Chapter 7 Veiled Secrets
Vanessa
"Mom!" I pick up my pace, eventually breaking into a run as I see her from a distance. Not wanting to lose the precious item I found, I gently cup it with both of my hands.
"Bunny, don't run like that. You're going to hurt yourself," dad scolds lightly behind me, but I only turn to grin widely, baring my missing row of teeth at him as I run faster.
"Mom, look what I found," I show her the three pairs of a four-leaf clover in my hands.
She stops tending to her little garden, dropping the watering can on the floor. She comes closer and peers down to take a closer look.
"Hmm, these are so pretty. What do you plan to do with them?" She asks, tucking a strand of ginger red hair behind her ear.
"I want to make pretty fashion bracelets; one for me, one for you and one for dad!" I say, jumping up and down excitedly at the idea.
She laughs and pulls my cheeks. "Oh, aren't you just so adorable! That's so thoughtful of you, princess. I can't wait to see how beautiful they turn out to be, just like you."
I scowl at her actions, but feel my cheeks heat up anyways. " I'll go get my stuff!"
Before she can respond, I turn and race towards the house to gather my supplies, almost tripping on the way.
I run into my room, pick up my craft kit and skip back out. A few steps outside and I pause.
I hear strange voices as well as mom's. Then the voices get louder. They sound pretty mad.
I tiptoe forward, poking my head out from the side of the building.
"Where is she?" one man shouts. He's tall and broad shouldered with cold, black eyes that lacked any warmth.
Mom drops to the ground on her knees, and starts to beg. "Please, she's just a child. Don't take her away from me," she cries.
I want to run to her and comfort her, but the men look really scary!
The man squats and the side of his lips curl up menacingly.
"We both know her existence is a threat to our kind. Hand her over, and we'll take good care of her.
So, I'll only ask you one more time, Mariana. Where. is. your. daughter?"
They want...me?
Mommy starts to cry again and the man signals to someone. Before I can blink, he draws out a long sword and swipes it through the air, slashing mom's throat in the process.
A choked sob comes out of my mouth and I cover it with my hands immediately, praying they didn't hear me.
Then right before my eyes, their bones rearrange themselves and in their place stood large wolves as tall as humans.
How is that possible?
I start to step back, but my eyes catch onto the eyes of the smallest sized wolf. It was the little boy who looked to be a few years older than me.
The wolf stared at me for a long time and my heart starts to pound loudly in my chest.
Please, don't come for me, I think.
As if hearing my plea, the wolf turns away and together with the others, run back the way they came, leaving mom in a pool of her own blood.
I let out a loud cry of anguish and was gathered into the strong arms of dad.
One thing I never forgot even as I cried, was the crescent moon mark on the collarbone of the man, and the little boy.
"Mom!" I scream as soon as I open my eyes, but I'm only met by silence, darkness, and a pierced heart.
I sit up on the bed, wondering where I am.
Oh, yes, I got pummeled earlier by, Melissa was it?
That explains the aches I'm feeling throughout my body.
I stand up and walk towards the window, then part the curtains. There's a half-moon in the sky, casting it's white light through.
Once upon a time, mom would've gathered me into her arms, telling me stories of supernatural lore, history and heroes who once fought to keep the balance amongst all races. I always found them super boring, unrealistic, and uninteresting, and let her know just as much.
Now, I wish I could have that moment again, just one last time...
But she was ripped away from me so terribly, so soon. I clench my fists so hard they start to turn white.
Them.
I will never forgive them, nor would I rest until I destroy them all.
A knock on the bedroom door jolts me from my thoughts, followed by a muffled, soft voice, "Your- Vanessa?"
I take a deep breath to clear my head before going to open the door.
"Hey, Trish," I greet with a smile that probably didn't reach my eyes.
There is concern written all over her face as she observes me.
"Um, Vanessa...are you alright?"
"Of course. Just a little ache here and there but I've never been stronger!" I reply a little too fast.
Her frown deepens but she decides to let it go. "Alright, if you say so."
"So, what did you come here for?" I ask.
Her face brightens then. "Oh, right. I was wondering if you were hungry and had any preferences for dinner?"
"Nah, I'm not picky, I eat all kinds of food," I smile, almost genuinely.
"Alright. I'll have it be delivered to you in the next fif–"
"You know what? Let's go, I don't want to stay here any longer anyways."
Before she can utter a word, I grab her arm, leading the way into the kitchen.
Dinner is short, quick and delicious. I decide to take a walk.
I walk out through the backdoor that leads to a large field of flowers. I'm walking towards a particular beauty that resembles a daisy when someone bumps into me. Hard.
I stumble and trip, managing to support myself with my hands before I hit the ground completely.
"Hey, watch it!" a voice snaps. I look up to find a girl with long black hair and a scar cutting right through her right eyebrow. Her brown eyes looking at me like I'm dirt.
"You just took the words right out my mouth," I huff out in annoyance.
"What did you say to me?" she growls.
"Are you hard of hearing or something?" I retort.
"What–" she's cut off by the blonde bimbo I just notice is with her.
"Alice, let her be, you don't want to end up like Melissa."
What are they talking about?
"Fine." Alice steps closer to me and sneers in my face. "The next time you get in my way...fuck whatever happens to me." I could have gasped if not for the fact that I was trying to steady myself as she shoves me roughly with her shoulders.
Then she struts off, the bimbo bouncing behind her.
I clench my fists, almost letting out a growl of my own.
Everyone here thinks I'm prey, big mistake...