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
I stayed on my seat in the grass and did not move an inch. The growling sounds are getting louder, which makes my heart skip a beat. Am I going to die? I tremble in fear and avert my gaze to my legs. I gasped when I spotted the blood dripping. The growl faded, and the surrounding was silent. My throat dries up, and my vision gets blurry until I see a wolf approaching me. I gawked, and my body continued trembling. I rubbed my eyes and blinked. Still, a brownish wolf is moving closer. It is too slow, which keeps my heart pounding fast. “Don’t go near me!” I shout, grabbing the rock beside me. The wolf stopped and shook his head. Does he understand me? “I will hit you!” He gritted his teeth, and I accidentally fell the stone to the ground and hit my wound. I pursed my lips to fight the pain and stop myself from shouting. In my peripheral vision, I saw the wolf jumping at me. Before I moved back, my body was weak, and I could no longer fight the agony until I was engulfed in darkness. —
I lay in bed for the third time and closed my eyes, but I still could not sleep. It is almost midnight, but I am still wide awake. I looked out the window and got curious if Caleb was right. I tiptoe and ensure no noise until I reach the window; my forehead wrinkles as I sway the light green curtain. Caleb had already fixed it outside, and it was locked. I sigh and look around the room. In so much boredom, I check the cabinet. No things anymore as well the sketch pads and other paintings are all gone. He is indeed wise. My guts are telling me that he is hiding something. Another glimpse strikes in my thoughts, and I collapse on the floor. It is painful to see the blood on the ridge. I shook my head, trying to remove the image in my mind, but I could not. Until a loud growl echoed around the mansion, and it followed the splash of broken glasses. I got up, running on the door, but I gawked. The door was also locked outside. Did he lock me in here? My heart is pounding fast as the noise
Caleb’s face leans at my back, which gives shivers down my spine. I should push him away. He saw me with nothing, and it was wrong. He is still a man, and I am a woman. He touched my back as I was about to run at the door.“Is it hurt?” I shake my head. “Where did you get these red spots on your back?” I exhale as I realize he is not into me but concerned about me. I turn around and face him. My eyes narrowed as I eyed his broad shoulders and arms scratches. He cleared his throat, and I averted my gaze to his eyes. “I... I have no idea where did I get it.” I halted, trying to stop myself from asking about the minor cuts on his body, and added, “Did you carry me on the second floor last night?” His face flushed, and he glared at me.“N-No!” He yelled, walking away. He is too obvious; we are the only ones living here. I shut the door and take a cold shower instead. I felt hot after I saw him. No, it can’t be! I keep murmuring to myself as his image keeps popping into my mind. Why could
The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of Gonzalo's cabin, casting soft rays across the wooden table where Eliana sat, nervously picking at her breakfast. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, starkly contrasting the warmth of Gonzalo’s unusually kind demeanor.Gonzalo poured coffee into a cup with his customary charm and placed it before Eliana with a smile. "I hope you slept well. I noticed you were restless last night."Eliana smiled, her thoughts still reeling from his harsh command the night before. "I’m fine, thank you."Gonzalo's gaze lingered on her, his eyes shadowed with a hint of possessiveness. "Did you get a chance to go outside yesterday? I know you like fresh air, but staying safe is important."Eliana’s pulse quickened at his words. She had ventured out for a brief walk, but his subtle inquiry made her uneasy. “Just a short walk,” she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.As they ate, Gonzalo’s conversation was casual, but his probing questions
I stared at the wolf. It seemed unharmed and just looked at me. I gulped and moved my feet backward. He moved forward, and I was alarmed. I ran without direction until someone grabbed me. I shouted and pushed him."Eliana!" I was stunned when I heard Gonzalo and faced him. "What happened?" he asked with a worried face. My heart beat so fast, and I didn't know if I could trust the man in front of me."I... saw something... scary," I said and collapsed on the grass.—I settled into a routine at Gonzalo's place, finding comfort in the peaceful solitude of the forest surrounding his cabin. Gonzalo continued to be kind and supportive, offering me guidance and understanding as I processed the revelations about Caleb's world. But still, I couldn’t open up completely to him—about the wolf I saw and about Caleb. I would deal with it myself.Days passed in a blur of chores and quiet contemplation. Gonzalo kept busy with his tasks, often disappearing into the woods for hours at a time. Despite
I settled in well at Gonzalo's place. He explained everything to me, even providing lists of instructions on how to clean his house. It wasn't as big as Caleb's mansion but incredibly peaceful. Despite being literally in the middle of the forest inside there was no trace of eerie sounds or the growls of werewolves. I paused. Could the wolf I heard at the Orphanage have been Caleb? Goosebumps prickled my skin, adding to the pain already gnawing at me. How could I feel so emotionless?Gonzalo had been kind and patient since bringing me to his secluded cabin. He seemed to understand my need for space and solitude, giving me time to adjust to my new surroundings. His presence was reassuring, yet I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered beneath the surface.As days passed, I fell into a routine of cleaning and maintaining Gonzalo's home. The tasks kept my hands busy, but my mind wandered incessantly. Memories of Caleb haunted me—his smile, his touch, the secrets he kept hidden
I moved my feet gingerly and blinked against the bright sunlight filtering through the dense foliage. Its warmth enveloped me, contrasting sharply with the cold fear lingering in my chest. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I cautiously scanned my surroundings, each glimpse bringing back fragmented memories of the night before. A werewolf? The thought made me shudder involuntarily, and I hugged myself tightly as if to ward off the lingering chill that threatened to pierce through my skin.“Ouch!” I exclaimed, more surprised by my touch than the pain it caused. The forest was eerily quiet around me, broken only by the rustling of leaves and distant bird calls. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by approaching footsteps.“Are you okay?” A deep voice cut through the silence, making me jump. I turned around and looked up, my eyes meeting those of a tall man who seemed to tower over me. His presence was unexpected, his expression a curious mix of concern and amusement.“Hey, beautiful wo
I turned around, but no one was there. I shook my head, and before I could go out, Caleb came inside. He shook his head and smiled.“What is it?” I whispered.“It’s just a cat,” he said, pointing to my bed. “Go to sleep.” I nodded, and then he went out. I went to my bed and closed my eyes, but the voice I heard earlier made me feel anxious. I blinked my eyes multiple times, but it was still the same. I sat down and hugged myself.“When you have difficulty sleeping, think of happy thoughts.” My tears flowed down my cheeks. It was Miss Rosie's reminder for me. I miss her so much. She’s like my older sister. Suddenly, a thunder roared, followed by rain. I lay down and pulled the blanket over myself until I fell asleep with tears on my face.“No!” I shouted after an hour, and fear lingered in me. What was that about? I couldn’t recall my dream, but my body was shaking with fear. Caleb ran inside to me. He hugged me, and it calmed me down.“What happened?” he asked. I shook my head. I coul
I did not say anything and just looked at Mrs. Higgins. Caleb and Charles walked into the dining room. I followed them quietly. The atmosphere was tense, charged with unspoken words and hidden emotions that seemed to press down on us all.Mrs. Higgins had prepared three meals: fish, chicken, and pork. Each dish was meticulously arranged on the table, a testament to her culinary skills. The aroma of the food filled the room, but none of us seemed to notice. We ate silently, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery and the occasional scrape of a chair against the floor. It was a far cry from the lively meals we used to have, where laughter and conversation flowed freely.As I picked at my food, my mind wandered to the events of the past few days. There had been an air of secrecy around the house, with whispered conversations and doors closed quickly when I approached. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being kept from me, and it gnawed at my insides like a persistent i
I blinked my eyes multiple times and found myself in my room. The familiarity of my surroundings felt jarring after the chaos of my dream. I took a deep breath, trying to ground myself in reality. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches on the floor. I got up quickly, my heart still racing from the vivid images in my mind, and ran outside.In the living room, Caleb and Charles were engaged in a lighthearted conversation, their laughter filling the room. The normalcy of the scene was almost unsettling given what I had just experienced.“Where is the monster?” I blurted out, my voice trembling. They both turned to look at me, their expressions shifting from amusement to confusion, and then they laughed.“What are you talking about?” Caleb asked, a hint of concern in his voice.“The creatures... The wolf!” I exclaimed, my desperation clear. The vivid memory of the wolf’s eyes and the eerie silence of the forest lingered in my mind.They both stopped laughing, their
I lay in bed for an hour, unable to sleep. Caleb still hadn’t finished talking to Charles. I got up and walked to the door, hesitant to go outside but uncomfortable. Something inside me needed to be checked. I went downstairs and saw Mrs. Higgins in the living room. She smiled at me.“Do you need anything?” she asked.I smiled back, walking toward her. “I can’t sleep,” I answered.Mrs. Higgins motioned for me to sit next to her on the couch. “Would you like some tea? It might help you relax.”I nodded, appreciating her kindness. She got up and headed to the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The house was quiet except for the faint murmur of voices from Caleb and Charles’ ongoing conversation. I wondered what they were discussing so intently at this hour.Mrs. Higgins returned with a steaming cup of chamomile tea and handed it to me. “Here you go, dear.”“Thank you,” I said, taking a sip. The warmth of the tea began to soothe my nerves. Mrs. Higgins sat back down, her presenc
Charles stood in silence, his gaze fixed on Caleb. I waited, expecting him to say something important, but minutes passed with only the weight of silence between us.“I thought…” I began tentatively, but Charles cut me off with a chuckle before I could finish my thought.“No, nothing serious. I have to go, Al—”“Caleb,” Caleb said smoothly, his voice calm yet authoritative. “Let’s step outside,” he suggested, casting a glance in my direction. “Eliana, take some rest. Tomorrow, you can begin cleaning the mansion.” He chuckled softly at my disappointed expression before leading Charles towards the door.Left alone, I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of curiosity and exhaustion settling in. Deciding a refreshing shower would clear my mind, I walk to the spacious bathroom adjoining my room. The marble floors were cool beneath my bare feet as I turned on the water, adjusting it to the perfect temperature. Steam filled the room, carrying with it the soothing scent of lavender from the gard