CHAPTER 91: DEMON GODDESS

Hours from now, everyone will partake in one of Penelope’s most unforgettable occurrences in her life as we will see Alexander Gerard Hunt’s final walk in humanity. After the pandemonium disturbance that took place in the basement two days ago, where Penelope became hysterically out of herself at the revelation of what exactly fell out in her father’s room, finally she came out of her self-constructed cocoon the day before and ordered for the burial to come about.


As the memorial ceremony was commencing and the congregation were silently seated in their respective places, while the priest commemorated the dignified man’s more than six decades of journey, I was beside her and clinging onto her hand for moral and emotional support.


With all honesty, the minute I beheld her walking out of her room the day before, something about her was peculiarly out of the ordinary. Although misery and grievance were evident at her, there was something more unfathomable in her eyes that was enigmatic and far-fetched. It was as if a certain force possessed her, which made her suddenly passive and distant yet frighteningly and unreadably reserved. The way her eyes bore at everyone yesterday, they lack any sorts of emotions and warmth. She barely even utters a word to anyone. She was like a walking time bomb just waiting for the perfect timing to set off, as if all her anger was pent up into a ball of massive blazing mass that was now living and residing inside of her.


I understand her condition perfectly, God knows I do. Anyone who would be in her shoes would actually feel the same way. But what I intensely feared about the minute she came into acceptance was now evidently emanating all over her. Extreme rage and monstrous wrath had taken her entire system and she no longer felt anything but her desire for revenge in any way possible. She may appear to be the same woman I knew physically, but she wasn't who I remembered her to be internally, which scared me the most.


This aftermath of what recently happened to her was indeed the scariest thing that I had ever encountered in my life. Her drive for retribution was so powerful I could literally feel it radiating in her skin. She would at all costs avenge her father. By all means, she would do whatever it takes, especially now that she was in control of everything and possessed the power bestowed upon her, to requite and reciprocate what Nicole did to her. And that’s what hellishly made me restless.


After an hour-long of commemoration and prayer, each and everyone from the congregation takes one final look at the dead and bid their last words. Penelope was the one who stood last as she held a white tulip at her left and a handkerchief at her right. I didn’t accompany her as much as I wanted to, for her to have a private moment with her father on his last day, but my eyes were closely watching over her from a distance for any signs of unwanted conflict that might occur.


I was partially relieved seeing how composed and mellowed down Penelope appeared to be in front. There was no sign of any retaliation from her as she stood silently while looking down to her father. But what deeply petrified me and confirmed the assumptions inside my head was when she started gripping her handkerchief. The way her knuckle clenched as she tightly held the piece of cloth she was holding was severely alarming. She boiled all her fury at it and if that thing has a life, it could have begged her to stop.


***


After two days of secluding myself from everything and anyone around me, the inevitable day has come where I have to face the world and see my father’s last walk on earth. Although as much as I wanted not to, I know that he deserved to be at memorial peace right next to where my mother lays.


The last two days that had passed, I mourned gravely for my loss. Every tear I had to shed was all spent up as I poured everything out all night and day. And after the great mourning, here I am now standing in front of my father’s coffin feeling nothing but utmost fury for the one who caused him to be in this state. There was no room for any pleasant or positive emotions in me, only massive and monstrous wrath, which was now dwelling down to my very core.


I was transformed into a being whose sole purpose in life now was to destroy and inflict the utmost pain imaginable to the person who brought out this monster inside of me. I had one goal in me at this moment and that is to find Nicole and grant her the punishment she rightfully deserved.


This unwanted beast in me would only die down once I fed my hunger for revenge and successfully acquired my mission. This wicked and devilish force subsiding inside my heart would only cease living once I get the job done and see Nicole behind cold bars. It would be just a matter of time for me to accomplish it, because I would use all the resources I gained to make it happen.


‘Don’t worry, Dad, I will avenge you no matter what. If she thought she got away for the crimes she committed, then she was fuckingly mistaken. I will spend all my time finding her and see to it that she pays everything accordingly. Time for you to rest, Daddy. Let me handle the rest. I promise you, I swear on this day, all hell will break loose right after we buried you. I love you so much, Daddy. May you rest in peace in the afterlife, together with Mom. Thank you for everything. I will revisit you once my mission is over. Guide over me and Michelle, we will definitely miss you tremendously.’


Right after I silently spoke to my father inside my head, I placed the flower I was holding on his chest and lovingly granted him a final kiss on his forehead. I was expecting for my eyes to moisten and build up some crystals, but none took place, not a single drop dampened my cheek as I stared one last time at the man who gave me the world I am in now. My tears must have been drained in the past two days as none leaked from my eyes.


‘I am not saying farewell, Dad, only so long. I will carry your love for as long as I live and continue your legacy through the years to come. I will make you proud of me, Alexander Gerard Hunt, make you proud that I am your daughter. I love you so much, Daddy.’


With renewed determination and strength, I walked back and headed to my seat where Lewis and the rest awaited me. A devious grin appeared at the corner of my lip as the memorial staff started to close his coffin with one thing stirring inside my head.


‘Better start praying, Nicole, because the demon goddess you created will begin collecting your debts.’