Questioning Emotions

This day was supposed to be ordinary.

I walked the side road heading to my school. I am running late, I knew it. I overslept again and I failed to hear my alarm clock. My mom and little brother didn't even bother to wake me.

But I feel...calm.

I don't know why, I am just not in a hurry today. Although I don't feel tired or anything from sleeping late last night, I feel okay. When I passed the school gates, the guard didn't even bother to scold me again from being a constant late student. They just stared at me and nodded.

I questioned myself, what's up.

Is my luck turning now?

When I passed the school halls, every room was sealed, doors lock and only the lecturing teachers voices were heard, echoing in loudness. I eventually went to my most favorite place in this school, the library.

Well...

I am a geek, a nerd... that's what my friends and my little brother call me. I just want to know things and I love reading especially on paranormal things. They just get me excited. Aside from being interesting, it was also fun knowing stuff that may or may not exist in this world.

I want to be in a quiet place where I can concentrate and have peace. With my glasses on and this shabby-like uniform, everyone will be thinking that I am a true geek in one look. But I do not complain, I'm not into that. Let them have their opinions on me like that.

I do not care.

When I came in the library, only a few students were there. The librarian came and handed me the books I have booked the other day. Carrying them in my arms, I went and selected the farthest and quietest area in the library. Although it was a bit dim, I can manage with reading them.

"Laila, hey!", another student came, someone I am familiar with. She walked up to me with a comics in hand. I looked at her and smiled. She smiled back charmingly, "So, you're not going to join the morning class?"

She's always have that pretty look and approachable aura.

"I am late, I think I'll attend this afternoon.", I said as I sat. She sat in the opposite seat in front of me. "Why are you here San?"

"I am late."

"I don't believe you."

"I don't like the sub teacher."

"Sir Minz?", I asked and stared at her, quite surprised as I flip over some pages. "Why is he being hated by you and being admired by the whole female student population?"

"I don't like him, not hate him. Since I first saw him a month ago.", she said as she continued reading hers.

I didn't reply on that, it's just that it was the best response; silence. Looking back a month ago, I first saw Sir Minz at the front of the principal's office with a suit in hand. He was tall, fair skinned, attractive, lean but the skinny type-in short, he was every female student dream.

And I am one of those who was captivated by him.

I just love him even if he was such a cold jerk!

Save San. She wasn't into those characteristics. She doesn't even like anything that doesn't relate to reality. I remember her telling me about her thoughts months ago.

"Sorry, I don't think they exist. Those monsters or vampires alike."

Silence stretched between us. We were in our own worlds, reading stuffs we like. And we didn't care, as long as we do not disturb one another. That's the kind of friendship we have though we weren't that close, we decided to be acquainted with each other since the day we meet here at this library. Since then, this has been our place to share and enjoy each other's company. This situation between us suited us, we both want silence when doing our individual stuffs.

But once outside, we were polite to each other. We seldom talk and see...because we revolve within different social circles. I have my own friends- that are all like me.

San is a campus princess, everyone adores her for her beauty, attitude and being smart. She once told me about letting everyone know we are friends but I ignored her idea and told her she will be ruined.

People just don't want that.

Some people are too narrow-minded to even consider that.

I sighed and looked at San, now leaning over with her arms stretched in front. Her eyes falling as she continued on reading.

"If you're too sleepy why not stop reading and continue later on."

She turned to me, smiling sheepishly and nodded before dozing. Unbelievable. She is that sleepy. I continued reading my books and hours went by. As I look around, the students that were once there already left. Only the librarian was there on her desk, busily playing on her tablet.

I yawned and rubbed my eyes; San's sleepiness is infecting me. I feel like sleeping. The words I am looking at looked blurred. I leaned in defeat, letting my head lie on an open book.

Just a couple of minutes.

And there I dozed.

"Laila!"

San's worried voice and her light tap on my shoulder awaken me, I looked up to her confused. She was standing her face was dark. I blinked again, it isn't that her face was dark, ...in the place they're in was dark.

Black out?

"W-What happened?"

"Uh, you see, I don't know. When I wake up this is what...happened here.", she said. I looked around and noticed that although it was dark, they're still in the library. But I can't make out other noises other than the two of us. "It was dark. I called but no one responded. I think we're alone here."

"How come? How about the librarian?"

"She...I check her out. But there's no one but us."

"We need to get ourselves out here.", I said firmly.

The next thing I knew, we were there on the halls, running as if we were being chased. The school was like a ghost town with its absolute silence. It was suspicious at how everyone vanished.

Everything was dark...dark like there was a solar eclipse. I stopped running, frozen on spot. San almost stumbled into me and was puzzled.

"What time is it?"

San registered an I-don't-get look on her face before answering. It was only 10Am. Surely anyone should be around. Anywhere I look, no one... not even a bird or dog running around. Not even a sound of gentle wind or the noise from nearby places.

I turned to a window and through the dark-tinted glass; I confirmed what I had in my mind earlier.

Solar eclipse

"Wow, so this is what a solar eclipse is!", San stood next to me, her face turn up. I looked at her. Now, luck is not turning on me. Not today. Not ever. This is getting weird. Since morning, I had the feeling everything was going well and it was a bit disturbing in a way.

"We need to go."

"Shouldn't we hide?"

I turned, perplexed at the choice of her words. Perplexed? Now, I am really beyond that. But something's telling me she's trying to tell me. I took her hand and she evaded my gaze.

"Why should we hide?"

"Well...it's still dark and-."

"We can manage this darkness, San.", I said pulling her to run but her feet stood frozen on the spot. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"This...something isn't right. You know it.", she said.

"Something is wrong but I am sure I do not know it."

"Look.", she said, her voice lowered. Then, she grabbed me and forced me inside a classroom. I noticed how her hands were shaking. She was so nervous that she couldn't look at me straight in my eyes. I lowered and sat in an Indian-style sit. She did the same as she took my hands into her cold, sweating ones. "This past two weeks, I have been in the library constantly. Doesn't it confuse you?"

"No, not at all.", I said.

"I have been searching...things. You see, this me-being all-too-curios-at-all-things got me in trouble. I witnessed something I shouldn't two weeks ago. Something that change my mind and made me contemplated on what I said months ago to you."

Which one?

"Sorry, I don't think they exist. Those monsters or vampires alike, that is."

My eyes widened.

"Remember me not liking Sir Minz?", she nervously swallowed. "I know I sound stupid but I saw him sucking Lina, my classmate on her neck. Her blood was staining both their clothes. I think they didn't notice me. And I-", she was now crying, horrified. I looked at her. "I saw Lina the next day and she was okay...she seemed to forget about it."

I hushed her.

"First of all, I don't believe you.", I said, she opened her mouth to say something but I glared at her. "Now, why do you think they exist? You are right, they don't and yet I was fascinated but that doesn't mean I have to believe since then. "

"Please, we are much safer here.", she said, her voice became more pleading. "Even if...you do not believe me with it, I still want us to stay here. I don't want the two of us getting harmed."

"Fin-", I was about to agree if not because of that scream. My hopes brightened that were not truly alone. I stood up but San gripped my arm, stopping me.

"It's a trap.", she whispered. Her eyes were full of fear and tears. I was moved and felt guilty for even making her feel stupid, I am her friend, and I should somehow comfort her.

But believing vampires and things she had just said, now that's a different story. Had she gone nuts? Whatever she is afraid of, I think she was only making the vampire-thing her cover.

"Listen, San. I know you are afraid but I am here. And I am your friend. So, I think you should trust me and come with me to go and find out what that shout is. We need to know where the others are, right?"

San nodded.

"I will protect you. Don't worry.", I smiled for her sake. But deep within me, I know some fear suddenly grew and whatever San had mentioned made an impact even how ridiculous it was. When we both agreed on going together and being strong, we head out that room.

Each step we endure echoed the halls we take. I am getting so sensitive that I even thought someone was looking from behind us. But when I turned to look back, there's nothing but an empty, dark area.

I bit my lip. Now I am getting nuts.

"What's the problem?", San asked, now she was ahead me. Her pretty face turned to me with some worry on it. I smiled in assurance.

"N-Nothing. ", I said.

But when San turned to walk, I turned to look back and then ran to San's side. Everything seems creepy. If only we know where the others are, we shouldn't be this disturbed about the situation. Plus, the solar eclipse added to darkened the place that made it much scary. I try to dissociate solar eclipse with their disappearance, but something was letting me it has something to do.

So, this had turned to a supernatural- thing. I don't like it one bit.

The scream we both heard must have come from a place big and spacious. Not the classrooms or even the halls we were taking. It was so loud that it echoed through the whole school.

Is this a prank?

Because once I found who the responsible is, I am going to skin him alive.

"Spacious....big....", San was muttering and I sighed. "Nothing is more spacious and big as the gym this school has."

The gym!

Now that San mentioned that, I remembered the whole student population could fit inside that place. It was just designed to cater all students. Could it be that they're hiding in there on purpose?

"Yeah. I think we should check that out."

We both went into that place quietly. As we reached the side doors, I took a deep inhale as we held the doorknobs and opened.

We were both surprised at what we see.

Everyone was here, except I didn't expect it to be like this.

They're all on the chairs asleep. Some were on the floor, still unmoving. We both can't properly see through since it's darker but we can make out a huge pile in the center. A smell I can't name tingled in the air.

"Hello?!", San suddenly shouted and it surprised the hell of me.

I rolled my eyes at her though she can't see. I kneeled on the floor and tapped a student on his shoulders. But he won't respond. My hand was wet, not in sweat but something more darkish in color. My awareness heightened the smell all too strong and I caught my breath in my throat. I reached to his neck, checking for his pulse.

I felt nauseous.

Growing fear.

"San, stick with me!", I said, my voice was strained. But she was just there, standing in front of me, staring ahead. "What's the matter?"

"Lail-", her voice was cut off when we were both surprised by the gym's lights.

The place they were in was presented to us with such sickening look. My body hair stood up and San held my hand, both were cold in dread.

Everyone...was dead.

They're all dead, drenched with their own blood, lying on the ground and some sitting. But all bear the same horrified look. San stared, her tears falling.

As I look at my hand, that wet I felt on the student's neck was blood. And the scent we all smelled was blood. The view was like a mass murder, a huge slaughter.

It was something that both of us will remember. And it'll traumatized us...if we came out here alive. My heightened senses sensed something...someone was still here.

I knew it before we both heard the door shut.

"Told you someone's still in there.", a voice from behind us came. His voice was familiar and it sounded so happy...so cheerily. I turned to look.

I knew him.

God, I knew him.

He was John, this school's Student President. He's popular for being so damn intelligent, his looks, and his approachable behavior. But nothing in the way he look now mark his being approachable. Instead, he looked predatory. He was terrifying with how the blood stained his clothes and his face. His eyes were bright and red.

I look at San, who stood pale beside me. Of course, she would be this shock. John is her first love, she told me those months ago, blushing and happy. It was a secret. Now, San look so heartbroken and frozen.

I tightened my hold on her.

We both took a step back. In fear. Then I recalled what John said. That means there are others. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath. I never had this so much fear in my life. A kind of fear that I knew wouldn't end.

If this is a nightmare and I am asleep, I want to wake up! But I can't because I am facing reality and I want this to be over.

"Yeah, of course you'll say that. You can't miss San over there.", another voice came. San turned. I am tempted to turn but I can't because of the fear that they'll both take us.

"Nathaniel...", San muttered, her voice in disbelief.

Oh, so even the Student Vice President is an accomplice.

"W-What's the meaning of this?", I demanded, trying to sound strong for the both of them. San was almost shaking. At the verge of passing out.

"What do you think, Laila? As you can see, we are the vampires you keep on reading on that library.", Nathaniel said, his voice so full of malice. John just stood there smiling, showing his fangs. "We suck you dry. Or as what those books says."

"You don't have to put up a face. I can smell you fear...so damn clear.", John said.

That's my last straw, I had my vision black before me, my grip loosening and San's voice of panic before it quieted. And here I thought San will collapse before me. What a shame, I feel so useless.

What will happen to us?

The sight that met me once I woke up was a crying San with her mouth covered with John's hand as he sucked into her neck, his body covering my view of San. I was just there, frozen as I stared at it. My mouth went dry.

I want to move but my body won't respond, it was tied with a rope. My feet were tied, as well.

"S-Stop!", I voiced, pleading. Afraid that it'll kill her and I'll be alone. Alone with these wolves.

John groaned as he pulled San's body closer and bit deeper.

San's tear-streaked eyes was almost falling, her soft moans of pain slowly stopping.

"God, you're sweet San. I just knew it the moment told me your feelings to me a week ago.", John said as he held her still. "Those feelings that made you tastier than others."

San confessed to him a week ago.

San was limp, her eyes closed. I am crying, now my friend will die before me! Suddenly, he carried and laid her into a table as she fell unconsciousness. Now she had clear look of San. Her blouse was torn that her bra was very visible. Her blood stained her clothes. Her face was pale and looks cold.

John was on the table's side, his arms crossed as he arched his back on it. He had a smug look on his face, a sense of triumph. I glared.

"She's mine."

"She's not yours. You ruined her, you killed her, you monster!", I shouted.

"I wouldn't be saying that if you're in the lion's Den. ", he gestured on the back, and I turned. I noticed, not only were some students-vampires were involved, even some of the new recruit teachers. All of them were male, looking at her way with such chilling look. Their clothes were drenched with blood.

And I saw Sir Minz sitting in the middle, like he was a King as he held his hand a glass of something that is red in color. Blood maybe.

Suddenly, his eyes look straight into mine, cold and mocking.

Sir Minz

"I know I sound stupid but I saw him sucking Lina, my classmate on her neck. Her blood was staining both their clothes. I think they didn't notice me."

"Have San told you about Sir Minz?"

I didn't reply, startled by his interruption with my thoughts. I just look at him.

"I think she has. He is a full-blood vampire. And she saw him a couple of weeks ago.",he said.

I didn't notice before that my tears were flowing from my eyes, now I just want them to stop. I look pathetic... damn helpless. My glasses were at the edge of my nose, almost falling. But I didn't wander my eyes to my surroundings, it was too much to bear.

"Is she going to live?", I said.

"San?", John said, smiling slyly as he touched San's hair, ruffling it softly. "Yes, she will live...with me to provide me with her blood."

"And me?", I glared. "Are you going to kill me like them?"

"Of course not.", someone answered from the back. That voice made my heart throb in fear. It belonged to Sir Minz. I didn't bother to turn because I hear his every step, coming closer to me. I felt him behind me; he had such cold, domineering aura that made you scared and submit to his wishes and demands. "You will serve me like your friend."

"Really? Then, why don't you just kill me?", I challenged him, knowing how dangerous to provoke someone like him, a vampire no less. "Why don't you just end this nightmare? Why not kill us instead!"

I shouted. That's it, I don't care what happens, just kill me and end it fast. Suck our blood until we're dry, tear us apart or use your inhuman strength and push me in a wall to kill us.

For our sake.

My glasses fell, breaking into pieces. My vision blurred.

"I do not wish to be spared and be your blood-food. And I know San feels that way.", I said.

The next thing I knew, I was held up, but I can't identify whoever it was because my vision sucks. As the person leaned into me, I realized it was Sir Minz. He whispered into my ear, softly. It was the kind of voice I haven't heard from him; it was neither horrifying or cold. But I couldn't trust my current judgment because regarding his use of voice.

He was a vampire and they aren't good or nice. They are bloodsucker predators!

"But I want you because you held such pure feelings towards me that made you different from others."

After he whispered something into me, he bent his head, encircled his arms for support and bite into me, sucking blood from my neck. I felt warm as my blood passed and pain as his fangs penetrate me. My cries were muffled because I am at the brink of losing consciousness.

"P-Please..."

So, this is it.

I am a food.

Damn it. I don't want it. We both didn't deserve this.

I felt myself loosening from him, but he supported his arms around me lightly. And we maintained like that as I felt flaccid all over. He let a light laugh I haven't heard from him, and I cursed myself inwardly for being so damn observant and sensitive with my weakening state.

"That's just how it is, dearest."

And that's the last thing he said before I collapse.