D£STRÕY M£
Destrõy Me – Episode 3 & 4
(Her•Heartless•Monster)
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.
Copyright © 2024
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“Papa!!!” The shriek left her lungs with a frightful push, and just as the metal was about to sink into her neck, Tamlin entered the crowd and threw the ring forward.
Slade pushed Twilight off himself, and she fell on the ground, her knees peeling so much.
Slade caught the ring in his palm afterwards, wearing it on on the middle finger of his left hand.
He shut his eyes, reabsorbing his energy for one second before opening his eyes again.
A cold wind blew shortly, then a foreboding calm returned to the atmosphere.
“Welcome back, monster” Tamlin said with a crazy grin, walking towards him.
“Twi!” Tanya rushed to Twilight who’s still sitting on the ground with bleeding knees and neck.
She took off her jean jacket and covered Twilight’s exposed back with it.
She knelt beside her and gasped when she saw the blood.
“Oh my gawd! That must hurt!”
That made Slade turn his head slowly to them, and when he saw the blood on her knees and neck, he rolled his eyes to her eyes.
Their eyes met with a freeze, and Twilight gulped.
Why is fear gnawing at her little heart just by looking at him?
There’s no single remorse or guilt in his eyes for what he did to her.
He’s so unapologetic about it, and that even made him more sinister and obscure.
She looked away from him, facing the ground, and Slade rolled his eyes away too.
“Welcome back, once again” Tamlin repeated with another grin when he finally got to him.
“If you want death, you only have to ask nicely and I’d give it to you on a platter” Slade replied darkly, evil coating his eyes.
“Is our monster angry that I had his ring all along? I removed it after father sent you to coma, but isn’t it boring that it only works for you? I should have thrown it into the river” Tamlin replied, his eyes turning frigid.
The hatred between the two is so palpable that it made the air suddenly stop.
“Careful… I don’t give warnings before I take a life, idiot” Slade said, giving him a slicing glare before turning around.
Tamlin turned around with him, but he didn’t attempt to stop him as he walked away.
His eyes met with Lord Vann, and the old man grunted, then he left finally.
Imogen smiled widely as she watched his retreating backside, and Ruslan gave her a short glance before looking away.
Slade’s absence instantly brought ease to the air, and everyone released the breaths they’ve been holding.
Students started dispersing while chatting about what just happened.
Tanya helped Twilight up and took her away from the place too.
Rihannon took their bags and dragged it after them.
“Why the hell would you give him the ring?” Lord Vann questioned, facing Tamlin.
“He was about to kill the girl. If i didn’t throw the ring, he’d have really killed her and won’t stop with her. He’d kill more!” Tamlin snarled.
“Why did you take his ring in the first place?” Imogen questioned.
“Oh dear, you’re not allowed to ask questions cos no matter what, you’d support that animal cos of your stupid crush on him!” Tamlin faced her.
“He’s not an animal, he’s Slade, Slade Luther, the void monster of Glennville” She replied, and Tamlin threw an hand at her.
The palm met with her cheek, slapping her hard.
Imogen staggered, but Ruslan quickly held her to keep her from falling.
“Tammy!” Ruslan glared his way.
“It’s either you shut up, or you receive your own share of the slap” Tamlin glared and faced Imogen again.
Her face is red as a result of the slap, and tears are starting to gather in her crystal eyes.
“You do not defend Slade in front of me. You’re my sister, not his own, understood?” Tamlin warned like a storm.
“I hate you, and f+ck you!” Imogen gave him the middle finger and left.
Ruslan followed him, leaving Tamlin with Lord Vann who has been witnessing everything quietly.
“Is this how you treat your sister and your best friend? Like dirt?” Lord Vann said disappointedly.
“I’ll treat them how I like, and now that that animal is back from the coma you pushed him into, watch as he kills more and more. By the time this university becomes a tomb, you’ll know what I mean, father” Tamlin replied with a snarl.
“Watch your tongue, son” Lord Vann warmed and cleared his throat before walking away.
Tamlin kicked the stone in front of him away in anger, and the stone flew to the head of a coming student.
“Argh!!” The guy cried out, holding his already bleeding head.
“I’m sorry for letting your stone touch me” he apologized and rushed off.
Tamlin scoffed and was about to walk away when he saw the metal on the ground.
The one Slade removed from Twilight’s br@.
He picked it up, and as her jasmine scent entered his nose from the metal, his eyes flicked.
His mind went back to Slade, and he pulled his brows together.
“That lunatic” he muttered.
*
Rihannon took the two girls to the infirmary, an old building at the back of the big library.
There they met the old doctor, her name is Kali.
Twilight was made to sit gently in bed, and the doctor came out to attend to her immediately.
“Tanya follow me. I need to show you your rooms and go attend to other things” Rihannon said.
“Will you be fine alone?” Tanya asked Twilight.
“Yes. Don’t worry about me” Twilight nodded.
“I’ll come back” Tanya replied, leaving with Rihannon.
“Slade did this?” Dr. Kali asked as she sat in front of her, taking her legs to her laps.
“Yes, ma’am” Twilight simply replied.
“It’s a bad luck to have issues with him on your first day here, and I hate to announce to you that even if the wounds on your knees and neck heal, the scars won’t wipe no matter the herbs or skincare you use” Dr. Kali proceeded, opening a herbal jar.
She scooped an ointment with cotton and began rubbing it gently on her red knees.
“The marks won’t disappear? Why?” Twilight asked.
“Cos it’s Slade. So far he’s the one who caused the wounds, you’ll never forget”
“Is he a vampire?” Twilight asked, and the old doctor smiled slightly.
“No. Slade is not supernatural, but he’s not ordinary either. Let’s just say he’s somewhere in-between” she said.
“And why was he put in coma?” Twilight asked curiously.
“Cos he’s a monster… He has been killing since he was 5. He kills for fun whenever he’s bored” Kali replied, and Twilight felt another pang of fear.
“Wh..what!”
“Just make sure you never stay outside your room till 12 midnight.” Dr. Kali said meaningfully and dropped Twilight’s legs.
She finished applying the ointment on the knees already. The bleeding stopped, and the pain reduced.
She stood and moved to her neck, applying the ointment on it too.
She was done within three minutes, and Twilight stood.
“Thanks, Dr. Kali” she said.
“You look a lot like your father. The only difference is the white eyes you don’t have” Kali said.
“You know my pa?” Twilight asked surprisingly.
“Isn’t he an herbal doctor like me? He’s a friend, and he wrote me to take care of you, so anything you need, just come to me.” Kali smiled.
Twilight felt like hugging her immediately. One good news today is enough.
At least, she has Dr. Kali now.
“Thank you” she smiled, and the woman nodded at her as she walked to the exit.
“Be in your room before 12 midnight every night, and do everything you can to avoid Slade” Kali repeated.
Twilight turned with a soft twist, her hair swirling with her.
“I will” she said, taking her leave afterwards.
“Twi!!!” Tanya collided into her immediately she stepped out.
“What?” She asked, and Tanya hugged her dramatically.
“What’s happening?” Twilight smiled, hugging her back.
Tanya tightened the hug.
“I won’t be sharing a room with you. You already have a damn roommate so I was given a different room” Tanya cried for real.
Twilight broke the hug and started wiping the tears.
“How old are you?” She asked.
“I’m 20, turning 21 tomorrow” Tanya replied with a pout.
“Little wonder you behave babyish. I’m 22” Twilight said.
“You should see how snobbish your roommate is. Ion like her!” Tanya retorted, and Twilight smiled again .
“Let’s go meet her then” she said, pulling her.
Tanya led her to the fifth tower, holding her hand throughout.
They used the long winded staircase which has so many students climbing and descending.
Now Twilight got time to see several new faces, and as their loud chats penetrated into her ears, she felt happy.
The only voices she heard back at the cottage was her father’s, so this is pure bliss.
They arrived at the third floor of the tower, and Tanya further pulled her into a corridor.
The corridor seemed to stretch on forever, and the flickering flames of the wall lanterns cast an eerie glow across the grounds.
There are cobweb-covered portraits of dead legends of the school hanging on the walls too, watching her with cold, dead eyes.
The stained glass windows filtered in shards of coloured lights that seemed to bleed across the stone floors, and the vaulted ceilings are so high.
Twilight was intrigued by the dark vibes she’s getting.
She’s so in love with the setting that she couldn’t stop staring as they walked the swam of students, till Tanya pulled her into the room.
A girl is already in the room, sitting on the second bunk. There are two bunk beds in the room actually, and they’re both topless.
Twilight knew she’s the roommate Tanya talked about.
“Hey I’m Twilight, and nice to meet you” she said.
“I’m not interested in your name. Just settle down and move on with your life” the girl replied curtly.
“I told you she’s rude” Tanya said and made to go to her, but Twilight pulled her back.
“I hope you’re not like this to everyone, cos it sucks.” Twilight said, and the girl faced her with a frown.
“Yeah it sucks, and it doesn’t suit your face. By the way your panty is showing” Twilight continued, and she quickly pulled up her skin-tight jean trouser.
She gave Twilight a look before leaving the room.
“Girl! I love you!” Tanya squealed, and Twilight grinned.
Together, they set Twilight’s stuff on her part of the room, and while arranging, Twilight told her everything Dr. Kali said.
“I knew it. He’s insane” Tanya replied.
Then they went to the next room which Tanya will be staying with Rihannon.
Yeah… Rihannon is a student too.
Rihannon helped them unpack and arrange Tanya’s things, and the three left the room together.
“We should go to the refectory for dinner” Rihannon said as they walked the hallway.
“So you’re in your second year, and you’re already a tour guide?” Tanya said.
“Yeah… And I enjoy doing it” Rihannon replied.
She has warmed up to them than earlier.
“And is Slade a student?” Twilight asked suddenly.
Despite everything Dr. Kali told her, she doesn’t know why she’s still so curious.
“He’s a young professor, and I’m sure you’d receive classes from him since he lectures all years.” Rihannon replied.
“Wait… Professor? How am I to concentrate in his class if he’s hot, s+xy and cruel at the same time? How old is he?” Tanya asked.
“Some say 26, some say 27, some say 28. No one knows the real shit” a new voice said, and they turned to see a smiley guy with green eyes.
“Meet Damien, my best friend” Rihannon introduced.
“Hey girlies!” Damien hung his arms on Twilight and Tanya’s neck.
“He’s lively!” Tanya laughed.
“Yeah” Rihannon chuckled.
“Sorry about what Slade did to you earlier. He’s an @$s” He told Twilight.
“Why is everyone calling him Slade when he’s a professor?” Twilight asked.
“Cos he hates when people call him prof. You can only call him sir when he’s lecturing. He’s crazy” Damien whispered with a shrug, and Twilight bit her lip slightly.
Suddenly, Rihanna bowed.
Damien looked ahead and bowed too, then the two girls looked up to see a stunning woman coming in the company of two guards.
Her pomelo perfume filled the hallway completely, and as her yellow flowing gown swirled with the air, her red heels clicked the ground, and her dark hair fell gorgeously on her waist. Her face looks unreal.
She’s so gorgeous that Twilight and Tanya couldn’t stop staring till she walked past them with her guards, her perfume almost killing.
“Next time, you both should bow when you see her. She’s the first lady of this university, Lord Vann’s wife… That’s Lady Lorraine, the mother of Tamlin and Imogen” Rihannon said.
“She’s beautiful” Tanya mouthed.
“She really is” Twilight said, still watching her backside down the hall.
“Yeah…too beautiful” Damien added.
“Let’s go… refectory” Rihannon reminded, and the four left the corridor together.
*
SAME TOWER, TOPMOST FLOOR*
On the top floor of the fifth tower, there’s an attic just behind the long iron rails, and the attic is Slade’s home.
The mood is broody in there, but it’s so f+çking clean and organized with aesthetically dark designs.
Even the walls have drawings of human skulls, solar system and black crying birds on them.
A cat is sitting beside the door, looking so calm.
The bed in the room is big enough for only one person, and the grey sheets are ruffled since Slade is not in bed.
He’s beside the open window with his camera, wearing a black compression shirt and grey sweatpants which looks so good on him.
The veins in his arms were dancing as he clicked pictures of black birds flying the sky of the castle.
One of the birds suddenly collided with his window, and the blood of the ave stained the glass before it fell.
Slade snapped the picture of the blood-stained window too, and a evil smile graced his lips before he dropped the camera.
His eyes caught a group of students heading towards the refectory, and he wasn’t blinking as he stared down at them from his spot.
Rihannon, Tanya, Damien, and Twilight.
He blinked slowly when his eyes settled on Twilight, but the chiming of his phone made him step back from the window.
It’s a text from a known number, and his brows furrowed as he left the room.
He used his personal elevator which took him downstairs, and immediately he came out, he met Imogen.
“Slade!” She beamed, hugging him like her lifeline l.
“I’m so glad you’re back!” She gushed, but then she felt a sharp ache in her chest.
She stepped back from him, holding the chest tight.
“Make it stop! The pain!” She groaned, tugging tighter at her chest as a small drop of blood left her mouth.
“Next time, Imogen. You know better than f+çking touching me without my permission” he said and left, leaving goosebumps at it’s wake.
“Jesus!” Imogen gasped, standing straight cos the pain left her immediately.
“I love him even more… He’s red flag but I’m in for it” She smiled.
*
LORD VANN’S OFFICE*
Lord Vann was sitting high on his working chair with pile of files on his wooden desk when the admission officer came in.
He’s wearing his brown suit as usual, with his perching glasses.
Lord Vann looked up from the files he’s working on, facing him with questioning eyes.
“There’s a problem with one of the girls we took in today ” the man reported.
“And?” Lord Vann spoke.
“Twilight Kent, she got her admission letter from Jenna Parker. We all know Jenna Parker is the former admission officer who died last year before I took over” the man replied.
“Interesting” Lord Vann smiled, resting back on his chair.
“She got an admission letter from a dead person?”
“I’m thinking we should send her back. What if she’s in danger? We already have Slade’s killings and the missing students to deal with and…
“Leave her, I’d love to see where this leads to” Lord Vann interrupted.
“Huh?” The man blinked.
“You heard me” Lord Vann said, rigidly.
*
REFECTORY*
“And I’m saying you shouldn’t have slapped Imogen like that” Ruslan’s voice pierced the air as he walked towards the refectory with Tamlin.
“I’m tired of seeing her defending Slade, and you defending her. I hate this circle” Tamlin replied point-blank without looking at him.
“Tammy…
“Shhh… please” Tamlin shushed him, and Ruslan sighed as they entered the refectory together.
It’s an old building with mahogany tables and chairs for meals, old money cutleries and chinas, and bright illumination.
The building is full of students eating dinner already as the time is 7pm.
It’s so loud cos student are obsessed with eating and chatting at the same time.
Tamlin was about to head to his special table with Ruslan when he sighted Twilight.
She’s sitting with her new friends, and they’re stuffing their faces with food too, but Twilight is struggling with her own food
She’s a slow eater, and the spoon is barely entering her small mouth. It seems the food is too spicy cos she kept blowing her mouth.
Tamlin smiled. “She’s adorable” he muttered, making his way to her table.
When he arrived, he brought the bra metal he picked earlier out of his pocket and dropped it on her table with a loud bang which drew attention.
“If the metal under your br@ is this wide, I wonder what’s actually in there. Seems you have big boobies despite your slim stature” he said loudly, and everyone began laughing.
Twilight quickly took the metal under the table in embarrassment.
“Stop trying to bully her, Tamlin” Rihannon spoke.
“Just because you’re a stupid tour guide gives you no right to talk to me. And who says I’m bullying her? She’s too pretty for that” Tamlin replied, and Rihannon scoffed.
“You’ll see more of me” Tamlin told Twilight and leaned down to her ear.
“Metal girl” he whispered before leaving with a grin.
He cancelled dinner and left the refectory with Ruslan.
“Why are there so many @s$holes in this school?” Tanya spoke.
“He’s the son is Lord Vann so he feels like he owns everyone.” Damien said.
“And it seems he has an history with Slade” Twilight said, folding the metal in her palm.
“Yeah. They’re like fire and ice, but no one knows why” Rihannon replied.
“And yunno another crazy thing? They say he’s same age as Slade” Damien supplied.
“Then why is he still a student? Why not a prof like Slade?” Tanya asked.
“No one knows” Rihannon said, and Twilight picked her spoon to continue eating.
There are so many secrets in this weird school. Just how much did she find out today.
Someone suddenly tapped her shoulder, and she looked up to see a girl and a guy looking down at her.
“Get on your feet.” The girl ordered.
“We’re using this table tonight” the guy added.
“I sat here first” Twilight replied.
“Are you new? You don’t talk back at me!” The girl glared and almost slapped her, but Twilight caught her hand and stood.
The refectory is silent now, and all the chatters stopped as everyone watched the drama.
“She held Posey’s hand? That’s brave” a student muttered.
“You can have the seat” Twilight said and threw Posey’s hand off before leaving the table.
“You little shit!” The guy went closer to her, but Damien already covered her.
“She left the table already, so get lost” he said and pulled Twilight away.
Rihannon and Tanya followed, and the guy snickered.
“We’ll deal with them later, but right now I want you to fûck me on this table” Posey told him, and he grinned, pushing away the meals on the table.
Posey lay on it, and he dipped his hand under her skirt, pulling down her panty.
Everyone began leaving the refectory for them with hisses.
“That’s Posey and Ren, we call them the shameless couple. They live in the rich tower too” Rihannon said as she walked the corridor with the others.
“There’s no end to @$sholes and bi+çhes here, for real” Tanya shook her head.
“Wait till you meet Imogen” Damien sighed with his hands in his pockets.
Twilight suddenly saw Slade at a distance, and she stood still, watching him till he’s out of sight.
*
NIGHTTIME, TWILIGHT’S ROOM*
“Can you at least tell me your name? I promise to remember for the rest of my life… please” Twilight begged, holding the shirt of her dream guy behind.
He’s about to leave again, and she doesn’t want that.
“I can’t tell you my name yet” he replied without turning back, his voice echoing.
“And I won’t remember your face again when I wake up from this dream, right?” She said sadly.
“Goodbye, little one” he replied.
She tried hugging him, but he was already gone, so she hugged emptiness.
Instantly, she woke up to life.
Her eyes opened slowly, and she held her forehead, unable to form any image of him.
“Not again” she muttered, but then she noticed Tanya is not beside her in bed again.
Tanya actually refused to spend the night in her own room, so she had slept here with her.
Twilight sat up and looked around.
Her rude roommate is asleep soundly on her own bunk.
“Tanya?” Twilight called softly.
“Voom!” A sound came behind her, and she jumped out of the bed as Tanya began laughing.
“Stop it…it’s unfunny” Twilight held her chest.
“I’m sorry. I just turned 21 and i can’t sleep. Tomorrow should come fast” Tanya pouted, checking the time.
It’s exactly 12 midnight.
“Let’s cuddle till you fall asleep then. Classes starts tomorrow we should get adequate rest” Twilight opened her arms.
“Or we can take a walk under the moon” Tanya said mischievously.
“No. I told you we can’t go out after 12 midnight. Rihannon said it too, it’s dangerous” Twilight refused.
“That only makes me more curious. I hate being curious it wounds my mind. I’ll just take a short walk as my birthday present” Tanya winked, and before Twilight could stop her, she was already out of the room.
“Oh no! Tanya!” She gasped, getting down from the bed and going after her.
Tanya was already rushing down the dead silent corridor.
“Tanya listen to me!” She ran after her.
“Nothing is happening… Aren’t they just trying to scare us?” Tanya replied when she got to the mouth of the staircase.
“Don’t descend the stairs, Tanya” Twilight said.
“Just a peek at the moon” Tanya replied, going downstairs immediately.
“F+ck!” Twilight cursed without meaning to, and she went after her again.
The rails were so cold under her palm as she held it, and the voice reached her ears suddenly…
__What’s meant to happen will surely happen, Twilight__
Her eyes widened, and she quickened her steps till she was down the staircase.
She ran out of the tower, but Tanya is nowhere to be found.
Her heart popped and nearly bursted, and she began palpitating, holding her chest.
“Tanya!!” She screamed, but only the echo of her own voice returned to her from the silent university compound.
She was about to move forward when she heard whimpering sounds at the top.
Slowly, she looked up, and her eyes widened at what she saw at the top space of the tower.
Tanya is there at the sharp edge, shaking so much with tears gushing out of her fearful eyes, and her mouth is covered by an hand.
The owner of the hand is behind her, and Twilight’s throat went dry when she saw the face.
Slade!
He’s looking down at her with dark, evil eyes which held nothing but carnage, ready to feast on her.
“No… don’t…don’t do it” she shook her head and quickly went on her knees.
“Don’t do it!!!!!!” She yelled madly.
It seems the yell triggered him cos he immediately let go of Tanya and pushed her.
An otherworldly scream left Tanya’s lungs as she began falling.
It all happened so fast, like a dream.
No… A nightmare.
A haunting nightmare.
In the twinkle of an eye, Tanya landed hard in front of her, and her head split open.
Twilight’s heart finally bursted in her chest, and she literally died immediately.
Tanya’s blood poured out from her split head, wetting Twilight’s legs.
TBC.
