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.
KLAY ROSE"Is it true? Did you see it?" Our classmates kept on asking us about the incident in the woods as soon as we arrived at the school. Apparently, Micah and I are the only ones in our class who passed by those woods. It intrigued them, and so am I."What do you think it is?" They started asking Micah since I am not in the position to tell a story.I am still in shock upon seeing it closer, knowing our eyes even met for like seconds, but it terrified my whole existence.Micah started telling the story. "It's a human. Her whole body was torn apart and it was the upper body that flew in our direction.""Oh, no. It's so scary." I heard them say."We are not safe anymore. Is it true that there are wild beasts out there? What are we supposed to do? Those wild beasts may eat us alive.""You should be careful on your way home.""The world is getting scarier now. Based on what I heard, they were no ordinary wild beasts, but they are wolves...werewolves." Micah told them, creating chaot
KLAY ROSE“Klay, you didn’t tell me that you’ll be bringing a friend tonight.” Sister Mary eyed me, looking at Rozen from head to toe. “I wasn’t also aware that you are friends with Mr. Rozen Vermouth.”“Sister, he’s not my friend.” I clarified looking at Rozen who followed me all the way to the convent. “He followed me because he was hungry so I brought him here because I am a good samaritan.” “Good evening, Sisters.” He greeted them, half-smiling. “I am sorry to bother you, but can I stay for the night?”I coughed, looking at him in disbelief. “That is not what we talked about. You said you are just hungry.” He shrugged. “There’s no train going back to the New Town, and I cannot seem to find any place to stay for the night except the convent so—”“Where is your friend? Why not stay there?” I raised my brow. “You don’t have a friend here, right?” I am certain that he lied about it. “You are my friend.” He simply said. I was about to argue when Sister Mary butt in. “We can let you
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.
KLAY ROSE"No...don't..." I hugged myself as I crawled backward. "Don't come near me..." I couldn't hear my own voice as I begged Klaus not to come near me. "No, don't..." I started crying in fear. A lot of things are running inside my mind right now thinking of George and the things that might happen to me right now. "You are a werewolf..." I muttered, gulping the lump in my throat. I felt the trunk of the tree at my back and my hands were already shaking, my whole body was wet from the cold and everything was so numb. My heart was beating so fast but this time it wasn't because I like him, but because I am terrified. "Stay...away..." I closed my eyes. "What did you do to George? Did you kill him?" My heart was bursting into pain, imagining the things that might happen to George out in the woods. "Calm down. I am not going to hurt you, Klay." He said, trying to hold me. "Trust me. I was looking for George!" "No! How could I trust you when you turn into a wild beast?" I yelled,
KLAY ROSE"You are my mate."Rozen looked at me, waiting for me to say something. Perhaps, he is expecting that I would rejoice by the fact that I am sent by the moon goddess to be the only woman he would love for the rest of his life."Wow." I blinked. "If this is another situation, I would probably be the luckiest woman on earth, but Rozen, you are terrifying me!" I felt goosebumps all over my body.Yes, I like him. But, I like the human Rozen. How am I supposed to deal with a lycan Rozen? I didn't even know werewolves were real. They were supposed to be legends. "Are you telling me that I am your mate? How am I supposed to believe that when I am a human being. The last time I checked, I don't change into a wolf form during the full moon and don't have heightened senses like yours." I sighed, looking frustrated. "Can you just tell the moon goddess to cut our ties or perhaps you should reject me so we never have to be mates.""It seems like you know a lot of things about werewolves.
KLAY ROSE"If you want to get revenge, we can help you with that."Rozen interrupted our talk as he appeared from behind. There were men standing behind him that I didn't recognize."I know you have so many questions and we will clarify that, just please stay." Rozen begged like his life was on the line.It would be such a sweet phrase to me, only that I don't know what to do anymore, including to stay away from him or not."The only question I have right now is where is George," I clarified to him. He's still a stranger to me even though my heart continued to race for him. "Unless you got me him, there's no talking.""Klay, that's rude." Sister Mary warned me. "Rozen saved our lives.""Sister, we are not sure of it. George's missing. And, what if staying here will make them go missing one by one." I said, trying to control my emotions."Aren't you just putting them in danger?" Rozen said again.I did not answer him. "Sister, do you know another convent where we can stay?"Sister Riz
KLAY ROSE"What happened to George, Sister Klay?" Rose, one of the kids, asked me as we headed to the convent.It's almost a 7-hour drive through the bus to get there. We are expected to arrive there in the evening. Thankfully, they still have rooms for a few children so they accepted us.Inside the bus, the kids are already comfortable with their seats, except for Missy who's still sleeping. I hope she will forget about it when she wakes up."George is okay." I lied. "We will be seeing him in the new convent." I hugged her and caressed her arms. "You don't need to worry about him.""Well, are you sure about it? Isn't he dead?" Rose blinked her eyes, looking seriously at me."Of course not. Where did you know that?" I looked at her, assuring her. "He's not yet dead, okay? We are going to see him."She smiled at me, not believing in me. Well, even I couldn’t believe my words now."Why did the convent burn? Is that because of our sin? Does God not love us anymore?" Rose pouted, and tear
KLAY ROSE"Sister, what is happening?"The kids started to panic as they saw the church burning before our eyes. There's a lot of police and ambulances ahead of us. People are also outside, looking, and perhaps trying to investigate what had happened."Kids, calm down." Sister Rizza ordered the kids to gather at the back of the bus and pulled the curtain so as not to see what's outside."Are we going to die?" Rose asked, then Miss started crying."It's them! They are following us!" Miss was shouting."No, of course not, kids." I said, putting a blanket on each of them. "I'll go check it and you stay here, okay?""No! Don't go down!" Missy stopped me. "They are here." She looked around, covering her face and ears like she could hear something we don't.It gave me goosebumps but I need to be strong."Missy, nothing will happen, okay? Sister will just check the scene and make sure the kids are okay? Then, you can play with them.""Sister, they're coming." She said again, panicking.Siste