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✯Chapter Six✯
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THE AMBER EYES OF FAITH
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CYNTHIA'S POV
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Oh no. This is terrible, really terrible. Arianna's scream just made things worse.

Before anyone realized, I was grappling with this monstrous thing, trying to pry it off John. Surprisingly, it wasn't devouring him.

I reached for my knife and plunged it into its back. It was the weapon each of us had chosen.

"RAAAAAAAAAAA!" Its roar grew even louder, but John managed to wriggle free.

"Great, she's only making it worse," I heard Arianna snort. If she could do anything to help, why hadn't she done it?

"Come on," Jacob urged, seizing my hands. "Cole, shouldn't we get moving?"

Cole seemed as if he believed we were destined to remain here forever.

"It emerged from that wardrobe. I want to see what's inside," Cole pointed to the place it had emerged from.

The beast continued to roar in agony, attempting to dislodge my knife, or rather, my dagger.

"Yeah, we can check that out later, but right now, we need to move. Someone almost got eaten in our team," Jacob nearly yelled, still holding my hands. "Cole, let's go. Now!"

Cole glanced at his brother, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Let's go, everyone," Cole commanded, giving me a brief nod.

"That's his way of saying well done, by the way," Jacob chuckled at his brother.

"What do you mean, well done?" I inquired.

"His nod."

"Oh."

We began to run, hoping to outpace the beast, but...

Oh no!

The beast was chasing us, its footsteps echoing ominously.

"Does Cole know it's coming?" I asked.

"Yeah, he does," Jacob confirmed.

I nodded, confused. Why wasn't he fighting it? For heaven's sake, we were supposed to be fighting it.

We ran and ran, with the creature in pursuit. Then we saw the door we had passed through on our way in. It was wide open, but still seemed so far away. It was always easy to enter, but leaving was always a challenge.

I don't know how, but the beast appeared before us, looking more like a female.

Oh no, there is a female!!!

Then the pursuing beast caught up with us.

We're in big trouble.

"No, no, no, no," I whispered repeatedly, trying to suppress my urge to scream.

This reminds me of what happened on my seventh birthday, May 23rd, 3007.

I and my sister......

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FLASHBACKS
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"Celina, please, can we go to the riverside?" I pleaded with my sister. She's not exactly my twin; she was born three years after me, but I still referred to her as my twin sister.

I loved her, I admired her... who wouldn't? She's beautiful and kind. Everyone loved me because of her; who would like a girl with a face like mine?

"No! You know Mother hates it when we go near the Riverside," Celina said. The Riverside wasn't actually filled with water; it was a secluded, abandoned place that was still very beautiful.

Mother James, the woman who took care of us, hated children but pretended to be kind to show the community her generosity, although she was as malevolent as a monster.

She beat us every day, always finding fault in our work. There were other children there who suffered as much as we did.

One day, she caught us, Celina and me, walking toward the Riverside, and when we got home, we received a severe punishment.

"Mother James hates it when we have fun," I pouted. "Please."

I begged so hard that my strong-hearted sister gave in.

We walked to the Riverside and entered it. Inside, it was stunningly beautiful and remarkably well-maintained, even after being abandoned for almost two centuries. I know it sounds ancient and potentially dangerous, but it was enchanting.

The chairs were old but still beautiful. Ah, it felt like home.

"Celina, do you remember those days when Mother would come home, and we would tell her about our day? She would playfully knock her head when we said something silly... but now," I said, tears welling in my eyes. Silence greeted me.

I turned around, and Celina was nowhere to be found. She had been standing right there; I could feel her presence. That's when I noticed the beast signs everywhere.

Who brought them here? How did they get here?

I ran as fast as I could to tell everyone what had happened, thinking they would believe me and search for Celina. Instead, they gathered to beat me, calling me many names. Nobody stood up for me; I was alone. And it was all my fault; I should have just listened.

"You demon child!" someone yelled and grabbed me by the ear, pulling me.
They dragged me to the town's judge. I recounted the story, but nobody believed me. They all thought I had killed my sister out of jealousy because she had everything I didn't.

The judge exiled me from the land. They provided transportation to wherever I wanted to go. The vehicle took off into the sky (this was another level of technology); we traveled for hours until he dropped me off at a place where people drank.

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FLASHBACK ENDS
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Presently, that's where I live.

I couldn't move from my spot. My ears were filled with accusations of "it's your fault," and I detested that voice.

"I silence you by the blood of Jesus," I prayed. I wasn't a devout believer because I didn't live among people who valued the presence of God.

I'm just recalling everything the pastor preached on Sunday. I gave my life to Jesus that day, but I couldn't even afford a Bible.

“Cynthia, are you okay?” I heard Jacob ask. Cynthia was behind me, patting my back, while Lydia was just crying.

I hated seeing people cry because of me.

I removed my hands from my ears, and the Beast jumped on me, pinning me to the ground. I couldn't move.

I hated this!

I locked eyes with the beast, and that's when it hit me...

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What did she remember? I'll love to know 😉.

I hope Cynthia will be okay. Jacob and Cynthia, does it even make sense😅.
 
Anyways, where did Celina go? Cynthia has been distant from me since she lost Celina and I miss her so much. I am going to find Celina at all cost, who is going on this mission with me?

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~giftedFortune