Half Blooded

“Congratulations!” I almost fell to the ground in shock, hearing the loud noises that the party poppers made. I just got home after me and Alina, my friend, went to the mall to have a little date. Just to congratulate ourselves because we already graduated. I looked around to see the house filled with colorful decorations and of course, the confetti that is everywhere now after my mother popped the party poppers. She held a banner that said, “Congratulations, Celeste!” with a very complicated design, smiling widely as she showed it to me. Behind her is the table with all my favorite foods. “Surprise, Celeste!” she said in a cheerful voice. I could say she’s proud of me because tears are starting to fall from her eyes down to her cheeks. I didn’t mind saying a word. Instead, I smiled at her and walked toward her to give her the warmest hug in the world. “You made me so proud, Celeste,” she cried even harder. “It’s like I graduated college too.” If she was crying so hard like a baby earlier, now we're both laughing at what she just said. “Thank you, mom. I love you.” I hugged her even tighter. “I love you.” We started eating all of the foods she cooked. She’s amazing. Wait, how could she cook all of this for just 3 hours? “Mom, did you cook all this?” I asked her. “I ordered most foods and I cooked the rest.” I nodded at what she said. “Sorry, I don’t have enough time.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “No, it’s okay. This is cool. With all the designs, the banner, and the foods, it’s perfect, mom.” I held her hand and squeezed it as I smiled at her. She suddenly raised her pointer finger in the air, raising a brow like she just remembered something or an idea came to her mind. She then looked around her, looking for something. “Mom?” I furrowed my brow as I watch her search for something she only knows what. “My gift!” She handed me a small red box that has a black ribbon wrapped around it. She looked excited for me to have it which caused me to smile while holding the box. I looked at her and she told me to open it already. Inside the box is a necklace that has this weird-looking but beautiful pendant. I immediately fell in love with the design. “It’s so beautiful! Thanks, mom! You don’t really have to buy me a gift,” I told her. She stood up from her seat and walked in my direction. “Let me put it in your neck, love.” I gave her the necklace and pulled my hair up so it wouldn’t be hard for her to see clearly. “This necklace is an important necklace for me so please, take care of it.” I held the pendant and looked at it once more, admiring its beauty. “I will, mom.” She kissed my forehead and went back to her seat. She started to ask me about my date with Alina at the mall earlier and I’d tell her it went all fine. Then, she asked me a question I don’t know if I should answer or not. It just made me stop. Were talking about my plans after college and she asks, “But love, what do you really want that you have graduated now?” I stopped for a moment and she patiently waited for my answer with a smile on her face. “My Father...” Silence filled the room and the smile on her face faded. I know she doesn’t want to hear anything about that word but she asked for it! I swear I didn’t mean to make her mad. It’s just that... I really want a father... I already have everything in me with my mom except for a father. I grew up without one and even if you ask me over a million times again, my answer will be the same. I want my father. “I told you, Celeste, your father is dead. Am I not enough for you?” “No! It’s not like that, mom. I love you... but, I also wanna know more about my father. I grew up not knowing him, mom. I just want to at least know her eye color or what his face looks like—“ “Enough!” she cut me off, getting mad now. “Your father is dead, Celeste, that’s enough for you to know. Now, I don’t want to hear anything like that from you anymore.” “But—“ I couldn’t finish what I was about to say because she cut me off again. “No buts, Celeste.” I know I have no choice but to keep my mouth shut. I already lost my appetite so I excused myself. I just reasoned that I’m full and that I ate so much in the mall, earlier. I then threw myself on the bed and closed my eyes, not noticing the tear that escaped from them. “When will I ever get to know my father?” I thought. I curled up in my bed, facing the window that has the view of the mysterious forest that seems to be calling me every time I look at it. What could be inside it? I immediately got up from my bed and changed my clothes real quick. I then went downstairs and told mom that I’m going out. I didn’t even wait for her reply I slammed the door and excitedly ran to the forest. I walked into the woods and had no care about what could be inside. It’s calling me... telling me to come on in and explore it. I don’t know if this has another end side or if this is an endless forest. I just walked in and enjoyed the cold breeze of air causing the leaves of these gigantic trees to dance. My hair is tied in a bun but there are still pieces that I left hanging so like the leaves, it danced with the air too. Ah, this is very relaxing. I found a spot to sit in because my feet hurt from walking. I sat there and just appreciated the beauty of this forest that I could also call home. It’s just very relaxing here. I could stay here forever. Listening to the song of the birds and feeling the fresh air. I never thought this forest is huge. When I look at it from the window, it was very small but when I got here, it is magical. I felt so small with these gigantic trees that are surrounding me. I finally stood, ready to go back home. Ah, I’m just about to go home but I’m already dreaming of coming here back here every day— or not when I suddenly heard a rustling sound from the distance. I know it’s somewhere near. I was quick to look around. The sound is getting closer and suddenly, it stopped. “Who’s in there?” I bravely asked hoping it was no one or nothing harmful. I waited minutes for it to reply but it didn’t. I could feel it near. I know it’s near me. Then it hit me. I slowly turned around to see if it was behind me. And the horror in my eyes when I saw what is waiting to devour me. A w-wolf! It looked very hungry and at the same time, it looked like it was smiling at its food. It’s smiling at me! I was so scared. I wanted to run but when I tried to, I couldn’t. My body is frozen. I can’t even move my fingers! It slowly went closer to me and all I could do is to stare at it, scared. Praying to the Almighty that someone would come and help me. It stopped at the middle and bent, getting ready to jump on me. With no time, it threw itself to me, smiling devilishly with its sharp nails, ready to stab me. As it flew in the air, I could do no thing but close my eyes, ready to die by its painful attack.