Horrors lied within the darkness building in the forest. The trees were so tall and had thick branches that however big the moon was, its rays were still unable to penetrate its scope, seemingly embarrassing its adequacy to illuminate the night.
Beyond the pitch-black space, a soft swish put an end to the overwhelming silence. Though the noise it orchestrated were nothing but a slow whisper, the creatures lying dormant in its stead heard it clearly, feeling the threat looming as the swish grew louder. Before it could draw nearer, the creatures ran off, unidentified due to the intense blackness hugging the curves of the forest.
At last the trees revered the heavens and allowed the moonlight to grace its sanctuary, at least in its depth. The guardians of the forest, whoever they may be, seemed to have been under an agreement to shape its center as a round sphere, the kind of which was free from plants and trees. Only rocks were able to sleep in the part celebrated with t
Zheira was sitting on the frame of her room’s glass window. It looked like an empty doorless cupboard, its height just enough to accommodate her sitting position. She closed her eyes as she leaned her head towards the window, listening to the raindrops as though it’s a perfect lullaby. She could stay this way for the whole day, sitting on this very frame, thinking when she’d be able to experience being out there, being able to experience the wind, the rain, the weather, everything, that were never possible inside the sanctuary of her room.With a loud sigh, she allowed the vision of the blowing wind and pouring rain to paint a picture of freedom in her mind, trying to imagine how it would taste, how it would feel. But thinking of it alone gave her no satisfaction. The more she dwelled on its image, the more she felt empty inside. There’s just no way such a thing would be possible; even if it were to happen, she’s not even sure if she’d be able to enjoy it.She wi
The silence was the only speaker as the Martins ate their lunch. The three of them were sitting four squint chairs apart from each other, a long glass table supporting their food. From other’s perspectives, it’s hard to say whether or not they’re having a feast as they’ve been served with different kinds of dishes, all of which were placed on a silver platter. Two candelabra were facing each other, holding a pink candle danced by a pea-size flame. In addition to its barely visible light, a glass-made chandelier hanged just above the middle part of the high-arching ceiling, illuminating the roasted chicken with its minuscule bulb inside its bulb-shaped case.Zheira kept her eyes on her plate, trying to steady her breathing. She’d never truly appreciated their distance when eating together, but it’s a life-saver as of the moment. Knowing Melinda, if she noticed Zheira’s shaking body, she’d probably be fussy about it to the point she’d call their family doctor.With
Zheira tapped the window of their red Ferrari and gaped at the racing raindrops. It’s been over an hour since they hit the road. She kind of missed the comfort of her bed, but instead of drowning in her emotions, she contented herself by staring at the dull line-up of trees in the corner of the lane. Robert, a man of his thirties who had a longer neck than a usual man, looked at the rear-view mirror and sighed. Her daughter’s back was bent at the soft foam of her seat, yawning at each second. They shouldn’t have brought her with them, but Melinda, the counterpart of Robert who hardly had any neck, was unusually against the idea. It made him wonder what Theodore had said for his wife to act like this. They’d be going to New York, Timesquare, and it’s a pretty pact place. The very same place they’re supposed to distant Zheira from. If words came out that a girl with horns and odd eyes had entered the city, chaos was sure to reign. Hopefully, Melinda had a sensibl
The guard led Zheira to the front desk. He kept stealing glances over his shoulder, wondering why she’s thickly wrapped. Once, his eyes narrowed at the bulk on her hood, but he diverted his gaze every time she noticed him.They stopped at the neatly polished counter where a dunk lady who’s in her late twenties greeted them. She tucked some of her beetle-black hair to her ears.“A pleasant morning—err—ma’am?” She looked at Zheira from head to toe, but the guard bit his lips, his eyes bulging. She shrugged and tried to smile, forming instead a lopsided grin. “Uhm—I am Martha, your trusted front desk. I hope you’ve had a good journey.”Gulping, Zheira blinked, feeling the cold sweat streaming from her back. She kept her eyes on the tiled ground, afraid they’d be eye to eye.Two bellwomen stood beside the counter, bringing about three luggage bags, a smile on their faces. They were wearing a red, formal coat, with a black tie embossed with the hotel’s c
Celestine rushed to the VIP room with a housekeeper she’d met along the way. It wasn’t long since she left the little Martin and here she was, called into action by their manager because the CCTV had been hijacked. Something might’ve happened to her. As she steadied her pacing, her heart started beating fast, accompanying the thoughts now swelling inside her head.The moment they arrived, they’ve wasted no time and started knocking, catching their breath. It felt as if it’s the end of the world for Celestine. The Martins might not forgive them if anything happens to their child. To top it all up, her manager might just lose his trust in her and she’d end up being fired. No, that must never happen. This was the only decent job she could be in, the only opportunity she had left to save her dying mother.“G-Go—go a-away!” said Zheira, her voice sounding frail than the last time Celestine heard it; even so, hearing her voice removed one of the thorns piercing her
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.