03 | Blood

'MAKARI'

The long week of non-stop rain has ended. Just yesterday, the sun finally showed up, bringing back the vitality of the atmosphere that was temporarily washed away by the rain.

And at the same time as the days passed, I fulfilled my promise to Mama Amelia that I would "try" to interact more with other people, especially with my classmates, which for me is no longer difficult since I have been with them during my freshmen and sophomore years.

But that doesn't mean I will let them interfere in my life or suddenly become closer to them. As I said, I have to take a lot of care for the sake of safety not only for myself but also for Mama Amelia. Compared to previous years, it's better now that I interact with the class somehow even if not that often. I leave that like that for now.

And now, I'm walking out of the building. The first half of class is over and we have a one-hour break before lunch so I thought of going to the forestry which is at the end of school. Since then, I have been going there often when there are vacant hours like now. It's not where other students go often, that's why I find the quietness there that you can't find anywhere else on campus, except the library, of course.

But before I could completely exit the building, I did not expect the sudden entry of the junior players of the soccer team. I couldn't get out of their way on time so they bumped into me.

I was thrown and fell on my hip to the floor harshly. I winced as pain creep up from my left elbow that hit the edge of the wall hard.

Many were stunned by what happened, even the players who bumped into me. But I didn't bother to look at them, instead, I bit my lower lip to stop the groans escaping from my mouth.

I unhurriedly raised my left hand, bending it slowly to peek at my elbow much to the surprise of many.

"You're bleeding! We're sorry. It's our fault," said the one who bumped into me. He knelt in front of me, with concern and conscience staring at the elbow part of my uniform that was already soaked in my blood.

I only let out a weak "tsk" and slowly stood up. The man kneeling in front of me was supporting me.

"We're sorry, again. I'll accompany you to the clinic to look at your wound," he said again pointing to my elbow.

For the first time after the incident, I raised my face and looked at him. I saw a momentary change of emotion in his face and eyes before returning to the former with concern.

"Never mind. I'll just go by myself," I said dully.

His eyebrows crossed at the same time as his companions approached, probably to see what happened to me up close.

"No, I insist. It's our fault why you got injured." There was a hint of resistance in his voice. But I stood my ground and shook my head vigorously.

"I'm okay. Just... be careful next time," was all I said before I left in front of them. The students who were onlookers stepped aside to give me the way. I still heard them calling me and the whispers of others but I didn't pay attention.

Instead of the clinic, I went to the locker room at the end of the building and I'm very thankful that I didn't see anyone else there.

Holding my left elbow which must have been wounded because of the still unstoppable flow of blood that I could feel soaking the left sleeve of my uniform, I unhurriedly opened my locker and got another spare uniform.

In case of an emergency like this, I actually leave spare uniforms here. I can't come to class later with a left sleeve bloody uniform.

I entered the men's room with a clean uniform in my hand. I quickly but carefully unbuttoned and took off my blood-stained uniform. I first put my clothes on the sink and washed my left elbow and hand which were full of blood trails. The wound on my elbow was about two inches long and quite deep, no wonder why it was bloody.

While I was doing that, the seal on my right wrist suddenly lit up. I stopped what I was doing and looked intently at the glowing seal. A few moments later, I felt heat on my left elbow; a warmth that is so familiar to me.

When I looked at the wound on my left elbow, the bleeding had stopped and the wound was slowly closing. In less than five seconds, my wound completely healed, it didn't even leave a scar and it was as if nothing had happened. At the same time, the seal on my right wrist stopped glowing.

I took a deep breath and looked at my reflection in the mirror for a moment.

Why do I have to go to the clinic just for a small wound when my blood comes from the lineage of those who have the gift to heal wounds and illnesses? A simple wound is nothing for a Cohen that's why even though I was injured several times before, there wasn't even a single trace or scar left on my skin that remained smooth because of the ability I possessed.

However, I couldn't help but wonder and think about what happened. I mean, this is not the first time that my wound has healed on its own but it is the first time that my wound has completely healed in just a few seconds. I remember, the last time I was injured, it took overnight or maybe a few hours depending on the depth or severity of the wound to heal.

I just woke up from my momentary stupor and thought of an explanation for the speed of my wound healing when I felt the presence of people coming.

Before they could even open the door to the men's room, I entered the farthest cubicle, my things in hand. I heard the voices of the men outside, braggingly chatting.

I got dressed inside the cubicle and put the uniform I was wearing earlier in the paper bag. I intended to wash the sleeve soaked in my blood but some students came in.

I left the cubicle and straight out of the men's room. Others didn't pay attention to me inside which was better for me.

I went back to the locker room to leave the paper bag there before deciding to continue my walk to forestry. There are still a few hours left, I want to steal a little time to take a nap there because I suddenly felt sleepy. I don't know if what happened earlier has something to do with it or not. I will just tell Mama Amelia about this as well as what I noticed on the seal on my wrist later.

When I arrived at the forestry, I first looked around, looking for other students. I will not do anything bad or suspicious inside, I just wanted to check first if anyone would see me coming in here, especially since there was a scene that happened earlier. What others expect from someone with a wound is to go to the clinic and not to forestry.

When I saw no one, I went straight in. Gradually and slowly, the edge of my lips lifted as I was greeted by the fresh breeze from the forestry along with the smell of pines. I closed my eyes for a moment as I felt the greeting of nature led by the chirping of birds, the croak of frogs and the choir of insects singing together.

I continued my walk on the forestry floor covered with thin green grass. With the number of towering trees, the shade provided by them is sufficient although some rays of the sun penetrate and kiss the ground. It's so magical.

When I got to my favorite spot, I immediately sat down under a tall and big lone Acacia tree here in the forestry. I slowly lay on my side on the grass yawning. I used my right arm as a pillow before closing my eyes.

It was not difficult for me to catch a nap with the help of the lullaby offered by the birds and insects in the forestry, inducing me to sleep.

I don't know how long I was asleep, but I woke up to the faint and seemingly cautious footsteps I heard falling on the dry leaves creating crackling sounds. When I opened my eyes, it was like freezing water was poured on me when I observed the surroundings.

The previous forestry in broad daylight before I closed my eyes and fell asleep has been replaced by utter darkness.

The chirping of the birds has been replaced by the hoot of the owls which sends shivers down my spine now. The croaking of frogs and the scraping of male crickets grew louder. The previously sleeping nocturnal animals are now awake in the expanse of forestry.

I stood up in wonder while looking around. I don't understand because I feel like I just slept for a while. Like I just closed my eyes for a moment but when I opened my eyes again, the darkness of the night greeted me.

I remained on my feet for a moment, still clueless and questioning when something suddenly entered my mind.

"Mama Amelia!"

Snap! If I slept too long and didn't realize the time, Mama Amelia must be worried because I haven't come home yet.

What time is it?

I started to step on my feet, in a bit of a hurry to get home. But I had only taken five steps from where I was standing earlier when I noticed something again.

The noises. The noises disappeared.

The hooting of owls, the croaking of frogs, and the chirping of insects are gone. Even the periodic whispers of the nightly wind mysteriously stopped and the moon that gave off a dim light also hid in the sky.

Deafening silence in the darkness.

It's like I'm playing a holding breath game right now as I stand motionless looking around, straining to peer into the dark corners of the forestry.

I can feel now the coldness of the night that is now biting my bones and the gradual roll of fear from my chest up to my throat choking me.

Yes, I love silence but I never want to be friends with this kind of disturbing quietness.

Moments later, after what seemed like an eternal silence, a rustling sound from behind the Acacia tree made me jump in shock.

It was just like the sound of broken twigs being stepped on by someone or something. But in utter silence, it was like a bomb that exploded right in my ears.

I hastily faced the Acacia tree, in its dark back where the crack came from that surprised me. A few moments later, the light of the moon slowly crept like a spotlight and the funny thing was that it was in the same direction I was looking towards it.

I took a deep breath and held it for a moment. And when the moonlight stopped on the Acacia tree, my soul seemed to leave my body at what I saw.

A pair of red eyes stared sharply at me, accompanied by that sickening and terrifying deep snarl that you knew was dangerous. If it wasn't for the dim light of the moon, I wouldn't be able to see his form because of his color which was camouflaged in the darkness.

One of my feet pulled back once, and another followed and another until it was a series.

As I turned around and started running for my life, the loud and terrifying howl of the black huge wolf rang out.

I can't be wrong.

That one is a werewolf!