I opened my eyes to a view of a black suit jacket, the warmth from before still engulfed me; I felt at home when I looked up towards the source of my home, icy blue eyes caught my stare:

“Will” I whispered as he looked shocked for a second before his cold visage fell in place again.

Our little moment came to an end a knock sounded through the white cabinet, I pulled away from the Duke and ran to the chairs; moving them back into position as I sat down. We heard a faint ‘love are you in there?’ as the Duke and Benjamin moved Sir Richardson back and resumed our original positions. Just as the doorknob turned, I snapped my fingers and sleepy Sir Richardson woke up as a very attractive woman walked through the door.

She was beautiful, long silky hair the color of sunshine with greenest of eyes and soft-looking pouty lips; dressed in a mustard tea-line dress with black stilettos that fell perfect over her curvy body while the stilettos made her already long legs longer. She stopped as she noticed the company watching her, her eyes moved across the room; from Benjamin to me then lastly the Duke as her eyes fell on his form, a seductive smile fell onto her face:

“oh I am so sorry” she smiled sweetly and placed her hand on her chest “I didn’t know we had company” she twinkled her eyes.

“sir Richardson” the Duke stood to his feet with such speed and determination “if you find my proposal so boring then I shall leave” he pointed out at a very delirious Sir Richardson, who stood to his feet too.

“wait” he called out as the Duke gave me a glare as I scrambled to my feet and followed his brisk walk out of the room, ignoring the blonde beauty.

The slick black Lunza moved along the paddled road, an unsettling silence fell in the comfortable compartment; I didn’t know if I should say something or not but I decided not to. The Duke's eyes were on me the entire time, it was comfortable but for the hell of it; I didn't know why.

…..

After explaining everything I saw, Benjamin sat with his mouth open; gaping at me while the Duke sat unbothered by what I say. Before Benjamin could speak or react a bell sounded in the all room, the Duke pulled out his phone and glazed at the new text alert; his eyes scanned the context then he stood to his feet in great determination and vicar:

“We need to leave, Benjamin, tell the driver to get ready and then come help me pack,” he said not looking at me.

“what about Sir Richardson,” I asked walking towards him as Benjamin just struggled on his way out.

“We will give the evidence to authorities and they can handle it” he mentioned as he packs his bags which he pulled out from practical nowhere.

“The outcomes will be the same” I tried to get him to look at me but he avoided my eyes.

“well then” he just whispered as he gathered all his weapons and such

“Well then?” I look at him “three women have died and you say ‘well then’” I moved my hands into an air quote motion.

“Listen, this is just a little case, in a little town; basically past time. Easy to solve and easier to forget” he sneered at me, still avoiding my face.

“And yet I help you solve it” I heard him let out a disbelieving laugh then turned to me.

“We had this whole thing figured out a few days ago, we just wanted to solve you” I looked up at him in disbelief

“I was just another case?” I asked crossing my arms and Benjamin walked into the intense room.

“In one way or another,” he stopped and pinches his nose “look you were fun while it last but now I have to play with really bad people,” he said in a condensing tone as he looked down at me “congratulations, you proved me wrong. Now run along and go play with the ghosts in the attic” we stared each other down until I moved towards the door.

“ok…” I shook my head, trying to arrange my thoughts and rushed to get out of there.

“wait” I stopped in my tracks and turn to him. He went to the open suitcase and pulled out a roll of money then threw it at me. “take that and thanks for your services” I caught the thick roll of money, looking at it for a moment then threw it back.

“I don’t want your money,” I said as I left the room

….

“Well aren't you asshole,” Benjamin said from the door, I just gave him one of my best death glare then continued to pack up the clothes; all he did was stand there with his arms crossed and a look on his face like a disappointed mother.

“what,” I asked looking up at him

“you could’ve told her that we are coming back” I shook my head at that statement

“We are not,” I said pulling the bags up

“What?” Benjamin expressed “we are not coming back” he moved towards me

“Yes, so send your ‘other’ a notification and let’s get going” I grabbed a few bags and made my way to the front of the hotel but as I step into the bar, it looked like a hurricane came sweeping through; the chairs and tables were pushed out of the way and some even broken to pieces.

The bartender stood looking at his disarrayed bar as the lights and chandeliers rotated violently in circles with glass scattered across the dark wood floors, I moved toward the bar table and noticed a few men lying unconsciously on the floor; I walked up to the scared looking man:

“What happens here?” as Benjamin stood close behind me.

“the witch come through,” he said turning towards one of the men on the floor.

“what do mean witch?” Benjamin came on a bit aggressive with a sneer in his tone.

“The golden-eyed witch, I didn’t even know she was in here; I would have kicked her out if I knew” the bartender shook his head

Benjamin literally lunched for the man but I stop him before he could, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him out of the bar; his eyes piercing and his nose flaring, that man is lucky I held him close. I stood looking at the water down bar and smirk, I guess she proved me wrong again.

….

I know running into the woods was not the best idea but it was all I could think about in that short period of time, I still couldn’t grasp the reason why I felt so deeply about what he said; I have been called worst: witch, whore, cursed, bastard, bitch, slut, seductress and much more. Just those words from the snobbish brute and suddenly I go off crazy, just running through the woods, no problem; ugh, I need to do something.

Suddenly I felt this sharp pain hitting between my eyes and I fell to the ground and all I saw was blue skies, a lonely cloud before darkness took my senses.

Dusty road, broken down Kombi and art floating around me, a blast of ABBA came unto my ears as I swirl around against a chiseled chest with flowers in my hair; then it all got dark and gloomy. When I looked up I saw...

I gasped for air as my view was suddenly the night sky, stars twinkled and the moon cast down onto my face; peaceful, I knew my time in this town was over but what next. Yes, the vision came but gave me nothing at all; no direction, no city or no town, not even a lake or anything. So what next? I laid there not wanting to move, wanting to stay in this position as long as possible but then I heard swift movements coming from around me, I stayed still as it kept circling me over and over again but once it started coming straight towards me; I jumped up, completely flipping over and faced it head-on.

There is stood a creature of distinctive behavior, and il occhio, in its full glory; it’s large unusual smile and dead eyes kept me, hostage, it was taller than me but kept itself hunched over as low as it victim was, it looks almost human but everything about it was abnormally big.

I kept my eyes on it, deep eye contact unless you want to die; I even if you shift your eyes go it’s neck or just a tad bit off its eyes, you were done for:

“We meet again” I whispered in its native tongue as it just giggled which made chills run up my body.

You see with an il occhio, you have to believe it exists for it to harm you; if you have seen it, you are probably dead but if you haven’t seen it in your life, you might survive. But it can’t attack something that doesn’t know it exists that’s why all the townspeople were alive because they don’t know about it, well, a few do but they are dead now.

The only way to fight it is head-on. I pulled my dagger from the pants I still wore while keeping my eyes on him, looking deep in its yellows pools of death; I sliced it across both eyes and ran for my life as it yields in agony.

I ran as far as I could before it came toward me, I hide behind a tree; slowing my breathing so it couldn’t hear me. It’s stamped the ground as it made its way forward me, feeling a presence a few trees down, I looked at to the left just at the right times as its face turned towards me; keeping eye contact I moved towards another tree as far as I could and hide behind it. It was quiet, not a sound or a breathe; until it’s face appeared over my shoulder, gripping my dagger tighter as I held in a tight scream, I sliced it again and start running to the edge of the woods as the mansion and kitchen door came into view, with a loud thud it swing open as the loud agonizing scream sounded behind me. I heard a gunshot click and I yelled with all the strength, I could muster:

“don’t look at it!” as felt a pain strike my back and I fell to my knees but I kept yelling so they knew where to shoot.

One shoot and it came down; I turned and saw the burning flesh of il occhio. It was beyond recognition as I fell next to it unconsciously...

...