Darkness crept me out, and I could not move until I felt the adrenaline rush when another growl echoed upstairs. I ran in the dark until I reached Caleb’s room. Without thinking, I made a noise when I knocked on the door too loudly, and the growl faded until it was already in the distance. I rushed to the other room and opened the window. I saw the large wolf running in the woods out of the mansion. My body quivers and keeps on throbbing. It is the same wolf. I am not hallucinating things. I am sure of it now. It is indeed an enormous wolf. When I was nine, at the orphanage, words spread out that wolves lived with humans. I thought it was only one of the scary stories that older adults wanted to tell kids who love playing at midnight, but now I am sure it is accurate. My legs were trembling, and my throat dried up. I shook my head and moved fast to open the light in the room. I must pull myself up and leave, or Caleb will see me here. I halted as I recalled Caleb without wearing anyt
In every word of Caleb’s best friend, there is something odd that he does not want to reveal. They are suspicious of their movements and seem to haven’t seen each other for a long time. Even though I am a few weeks here, it is evident that Caleb did not accept any visitors here. Charles’ surprised face when he saw me could not remove my head—he was relieved, then turned into sadness when he found out my name was Eliana.“Eliana!” I was startled, then got up and faced Caleb. “I thought you wanted to go out.” He smirked and went out.“Wait,” I said, following him outside the mansion. My jaw dropped as the sun directed at me. I ran outside and turned around, closing my eyes to feel the heat coming to my body. Nature is indeed helpful in forgetting any worries. I was ready to run on the highway, smiling ear to ear, but he grabbed my shirt.“You are so immature!” Caleb shouted. I pout my lips and walk behind him. As he kept walking, I did not look around and lowered my stare to the ground
Caleb never removed his hold on my hand. I find it cute, which I should not. I am indeed dreaming. It is too unreal to have this silent treatment towards him. My heart jumps with happiness which is not a good thing. “We’re here, but I can’t go inside.” He said, handing me a wallet. “What is this?” I asked.“You don’t know a wallet?” I smiled a bit and shook my head. Why do I even ask? I need money for the check-up. “Good. Go inside.” He said, putting his hand in his pocket. I sighed and walked inside the clinic. The nurse told me to wait because there was still another patient inside. I went first to the comfort room to wash my face, but on my way back, I froze on my stand. I run to return to the nurse station, unsure how to react to seeing Miss Rosie.“Miss Dion, your next,” the nurse smiled. I run inside the room, clasping my two hands.“Are you alright?” The doctor asked. I plastered a smile, hiding my nervousness, and nodded a little. “Take a seat,” I followed him, and he chec
The rush sounds of waves hit my ears. I blinked my eyes while roaming around. The trees danced with the wind, and the birds hummed with life. I look down, gasping at the vast water, then fear lingering in my body. It is a cliff. I am standing on a cliff. Word by word until it sinks into my thoughts. With just one inch of movement, I will be dead. My heart begins to pound, and I move backward with my legs trembling. “Relax,” a stern voice echoed around. Trying to see who is the man but I could not find him. Suddenly, in a snap of seconds, the footsteps are approaching. I turn my head, but someone pushes me on the ridge. I shout in horror until a warm hand touches my head. I am catching my breath and blinking my eyes.“What now?!” Caleb shouts at my face. I tilt my head to remove his hold. I am looking around at a pure white wall and ceiling. Hospital. I creased. As far as I can recall, I am only at the clinic.“Where are we?” He gets up, walks to the side of the room, and looks at the
Tears continuously streaming down my cheeks makes my heart so heavy and make me lose my appetite. Cleaning the table is the way I could reverse my thoughts. I am trying to calm myself and start washing the dishes. I kept myself busy since my emotions were so strange that I could not understand why I was emotional. My back hurts, and I am weary of the chores. I go straight to my room, changing my clothes when the gust noise starts at the ceiling. I look out the window. The rain starts pouring. It is slow, making a melody that makes me at ease. I jump in bed and close my eyes. —Time flies so fast. Nothing special happened in a week because Caleb returned for being a beast—locking himself in his room after that conversation in the dining room with Charles. It seems his mood is getting more and more gloomy. “Are you going out?” I was startled and turned around to face him. I nodded and could not grasp what to say. He walks past me and sits on the couch. I wait for his words as he grab
The deafening silence sits between Caleb and me. His heart beat quite loud while my throat dried up, making me run my fingers on my neck.“What are you doing here?” His voice was so firm, trying to control his anger. “I…” I’m trying to find the right word and cannot think of any. Until he grabs my arms, dragging me outside. His hold was so tight, and his nails pierced my skin. “Ouch!” I shout, pulling my hand, but his grip is too firm. “Please, let me go,” I sob while he keeps walking until we reach the living room. As I open my mouth, he removes his grip. “What are you doing in that room?” The muscles on his face moved with his gritted teeth. I move back. He groans as I keep silent. I startle and say, “I… accidentally fell into the hole,” I halted, not wanting to tell him more. Unsatisfied, he shakes his head and walks past me. I sigh, taking a deep breath when he shouts, “You are a liar!” I close my eyes for a moment, controlling myself from weeping. Until I heard the loud bang o
I changed clothes but stayed in the room, strolled, and placed my head on the door. It is too silent outside. I get up, shaking my hands to ease the nerves. How am I going to start talking to Caleb? The door suddenly swung open. I turn back, looking up at the ceiling. He cleared his throat. “Go out and prepare breakfast,” My jaw drops. Caleb is not going to drag me out. I faced him and nodded, but he just headed back outside the door. I followed him and went straight to the kitchen. As I start cooking, a soothing sweet smell hit my nostrils. Then it followed with a loud thud upstairs. I run upstairs, panicking to check him while creasing my forehead. His room was empty, but the wind coming through the open balcony door while the curtain danced in the air made me gasp. Strange. He is opening the balcony now. I move forward and start walking inside. A loud gasp echoed downstairs as I was about to go to the balcony. Suddenly, my body trembles in fear. “What are you doing here?” I tilte
Caleb stays on my side and lets me hug him for a few hours until I hear he has difficulty breathing. I moved my head and saw his face was so red. I frowned, and my jaw sank. I grab the blanket and cover my chest. “I…” I whisper, but no words follow. My face blushes, and I pull my body to Caleb and give him space. He gets up and stares at me momentarily, then fixes my pillow and grabs my blouse on the floor. He places it on my bed, tapping his hand on the mattress while I nod and lay back. He sighs and walks out the door. Even though he did not say a word, I knew he wanted to ask what had happened to me, but I didn’t know how to answer it. That moment of doubt I felt inside my chest gave me goosebumps, and the fear started to linger in my system again. I never had this fear while staying at the orphanage for eighteen years. Even though the bullies kept making pranks to hurt me, I never had this scary moment. I keep letting them and never fight back. I move to the side and face the w