A Twisted Rose

A Twisted Rose

Prologue

I sit here, the blank white walls that encompass me become a canvas for my sorrow. I feel so lonely. How long has it been since I’ve had a visitor? Hours? Days? I’ve no idea. You lose all sense of time in this place. I perk up when I hear the jangling of keys. My eyes are fixed on the bleak grey door that keeps me forever trapped in this infinite hell. My fingers are crossed, I can’t help but hope that someone might be coming to release me. Even if I was free for just a few minutes, seconds even, it would be like heaven. I feel a faint smile creep onto my face as I anticipate the opening of the door, that blast of fresh air as the door swings open, even that would put me on cloud nine.

The smile dissipates from my face as quickly as it arrived, as all they are doing is opening the flap through which they slide in my meals. As it opens a sound, like that of fingers being scraped against a chalk board, sends shivers down my spine. I have to put up with that three times a day, it’s unbearable. A bowl of colourless sludge is shoved carelessly through the gap, allowing a few dollops of the monstrous muck to splash onto the cold grey floor beneath. People feed their dogs nicer food than I get. In fact, I’d sooner eat dog food than the filth they give me any day. I take one look at the viscous mixture before me and push it to one side, the same as the last two. They sit next to each other fermenting. It makes me feel sick to look at them, so I turn away. I lie down on the rock hard mat that they call my bed, close my eyes and cry myself to sleep, all the while wishing I’ll never wake up.

Chapter 1 – Before

“I’m fine mum!” I shout as I struggle to carry my things from the car. “Are you sure? Don’t you want me to help you settle in?”. “No thanks, I think I’ll manage.” I reply, trying to get away as quickly as possible. “But…” I hear her say before my Dad interrupts mumbling something about me not wanting to embarrass myself. I take my chance to break away from my parents and wander through the large black gates that are the entrance to my new university, Oxford.

I am in awe over its stunning architectural beauty. The gates are designed ever so intricately, with so much care. The twirls and patterns, they’re incredible. Don’t even get me started on the main building itself! It’s just amazing, though I can’t help feeling that it has a slightly ethereal feel to it, but that’s probably because I’m nervous.

I get to the fine ebony doors that lead into the main building and gently push them open, causing them to creak. Once I’m in I notice a woman sat at a solid oak desk reading. I go over to her not knowing what else to do, and say, with as much confidence as I can muster, “Excuse me, I’m new here.” She closes her book and looks up at me from over the top of her glasses. “Name.” She says coldly. No hello or welcome, just ‘Name.’. “R-R-Rose R-Retorta.”, I stutter, the harshness of the lady’s tone setting me even more on edge. She hits a few keys on a computer that looks to be over a century old. I presume she must be called Deirdre from the name plate on the front of her desk. She writes something down on a piece of paper and hands it to me. Immediately after, she stands up and begins to walk out. “Where are you going?” I ask. “Lunch” she says matter-of-factly. She continues to walk, but more briskly this time, and then, before I know it, she’s gone. I stand clueless for what seems to me at least five minutes until I pick up the piece of paper and unfold it. D118 is all that is written on it. D118?  I ponder what it could mean.

I’m snapped out of my deep thought by maniacal laughing that is echoing through the corridors. For a reason unbeknown to me, I decide to follow the mysterious sound. I’m led through a maze of countless corridors until I reach a door. On this door there is a sign with D118 written on it. I guess this is my dorm room. As my hand touches the handle the laughter increases in volume to the point where it is almost bursting my eardrums. But, as soon as I open the door the laughter stops completely. “Hello? Is anyone in here?” The silence is even more eerie than the laughter.

Suddenly, a hand touches my shoulder, causing me to jump. I spin round instantly. The person standing before me has bright pink hair with purple highlights. “Yo, mate, you gotta chillax.” . “Wha?” I say. “You must be Rose, I’m your new roomie, Harriet. But you can call me Hattie!”. She raises her fist. I move away, not wanting to be punched. “Aint ya gonna fist bump me? You can’t leave me hanging!”. “Oh, sure.” I reply, raising my fist gingerly. I gently touch my fist with hers. “That was more like a tap!”. “Sorry.” I mutter back. Noticing my discomfort, she changes her tone. “Don’t worry roomie, I can teach you how to fist bump properly. I’m so skilled at it.”. “I bet you are.” I say, but with more courage this time.

 “Mate, you’ve got so much stuff, you must be breakin’ your back carrying that lot! Let me grab some.” I don’t even have time to process what she’s just said before she’s taking tons of my possessions off of me. She just keeps grabbing them until I’m left with only the book I was reading on the journey here.

Once she has put my stuff down she flops onto a bed. “Why are you still standin’ in the doorway? This is your room too, you can come in ya know!” I walk in and stand awkwardly in the middle of the room. “I s’pose I should give you the grand tour! The bed I’m lying on is mine and the one with all your stuff dumped on it is yours, obviously. Over there is the bathroom.” She says, pointing at a brown door in the very corner of the room. “You can use my desk for studying and stuff like that until you get your own, which should just about squeeze in here. Your wardrobe is the one on the left where you can put all your clothes. I made sure that my desk had an empty drawer for you to store your junk in. That’s it really.”

 “Cool, it’s quite small isn’t it?” “Most peeps call it small, but I like to call it cosy.” I sit down on the small part of my bed that isn’t covered up by my stuff and let out a sigh of relief. “On that note, I’m off to work. Don’t wanna be late. They said that if it happens again I’m fired. You can un-pack whilst I’m gone and do whatever. I’ll show you the ropes tomorrow.”. “Thanks, bye.” I say. “See ya.” She says whilst walking out the door.

I begin to unpack leaving out my pyjamas and toiletries. By the time I’ve finished I’m exhausted. I glance at my watch. It’s only 6pm so I decide to stay up for a bit reading. I get into my pyjamas and brush my teeth. Once that is done I clamber under my covers trying to block out the cold. I try to read, but then I remember earlier. That laughter, it was so freaky. I barely get through a couple of paragraphs before I have to put my book down and contemplate the events that led me here. It just doesn’t add up. After a couple of hours brooding on it I fall asleep.

Chapter 2 -  The Dream

“Rose, Rose.”. Someone’s calling for me. I look around; I’m lying in a bed, my bed. “Rose, Rose.” They call out again. “Yes, who is it?” I reply. “Rose, Rose. Come here.” “Hello? Go where?” “To the common room. Rose, come to the common room.” “I don’t even know where that is.” I say. “Follow the whispers Rose, the whispers.” I climb out of bed and listen closely. Nothing. I walk to the door and turn the handle. Slowly, I push the door open.

I step out into the hall. This time I notice them. Endless whispers so faint you have to strain to hear them, but they’re there. “Join us.” Is all they’re saying. Their voices hushed and mysterious, ghostly even. I’m drawn to them. Seduced by them, I let them guide me to the common room.

When I enter I see a man in his mid-sixties who looks to me like a professor and a boy, of about 23, but dressed in rather old fashioned clothing. They’re sat on a red leather sofa, so worn with age, both of them are staring at me. At first I think they’re real people, but then their images flicker, like a hologram. After further scrutiny I notice that they are slightly transparent. It takes me just a moment to realise that they are ghosts. “Rose, Rose, sit down.” They both say simultaneously, the elder of the two gesturing to a large red leather arm chair directly opposite him. As I lower myself onto the seat the chair groans, I don’t think that it’s been sat in for an awful long time. “You’re the chosen one.” The boy says, his face staying blank and expressionless. “I am?” “Yes, we picked you.” The man replies. “You mustn’t let us down, or the consequences will be dire.” “I won’t let you down.” I say, though I’m not quite sure why. Everything goes white. Those four words echo in my mind. “Don’t let us down, don’t let us down, don’t let us down…”

Chapter 3 – The Beginning of the End

“Rose wake up, are you alright!?” Somebody’s shaking me, quite violently, and shouting. I open my eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine, what is it?” “It’s just, you were like convulsing, I thought you were having a fit. And you’re drenched in sweat, your pyjama top’s soaking.” I look down, she’s right, it’s clinging to me. “Blimey, I could wring that out.” “I know right, are you sure you’re Ok?” “Definitely.” I say, even though I know that I’m lying. “I was probably just having a hot flush or something. “Oh, whatever you say then.” Hattie replies. “Why don’t you have a shower and get dressed and I’ll show you round campus.” “Sure.” I say. “Cool, I’ll be waiting out here, you’ve got ‘bout 15 minutes.” “Ok.”

I walk into the shower and start the water running. It’s boiling hot, just the way I like it. I begin to wash my hair, but before I can finish I get soap in my eyes. “Ah!” I let out a stifled yell. I stumble out of the shower and make my way to the sink. Instantly, I splash cold water on them. I continue until all the soap is gone and they sting no more. I look in the mirror to see how red they are. The ghosts, they’re there. I stand frozen for a minute or so until the boy reaches out to touch me. His hand almost reaches my shoulder before I turn around. I grip tightly to the sink, it’s supporting my whole body weight. I scan every crevice of the room, and do it twice just to make sure, but they’re not there anymore. It’s just my mind playing tricks on me, I convince myself. Still shaking, I clumsily wrap a towel round me and exit the bathroom.

I open the doors to my wardrobe and take whatever comes to hand. When emerge I find that I have chosen a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved white top. These should look fine, I think to myself. I throw them on and, upon exiting the room, I am greeted by an eager Hattie. “We’ll go to the common room first.” She says. “Ok.” I reply, trying desperately not to show the ever increasing fear in my voice. “That’s where you’ll be issued with a timetable and all the other info you’ll need.”

We stroll along the corridors until we reach the common room. It’s nothing like in my dream. All the furniture’s modern and minimalist. “Where’s the red sofa and arm chair?” I stupidly ask. “Those? They were ripped out at least two decades ago. Where did you find out it used to look like that?” “I think I read it in a leaflet or something.” “Oh, right, this way.” She drags me to a white table with an iMac on it. Behind it is stood a man, around the age of 28, who is wearing some jeans and a Che Guevara t-shirt. “Hi, I’m Arthur and a senior student here, it’s my job to help you get settled.” He puts out his hand and I shake it. His persona is of someone very confident and, as I suspected, his handshake matches that. I was worried he was going to cut off my circulation! “Would you be so kind as to tell me your name?” “Rose Retorta.” I answer. He types something in on the iMac and then says “Ah, there you are. I’ll just print of your timetable for you. Within a few moments I can hear the rumbling of a computer. He reaches down below the desk and produces a timetable on a crisp white piece of paper. “Thanks.” I say, as he hands it to me. “No problem.” He says with a cheesy grin.

“Who’s lecturing you today then?” Hattie says, snatching my timetable. “Dr Mortus! He’s a legend! Lucky.” “I’ll take you to class, then I’ll have to leave you as I’ve got class too and I’ve got Mrs Saeva, and she’s evil!” We walk outside, it’s pouring down with rain. Hattie rushes across campus and I follow, but at a slightly slower pace. We quickly arrive and, before I even have time to say bye, Hattie’s gone. I look in, no one else is there apart from a man reading at a desk, so I saunter in the doorway. I feel the need to sneeze and try to suppress it, but I can’t. “A-a-achoo!” The noise echoes around the room. The man looks up and gives me a warm smile. He walks over to me whilst saying “Hello, I’m Dr Mortus, and you are?” “Rose, Rose Retorta.” “Nice to meet you Rose, you may take a seat wherever you like. You have plenty of choice seeing as you’re the first one here.” “Yeah, my room mate took me here.” “Did she, what’s her name?” “Harriet, but she likes to be called Hattie.” “Does she have quite vivid hair?” “Yeah, it’s pink with purple highlights.” “I taught her last year.” “She was really jealous when she found out I had you.” “I’m glad to hear it.” More people start entering, so he begins the lesson.

After the lesson I have a free hour so head back to my room. When I get there they’re sat on my bed. “Look in the drawer, Rose, look in the drawer.” “Which one?” “You know which one.” “I don’t…” I say, before I realise that it’s probably the drawer that Hattie saved for me. I reach towards it. I don’t want to, but I have to, they haven’t given me an option. I open the drawer.

Inside is a knife. The blade looks like brand-new, it’s sparkling, reflecting the suns rays back at me and causing me to squint. I don’t know why but I pick it up grasping the long back handle ever so tightly. “What’s the meaning of this!” I say angrily. They put their fingers to their lips and fade away. It’s at that moment that Hattie walks in and, just in the nick of time, I put the knife behind my back. I then realise the purpose of this knife, they want me to kill Hattie. I try to fight the urge but I can’t, it’s impossible. I subtly close the door and lock it. I pin her against the wall and raise the knife high in the air. She tries to scream, but all that escapes is a faint rasp. In and out the knife goes until I’m sure she’s dead. I let go, her body flops to the ground with a deafening thud. What have I done?

Chapter 4 – No turning back

I walk out of the room, I need air. Where can I hide the knife? There’s no CCTV here, I know that for certain. I notice that Deirdre, the one who gave me my dorm number when I first got here, isn’t at her desk. I wipe the handle of all my fingerprints and place it in a drawer in her desk. That should keep it hidden for now, I conclude. Just as I close the drawer, someone walks in. I quickly swivel round, trying to stop myself from shaking. “Are you alright?” They ask. “Y-yeah, fine.” I nervously stammer. “If that’s what you say.” They reply, whilst walking out. As soon as they are gone I let iut a rather lod and relieved shy. That was close, too close. I stay outside for another ten minutes before I make my way back to my room.

I take a deep breath before entering. Once in I let out what I perceive to be a rather convincing scream and run out, slamming the door behind me. Dr Mortus is running towards me. “I was in the common room helping students revise for an upcoming test, what on earth’s the matter?” “It’s Hattie,” “What about Hattie?” I slump to the floor and he crouches next to me. “She’s dead.” I begin to sob, but not for the reasons he suspects, I’m weeping at what I’m capable of. I never wanted to be a murderer. “Murdered?” I nod my head, I can’t speak, not now. He gets his mobile out and dials 999. He’s trying to keep calm, but I can see he’s not. “Hello, yes. Name, uh, Edward Mortus. Great, five minutes, we’ll be waiting outside.” “Come on then Rose, they’ll be here any minute now.

We walk to the large gates that I entered just yesterday, though it seems so long ago. A police car arrives with an ambulance not too far behind. A short man with a fairly protrusive belly climbs out of the police car. He reminds me somewhat of the fat controller from Thomas the tank engine, though not quite as nice. His hair is greasy and, from just one look, I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. He puts out his hand and, at the same time, says “I’m Superintendent Vigilum and I will be investigating this case.” Dr Mortus shakes his hand. “You must be Edward Mortus, and you are?” He says, directing his queries to me. “She’s the girl that discovered the body and her names Rose Retorta.” Dr Mortus interjects. He then whispers, but a tad too loudly, “She’s a bit shaken up, as you can imagine.” “Yes, quite so. Would you like to direct me to the crime scene?” “Of course.”

The ambulance crew are following us, carrying with them a stretcher and a body bag. We reach the door to my room and Vigilum asks me “Would you be so kind as to go in again?” “No, I can’t go in, not again, once was enough.” “Ok, take me through what happened instead.” “Well, I was walking around campus in my free hour and decided to go to my room. When I entered there was blood everywhere and Hattie was dead, so I let out a scream and ran back out again.” As I talk, I struggle to keep my composure and just about manage to finish before I’m bawling again. “Take her somewhere else to calm down and what have you, we’ll take your statement later. “Right then, come on Rose, I’ll take you to the staff room. It’s on the other side of campus, but great for having some quiet time.” He puts his arm around me as we walk in useless attempt to sooth me. A few minutes later we reach the staff room and he sits me down on a sofa. After a while I’ve calmed down and so I ask Dr Mortus “Can I borrow your phone, it’s just mine’s in my room and I can’t get it. So can I use it to call my parents?” “Sure, here you go.” He hands me his phone.

I clumsily dial the number, getting it wrong a few times. Finally, it’s ringing “Hello, who is this?” My mum’s picked up the phone. “It’s Rose.” “Hi honey, is everything alright?” “No.” I say, letting a lone tear roll down my cheek. “What’s wrong sweetie?” “My room mate, Hattie, she’s been murdered, and I discovered the body.” “Oh my, me and your father shall be down as soon as possible. “Ok.” “So we’ll see you around, lets see, it’s 11am now and it takes about three hours to get to Oxford, so we’ll see you at 2pm, 2:30pm.” “Ok” “Will you be Ok in the meantime.” “Yeah I’ll be fine.” “Alright then sweetie, if you’re certain you’ll be fine, bye.” “Bye” I hang up, if I was on the phone to her a moment longer I would’ve burst into tears again.

About three hours later my parents arrive. I rush up to my mum and give her a hug, then it’s my fathers turn. He holds me so tight I’m worried he’ll never let go. “They’ve provided us with a place to stay on campus, if that’s what you want; it’s what I’d like.” I say. “We’ll stay here if that’s what you want.” My dad says. “It would mean the world to me.” I reply. “Well, that’s settled then, we’re staying here!” My mum exclaims. As we’re walking Arthur comes up to me. “Did you hear the news about the secretary in the main building?” He whispers in my ear. I shake my head. “The murder weapon was found in her desk so she’s been taken into custody.” I try to act surprised, but it really isn’t, seeing as I planted it there.

Chapter 5 – Deirdre

I walk through the austere corridors of the prison whilst being escorted by two armed guards. They chuck me in a cell and lock it. Everyone’s being so mean because I’m the so-called ‘murderer’ of Harriet. I’ve tried to tell them countless times that it was planted and I had no idea that it was there until I was arrested for the murder, but they won’t listen. It’s like talking to a brick wall. I’ve had enough of the abuse and the false accusations. I don’t think I can take it any more. Even the prisoners call me vile and sick, they spit on me through the bars of my cell as well, if they ever get to walk past it that is. My own children wont speak to me, neither will my husband. He said I’m a monster and he’s filing for divorce. Because of a heartless killer I’ve lost everything I hold dear to me. I have to leave, dead or alive.

For me there’s only one way out of this endless turmoil. Suicide. I rip up my bed sheets and make them into a make-shift rope, hoping they’ll be strong enough. I loop it round the radiator and then make a noose sort of thing. I put the noose round my neck and lean forwards. After I’m not sure how long, the pain is intense, but I’m not going back, not now.  I’m gasping for breath. My bodies working so hard to keep me alive. It doesn’t want what I want, but it doesn’t have a choice. After I’m not sure how long I pass out, relishing in the thought that I’ll be dead soon.

Chapter 6 – Trigger Happy

I’m sat in my new room contemplating the news, I might get away with the murder, but I don’t know if I can hold onto my sanity, if it hasn’t already gone. “Rose, Rose.”

The ghosts are back. “Look under your bed.” I know I should just ignore them, but I can’t. I reach beneath my bed and my hand touches a cold object. At once I know it’s a gun. I lift it up. It’s a black revolver. There are two bullets in it. It takes me just a moments thought to figure that they want me to kill my parents. I fight the compulsion to do it, but it’s too strong. They’re too strong. They’ve got a grip over me and they won’t let go

I walk into my parents’ room, they’re asleep. My hands are shaking so much so that I have trouble aiming. I close my eyes as I shoot my father in the head, bits of his brain fly everywhere. My mum’s awake now, she’s screaming, telling me to put the gun down. I can hear her voice, but I can’t hear. The ghosts voices are drowning her out “Kill her. Don’t let us down.” Is going around in a loop in my head, like a broken record.  I pull the trigger; the bullet goes right through her heart, causing blood to spray all over the place. She’s quiet now and the voices have stopped. I know the police will probably be here soon considering the how much of a commotion this was, so I take my chance to have one final hug with my parents. I huddle between their bodies, so limp and lifeless. I know now, I’m just a monster, a cold-blooded killer who’ll shoot her own parents. I cuddle up to them and drift into a deep sleep

Chapter 7 – Court

“Members of the jury how do you find the defendant?” “Guilty on all charges.” At that I sink to the floor and burst into tears. Ignoring my wails, the judge goes on. “Rose Retorta you have been found guilty of murdering Harriet trucidati, Jonathon Retorta and Isabelle Retorta. You have also been found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice, for all these charges you will be sentenced to 50 years imprisonment. I also order for a psychiatric assessment to be done on you. Guards, take her away.” And that’s that. At the wave of a single persons hand, I’m done for. I may not be dead but my life is over. Goodbye.