CHAPTER 8: SHE’S A SURVIVOR

Withermoor.

Where darkness is highlighted as the center of beauty that adorns the whole place. There are black, lifeless trees that stand tall among the untrodden pathway under the murky skies.

The smell of the place is as similar to the smell of death lurking somewhere unseen. No living creature can pass unless given the permission of Bellezza Scyther, the queen of the place.

She slowly walked, feeling the earth beneath her feet. The coldness of the ground is as cold as her heart, grinning as she appreciates the dullness that surrounds her. It pleases her eyes to see her comfort zone. A place she can call her very own.

She has transformed herself to her original beauty. From the adornment of withered vines around her body and large brown leaves covering her bosoms, she changed her looks to even a wicked-looking one. She's now wearing a black gothic-like gown and a long, black cape with a hood, enough to cover her forehead and eyes.

Noticing that she had her braids, she gently touched the black rose that encircled her braids.Her long, black hair freely goes along with the breeze. The black rose ascended upward and it instantly transformed into a black crow and alighted on her shoulders. Her bewitching eyes looked similar to that of a cat, yellowish and yet symbolizes authority to whatever she wishes to rule. She has a queer pointed nose and thin, black lips. Her long, pointed nails are painted black as well.

Strange noises of wailing creatures, fainted voices of the undead greeted her as she headed her way towards her own black castle. The design was made possible, thanks to her best friend witch who is the mother of Aurora, also known as "The sleeping beauty".

"Shall I let down the lift for you, our highness?" The crow asked, speaking proudly in a squealing voice. She was able to look at the castle and on how high it is. She might be enjoying how to get to the top. Little by little.

"Let me use my lovely stairs, darling." She answered sweetly while grinning. She entered a small door at the foot of the castle and started ascending to the spiral stairs that seemed endless as you looked upward.

"Oh...our highness, looks like you've been very busy these days. Are you making a new potion?" The curious crow asked, this time, in a low, whispery, squealing voice. It's beak touched the tip of her ear.

"You will find out soon."

"Oh our highness, I can't almost remember the last time you made a potion. I thought you forgot how to make one already." The crow cackled but was shocked when Bellezza Scyther suddenly squeezed his neck and threw him on the walls of the castle. She saw him bouncing on the wall and fell down.

"You have no right to even tell me that!" She hissed. The way she ascended the stairs are now heavier than usual because of what the crow said.

"Sorry, our highness. I was just joking. Forgive me!" He said, slowly getting up with both his wings. When the crow realized that he can't fly because of his condition, he started hopping as he also ascended to the staircase. Bellezza is almost reaching the last step in going to the upper part of the black castle as the crow catches up.

"It's not what I mean." The crow added, as he started talking again, this time scratching his tiny head with his feathers. "I am just curious. The last time you made your potion was five hundred years ago." The crow's last few words made Bellezza look at him with an icy stare. They both met each other's gaze.

"We both knew what happened way back then." The crow continued, which made Bellezza sigh aloud. The crow noticed her thoughts becoming deeper as if she's thinking something not known to him.

The crow now wonders how she's able to make the potion again. Knowing his queen, Bellezza doesn't make a potion when she's at risk of not being successful about it. He knew what happened five-hundred years ago that's why she's a little confused that his queen is now doing it again.

What could be the reason this time? And how could she ever be so confident about this potion this time?

"Shreya Wallace already forbade you to make potions because she knew you're the only one who can make potions for all purposes." She can't help but grin as she heard those words coming from the crow.

"You're even better than the queen when it comes to potion, our highness." The crow continued, boasted out loud, which made Bellezza cackle with insomuch confidence within her.

"Well, that's the truth." She said as she grinned from ear to ear.

"I guess, you're unstoppable this time, our highness." She gave him a pleasant look. They stopped talking as soon as they reached a lonely room being located at the attic of the castle. It's almost a secret room that they only both knew.

She opened the door with both of her hands. She can see the giant iron cauldron being well-lit with fire at the center of the room. The pots were hung one meter from the ground with big metal chains supporting it. The green-colored fluid is boiling pretty well, as white smoke rises in the air.

"Ugh...as usual. The smell is terrible." The crow commented, peeking what's happening as it alighted on Bellezza's shoulder after hopping to a lot of things scattered inside that room.

There were several human bones, spider webs and a lot of books about potions and spells Bellezza is making when she will have free time for everything.

"Would you like me to include you there so that my potion will be completed?" Bellezza said as she frowned at him.

"You're not serious, right? Our highness?"

"I will really do it if you will continue to piss the hell out of me." She rolled her eyes at him and fixed her gaze to what she's doing. She mixed her potion with the use of a special wooden spoon that's bigger than the usual spoon that people use. The long handle is ideal for her to mix what she's making very well.

"Are the ingredients complete?"

"Well..." She looked at the crow as she sighed. Looks like she's really troubled.

"What is bothering you, our highness?"

"I am working on this potion for two weeks now. There's only one ingredient left for me to include here, though." She said, looking at the crow. She grinned as the crow seemed to be having the idea of what she's talking about.

"I need your help my dearest crow."

-----

As Venus is walking along the hallway of their school, she saw someone that caught her attention the most.

"Adeline! Wait for me!" She exclaimed. The girl who heard her name looked at Caily's direction.

"Hello Caily! Good morning!" She smiled as she greeted her back. Caily put her hand on Adeline's shoulder. She's one of Caily's friends because they are clubmates to one of the most exclusive academic organizations their University has.

"How was Venus as a tutee?"

"Well, what's new with her?" She stopped walking and faced Caily. "As usual, she's as lazy as ever. Nothing has ever changed since then." She added as she told Caily in a whispering tone. Caily nodded her head and twisted her lips a bit.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I am only allowed to finish answering her homeworks."

"She's not letting you teach her anything?"

"Well, if the major test exams are coming, she will require me to stay overnight." Adeline answered with a frown.

"That's sounds tough." Caily commented, looking at Adeline's facial expression.

"She's always always a pain on the ass. Sometimes, we'll stay awake until three in the morning. I am not allowed to nap because my every hour is paid. She's sleeping the whole time and she can't even last an hour of reviewing."

"Well, that sounds hopeless for her."

"If I really didn't need the money, I will really resign from my post because she's really giving me a lot of headaches I can't endure it sometimes."

"I feel sorry for you dear." She said, tapping her shoulders. Adeline sighed as she looks at her.

"Hmmm, if you want then I can be your substitute if you're busy in the coming days. You have a life, too."

"Really? You will do that for me?" Adeline's face lit as soon as she heard Caily. She's looking at her so intently because she might be joking when she said that. Good thing she's not.

"Of course. I am willing."

"Thank you Caily! You're a bestfriend indeed!"

"Sure, just tell me whenever you're busy or what."

"Thank you so much my dearest Caily! You didn't know how much you made me happy today. You know what, sometimes, I can't help but to feel sad because I thought nobody will like to accept substitutes for Venus."

"I will always be happy to help her." Caily replied in her most willing tone.

"I also said that during the first week of my job. Later on, I found myself regretting my decision of being hired by her."

"Huh? Why?" Caily asked, looking at Adeline's eyes. She noticed her friend avoiding her gaze.

"Everyone liked Venus Hughes but I think there's more to know from her. She's unpredictable at all times, you know."

"I don't care. I am her number one fan always and nothing can ever change that."

"Seriously? Well then, good luck to you girl."

"I actually had an unsettled mistake and I got to do her a favor to compensate what I did."

"I cannot believe how pathetic Venus's fans can make them do anything just for her. I find it plain stupid I don't even like her at all. Don't lower yourself to her my dear. Don't you have a pride, too?" Adeline asked, raising her eyebrows.

"It doesn't matter. The important thing is, I will become hef substitute tutor because I wanr to be near her. Maybe I can learn her secret to a beautiful skin as well if she will share it to me."

"Caily dear, please don't you ever let Venus think that she's always on top. She's already too vain. Do not praise her often."

"I don't know. I just love her." Caily dreamily said as she smiles. Adeline just shook her head.

"Well, I am not impressed by her. We are still good in academics, the thing that she can't have no matter how hard she will try."

"Do not underestimate people, my dear."

"Don't worry I am not underestimating her. I am describing her."

"Hmm...it doesn't matter. She has all the ninety percent I dream in life, Adeline."

"That's sounding so ridiculous. I think if we'll all be contented in life, you will not have to dream of somebody else's life like hers. Her life is boring, anyway."

"I don't find her life boring. In fact, I perceive it to be very exciting." Caily answered as she even clapped her hands.

"Not really. I guess I am not a fan of her that's why I do not agree to what you're telling me about her."

"But reality will also hit you hard. Let's admit it. She is living the life that we only wish for. I guess she's one in a million. Hmm, me being contented? I guess contentment can be seen in movies more than that in real life."

"We are entitled of our own opinions." Adeline finally said. They never noticed that they already reached their own respective rooms adjacent to each other.

"See you later, dear! It was nice talking to you." Adeline said, smiling as she waved to Caily. She also winked in return and waved back.

After Adeline went inside their classroom, Caily smiled sweetly. She's already imagining herself to be acquainted with Venus someday and she can't help but to feel excited. This maybe the chance she's waiting for, all her life. An encounter and a fated chance. I know she will have it someday. Who would have thought? Maybe it will happen the soonest, or maybe when she's not expecting it the most.