Chapter 4: The Suspicion

Hera

Ever since I found out about my possible relationship with Kamala Ahearn, I’ve become warier inside the house. Everything seems to be suspicious, and I can’t help but think that Cy and Saran are truly hiding something from me. Even right now, they’re acting out of the ordinary.

“You’re not going to watch your favorite show?” I asked, perplexed why Cy was already turning off the television.

“Not today, Hera. Saran and I have some things to talk about. So, we’re just going to watch the replay or something,” he said while standing up from the couch.

I frowned. They never miss their favorite show! Ever since it started airing two years ago, they’ve never missed an episode up until now. When the annual meeting with the elders clashed with the schedule of their show, they even opted to postpone it! Something’s definitely going on.

“I’m heading to bed then. Good night,” I said and pretended to go up to my room. However, I settled beneath the stairs so that I could know exactly what was going on.

“Is she gone?” Saran asked in a silent voice. However, with my very sensitive hearing, I was able to pick it up. I frowned. I guess my suspicions were correct.

I heard some footsteps coming near me, so I covered my mouth and held my breath to stay as silent as ever. When the footsteps went back to the living room, I sighed in relief and leaned in closer to hear their conversation better.

“Yeah, it’s clear. She’s already in her room.”

They both sighed, and I heard the familiar sound of paper getting ripped. It’s like they were ripping open an envelope for an invitation or something.

“Did the invitation already come in?” Saran asked.

Aha! I was right. It was an invitation! What for, though?

“Yeah, it came in later than expected. I guess the delivery was delayed because of the rains.”

“Can I see it?” Saran asked excitedly. What kind of invitation would get Saran to act so excited like that?

“Here, isn’t it pretty? It’s very fit for someone like Laura. I already miss that little kid. I can’t believe that she’s turning 18 in a couple of days,” Cy said in a reminiscing voice. From the sound of it, it seems like they both have a deep relationship with  this “Laura.”

“Ah, crap,” Saran suddenly cursed.

“What?” Cy asked.

“Her party falls on the 19th,” she said.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Idiot!”

I heard the sound of skin making contact with skin, and I involuntarily flinched. That sounded like it hurt.

“Oww,” Cy exclaimed.

“It’s Hera’s birthday on the 19th! We won't be able to celebrate her birthday if we attend the party.”

Oh. That’s right. I’m already turning 18 come this 19th of March. I mean, they could go to the party for all I care. I don’t enjoy celebrating my birthday anyways. I just feel like it’s an ordinary day.

“Then, we can just come home early,” Cy suggested. “We’ve already missed Arlo’s coronation back then. We don’t want to miss his little sister’s 18th birthday party.”

Saran clicked her tongue. “You’re right. But won’t Hera be disappointed?”

‘Go ahead, I won’t be disappointed at all,’ I said in my mind.

“She probably won’t. She's an understanding kid. We’ll just tell her that we have an important event to attend, then we’ll come home on the day after her birthday with plenty of gifts.”

I smiled as I listened in on their conversation. All along, I found them suspicious, but it turns out that they were just concerned about my feelings. I honestly wouldn’t mind if we didn’t celebrate my birthday, but still, it’s heartwarming to know that they care about these little things.

“I know. But I just can’t help but feel guilty that we’re leaving her all alone on her 18th birthday. It’s even more unsettling that we’re going to go to the pack who's responsible for her mother’s death. ”

My smile quickly turned into a frown after hearing what Saran had just said. Did I hear her right?

Cy sighed. “That happened 20 years ago, Saran! It’s been long and over. Besides, you know that Hera’s mother deserves all that happened to her back then. Kamala Ahearn deserved to die and burn in the pits of hell.”

I gasped in shock. I heard them turn quiet for a little bit, so I turned around to muffle the sound of my heavy breathing.

“What was that?” Cy asked.

“I think it’s the winds. Another storm is brewing, and I’m afraid that we’re going to travel in this weather. I really hope that the skies calm down on the day of our trip,” Saran responded.

Although I’m hearing their voices, I really couldn’t make out what they were saying anymore. Cy’s words echoed in the back of my mind, and I clenched my fists in anger. My mother deserved to die? Was that what they were thinking all along? They’re even acquaintances with the people that killed my mother, for god’s sake!

I heard the sound of doors closing, and I assumed that they had already finished their conversation and had gone into their room. I went out of my hiding spot, my fists still clenched and my eyebrows furrowed. I stealthily went to the living room to see if they had left anything. I smirked when I saw that they had left the invitation on the table.

I roughly took the piece of paper and read the contents written on it.

“The Blood Shadow pack, huh?” I whispered to myself.

Anger still resided in my body, and I didn’t even notice that the paper had become crumpled due to my instinctive force. I let it go and watched as it floated down the table.

With light yet enraged steps, I went up to my room and closed the door. Heavy breathing, I went into my closet and brought out my worn-out backpack. I started stuffing my clothes into the backpack, not minding that they were all getting creased.

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths to calm myself down.

“Calm down. Be smarter about this,” I muttered under my breath.

I just can’t escape now because Cy and Saran will surely find me in a couple of hours. I need to get away from this village when they’re not in the house.

A light bulb flashed on top of my head, and I smiled as I thought of the perfect idea.

I placed the backpack gently on the ground and went back to bed. That's right. I need to be smart about this. On the day of my birthday and when Cy and Saran aren't around in the house, I'm going to take the opportunity to get to the bottom of all of this.

I smirked as I went under the covers.

Wait for me, Blood Shadow pack. I’m going to wreak havoc in your town.