Chapter 1

KLAY ROSE

The sun was on its way up when I heard quick footsteps and kids talking in fast voices, mainly racing towards their destination.  

"Watch your steps!" I shouted at them while they were running down the stairs. I waited until the end to make sure that they were all safe. 

Breakfast was already served, so they hurried to the kitchen, where Sister Mary and Sister Rizza were waiting for us.

"Good morning!" Sister Mary greeted the kids cheerfully, helping them to get to their seats.

They were ten children, ranging in age from seven (the youngest) to twelve (the oldest). Their laughter echoed in the dining area as they shared our simple breakfast.

 "Good morning, Klay. Let's eat now." Sister Rizza invited me, so I sat next to her. 

She and Sister Mary had been my guardians since my parents died. I had no memory of them, but the sisters saved me from our burning house. It was a miracle that I still lived. 

"Thank you for the food." We all said this after praying.

The kids immediately picked up their spoons and forks. We lived a simple life in this old town, far from the city, yet so peaceful and calming. Some of the kids who were with me have already left the convent because they were adopted. I was supposed to have new parents, yet I stayed to help them and the kids until they found their parents.

"I heard that there will be a storm coming by tonight," Sister Rizza said. "We will prepare everything. Also, return early to avoid getting caught in the rain." She reminded me.

"Or maybe you can stay here until the storm passes. It'll be difficult for you to commute." Sister Mary suggested. "Can you be absent from your class?" 

I shook my head. "Thank you for worrying, Sisters. But, I can handle myself. I am already 20. Plus, I will be taking the train. I will try my best to go home early." I assured them.

"However," the sisters sighed."Be sure to stay safe."

"Can you bring us food, Sister Klay?" George, the youngest kid, pouted his lips. "We want the same candies and chocolates you bought us before."

"Yes, and I want some flowers, too. The same one you brought us." Missy told me. 

I smiled at them. "Sure. But, you kids must study, okay? Don't do anything that will make the sisters mad." I looked at all of them. "Please, don't make us worry. 

They all said yes in chorus. 

"If I get home early, we will play in the forest, okay?" I promised them. "Go on, finish your food." 

"Klay..." Sister Mary called me while we were cleaning the table. "I am sorry to tell you this, but for now we will not allow you and the kids to play in the forest."

I raised my brow. "Is there something I need to know, Sister?" I looked at both of them.  

"We heard news from the police that there are some kids missing on the other side of the forest, in the town next to ours. Since it's connected to where we are, I think it's best that the children stay away."

"Oh, no." I covered my mouth. "Do you know what happened? Why are they missing?" 

"From what we heard from the sisters near that place, they can hear growling sounds at night like beasts. And, then, when they checked the place, the other animals living there were torn apart." Sister Rizza explained. "Unfortunately, they also found a kid that was torn apart."  

I blinked. "What could it be?"  

They shook their heads as they signed a cross. "We just hope whatever it is will not reach us here."  

"Don't worry, Sister. The Lord will protect us." 

After helping the sisters in the household, I left the convent to catch the train going to the university while the kids prepared for school which is just across the church.

"Klay!" Micah waved at me as soon as I saw her sitting in our usual seat on the train. She's been my friend since I was a kid, and we go to the same university. 

The train had already moved, and I focused on the window, waiting for our chance to pass by the forests. Micah was saying something, and only when she poked me did I pay attention.

"What is happening to you? What are you thinking? I am asking if you are done with our paper?" She said, seems confused with my reaction. 

"Uh, I'm sorry. I am just thinking of something. Have you heard what happened in the next town?"

"Ah," she nodded. "Yes, my father went there to help the police investigate the case, and they actually don't know what caused it. But they believe it's a wild animal." She explained.

"My father told me not to go into the woods, so I'm reminding you," she said as she looked at me."Especially the kids."

I sighed. "Yeah. Sisters told me...those poor kids."

"Hmm, do you believe it's a wild beast?" Micah puffed under her breath. "Look at this. I saw this in my father's file."

She showed me a confidential picture of the kid found dead in the woods. I almost vomited upon seeing how brutally they were killed. At the same time, my heart felt nervous and scared upon seeing those claw marks.

I remembered the scar at my back. Those were the same marks. Suddenly, it triggered something inside my chest as my stomach also twirled. 

"Uh!" I caressed my head as it started giving me pain. There are some images in my mind that aren't clear. I've had this since I was a kid, but I never really understood what it meant.

"Are you okay? Are you having those images again?" Micah said, concerned. "Did you drink your medicine?" 

I nodded. "Yes. It's just..." I was about to say something about the marks, but I decided not to so she wouldn't worry about me. 

She handed me the water bottle. "Drink this." She caressed my back until I was okay. 

"I think I just got scared." I told her. "But, I am fine now."

"Me too. It seems like we aren't safe now. It's terrifying." She sighed. 

"Indeed." I whispered, looking outside the window as we passed by the woods. 

I always passed this way going to university, as this is the only way to our town, but it's the first time I felt chills.

"It's so dark..." I muttered to myself.

"Huh? The sun is shining. What do you mean?"

I actually don't know why I said that, but my eyes couldn't seem to see the sun now. It's like the darkness had filled my mind.

I closed my eyes and calmed myself.

Although I wished I hadn't opened it yet, an unknown creature bumped in front of my window.

"Aaaaah!" I heard everyone shout while I crept in silence, looking at the shadow behind the tree.