As the night enveloped us in its embrace, Caleb's presence brought a sense of security, yet questions lingered like shadows in the corners of my mind. His touch ignited a flame of desire within me, but beneath the surface of our budding romance, secrets lurked, waiting to be unearthed.As Caleb's lips brushed against mine, I felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon me. Was I ready to surrender to this bond, knowing that the truth remained shrouded in mystery?But before I could dwell on my doubts, a sudden realization dawned upon me—I couldn't ignore the truth any longer. The events of the evening, the eerie howls, Caleb's abrupt departure, and his mysterious demeanor—all pointed to a reality I had been reluctant to confront.Gathering my courage, I gently pushed Caleb away, searching his eyes for answers. "Caleb, there's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"His expression faltered, a flicker of hesitation betraying the facade of calm he had worn. "Eliana, there are
My body trembled and I couldn't move from my place. Is it happening? Tears continued to flow into my eyes. Caleb is gone. Some creatures abducted him. Before I could move my feet, the light turned off. I hugged myself and sat down on the floor. I looked around, and everything was too dark; I couldn't see any light. I wiped my tears. I need to be strong. Perhaps, I am just dreaming. I tried to pinch my shoulder."Ouch!" I shouted. I am no longer dreaming. I hugged my knee and looked down. Staring at the floor made me feel at ease until loud waves of laughter echoed around."It's not funny!" Caleb shouted. I stood up and looked around."Caleb?!" I shouted in fear. In an instant, broad shoulders pulled me and hugged me tight."I am here," he hissed. "It was only a prank from my friend, Charles."I looked up. "How…." I gulped, trying to ease my voice. "How did he do that?" Caleb carefully pushed me to look into my face. He smiled and my heart melted."Caleb's smile, warm and reassuring, m
As we ventured deeper into the unknown, a sense of unease settled over me like a heavy fog, clouding my thoughts and casting doubt upon our journey. With each passing moment, the questions that had been lingering in the back of my mind grew louder, demanding answers that seemed to slip through my grasp like grains of sand.Chief among those questions was the nature of my relationship with Caleb.For as long as I could remember, Caleb had been my constant companion, my rock in times of uncertainty, and my guiding light in the darkest of moments. Together, we had faced countless trials and tribulations, emerging stronger and more united than ever before. But now, as we stood on the precipice of a new adventure, doubts began to gnaw at the edges of my consciousness, threatening to unravel the fragile threads that bound us together.Was Caleb truly the one for me? Or were we merely clinging to the familiarity of our past, afraid to confront the uncomfortable truths that lay buried beneath
Running around Caleb's mansion is one of the ways I remove my worries. I started running at 5 in the morning to ensure my mood was good and I could fully show him my smile. I caught my breath when something growled behind the trees near the gate. My heart pounded fast as I walked, and fear crept into my system. "No," I whispered, trying to comfort myself. As I got closer and passed the trees, I felt something strange. The hair on the back of my neck began to stand up. It was like a wave of anxiety rising. A loud howl echoed inside the mansion. I looked back, and the birds in the sky started to fly away. My eyes widened, and I didn't know where to go. The howls were coming from both near the gate and inside the mansion. I screamed as I saw something moving in the grass. It was so fast.I ran inside the mansion, thinking about Caleb's safety. I ran and ran until I reached Caleb's room, but to my surprise, he wasn't there, and a gust of wind hit my ears. I walked inside and saw the curta
I couldn’t move even though Diana was no longer around. "Caleb?" I muttered to myself multiple times. Was it the same Caleb that I loved? My eyes widened. Love? Did I love him? I shook my head and ran. I had no direction and didn’t know where to go. It was too much to carry. My scar made Caleb mad, but I didn’t know why.I felt something in my stomach that made me stop. I looked around. The gust of wind was so noisy. It sent shivers down my spine. I took a seat in the grass and closed my eyes. Everything flashed back to me.It had been too easy to leave the orphanage. I thought it was better for all of us, but it seemed it was not. I took a deep breath and lay in the grass. My heart beat so fast as I tried to think about every moment.The first time I met Caleb, he was so arrogant. Caleb rarely spoke to me after he accepted me into his mansion, but for some reason, he started to talk to me. His eyes always held a certain sadness, a depth of pain that I could never fully understand. Yet
Days had passed, and Caleb remained despondent. He was always sleeping and refused to go outside. I took a deep breath and closed the door behind me. As I looked around, I forced a smile for the people there. Walking through the trees, I felt a strange sensation coursing through me, my skin prickling with goosebumps when I heard a loud howl. I sprinted through the grass, my heart pounding until I heard someone calling my name.“Eliana.” I turned around, stunned. It was Caleb. He appeared suddenly and grabbed my hand, pulling me as we ran out of the village.“Wait,” I tried to protest, but he kept running until the village was no longer in sight. We stopped, gasping for breath, and I seized the moment to speak.“Are you alright?” he asked, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. I nodded. “It’s good that you kept nagging me to wake up. That village is no longer good for me.”“What do you mean?” I asked, bewildered. He just smiled and tapped my head.“Don’t worry about it. Let’s
As Caleb left me in the kitchen to tend to the meal, my thoughts swirled with uncertainty. Charles had already disappeared into the living room, leaving me alone with the daunting task of preparing a meal for an unexpected gathering. The clatter of pots and pans echoed my racing heartbeat as I pondered over my place in Caleb’s life.Does he love me? The question lingered like a stubborn shadow. Had he ever uttered those words to me? I couldn’t recall, and the uncertainty gnawed at my insides as I mechanically cleaned the shrimp, trying to distract myself from the whirlwind of emotions.Outside, the sounds of boisterous laughter reached me through the kitchen window, drawing my gaze. I peered out to see six men arriving, their camaraderie evident in their easy banter and hearty laughs. It was a rare sight—Caleb seldom had visitors, let alone a group of six.Turning off the stove, I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to join them or retreat to the solace of the kitchen. Before I c
Caleb's warm hug still lingered on my body, a comforting memory that I never expected. Hugging myself, I closed my eyes, replaying his words in my mind: “I will always be with you.” Opening my eyes, a sudden wave of nervousness washed over me. Why was I feeling this way?Caleb's visitors were different. Although I enjoyed their company, there was something off, something they were hiding. Even the glasses I washed earlier had unusual scratches. It was strange.Shaking my head, I tried to dismiss my suspicions. I walked into the kitchen to check the glasses again. The scratches were not just superficial; they were peculiar. I ran my fingers over them, feeling the rough lines that marred the surface but didn’t break it. Something was wrong.I took a deep breath and decided to focus on Caleb. The memory of his embrace brought a smile to my face. His declaration, “I will always be with you,” had sent warmth through me. His touch and his words had begun to dissolve the pain in my heart. Cal
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