The Vampire's Claim

As I stare at the vast landscape, I felt the warm summer breeze touching my skin indulging me deeper into my thoughts. The trees danced and swayed like a huge mass of people with nothing else to think about.  Just follow the flow of their destinies, intertwined with nature. I wish my life is as simple as that. I wish I didn't have to worry about how my life would end after college, or how to pay bills and never extend a debt.  Too bad life isn't like that. It's not our fault that we are born poor, but it could be our fault if we stay like that for the rest of our lives.  Damn responsibilities.  "Anna, it's time to go" My mom said, snapping me back to reality.  I almost forgot that we are about to travel to Bohol to see the famous Chocolate Hills. We will probably spend two days and one night in an average hotel before we travel back here in Cebu. Yes, I am a Filipina with a mixed American blood from my father. I got my height and most of the physical features from him, except for my hair and eye color which is a dark brown one.  We're not exactly rich but we live a pretty simple and comfortable life. Enough to get through with life with just a tad bit of difficulty.  Damn who am I kidding?  Life for me is pretty much challenging especially with my mom providing us with her minimum salary from her work. Thankfully, because of scholarships from the government we are currently receiving pretty good incentives.   This vacation was actually my sister's wish for her 17th birthday, and of course being the youngest, she got what she wanted. It's not like I'm complaining though. As soon as I stepped inside the van, I looked back at the vast landscape behind our house. For the past 19 years of my existence, never have I even tried going inside that huge population of trees. Rumors have it that a creature of some sort resides there, and anyone who wishes to explore have failed to return.  I think it's more like a myth though. Our house is currently the closest to the forest but I haven't seen a single creature that looks that frightening to me.  Soon, my mom finally started the engine and drove away from the neighborhood.  ...... About an hour after we left the city, the clouds became darker then after a moment, a thunder crackled from the sky. This is a good chance to sleep with music on. As I was about to wear my earphones, my mom initiated a conversation.  "So how was your State college application, Anna? Did you pass?" She asked glancing at the rearview mirror.  "Yeah, surprisingly. But I'll begin my transferring process once we get back here, I still have some requirements to pass" I replied in a bored tone.  I really want to sleep.  Soon, the heavy rain fell making the road hard for my mother to see. We are still on our way to the pier but it's already becoming impossible to drive. "mom, the road is becoming even more dangerous" I spoke as I looked outside the window. The surrounding is so dark and if not because of the lightning that illuminated the entire area even just for a split second, I'll never know that just beside the road is a deep cliff that looks so frightening to see but deadly when you couldn't. "yes, I know honey. Don't worry I know the way" She reassured but not enough for me to relax. I completely forgot about sleeping now.  "mom, why don't we just stop for a while?" I suggested. I looked at my watch and it's still 6 o'clock in the evening. Damn why is this road so dark already? The last fast craft will leave at 8, I wonder if we could still make it in time.  A branch slammed into the glass making me shriek a little. "We really had the worst timing for travelling huh?" she spoke in a joking manner. I wonder why the news didn't speak about having a heavy downpour today, if we could've known, we wouldn't risk traveling today. "that's why we should just go back home" I replied crossing my arms now.  "NO! I WANT THIS VACATION NOW!" My idiotic sister finally spoke. As if the boats will sail at this type of weather condition.  Rolling my eyes, I faced her with a whole new level of annoyance.   "Damn Aria, we are about to die now because of this crazy weather, yet you still want to go?" I snapped. She looked at me with fire burning in those eyes before she snapped back. "This is my birthday present from mom. We are not wasting any more time just because of a simple wind and little rain!" after saying that, a bolt of huge lightning illuminated then a loud thunder echoed throughout the sky.  "simple wind and little rain huh?" I said, rolling my eyes now. She just huffed in annoyance before turning her back to me and chose to look at her side of the window instead. "mom, we should just turn back," I said with finality.  My mom finally exhaled before she decided to turn the car around carefully. I peered outside and I gasped when I couldn't see anything. It's totally pitch black. "This is a scary place, and where are the other cars? why isn't there anyone coming this way mom?" Aria asked, looking outside.  "I..think, I took a wrong turn"  "WHAT?!" my sister and I both exclaimed. We are currently parked at the side of the road now, and I can hear the scary sound of branches and leaves swaying with the wind.  "nevermind, just go the opposite way mom," I said, hiding the shaky feeling of being alone in the middle of the road.  "I've been doing that for the past 20 minutes already, but I still couldn't get back to the public road.." she replied in a slow tone. I'm totally speechless. I don't even know what to think..  The rain has stopped but the wind is still in havoc with the trees, I doubt that it will stop anytime soon.  "I'll drive" I spoke. I was about to open the car door when a noticed someone standing in front of our car. "m-mom? someone is in front"  Confused, my mom and my sister followed my gaze and like me, they are frozen in their seats.  The person appeared young around my age, wearing a white t-shirt on and black ripped jeans. His black hair is a mess but the thing that really caught my attention were his eyes. They are shining gold and his mouth is dripping with blood.  Noticing that his shirt is covered with blood, my mom thought that he is hurt. That's why she did the worst. She opened the car door and approached the guy who is still standing in front. "Mom!" I yelled for her to come back inside. Noticing that she couldn't hear me, I decided to come outside and approached my mother immediately.  The air is so cold even for my thick sweater, but the vampire seemed to even enjoy the cold temperature. "mom this guy looks dangerous, let's leave now!" I whispered at her, making sure that the guy doesn't hear us. or so I thought .. "no need to be so scared princess" The guy spoke. His voice sounded so deep and cold that almost froze me to death.  "Who are you? you don't seem to be hurt for me even with those bloody clothes," I asked, trying everything to not sound so frightened.  "Madam, I think you should start going back inside your car now. Your daughter is safe with me from now on" he spoke as if he's just asking water from my mom. I looked at her and noticed that her eyes are in a daze. What surprised me was when she nodded and replied in a monotonous tone. "yes, of course" with that, she returned inside the car. I was about to go back as well when a hand grabbed my elbows, preventing me from moving further. "HEY! WHAT THE HELL?! LET ME GO!!" The car engine is starting and I saw my sister shouting inside. But my mom didn't listen.  She just drove away. I couldn't move. I just stared at the back of our car moving farther and farther away from me... Slowly, I looked at the guy whose hands are still attached to my elbow. I yanked it away and glared at him. "Who the heck are you?! "  "I'm Dylan, and I'm here to claim you"