Unexpected Turn

Prologue

Daniela's Embrace

On a Friday night, it is usually parties all night long, catch-ups or movie nights with friends but not me. I usually spend Fridays, no not just Fridays, I always spend my every day alone. Even so, there are those times that my closest friend, Aaliyah, when she's not busy at the hospital, visits me at my house to check if I am still breathing. Of course, that's not literal and just so you know, she's also my cousin.

I live alone. My parents died in a car accident when I was young. My aunt Lucia, Aaliyah's mother, took me in and we moved to Manila after my parents' death. I studied there until college, I used to take Pre-Med. Dad and mom were doctors, most of my cousins are either doctors or lawyers. It was expected of me to follow the footsteps of my parents, I didn't like to be a doctor. I have always known what I want. I wanted to be a writer, my parents were not supportive about it and it is mainly the reason why I created Sage.

Aside from being Daniela Renatta Vergara, the loner ex-premed student, I am also Sage, the famous romance novelist whose real identity is hidden. I never knew that my first novel will be much celebrated. I got offers from different notable publishing companies who wanted me to sign a contract with them. I unquestionably grabbed that opportunity as it felt surreal because it is what I have always wanted but still I decided to keep my identity hidden that even the publishing company have not seen me personally. I agreed to sign a contract with them under some conditions in my favor. I only talked to them through calls and e-mails.

I inherited my parents' properties and a reasonable amount of wealth. Because of my inheritance and earnings from writing, I was confident enough to be independent that I decided to go back to Baguio City and focus on writing. At age twenty-three It felt so overwhelming that almost all of my novels became a best-seller, it was my drive to do better at writing novels.

One night, I was writing the final draft of my seventh novel, my dog, a beagle named Kobi kept barking towards the window. To my annoyance, I looked outside to see what he's been so furious about. Great! The outdoor lights were not working AGAIN. It was pitch black outside, probably because the houses in this village are far away from each other. Each house, especially ours, are covered with a lot of pine trees which makes it look like a forest.

Kobi wouldn't stop barking. I went downstairs to double check if the doors and windows are locked. It was locked. Upon heading back upstairs, I felt uneasy. It felt like someone is watching me. I was about to run fast towards the stairs until something swiftly touched my face but I saw nothing. I paused for a moment to convince myself that it was nothing but then ran back as fast as I could to my room because the thought of being alone at night suddenly creeped me out. Back in my room my dog cried and cried as if he was too scared. The way Kobi is acting sure is nerve-wracking, what if he can sense there is someone outside. What if that someone is a killer on the loose and I am alone here. I am already on the verge of paranoia and decided to call Aaliyah.

"Hey cuz, do you want to accompany me for some movie night?" I asked hoping she would say yes.

"Well hello, girl! You know I'm on duty on Friday nights, how about reschedule it tomorrow? Besides, you're not into movie nights, what's the problem? Anything you need?" She asked teasingly.

"Okay fine, you got me. I just feel at tense here. Kobi won't stop barking and I feel anxious" I told her, still convincing her to consider my offer for a petty movie night.

"Make sure your doors are locked. If you still feel scared, call the village security to check around the house" she said upon saying her goodbyes.

I immediately called the village security just so I can lessen my worries. They showed on the front door ten minutes after I made the call. The two of them checked outside and the other one searched indoor but they didn't found anything. Upon leaving, they told me to just keep my doors locked and do not hesitate to call immediately if I saw someone suspicious out.

My anxiety was lessened but the eerie silence still creeped me out. I kept all the lights on and turned on the television downstairs and left it just on. I like silence but it felt immensely different this time. I went back to my room and turned the music on as well. Kobi was under my bed, he kept crying and shaking in fear. I failed my attempt in pulling him out and just let him be hoping he'll stop eventually.

I continued writing the final draft but I clearly heard a whisper above me. It gave me goosebumps, my heart was beating so fast and I'm in the height of fear and panic. I slowly turned my sight on the ceiling.

I was stunned in horror as someone hastily jumped over me. I felt pain around my neck as he bit and drained every energy I have. I feel lost, dizzy and my breathing weakened. Am I going to survive this? I questioned myself. When I felt that I'm already on the verge of death, I remember seeing a pale-skinned exceptionally attractive man with a medium length jet black hair, he bit his wrist and forced me to drink the blood out of it. I wanted to resist but my body felt too weak and numb, I gave in and everything became black.