NOVEL NEXT Living in the Sunlight
Chapter 35 : Living in the Sunlight
The room fell silent, the air thick with a bittersweet melancholy. Both Joy and Chris were acutely aware of the impending end, their hearts heavy with the realization that their journey might soon come to a close.
Chris couldn't bear the heavy silence that had settled between them. He knew he had to do something to lift Joy's spirits and his own. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
"Hey, Joy! I know just the thing to cheer us up. How about we hit up the karaoke place down the street?" he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Joy looked up, her eyes slightly red from unshed tears. "Karaoke? I don't know, Chris. I'm not really in the mood for singing right now," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Chris moved closer to Joy's bed, his eyes filled with concern. "Come on, Joy. It'll be fun! We can sing our hearts out and forget about everything else for a while. What do you say?" he said, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.
Joy looked into Chris's eyes, seeing the genuine care and concern reflected in them. She knew he was trying to make her feel better, and she couldn't help but appreciate the gesture. "Alright, fine. Let's go," she said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Chris's face lit up with a wide grin. "That's the spirit! Let's go get changed and head out. This is gonna be fun, I promise!" he exclaimed, already rummaging through his suitcase for a fresh set of clothes.
Within minutes, they were out the door, walking side by side towards the karaoke bar. The night air was cool and refreshing, and the sound of laughter and music filled the streets. As they entered the dimly lit establishment, the energy was palpable, and Joy couldn't help but feel her spirits lifting.
They found a private room and settled in, scrolling through the extensive song list. Chris nudged Joy playfully. "Alright, Joy. What's your poison? I'm up for anything, as long as it's a duet!" he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Joy couldn't help but laugh at Chris's antics. "Alright, alright. How about this one?" she said, selecting a lively pop song. As the music started playing, they both grabbed the microphones and began to sing, their voices blending together in perfect harmony.
For a moment, all their worries and doubts melted away, replaced by the sheer joy of singing together. They danced and laughed, their voices echoing through the room, and for a brief moment, it felt like nothing else mattered.
Hours later, Dawn broke over the abandoned building, casting an eerie glow on the scene within. Melpomene, his face bloodied and bruised, was bound in heavy chains, his eyes fluttering open to the sight of a shadowy figure seated before him.
Stefan sat in silence, his gaze fixed on his watch as he spoke, "It's already dawn." His expression betrayed no emotion, his eyes cold and calculating.
Elsewhere, Chris and Joy stirred in their hotel room, taking turns to bathe and freshen up, unaware of the events unfolding in the distance.
Melpomene's eyes widened in fear as he struggled against his bonds, his voice trembling."W-what do you want?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the impassive Stefan.
Chris and Joy, their belongings packed, bid farewell to Chris's uncle, Jim, their laughter and excitement filling the air as they made their way to their next destination.
Stefan rose from his chair, his movements deliberate. "Tell me, what do you know about the world you live in?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of menace.
As Chris and Joy waited at the bus stop, the hooded figure watched them from the shadows, it's eyes narrowed with an unseen purpose.
"What secrets does this world contain?" Stefan continued, his hands sliding into his sleeves as he approached the trembling Melpomene.
Meanwhile in Robert's restaurant, police swarmed the scene, their expressions grim as they examined the bloody place. Two imposing figures observed the proceedings, their faces set in a serious mien.
"What is your purpose?" Stefan asked, his voice low and measured. "What's mine?" he added, his eyes boring into Melpomene's.
In a hospital bed, Malcolm stared intently at a silver briefcase, his brow furrowed with a sense of purpose.
"But I know one thing," Stefan said, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "They are watching, and I will give them a show that they can never ignore."
Chris and Joy, oblivious to the looming darkness, boarded the bus, their laughter and camaraderie filling the air as they embarked on their journey.
Melpomene's panic escalated, his desperate attempts to free himself proving futile. "What do you mean? Who are THEY?" he cried out, his voice laced with terror.
Stefan's hand descended upon Melpomene's head, his grip tightening. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough," he said, his words laced with a chilling promise.
Melpomene's eyes widened in terror as Stefan's hand crushed his skull, the old man's screams echoing through the abandoned building.
Chris and Joy sat together on the bus, oblivious to the darkness that surrounded them. Chris smiled at Joy, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ready to go journey with me?," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. Joy then nodded.
As the bus drove away, the hooded figure eating an apple up in the tree watched, it's gaze fixed on the retreating vehicle.
Stefan stood alone, his hand dripping with blood. The sun rose on the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the scene, as Stefan's eyes glowed with a sinister crimson hue, and he surveyed the scene, as if awaiting a grand performance.
In a world poised on the edge of chaos, and the calm had been shattered, replaced by the ominous promise of what was to come.
The Seeker Infinity Vol 1 /Dawn/ Ends