DAMNED (Dark Romance)

Chapter three

MARA

I woke up from the smell of a sweet aromatic fragrance...hmm. I savored the scent as I sniffed and my stomach grumbled in response. I slowly opened my eyes and felt dizzy. I was lying on a warm floor and noticed a chimney across from me. A gentle crackling sound drifted from it as the fire inside quietly consumed the wood.

Hmm...wow...the smell is just so strong...it's so hard to ignore.

It smelled so delicious that my instincts told me it was something edible. I'm sure of it!

Dahan dahan akong umupo but my head still hurts and my sight is spinning. I slowly rubbed my temples. Gosh, give me a break! I complained to myself feeling off-balance even while sitting.

Wait—where am?! Shoot! I asked myself in horror.

My breathing was heavy and my mind was in a panic again. I vividly remember everything that happened. I feel like anxiety has swallowed my ability to think and is taking over my mind.

I felt so nervous. Tears flowed down my cheeks uncontrollably.

I checked my hands, wrists, body, and clothes, all were covered in dirt and blood pero walang ni isang sugat o pasa.

What is goin' on? I asked myself crying in agony as I struggled to find the answers.

I touched my chest where I was stabbed, pero wala itong galos o marka ng butas. Then I shifted my eyes to the shining floor and saw my reflection with a messy hair and dirty face covered in dried blood.

This can't be real! I'd rather die than face them again at this rate! I feel so pathetic and hopeless, ang daming katanungang tumatakbo sa aking utak.

Am I dead?

"Well..."

I was startled from where I sat and gasped at the sound of a deep voice, but then my fear disappeared as I was momentarily captivated by the beautiful surroundings.

The place is nothing short of extravagant—luxurious! I would say.

A long fancy table stretches beneath a lofty ceiling with a grand chimney anchors the room and dazzling gold chandeliers cast a radiant glow.

Jesus christ! Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganito sa buong buhay ko.

No! Part of my brain snapped at me forcefully. Wake up, Mara!

"You seem quite fond of death to stir up such commotion, huh"

My eyes widened as I searched for the source of the deep voice.

Who was that?

Suddenly, two old women in their fifties, wearing a maid-like uniform appeared and walked towards me. They positioned themselves at my sides, grabbed each of my arms, and pulled me to my feet. They look like robots in human form with menacing expressions.

They were neither gentle nor trying to be the way they squeezed my arms. I'm still oblivious to what's happening and I can't help but feel uneasy. I have doubts sa lahat ng nasa paligid. I still don't know where I am and I'm pretty sure na mga halimaw rin ang mga ito na nag aanyong tao.

The feeling of being stabbed by the monster kept flashing in my memory.

"No!" malakas kong sigaw sa kanila.

I didn't like the way their callous palms pressed against my skin, kaya dali-dali akong umatras at kumalas.

Parang may mga boses na nag e-echo sa aking mga tenga na sumasagi sa aking isipan kaya't hindi ko mapigilang manginig at mapraning sa sobrang takot.