1. Memories

Episode One

                   ANNA'S POV 

I came out of the bathroom with the white towel tied around my breast region. I sauntered over to my dressing table which had many girly fashion tools like Bangles, earrings, cream, powder. All these are not my thing, I was only forced by Anita to get them. I picked up my cream bottle, pressed out a little to my hand and gently rubbed it all over my body.

 Satisfied that the cream has gotten to all parts of my body, I trodded on the tiled floor to my wardrobe. I ransacked it looking for a suitable dress for today's mission.

 I ran my hands through the black and red dresses and a few coloured clothes but none looked perfect to me. Jeez! I'm just realizing that most of my clothes are red and black, so scary!.

 I bent down and opened the lower part of the wardrobe, hoping I come across a normal girl's gown or skirt. I searched and luckily I found a black short gown with white stripes. I heaved a sigh of relief as I held the gown before the large standing mirror which was beside the wardrobe. Not bad! 

I put on a hose before wearing the gown. I brought out my black boots and slip my legs into them. I took a glance at the mirror again, perfect! My hair? I picked up the comb which was lying down on my dressing table. Just then, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in" 

The door cracked open to reveal Anita, she was still in her night wear.

"Good morning Anita" I smiled.

"Good morning Anna. Looks like someone is so happy today?" She replied.

" Oh my! Is it so obvious?" I chuckled."Well, how do I look? Like an angel right?" 

She hesitated, running her eyes over my body with shock clearly written on her face. "You look different and great" 

" Thank you"

" You're welcome. Breakfast is served, we will be waiting for you downstairs" Anita said and turned to leave.

" I won't be joining you guys. I have an important work to attend to" I said,combing my long brown shadowed hair.

"Important work?" She repeated. "Shedding blood, you mean?" 

"Kinda" I shrugged, still focused on the mirror. My hair looked silky and straight, I applied some hair cream and ran the comb through it again.

"When are you going to stop?" Anita suddenly asked.

" Stop what? Combing the hair? I'm almost through"

" Oh stop playing dumb with me. You know what I'm talking about."Anita snarled. "Come on, don't you think it is time you stop the killings?"

I stopped combing abruptly. I turned back to look at her. Did she just say stop?. Stop the killings? That sentence actually sounds funny to me. 

"If you are so adamant to hear a reply, then here it is. I am only going to stop when they are all dead" I said through gritted teeth.

"What? Are you that cold hearted?" She exclaimed.

I raised my eyebrows! Is that even a question?

"Do you think I was born like this? Cruel? Hell no! Those monsters turned me into what I am today. They turned me into a beast." I half yelled.

Anita heaved a deep breath."What could they have done to you that makes you so adamant to spill their blood?" She inquired, calmly. 

I hesitated. This is the third time she is asking this question, I really don't want to remember that incident.

"It is okay if you don't want to tell me but whatever it is, please don't let it kill who you truly are" Anita softly spoke staring into my eyes. She gave me a warm smile and turned to leave but I held unto her hand.

"I will tell you" I muttered.

This is going to hurt but I have to do this. Anita is just like a sister, she doesn't hide anything from me and it wouldn't be fair if I don't tell her mine too. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I remembered that fateful day.

******

It was a Monday morning!

I woke up feeling different and happy because it was birthday.

"Today is my birthday! Today is my birthday!!" I jumped on my bed in excitement.

The thought of getting my sport car which I had always wanted, added to my happiness.On my birthdays,dad always grant one of my wishes so I planned on requesting for a pink sports car that day.I jumped down from the bed and got out of my night gown.

I took my shower, wore my underwears and slipped into one of my designer black short gowns..I blessed my appearance with a light make up and tied my hair in a ponytail.

When I looked into the mirror, I was satisfied with what I saw. I slipped into my pink heels before heading downstairs..Dad was on his special couch reading his news paper while mum was receiving a leg massage from one of the helpers..

"Good morning mum and dad" I greeted,giving each of them a peck.

"Good morning baby and how's my princess doing?" Dad asked.

"I'm cool dad" I replied, giggling.

There was a brief silence, I stood still patiently waiting for my birthday wishes but it wasn't forthcoming. Why haven't they wished me a happy birthday?

"Why are you all dressed up?" Mum broke the silence.

"I'm going out with my friends"

"Aww..Go catch some fun but get back home early" Mum said with a pat on my back.

"Okay..but..." I stuttered..

"What's wrong?" Mum asked..

"Aren't you guys forgetting something?" I blinked my eyes, hoping they remember.

"Something like what?" Dad arched his brows.

"About someone's special day" I winked.

"Someone's special day?" Mum repeated. "Who?" 

Seriously? How could they forget the birthday of their only daughter?

"Forget it!" I snapped and turned back to leave. 

"Aren't you eating? Breakfast is served" mum called out.

" I'm not hungry" I scowled, heading to the door..

"Goodbye baby! Take care of yourself"

"Whatever" 

I grumpily walked outside but ran into my elder brother, Williams..

He had just got back from his morning jog.

"And where's my annoying little sister heading to?" He asked.

"That's none of your business" I fired.

"Oh! Sorry miss" he shrugged,heading inside..

Maybe I should ask him. Who knows, he might remember.

"Wait a minute" I stopped him by the arm.

"What's it?" He replied a bit curtly as he turned to face me.

"You remember that today is a special day for me, right?" I asked, pouting my lip.

"A special day for you? Are you getting married today" he asked with his eyes almost bugging from their sockets.

"Huh? Marriage?" I repeated in disbelief. "You've lost your mind" 

I walked to my car, pissed off. I got into the car and drove down to my friend's house. Since my family don't remember my birthday, it's best if I celebrate it with people who care. We had a great time together with other friends who also came to surprise me. I was given many gifts, we ate, drank and took a lot of pictures together.

 After the party, I got home late and tired.I packed my car in the garage and walked to the door but it was locked.I input the password and the door cracked open.I stepped into the house and locked the door but to my amazement, the house was dark.

I am sure they're all busy sleeping.

"Looks like nobody cares about me again"l muttered. 

I was about climbing the stairs to my room, when the lights suddenly turned on .I was shocked to see my family members and the helpers..They all stood there beaming with smiles. The house was heavily decorated with balloon and flowers and the popular birthday song played in the background.

"Happy birthday!!" They all chorused..

My joy knew no bound as I jumped on each of them,giving them a tight hug.We partied all night and i slept that night praying that no harm befalls my family.

"So what do you want for your birthday gift?" Dad had asked me during our breakfast, the next day. 

"I want one of the latest sport car, red precisely" I giggled. 

"Jeez! That'll cost a lot of money." Mum interrupted.

I raised my eyebrows.

"Come on mum! Dad isn't complaining.." I whined..

"Exactly honey! I'm not complaining..I have just paid for the car online..so all you have to do is to go drive it home"

" Thanks Dad" I leaped in happiness and plastered a peck on his cheek. "I have to go guys" I added briskly.

"But where are you going to?" Mum asked.

"To get my car of course" I laughed,running out.

I got my car and happily drove home but the door to the house wasn't locked.

"Strange!" I muttered..

I entered into the house and to my chagrin,my parents and only brother laid on the floor - they were all bleeding..

My heart missed a beat as I quickly ran to them..

"Mum! Mum!!" I cried shaking her, but there was no reply..I ran to my brother..

"Wi..William" I quivered, violently shaking him. But he didn't even bulge..

"Wi..William..please wake up..you're my super hero,please don't leave me" I cried.I was so confused.What had happened to my family? They were all healthy and happy before I left.

"A..Anna" I heard a whisper.I turned back abruptly to see dad. He tried to stand up but fell to the floor.

"Dad!!" I ran to him.. "Dad..what..what happened?" I cried.

"You..you..have to run faraway" dad forced himself to say.

"But why? Who did this to you guys?" I wailed.

He didn't say anything rather he just tore part of his white shirt and used his blood to write names of some people..

"Take..take this" he said while coughing out blood..I took it from him still confused. 

"Daddy!! What's happening?" 

"Stay away from those people, you have to run some where faraway..Those people are bad they're gonna hurt you if they ever find you" dad stuttered, breathing heavily.

"But..who'll I run to? Why should I leave you guys here? I..I..can't live without you guys" I cried.

"I love you baby but you'll have to Leave now" Dad insisted, he coughed out blood.

"No! No daddy!!" I cried, shaking my head.

"I have always given you all you ever asked from me my child but today your father wants something from you" dad said and took my hands in his.

"What..what is it dad?"

"Promise me that you'll live..promise me that you'll fight death and keep my lineage from coming to an end" 

"But..why are you speaking this way?"

"Just promise me!" He snapped. 

"I promise you dad. But give me some minutes, I'll go call for help"

"It's too late.. you'll have to leave now"

"No dad! I'm not leaving without you" I cried.

"Please just leave" he slowly said and closed his eyes. His body became pale immediately.

"No! No!" I cried. "Daddy!"

Just then I heard some footsteps coming towards the house.

"I'll have to leave! But I'll avenge your deaths! I'll make them pay!!" I vowed through gritted teeth before running out through the back door, to an unknown destination.