Zheira put her hand on the lower region of her stomach and stared at the curving point of the high-arching ceiling. After her phone slammed on the wall, she had no courage of picking it up. She wished that what she’d seen was a figment of her wild imagination, but a part of her kept whispering that all of it was true, that these suicide cases were really a product of the rising Vampires. It’s almost laughable, her thoughts, but it provided answers that, though she didn’t understand, gave her a preliminary idea of her fate.
Like a novel’s protagonist who’s been lured to a place where her death awaits, she’d been attracted to New York. Unconscious no doubt the Martins were, it still pointed out that her mother’s change of heart might be one of the reasons why she had to face death’s rotting hands. Come to think of it, she didn’t even know why she’s been told to pack when Melinda just said it’s dangerous for her to go with them. Who would’ve changed her mind? Was it Theodor
Zheira stood still at the hotel’s rooftop. She didn’t know much of the details but something inside her kept directing her into doing something she normally wouldn’t do. It’s like a whisper, the kind of which was too much to bear that she just followed whatever it’s telling her. She stretched her hands as the wind brushed against her skin, together with the warmth of the sun. The golden strands of her hair waved and tossed at her back, making her feel as though, finally, she’s free.“Freedom.” She closed her eyes as the cold breeze whipped against her cheeks. There was a certain satisfaction swirling inside of her, telling her that this was what she always deserved, to not be caged, to let everyone see who and why she have to exist, because only then could she validate her identity, only then could she distinguish herself.Her lips curved when she heard the New Yorkers below gasped, pointing her with wide eyes. The sound waves of their rapid heartbeat were music
Melinda walked back and forth outside the room while Robert sat on one of the wood benches, cupping his face. They’re both horrified with what they’ve seen that none of them uttered a single word as they wait for the operation to end. It was lucky for Melinda to have a doctor as a cousin. They couldn’t afford to call a doctor they knew not, considering the oddity of their childIt was hard for her to set aside her and Theodore’s differences, but if it’s for her daughter, she pretty much could do almost anything.It has been three hours or so after they called Theodore, but he did not leave the room yet. All they could do was to pray their daughter was holding on to the string of life. They couldn’t afford to lose her. Not now, not ever.According to Martha, one of the hotel’s front desk, there was a woman who fell on the rooftop. They didn’t know it was Ms. Martin until Melinda told them. To her anger, she pledged to sue them if her child wouldn’t wake up.
Hearing her parents confessed that she’s not their real child was too much for her, though she wasn’t at all surprised. Deep inside her, she knew she’s different from them: from her little horns down to her little feet.All the same, a pang of pain crushed her heart.When Melinda and Robert entered, she couldn’t help feeling some irritation. To calm herself, she blew some air on her nails and glared at them.“What a drama queen!” she said, tilting her head toward their stiff figure.“W-who are you?” Melinda managed to say. The strange, cold voice registering in her ears was something she only heard at the moment.“Me?” She pointed herself, feeling some savage satisfaction at their realization. “I am Zheira,” she paused to give them a grin. “The new Zheira.”Their eyes widened. They couldn’t believe their ears, and yet, they couldn’t deny the fact that they’re facing a stranger.“Why does it shocked you?”
Melinda breathed heavily. The sight of her dying husband was too much for her. All she could do was wrapped her knees with her arms and cry her heart out. It’s as if a thick metal was pounding inside her, crashing her system into pieces.There was a sloppy sound as Zheira’s soul drained the blood out of Robert’s neck. Melinda wanted to cover her ears, but her muscles seemed to be frozen. She buried her face to her knees and grieved her husband. The years they’ve been together were a treasure she wanted to go back to. If only she could bear a child, they shouldn’t have adopted an entity that’s inhabited by a monster.She looked up when Zheira murmured something. Her hands were clenched as she wiped the blood off her mouth. Melinda put her hands on her mouth, stopping the urge to vomit.Her husband’s blood was dripping out of her daughter’s mouth. Such a gruesome sight to behold. She knew better, though. Her daughter was sweet, kind, and caring; unlike this
Zheira slowly retreated as people started swarming around the accident. Her eyes were bulging and her heart was beating fast. She couldn’t believe what she’d seen. It seemed a long time ago when Celestine helped her with her wounds as if she’d been separated from the rest of the world for about a century.Her insides clenched. As much as she wanted to grieve, the spitting image of Celestine’s bloody face kept popping in her head. On top of that, the wound on her neck was clearly the same as the other victims.Was it possible she was already dead even before the car crashed?All of a sudden, a chilling shadow threw the place in semi-darkness. Zheira looked up. There was a pursuing curve-shade of dark light to the moon. The hair on the back of her neck prickled as people gasped and pointed upward.Without conscious thought, she was already sprinting. She much rather be alone than have a strangers’ company. Her breathing quickened and cold sweat
Zheira hid behind the thick bushes. It was fortunate they were surrounded by different plants and trees. She held her breath when the woman peered with raised brows. It didn’t take long before she shrugged and walked away.“It must have been a cat or something. Come on, finish that one. I really need to find some fun. It’s kinda boring.”“You can just leave me here, Eleanor. Your big mouth is getting on my nerves,” Louise snapped.Eleanor’s crimson orbs flickered. “How rude! If I’m not obligated to go with you, I’d never do so. You’re the most boring vampire I’ve ever met.” She rolled her protruding eyes.“If I hear one more word in that tongue of yours, I’m going to make sure it would be decapitated.” He tightened the rope to the girl who sobbed.“Feisty. You’re welcome to try, though. I wonder if you can even touch the hem of my dress.” She put her forefinger on her chin and shook her head, an insulting look plastered in her pale, round face.
Eleanor smiled sweetly as she made her way to Zheira, her hands outstretched. “Aren’t this place familiar?”Zheira clenched her fist. “Why did you bring me here?”“Since you’re about to die, I want to acquaint you from your hometown. See that over there?” She pointed to the doorway engulfed with light brighter than a thousand fireflies. “That’s where Volioirae resides. Aah, Germany really is a town of wonders!”“Why? Why are you so mad at me?”She considered her for a moment, the corner of her pouty lips twisting. “You’ve stole the life I should’ve had. You stole my man, my prince. It’ll be so unfair if I don’t give the favor back.”“I don’t understand you.” Zheira stood, patting the dirt away from her jacket. “I assure you, though. You’ll be disappointed once more.”Eleanor twirled the dark strands of her curly hair. “The glares of yours wouldn’t accomplish anything, Zheira. If you want to fight me, then welcome! You’ll just mak
Zheira was awoken by the throbbing pain in her body. It’s like she’d been trampled by an elephant or else something heavier. She was sore. Every move she managed gave birth to the pain she’d never imagined.As she sat upright, breathing heavily, her head started turning. For a split second, she thought she was drunk. Perhaps her parents enjoyed her eighteenth birthday too much that they’ve forgotten Zheira’s not into drinking alcohol.It’s not until she felt the brick-like surface of the bed did she realize something. They did not celebrate her birthday the way they used to. Her horrible soul took everything from her by the means of killing the man who treated Zheira like a real daughter.A wave of sadness surged through her heart. She could feel it shattering to pieces, and there’s nothing she could do to ease the weight pressing deep within her.She wrapped her knees with her arms and leaned her head to it; succumbing to the depth of her loneliness. She nev