Death Defying Book: The Devil Watches

Why are my eyelids so heavy?

A slow sigh was released, his head feels foggy, and he felt an urge to turn slightly.

"Ah...so soft, what a great pillow..." The sensation is just so heavenly.

A flowery scent wafted into his nose, calming his mind

This... It is The smell of Frostveil, a fragrant flower which he is quite familiar with.

Slowly, a pair of sleepy blue eyes wer and the moment they were opened, they shot wide like saucers!

A white and smooth chin came into his view, it blocked his view of remaining room and he believed he is being held up by... Someone.

And the wooden room, it is one he is all familiar with!

'I'm home!' A smile subconsciously appeared on his lips due to excitement.

"Sir Writer... Have you now turned into a pervert as well?" A cold feminine voice asked.

Darius tried to speak yet he felt so tired... And could only get a few words out... "Soft... So soft"

Swoosh!

A biting cold assaulted his face, something wet hit his face.

"Big sis no! He just woke up!" Another feminine voice protested, quickly rubbing his face with something like a dry fabric.

'Could it be...?'

"He was spouting some nonsense earlier— like he is some hero on a quest to save the world hmph" The first voice sound annoyed, and he could even hear her harrumphing.

It's Just as he feared— It's Angelina and her older sister, Annabelle.

'Dammit— now how could I explain this...?' He thought as he tried to get into a sitting position, feeling embarrassed.

"Ay I didn't mean—"

Pa!

The coldness hits his face again, "Are you fully awake now or still dreaming again?!" Annabelle asked, and now that his eyes is a little clear, he saw the assailant clearly.

It's Annabelle, Aldwin's sister, just as he thought. With err— a wet towel.

"Sister! He is our guest!" Angelina said, slightly angry.

"Well, Mr. Writer, don't you have some explaining to do?" Says Annabelle, twirling the wet towel menacingly.

Darius showed an innocent and confused face.

Seeing his looks, she pointed at the blood smeared on the ground and glared at him. "Bring something out of your 'Oh, so great tales' to life?" Says Annabelle with obvious sarcasticism.

At the mention of the blood, Darius quickly turned towards the runes, wishing desperately that they are at least... Incoherent.

He heave a sigh of relief, "Well..." He is just about to explain, when a knot tied in his heart the moment he remembered the magic book.

He turn around quickly and couldn't find it, his heart thumped faster when he saw the suspicious glance cast upon him.

"Sister, he just woke up, let him have some rest" Angelina said, gently draping a blanket over his shoulder.

The act of kindness warmth his heart, maybe a little flirty

"I'm sorry..." He said to Annabelle, he turned towards Angelina, "Thank you, you truly are an Angel"

Hearing his words, she turned her face to the side not before Darius caught a glimpse of redness creeping unto her cheeks though.

"I-it is only right that we help" She said.

Darius nodded and smiled gently, someone cleared their throat, interrupting his joyful moment.

"Mr. Writer, what do you have to say about this," Annabelle said, motioning towards the blood smeared wooden floor, "Trying to bring one of the minions of your "Great Book" to life?"

Darius shook his head, "I was trying to make a wooden carving... A present for you two" Says Darius,

Angelina smiled, "You don't have to trouble yourself this much, your stories are enough for me." She said, her tone sincere.

This warmth his heart and he felt pleased, but a certain lady isn't buying any of it. "Then what of the nonsense you spout in your 'so called sleep'?"

"Hmm... Time to find out about all these weird dreams"

"Weird what?" Annabelle asked, her interest seemingly picqued yet she maintained an indifferent face.

"I've been having dreams... Getting killed repeatedly, a book with a pulsating err... Heart or eye—" Annabelle turned pale at the mention of the book, and same goes for Angelina as well.

Darius doesn't mind though, so he kept on going "I really can't tell, it whispers... And called to me in my dreams... It's a hellish nightmare to be honest..." Lamented Darius, "Eh— why are you all so pale? You are sick?"

"W-when did you first had it?" Annabelle took a step back, her fingers trembling.

Darius frowned, "So you weren't listening?" He asked, annoyed.

"Just answer the damn question!"

The corners of his mouth twitched, it's not her fault...

'Maybe she's just in a foul mood, but I probably shouldn't test her patience.'

'I better not anger her then...' A small smile of understanding tug at the corners of his lips.

"What are you smiling about?! You think this is a joke!?"

"Well, it happened the first time I step my foot into your village... The winds seemed to whispher my name" Darius explained, yet she glared at him, seemingly about to lash out at any moment.

"Then, I slept. And the nightmare began— is there anything wrong? You seemed... Troubled." He asked.

Angelina looked towards her Sister, hesitantly, she asked, in a tone that is nearly a whisper. "Sister... Is it that nightmare that plague the peopl—"

"Enough!" Annabelle said turning to her sister, "We need to leave now, don't talk about it." She then threw one last glare at Darius, "Otherwise, you'll make the City boy piss his pants"

"What a morally-correct statement coming from a lady" Darius doesn't feel offended, he smiled, his interest picqued. "What if the City Boy is very interested in this "Nightmare Plagueing people" you've talked about?"

Annabelle seemed to draw in hard bouts of breath, "Keep your nose out of this, the less you know— the better it is for you"

Darius smiled, "What if I refused? What If I insist on learning about it?"

"Then you'll go insane ahead of time! Angelina, let's go" She said, walking out and slamming the door behind her.

"Sorry... Darius" Angelina smiled apologetically, "I have to go now, please, stay safe"

Darius nodded, and watched her leave as well, though she slide the door carefully, as if afraid that the sound might disturb him.

He is left alone, in the the dim-lighted room, an eerie silence descended and the air seemed to grow colder.

"Ha..."

Darius heard a slow groan, akin to a creature waking up from its slumber.

Darius's heart pace shot up immediately, remembering the 'not so pleasant' experience he had recently.

"Gods... Please no"