Her Second Chance novel Chapter 3

Dianne didn't respond. Her eyes were like burning infernos.

Claude tried sitting up, but fell back weakly, due to the reaction of the injection she had been given earlier by the doctor.-

"I just came to bid you goodbye, Claude." Dianne smirked.

"Goodbye? What do you mean, Dianne? Are you cursing me?" Claude frowned, and winced at her effort.

"Curse? I don't have to curse you, you are cursed already." Dianne brought her face closer to Claude's. So close that Claude could feel her warm breath on her face.

"Dianne what are you saying? Where is the doctor? When will the surgery start?" Claude asked in panic.

She could sense danger emanating from Dianne's being. The ominous feeling she had felt earlier was getting stronger.

Dianne chortled as she saw the pure panic on her face.

"Surgery? What surgery are you talking about, dear Claude? There is no surgery to be done. The doctor is through with you." Dianne took a seat beside her, leaving Claude to wonder where she had gotten a chair from in an operation theatre.

Claude forced herself up again, but fell back pathetically on the bed.

"It's useless, Claude. I'm sure you are feeling a strange weakness on your lower region, right?" Dianne smiled at her.

In the past, Claude always thought of her smile as pretty. But at that moment, the Dianne who was smiling at her looked like the Devil's incarnate. No, worse than that...

Claude thought into her words, and her eyes widened in realization. It dawned on her.

The weakness which she had been feeling. The pain, the drowsiness...

She was the cause! She was behind it.

Her heart began palpitating as she turned to look at the being whom she had grown up with. Her very own friend.

Different questions filled Claude's mind, but she could only choke out a word,

"Why?" Her eyes closed in pain.

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( CLAUDE'S POV )

"Why? Is that even a question?" I opened my eyes when I heard her chuckle without mirth.

I winced as a new bout of pain hit me.

"Let's start with; what?" Dianne cleared her throat and laughed coldly.

"Do you remember, that beautiful morning? We were seven... In your room with your mother, what she said to you? Do you remember?" Dianne's face was expressionless.

I was puzzled at her strange question.

"Do you really expect me to remember what happened when we were seven?" I coughed violently and spat out blood. At the sight of my own blood, my eyes widened in horror.

Seeing the look of horror on my face, Dianne threw her head back, and gave a hearty laugh.

As she stifled her laughter, she asked,

"Scared? Don't be... This is nothing... Your death will be a very painful one, Claude. That had always been my wish after all..." She laughed again.

As my eyelids began shutting close slowly, I heard her say,

"And you know what? Xavier will be mine. Mine, Claude. It's a pity you won't be here to witness our beautiful relationship." Dianne clicked her tongue.

My eyes were closed and I was slowly collapsing into oblivion. But I heard her clearly.

'Xavier will be mine.'

Tears cascaded down my cheeks through my tightly shut eyes.

She continued,

"But it's fine all the same... I hope you rot in hell!!" Her final words shot into my heart like an arrow, breaking the final feelings I had for my best friend.

A strong emotion filled my mind. So strong, stronger than the pain I was feeling. Hatred...

I hated Xavier! I hated Dianne! And most importantly, I hated that doctor who acquiesced to Dianne's plans. She abused her profession. I hate her!!

I forced my eyes open. The final look in her eyes, engraved itself in my heart.

"Goodbye Claude. I will miss you." She chuckled and sashayed out of the theatre.

I could hear the sound of her footsteps as she departed...

I was helpless...

'Moon goddess, help me.' My eyes shut itself close.