Chapter 54 Say Goodnight
I felt my knees crumbled, surrendering at last when I realized I was finally safe and sound.
Constantine stands still in front of me like a shield I never I knew I needed. I jumped out of the boat and hid behind him.
The creatures are growling at each other, as if fighting for territory.
"I knew this was going to happen, you stubborn little girl." I heard him hissed under his breath.
"I'm sorry... Ingrid set the fire..." I looked behind, but to my surprise, the lighthouse seemed new... no trace of burns and ruins.
"H-How is it possible?" I muttered, eyes widened.
"That is why I told you to never leave..."
Guillaume growled and floated above mid-air, the old man's face is disappearing, slowly transforming into his true hideous and grotesque appearance— his long hair, older than time, his Greek shaped nose, the loathing in his red eyes, his white translucent skin and how it seemed to be squelching and melting.
"You have the island... the manor. I only need the girl, Constantine." he scowled.
Constantine tilted his head. "Lila awaits for you in front of the manor. Run. Do not go back. Do not wait for me anymore." he whispered.
My throat swollen up as I searched for words to say. All of the sudden, I felt too burdened to even speak up. My thoughts are racing in my head faster than my mouth.
"No! I won't leave you!" I consistently shook my head, feeling the lump in my throat.
"You must, Gertrude. All your life in this manor, you are hurt and broken. But if you leave, you can be free... happy."
"Not without you!" I grabbed his arm, clinging to his presence. My eyes are twinkling as the little tears clouding my sight.
"Find your true family. Live your own life in the town. Lila will help you." he clasped his hands onto mine, eyes not leaving on mine.
"No, you don't understand— you're the only one I've got... my only family."
"Go, before Ingrid catches you..." his words were final.
He looked deeply into my eyes, as if reading my mind.
I was about to run back into his arms when I felt a strong force, encircling around me. I couldn't move an inch. I couldn't think.
"Constantine!!!" I shrieked, losing breath, choking.
I could feel my feet floating above the ground, taking me like nothing. But it was not Guillaume who's controlling me... it was Constantine. Slowly and slowly taking me far, farther from him. Creating a cold distance between us.
"I am sorry I did not keep my promise. I did not take you out of town... nor the movie house. I did not make you like my kind. You do not deserve hell."
My mind shattered with his farewell, chest throbbing harder it could break my ribs. His force sent me to the farthest corner of the island. I fought in the air like a weakling but got nowhere. My body collapsed over the shoreline, hitting the bed of sand and shells.
I looked around the island and find Lila but instead saw the bright color of the lighthouse instead. I didn't realize I was near. It looked... new. It wasn't even burnt. But I knew it did. I saw it and it was real. Now, it's just painted red and standing still. As if nothing happened.
I scanned my eyes around, through the direction of him... but to my surprise, it was empty. The whole place. There was no trace of Constantine.
"Constantine! Please!" I need you... He knew I do but he just sent me off away... I did not even say goodbye...
I let my feet take control to wherever it wants to take me. I don't know what am I supposed to do now that he is gone.
My breath hitches, digesting my reality. "Constantine... where are you..." I muttered, even the thought of calling his name calms me. But the fact that he might never ever show up destroys me.
I sat down the big rock, as my head started spinning. There are distorted voices... but these are not the present. I think it was my memories. I could hear the laughter of the old students... their skipping footsteps down the staircase... the clanging of tea cups... the cooling sounds of the night sea waves... Obsidian's caw... and the one that feels real the most... it was Constantine's creaking door.
This is a dream...
This is not real...
"Come in," I heard him say, his voice echoing.
I followed like a good girl and found his bed on the center of his big antique room. It looked very similar to his bedroom. I found myself sleeping on soft cushion, snuggling his arm.
I don't understand any of this but I know I don't wanna wake up, if this is a dream at all. I hope it could just stay like this. Just the two of us, together and safe.
I called his name but no sound came out of my mouth. I needed to let him hear me to rescue me.
But all I heard is him saying, "Good night." A gentle one.
After that was a total darkness... It felt so strange that it seemed to me that would be the last time I would hear his voice.