right back.
*said ignoring her*
Lilah Harrison
Wait, I should know what is this place. You can't just ignore me.
*said with worry*
But before she could stop the old lady, she has already locked the door from outside.
Lilah Harrison
Please open it. Please, just let me go. I need to leave.
*said while controlling her tears*
She tried to bang on door, but nothing came from other side.
Lilah tried to think about what exactly happened before she ended up in this place.
Lilah Harrison
Last time, I was shot with gun fire.
*she said remembering it*
Lilah Harrison
But.... wait!
*she tried to check any wound on her back, but there was no pain, only a sharp pain was still running on her side of neck*
She roams her eyes once more around the room and tried to get any hint of her whereabouts, but nothing came.
Lilah Harrison
Am I again kidnapped by one of those people?
*she thought to herself while suppressing her cries*
She tried to bang again on the door, but then someone opened it from the other side.
Zaiden Anderson
Oh, so my brother has been hiding you here.
*spoke in pure amusement*
Lilah took few steps aback, as she was purely taken back by his sudden presence.
Lilah Harrison
I......
*she couldn't form words*
Zaiden Anderson
I what, chérie?
*he spoke taking steps closer to her*
Lilah Harrison
I'm not Chérie. I'm lil-
*before she could complete her sentence, she heard the same old lady's voice from behind*
Stella Parker (Head Maid)
Young master, you are not allowed to go there.
*she came running towards them while saying in worry*
But before, she could reach them, Zaiden immediately closed the door behind him, locking it instantly.
Lilah took more steps back, her eyes bulging out in shock.
Lilah Harrison
Who are you? Why you locked the door?
*she asked in pure horror*
Zaiden Anderson
You don't have to scare, Chérie. I'm Zaiden, Zaiden Anderson. The one who saved you.
*he softened his tone*
Lilah Harrison
But now, I want to go back.
*she whispered not quite believing.*
Zaiden Anderson
To where? I saw those men who were behind you, they must be still trying to find you. Where will you go?
*he spoke looking at her chestnut brown eyes*
Lilah Harrison
I heard there was a gunshot. That day, was someone wounded?
*she asked in worried tone while looking at his black eyes*
Zaiden Anderson
I was wounded while saving you, but now I'm alright. Everything is fine.
*he said this time approaching her to cup her cheeks*
Lilah flinched while taking steps back from him.
Zaiden simply looked at her clenching his jaw tightly, but smiled anyway.
Zaiden Anderson
Currently, my brother has held you as a hostage. But don't worry, I'll save you from him as well, okay?
*he said lowering his head to her level*
Lilah Harrison
Your brother?
*she asked confusedly*
Zaiden Anderson
Yes. But don't trust him, don't let him manipulate you, just don't trust anyone here, Chérie.
*he tried to convince her*
Before she could react on his words or form any words in reply, they heard sharp footsteps approaching that room.
Zaiden Anderson
Now, I have to leave, Chérie. But I'll meet you soon, okay.
*he said not before caressing her head*
Lilah just stared at him with confusion and curiosity. She was confused to trust him or not. She didn't know them, she didn't know anything.
Zaiden Anderson
I'm leaving, bye.
*he immediately pecked lightly on her forehead gently before walking towards the balcony to leave*
He disappeared as he left the room to enter the balcony.
Lilah ran behind him, but saw him jumping down the balcony.
And that same time, the door flew open with a loud thud.
.............................................
3. Prisoner?!
The door opened with a loud sound making Lilah's heart beat fasten with every passing of moment.
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Hello, Ms!
*said the moment she entered in chirping voice*
Lilah didn't say anything just kept staring in confusion.
Yashmin Castro (maid)
I'm Yashmin!
*introduced herself still smiling*
Lilah Harrison
*didn't say anything*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
I'm your personal helper from now on.
*said again trying to build some conversation*
Lilah Harrison
What is this place?
*asked in uninterested voice*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
This is a villa as you can see.
*said while not sure what to say*
Lilah Harrison
No, I can't see, because I'm not allowed to go out.
*said helplessly*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Who told you that! Of course, you are allowed to go out.
*said raising her hands in air dramatically*
Lilah Harrison
Then, can I go?
*spoke with surprise*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Of course, as per your wish, My lady!
*still smiling*
Lilah Harrison
I'm Lilah, Lilah Harrison. You can call me by my name.
*said politely*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to do that.
*apologized immediately*
Lilah Harrison
Why? Who didn't allow you?
*asked confusedly*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Mr Anderson. I'm telling you such a weir.......
*she stopped midway as she realized her mistake*
Lilah kept staring at her confusedly.
Lilah Harrison
Anderson who?
*asked immediately*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Our Boss, but he is such a gentleman by heart.
*immediately corrected herself*
Lilah took a deep breath thinking in head all the possibilities to know anyone whose surname is Anderson, but she could think of any.
Lilah Harrison
Do you know why I'm here? Means who brought her here? Anything you know?
*asked desperately*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
I'm sorry, Ms. But I just got to know your arrival this morning. I was on a holiday for past few weeks, just came back last night. But I heard some maid's whispering that you are Mr Anderson's fiancé.
*said remembering every detail*
Lilah Harrison
What do you mean by fiancé? I don't remember having a fiancé.
*spoke with tired brows and loud voice*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
I also heard them saying that you are his childhood sweetheart kind of something.
*said hesitantly*
Lilah Harrison
I'm no one's sweetheart!
*said with a scoff*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
*stayed silent*
Lilah started walking outside, while Yashmin following her.
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Where are you going, My precious lady!
*asked in panic while following her*
Lilah Harrison
Didn't you just tell me that I can go anywhere as per my wish!
*said with irritation*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
But my lady only with my company!
*she reasoned her earlier words*
Lilah Harrison
Then who's stopping you!
*said ascending down stairs.*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
Please slow down, my Lady!
*trying to match her pace*
Lilah Harrison
Stop calling me that!
*shouted*
As Lilah reached downstairs, she tried to find the main entrance of this place.
But instead of finding it, she saw piano at the corner and ahead that small corner of house, a large corridor was leading her somewhere that she wasn't sure of.
Lilah Harrison
*ran hurriedly*
Lilah was running, now. She wanted to hide from Yashmin's gaze, so she couldn't follow her any longer, but Yashmin's footsteps were still behind her.
Lilah Harrison
I just want to get out of this place.
*she mumbled to herself*
She reached at the end of corridor and new stairs appeared leading down somewhere.
But as she hurried downstairs, she saw a man walking downstairs.
Lilah Harrison
*hurried her pace to catch up with him*
She couldn't see his face, as his back was facing her.
Lilah Harrison
Hello? Mr, wait!
*she shouted from behind*
But he didn't turn, instead he kept walking and atleast dispersed into the darkness.
Yashmin Castro (maid)
My lady! You okay?
*asked while huffing finally catching her*
Lilah Harrison
I just saw a man walking down stairs. Do you know who he was?
*asked in panic*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
He must be our master, young lady.
*said following her gaze*
Lilah Harrison
I need to meet you master, right now.
*said impatiently*
Yashmin Castro (maid)
It's not possible, my lady.
You might not see him, usually he comes back around midnight.
*said while remembering things*
Lilah Harrison
I can wait.
*said almost without a blink*
Lilah was determined to meet the man who brought her here in this unknown villa.
She wanted to know what exactly happened that day and how that man knows her.
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