Immortal Heart

Chapter 3

I looked at the calm ocean; its color reflected the sky above me. I closed my eyes as I felt the waves move swiftly from one direction to another. The ocean water was beautiful and vast, seeming to have no limit. I tried reaching out my hand, but my hand couldn't reach on to something. The water's singing as it dances along its own song. I would love to watch it, except I was in the middle of it. My body felt light, but my head felt heavy and throbbing. The water feels like it's holding me as he tries to pull me deeper into the darkest depths.

As my head kept throbbing and hurting, my body started to feel heavy, which made it easy for me to sink deeper and deeper. I was scared, and at the same time, I was delighted as the water grew colder and colder, allowing each part of my body to feel the sensation it gave.

I suddenly felt an unfamiliar pain. It's a mixture of regret and sadness. What was I regretting about? What's giving me this pain? I tried to reach out my hand as my body desperately found its strength that was already lost in the deep chamber of the ocean. My head is throbbing, and something is painful. I want to move and to go to the surface of the water, but it feels like I was already chained down to the ocean floor that I still can't see.

I realized that I was not breathing anymore. I tried to gasp for air even if I was deep in the water, but I felt like my body had already forgotten how to breathe. My body won't move, and I just kept sinking and sinking. I tried to open up my lips and scream, but nothing came out. I was muted, like the voice I once had had been taken away and was left on the surface of the water. I need help, but I don't know where to find it. I was all alone, unable to move and unable to breathe on my own.

My head started spinning as my chest tightened. I'm scared, but at the same time, my heart is as calm as the surrounding water. It's as if it has already given up the hope that I have left in me. I was even more terrified when my heart was awfully still despite all of it. I can't feel it beating. I felt the fear crawl down my spine; I tried to open my eyes, but the ocean was no longer the color of the calm blue water. It was dark with blood. Something fell in front of me one by one. I was frozen in horror upon realizing what was floating in the pool of blood around me.

It was a countless number of hearts. It's desperately beating as it tries to float and surface as if wanting to retreat to where its owner was.

What is happening? My body, which was unable to move, seemed to find its strength. I was gasping for air, not because I forgot how to breathe, but because of the horror that I was witnessing. I could feel my body trembling as I tried to look for solid ground.

"H-Help us." I heard a voice whisper from the distance.

The voice turns into voices. The whisper turns into screams of countless voices. They were asking for help. Asking to spare their life, but I can't see them. I can't see a thing. How did the calm water turn into a pool of blood?

I don't like it here. I don't like it here!

When I opened my eyes, I was trembling, and my body was producing cold sweats. I roamed my eyes around and was relieved to find myself in Hunter's room.

That was just a dream, but it felt so real. So real that I can still feel the fear and the horror that I just saw. I recall drinking a cup of blood that Hunter gave me last night. Is it because I have drunk human blood? Why does it feel like I was the one that killed them?

I covered myself with a blanket as my fear seemed that it was not calming down. My hands are shaking, and my entire body is trembling. It's trembling intensely, making it hard for me to breathe.

I heard the door open, but I just kept my head under the blanket as I covered my ears. I don't want to hear those voices anymore.

I felt a hand pull the blanket, and I just shut my eyes tightly in fear.

"Raine?" I heard Hunter's voice.

In an instant, I threw myself all over him and held onto his shirt tightly as if my life depended on it. He seemed to be confused at first, but he decided to hug me back as he gently caressed my hair to calm me down.

"What happened?" he asked me.

"I don't want to hear the voices anymore. I'm scared," I said with a trembling voice.

"Voices? What voices?" he asked me.

"The voices. They're asking for help," I told Hunter, still holding him tightly.

"Who? Tell me, Raine," he said as he pulled me away and looked into my face.

"I-I don't know. I can’t see them, a-and there’s blood everywhere,” I said. Hunter looked at me with a worried expression; that look on his face seemed to calm me down a bit.

“You must’ve had a bad dream, Raine,” he said as he caressed my face gently.

I lay my head on his chest as he continued to hold me. For some reason, I feel safe around him. His presence felt warm, and it felt good whenever he held me.

He’s right. It was just a bad dream.

I heard the door opened again, but I didn’t even care to look. I don’t want him to let go of me.

“What happened?” I heard Hannah’s voice, followed by her footsteps, walking towards us.

“Why does she look so scared? What did you do, Hunter?” she asked Hunter.

“Nothing. She just woke up from a bad dream,” Hunter replied while still holding me in his arms.

“Why are you here?” he asked her.

“Dad wants to talk to her,” Hannah said. I pulled myself away from Hunter and looked at her.

She just gave me a meaningful smile before she winked at me. I don’t know, but I suddenly felt shy, and then I pushed Hunter away. What was that wink all about?

"Why did he want to talk to me?" I asked her, but she just shrugged her shoulders.

“Go change. We’ll wait for you downstairs,” Hunter said before he finally let go of me.

I just nodded at them before they left the room. I closed my eyes for a while before I looked out of the window. The sun was already up and bright. Its light was spreading throughout the place outside. It’s beautiful.

I inhaled a deep breath before I walked to the bathroom and took a shower. As the water falls to me and touches my skin, the sensation that I just had in my dream comes back to me. It isn’t very comforting but not as overwhelming as what’s in my dream.

I immediately finished taking a shower and went to the cabinet to look for something to wear. Again, I was surprised. This is Hunter’s room, but it’s filled with women’s clothing and is about my size. I decided to put on jeans and a simple shirt, paired with flat shoes. I smiled when I realized that I’ve just discovered what are my preferences in clothing.

I walked down the stairs and found the four of them sitting on the couch in the living room. Hunter immediately smiled at me the moment he saw me, but Cynthia had a worried look on her face, which made me anxious.

“You want to talk to me, sir?” I asked Hector as I sat next to Hunter.

“You’ve been hiding here for a week now. I think it’s time for you to step out of this house. And by the way, don’t call me sir. You’re a part of my family now, so that makes you my daughter. Call me dad,” he said. I blushed at what he said, but I immediately shook it away.

“What do you mean to step out, sir--I mean, Dad,” I said quickly, correcting the way I addressed him.

“By stepping out, did you mean I should leave?” I asked him. I quietly waited for his answer, but I was surprised when he laughed.

“Such a silly girl. I already told you that you're part of the family, so why would I ask you to leave?” he asked me while laughing. I looked at them, but they just smiled at me.

“What I mean is, you need to go back to school and continue to live like a normal mortal,” he said.

“S-School? Why?” I asked him.

“Like I told you, you can’t keep on hiding forever. If you suddenly disappear, those people who knew would notice and might cause a stir about your disappearance,” Dad explained.

“You’re in the same department as Hannah, so I asked her to change all of her schedules so that she will be in all of your classes,” Cynthia said. Should I call her mom, too?

“Is it possible to do that?” I asked.

“Don’t worry. The semester just started, so we’re still allowed to change subjects,” Hannah said, beaming with a smile on her face. She looked more excited than everyone else here.

“B-But how can I go to school when I can’t remember anything?” I asked them again.

“Hannah’s with you, so she’ll guide you. No need to worry,” Mom said.

“What about the people who used to know me? What would I do with them?” I asked them.

“Since you can’t remember a thing. It’ll be easier for you to ignore and avoid them,” Hunter said.

“I already prepared your medical certificate stating that you had a head injury due to a car accident,” Mom explained as she handed the paper to me.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. We already prepared the things that you will be needing, so just trust us, okay?” Hunter said.

“Now, let’s just put a bandage on your head and some fake bruises on your hands to make it look real," Hannah said as she immediately started to fix me.

She’s a nurse, so she knows what she’s doing.

I reviewed the medical certificate that Mom gave me. It looked real and legal. Is this how they deal with things in order not to get caught?

“I hope you’re fine with this, sweetheart. We just don’t want you to keep on hiding. And creating a new identity for you would be hard, both for you and us,” Mom said.

“It’s okay, Mom. I mean, do I need to call you mom too?" I asked her, hoping I hadn't offended her.

“Of course, you’re my daughter now, too,” she said with a smile.

I just smiled at her. I was amazed at how I felt comfortable around them. They doubted me at first, but now they are so warm to me.

“Please be careful,” Mom said as she walked us out of the house.

I just smiled at her before I followed Hunter to his car. I looked up at the sky. It’s bright, and it feels warm against my skin. I smiled as I realized that I had missed the sensation of the sun even though I don’t have any idea if I used to enjoy it before.

“Why are you here?" I looked at Hunter, confused about what he was talking about. I saw Hannah beside him and they were both glaring at each other.

“Just give me a ride today. There are things that I need to talk to Raine,” She replied, which piqued my interest.

“You can tell her at the campus or during your class,” Hunter replied. Hannah was sulking when I walked to them.

“Don’t be too stingy! It’s not like I’m going to steal her away from you,” Hannah said while she was pouting her lips.

“Yeah, let’s go to the university together. I need to be prepared before we arrive there,” I said and opened the car door, not giving Hunter a chance to react.

Hannah immediately hopped on the car, and I just followed her into the backseat. I saw how Hunter glared at Hannah, but I just smiled at him. He looked so pissed, and it’s funny.

“So what are you going to tell me?” I asked Hannah as Hunter started driving.

Hannah handed me a picture of a guy. I looked at it, and I felt how my heart leaped for joy upon seeing the man’s face. I don’t know why I was delighted, but at the same time, I feel a certain sadness that I don’t understand. Is he someone I know?

“Who is he?" I asked Hannah.

“He was the only man who’s always close to you,” Hannah said as she pointed to the man in the picture. I saw Hunter look at us through the rear mirror.

“Close to me?” I asked her.

“He was in the same department as Hunter and also a third-year student. I’m going to tell you about him because I’m sure that he’ll come and find you,” Hannah said. For some reason, I feel uneasy talking about him while Hunter is listening.

“He’s your boyfriend,” she added.

I was surprised at what Hannah said. I have a boyfriend?

“Should I avoid him too?” I asked Hannah, but both of us flinched when Hunter spoke up.

“Of course!” he said, startling us. “I-I mean, it’ll be dangerous for you and him if you’ll still keep in touch with him,” he added, immediately picking up his composure.

“I suggest you avoid him as much as possible. You’ll only put him in danger. You’ll only put yourself in danger,” Hannah said, supporting what Hunter said.

I just nodded at them and looked out the window as I watched each car that passed by.

I don’t honestly know him, and he was a mere stranger to me, but why do I feel conflicted? I closed my eyes as I tried to calm my emotions. I am different from what I used to be. Having these emotions towards someone that I don’t have any recollection of is not a good thing for me. I don’t want to hurt someone.

It took us almost half an hour to reach the university. I was amazed at how vast and beautiful the university was. I saw many students walking in and out of the hallway. I flinched when I smelled a faint scent of blood. My heart raced at the thought of being surrounded by humans. The dream kept on rushing back to me.

I don’t want to hurt anybody. I don’t want to see that horrible sight again.

I was pulled back to my senses when I felt Hunter’s arm wrapped around my waist. I looked up at him, and in an instant, my body seemed to calm down a bit.

This is my first time seeing humans after I woke up as a vampire. I didn’t realize I would react this way when they were around. Their huge number is what’s making things worse for me. I am much aware of the blood that’s flowing through their veins, and it’s tempting me.

I don’t want to hurt anyone. I don’t want to lose control and become a Vlad.

“Raine..” I heard Hannah’s voice with so much concern in it.

“I-I’m scared,” I told Hunter, but he just ran his finger from my forehead down to the bridge of my nose. I don’t know what exactly he did, but I feel calmer.

“Don’t be. I’m sure you won’t hurt any of anyone,” Hunter assured me. Hearing it from him makes me trust myself.

“Yes..” I said.

“Then I’ll have to leave you. Classes are about to start, so you, too, should hurry,” Hunter said before he let go of me. I smiled at him as I nodded my head and watched him leave.

“You’ll be fine, Raine,” Hannah said.

“Yeah, let’s go?” I told her, and she just nodded her head.

I can feel the sense of familiarity in the place as if I used to be here all the time. I felt calmer and more confident as I walked down the corridor. Throughout the entire day, there were a few people who would only look my way but would not talk to me or ask about the bandages on my body.

Hannah explained everything to every professor, and they seemed to understand. They even suggested that I should take a few days’ break so that my wounds would properly heal, even though I don’t have any.

Hannah and I were walking to the parking lot when a man suddenly grabbed me. I was surprised that I immediately pushed him out of reflex. I did not push him too hard, but he fell on his feet. I looked at him and was surprised. He was the guy in the photo that Hannah showed me.

“Raine? What’s wrong? What happened to you? How did you get hurt?” he asked me as he stood up and took a step forward to me.

I immediately stepped back as I looked at him. I was confused because I had an emotion that I didn’t know about him, but he also felt like a complete stranger to me. Hannah told me that he was my boyfriend, but other than being confused, I don’t feel anything from him. Now that he was in front of me, I was more confused than happy.

Hannah immediately stepped in between us and stopped him from getting closer to me.

“Don’t do this. You're confusing her,” Hannah said. He looked at me with a confused look, and I just did the same as I looked at him.

“What do you mean, confusing her? I’m not a stranger. I’m his boyfriend.” He said.

“She doesn’t have any memory of you, so you, suddenly approaching her is confusing her,” she replied.

“What? How?” he asked. He obviously looked pissed at Hannah for not letting him go near me.

“She just had an accident last week. I found her and brought her to the hospital. She was unconscious for two days, and when she woke up, she already can’t remember a thing,” I heard Hunter’s voice. I looked at him, and he just wrapped his arm around my waist.

“We suggested to her to come here, hoping that she might remember something, but it didn’t work,” Hannah added.

“If you want her to remember something, why are you stopping me? I’m her boyfriend. I'm sure I can do something for her,” he said as he glared at Hunter.

“I don’t trust you. I can’t just leave Raine to you when she is lost and can’t remember a thing,” Hunter said as he tightened his grip on me.

“What?! You should be the one who’s not trustworthy to her. You’re a complete stranger to Raine,” he replied.

“That may be the case before, but right now, we are the only ones she knows. You were the one who’s a complete stranger to her,” Hunter replied.

“What?! Raine, do you really not remember me?” he asked me.

“Do you know my family?” I asked him. He was quiet for a few moments before he looked at me.

“N-No.. You never introduced them to me,” he honestly replied.

“Okay, thanks,” I said before I pulled Hunter’s shirt, telling him that we should go.

He looked so desperate, but I don’t want to put him in danger. He might be part of my past, but I don’t want him to be part of my present now. This is for his own good.

“Let’s go,” Hunter said to Hannah as we turned away from him.

I heard him calling my name, but he only felt like the voice of someone that I didn’t wish to know. Before I got inside the car, I looked back at him. He was just standing there while looking at me.

I don’t know your name but thank you for worrying about me. I said to myself before I went inside the car.