New Friends

Things went back to normal after a few weeks. The riots eventually subsided and peace was restored, somehow. I did not dare ask my father about the solutions they came up with. I knew he wouldn't discuss those things with me anyway. School was the same – boring and predictable. There were more guards in school – both knights from the Church and elite soldiers from the Council. It wasn't just in school; they were dispatched all throughout the city to monitor the peace. The protesters, as well as the constant rule breakers, didn't have the courage to make troubles again. Things were more organized, but I felt them too controlling.

At least school wasn't as depressing as it used to. I still didn't have friends but Kai wasn't as cold to me as before. We greeted each other every time we met in the hallways and made casual conversations when we bumped into each other in the library. He looked kinder than usual - a hint of warmth was evident in his cold red eyes. I never wanted to make friends with anybody, but I liked talking to him. It always felt refreshing. He was the kind of person who answers things honestly – who would not sugarcoat his words just to please you. He was the type to state facts and describes things the way they are, not the way you want to hear. I really liked his honesty and bluntness. It seemed like I misunderstood him a lot. His words were very reassuring to me, though sometimes I get very irritated. Eventually, I was able to talk to him about personal things like my hobbies or my favorite things. We came to talk about things other than political or societal issues.

Surprisingly, we became friends. We started eating lunch together in the cafeteria. Of course it wasn't just the two of us, his friends joined us too. It felt like I became part of their group. The other students were obviously surprised of my friendship with them. My classmates kept asking me about it. They kept asking whether I was being bullied by the vampires. Though there were a lot of vampire-human friendships in school, it was the first time somebody was accepted into their group. Those five vampires were purebloods who always kept to themselves. I gradually came to know each of them better. Kai was the quiet type. He seldom talked and when he did, it was always only about something important. He wasn't as cold as I used to think, he just wasn't as loud as others. He's intelligent and thoughtful. I used to think he was a statue but he actually knew how to smile and laugh especially around his friends. Christian was soft and approachable. His eyes were warm and friendly. He always greeted people with a smile on his face. He was the kind who isn't hard to like. Marcus was the complete opposite. He seemed cold, like Kai, but looked scarier because of his physique. He exercised a lot and was the strongest among them. Jeremy was the loud one, although he never talked to anybody else but us. He liked games and sports – anything fun, apparently. He was the mood-maker. He was the obnoxious one, though in a cute and adorable way. Ethan was the smart one. He read books all the time, and could answer any question you ask of him. He's a little clumsy though, and the baby of the group.

"Shall we go to the arcade together this weekend?" It was Jeremy.

"Great idea. My older sister is coming home and I don't want to spend even an hour with her." Ethan answered immediately.

"Great. Krista?"

"I can't. My cousins and I already made plans. We will be spending the weekend at our family's summer house in the mountains." I explained.

"No fair. How can you make plans without us?" Christian exclaimed playfully.

"If only you could come with us, but it's against the law, remember?"

"Then let's not tell anybody." He said, and then flashed his dazzling smile.

"That's enough. Rules are rules." Kai snapped. Then he glanced my way. "But are you sure you'll be safe there? Will there be guards? How many people will be going with you?" He asked successively.

"That's a lot of questions." Then Jeremy gave Kai a meaningful look.

"Well?" Kai probed.

"Eight cousins, three females and five males. I think two of our butlers are coming too, but I'm not quite sure." I answered.

"Stop worrying. I'm sure she'll be fine." Jeremy said.

"Of course I am. Nobody ever dared to trespass our family's property. I grew up wandering around those mountains." I assured them.

Weekend came. There were more people than I expected. My cousins brought their own attendants and the house was fully packed. I thought it was going to be a peaceful weekend away from the city, but I was wrong. I was so wrong. I unpacked my things before going to the kitchen for something to nibble on. The butler was making sandwiches. I grabbed two before heading outside. The garden was beautiful as always. I couldn't help remembering my mother. I remembered when she first started planting those flowers. I remembered how patient she was and how she watered them every day. I remembered how she scolded me when I naughtily picked her flowers and tore their petals. She got so mad; I wasn't allowed in the garden for a week. It's been ten years. I visited the house once in a while whenever I felt exhausted of the busy city, but I usually just stayed in my room. The good memories of my childhood always made me feel vulnerable. I got up and decided to take a hike around the property.

The property was about fifty-four acres, with beautiful forests, a small lake, meadows, and more forests. I followed the concrete path then took a right turn, heading into the dense forest. I remembered the small cabins scattered all over the property. My father had them built. When I was younger, I was very mischievous and adventurous. I kept wandering around without asking anybody to accompany me. I sneaked out a lot on my own and got lost in the woods a couple times. My father had the cabins built so I would at least have shelter when I got lost. I went to the forest and walked a good distance before stopping. I got it wrong. I thought there was a cabin nearby but there were only trees and birds around me. I headed back and found my cousins enjoying themselves by the pool. I went inside to look for the butler. I found him cleaning by the piano.

"Sebastian, do you know if they keep a map of the property here?" I asked.

He opened the drawer by the southern wall and handed me the map. "Thank you." I said, before scurrying to my bedroom. I laid the map on my bed and studied it for hours. Although I could take it with me, I still wanted to get familiar with it. My sense of direction wasn't so good. I spent the night planning the route I could take, one that would let me pass by the best spots in the property, and estimating the hours the journey would take. I got up early the next morning. I put on hiking clothes and took my backpack. I grabbed some food from the fridge and some from the cupboard. I told Sebastian of my plans. He wanted to escort me but I insisted on going alone. I followed the path then went to the forest. It was quiet. The birds were probably still asleep. I made my way slowly, avoiding roots and broken tree branches along the way. The ferns brushed on my skin and made me a little itchy, but my excitement overshadowed everything else. The forest was beautiful and breathtaking. The trees and shrubs were green and full of life. The different ferns decorated the forest with their unusual leaves. The wildflowers were like finishing touches, their colors giving the forest a vibrant glow.

I stopped to take a break by the nearest cabin. I took out the biscuits and drank some water. I wasn't really tired, but I had to keep my pace and take quick rests so I could reserve my stamina. I headed out and passed by a meadow. The wind was blowing and created waves of green and brown. The sky was bright and I loved the warm feeling on my skin. I took a few pictures. I planned on taking a couple of pictures during my hike to show to my vampire friends since they couldn't come. I kept going until I reached the second cabin. Everything looked normal, but a voice at the back of my head was sending me warning signals. Something was off; the cabin door was slightly ajar. The wise part of me kept saying to run back but the curious part of me wanted to stay and investigate. I chose to follow the reckless part of me. I slowly walked towards the cabin. I pushed open the door. The door creaked and gave me chills. I went inside the cabin and looked around. There was no one there. I walked to the bedroom, holding my breath. I opened the bedroom door. There was something shivering under the blanket by the corner. I came closer, hoping it was a raccoon or something. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled the blanket off the creature. To my surprise, it was a child. The child was shivering. Her hair was disheveled and she was covered in mud and dirt.

"Hello. It's okay. You're alright. I won't hurt you." I said to calm the frightened girl. "How did you end up here? What's your name? Where are you from?"

The child did not answer my questions. "Please help me." She said.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" I asked, worried.

"Please help me." She said repeatedly. I stared at her until I recognized her.

"You're from the orphanage."