ONE: FIRST BITE

I have become accustomed to always being just inside the house since the rumor of missing in our village became strong.

"Rosie, darling, don't let strangers in, huh?" Mom ordered.

I stopped building the house using the soil I had wet with the water about earlier before turning to Mom. I know she's going to hunt again now because she's wearing dirty clothes and big pants and her black boots. She also carries a dagger that she uses.

She turned to Gello who was now cooking our food. He is not my mother's family member but he has been living here since his parents died. Mother took him and shelter him with us here in the middle of the forest.

"Gello, keep an eye on Rosie. I'll leave her to you." Mom bid a goodbye.

“Yes Mother.” Gello nodded.

Mother turned to me again and approached me then messed up my hair. "Be careful Mom." I said.

She just smiled and left the house. I followed her to the door and watched her leave and then went back to what I was doing when she disappeared from my sight. I ignored Gello because he was busy cooking for our dinner again and I continued what I was doing.

It was a long time before I finished the house and Gello approached me with food. Then I noticed that he was done. I looked up at him and saw him staring at what I had done.

" Woah! It's great." I smiled because of what he said.

"Really?" He handed me the food then smiled and nodded. I would have taken the plate when he returned it to him.

"Wash up first." He ordered so I ran to the kitchen and washed my hands. I never lost my smile even when we ate because of Gello's simple praise of what I did.

When I was tired from playing all day, I couldn't wait for Mom and I fell asleep right away. As soon as I woke up, I immediately looked for him in the house. I even caught Gello standing in the doorway while looking outside. I noticed his sadness and anxiety even though it was on my side.

The 'monkey' is sad again. Haha.

I grinned and slowly approached him. “Hey!” I shouted from behind.

He was shocked that he turned to me as his eyes widened. But for a moment, his forehead furrowed.

" Where's Mom?" I asked and ignored the frown on his forehead. I know he's angry at me but he won't hit me so I'm not afraid if he's angry. Haha.

"Gello." I pat him because he looks like an idiot.

He's three days older than so I didn't call him elder brother. We're the same height so it's not obvious. I’m not used to it either and especially him. He would rather prefer if I call him by his own name than brother.

It was a long time before he could speak. "M-maybe, outside." Calm but the nervousness in his voice did not escape me. I stared at him and watched his reaction. He just broke away and walked back inside.

I went out to look for my Mother. It didn't matter to me that I was barefoot and just kept going until I reached the back of the house where my mother's favorite hangout was. I tried to find her there but I didn't see even a shadow of her. I was starting to feel nervous but I tried to stabilize myself.

The news in our village came to my mind so I was even more nervous. I ran back inside to see if my mother's things were already there. Gello even asked me why I was in a hurry but I ignored him and looked for the item.

My tears were welling up especially when I saw nothing. A few moments later there was a knock on our door so I ran towards it thinking it was Mother.

"Mom!" I cried when I saw her.

I couldn't help but cry as I hugged her tightly. She hugged me back and sat down. She also asked me why I was crying and I just shook my head so she didn't ask again and just settled me.

I felt calm after that day and the days that followed. There was also no news then and Mom still hunting often but not until one night we didn’t, I expected.

There was a loud bang from outside the house where Mother was lighting a fire to repel mosquitoes. I was in the kitchen washing the dishes while Gello was with Mom outside so when I heard that I ran to them but I was just so shivering when I saw the scary creature in front of me.

"Rosie comeback inside!" Mother shouted loudly but I could not move because my knees were shaking with fear.

I fell down in weakness when they approached me, my tears flowed one after another and I could not stop crying. Repeling the monsters. Mother and Gello kept shouting my name but I couldn't notice them anymore and I was just stunned when the monster grabbed me.

"Rosie! Mom!" It's Gello. He was throwing stones at the monsters so it turned on him. In an instant, all the monsters were in front of Gello. They were ready to pick him up when Mother pushed him.

"Mom !!" Gello and I shouted almost at the same time as they took Mother and disappeared.

I lost the strength to stand up so all I could do was to cry. Gello insisted on coming to me to help me get in but I struggled with him.

" T-they took Mother Gello .... Mother .." I moaned to him. He was also crying as he watched me beg him to save my mother until I lost consciousness.

Every day I force Gello to look for Mom but he just shakes his head at me. I couldn’t help but be annoyed with him for his having no concern for Mom. He did nothing but lock us inside the house. I understand he was afraid that the monsters might come back to us but I hope he made a way to find Mom.

He always reasoned that we were young and we could do nothing but stay home.

"We're safer here Rosie."

"B-but our Mom-"

"Shh. Sleep on that first. You need to rest." I just cried in his chest. He didn't speak anymore and just let me go to sleep.

It's been a few weeks since Mom was abducted by monsters. We also have no news about what is happening in our village because we did not dare to go out or if we go out it is only close to the house and only every morning. And when darkness consumes the light we close all the windows and doors and go to bed early.

I was shocked to hear a knock on the door. Gello was also beside me and told me not to make noise. I noticed it was still pretty bright on the outside. I don't think it's been a night out yet.

"Is there anyone here. If could, I'd like to have a drink. It's already dark outside and if only we could also stay." A male voice. I got up to get some water when Gello stopped me.

“What are you doing?” He asked in a low voice.

"They're thirsty. I'll just give them water." I said. His forehead immediately wrinkled but I ignored him and continued to the kitchen to get some drinking water.

"Rosie, maybe that's a monster again. Do you want us both to perish here too?" I still went to the door and let Gello go. He stopped me but I didn't listen and opened the door. It's not really open, just enough for my hand holding a glass of water to hand them.

I was still trembling when I reached it out of fear but I tried to stabilize myself. I also tried to peek at them from the inside. I’m having a bit of a hard time because I don’t want to make it obvious that I’m looking at them.

I’m right they’re not your monsters because they’re well dressed. I first saw their brown dress which was not the same color but similar. The whiteness was obvious to them and I could not say that they were travelers or hunters. I looked up at their faces but only slowly because I was afraid to see something like that in those monsters even though I strongly felt they weren’t them.

"T-this is the water you're asking for. I'm sorry if w-we can only help you with water. We can't l-let in someone we don't know." I said nervously. When I was able to look up, our eyes meet by the tall man, so I backed away and just hid behind the door. I never looked there again. He's not the one who's talking to us.

"At least for a minute? I'm injured." I was shocked when the man earlier spoke again.

"I-I can't. I-I'm sorry." My answer. Suddenly Gello shouted from behind me so I turned to him. He looked dark as he approached me.

"Whoever you are, leave! This place is dangerous!- Rosie, let go of the glass." He scolded me but I didn't obey. He is already in front of me that I just did noticed now 'cause the tall man's eyes still could not be removed on my mind. His eye...

"Listen to me. Not all the time you have to help the needy. You will only be in danger by what you do."

"B-but-"

"Do you want what happened to your mother to happen again?" I shook.

Suddenly the door opened causing me to drop the glass and it splashed at the foot of the man who opened the door.

"Why did you open it?!" Gello yelled at me.

"I-I'm not .. I-I don't know." I was shaking.

Just a few seconds later I found myself holding by the tall man. My eyes widened when I saw his long fangs and red eyes. He almost attack me but far away before, if only his male companion hadn't stopped him he might have been able to continue his plan.

I trembled with fear and could not stop crying. "M-monster!" I shouted and hurried away from him.

He immediately disappeared in front of us and there I could not help but fall to the floor. Gello immediately hugged me as he pushed the men away. Moments later I felt weakness and flaking of the eyes.

"D@mn. That's almost. Vlad didn't easily get thirsty especially when it comes to human blood but .. What the hell! He's really young. Tsk. That King."

"Is that his first bite-"

"Correction his first attempt. To human? Of course. But I can't believe him, an innocent girl, seriously? .. Let's go Janse we need to find Vlad."

The man shouted, the one who asked us for water.

"Give me a second Mint. Also don't call me that name and let me remind you that I'm still your professor." Gello. He knelt down and waved his hand.

" Little girl. Sleep and forget this event. You too Boy... " Gello's embrace with me loosened as my eyes peeled even more until I didn't know what happened next because I was completely engulfed in darkness.

I thought I would wake up well and peacefully but I was just so scared when the monsters came up to me to take Mother. I cried when I saw Gello lying on the ground.

"G-gello- ahh !!" I shouted again when one of the monsters lifted me up. I repeatedly shouted Gello's name that until now he was still unconscious.

In a flash all the monsters flew in front of me even the one holding me because of the arrival of the man I thought was just in my dream. But instead of being scared, I calmed down because of his presence.

"I'm sorry. But I need you." He whispered as he stabbed a sharp object in my neck. It was a painful reason for me to scream and cry but that was only for a moment because he had already left me and put me next to where Gello who was stunned by what was happening.

We witnessed the clash between the monsters and the man.

"L-let's run away Rosie." Gello whispered. I could feel her trembling because we were just sticking together. He stood up even though he was weak and supported me but when I stood up my knees were already bent so I fell to the ground again.

"G-gello, l-lift me up. I can't stand anymore." I cried. He quickly turned around and put me on his back when two other male companions arrived.

We heard a shout from the man who had helped me earlier as one of his companions approached us.

"You're safe kids." He whispered to us. We haven't even blinked since we were in front of Aling Martha's house.

"Forget everything kiddos." The man gestured in our face before disappearing into the front.

The sun was already high when I woke up. If I hadn’t just felt the soft thing I wouldn’t have planned to get up. The cozy and large bed to me so I immediately looked around and saw that I was not in my own room. I also don’t remember Gello having that either. Then I realized that we were not in our house when Mrs. Martha and Gello opened the door.

“Rosie.” Gello called.

"You're awake. Oh Goodness! You children will kill me with worry. Where did you two goes that you're both showered with wounds! If I don't find you outside the house! Thank goodness!" She approached and touched my forehead. Her face relieved then and turned to me.

"It's a good thing that your fever has gone down, darling. You've been burning with fever for five days!"

"Eat that first Rosie." Gello groaned from the side. Then I just felt hungry to see the food. That's why I'm weak because I haven't eaten properly for five days because I just slept while the fever was high.

I felt better after eating.

Mrs. Martha asked us many questions about what happened to us but none of us could answer because even we did not know what happened to us.

We stayed at Mrs. Martha's house for a few weeks and she got along well with us. She's alone in life and her house is big so she can no longer take care of it. She was happy when we came because the house was clean and airy again.

"It's good that you two are here." Glad, she told us and hugged us. Gello and I stared at each other as Mrs. Martha hugged us and just smiled at each other.

" We're thankful to you grandma for sheltering us here as well." I said.

That day we talked about finding Mom. Mrs. Martha's asked to the authorities to find our mother in the forest we pointed out. We would have liked to go in case but the authorities did not allow us, especially Mrs. Martha, who said it was too dangerous for us ,children, even though we said we were familiar with the forest.

We just stayed at Mrs. Martha's house while waiting for the news from the authorities.

I was cleaning the yard when the authorities arrived. Immediately, they stopped and so I ran to meet them. The car they used is bigger now than in the past but it wasn't difficult for me not to face it because it has a brand.

My world almost stopped when I saw the woman wrapped up and dirty. My tears flowed as her tears also fell. She jumped out to the car and ran towards me.

"Mom!" I sobbed and hugged her tightly.

"Oh my Rosie." She cried too.

Our village has returned to normal and has become peaceful again in the years that have passed. Authorities found not only Mother but also all the people who were reported missing.

Authorities found them in the shade of the forest.

Their story is that they were enslaved and imprisoned by foreigners who would have sold them out of the country if only the three brave strangers had not helped them to escape. But I notice that a part of the story is being missed.

I know what I saw that night but why there seems to be no mention in the stories of our villages who also witnessed what I witnessed. Only their three stranger protector is in the story and how brave they are. Even Mother avoids mentioning it.

“Baby, Rosie the important thing is I’m back safely and we’re together.” She always says when I ask her about it.

Sunday, festival in our village, Msr. Martha passed away at six o'clock. Suddenly and unexpectedly because she was still strong and did not feel any pain but the world was deliberately playful. There is nothing we can do if the creator has taken away human life. Just mourn and accept is what we can do.

"May you find your true empathy for eternity. Unparalleled love. Adore you completely. Treat you as his Queen ..." I will never forget the last thing she said that night. Her tears flowed and she looked up at the ceiling. "Like him ... We'll be together again my love."

That was the last night I could talk and she would be with me. If I only knew that tomorrow she would be gone I would have told her made her feel how grateful I am that she has been a part of my life.

Maybe that's really how life is. There are things you don’t expect to happen. But somehow she was happy before we left.

We have left Mrs. Martha's house because it is being demolished due to Mrs. Martha's accumulated debts. We couldn't do anything because we didn't know that Mrs. Martha had such a problem.

The nightmare made me gasp for breath.

The surroundings were dark and quiet as I lay in the soft thing. I could also feel the hand wrapped around my waist and warm breath on my neck..

"You're blood is a temptation to me. I loved seeing you bleed like a rose. And only for me." A cold whisper in my ear before I felt the pain in my neck because of the two sharp objects that pierced it .

I can't remember everything but there is a part that is clear to me. I've been dreaming of him for a years and it keeps happening. I cringe when I remember that.

"Don't stress yourself. Get up we're late." Gello opened the door so I turned to him. He was already leaning against the door while wearing his school uniform.

I was just shocked by what I realized and quickly got up to get ready to go to school. I couldn't help but be annoyed with Gello because he didn't even wake me up even though we were late. We still have a quiz on the first subject. I couldn't have my breakfast because I was in a hurry no matter how hard Mom and Gello tried to convince me to.

"Why didn't you wake me up!" I annoyed shouting at him on the tricycle. I've been talking to him since earlier. Blaming him because we were late. How annoying.

"I told you. I'd waked you up but you love the bed and don't want to wake up -" His eyes glazed over as he looked at me as he caressed his shoulder. I signed peace and then ran to school after the tricycle stopped.

At Petrarca University we study. Our tuition fees are free because Gello and I are scholars. We only need is to maintain and keep our grades good.

My mother's new job as a maid to the owner of this school was close by, so we didn't have much trouble getting an education. Dean Nicole has a big contribution for our apprenticeship. She help us a lot. She helps my mother that's why I respect her.

I was thankful that our teacher was not there yet when I got to the room. That's also good so I still have time to review.

I immediately sat down and searched for my things. In a few moments, the class became noisy again because of the newcomer. And most of them were women who shivered so even if I didn’t look up I knew immediately who it was.

Who else could be, of course! the monkey! Gello Montgomery! I really don't know why he's popular here, he looks like a monkey. Kidding! Oh my classmates! Not him. Haha.

"Prepare for later." He whispered straight to me. Warning me. I looked up at him and sighed. He just chuckled and exceeded.

His seat was in the back while I was in the front. Don't be surprised. We don't arrange our class alphabetically because it's very frequent.

" Good morning class. Sorry I'm late."

I frantically returned the paper to my bag before looking back at our teacher and join the greeting. He didn't want us to be seen opening our notebook before he took a quiz. He said that his lesson must have been understood because his teaching and explanation were clear.

"Whole sheets." He announced. Noise echoed in the room from laughter and whispers because of what he said. Instead of 'Whole Sheets' it became 'Holy shits' because of his pronunciation. The class just stopped when our professor slapped the table and angrily looked at us all.

"50 items. And no one dare to complain." Everyone nodded at once but only for a moment because our professor had already started reciting the question so everyone hurried to take a one whole sheet of paper. I have heard a few more ask for a paper because they don't have. That's always a problem for students. I just shook my head and listened to our professor.

I felt drowsy after two classes so instead of going to the cafeteria I took a nap first. I didn't sleep well last night.

A very large and very beautiful but frightening palace exposed in front of me. I stood in front of it and I couldn’t help but cringe as I watched it's entirety. The cold wind and the dark sky made me even more terrified.

I jumped suddenly as bats flew from the trees standing around the palace. Wind blow hard from inside the palace so I can't help but run away from there and to find a place to hide. I could see nothing but I felt that someone was watching me from inside that palace.

I just woke up to feel the cold from my neck.

"Sh*t!" I curse in shock. Shocks!

"You're mouth Rosie." Gello warned who put cold Gatorade on my neck. A burger is also included.

"Eat this. You didn't eat breakfast. And at least to fill your stomach. You're losing weight. Tsk." He said before unloading the food and leaving me.

I turned to him and watched intently until he sat in his chair. He didn't even bother to look at me and fold his arms.

We already have everyone's attention and the glaring eyes of some of my female classmates as well as those from the other room did not escape me.

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Enjoy Reading!

Thank You!

God Bless!

- ErnEst_odrE_5v -