RED STRING

PROLOGUE

It's almost midnight and only a few people are left in the park. Ysobella also decided to head home. 

On her way home, she was happily watching the townspeople on each side of the road. She feels pleased as she observes their faces as if they carry no burden. 

This is what she wants. A peaceful but lively environment to live in. No violence and the people are not unpleasant.  

When she reached their house, her Grandma Esmey is already resting in her room. Her grandmother went home a little earlier than her because of exhaustion. 

Since Ysobella's parents are long gone, it was just her and her grandmother. She was only six years old when she lost both her parents. And since then, her Grandma Esmey became her sole guardian. 

Ysobella then readies herself for bed. She needs to wake up early tomorrow, for tomorrow is her special day. And also, her Grandma Esmey promised to cook her favorite dish. 

"I can't wait for tomorrow," she uttered in a whisper. 

Ysobella was sleeping soundly when her grandmother suddenly woke her. She yawned while rubbing her eyes with her hands. Then she noticed the discomfort on the face of her Lola Esmey. Ysobella's eyebrows furrowed and her head is clouded with confusion. She was about to ask her Lola Esmey what was wrong when she heard a ruckus from the outside. 

There's a ruckus outside their house and she can hear the people running while some are shouting and crying for help. Ysobella couldn't fathom what was happening but she suddenly feel anxious.

 "Grandmother, what is happening?! Why are the people crying for help?" she asked worriedly. Her hands are also trembling in fear.  

"Ysobella, we need to leave this place. The rogues will not cease until they end us all," her grandmother uttered in a hurry. "Let's head to the woods. I know a place where we can hide," her grandmother added.  

After her Lola Esmey said those her body stiffened. Rogues! The rogues are attacking their town!

Her grandmother is right, the rogues will not stop until they finished them all. And if they spare you, you'll become their slave. But being a slave to the rogues can be related to a person facing death.

Her heart was beating hard as they headed towards the woods. Her chest hurts as she hears countless screams from people, including children. 

Gone is the peace and laughter in their town. The peace is now replaced with chaos and the laughter is now replaced with screams. 

Ysobella and her Grandmother Esmey went on to run. "Just a little bit further, Bella, we're almost there. Grandma promises not to put you in harm's way," assured her grandmother.

While they progressed towards the woods, Ysobella suddenly felt an excruciating pain in her chest, causing her to drop to her knees.

Her grandmother went to aid her frantically. "What happened, Bella?? A-Are you hurt?"

But the intolerable pain had deafened Ysobella's ears. Her heart was being crushed into pieces. She wailed in agony when the pain just doubled.

Black began to appear from the corner of her eyes, her vision started to blur and the veins inside her head became apparent when they added a more unbearable pain. Yet the pain did not only limit to her chest and head but they spread in her body where she relinquished to pain.

Her grandmother's words remained inaudible. She curled up like a fetus as she unwillingly succumbed to suffering.

"AAGH! Please... s-stop--- s-stop... i-it h-hurts... p-please," Bella cried. Her tear-stained face indicates the growing pain.

Her grandmother caresses her cheeks as she continues to mumble. She would have loved to hear them but her agony prevents her from understanding her utterances.

"S-Stop p-please," she begged once more. Gradually, the pain ceased.

"I'm sorry."

Ysobella had no single idea of the unfamiliar voice of a man inside her head. Even so, she was still weak to heed it.

Ysobella wanted to speak but somehow she knows that her body is slowly falling into the abyss. The last thing Ysobella saw was her grandmother's warm smile and the words she mouthed, "I love you". As she finally succumbs into darkness, a pair of powerful arms lift her from the ground.

Where am I? she pondered.

Bella forced her body to move when the door suddenly opened by itself. A man and a woman revealed themselves before her and upon seeing her in a good condition, relief flashed on their faces.

"I'm glad that you're awake, how are you feeling?" the woman inquires.

"A bit weak-- my grandmother?!" She almost sprang up. "Where is my grandmother?" Fear began to creep in her.

The man taps the woman's shoulder before turning to Ysobella. The unsettled look on their faces had clued Ysobella with terrifying news that she is yet to accept. The man then took a deep breath and spoke in utmost sympathy, "I'm sorry, but your grandmother is dead. She didn't make it."

Upon hearing those words, Ysobella was still yet to process the thought that her grandmother has left their world. But the tears falling one another could no longer hide her sorrow. Try as she did to recall her last moments with her.

She was with her in the woods. They were running and--- Ysobella covered her mouth when she remembered what happened.

She wept upon remembering the events; she fell unconscious upon having to experience such unbearable torment.

"My grandmother. My grandmother, she's gone!" Ysobella cried in grief.

Ysobella's great grief caused her to lock herself away from everyone for the entire day. 

"I thank you all for the help. When can I go?" Ysobella asked the next day.

She no longer has a home to go back to and a family left. With no idea where to go but she still insists on leaving.

"You are not leaving, Ysobella. From now on, you'll be staying here with us," the doctor said.

"Yes, stay here with us. You're safe here," said the man who saved her. 

"Where am I?" she curiously asked her savior.

"You are in Highcrest Mountain, Ysobella. Welcome to the House of Salvatorri," the man uttered gently.

Then it dawned on her. She's in the Crescent Moon Pack's mansion!