VI
1417 Words
“Wake up...!”
“You...” His voice was low, almost a growl. His eyes remained the same: a pair of beautiful green orbs, but with a bloodthirsty glint. “You smell like them.”
Who?
“You smell like them! I'll kill you!”
Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. His strong grip on my neck took my breath away, and I struggled to grab his arm, feeling my strength fade. I could feel my blood dripping, and the pain intensified.
He's hurting me.
For some reason, that thought made my tears flow like a waterfall. My eyes fixed on his face, even though I could no longer see him clearly. They say that at the moment of death, your life flashes before your eyes. And I think that's what was happening to me. All my memories with Grandma, with Vanessa, the struggles, my fears... everything ran through my head. My grip on Eddie's arm weakened.
Just when I thought I couldn't breathe again, his hand disappeared from my neck. But my legs buckled, and I felt myself falling. Someone caught me.
“Selene...”
It was Eddie. I forced myself to open my eyes. Still blurry, I could see his hand, back to its normal shape, without those terrifying claws. Had he come to his senses?
His arms wrapped around my body. He held me as I fell to my knees on the ground. With my eyes half-closed, I could vaguely see his face. Was he worried? Was he crying? I felt small drops falling on my face. It was still raining, but not as hard. The drops on my face, however, felt warm. The pain was going away.
“Selene... My Selene...”
I couldn't understand what he was saying. I just wanted to sleep, to rest. I felt Eddie's hand brush the hair away from my neck. His thumb brushed something that made me shudder in pain. Probably the wound from his claws.
Before I knew it, his face was already on my neck. His tongue licked the wound, and I closed my eyes at the sensations that ran through my body.
It wasn't pain; it was something strange, a mixture of chill and warmth spreading from the point of contact. For some reason, it felt good. I lost myself in that moment of relief and confusion.
But that incredible feeling vanished immediately. I felt two sharp things sink deep into my skin, and the pain made me gasp.
They were his fangs. All I could hear were my own moans of pain. My hands clung to his chest, trying to push him away, but he didn't move.
My already confused mind went blank. My vision darkened, and the world tilted. Finally, I fell completely into a deep, dark sleep.
***
“NO!” I sat up suddenly in bed, covered in cold sweat. My eyes, wide open, fixed on the closed door. Wait a minute, where am I? Wasn't I in the woods with Eddie? Wasn't it nighttime? But...
My gaze fell on the window, a line of sunlight streaming through the glass and falling on the floor. Is it morning already? What happened?
Unconsciously, my hand went to my neck. But I didn't feel a twinge of pain. I jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, almost tripping over the blanket. I didn't care, I had to confirm if my memory was real.
I looked at myself in the mirror, stunned and confused. There were no wounds, not even a scratch, on my neck. I looked at my knees, and they were flawless. Even the cut on my finger from the broken glass had disappeared. What? Was it all just a dream?
No! That can't be! It felt so real! I know it really happened!
How did I end up in my room, then? Someone had to have brought me there. And that someone was Eddie. I wondered if Glenda knew anything. I had to ask her!
After getting ready, I stormed out of my room, determined to go to the kitchen. I knew she was there because of the delicious smell of food that reached me. On the way, I glanced at Eddie's portrait on the wall.
The image from the night before flooded my mind. Compared to the photo, the Eddie I met was completely different: out of control, wild, and dangerous. It was as if he had lost his charm.
Now I have to ask Glenda about him! She can't hide it from me this time. I saw it myself! I still can't quite believe it, but I know Eddie is no ordinary human.
Wait, if Glenda works here and takes care of him, could it be that she too...?
A chill spread through my stomach at that thought, especially when I remembered how strange all the people in this town were.
What mess have I gotten myself into?
I shook my head frantically. I shouldn't jump to conclusions without Glenda's confirmation! Of course! I need evidence first. But what I saw last night is solid proof, isn't it?
***
“Oh, Selene. Are you okay now?” Glenda greeted me when I entered the kitchen. I was stunned by her attitude. It was as if nothing had happened.
“Glenda,” I looked at her seriously. “Tell me everything. Don't you think I have a right to know, since I'll be living here too?”
“Didn't I tell you to keep your curiosity to yourself?” she interrupted, returning to her mysterious and terrifying facade. She turned her back on me and continued cooking. “Don't ask me about this again.”
“But I need to know! I almost died last night because I didn't know anything...”
“Died? You were passed out here in the kitchen when I got home. What are you talking about?”
I froze. My eyes widened. Really? Was it all a dream? No! I can't believe it! I know it's true!
“Glenda, listen!” I approached her, desperate to make her understand what had happened to me. “Last night there was a deafening scream from the attic, so I went to check it out! I found Eddie Zatoria in an unusual state! He escaped and ran into the woods...”
“It was all a dream, Selene,” she interrupted, her stoic face unchanged. I looked at her in disbelief, a painful lump forming in my throat. “And don't ever mention Zatoria's son's name again.”
I wanted to ask more questions. I wanted her to know everything that had happened and understand that it wasn't a dream. It was the truth! Although I didn't understand why his version was so different. Did he see me faint if that never happened? It's impossible!
But before I could open my mouth, a low voice filled the room, drawing our attention. We both looked toward the kitchen entrance. A man was standing there, wearing a friendly smile that seemed familiar to me...
With his dark hair and green eyes, it was easy to guess that he was Eddie's father. Despite his age, he looked so young that he could be mistaken for Eddie's brother.
“Mr. Niccholas,” Glenda greeted him, bowing respectfully. I quickly imitated her gesture, feeling lost.
“Is she our new assistant?” Niccholas asked as he approached. Dressed in a business suit, his posture screamed authority and confidence. He was a Zatoria, after all.
“Yes, sir. She arrived yesterday.”
“G-Good morning, sir,” I bowed my head slightly, unable to maintain eye contact. “My name is Selene Ferrer. I promise to do my job efficiently.”
“Oh, there's no need for formalities, Selene,” he chuckled, a resonant voice that filled the kitchen. He stretched out an arm toward me, his hand open for a handshake. “My name is Niccholas Zatoria...”
His smile was so bright that anyone would think he was the happiest, most carefree person in the world. But when my eyes met his, I saw nothing but a raging storm hidden inside, a sea of secrets that no one else could see.
“So you're Selene, huh?” His smile grew wider, and the next words that came out in a whisper took me by surprise. The voice was barely audible, but it rang in my mind like a bell.
“My son's moon.”
- Writer
