CHAPTER 7
1927 Words
While growing up, I only had one goal in life. That is to give a better life for my grandparents. I can’t stand to watch them grow older but still working on their farm. That’s all I ever wanted so I studied hard to achieve it.
I thought everything is going according to my plans. I got a scholarship for my college education. I also got a part time job to support my own needs. Everything was going smoothly. I only had to keep it up and in a few years, I will graduate and find a good paying job.
But apparently, fate has different plans for me.
Nonetheless, I still have to continue what I started. Life has to go on no matter what happens. I just have to be more careful since I don’t know when I will suddenly turn into a beast again.
I walked inside the coffee shop after two days of absence. I called my manager yesterday that I will take the day off and just go back to work today.
“Rei! Are you okay now?” Tanya asked when she saw me coming in.
“Yes. Thanks for covering my shift.” I smiled genuinely at her. She had to work longer yesterday because of me.
“No problem but are you sure you’re okay? I heard you got into a car accident.” she worriedly asked.
“Yes but nothing serious. I’ll live.” I tried to make our conversation lighter. Besides, I don't want to talk about it.
"I'm glad to hear that! I was worried about you, you know. I know that you lived alone here in the city." she said empathetically. I think she has no plans on letting me go until she knew everything.
"Yes but my roommate helped me."
Gladly, our little chit chat was cut when a customer went inside and takes his order.
The whole morning was busy which I am very thankful for. I can’t answer more questions because it sucks to lie. But it’s the better option than to explain how I didn’t get any injury. They must think I'm crazy if ever I tell them that I have an incredible healing ability.
I don't want to end up in a mental institution!
Although now, I couldn’t hear Daciana’s voice inside my head anymore. It's very quiet and I suddenly felt alone. I know that I should be happy that I can finally stop thinking that I'm crazy but I can't.
I haven’t heard from her after that night that I transformed into that… creature. Though I tried to communicate with her because I needed answers, she’s really not talking to me.
So until now, I still don’t know the answers to my questions. I don’t even know who I am! Or what am I!
"Bye!" Tanya waved at me. She just finished her shift and is about to go home now.
"Bye." I smiled at her.
"Please be careful next time. The city is a dangerous place compared to where you grew up."
"Yes, I know that now." I smiled and she just chuckled before finally leaving.
"Can I have an order of cappuccino?" a gentle voice took my attention.
"Sure ma'am." I punched her order into the counter before preparing her choice of drinks. When I turned around to give her order, I found her looking intently at me. her deep green eyes piercing into my being. I tried to smile at her but she didn't have any reaction.
She took the tray with the cappuccino from my hands before walking away. She seemed a little weird but I just shrugged it off as another group of customers approached.
After my shift, I immediately went back to my dormitory to change into my school uniform. I went back here to try to continue achieving my goals even though it seemed harder this time. I tried to focus on my studies but I can't. My mind keeps on wondering about my real identity.
The professor is giving his lectures in front but I don't understand a word he says. I sighed for the hundredth time as I try to take notes because my mind is really flying elsewhere.
"Are you okay?" asked Aloisius who is sitting beside me.
"Yes." I answered before looking back at my notes. I remained inattentive throughout the whole class.
When it's finally over, I have some free time before my next class so I decided to go to the library. Maybe I can find my answers there. I looked for books about mythical creatures but most of them are fiction.
“Daciana…” I called her name silently.
“I’m willing to listen now.” I said while browsing the titles of the books on the shelves. But still, no answer from her.
This is hopeless. I don’t even know what type of book I am looking for. I ran my fingers through the spines of the books as I read their titles one by one.
“Looking for something?”
I squealed and almost jumped when someone suddenly spoke behind me.
“Quiet!” I heard the librarian.
I turn around and saw Aloisius there grinning at me. Why is he here? He doesn’t look like someone who would read.
“Shh…” he put his index finger over his lips.
“What are you looking for?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“A book of monsters.” I answered with a sigh. I meant to be sarcastic but it didn’t come out that way.
“Oh! You’re into thriller?” he asked. His face shows how he couldn’t believe it.
“Mmm.” I groaned then left him there. I don’t want to talk anymore.
I went to the other shelf and checked the titles. Certainly not related to the one I am looking for. I decided to move to the literary section of the library. Every fiction book has a hint of reality in it. Or so they say.
But most of the books with monsters are story books. Some are even children's story! I kept on looking though until my eyes widened when I saw a book that has werewolf on its title.
Werewolf.
The face of the beast in my dream is a little bit similar to the drawing on the book cover. This must be it. I took it out and saw several other books with the same genre. I piled them on my arms and brought them to the empty table at the back. I flipped over the pages trying to read as fast as I could.
Okay.
Werewolves are humans who can transform into their wolf counterpart.
Is that what Daciana is? My wolf counterpart? A beast's soul inside my body?
I continued reading to find out more.
The way they were described was a little different than how the beast I saw looked like. I was referring to the one that I saw in my dream because I didn’t see my face when I transformed. But I have a strong feeling that it was me. We have the same color of fur.
Werewolf looks like a wolf, only bigger and more powerful. I looked like a beast who can stand on my two feet. Werewolves can’t. So does that mean that I’m not a werewolf? But the beast's face looked like a wolf.
“Hey! You look so serious.” Aloisius said.
I thought he already left but I was wrong. He put down a book in front of me. My eyes widened when I saw the title.
Catalogue of Monsters and Mythical Creatures!
I didn’t know such a book really exists. I grabbed it and flipped the cover.
Woah! So many kinds of different creatures.
“Ehhrm.” I looked up when Aloisius cleared his throat. I didn’t know he’s still here.
“Uh… What is it?” I asked.
“You haven’t thanked me yet.” He said in a serious voice.
“Thanks?” my voice was so unsure.
“You’re welcome!” he sounded pretty much sarcastic but he pulled the chair in front of me and sat there.
“Why do you want that book?”
I got stunned with his question. What will I tell him?
“Nothing. I was just curious.” I said without looking at him because I’m not used to lying.
I just busied myself with all the creatures that I see. They have pictures, names and some other information about each of them. I just hope that I can see myself here.
Jaculus. Kraken. I read the names as I flipped every page. Lochness Monster.
My fingers froze when I turned to the next page. I couldn’t breathe all of a sudden. The drawing is so much alike of the one that I saw in my dream. It only looked more ferocious here in the drawing compared to the gentle eyes that stared at me that night.
Lycantrophe.
I read the name aloud.
“Is that what you’re looking for?” Aloisius asked again. Why is he so nosy?
“No. I have to go.” I stood up but I brought the book with me. I went to the librarian to borrow it because I want to take it home. I want to read more but it’s hard to do that when there are prying eyes watching my every move.
I walked out fast. That’s one of the changes that happened to me. I got the speed of a bullet! So I have to be mindful when I’m running because I don’t want to freak out anyone if they see me running around like some kind of a superhero.
I went between the cluster of students to be able to escape Aloisius. I want to be alone. I still have another class but I decided to go home already. My curiosity is killing me. I want to finish reading. I dashed to my room and sighed in relief when I didn’t see Irish inside.
I plopped down on my bed with the book in my hand. I went to the page where I stopped reading earlier. I’ve seen it earlier but I still can’t help but stare at its picture again. If this creature is real, does that mean that all the others in here also exist?!
Tsk. Focus.
I shook my head then started reading. Lycantrophe. A wolf like creature that can transform into a man. Its abilities include fast healing and recovery, immortality, night vision, superhuman abilities like strength, senses and speed…
Oh my gosh. These are accurate!
But I wasn’t sure with immortality. Does that mean I will not die? Ever? I’m not sure if I would like to live forever. I think it's sad to see everyone around me dying but I won't.
I kept on reading but the information here is limited. I have to research more. But at least it would be easier now that I know exactly what I need to look for.
I closed the book and put it on my bedside table then I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I’m a Lycantrophe, wasn’t I?
“Daciana…” I called out her name.
According to the book, I have another soul in me. The soul of my beast. That must be Daciana. But why isn’t she answering me now that I am ready to listen.
“Hey voice… where did you go?” I heard nothing but silence.
- Writer
