Chapter 4

KLAY ROSE

“George?” I shouted. “George, where are you?” My voice is racing with the loud noise around the convent. The storm hadn’t stopped for almost an hour. The thunder and lightning kept on battling up in the sky.

“George, are you hiding? Come on, Sister Klay is here. Don’t be afraid.” I continued saying while passing in the hallway.

I checked every room on the second floor but he wasn’t there. I also went to the dining area, the living room, the prayer room, storage room, music room, and every corner of our house yet there was no sight of George nor Rozen.

It crept me out. What if Rozen abducted George? It is not impossible but thinking of a motive, why would he do that? He’s just a kid.

“Rozen?” I tried calling his name but there was no reply. “Rozen, are you there?”

There was no response until I reached the end of the hallway. I need to retrace my steps again, yet there’s still no shadow of George nor Rozen. I was already on my way to the main hall when I passed by the veranda. I was supposed to continue when I felt like someone was standing there.

When I looked back, the curtain was swaying, showing me the garden. That’s when I realized that the glass door was cracked open. 

“George…” I whispered. “Did he get out?”

I came back to the main hall to check if they found him, but there was no sight of him and Rozen. The kids were already lying on the floor, covered with blankets, with Sister Mary singing a lullaby so they could at least forget the storm yet it wasn't that helpful because the younger kids were still crying. 

I shook my head when I stared at the sisters, "I'll go and check the back hall now." 

"No, let me check it." Sister Rizza said. "Just wait for me here." 

"It's okay, Sister Rizza," I said, grabbing my cardigan on the couch. "I will also look for Rozen. Did you not see him?" I was worried and although blaming someone when I don't have any evidence is not good, what if? 

"We pray that both of him and George are in good condition." Sister Mary signed the cross. 

"I should go with you," Sister Rizza said again. 

"No, the kids need you better than I. I know my way and they are afraid of the dark. I will come back as soon as possible. I will also make sure all the locks are secured." I said, hurrying up. 

"Come back as soon as possible, Klay. We are also trying to reach the police." 

I nodded. "Just the back hall." 

I wore my cardigan and quickly rushed to the back hall first to check but everything's locked and there was no sight of both of them. 

Everything was creeping me out, but I tried to be stronger. I prayed that we would find him immediately. 

"Rozen? George?" I called again even though I am sure they are no longer inside the convent. 

The convent might be a bit huge for us to hear the voices considering the rain, too, yet if George is here then he would have probably cried and ran to us, same with Rozen. Which only explains that they are no longer inside the convent. 

I picked the umbrella and the keys, locking the glass door as soon as I went out of the veranda. The wind was hustling, so it was useless as the umbrella had been blown away. 

I am also soaking wet right now, but I continued walking around with a lamp just to find George. He might be scared somewhere. 

Maybe Rozen went out to look for him, that is what I am praying for. 

The whole place was dark, and the rain was keeping my eyes blurry as water started to drip in my face. I could feel the chills all over my body including the fear that's building up in my chest as I walked further away from the convent. 

I wasn't sure until where I was supposed to find him, yet my feet just kept on moving and moving. I called for both of them but my voice was already shaking. 

"George..." I could no longer shout and my whole body started to feel numb because of the cold. There was still no progress and I wasn't sure if I was on the right track. 

I guess I have to give up now. I try to retrace my step back, trying to still open my eyes when I step on something. 

I placed the lamp on that certain side...checking what it was. I instantly dropped the lamp and moved backward upon realizing that it was a body...drenched in blood. 

I was catching my breath as I moved backward, trying to scream...but there were no words. My head started giving me these images again. My stomach twirling, 

crumpling my body, and I just moved around and around until a hand held my hand. 

 "Hmm...." He covered my mouth, stopping me from screaming. My whole body was moving up and down. I clawed my finger in his arms, struggling to let me go until I heard him speak. 

"Stay still." It was Rozen. 

I tapped his shoulder for him to let me go. He didn't, instead, he slowly pulled me closer to him. 

"Ssssh..." He whispered again. "There's something out there and I need you to stay calm." He slowly uncovered my mouth. "Don't shout." 

I was finally able to breathe as I opened my eyes. It's dark and I still cannot see. Although, I can hear something unexplainable. 

"What's happening..." I said. But wasn't able to continue when we both heard a howl from nearby. 

My eyes widened. "What--" 

"Let's run. We need to go back." 

"But, George..." I started panicking, but I couldn't stop as he was dragging me. The more he dragged me, the more I heard the howling like it was following me or it was within us. 

We kept on running in circles. I could only hear my heart beating and the rest seemed to be in silence. 

Someone is following us. I am sure of that. 

"Don't look back!" He warned me, but it was too late. 

I looked back and saw those flashing red eyes, jumping towards us. Fangs appeared ready to devour me, only that another fang ripped it off. 

I blinked. It was a wolf. 

No, not that. The wolf. Rozen...Rozen turned to a werewolf!