Chapter 1: Bleed

The tip of the straw got stuck between my lips as I sip the last drop of my orange juice. A smack from withdrawing the straw from my mouth interrupted the silence inside the library as I entered the front door — drawing everyone’s attention to my unannounced visit.

“Foods and drinks are not allowed inside Little Miss,” a croaky voice welcomed me at the doorstep. He smiled, making the wrinkles on his face more prominent then he walked limply towards his desk with his wooden cane.

I went out to look for a trash bin and dump my juicebox. I ran back inside with my squeaking rubber shoes and headed towards the history section. I was looking for the record of the Shah Dynasty for my research when a sudden flashes of blurred and disturbing memories strode into my consciousness. I felt dizzy and the book I was holding slipped from my grip. A loud thud broke the silence when the book hit the wooden floor.

What was that?

Out of nowhere, a weird yet nostalgic memory played inside my head. It started to get clearer and clearer. I wonder where those memories came from. The vision showed me a book with an encrypted rose on the canvas cover. I suddenly remembered I have read it once when I was a kid but that familiarity doesn’t seem to be mine. It was puzzling me and I was sweating badly. My body was quivering due to the commotion happening inside my head.

“Are you alright Little Miss?” 

I almost held my breath when I heard the voice. I sighed in relief when I realized it was just the bookkeeper.

“You looked troubled. Is everything okay?” He fretted.

“I’m alright Sir. It’s just hot in here,” I lied, catching my breath and pretendly fanned my face with my hands. I took out my hankie from the pocket of my pleated short skirt and started wiping my entire face. The tremble of my hands was quite noticeable. I tried to calm myself but my heartbeat was racing uncontrollably. I didn’t know what exactly was happening to me. 

What’s with those weird memories?

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He doubted.

“Yes Sir, don’t mind me. I’m just having a hard time looking for something in here,” I smiled and pretentiously crammed on the books behind me. 

“What is this book that you need? Maybe it doesn’t belong to this section.” He reassured me. There was a hint on his tone that made me think of something impossibly crazy. My hands halted from digging out some books on the shelf. 

What if that book really exists?

I shook my head in disagreement on that stupid thought. There’s no way it would exist. But there’s no harm in asking. There’s probably a reason why those memories came to me though I am not sure if I’m just losing my mind. 

“Perhaps,” I looked at him with uncertainty. “Do you have an old book here with an encrypted rose on it?” I was a bit hesitant, but I witnessed how that question changed the expression on his face. His eyes widened as he stepped back in awe. His hand gripping on his wooden cane was shaking noticeably.

“You….” He gasped. “You’re from the Savelli family?”

I was confused when he unexpectedly smiled at me. Does the book have something to do with my family? This is getting more serious and complicated. 

I nodded hesitantly, but regretted that I did. His mood lit up like he just found the last piece to complete an intricate puzzle. 

“What’s with my family? How did you know about us?” I asked eagerly but he just turned his back and walked towards his table and he seemed so excited. 

“Follow me,” he muttered as he continued pacing forward.

I stayed in that position for a moment until it finally hit me that he’s definitely going to show me that book. I squeezed my head with my sweating hands trying to make the sense out of me. I almost fell on the floor because the dizziness was pounding me. I facepalmed and peeked from the spaces of my fingers what he was doing. I saw him going to a small unobvious door beside his table. 

He looked back at me and whispered, “Come on.”

Though I was still confused and scared, I went to follow him. He started to unlock the door with a long rusty key. I started to feel terrified when he opened the door and a stinky smell of molds and rust welcomed us. I ducked as I entered the portal for the doorway was just about four feet low and a meter wide. It was so dark inside so I took my phone and turned on the flashlight. There were thick threads of spider web and the dust all over the place was irritating my nose. The dirt on the creaking floor was sandy, you could write doodles on it! The space was claustrophobic and I started to feel suffocated. There isn’t even a single window or hole for fresh air to get through. 

What if this old man is a ghost?

That thought gave me chills and I wanted to run out of that room immediately. The book keeper walked towards the antique furniture placed at the center. There was a small wooden box covered with thick grime. I began to think of going out but the old man was already facing me with the rotten box. 

“Open this box with your key. The answer to your curiosity is inside here.” He said blithely.

There was a small golden lock on the clasp but I’m afraid I don’t have the key for that. I wanted to back out because I feel like things are starting to get horrifying. I just wanted to do my research but I ended up being stuck in this room with these creepy things and a weird old man.

“How —” 

“The pendant.” He cut me off. 

I was lost at first, but he was staring at my neck. That’s when I remembered the gold necklace that my grandmother had given me has a small key pendant. 

“I’m sorry but this is just an ordinary pendant I guess. I’m not sure if what you’re suggesting makes sense,” I argued.

“You’ll never know if you don’t try it. But I want to warn you,” he paused. “This is the last book left to access the portal. If you also fail this one, the history will never be changed. Wizardry will overtake our privilege on this land.” He continued.

I started to step back, ready to sprint outside. Is this old man lunatic? What is he talking about? I need to leave this place before anything worse happens. When I turned to run, the door suddenly closed slamming against the wall. My eyes widened for that unexpected occurrence. 

“This is crazy…” I whispered to myself. 

I started to panic but when I stared at the old man, he was just smiling amusedly like he’s watching an entertaining show.

“There’s no going back, your highness.” He bowed.

“Your highness? What are you talking about? What is this place? What’s with the book and the weird memories? This is driving me crazy… please tell me I’m just dreaming!” I maundered, hugging myself because the tension was already giving me chills.

“I understand that you’re confused right now,” he sighed and he stepped forward.

“Stop!” I halted him. He’s the one I am most scared about inside the room. I don’t want to witness anything more unusual than what I have already seen.

He took a deep breath, “Please don’t be scared of me. This world will become more scary if you don’t stop the wicked witch. You’re the last heir to defeat her! Your mother, your grandmother, your ancestors were not able to defeat her. You’re our last and only hope, your highness. Please save us!”

He bowed again and I felt bothered. How is this connected to my family? Witch? Your highness? This is too much for my dumb head to decipher!

“Please…” He begged.

I didn’t know but he seemed so sincere. I’m still processing the words he said, but I felt like his agony is my responsibility. My heart was troubled as I watched him in that position. I still don’t understand anything happening at the moment but I ended up walking towards him. My little feet are betraying me!

I reached my hand to get the box he was holding. He smiled gratifyingly and handed me the box. I sighed and took off my necklace. Though I was full of doubts, I tried to unlock the box with the key pendant. I heard a small click and the lock was opened. I lose hold of the key in astonishment. 

"No way..." I gasped.

I put the wooden chest to the table and removed the lock. A stale hard covered book greeted me when I unlatched the top of the chest. I took it out and dust off the cover. I was astounded to see the rose encryption. It was exactly how it looked like in my vision. I felt the carve with the tips of my fingers and it felt so familiar. 

"How is this possible..." I whispered incredulously, the confusion was rising within me.

I lost my grip on the book when a sudden gun shot echoed outside the room. I heard loud screams from the students. 

"W-what's happening outside?" I trembled. 

"They're already here. How did they find this place?" The old man muttered in horror.

"W-Who?" I squeaked.

He hurriedly picked the book and gave it back to me. I could feel his hands trembling as well. 

"Go. You must fill the book before they can even find you," he was speaking sternly. I didn’t get what he was talking about. How am I going to fill a book? What will I write about it?

"I-I don't understand what's going on! W-who are these people outside?" I panicked as I watched him quivering in fear taking something else from the box. It was a bracelet of old rose pearls. 

He looked at me with terror. “They are not ordinary people.”

My eyes furrowed on that utterance. “Then what are they?” I asked curiously.

It seems that he didn’t hear me. He was trying to put the bracelet on me while his hands were uncontrollably shaking. There was another gun shot and it went across the door. Gratefully we were able to duck. I swallowed audibly as I stared at the hole made by the bullet. 

"Open the book and go now before it’s too late!" He commanded. 

My head was still disoriented with the revelations of the book and now a gunman ranting outside is making things more complicated. I decided to flip on the pages even if my hands were barely moving. I was surprised to see that the pages were empty. I was dispirited.

"What am I going to do with this book? It’s empty." I asked in distress.

I was taken aback when he took his cane and unseathe it. It had a small knife and he grabbed my hand. “This will hurt a little bit.” He said panting and slit my palm without my agreement. The cut stings and drops of blood started to come out from the wound. 

I whimpered in pain. “W-why did you cut my skin?”

“Forgive me your highness, but your blood is the only way.” 

The blood dropped on the empty page of the book as soon as the door smashed open. A wolf masked man pointed his gun at me. 

"Found ya," he snickered evilly.

I felt all the blood drained from my face and my body became numb. What kind of danger have I put myself into? I closed my eyes tightly and hoped that this is just a nightmare I have to get through. I heard he pulled the trigger and a blast filled the muffled room.

God, I don’t know why you are letting this happen to me… but please save us! I prayed earnestly