Ophelia Colleto - Part 4

Instructions

(BIG TRIGGER WARNING. BL00D, MILD H0RROR AND IMPLIED G0RE) ---------- Ophelia locked her office up early the next day, making some excuse about a headache when her colleagues questioned it. Fumbling in her pocket, she checked the address written on the paper. 381 Juniper street. It would only be a short walk from here, 15 minutes at the most. Ophelia left the department building, turning left as the door swung shut behind her. It was a pleasant enough afternoon, with the sun glaring off the tall glass buildings above her. She moved with the throng of people up, weaving her way through the bustling street. She turned into the state park, appreciating the shade that the trees provided. A woman, only a couple of years older than herself, sat alone on one of the many benches which lines the path, mumbling something into her hands, her body shaking. Ophelia approached her cautiously, concerned. “Excuse me? Are you alright?” The woman's head snapped up at her, and she got her first glimpse of her face. Well, what was left of her face. The sight of it made Ophelia shudder. Her hair had been torn out in clumps, leaving little behind. The woman snarled at her, baring her teeth. Ophelia stifled a scream, backing away before turning and running back to the main street. When she glanced back, the woman was gone. Hands shaking, she checked the address on the now crumpled piece of paper. That's right. 381. Juniper Street. She continued on her way, this time watching her back as she did so. “Hey girlie.” She jumped at a dry graveling voice in her ear and turned, frantically scanning the crowd for who'd spoken to her. The crowd continued to bustle around her, seemingly unaware of the voice that had spoken so clearly. “Don't worry.” The voice spoke again. “They can't hear a thing. It's just you and me now swee’heart.” The voice had a taunting lift to it, as though however it belonged to enjoyed this way too much. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to comprehend what was happening. It made no sense. When she opened them again, the street was empty, asides from a sole figure standing at the intersection, face hidden from view. “Don't get involved with this girlie. I'd hate to have to dispose of something so pretty.” It was the same voice as before, but instead of speaking in her ear, it instead came from all around her, echoing in the otherwise eerie silence. “Don't- Don't get involved with what?” She asked hesitantly. The creature in front of her twitched, and only now she noticed the curved claws that protruded from where his fingers should be. “With your little skeleton friend's schemes.” The voice said with a pitchy laugh. “He's only using you so he can have an advantage over me. He doesn't care about you. Never has cared about anyone since his own family was massacred.” The person in front of her turned, reveling a pair of bloodshot eyes set against pale skin. The creature, (for it couldn't possibly be human,) gave a laugh, almost in wonder. “You don't know what you are yet, do you, girlie?” “I- what?” The thing laughed, turning to face her, still grinning cheek to cheek. “You'll find out soon enough darlin’. Just you wait.”