Crimson Shadows: The Vampire's Tale

Chapter 21: Maliyah , who are you?

CASSANDRA'S POV

"Hindi mo anak si Maliyah, Camilla."

"A-Anak ko siya. . . kaya wag mo 'kong pagsabihan kasi hindi ikaw ang nagluwal sa kaniya."

"Truth can hurt too, but that's the fact. You cannot change it." the woman smiled. "At kahit ano'ng gawin mo. . . mababalik pa rin siya sa mga kauri niya."

Nagising ako sa bangungot ko. What kind of nightmare is that? Galing ba 'yon sa nakaraan. . . ko?

Maliyah. . . who the hell is she? At bakit ganun yung pinagsasabi ni Mama sa panaginip ko? May anak pa ba siya?

I got up and headed downstairs. We were still in the mansion, and we would be leaving later. I made my way there even though the surroundings were very dark, but darkness was still useless to me since I have night vision.

Kumuha ako ng isang supot ng dugo sa lamesa at nilagok iyon. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko pagkatapos ko magising kanina. Aish.

Bumalik na kaagad ako sa kwarto ko para maligo na. Alas kwatro pa lang ng umaga pero aalis kami mamayang 5:30 or 5. Sigurado rin ako na magigising na yung iba mamaya.

I just read some books and drank coffee after bathing and dressing up. I had already packed my things last night, so I didn't need to rummage through my belongings anymore.

"Sandra? Are you awake?" I turned to the door as Seraphina knocked before entering.

"Mmm," I responded.

She walked towards me and looked at what I was reading. "You like reading books?" she asked, and I quietly nodded. "By the way, we're leaving soon," she said before sitting on the bed.

I closed the book before standing up and placing it in my bag. "I'm ready," I said as I grabbed my bag. Seraphina stood up and followed me.

We quickly went downstairs, and everyone was already there. "We're complete-let's go," Arc stood up, holding his keys as he gestured around.

"Damien," I called out when I noticed I was behind him. He turned to me and asked, "What?"

"May kilala ka bang Maliyah yung pangalan?" tanong ko. Napatigil naman ito at ganun din yung iba. Lumingon sila sa direksyon ko kaya napalunok ako.

"Sa'n mo 'yan narinig, Sandra?" tanong ni Seraphina at ganun din yung iba na hinihintay yung sagot ko.

Sasabihin ko ba? Aish, nagtanong eh.

"I just heard about it at the Academy before. I was just asking if you know anyone since you have access to the information of every student at the school," I made an excuse.

"We don't know that student if there is one at the school." Thalia answered, and I nodded in response.

We continued walking until we reached the car. I remained silent throughout the whole journey as the name of the girl who entered my dream kept lingering in my mind.

Hindi naman ako ganito dati, pero bakit ganito ka importante 'to sa 'kin para malaman kung sino siya? Kilala ko ba siya? Kilala ba siya ni Mama nor Papa?

Nakatulog ako kakaisip at nagising nalang ako nang maramdaman kong huminto na yung sasakyan.

Bumababa na kami at dumiretso sa Headmaster's Office. "We got it." bungad ni Draven sa Headmaster na nakaupo sa swivel chair niya habang may binabasang libro.

"Good job, Eclipse. Anyway, you can go now- magpahinga muna kayo, at bukas na kayo pumasok." aniya. Tumango naman kami bago lumabas.

Nagpaalam na ako since nasa ibang direction yung dorm ko. Ilang minuto yung lumipas nang marating ko na kaagad yung dorm ko. Mukhang wala pa yung tatlo at nasa klase pa.

Pumasok na 'ko at dumiretso sa kwarto ko. Nilocked ko iyon bago naligo at humiga sa kama.

Her name is rare yet lovely. It sounds beautiful when spoken. I wonder who she is. . . I feel like she's part of my identity-well, that's what my instincts are telling me.