Eleanor's P.O.V
I smiled as I held the newspaper in my hand and looked at the large title written in bold on the front page.'YET ANOTHER KNIFE VICTIM'It was connected to a person's lifeless body. No, it wasn't a person. It was a vampire. A fucking bloodthirsty monster. He laid there lifeless on the floor with a body so unrecognisable that it would make people shudder at the murderer's viciousness. I'm curious who could be so ruthless.You. My subconscious mind responded.As my lips curved into a smirk. It was, indeed, my lovely work. Knife, after all, was none other than...ME.I remained standing there in front of the wooden table as I continued to observe the picture without feeling any sort of remorse for the man it depicted. For torturing the mother of that child in front of the helpless soul, he deserved it. He thusly earned everything I did to him and perhaps, maybe even more.I wasn't shocked when 'that night' suddenly flashed before my eyes after looking into the child's blood shot eyes and the helplessness that lingered in them.That unfortunate night when life was forever altered for a little year old girl who knew probably nothing more than whining.For me."Happy Birthday, my beautiful baby!" Mom grinned while she squatting down to my level as she pinched my rosy cheeks making me whine."I'm not a baby, mom! I'm five! A year older!" The little me said, as I huffed in anger and frustration, looking away from those loving and tender eyes of hers.Mom picked up an irate me in her arms and stood up, ruffling my hair and saying, "Yes, of course! My baby has grown older by one more year. However, honey, you will always be my adorable little child even if your hair starts to fall out like Grandpa Derin's.""Moooooommmmm" I whimpered as she ran her warm hands through my hair, combing them once again. That time, I had no idea that that moment would be the last time those hands would touch my hair with that warmth. If I did, I never would have allowed her to stop.Yea. Never would have allowed her to stop..."Let's go into the woods, honey. We'll have to find some of your favorite raspberries for your birthday dinner tonight. Never had a good birthday without them. Have we?" Mom grinned as she picked up the basket lying on the old furniture. As we walked out of our house and headed towards the woods. On our way, a lot of the villagers greeted me. Some even pinched my cheeks saying I was cute, while some adoringly stroked my hair.Mom continued to walk while holding a basket in one arm and me in the other. It had gotten quite dark by the time we arrived at our usual raspberry picking location. Mom and I parted ways to quickly collect them so that we could all return home to celebrate my birthday together. Just the two of us. However, that was my biggest mistake!Leaving her alone was my biggest mistake!I should have never left her alone. If I knew... I knew... that when I would be back, I wouldn't be greeted by her smiling face but a half lifeless body laying between two monstrous beings. I wanted to go to her. I wanted to stop them. But, mom was faster in noticing me as she motioned for me to not interfere without their knowledge.The clock kept ticking by as my watery eyes took in the pain they inflicted on my mother. Her silent painful screams ringing in my ears. But what could a five year old do?And, the answer to the question life gave me was excruciatingly painful.It could simply remain hidden and defenceless, wishing that someone would intervene to help. In actuality, though, not a single leaf was hustled as even the wind refused to carry our message for help.After a long time, those monsters finally left, laughing at the torturous act that they had just committed was nothing. "Mom..." My voice came out, it was barely a whisper as I ran towards her on my wobbly legs. Falling down a few times but getting up again and running desperately to reach her half-dead frame before it fell completely silent in the woods.Once, my fragile body reached her. Her tired eyes met mine. Her face didn't move an inch but her bloodied hand met my cheek. It was still a little warm."El, my baby, mom wanted to stay with you a little longer. But it seems like your papa just misses me too much. Honey, there are only two things I want from you. Be a person mom could be proud of whenever looks down at you from heaven. Never spare the wrong doers whether it's our kind or others. And, my beautiful baby... li... live... well..." Her hand fell down my cheek leaving the stain of blood on my snow white cheek as the only breathing that could be heard in the silence of the forest vanished somewhere into the unknown. But, her loving gaze still held me.She was gone. Gone while still looking at me, her daughter.I ran my small hands over her face as I closed her once open eyes finally allowing her to fade away from this world that had given her so much pain forever and ever.But, even juice leaves a stain on white clothes as it fades away into the air. So, how could that blood not leave one on the pure soul of a child?For children, childhood is a time of development, learning about the outside world, making mistakes, crying in their parents' arms, trying to fix things the next time, making yet another mistake, crying again, and learning. The cycle continues until they realise they are in their early 20s something.But, for me childhood wasn't growing up but more about fighting to survive. It wasn't learning from mistakes but abusing my body and mind to never make even a single one. It wasn't crying on small wounds but finding peace in death.Yeah. That's what it was. It's really hard to imagine a five year old like that but it is what it is. At least, for me.This bloodshed, scars, wounds have my life now as far as my memories go. I distinctly remember being four and telling mom that one day, my prince would come on a horse and would never let me get hurt.Didn't take long for life to teach me that dreams are sometimes only just dreams."Eleanor!" I jumped a little at the sound and snapped out my thoughts as I crumbled up the paper in my hand, threw it in some corner of the wooden cabin, rushing to open the door.And, as I did I was greeted with the presence of two little kids."Joshua. Marie. What are you both doing here?" I asked the two kids standing in front of my door with Marie holding a bouquet of freshly plucked lilies in her small hands."This is for you, El! Happy Birthday!" Marie wished me in her enthusiastic voice as she raised her little hands holding out the bouquet for me. I took the white flowers from the hands of the little girl as I crouched down and kissed her on her cheek earning a toothy grin from her."Thank you." I meant it when I thanked her. The bouquet really meant a lot. But what meant more was her remembering it even when I failed to.You didn't fail to. You didn't just want to. After all, it all changed today on your birthday. My subconsciousness replied. And, it was right. I wish sometimes I could erase today's date from the calendar. Or better still, just erase my existence.Shit. Not in front of the kids, Eleanor."El! The bouquet's from all of the children from the village. We worked hard to grow them. It was tough but we did it anyway." Joshua said holding his nose high in pride. Seeing his cute expression, I couldn't help but laugh as I tapped on his proud little nose."Thank you, Josh. Can you guys take me to others?" I asked the two little kids as they eagerly nodded. I rose up, kept the lilies on the side table and in it's stead picked up a basket, stepped out and locked the door behind me."Shall we go?" I asked as Marie took my hand and Joshua nodded, leading the way into the woods. I quickly followed them, walking past the lush green trees until we reached a clearing.And, when I saw what I saw my legs grew roots into the land right where I was standing.WHAT!?Eleanor's P.O.V We rode on the horse for approximately two hours before we arrived at Henry's castle where the guards opened the gates, letting the four of us in.From under the hood of my cloak, I watched a young lady run in our direction followed by a man and a woman.Daniel dismounted the horse, gently picking up Serphy and placing her on the ground as I did the same with Rayn."Dad! You're here!" The young lady screamed as she jumped at Daniel, making him laugh as he twirled her around, placing her on the ground as she began to chatter. "I've made lots of preparations for mom's birthday this time, dad. Will she come back this year?" Danielle... My baby..."Hello, elder sister!" I watched as Serphy jumped beside Daniel, shaking Danielle up."Ummm... Hello, love. Who are you?" Danielle asked crouching down a little shocked. However, she masked it quick enough with a smile for Serphy to ever know. "I'm your little sister!" Serphy chirped as Danielle's face hardened. Danielle snap
Eleanor's P.O.V"Mom, how did the table break? And, did you cry?" Serphina asked as she walked in my direction."There's someone in the kitchen!" Rayn finally spoke after a long while, making my body grow tense as he walked in its direction."Wait! You can't go there!" I tried to stop Rayn from entering. However, instead of him, Serphina ran into the kitchen."Hey! That's the man we met in the park! Mom, why is he here?"Great! I am so screwed.I quickly rushed after Serphina, my heart pounding in my chest. As I entered the kitchen, I found Serphina pointing towards Daniel holding a glass of water in his hands."Daniel!" Couldn't this guy stay still until I sent the twins back to their room?"What!? I was hiding. It's your son's fault he found out," Daniel spoke as he placed the glass on the counter, coming out from hiding."My brother is very smart. Humph. Even if you stayed still, he would have found you out," Serphina spoke, holding her nose high as she praised her brother. "But, I
Eleanor's P.O.V "You live here?" Daniel asked, his eyes staring at the wooden cottage. "Eleanor, my children grew up here?""It's better than a castle and a luxury life with a sword hanging over their heads instead." I retorted, rolling my eyes as I stood back on my own two feet again. "Coming inside?" I asked the man staring at my house, criticizing it surely inside his head."You know the one in Black Forest is fancier than this. You should have stayed with the children there if you had to.""I didn't want them to be isolated and have no friends, Daniel.""Well, to protect all of us you decided to isolate them from their sister and me." I sighed, frustrated with Daniel's lack of understanding. "It was for their own safety, Daniel. And, yours and Danielle's as well. Do you want to come in or not?"Moon Goddess! Please help me or I might smack this man today.Daniel crossed his arms, a disapproving frown on his face as he entered the wooden cottage behind me.I locked the door once
Eleanor's P.O.V "Okay. So, we are here at The Orphanage. You can go to the park and play with the kids. I'll help the adults. Don't create trouble. Am I clear?" I looked at the twins, strictly as they looked at each other before saluting me."Yes, mom!"And, the next moment I knew, both of them were running in the direction of the park."They are so cute, Ele." Crystal said, chuckling at them, making me sigh."When you marry Eden, you can have your own pair. Let me see how cute they look to you then." I replied as I watched Crystal turn red, making me chuckle as both of us walked to the backyard of The Orphanage."Hey, Ele! Hey, Crystal!" Martha, the dean of the Orphanage and everyone else greeted me and Crystal. "Hey guys! What are you all doing?""Sewing new clothes for the orphans, Ele. Come join us!" Martha replied, motioning for Crystal and me to join the circle of the village women.I smiled and joined Martha and the other women, sitting down and grabbing a needle and thread.
Daniel's P.O.V "What do you what?" I asked the man standing in front of my horse. "You must pay up if you want to cross the forest." The man spoke in a rough voice as he withdrew his sword, holding it out.Ugh! I can fight. But, why waste time? I'm feeling very relentless. I must go visit Danielle quick and get rid of this feeling. "How much do you want!?" I asked the bald man as I stared at him."3 golds." The hell!? What a rip off! But, whatever. I got no time. Be cool, Daniel. Just pay and leave. You don't need to kill these bastards.I dipped my hand in my pocket as I pulled out three gold coins in his direction. "Can I go now!?" I demanded impatiently, holding the coins towards the man.The man sneered and quickly snatched the gold coins from my outstretched hand. "You may pass," he grumbled, stepping aside to clear a path for me and my horse.I wasted no time in urging my steed forward, eager to continue my journey. The encounter had left a sour taste in my mouth, but I coul
Eleanor's P.O.V Okay.Balloons. Check.Gifts. Check.Breakfast. Check.Flowers. Check.Birthday Cake? Oh! I kept it in the fridge so that it cools down.I walked to the fridge as I opened the door, a gust of cool air hit my face. I smiled, knowing that the cake inside would soon be the centerpiece of our celebration. I carefully took out the cake and placed it on the kitchen counter, admiring its perfectly frosted layers.The kids will be so happy. I smiled staring at the cake when my stupid subconsciousness struck me.Happy birthday to you too. Thanks. I replied as I rolled my eyes. But, my birthday is something now that doesn't exist. I'm happy my children didn't have to go through all that I experienced. Isn't it nice?You're trying to live your life through them, Eleanor. Nonetheless, smooth lie it was, wasn't it? I'm an orphan so neither do I know or celebrate my birthday. My subconsciousness retorted as my smile hit the wooden floor. There have been lots of eventful things