Ghosts of the Grave 15

Ghosts of the Grave
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Vlalan stared at himself in the mirror. He was sitting in the bathtub letting the water wash over him, his hair pulled back smoothly so his forehead and face were clear. Clearly in the mirror he could see his dark brown eyes, his right eye’s pupil wasn’t black but gray like always. Vlalan studied the shade carefully, noticing small specs of light coming from deep within.

He groaned looking down, “Just what the heck am I?”

“Hello?” Ikawi called as he let himself in the front door.

Elle blinked, staring at the blond. “Ikawi… I thought…”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ikawi waved his arms, then smirked. “I guess I can’t die that easily, huh?”

“What do you want?”

“Nothing,” he shrugged, “Just wondering where Vlalan is?”

“Why?”

“His mommy dearest told me to bring him a message.”

“Tell her to drop the act and leave me alone,” Vlalan said as he came into the kitchen wearing jeans and a loosely zipped hoodie. His body was still wet so his hair and clothes stuck to his skin.

Ikawi shrugged, “She’s your mom, man. Can’t you be a little kinder to her?”

“Maybe if she hadn’t abandoned me.” Vlalan said dully, walking to get a glass of water.

“Now now,” Ikawi glared. “You don’t want to come off sounding like some sour little kid do you?”

Vlalan took a drink of water, then leaned on the counter as he turned to the blond. “Just what’s this message?”

Ikawi pulled a paper out of his pocket, reading it aloud. “Vlalan Star: Light star of Heaven comes now to claim her children.”

Vlalan’s eyes thinned. Elle looked between the two, then to Vlalan, “Light star of Heaven? What’s that?”

“It’s a phrase,” Vlalan answered. “It refers to the angels who were cast out of heaven.”

“What’s that have to do with you?”

Vlalan slammed the glass down, then left the kitchen without a word.

Elle stared after him. Ikawi snickered. “Man his mood hasn’t improved much has it?” Elle glared to him. “What? It hasn’t. He’s still telling you squat and keeping everything to himself, isn’t he?”

“I think it’s about his eye,” Elle answered, looking back to the door Vlalan left through. “His mom said a shard of Memento’s in it, and she asked the gods to give him the power to see the auras…”

“Sounds to me like he isn’t human.” Ikawi laughed, walking over to Elle. “So, how’ve you been since the whole murdering fiasco?”

“Better than you’ll be if you keep annoying me,” Elle glared to him.

Ikawi patted Elle’s head. “We’re old friends. You wouldn’t really kill me twice, would you?” When he didn’t answer, Ikawi just started for the front door. “Fine, but I hope you realize something.”

“What?”

“You’ve been different ever since Vlalan stole your soul.” and then Ikawi left, closing the door behind him.

Elle stared at the door. “H-How… did he know that he took my soul…?”

Elle looked up, hearing a crash come from upstairs. “Vlalan?” he called, going up to the bedroom.

Vlalan had turned over the bed and was sitting in a mess of blankets and sheets.

“You okay?” Elle asked, walking over to the other. Vlalan shook his shoulders from Elle’s hands when they were touched. “Hey… Vlalan?” Vlalan turned to him, his right eye glowing.

“Stay the hell away.” Vlalan shouted, rushing to the other side of the room from him.

“What’s the matter?” Elle shouted.

Vlalan covered his face, falling to his knees, “Can’t you see?! I’m a monster!”

Elle frowned, watching a black aura start to envelope around the other. “You’re not a monster!”

“Shut up!” Vlalan hissed. “What do you really know about me?!”

“I would if you’d tell me!”

Vlalan looked up to him, his eye now going full white and glowing. “And invite your scorn and hatred? I’d prefer this!”

“Vlalan!” Elle rushed to him.

Two feet from his body, Elle was stopped as the dark aura covered all of Vlalan. Then he vanished into it, the last thing of him being seen the glowing white eye. And then even that was gone.

Elle stared in horror, the black smoke slowly clearing to reveal Vlalan had disappeared.