The metal gate stood tall and menacing. Obviously, we were not supposed to be here. But we already were. I shrugged and walked through the gate, observing the dark woods around us. Then I heard someone clearing their throat. I looked back and saw Dimitri standing on the other side of the locked gate, looking unimpressed.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, totally forgetting that he couldn't just walk through like me. I unlocked the gate and pushed it open. "Here you go."

Dimitri gave me a slight nod and said, "Thank you." Another cold unimpressive look. "For remembering me."

I gave him a sheepish smile and said, "I didn't forget you." I don't think I ever could.

We had to leave his car and walk over the hill. Every step made me feel sicker.  I didn't know why, though. It just felt so twisted. Ahead of us was another gate, but this one was no longer working properly. We slipped inside and a stone sign was situated boldly in front.

HEIRLOOM GARDEN CEMETERY

I swallowed and a cold chill ran up my spine. The stone had a few cracks and old vines on it. It was a very old cemetery. I felt dreading climbing into the pit of my stomach. I believed I had a pretty good idea on what I was looking for. The stone sign was clear enough. I couldn't bring myself to step forward.

I looked down at the ground and saw a white line across, marking a territory. Taking a deep breath, I raised my bare foot and stepped over the white line. As soon as I did, my dress changed into a white gown and my black wings became the train of my gown. Dimitri was still standing on the same spot.

"I should have known," he said, stepping over the white line. Nothing happened to him. He was still him. I mean, I was still me but there was a slight change to my attire. We ventured deeper into the cemetery and found many old gravestones. Some had names engraved and some the engravings were gone. In an hour or two, night would be on us.

I heard leaves shuffling behind us and I turned around to find an old man who wore ragged clothes. He looked at Dimitri and what surprised me the most was he averted his gaze directly at me. Could he see me? Dimitri moved in front of me and I crossed my arms. I cleared my throat and forced a smile.

"Um. . .Dimitri? I'm the Guardian Angel here, not you," I reminded him. He glared at me and didn't reply. I knew why, though. I nudged him in the ribs, sending a message that said: move over, you big oaf!

Then the old man started laughing and he murmured something over and over. I looked at Dimitri and asked, "Do you hear what's he saying?" He shook his head. As if the old crazy man heard us, he sang it out.

"Roses are red

Violets are blue

Flowers like Rose

Bloom under the moon 

A stone altar

Was an ancient rune

Late was the night

When she screamed a tune

Roses are red

Violets are blue

A blood promise

An eternity they'll rue"

I didn't know if it was possible, but my entire body froze. His poem. His song—whatever it was—scared me. I couldn't think properly. What did it mean? Did Christian know? I suddenly felt cold as winter. When the old man finished singing, he looked at me and muttered, "Moonflowers, moonflowers. Lovely girl. . .heaven-sent."

Moonflowers?

I opened my hand and a moonflower blossomed just like last time and every time. It couldn't be. . . I closed my hand, crushing the moonflower into ashes. 

Instinctively, my hand reached for Rose's and what shocked me was the coldness in her hand. As if she wasn't already flawlessly pale, she looked paler now. Her gaze was glued to the deranged man. I didn't exactly knew what we were looking for but I sure didn't like the little poem he sang a few moments ago. I squeezed Rose's hand to gain her attention. She blinked and looked at me with a small frown.

I pulled her along so we could walk around the old man, deeper into the cemetery. As we walked, I felt his gaze on us, not on me particularly. But on her. I knew she must have sensed it too. I read all the gravestones, hoping to find something useful.

"Did you hear that?" Rose asked, looking alarmed.

I frowned and shook my head. I didn't hear anything, but I did believe her. For goodness' sake, she was an angel. She was my Guardian Angel. The deeper we got, the colder it became and moonflowers seemed to grow here naturally. Odd. I lifted my foot to step over a large branch, but Rose jerked me back. Her eyes were filled with fear, complete fear. It was as if life had left her.

"Rose, what's wrong?" I asked her softly.

Her eyes were glossy with unshed tears as she shook her head over and over. "I don't—I—I don't feel—"

I held her hand tighter and said, "It's alright. Shall we leave?"

She nodded in a way that reminded me of a scared little girl. She really was innocent. A beautiful combination of mischief and innocence. We walked back, using the same path. We met the old man again and he repeated the poem. I tried my best to remember it. Something told me it was important. 

Once we were out of the cemetery, Rose's white gown turned into her off-shoulder red gown. Her black wings were back. Everything was back to normal, except her. It was like that cursed place had sucked all the life in her. Something happened and I wanted to find out every bit of it.

***

Rose was never the same. Ever since we got back, she seemed to be in some kind of trance. She didn't speak or ask questions. I would trade my anything just to have her be cheerful again. Her being this quiet and down created an odd sense of worry in me. While I was driving, I couldn't help but glance at her every now and then. 

I even got to the part of making baked spinach with mozzarella cheese just for her. I slid it across the counter to her. She looked up and gave me a smile. But it wasn't the smile I was hoping for. Not the smile I wanted to see desperately. How long was this going to last? It has been a week already. 

Then the doorbell rang. I went to the door and opened it. I gave a curt nod to the delivery man. 

"A late delivery. I was on my way home and decided to drop this for you. Sign here and you're good," he said, handing me the paper. I signed it and took the package inside, hoping that it would work.

Please work. Please. . .

I walked into the kitchen and saw Rose playing with her food, her mind faraway. I unwrapped the package and handed her the dark blue box. She frowned, looking up at me with her brown eyes. "What's this?" she asked.

I leaned on the counter and said, "Why don't you find out?"

She opened it and her mouth hung up. I looked at her eyes and saw glimpses of that spark of life. She held up a pair of red ankle strap shoes I bought for her.

A beautiful smile spread over her lips. Then she threw her arms around my neck, whispering: Thank you. I hugged her and realized how much I didn't mind her presence as much as I did before. "Do you like it?" I asked her softly.

I felt her nodding against my shoulder. She pulled away from my hold and said, "It's beautiful!" She tried it on and surprising both of us, I bought the right size by pure luck. She laughed again, spinning in her new shoes. I felt relief, a lot of it. But I still wondered what she heard back at the cemetery. But now was not the time to ask. 

Just to let you know, this is my favorite chapter right now. And. . .SURPRISE!!!!. . .Dimitri's point of view. I didn't plan it, really. It just sorta came to me. As I wrote, I started seeing things from his perspective and not Rose's. Hope you don't mind!

Please don't forget to let me know what you think! Comment! Comment!

Love,

Iris