Chapter 2 Blood

"Are you all right, Margarette? Just wait here and I'll bring you some water to drink," Adelle dashed to the kitchen to get Margarette some water.

Adelle's expression is still filled with worry. She has been shaking Margarette for almost half an hour but Margarette hasn't woken up. She was skeptical that the creature Margarette frequently dreams of had returned in her dream.

Since the day Leonard died, Margarette has been dreaming about that creature, and Adelle believes that dream has a message to deliver, but the reason is still unknown to them.

"Here, drink some water first. I almost had a mental breakdown thinking you'd never wake up," Adelle said as she handed Margarette a glass of water but instead of accepting it, Margarette shook the glass. As a result, the glass broke and the water spilled onto the floor.

Margarette shouted, "Don't act as if you care about me because we both know the truth! I don't need you in my room, so leave!"

Adelle left Margarette's room silently after picking up each of the broken pieces.

Margarette lowered her head slowly from her seat. She wrapped her arms around her legs and pressed her face firmly between her knees to keep tears from forming in her eyes. Her father passed away fifteen years ago, yet the wound from that time is still fresh. She made numerous attempts to put everything behind her, but she was unable to do so because she cherished him so much.

"My daughter, just stay here and I'll look for something to eat," at the door, Adelle said but her daughter didn't even look at her and remained seated.

Adelle's face was filled with resentment as she looked at Margarette. Needless to say, she had the impression that her daughter was still blaming her for her husband's death.

Adelle had done everything she could to make Margarette forgive her, but she had completely broken her heart, not only with her but also with others because Margarette was terrified that the day would come when even the people closest to her would abandon and betray her, just as she had abandoned her when she needed her the most.

"All right, I'll be going." Adelle closed the door slowly. She had no choice but to leave because heavy rain could catch up with her on the road. They don't have any more food to eat tonight, so she has to do something or they will starve to death.

Adele was about to take a step when her eyes darkened. Fortunately, she was able to hold on to the wall right away, or she would have fallen from where she was standing.

She held her head and massaged it gently. She hadn't slept well for several nights due to pain in the left side of her abdomen. Even if she wanted to see a doctor, she couldn't because she didn't have enough money, so she just put up with the pain.

Nothing is more important to her than meeting her daughter's daily needs.

When Adelle felt better, she tried to get back on her feet, but before she could leave the house, she opened the door again and checked on her daughter, who was still in the same position. She couldn't help but cry as she watched her. Margarette is sad and crying every day, and she is in a lot of pain. If only she could beg God to resurrect her husband and let her die if that was the only way to get things back to normal.

"I love you so much, my daughter," Adelle said bitterly to herself as she closed the door.

The heavy rain began to fall. The entire environment was completely enveloped in darkness. Nothing but the heavy rain could be heard. Margarette could feel the extreme cold biting into her bones; her heart was cold as well. If only her heart could be frozen in time, she would be free of all pain and sadness.

She wishes for this moment to end. She wishes to vanish from this world. When will that be? When will she be able to get rid of all the pain and grief that daily afflicts her entire being, particularly her heart? Her eyes filled with tears. She tries to stop them, but she always loses. She is constantly hurt when she thinks of her late father.

"Hello! Is there anyone here?" Margarette only returned to herself after hearing a loud knock at the door, but she remained silent and sat in her seat. She's certain it's one of her mother's debts.

"Is there anyone here? Does Adelle Foster live here? We're the cops!" Margarette was taken aback.

Couldn't she have gotten herself into a tangle? The first thought came to Margarette's mind. She had no choice but to stand up, even though it was against her will.

Margarette slowly rose from her seat and walked toward the door. And when she arrived, she opened it slowly.

"What do you need from me?" Margarette asked agitatedly at the officer. His three companions are a few steps behind him.

"Are you Adelle Foster's daughter?" the cop asked.

"It's me," Margarette answered. "Is there a problem?" She was perplexed as to why she was suddenly nervous. Her eyes widened as the cop handed her the white shawl, which was stained with blood.

Margarette covered her mouth. Her entire body trembled with fear after she saw her mother's shawl. She couldn't take a step. She remained on her stand, staring at the shawl the cop had handed her.

"W-what happened to her?" Margarette was able to speak after a few minutes. Her face and voice were both filled with terror.

"I'm sorry to inform you that your mother has passed away," the cop replied.

Margarette holds on to the door. Her entire body trembled even more. She felt like she was going to fall, but she tried to stay strong.

"According to eyewitnesses, the victim allegedly crossed the road when she was hit by a speeding car; based on the investigation, the car driven by a fifteen-year-old boy lost its brakes. Don't worry; we've already spoken to his parents. They told us that if you don't file a complaint, they will pay you a large sum as damages," the cop explained.

"The father of the boy is running for mayor. They're just trying to avoid controversy, especially now that the election is approaching. They hope that..." The cop couldn't finish what he was about to say when Margarette suddenly grabbed the collar of his uniform.

Margarette yelled at the cop, "Are you telling me you're going to pay for the crime you committed against my mother?" She gripped his collar even tighter. Burning anger replaced the intense fear she had felt.

"What kind of creatures are you? Aren't you the ones who are supposed to look after and protect the weak? What happened to all of you? Is this how justice works in this world? Because if so, you are worse than the devil!" Margarette trembled with rage as she released the cop.

"Get out of here; this place isn't fit for people like you; you all go to hell; that's where people like you belong!"

"All right, we're leaving; if your decision changes, you know where to find me," the cop said as he and his colleagues walked away.

Margarette slid to the floor slowly, holding her chest. She bowed as tears streamed down from her eyes. The entire sky was aware of her hatred for her mother and her regret at having become her daughter, but why? Why is she in such distress right now? Why does she feel as if her entire body is being swept away by the pain her heart is experiencing?

***

Margarette's mother passed away more than a week ago. She wanted to give her mother a proper burial, so she was forced to accept a large sum of money from the parents of the young boy who had hit her mother, and the rest was used for daily expenses such as food and their school project, despite her objections.

"Thank you so much for all your help, Aunt Cecille," Margarette said as she walked away with a large red plastic bag containing food.

Margarette considers Cecille her second mother. When Adelle and Leonard went to work, Cecille used to look after Margarette, so she was close to her when she was young.

Margarette had to save money for her living because her mother could no longer provide for all of her needs. She also intends to seek a job, particularly now that their exams are approaching. Her mother left her nothing but a run-down house and a mountain of debt. Thankfully, her mother's creditors agreed that she would pay the debt once everything was in order, but the big question was how she would do so.

Margarette arrived home after two o'clock in the afternoon. She changed her clothes as soon as she arrived. She'd pay her respects to her parents' graves before heading over to Aimee to return the book she'd borrowed the day before. Aimee, she believes, has been waiting for her since yesterday.

Margarette approached the table to the right of her bed before leaving her room. She took their family portrait with care.

Margarette stared bitterly at the photograph of her father and mother. She stroked it gently. She couldn't believe her parents had vanished in an instant until that moment. She has lost all of her loved ones and now finds herself alone in the world. She knew it wouldn't be easy for her, but she would force herself to stand on her own two feet. She'll be forced to live on her own.

"Forgive me for not being a good daughter to you, mom and dad; I know that no matter how many times I cry and regret everything, I will never be able to bring your lives back, but I promise I will do everything I can to be the good person you always told me," Margarette said bitterly, tears slowly forming on each side of her eyes.

Before leaving the house, Margarette double-checked that all the windows and doors were locked. She will simply walk because her bicycle was about to break down. It would be difficult for her to replace it.

Margarette quickened her pace. She was only a few blocks from the cemetery. As she approached, she couldn't help but have teary eyes again, but before she could step through the big gate, the entire area suddenly darkened, accompanied by a strong wind. The dry leaves in the area gradually accumulated in the center and formed a whirlwind, making her feel terrified.

Margarette dragged herself to her feet and strained to reach the grills. Terror was gnawing at every strand of her skin. She was baffled by everything that was going on around her.

"Am I going to die?" Margarette asked, terrified, as she watched what appeared to be a whirlwind grow in size with each passing hour.

After a few minutes, the darkness gradually dispersed, accompanied by the whirlwind's disappearance. Margarette gripped her chest tightly. She could only breathe properly after that. She believed it would be the end of her life.

Margarette straightened both her posture and her attire. She was about to take a step when she heard large footsteps approaching from behind her. She firmly closes her eyes. She was terrified once more, but she kept it hidden. The footsteps abruptly stopped after a while.

"How are you doing, Margarette? It's been a while since we've seen each other."

Margarette immediately opened her eyes when she heard this. She couldn't possibly be wrong. She'd heard this voice before, but she couldn't remember when and where exactly. She was startled when someone appeared in front of her. As she reflected on his face, her eyes widened.

"Y-you?" Margarette stammered, stunned by the familiar face in front of her.

Margarette couldn't move her entire body. She tried to open her mouth again, but she couldn't because of the intense fear that had completely engulfed her entire being. The creature in front of her had a very clear face, and she couldn't be mistaken.

This creature resembles the half-human, half-dog Margarette dreams of, but she doesn't believe he's real. The type, design, and color of his clothing, his long, white hair reaching to his waist, his dog-like ears, the color of his eyes, and even the manner of his speech are all indistinguishable.