Chapter 22
The Dangers Unleashed.
Nolle.
The atmosphere in the town grew increasingly tense as rumors of escalating tensions between the vampires and werewolves spread like wildfire. The recent encounter with the vampires in the alleyway had only sharpened my concern for Clarissa and Cisca's safety. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to them.
One afternoon, as Clarissa and I sat together in her living room, I finally made up my mind. It was time to take action and protect Cisca from the looming danger. I wanted the daughter of my friend to have the best life possible, but it was not going to happen if the vampires got a hold of her.
"Clarissa, I've been thinking. Given the circumstances, I believe it's best if I babysit Cisca for a while," I stated, not taking no for an answer.
Clarissa looked at me with a mix of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. "Nolle, you don't have to do that. You've already done so much for us."
I shook my head, reaching out to hold her hands. "I want to do this, Clarissa. I can't bear the thought of anything happening to Cisca. With the tension rising, it's safer for her to be close to someone that can protect her at all times; there's nothing these humans can do against the vampires if they come for her."
Tears welled up in Clarissa's eyes as she nodded, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you, Nolle. I trust you with my whole heart. I know you will take good care of her."
The next day, I bathed Cisca and dressed her in a salmon dress designed with intricate chiffon flowers, and I took Cisca to an amusement park, hoping to create a joyful distraction from the looming danger. But as we wandered through the park, I realized that something was off. Cisca's usually bright eyes seemed clouded, and her playful spirit was nowhere to be seen.
I tried everything I could to make her smile, taking her on gentle rides and buying her treats, but nothing seemed to work. It was as if her joy had been stolen away.
Desperate to see her laugh again, I decided to show her my supernatural abilities. I expertly turned one of my arms into a clawed paw, and a light was lit in me as Cisca's face broke into a wide smile. She loved to see this, and she placed her palms on my bared paw. Her eyes were golden, and they glistened with curiosity.
Unknown to us, a human nearby had witnessed the scene and misinterpreted it entirely.
The woman let out a blood-curdling scream, drawing the attention of those around us. "Animals! They're monsters!" she cried, pointing at us in fear and disgust.
Panic surged through me as I realized the danger we were in. People began to gather, their murmurs growing louder with each passing moment. I had to get Cisca to safety, away from this chaotic scene.
Without hesitation, I scooped Cisca into my arms and ran, the wind whipping against our faces as we sped away from the amusement park. My heart pounded in my chest, and fear for Cisca consumed my thoughts.
Elu.
Something inexplicable had just happened, and it seemed that these humans were capable of anything. I had to summon other Elders and leaders just like me to discuss the latest frightening developments. Just yesterday, two of our kind were captured by humans and doused in some kind of strange yellow liquid that left them immobile. Now that humans have proved able to capture us and render us powerless, it is important that we reduce our sightings in public for our own safety.
Jericho.
I was seated in my office when Elijah walked in with an urgency in his eyes.
"I need to talk to you, Jericho; something incredible has happened." He began,
"We've managed to capture two vampires, and tomorrow we'll be proceeding with an experiment to see if we can procure a cure for AIDs. We are this close to discovering something life-changing." Elijah was so excited, and he used his hands and body to show it.
"I'm kind of scared, Elijah. The vampire race is a very powerful one; the attacks on humans might increase. We can't just put people's lives at stake here." I said that my encounter with vampires had not been funny at all, and I had only survived because I was a half-breed. Imagine if it were mere humans being attacked, or even a child like Cisca.
"We're all scared too, but if we can find a cure for AIDs, we would be saving millions of dying humans, more than the vampires can ever think of killing. If we can't live side by side with these supernaturals, we might as well put them to good use." Elijah said a deep flush of red had creeped up his cheeks.
"They are not just things we can use however we want, they are people too. They have feelings and families," I began. I wondered if I would be treated with this same disdain if I ever managed to transform fully, and I shuddered.
"You speak like you were born yesterday; they would kill us too, at the slightest opportunity they get. We're just doing what is relevant to our survival as superior beings."
Elijah was right in a way; there was no one who would not do anything to save their family.
Clyde.
It had been a month since Nolle, Clarissa's best friend, went on a self-sentenced exile. Once her father died, she fell into a depression and had no one else to call family. I was not so surprised when she was reported missing. We were slowly losing loyal people as our pack teetered on the edge of a full-blown war with the traitors—tthe Fawnhide pack. It has also been almost a year now since I banished Clarissa; nothing had changed since she left, and I was beginning to doubt the circumstances surrounding her banishment. Had I acted too rashly and sent her away so shamefully? Since Clarissa's departure, I had been unable to cultivate feelings enough to marry any wolf, although many of them tried to win me over. They were all out for the position of Luna, and I could see it so clearly in their eyes that it irritated me. I just needed someone I could trust and fortify my nation with. I was not so sure I could even trust my closest friend, Gray, anymore. I had never felt more lonely than I did at this moment.