WHO MURDERED GRANDPA KELS?

ERMA PRESCOTT.

The orange glow of the cigarette tip sank into my arm and a agonizing scream escaped my lips as pain shot through me.

“Stop, please,” I begged, writhing in discomfort.

Sophia held me in place, her minions laughed behind her, mocking me for my weakness.

“I am your queen, you bitch!” She rammed it deeper into my skin and this time I didn't feel pain, rather I felt upset.

YOU ARE NOT QUEEN, I AM!

A voice in my head popped in, and the next second, I reached out and grabbed Sophia’s arm, stopping her. I was shocked that I did, because Sophia was always strong.

“Bitch!” She called, anger morphing her face but I was angrier- the voice was angrier.

I did not know what came over me when I grabbed her neck. Gasps filled the air but I did not care. I rose to my feet, smirking when her angry face morphed into agony.

It felt like I was not controlling myself. I pushed forward, shoving her into her SuV

I grabbed her wrist, her bone creaking under my grip and she cried.

“Agggh!”

I didn't stop. I prowled into her, my fingers curling into claws, my teeth bared in a way that felt entirely too sharp reminding me of myself in the video.

Her minions scrambled back, tripping over their own feet in terror.

“Touch me again,” I hissed, my voice echoing with a double-tone that sounded like two beings speaking at once.

“And I will show you what a 'wretched' girl can really do.” I hovered over her, and when I saw my eyes in her terrified ones, it made me snap back.

“SOPHIA!” Suddenly, a voice roared making me shift my gaze. Then a smell hit me instantly.

It came from him, Herth Lockwood.

He walked over, tall, and huge looking mighty.

He stepped over and then he shoved me off his daughter making my butt hit the floor. I winced as my elbow scuffed the floor.

“Daddy!” Sophia cried seeing her father, rushing over to him before wrapping her hands around his body - her chest on his head.

The sight burned into my heart, igniting an intense desire to tear but I didn’t act on it.

“Daddy, Help me!” she wailed, like the perfect actress.

“She’s crazy! She stole your watch, and when I tried to ask for it back, she… she attacked me! Look at my wrist! She tried to kill me!”

Herth’s gaze snapped from his "injured" daughter to me. He wouldn't find any mark on me. I have an illness where I heal very fast and this was why Sophia found so much pleasure in punishing me.

My heart was thundering like crazy in my chest.

What would he think of me now? Would he remember me as the monster that bit him that night. Would he kill me? He was powerful enough to order for my death.

“You,” Herth breathed, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. He stepped toward me, his eyes locking onto mine.

“I… I didn't…” I started, but the words died in my throat. How could I explain that his daughter was the monster when I was the one who stood over her with bared teeth?

Then, Gideon who was next to Sophia, inspecting her wound stepped forward. He glared at me with so much anger that I could feel it in my bones. His gaze shifted and I followed only to find the Patek sitting next to me.

He walked closer and picked it up, his face hardening.

“She has the watch, Herth. Sophia’s right. She’s a thief and a threat.” He walked over to Sophia, both men standing next to her like a shield.

“It is not her, Herth. She is evil, it cannot be her.”

What was he talking about? I was not evil.

Sophia had bullied me all my life and this was the first time I retaliated. Yet, there was no evidence that I had truly endured pain in the hands of Sophia.

My body healed quickly, in seconds even.

I bit Herth Lockwood in the video, fangs and red eyes. I looked like a monster. Perhaps Gideon was right.

“Herth Lockwood, she is a monster. She should be killed!” Chris stepped forwar.

“Yes, for years now she has bullied Sophia but your daughter always let her go because she is a common orphan. Now, she has gone too far. You should get her locked up!” Sophia's minions commented, backing Chris up.

No.

Please.

Sophia bullied me.

“We saw it ourselves Herth, she is evil. The kids are right.”

Herth was looking at me, and for a heartbeat, I saw a flicker of the man who had held me the night before. But then, he looked at Sophia’s "bruised" wrist, and the ice returned to his eyes.

“Get out,” Herth commanded. He always had this aura even on television, he had a way of speaking in a way that no one could resist. At least, he didn't remember me from that night, the monster who had bit him.

“Run, little thief. If I ever see you near my daughter again, I won't be this merciful.” I didn't wait, I got up, turned, and bolted.

Every part of me trembled as I ran.

What was wrong with me? I questioned myself as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

“Why the hell did you let her go, Herth. She hurt Sophia!” I heard Gideon grumble.

Was I truly a monster?

The way I had pounced on Sophia, even though she deserved it, wasn't humane.

Healing fast.

Biting Herth.

The power I felt earlier.

The voice in my mind that I was pretty sure didn't belong to me.

None of it was humane.

Soon, I reached the apartment, my hands shaking so hard that I could barely unlock the door.

“Grandpa?” I called out, slamming the door as my head turned in all directions.

There was silence, grandpa was brewing tea or humming like he usually did. Also, he always came out to greet me. He loved me so much even though he wasn't my biological grandpa.

I walked to his room, still trembling, hoping grandpa would be able to tell me what was happening to me.

Just before stepping into grandpa’s room, the smell of blood hit me. It was so pungent, thick, and spread through the air. Just by the smell, I could tell it was blood.

I froze at first before dashing to his room. The moment I stepped it, the smell hit me harder.

Grandpa was on the floor, in the pool of his own blood. I froze to the ground, my eyes went wide, and for a few seconds, my mind failed to process it.

LEAVE TOWN BY MIDNIGHT, OR MORE BLOOD WILL FLOW.

The message was written on the white sheet next to him, with his blood.

“Grandpa Kels!” I screamed, falling next to him.

My clothes soaked up his blood. Fear crawled on my skin. Tears streamed down my eyes. My hands shook even harder.

No, please.

He was supposed to be here, alive and healthy.

“You took me in when I was just thirteen. You promised you would take care of me until the very end. You said you will not leave me like mother did. Please, I need you now!” I cupped his face, my blood-stained hand dying his pale face red.

This was the only man who ever loved me.

Everyone left but he stayed. He took me in.

“Grandpa, I… I... I fought Sophia Lockwood today. I was strong today. You always tell me I am strong, and I... I proved it today. It is confusing but… grandpa, please.” Tears streamed down my cheeks and my body trembled.

“No, no, no!” I sobbed as reality hit me, pulling his lifeless body into my lap. His blood was hot and I could feel it soaking into my jeans.

I held the only man that had ever loved me and I felt an unknown feeling crawl up my skin.

LEAVE TOWN!

But why?

What did I do?

Why do you want me to leave town?!

Why did you have to involve grandpa?

Why did you have to kill the innocent old man?!