THE VAMPIRE'S CREST

"Everything will be okay." That's my dad's voice.

"I hope so, you knew how much she doesn't want to go back to that place." It was my mom. I wonder what they are talking about. Who is she?

I heard my father sigh. Frustration in that sigh is distinct.

"I know, but we had to, for her to live longer—"

"I can't give her up just then, let's just run away and hide," I heard mom suggest.

"Honey," my dad paused and I hear him blow out a heavy sigh. "You know we can't. Running away means losing her."

I don't know why but my breath automatically hitched after hearing those words from my parents. I still can't forget what I heard. Because of that, my desire to stay grew stronger. What if something's going to happen? What if someone is waiting for me?

Papa resigned from his job and I'm aware that we are financially unstable. My mom usually stays at home and Kuya—my older brother and I are still studying. I hope they're not thinking about giving me to someone who can provide everything we need.

I retreated and returned to my room. I was about to greet them good morning but it was me who was greeted by a bad morning. I sighed and yanked back my blanket. This is the day when we need to go to another village and live there permanently. Disappointment crept in me, a week before my birthday but we'll be leaving beforehand.

I knew they planned it already but it feel so sudden. The worst part of this is we're going to stay there for the rest of our lives. I'm not ready, even mama said that we can still visit this town, I feel different. I would never want to stay there.

This house will be occupied by my aunt, papa's sister. So they immediately decided to leave because they will be coming by next week. I have no choice but to go. They've been waiting for this opportunity. Opportunity to go back to the place we used to call home. All because of my sake. My safety.

I craned my neck at the door when I heard a subtle knock from outside. I closed and locked it so that no one can enter my room while my mind isn't stable.

"Yani, wake up..."

I didn't answer.

I am still contemplating if I should ask them about what I heard or pretend that I didn't hear anything. I concluded that they are talking about me even though I'm not sure about it. Guilt suddenly enveloped me. I sighed and slowly tried to get up. I leaned slightly against my pillow before holding my hands. Mama's still knocking but I choose to ignore it so that I can think clearly.

But in the end, I couldn't stand it either. I stood up to open the door for her. I disheveled my hair a bit and then scratched my eyes to act like I was just woken up when I opened the door. She greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning, Ma..." I greeted then hugged her. She hugged me back and caressed my hair gently as if she were trying to comb it using her palm.

"Breakfast is ready, would you like to join us?" she sweetly asks. I smiled and nodded.

"I'm just going to fix myself, I don't want papa and Kuya to make fun of me again just because I smell nasty during breakfast," I grumbled and pouted. She laughed and shook her head before kissing my forehead.

"They're probably trying to pull a prank on you, okay? Just don't take it so long," she left after she told me to proceed to the dining area after showering.

My smile faded as she disappeared from my sight. I think it's better this way. That they think I knew nothing about what they were planning to do? Also, I'm not sure about my theory. It's just a theory. But as long as I convinced myself the possibilities still lingered in my mind.

I closed my eyes tightly and closed the door. I went straight to the bathroom to start my morning ritual. It took almost an hour so I didn't catch anything at the dinner table. It's my fault. I ate breakfast alone. I enjoy it. Mama cooks well.

"How's your sleep?" I looked at my brother who was leaning against the threshold. "Does that dream visits you again?" he added.

I shook my head, I was about to answer him when suddenly the picture of mama and papa talking about me popped out inside my head.

"Why do you ask?" I ask.

Avoiding his gaze. He didn't answer me.

He walked closer to me and sat right in front of me. I just continued eating and ignored him. He watched me eat until I finished. He even helped me with the dishes.

"I knew it when something was bothering you," he exclaimed while looking at me intently as if trying to figure out if what he said was true.

I avoided his gaze once again which is why I ended up sighing and accepting my defeat.

"Fine!" I breathed and continued. "Aren't you bothered about moving out too soon?" I ask before leaning towards him to whisper. "I mean... we're moving house suddenly, brother. What if mama and papa are planning to find someone prosperous enough to give everything my needs—"

I stopped when he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Silly, is that why you don't want to go with us?" he said after he laughed at me.

I sighed.

"W-Well, sort of?" I stammered.

He smiled at me and shook his head before slightly disheveling my hair. I frowned and he laughed.

"You're overthinking again. Mama and papa will never do that, they just want to secure our safety, alright?" he assured me.

My brows furrowed.

"For what?" I asked him.

He shrugged.

"I don't know, maybe some goons are chasing after us but mama said we shouldn't worry about it," he smiled as if it wasn't a big deal. "After all, I felt like I am strong enough to protect my little sister. So, stop being paranoid."

I nodded and smiled. After an hour I just saw myself walking towards Ravi's house. Because Kuya Uno said I have to say goodbye to my friends. He doesn't know that I only have one. I am thinking that if we move, I am going back to zero. No friends. No acquaintance and living like the wind. Although, I'm used to it. So, it's okay.

"Yani!"

I quickly turned to the person who called me. I frowned when I saw who it was. Kid is running towards me. He stopped just a few meters in front of me. I looked at him in confusion while he was panting with his palms on both knees.

"Why?" I asked after glancing at him.

He smiled causing his eyes to narrow more. He was wearing khaki shorts and a large white t-shirt. Kid is one of my classmates who is also from here. He's not my friend but he's trying to be close to me. We're civil. I don't mind him following me every time he sees me.

He awkwardly scratched his nape.

"Uh..." he paused as he laughed. "Uhm... I heard just now that you're leaving so..."

He bit his lip too shy to smile. I waited for what he had to say. He barely stares at me because it's like he's avoiding my gaze and it's like he's still shy. Even so, I waited. I smiled at him encouraging him to speak up. He saw that, so I saw that his ear reddened even more. I laughed secretly.

"Uh... I just wanted to say that—" Before he could continue, we both stopped when we heard a shout coming towards me.

"Yaniii!" I heard a scream from somewhere.

Kid and I looked at each other. We turned around at the same time and we were both surprised. Before I even turned around I saw how Kid's shoulders slumped. There, I saw Ravi crying while running in our direction. I frowned and began to worry.

"W-What—"

"Is that true?! Your brother said you're leaving? Why didn't you tell me?!" she shouted angrily as her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me reproachfully. She looked at the person in front of me but she immediately averted her gaze, probably embarrassed.

"I'll tell you, I'm on my way," I explained.

But she was like a stump standing while holding me and kept crying but couldn't look away. It sobbed.

"D-Do you have a handkerchief?" This sudden question surprised me.

I quickly felt it in my pocket, but I immediately handed it to her. I just watched her wipe her tears. Then I laughed when I realized why. Kid is her long-time crush that's why she reacted like that. I can't blame her, the man in front of me was also strong before and like this.

"K-Kid, you're here?" she stuttered after wiping. I also looked at him and smiled, he reciprocated that but it was also obvious that he was trying.

"O-Yes, that's true. I was about to leave when you came Via, I'll go first," he said as he was about to turn his back when I called him.

"Kid!" He quickly turned around to face me. I saw how his face enlightened a bit when he heard his name. "You have something to say, don't you? What is it?" I asked.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Maybe next time, I'll go first," he said, hurrying to leave but before that, he waved at us. When we left, I quickly turned to Ravi who now had puffy eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'll tell you," I explained then grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She looked at me confused.

"Huh?"

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that a drop of tears escaped from her eyes but she didn't look at me because she turned her eyes back to the path that Kid took. I also turned there. Only then did I see that hummingbird as if it had been stepped on, it was already on the ground and covered with dust.

I frowned but eventually shrugged it off. I invited her to their house because my friend was not on herself yet. She didn't even talk to me, she just gave me a nod in return. So when I said goodbye, I just hugged her tightly before leaving that place. I just left the rejected promise that I haven't fulfilled yet.

That day I left the place with a heavy heart.