22 Chapter 20: Quite Peace
Laying on the soft, springy grass, Asher gazed up at the ceiling that mimicked a clear blue sky. Every few breaths, a gentle breeze tickled his cheek, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers.
Curled up beside him, Aurora's tiny hand was nestled comfortably in his.
Her face, peaceful as a sleeping kitten, and a smile, as sweet as honey on her lips, and her tiny hand clutched Asher's finger like a precious treasure.
Even though they'd been stuck inside the facility room for most of the day, it wasn't so bad.
The grass, though not real, felt like the softest green carpet Asher had ever napped on.
The air hummed with a comforting scent, like someone had baked a giant batch of sugar cookies. It was the perfect spot for a small nap.
Suddenly, a soft snort escaped Aurora's nose, tickling Asher's arm with a feather-light touch.
He peeked down at her, the sight could melt anyone who saw her right now. Unfortunately nobody was beside her, except of course Asher.
"Aur...love...cuddle…" Her brow furrowed adorably for a moment before smoothing out again, and a tiny bubble escaped from her lips.
'It's not bad~' He closed his eyes, a yawn escaping his lips. The warmth from the simulated sun felt just like sunshine on a real summer day.
While reminiscing of the day, details of the past few hours wash over him. Contentment filled him, and soon, sleep claimed him too.
…
…
…
Asher blinked awake, his stomach growling. He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, and it felt like ages ago.
Sitting up, he looked around, surprised to see a holographic clock projected onto the wall displaying the time. It was already Evening.
'Someone must've carried us to our rooms, no doubt, Scarlett.' He stretched, about to get up, as he reached to move, a rustle from the bed caught his attention.
He snatched the blanket, revealing a miniature reflection sleeping beside him – Aurora.
"A~sh… eat…" Her cheeks were flushed, a tiny bit of drool and few inaudible words escaping her lips, and she slept like she hadn't a worry in the world.
A frown creased his brow, but silently he tucked the blanket around her, careful not to disturb her sleep. Just then.
Suddenly, Aurora stirred, mumbled something about "hungry tummy," and burrowed deeper into the soft grass, wrapping herself around Asher like a furry little koala.
"Hmm... Asher..." Aurora mumbled, her voice thick with sleep, her eyes unfocused, they blinked blurry for a moment.
The world coming into focus, scanning the unfamiliar yet strangely comfortable surroundings she came across Asher's face.
"Ash!" Slowly, the word from her small mouth was tinged with a syrupy sweetness.
"Hey sleepyhead," He cast a sidelong glance at her, softly he asked. "Hungry?" He knew the food here would probably be ridiculously fancy, but anything would do right now.
"Mmm," She scrunched up her nose in the cutest way before a yawn escaped her lips, stretching out her tiny arms like a sleepy kitten.
Getting off from bed. He walked towards the bathroom, the smooth surface of the floor strangely cold beneath his bare feet.
Catching his reflection in the mirror, he stopped dead.
It was the same, yet somehow…different.
The face staring back was undeniably his own, but a smile twisted on his lips stretched across his face, momentarily deepening the lines around his eyes that now held a darker glint.
The amethyst of his irises had turned into a stormy violet like galaxies swirling with the fury of a dying star.
The flecks of purple, once a whimsical touch, now resembled broken veins, had definitely increased his charm and cuteness to another level.
"Just a little longer, pretty boy," he murmured, his voice a low…
'It won't be long before the mask becomes my face,' Splashing the water on his face, he walked out, wiping his face with a towel.
This act is going to end soon…
…
'Where's Maids?' Strange, there wasn't a single maid here. After walking out from the room. They found themselves in empty hallway.
The whole mansion was eerily silent, but it wasn't strange, maybe the maids were called out.
Nonetheless, there's a thing.
At least one maid should be present just out of sight, ready to appear, if they needed anything. Yet, here they were, besides the empty silence.
The only sound was their hushed footsteps and rhythmic thump of Aurora's growing fear against his side.
'Where did they go?' Asher wondered, glancing all around, while Aurora was almost stick together with him, her small hand on Asher's tightening with each passing room.
Even after traversing the upper floor, they hadn't encountered a single soul.
Aurora, who felt the strangeness in the atmosphere and the mansion's shift, got closer to him timidly, like a tiny sparrow(Aurora) seeking shelter from a gathering storm(Asher).
"A-Ash… I don't like it," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. Her gaze darted around, searching for the source of the unsettling quiet.
However, gazing at his surprisingly calm face, she felt strangely comfortable, her fear subdued greatly when Asher spoke.
"It's alright, Aurora. We'll find someone soon." Asher muttered softly, reassuring her, but he was just as lost.
No one besides them was present in the mansion. It was complete silence.
They passed through some more rooms, but all of them were empty.
The silence followed by dimming lights in the mansion was slowly shattered by cold winds coming from the windows, giving off an eerie vibe.
And the silence in the mansion deepened with each step Asher and Aurora took.
Only the eerie luminescence of the Moonsilver flowers remained, casting a light blue glow on the scene. Beautiful, yes, but strangely unsettling, like a corpse adorned with jewels.
Panic started to gnaw at the edges of Aurora's mind, she got closer to Asher.
As they reached Scarlett's office, the last hope they could find. Yet, everything was in place, untouched, pristine. As if whoever occupied it vanished without a trace.
The familiar warmth that usually emanated from Scarlett's presence was absent.
"Ash? Where's mamma?" She asked, her voice choked with a rising tide of terror.
Her gaze lay in the empty room, and once again fear grasped her. She pressed herself closer to Asher, seeking warmth and comfort in the face of the unknown.
Not finding any clue from there, they walked towards the kitchen. However even the kitchen, too, yielded no answers.
No clatter of pots, no murmur of conversation – just an unsettling silence.
All the utensils are placed neatly as they haven't been used. Only, a single unwashed cup sat on the counter, warm vapour coming out from it.
Then, the unthinkable happened.
The lights flickered once, twice, then plunged them into darkness.
Only the ghostly blue glow of the Moonsilver flowers remained, casting an unsettling aura on the scene.
"A…Ash~" A whimper escaped Aurora's lips. "... I'm here," she whispered, despite a tear coming out from her eyes, she hugged him tightly to protect him.
Her eyes, even not seeing a single thing, kept looking for danger. Asher hugged her, and whispered slowly.
"It's alright Aur, we're going to the Main Hall," he said, his voice firmer than he felt.
A smile formed on his lips, hidden by the darkness.
His hands squeezed her hand, Asher had some guesses, whatever was happening, it will reveal soon.
They walked the remaining lights coming from the luminous flowers slowly withered.
He glanced outside, the only source of light now.
The sky was black, dusted with a million twinkling stars.
A silver shine of the moon peeked through the clouds, casting a pale glow on the beautiful landscape.
Aurora clung to Asher, a trembling whisper escaping her lips every few paces.
He couldn't blame her.
He heard some faint whispers that had begun as they were near the hall.
And along with them, eyes surrounding them…
