Chapter 11

I'm not used to waking up like this. My head throbs in pain. Now I know how a hangover feels like. Only a hearty breakfast will ease this feeling. Hey, wait! I panicked when I realized what had happened last night. The last thing I remember is that I snatched a gun and fell to the ground, and now I don't know where I am. What seems to be obvious now is that my arms are tied and I'm blindfolded. I heard the door screeching, indicating that someone is getting in.

"Where am I?" Whoever entered this room didn't bother answering me so I repeated my question. 

"You won't get an answer. You better shut your mouth up." The man answered with hostility. 

I even ask him where Catherine and Isabel are but this man is a real jerk. He zipped his mouth and wouldn't answer me however hard I try to plead with him. A tingly feeling is on my wrist as I try to move my arms. The tight grip of the string on my arms hurts. I tried to move my feet only to find out that they are also tied. Good heavens! I started sniffing and a smell of dusty room filled my nostrils. The room smells rusty and wait, what am I smelling? Is it a cheap perfume? My olfactory system is sensitive and I'm so embarrassed. This man has bad taste in choosing perfumes. I smirked before letting out a deep and long sighed. I'm in trouble again. Thanks to the two women whom I just met a little while. I couldn't understand why I am letting myself be involved in the business of these crazy people. I don't even know them well enough. I thought to myself. Nevertheless, I'm already here and I can't just go on with my life knowing that there's someone I've left behind in possible danger. I gritted my teeth before speaking to the man with a hint of warning. 

"Let me off here so we won't have any trouble…or better yet, just run for your life."

I heard his little chuckle, not believing what I said. Of course, he will never let go of me unless he wants to be killed by his boss. 

"Poor thing," I thought to myself. 

In the end, I realized the need to let out this monster in me. The effect of the alcohol from my last night's stupidity is still in me but it's no longer interrupting my system. I am now able to transform and therefore capable of escaping and slaying whoever gets in my way. It's also clear to me now that I am in an old warehouse. My guess is, I'm somewhere out of the town.

My mouth opened and started to hum a song that I've heard a long time ago. I didn't do it on purpose, though. It just escapes my mouth every time the monster in me gets excited. That song was never taught to me by anyone. It just rings out in my brain occasionally since I was a child. Back then, I found it horrible because it was always accompanied by flashes of horrendous scenes. I asked my parents about it but they couldn't tell me anything. I just remember them shrugging their shoulders every time I tell them about it. They would always tell me that it's just a product of my imagination. I would always frown at them, unsatisfied with their answer. 

"Hmm, hmm, hmm,"

"Stop that. It creeps me." Says the man uneasily. 

"Do you know that song?" I said teasingly.

"That's not from any famous singer I know." He smirked. 

"Well, you are right." I returned an amused laugh.

"Do you want me to tell you what that song is all about?" One side of my lips twitched and formed a visible curve. I couldn't recognize myself sometimes, it's as if something evil is thriving in my body.

"..."

He didn't answer. I could sense that he is getting pissed off. 

"It means death."

I heard his heart thumping. Now I'm impressed with this man because he can already feel the forthcoming danger. Not as dumb as I thought he is a while ago.

He cleared his throat but did not say a single word. I can also sense his little movement.

"I'm finding it boring in here," I said and raised my hands to undo the blindfold that is suffocating me. I quickly untie my legs and got up from this creaking chair. It happened so fast that almost dumfounded the man when he realized that I already freed myself. The man got scared at the sight of my sharp and shining claws.

"H-How did you do that? How were you able to untie your hands!? Goodness!" He says with his mouth wide open.

He pulled his gun and aimed at me but I am already strangling his neck before he could pull the trigger. 

"I warned you earlier but you are so hardheaded." 

"L-Let me go. Please don't hurt me." 

"You left me with no option."

"Don't kill me please!"

"It's nice to hear you begging." 

"H-have mercy," He begs me.

"Mercy, huh?" I cackled devilishly. 

My grip on his neck tightened. He's struggling to flee from me but failed to. Soon after, I feel that he's losing his breath so I throw him to the ground. He looks so weak.

"Run while I can still control myself." 

I perfectly know that he's not my real enemy here for he's just a mere follower, so I let him escape. He's still weak from gasping for air and struggles so much in making his way away from me. I discreetly followed him for I know he is going to where his other colleagues are. And of course, to where my silly companions are by now. Catherine has given me headaches, big time. It's already dawn and the sun is starting to peek into the massive mountains. The morning dew greets my nostrils and the cold daybreak air touches my skin. It must be so pleasant to feel them if I'm not in this disastrous situation. The man is constantly glancing sideways, making sure that I did not follow him. He would not see me because I'm carefully hopping from one branch of the tree to another. My movements are silent so he won't hear me and after all, he wouldn't think that I'm up here. He didn't notice a protruding root so he stumbled and fell and rolled into a shallow slope. 

"That was a piece of misfortune." I scoffed while watching him rolling down. 

He coiled beneath a big root upon landing on the damp surface.  He was covered with dried leaves when he got up. He removed the dried leaves that have fastened in his clothes and walked with wobbly legs. I think his limb is injured. I can see his grimace as he struggled to walk. Moments later, he slowed down and sat under a big tree while still constantly glancing sideways. I'm afraid he's gonna have a stiff neck after this day. Surely, he is checking if I followed him. He is panting and looks so terrible. There were noticeably torn on his clothes. I would sympathize with him if I'm not the one whom he is running away from. Well, he deserves that. Anyway, why would he be working in a syndicate if he's a good man? There's so much more decent work to apply to here in New Land. Besides, the economic status of this town is quite good. For sure he could find a job with reasonable compensation.