LOGINShare
PRELUDE
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56It was a hazy day. The sky is blanketed with mist and there's a huge chance of rain. Catherine observed the surroundings from the window when she shifted her gaze at the front gate of her house, that her mother had already chimed in though she noticed that something that's particularly odd.
Hugging her mother's hips was what looked like a child, his fringe to the center of his head, nearly blocking his eyes, but Catherine could notice how scared this boy must be. But who was this boy?
Catherine ran downstairs to greet her mother. She made it a point to open the door before her mother.
"Hi, love," her mother said, and she smiled in return.
"What'd you got there?"
"Oh, right," she took a step back and gently pushed the young boy towards her to introduce. "This is Felipe." She took a deep breath. "I figured it might be a perfect time to have another sibling again."
Catherine welcomed Felipe with open arms, and pulled him into a tight embrace. This was pretty much unexpected, but she was more than enthusiastic. Out of nowhere, she just got a little brother, and she swore like an oath, in her head, to take care of what was in front of her, and guard him with all her life.
*
It was summer when it happened. There were rollercoasters and other death-defying rides, and screams and laughter that encompassed them. Catherine had Felipe on her hand.
Felipe pointed at a cotton candy machine with an earnest-looking old man trying to beckon at people to buy. Catherine nodded and took Felipe to the front of the stall.
"Two fairy floss, please."
Felipe laughed. "Fairy floss," he echoed. It was what he had been calling cotton candy, and Catherine just mimicked it to entertain him since they couldn't go over the rides that he's too young to go in. They had already tried the kiddie rides and Felipe got tired immediately. He wanted to go over, and try what Catherine called the "big boy rides", but she wouldn't let him.
Catherine reached for her wallet and pulled out two twenty peso bills to hand it to the man, who already had finished spinning the cotton candies. She grabbed both the paper cones and turned to Felipe.
But Felipe wasn't there.
She looked around her, but there were no traces of her little brother, or where he might have gone. She quickly ran around and asked everyone she bumped into if they've found a little boy, describing every detail of him.
"My mother is going to murder me," she whispered to herself, but she didn't give up looking until the sky turned orange.
Related chapters
Catherine CHAPTER 1
Catherine’s eyes fluttered open with the buzzing sound of the alarm clock blaring from her nightstand. There were prickles of sweat tracing down her neck, so she used her duvet in order to wipe it off. She also noticed her heart beating rapidly, and about two seconds later there are footsteps heard from the other side of her door; then pounding. “Catherine! Are you all right?” asked her mother. “I’m going in.” And so, she did.” She caught a glimpse of her daughter breathing heavily, her eyebrows furrowed and gazing at her familiar surroundings. Anita grew even more concerned by this sight, pulling her daughter into an embrace. Catherine felt it was a bit of an odd gesture. She isn’t sure when the last time Anita had hugged her, but she is quite sure that it was such a long ti
Catherine CHAPTER 2
Anita was worried about her daughter so she decided to pick her up. She knew that Catherine had been blaming herself for losing her younger brother but it was their fault for not looking after their children during those times. Both of her and her husband were assured that their little angels would be safe since they would be just gone for a minute but little did they knew that in a glimpse one of their children could be missing. Anita stopped the car outside the school gate and she was right on time since she had seen Catherine walked past the gate. Catherine heard a honk and saw her mother’s car which she found sort of unusual because it had been ages since her mother had picked her up but she wouldn’t want to risk commuting either so she went to her mom’s car. “Hi, sweetie.” Her mother greeted her sweetly before starting the engine. The silence between her and her mother felt kind of
Catherine CHAPTER 3
Saturday classes are something that Catherine had been dreading. She’d very much rather work on her own and spend the entire day in the library for the Related Literature part of her thesis, or patching up news articles of missing children—something she had been doing for so long, and ate up her summers for the past nine years—in order to see if there are similarities between the missing kids and Felipe’s. She made it a point to finish all her works in order to play detectives always. She refused to let this case rest. It doesn’t matter whether Felipe’s dead or alive at this point—though she prays to God that he is well—all she needs is his presence. Her beating heart resented to stop aching for ten years now until Felipe’s found, and she fears the most that her soul might stay bothered for the rest of her life. She could do all of those&m
Catherine CHAPTER 4
Catherine couldn’t comprehend what her mother was saying as her eyes and her mind was still fixated on the ballerina. She even thought that how could that professor criticize her. “It’s an emergency!” Catherine gained consciousness when her mother’s voice had gotten louder. Her mother sounded like she was in trouble so Catherine told her mother that she’ll be there immediately. She wanted to watch more, however, her mother needs her right now at her ballet class. She saw that there was ambulance outside her mom’s ballet school when she arrived so she hurriedly went inside and saw Courtney. the leading ballerina, got injured. Catherine went to her worried mother and asked, “Wha
Catherine CHAPTER 5
Ever since she found her heart captivated by this unnamed ballerina, Catherine had been finding time in order to catch a peek of the dance hall where this ballerina mostly practiced, at the same time hoping to know her name too. Catherine imagined scenarios of chance encounters with this girl and formally introducing herself, but she thought that these imaginations are too good to be true. She thought that she’s too shy to even introduce herself, and the chance encounters she imagined are far from possible from happening. As mentioned, eavesdropping wasn’t really her thing, until the moment she saw this girl perform. She had to learn more about her, though the only thing she gets was a heavy heart whenever the same instructor who criticize her movements. She cannot remember a time where this man complimented her. It’s always harsh inputs and Catherine could have sworn that one time, she saw tears trickling down her rosy
Catherine CHAPTER 6
Catherine and Lyra arrived at her mom’s ballet school only to find that the audition had finished. “That’s a wrap, everybody.” Her mother said and her students clapped. Catherine saw Lyra a bit disappointed and she knew that Lyra wanted the role, too. She even thinks that Lyra knew about this Ballet Concert but because of the negative criticism she gets from her professor she may have decided not to audition. “My mother did not inform me about ending the audition this early so we have a good reason for you to have the late audition.” Anita saw her daughter talking to a young lady she had never seen before so she approached them. “Mom, this is Lyra Gomez and she’s here to audition.” Catherine knew that her mother is strict about punctuality and she was ready to have her mother’s scolding but she’s eager to let Lyra have the leading role. “If there is anything that I wouldn’t let it pass
Catherine CHAPTER 7
Catherine was running late for her class when she passes by the dance hall and hearing the unnamed professor say something about the auditions. There, Catherine already knew that it was Lyra who’d been receiving this unnecessary lecture, so she gathered all her guts, took a deep breath and pushed the door open, entering the dance hall. Everyone in the class looked at her with their eyes widened, including Brittany, who was looking at Catherine with flirting eyes, Lyra, whose eyebrows were furrowed and nearly in tears, and the instructor with a confused expression plastered on his face. “Pardon me, but I can’t help but overhear about Lyra’s audition in my mom’s production.” “Catherine Hernandez! Daughter of that amazing Anita Hernandez. What about the audition?” “I don’t mean to interrupt
Catherine CHAPTER 8
Catherine had always been looking forward to her free day as she either get to do her thesis or play detective and sometimes both but today she decided to find her brother Felipe as she have found a person to help her — big time. She went to Tacky’s apartment holding a brief case containing all the data that could help her find her brother Felipe. They went to the same room or which Catherine would love to call the “FBI” room as there was so much technology in there. Tacky is a computer engineer and a mystery nerd that she had met during a project in a general subject. “Here are all the files.” Catherine handed the documents to Tacky immediately and she observed Tacky checking each document.&nb
Latest chapter
Catherine CHAPTER 22
Days had passed and Catherine had been picking up Lyra so that they could go to school together. It was something that Catherine loved doing.Although Catherine could see Lyra’s awkwardness when they hold hands by the hallway. She doesn’t know how she should react to it. She wanted to show to everyone that she’s in a relationship with Lyra but Lyra’s feelings is more important.Both of them reached the dance hall and as usual Lyra would prepare for her warm-up while Catherine would watch Lyra while she does her revision in her thesis.Catherine was thinking of having the vacation with Lyra since they are going to be busy next month. She knew that Lyra would mostly spend her time practicing. Catherine sighed as she typed on her laptop but just then they heard someone entered the dance hall which made Lyra stopped.“Hi” Brittany greeted cheerfully and Lyra wasn&rsquo
Catherine CHAPTER 21
Catherine woke up with Lyra beside her and couldn’t help but admire Lyra. Catherine noticed that Lyra has a small face and that she looked like a porcelain doll.Catherine couldn’t help but kiss Lyra’s cheeks which made Lyra wake up. She was squinting her eyes due to the light coming from Catherine’s window. Catherine smiled “Good Morning, mibal.”This made Lyra blushed and immediately sat up. Catherine didn’t want to remember what happened yesterday when she cried to Lyra. She felt stupid for showing her vulnerability to Lyra.She wanted to be able to protect – to remain strong. She never wanted Lyra to see her that way.“Sorry, I fell asleep.” Lyra said with a hint of embarrassment.“You were all over me while you were sleeping.” Catherine teased and Lyra blushed even more and hid her face on the pillow. Ca
Catherine CHAPTER 20
As soon as the music started, Catherine laid out her hand to Lyra with an inviting smile. Catherine laid out her left hand to Lyra but Catherine gracefully switching to the other hand and as she laid out her left hand – she slid it down from Lyra’s shoulders down to Lyra’s hands.Catherine kissed the back of Lyra’s right hand before taking a step back and did a fouettés turn as if hypnotizing Lyra. She then gracefully walked behind Lyra and put her hands on Lyra’s shoulders and once again slid it down to Lyra’s arms. Then snaked her hands to Lyra’s waist and lifted Lyra on the air.People were astonished at the couple, especially at Catherine who was able to lift Lyra – they began to stand out more. The music was getting intense and in a short span of time they were able to make-up a story through dancing as if both of them could read each other’s mind.Catheri
Catherine CHAPTER 19
As soon as the music started, Catherine laid out her hand to Lyra with an inviting smile. Catherine laid out her left hand to Lyra but Catherine gracefully switching to the other hand and as she laid out her left hand – she slid it down from Lyra’s shoulders down to Lyra’s hands.Catherine kissed the back of Lyra’s right hand before taking a step back and did a fouett turns as if hypnotizing Lyra. She then gracefully walked behind Lyra and put her hands on Lyra’s shoulders and once again slid it down to Lyra’s arms. Then snaked her hands to Lyra’s waist and lifted Lyra on the air.People were astonished at the couple, especially at Catherine who was able to lift Lyra – they began to stand out more. The music was getting intense and in a short span of time they were able to make-up a story through dancing as if both of them could read each other’s mind.Catherine was a
Catherine CHAPTER 18
Everyone went to the after-party of the ballet concert and there were critiques, well known-ballet dancers and critiques. Catherine’s mother had organized several ballet concert and shows but it sometimes still surprises her that her mother had so much connection.Catherine didn’t plan on going to her mother’s ballet concert but her mind changed because of Lyra. She went wearing jeggings and an over-sized button-up polo paired with her jelly-shoes while everyone was in their best formal dresses.‘I surely stand out in the crowd.’ Catherine thought. She was scanning the place when she saw her mother talking to Lyra’s professor who did nothing but criticized Lyra. She approached them and they didn’t seem to notice her.“Lyra is such an extravagant dancer. She’s the best in my class.” The instructor praised.“I’m sure you e
Catherine CHAPTER 17
The day of the ballet concert came and Catherine couldn’t be more proud of Anita’s ballet students especially Lyra.Catherine decided to come early so that she could help backstage. She was helping everyone set up the costumes and the props and just when everyone was wearing their costume, Anita called out her students to have a dress rehearsal.As Catherine was watching, she couldn’t help but grin when her eyes became fixated at Lyra especially at what happened after their kiss.Both Catherine and Lyra was drowned in bliss. It was that moment where they felt their lips dancing in slow dance with the stars as the scented candle that adds romance and the bright moon playing the sweetest melody. The gentle wind as an urge to pull themselves closer yet Catherine had to stop herself before things could get out of control.She saw Lyra blushed and she couldn’t
Catherine CHAPTER 16
Catherine was standing in the dark, however, fear was not engraved in her face as she had been here before. In this familiar scene or so she thought. Then suddenly there was multiple spotlight and clowns wearing red. They started dancing ballet and all of them moving in different direction and forms. It was chaotic.It was as if they portray madness. She was suddenly in the middle and the clowns were going around here, dancing. She was trying to escape as she was feeling more and more suffocated even though she was not scared. It was disturbing in some way or another. The spotlight began to dim and Catherine had a bad feeling. Lyra was in front of her when the spotlight slowly became bright. Lyra started dancing arou
Catherine CHAPTER 15
After their practice everyone was exhausted. Catherine was helping her mom packed things up while she waits for the others to change. “Coach will be taking away your daughter for a while.” Jackson said as he entered and Anita stopped packing and smiled, “Yeah, you can keep her with you guys, if you want.” Anita joked and Catherine stopped cleaning things up. “You’re giving away your talented child.” Catherine said, acting a bit hurt and Anita rolled her eyes. “You hardly do anything in the house but lock yourself in the room.” Anita complained and Catherine waved her hand as a sign of surrender. “Whatever, I’m going.” She said an
Catherine CHAPTER 14
Monday came and Anita had started to become stricter as the ballet concert would be on Thursday. The ballet dancers have no problem with it as it was holiday and perfect for a ballet concert. Catherine started working her thesis in her mother’s class as Anita might need some back-up coach because she cannot afford anyone lagging behind. “Dex focus on your Sobresaut!” Anita shouted and Catherine feels the overwhelming tension in the atmosphere. It was intense that she felt like she wanted to vomit. ‘She really can’t control her temper when teaching’ Catherine thought but it was understandable that her mother wanted this to be perfect. She knew that Anita was thinking of the future career of her students and that she wants all of them to stand out in their own way. “Elena, polish your second arabesque.” Anita once again shouted and she knew that those ballet dancers won’t get their break
