* * *
Erica had never seen anything more sickening than the way Valerie died. Her entire body was covered in blood. Even her tears came down in red. In his grief, Jesse refused to speak for a week. He buried himself in endless moans and whimpers. Even when Erica tried to pacify him, he backed away.
Erica wouldn’t blame him though. He had lost the woman he loved after all. All that she had to do now was to wait. Until Jesse slowly opened his mind. Until Jesse finally accepted her.
It was a fine sunny day. The weather contrasted greatly with the mood many people had. The church was packed with villagers who came to moan for Valerie, the once cheerful and beautiful girl. Erica walked in with Jesse. Everyone turned to glance at them. They were undoubtedly two most important people in Valerie’s life. Valerie’s wedding was originally set to be the week after but now that she was dead, there was only the funeral.
Jesse still could not recover from the anguish. His face showed no expressions and his eyes were as hollow as could be. Having not eaten anything for three days, his cheeks shrank and his bones showed. Erica could do nothing to help. Not that she really cared. As long as he stayed with her, she was the winner in the game.
The church bells rang for once and everyone stood up for a silent tribute. Some placed flowers next to the coffin. The longer Erica stayed in the church, the more annoyed she got. It didn’t take her long to realize she had won nothing at all.
Valerie was dead but she was still the best in everyone’s heart. All people groaned and cried for her. Even after her death, she got all the attention.
“I hate you…” Erica murmured as she stood in front of Valerie’s coffin. “I always hate you.”
“Aw…”
Suddenly, the church was filled with screams. Erica turned to see Jesse throwing up. His entire body curled up on the ground as he struggled in pain. Blood spit from his mouth and eyes.
“What?”
Erica exclaimed and widened her eyes. She could not believe what she was seeing. Jesse was having the same symptoms as Valerie. But how? Why?
“Emm…” Jesse whined in agony. He kept scratching his stomach and coughing.
“Jesse!” Erica rushed forward to help him but he swung off her hand.
Everyone was in panic then. Some fled to the exits while some called for help. Erica tried again to reach for Jesse but he wouldn’t even let her touch him.
“Jesse…” Tears rolled down on her face.
“Emm…” In his vague consciousness, Jesse mumbled some words. No one got what he said but Erica.
She heard it.
“You killed Valerie…”
“AH!!!” Erica screeched. She stood up and ran out of the church screaming and shaking her head.
It couldn’t be! This was not what she wanted!
“Why would he die?” She squealed so loud that her throat bled.
“Why!”
And then, it hit her.
Chronic poisoning.
Every evening, Jesse was responsible for feeding Valerie the medicine. To ensure that the medicine was not too hot, he would take several sips himself.
“So, that’s why!” Erica cried and yelled. Her husky voice echoed in the spacious land. Tears kept running down her face.
She had thought she killed her enemy.
In fact, she had killed her lover…
“Erica! We’ve found you!” A man bellowed behind her.
Erica turned to see a group of angry villagers standing ahead of her.
“Jesse called upon the coroner yesterday.” A woman said. “It’s found that Valerie did not die of illness but poison!”
“You fed her the poison, didn’t you?”
“How can you be so evil and cruel?”
“Valerie’s your best friend!”
“How can you bear to kill Jesse as well?”
Before anyone could catch her, Erica fled once more. She kept on running and running until there was no way out.
She was back in front of the well, puffing and grasping.
“Erica! Meet your doom!” Someone yelped.
“No, not yet.” Erica smiled. She laughed. “I’m still too young to die. No way!”
“Erica, you’re going to die.” Another ghostly voice echoed in her heart.
“What?” Erica turned around immediately but saw no one.
“Erica!” In a flash, someone hurled a farming spade towards her. She dodged but slipped, falling into the well.
Down and down she fell, the sky above her got darker and darker. Men’s roars grew softer. Women’s cries turned into silence. And the opening of the well was filled with a familiar face. The woman in black lifted up her net. Her face was terribly patsy and in the next second, it was replaced by the ghost of Valerie’s face. A smile slowly spread around the corner of her mouth.
“I hate you too, Erica.” Valerie’s soft voice replied her.
With a hit, Erica’s head landed on something hard and her cranium cracked. Blood filled the well. Regrets filled her heart…