THE NUN
1515 Words
“HOW’S YOUR training? Did you discover where you are suitable?” Mayilda asked to Symla the moment she entered the old mansion. Mayilda didn’t waste any minute. She wants to hear news from her.
Symla shyly bows and sighed. She couldn’t look at her mother straight in the eye. Mayilda’s eyes were full of hopes. She didn’t have the heart to say the bad news. Symla had been a vampire for ages. It was more than a hundred years but until know, she didn’t have any idea what she was capable of. She undergoes a lot of training like healing and fistfight. She tried reading other minds or tried to see the future but in the end, it was all useless. She didn’t feel anything extraordinary.
Symla wasn’t like any other vampire who has a unique ability. Her friend Lyra could hear another person’s thoughts. Her mother could control people using her mind. Her father was exerting in hypnotizing people.
Vampires have the ability to erase human’s memory. They can also read people’s memory by tasting their blood. Sadly, none of those ability Symla possess. She didn’t have any power and strength. Her speed wasn’t extraordinary either. She was so useless. Vampires didn’t have any use of her on the battlefield and told her to stay in the village with the elders.
Wolves already reached the Philippines two years ago. Symla’s family came from Madrid, Spain decided to stay in the Philippines. Their elders from England told them to travel and stay in this country. At that time, the Philippines used to be a peaceful place. It was an ideal place to start a new life so they follow their orders. Sadly, they didn’t hear any news from them these past few years.
Symla and her family used to live in the Philippines. But because of poverty, her family decided to work in a well-known politician as maids. They were lucky, the politician was a good person. He sends Symla to school and supports her until she becomes a nun.
She was twenty-four years old when she went out from convent to visit her sick parents. When she came back to Madrid, she instantly noticed she felt differently. She was slowly losing her energy and getting weak. It was alarming. It seems it was airborne. Every time she breathes, she felt she was losing her strength.
When Symla reached their home, she saw her parents slowly dying. And because Symla was infected she felt ill too. Many people died at that time. It was like a plague that slowly killing them. No medicine can help them. Symla prayed for their health and recovery. She prayed for a miracle. She thought that was the only thing that can save them.
Then Dr. Mateo De Francisco came—the pale doctor who came from England. He volunteers and attends the medical mission. The situation scared other doctors. He was the brave one who volunteered. He didn’t mind the plague.
But Dr. De Francisco has a unique way of treating his patients. He let his patients drink his blood. Symla was not an exemption. She drank his blood too and she instantly felt different. The moment his blood ran through her veins, she felt hot all over. The pain was unbearable. It was slowly killing her.
Symla woke up after six months. She noticed her changes. The eyes were red. Paled skin. She has this tremendous thirst for blood. Her parents felt the same way too. Right there and then, they found out that they were not the only ones treated that way by Dr. De Francisco. All of them!
Soon, Madrid became a vampire’s nest. Nevertheless, Symla was thankful. Though he has a different way of curing them, the bottom line was he saved them. Symla was contented. Seeing her parents happy for being an immortal made her happy too. That’s what matters most. Though there’s a huge difference now. They were like living dead. They attacked people to survive.
Symla didn’t wish for that but what can she do now? It was their faith. She would ever turn her back. It was like a drug. No matter how much she controls it. No matter how much she refuses. She couldn’t control the thirst and hunger.
Few years had passed, Symla and her family lived that way. She didn’t grow old. Her physical appearance remains the same. They all became a vampire’s humble servant. They abide by the vampire law. Dr. De Francisco stayed in Madrid. He became their ruler.
They all treated him as their savior, their salvation. They all follow his orders. When Dr. De Francisco needed to go back to England, he appoints her father. Vampires didn’t dare to disobey him. Everyone accepts and respects his decision. According to the doctor, he saw her father’s potential in running the entire group. In the end, her father led the vampire.
Vampires lived quietly in Madrid for the past few years until Manolo was killed—her father’s best friend. The one who killed Manolo was a wolf who lived in Barcelona. Barcelona was a wolves’ den, their territory. Out of respect, vampires didn’t dare to intrude on the area.
But a certain wolf trespasses their territory. Manolo met the wolf and fight. According to the witnesses, he was killed brutally even though he was begging.
Symla’s father was too angry. He didn’t hesitate to report everything to the elders. He was happy when the elders declared war. That wasn’t the first time wolves attacked vampires. It also happened in England and that was too much. And Manolo’s death finally ignited their motivation. Symla couldn’t blame them. Manolo wasn’t just her father’s best friend. He was also related to some elders.
Wolves’ king tried to fix the dispute but the vampires refused to listen. For them, it was all useless. Manolo was dead. Vengeance was the answer to his death, not a peace talk. They killed the king, hoping it would end everything, making them realized the consequences of Manolo’s death.
But the king’s death just ignited the war. Vampires didn’t expect the wolves’ next move. They attacked all at once. Their warriors were skilled. They have no inhibitions in killing vampires. They can be killed through sunlight, stabbing their heart, or cutting her head off. Aside from those, wolves’ find a new way of killing them—by using silver. Just one scratch, it will make them lose their powers. The moon was on their side too. The full moon made their transformation more intense, giving them more power to kill vampires.
Vampire’s almost vanished in Madrid. The only way to save the survivors was to transfer them. Vampires in other countries did the same thing until they all reached the Philippines.
The Philippines was a tropical country. It was near the equator and has only three seasons: the rainy season, summer, and cold season. Though the cold season in the Philippines wasn’t the same from other countries, it still helps vampire. They also thought that wolves may believe it was the last place vampires will go to.
Symla’s family used to live there. They know where vampires can live comfortably. They chose Tagaytay—the place was cold and humid. Vampires found it comfy. They discovered an abandoned old mansion and lived there until now.
“My training is useless. I can’t hear other people's thoughts, mother.” Symla answered and sighed. “Whatever I do, I still don’t know if I am doing the right thing or not.”
“We are losing, Symla. You should discover your ability so we can use you on the battlefield. If you know how to heal, I can send you right away.” Symla’s father was desperate. She can see it on his face the moment he entered the old mansion.
They were outnumbered now. Other vampires came from different countries were slowly vanishing too. If wolves found out their whereabouts, they are doomed. A few numbers of warriors were left with them.
“I hope, your talent can help us in war. We are running short of time. We couldn’t stay much longer here. Sooner or later, we have to face them.” her father said and she nodded. She wanted to help too. They just don’t have any idea how much she wanted to help them. She didn’t want their clan to vanish.
They heard a knock and Old Hermosora entered. She was an old Albino vampire. She was white from head to toe. “I want to help. I know I am old but I can still use my power. Instead of letting Symla tried everything, let me read her body.”
Mayilda and her husband sighed in relief. Both of them looked at Symla and she nodded. She wants to know what she was capable of. She was interested in what her body was hiding. Good thing, Old Hermosora has the ability to read other body’s components just by using her palm. A simple touch, she could easily say her ability. They didn’t consider her at first because they thought she already lost her powers.
But now, they are thankful. Old Hermosora can still use her power. She came and help.
- Writer
