Blood of Mary

PARAMOUNT UNIVERSITY

“WHAT’S going on, Mother Theresa? Why do vampires keep on attacking us? Is the world not safe for us again? I thought we’ll never be in this situation again.”

“I don’t know either, Shiela.”

She’s updated on the news whether in newspapers or on television. She’s not sure if the government is just hiding it from humans but she never heard any successive vampire attacks anywhere in the Philippines. It’s as if it was just happening in the orphanage.

“Luckily, the Queen’s Army saves us every time. But what if a time would come when they’re not nearby? I’m worried for the children.”

Right. There’s no way those vampires can come on time if they’re not nearby. She has a feeling that they’ve been around the orphanage for so long. And those attacks, they’re not just coincidences. They keep on coming for a reason. She needs to find that out before things get more dangerous. She needs to find a way to protect the children.

It was around midnight when Theresa got out of bed. She really waited for that time when everyone is already asleep. To fight the cold, she enveloped her body with a thick jacket and went to the woods. The night was quiet but felt dangerous at the same time. But then, she took the courage to confront these creatures in the dark.

“I know you’ve been lurking around here for a long time. Please show up to me and tell me what’s happening. Why does your kind keep on attacking the orphanage? What do they want?”

It has been a while since she noticed these red-eyed creatures roaming around the orphanage. But she just kept it to herself not to cause fear to everyone. They seemed harmless anyway. In fact, she feels like they’re protecting them.

She almost scream when suddenly, a red-eyed man appeared in front of her. It was dark and she can’t see his face but his eyes are glowing.

“I am Xavier, a member of the Queen’s army. We were given the task to protect the orphanage from rogue vampires. And to answer your question, yes, they are here to get someone important to the Queen.”

Someone important to the Queen?

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve met the Queen before and she left you with the Princess. And the more she stays here, the more she’ll be in trouble and everyone else who’s living in the orphanage.”

She remembered the lady in black who left Czelvie in the orphanage sixteen years ago. That was the Vampire Queen? The woman she faced that night was indeed a vampire.

“D-does it mean, the Vampire Queen is Czelvie’s mother?”

“I am in no position to answer that question.”

Although he won't admit it, there is a good chance that her suspicion is correct. But how did she never see Czelvie show any signs of being a vampire?

Now she understood why they wanted to send Czelvie to Paramount. She now also understands why the letter she received was full of authority.

When she came back to her office, she took the crumpled letter from her drawer. It’s the letter she received from the Vampire Queen. She wanted to throw it away before but she was so scared someone might read it. It will still serve its purpose after all.

"Mother Superior, are you okay? Why are you crying? Is there something wrong?"

She didn't realize that she was already crying and that Shiela was there.

"N-nothing, Shiela. I’ll just call you when I need something. You may leave. Thank you," she said while wiping her tears.

Shiela was hesitant at first. Maybe because she wasn’t able to answer her question. But she was glad she never forced her to say anything. Even if Shiela has been there for a long time, she can’t just share that information with her. She might only put her life in danger.

It's always difficult for her to send out children to their new families. But Czelvie is a different case for her. She's been with her for so long. Czelvie is like her real daughter already. But it’s not like she can still be with the kids for so long anyway. If sending her away is the best option, not just for her safety but for everyone in the orphanage, she has no choice but to let her go.

"YOU passed!" Daisy, Czelvie's friend jumped with her after they saw her name on the list of scholarship passers at Xavier University. "Mother Theresa would surely be proud of you when she finds this out."

When she applied for the scholarship, she only told Shiela about it. She kept it from Mother Theresa so she won’t disappoint her in case she failed. But since she passed, she’ll surprise her about it tonight.

Czelvie can't hide her excitement while on her way home. Knowing Mother Theresa, for sure they'll end up crying the moment she tells her the good news.

When she got back to the orphanage, she went straight to Mother Theresa's office. But when she got there, she immediately notice the sad look on Mother Theresa's face. She knows her for too long that's why she can immediately notice when she's got a problem.

"Is there something wrong, Mother Theresa?"

Even Mother Theresa's smile was forced. "Nothing, my child. Come here, my dear. I'm glad you came. I actually need to talk with you."

Even if she's excited to tell her about the scholarship, she thinks it's not the right time to talk about it.

"What is it about, Mother Theresa?" she sat at the chair in front of Mother Theresa's table.

Mother Theresa handed her an envelope. She was surprised and frowned at the same time when she read Paramount University's name on it.

When she opened the envelope and read the letter, it says that she was invited to study at Paramount. They're giving her a full scholarship for whatever course she would like to take. She'll also be given the privilege to stay in the University's dormitory inclusive of all perks a normal student can receive.

She's actually aware of Paramount University since many of her classmates talked about it. Some of them even dream of studying there for a crazy reason. They want to meet handsome vampires who are also studying at the same University.

But not her.

She hasn't heard about Paramount having a scholarship program such as that. But even if they’re providing her with a very tempting offer, she’ll never study there. She’s already fine with Xavier University.

"I'm sorry but I can't accept this, Mother Theresa. I-."

"I know that you applied for a scholarship at Xavier. And I also know that it's your dream University. But can you think about it for now and reconsider Paramount? There, you've got nothing to worry about other than to focus on your studies. You'll stay in a comfortable place, too."

Even if she hasn't met one her entire life, she knows about their history and how evil vampires were back then. From what she knows, some children that were sent to the orphanage back then lost their parents because of those blood-thirsty creatures. Even Shiela lost her husband because of them. How can she be comfortable staying in the same place with those vampires?

Even if she strongly disagree with what Mother Theresa said, she decided to keep quiet at that moment. Mother Theresa mentioned that she was aware of her application to Xavier but she still wanted her to reconsider Paramount. For her to do that, it only means she wants her to choose the latter.

If only not because of vampires, Paramount's offer is actually enticing. She may be smart but she's not a genius. She's already so lucky to receive such an offer. And maybe that's what's on Mother Theresa's mind as well. If she goes to Paramount, the orphanage can also save money.

"Hey, how was it? What was Mother Theresa's reaction when she found it out?" Daisy asked the moment they met the next morning at school.

"I haven't told her about it yet."

And she guesses, there's no longer reason for her to tell Mother Theresa about it either.

Daisy frowned in confusion. "Why? Did something happen? I thought you were going to surprise her about it yesterday?"

"Yes, but I've changed my mind. I don't think she'll be happy to hear about it anyway."

"What are you talking about? Even my parents are happy for you. How much more Mother Theresa?"

"I didn't apply for it but I received a full scholarship offer from a different University. And I think that's where Mother Theresa wants me to go."

"But Xavier is your dream University. Well, if it's also a good University, then maybe it's fine. Where did you receive the scholarship by the way?"

"It’s from Paramount University," she lowered her voice so none of her other classmates can hear her. For sure they won't stop bothering her if they find it out.

"What? But that's a scary place."

Like her, Daisy is also not interested in Paramount University. Her family also had a bad experience with vampires.

"I know but their offer is really great. There, I won't need to spend a single penny until I graduate."

"Yes, because you're never getting out there alive. Why don't you just try telling Mother Theresa about the scholarship you got from Xavier?"

She actually thought about it that morning. And about the expenses, she will just look for a part-time job to support herself. But when she entered the office to tell Mother Theresa about her plan, she discovered something. She's not the type of person who touches anything in the office or anywhere without permission but that time, she did.

She saw an envelope which has Paramount University's logo and read the letter inside it. And it’s not the same letter Mother Theresa gave to her. Now, she already has a clue why Mother Theresa never let her get adopted. Because she knows that one day, someone will look for her. There was no name written in the letter but she have a feeling that whoever gave that, she can only find that person if she enters Paramount University.