Musée du Ben

He rested his back against the wall and took a deep breath. In a distant, he could see a bright light. Blood was gushing from his stomach. He could feel the soul freeing from his body. His vision slowly blurred out as he saw his wife trying to reach out her hands. Finally, he took his last breath earning permanent peace.

The Ode

Church bell rang for the first time. Passing through the white mist, the chapel of Christ emerged with its intricate open architecture which conveyed the stories of the Roman empire. Silent prayers echoed from inside which intensified the devotion of people. A dark casket was placed in front of the altar, with concerned people surrounding and showering their condolences. Lilies, Chrysanthemums and Carnations emanating the soothing smell, were decorated around the black casket. Inside the casket lay an old man suited with a black tuxedo. His name was John Henry. The priest walked around the casket discharging smoke from the thurible. The smoke filled the place where the memories of the John were occupied. His beloved wife, Grace Henry was seated in a wheelchair near the casket. Tears were rolling down from her eyes. Also, the heaven slit apart shedding her tears like rain. As the church has open rooftop the drizzle was invited inside. The people gathered, expanded their umbrella except for Grace who had a black hat and clutching a Red rose tight. Holy oil was sprinkled over the casket and it was closed with a cross engraved lid. Grace placed her red rose over the casket and mourned for a while. Later she saw her palms, there were bloodstains all over it.

” I wish I could scream. If someone had stopped it, his eyes would be still seeing the world. That night was dreadful. He was not prey but a predator.”

Drops of Blood

Church Bell rang for the second time. The roar of thunder tore the cloud open and drops of heaven fell onto the ground. John’s house was pale blue with a single maple tree in front. The tire tied to the tree was swinging back and forth. The window glasses were shattered and the pieces lay on the floor. The sound of the atmosphere wasn’t holy. A chair had a broken limb with blood stains found over the furniture. The clock has forgotten ticking after the gruesome chaos happened that night. Crowbar has been lodged into a masked man and the blood was dripping from its sharp edge. .45 pistol lay on the ground with smoke coming out from its fire hole. Near the pistol, another masked dead man had his head wide open due to gunshot and blood oozing from inside. The breath was heavy, a well-dressed gentleman was struggling for his life by resting against the wall. It was John. He was holding the blood gushing from his stomach. John’s red-stained eyes were filled with tears and pain. His tears reflected Grace sitting on a bed mourning for John. She was trying to move, but couldn’t. Slowly his vision went blurry and it was all dark. 

“He attacked them with his mighty strength like a lion attacking bloodthirsty hyenas. He saved my dear life and sacrificed his life. It was a nightmare, a day one wasn’t expecting which shattered my whole life apart”

The Hunt

Church Bell rang for the third time. There was complete silence inside the home. Suddenly, the main door was opened using a crowbar from outside creating noise. Two masked men rushed inside the house and their eyes were looking for something that shines naturally. On the other side of the locked door, John and Grace were frightened. John was peeking through the door hole and saw a man approaching their room. Grace held her rosary tight as she heard footsteps approaching. John fixed a chair towards the door to halt them from entering. The two men bashed against the door as they found out what they’re seeking is inside. Crowbar tore open the door and hand reached inside to unlock. John was prepared to face the evil, whatever it takes to save Grace’s life. Piercing the rush, a bullet sound was heard. John was taken aback by gunshot. The door was bashed open and two masked men entered the room. John grabbed the chair and hit the masked man armed with a pistol. The man fell and the pistol glided to the corner of the room. Another man attacked John with a crowbar from behind. John was badly hurt from it. When the man approached Grace, John with all his might hit the chair to his head, the visions went all chaotic and he dropped the crowbar. John took the crowbar and stabbed deep inside the man’s chest from back. It pierced and came through the other side. Grace felt a relief, suddenly a bullet went through John and blood stained his shirt. She was shaken by the sight. With whatever energy it is left, John moved swiftly to lodge the crowbar inside the masked man who shot him. But he easily dodged the crowbar, pointing the gun to John’s head he said, “Make a wish old man”. He pulled the trigger!

The bullet wasn’t shot as John held his finger behind the trigger. The masked man looked at him in shock. John said, “I wish you’re dead”. He twisted the gun, pointed to the man’s head and pulled the trigger.

“The silence of our life has been disrupted by evil. The nest we built was destroyed along with our memories. The tree which we’ve grown is uprooted. Was it all because of the ring?”

Breaking the silence

Church Bell rang for the fourth time. Love was filled in every atom inside the house. A foul smell entered the house as strange sounds were heard outside. John moved the curtain and looked through the window. His pupil dilated as he saw two armed men wearing mask trying to get inside his house. He turned to Grace and saw her smile fading. Grace was afraid of looking at John’s eyes. He lowered his sight to see a shining ring in her finger and the past events started flashing in his head. A few weeks back John found two similar men following him while he was coming out of that diamond store. He realized they’ve come for the ring.

“He is my guardian, my treasure. He reflects love in his eyes. I could still remember seeing candles lighting the room with beautifully decorated cake on the table and a Diamond Ring John had in his hand for me”

Dear Grace

Church Bell rang for the last time. John and Grace were having a moment in their room. Beethoven’s Fur Elise was played in the phonograph. He slowly removed her red blindfold. Grace saw the room was decorated with candles lighted up, her favourite blueberry cake was kept in front. “Happy 60th Birthday my ever-young Grace” was engraved over the cake. A pink flower petal flew through the window as nature blew the candles. Grace was resting in her bed cherishing the beautiful moment. She couldn’t express her joy with words, as she can’t move and neither speak. Last year, she was diagnosed with paralysis which put her life to darkness and John was her only light. John dances before her to make her smile. Suddenly he knelt before her and took out the diamond ring. The moon was reflected on the diamond. Tears rushed in Grace’s eyes as John wore the ring to her finger. John held the waist and kissed her tight with love.

“My hero is one with the stars above, leaves me alone with dust of happy memories. He saved my life; wish I could shout “I love you” before he closed his eyes”

As the tear glided on her cheeks and fell upon the ring, John’s face was reflected in the diamond. He was standing behind holding her wheelchair. He consoled by pressing her shoulders and they walked away from the grave. Gradually the hallucinated John faded and the rose placed on John’s grave fell to the ground.