CHAPTER I: Shadow of the Past

CHAPTER I: Shadow of the Past 

A sweet smile curved on my lips as I surveyed the entirety of my newly constructed house— a small two-story one. It took me seven years before achieving this goal of mine and I am so proud of myself. The money I used to buy a lot and materials for the construction of my house came  from my salary which I receive monthly at a restaurant as a waitress, dishwasher and janitor. My job was all-around at that restaurant. Hard as it may be, but manageable for my dream home sweet home.

I grew up without parents. When I was only ten years old, I just woke up from a deep slumber in front of a church. I didn’t have any idea how did I end up there. That moment, I didn’t remember anything about me. I also have no recollections of my childhood memories. A nun took me to the convent and named me Ashburn. She dressed me up and sent me to school. But I only finished my 10th grade in high school.

I left the monastery when I completed my junior high school and have lived alone ever since. The people in the convent were very strict and I had almost no freedom to do what I wanted. But don't get me wrong. I was not a rebellious person during my teenage years. It’s just that I wanna explore the outside world. I wanna be independent. Until now and for the rest of my life, I will be forever grateful for Mother Isabella’s care and upbringing of me. I visit her some times when I'm off at work.

I stopped in deep thought when suddenly someone called my attention.

“Ash, your house is really nice. It’s simple and neat to look at,” Louie, riding his bicycle, complimented.

“Thank you for all the help today!” I shouted. 

“Just call me when you need my help,” he shouted back. “Copy that. Thank you again!” He just nodded then smiled at me before starting his bicycle to move again.

 

I’m new here and I just moved in yesterday from the apartment I was renting. Louie was the only one I knew here because we were working together at the same restaurant. He was the one who pushed me to buy a lot in this subdivision. He also helped me on transferring all of my belongings here yesterday. If I were to be asked, he’s the type of guy I am looking for. He’s compassionate, caring, gentleman and a good-looking man. Though, we already set the boundaries between us when I confessed to him my admiration. He has already someone precious in his heart and I respect that. 

Well, I’m happy for him. My deep thought came to halt when I realized that it is almost 5 in the afternoon.  The sun has hidden already. I had better go inside the house. I also need to rest because I have been arranging my things all day.

I sat on the sofa and then turned on my television. It coincides with the astronomy channel and is currently showing various constellations in the sky. I just frowned and moved it to another station. I have no interest in such things like that. I am fine knowing that the sun is actually a star and not a planet. I'm just beautiful but I'm not that smart. But I didn’t say I was stupid! I'm just beautiful. Period! 

Since there was no good show today, I just turned off the TV and went to the kitchen to cook dinner. I prepared all the ingredients for my viand tonight. 

I heaved a deep sigh before I resumed slicing the onion. The entire house was enveloped by defeaning silence— no enthusiasm, no energy. Even though I’m used to being alone, I still can’t help but to feel sad. It’s really hard to be alone. But at least, I am free. Solitude doesn’t always mean sadness, it also means freedom. Though, I miss Mother Isabella and everyone in the convent at some times.

“Ouch! That hurts,” I moaned. Because I was not focusing on what I was doing, I accidentally injured my finger. It bled immediately and stained the onion I was slicing.

I washed my wound in the sink and tied it with a clean cloth. Surprise engulfed me when I returned to the table where I had been slicing onions earlier. My forehead creased as I lifted half of the onion from the chopping board and examined it. How did it come to have leaves when it didn't have them before? Am I hallucinating? 

The leaves suddenly sprouted in the onion even though half of it had been cut off. I just shook my head and just ignored my bewilderment. I put the pan on the stove and heated the oil. I sautéed the garlic and onion first before putting the pork in the pan.

Time passed quickly. I had dinner, washed the dishes and it was time later to go to bed. I still have a job waiting tomorrow.

Can you still do it, self? I smiled wryly. I can do this. Just fight even if life is sad.

“Don’t give up. Fighting!” I cheered myself up and then sighed a deep breath. 

I stretched out on my bed and just stared at the ceiling of my room. Exhausted, I fell asleep quickly. 

“Forgive us, Cerina. Forgive us because we can no longer be with you as you grow up. Live, our daughter,” said the woman who was always in my dreams, while carrying a ball wrapped in bird feathers. If you look closely, you can see a sleeping baby in it.

Am I dreaming again?

"Cerina, we are always by your side to watch you over," added the man next to the woman. They held hands and uttered words at the same time I didn't know what for.

"Guardian Divine Magic: Undying Love of Parents." Their hands glowed and then a white and a blue light came from them.

These lights move inside the baby’s body. After that, the woman slowly put her child back inside the ball of feathers. Gradually the two closed their eyes until they both fell to the ground.

I ran to help them but suddenly I heard tremors and then there was an earthquake all over the place. I was not able to balance myself and was about to fall but I abruptly came back to my reality. 

I was dreaming the whole time. That dream has been haunting me ever since I was in high school. I don’t know why but it feels surreal. I let out a deep breath and wiped my profuse cold night sweats on my forehead. 

Meanwhile, a sudden strange sensation enveloped my body. My heart was throbbing so fast and in an irregular manner. I held my head and grabbed my hair because of an unexpected painful headache. I can see images playing in mind. Who was this two persons? Why do I feel I have a connection to them? Who was Cerina? I don’t know. There are many questions in my mind that left unanswered right now. 

“It was just a dream, Ash. That was not true,” I said to myself. I took a deep breath again to calm myself.

The anime I watch has probably swallowed up my system so that’s why I was dreaming about magic, fantasy worlds and many more. But why do I feel like they really happened? I am overthinking again. 

I went out of my room and headed directly to the kitchen to drink some water. I massaged my temple because I couldn’t explain what was happening to me.

Suddenly, there was a bang on the roof of my house, and I stopped thinking. Looks like something fell on it. What was that? Maybe, it’s just a cat playing on my roof. 

I was about to return to my room when suddenly the ground shook. I looked up at the ceiling of my house and almost dropped my jaws when I witnessed something unbelievable. There was just a big hole in my ceiling. How did it happen? My tears started to well up in my eyes but I was controlling myself not to burst out.

Gradually, my knees softened due to sudden depression. I lost my balance and fell down on the floor. My tears began to roll down on my cheeks.

A shadow came down from my roof. Suddenly the wind changed and a strange cold crawled on my back. The grief I was feeling abruptly turned into fear. This shadow, its presence was so heavy that it manifested in the whole area. Its red eyes were furiously staring at me and they were screaming danger.