Grave School: The Blood Chronicles
Blood Four: The Bloody Forest
I kept on running—running towards nowhere. My knees felt weak, my eyes strangled for life from too much crying. I stumbled down and fell hard on the cold, damp forest floor. I never felt too much humiliation in my entire life.
I came to a realization that I was actually lost. I looked around the dark forest. The trees all looked identical, swaying under the fingertips of the wind. The moon illuminated my path as I began to search for a way out.
My face felt wet all over. All I heard is the shuffling of my feet from the ground and the whisper of the wind through the night. There’s nothing left to do but walk and walk, towards where my feet can bring me.
The wind felt colder and colder, and the gentle whispers turned into fast and rampaging ones. I looked up and saw the bats overhead; their red eyes tore through me. They saw me.
“You’re lost, aren’t you?” the voice brought shivers to my spine. I was unable to move.
Sniff. Sniff. “I smell you, young sweetheart. Your blood smells like honey and vanilla syrup. Can I have a taste of it?” His forefinger ran down to my neck.
“No!” I turned around and saw it. The creature that once attacked me in town not too long ago. He grabbed my hand and tightened its grip on me.
“I’m thirsty… Give me your sweet, precious blood.”
“I said…NO!” I broke free from its bony fingers and ran as far as I could.
At that moment I wished I was faster than the wind. My sweat kept on dropping in my forehead. My knees hurt so much that I cannot bear so much pain from it. I turned around and the creature was gone.
I stopped, extremely exhausted. No one can save me now. I knelt down and found that my knee was badly wounded, probably from hat bad fall I encountered. Blood kept on gushing from it.
I heard a stifled laughter. “I can smell your delicious mortal blood.”
There is no escape now. My eyes wandered, searching for the vampire’s place to hide. And there I saw them.
Five of them.
Thirsty.
Deadly.
There’s no escape now, is there?
“Back off!” I shouted. The more I was afraid, the nearer they get. “I said back off!”
“Do you think it’s easy for us to find a mortal like you in here?” one of them said. “Moral bloods are delicious and yours is very rare. We can sense that.”
“Ahh..it’s just like a dream come true, isn’t it?” another spoke up.
“It’s just like honey and vanilla!”
“We haven’t drunk for years, so his could be the chance.” The others nodded in approval.
I was forced to back out a couple of steps, then a couple more. My back felt the rough bark of an evergreen tree. I was cornered. There’s only one chance to escape.
“Stay back!” I ordered. They looked puzzled. “Don’t you notice anything from me?”
They sniffed. The leader, I think, who was at the center, said. “We don’t notice any extraordinary.”
“Well,” I began. “I have a blood of a werewolf. Don’t you notice?”
“Werewolf?” The vampire on the right asked. “We can’t have her for dinner. We’ll get poisoned.”
I smiled faintly. “Well, if you excuse me, I—“
“Idiot!” The leader growled. “If she’s a werewolf, she should have been smelled intoxicating from afar!”
They looked at me again; their smiles cannot be hidden from their faces. Too much joy enveloped their heart for finding someone like me and triumphantly winning my game.
Their mouths opened altogether, drooling over me. I shut my eyes, waiting to be munched on like a piece of biscuit. I waited almost eternity. 1 minute. 2 minutes. 3 minutes. I thought they were hungry? Where did they go?
I dared to open my eyes. All I saw was darkness, and the trees, just like before. I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I shrieked. I shrieked until my lungs went out my chest. A face appeared behind me. It was a creature with jet-black hair and mesmerizing deep brown eyes. He seemed anxious. “Are you alright?”
“Christopher!” I exclaimed, falling directly in his arms. “It was—they—eat—afraid—I was—“ I started crying.
“What?” Christopher held a surprised look. “What happened? Why are you here?”
My sobs were even louder.
“There, there.” He smiled warmly, wiping my tears away. His hand felt warm against my cheek, and I choked back tears.”
“You’re beautiful when you smile, Amanda.” His eyes caressed my soul, as I stared at him with whole intent.
“What are you doing here?” Both of us asked at the same time.
My head dropped. “I—“How was I gonna explain to him about vampires? He’s mortal, and surely, he’ll never believe me.
“Attacked by vampires?” He said. “They’re gone. Don’t worry.”
I didn’t know what has gotten into me but tears again fell to my cheeks, motioned forward and hugged Christopher with all my might, leaving him bewildered.
I moved my head up to face him. “The vampires are gone?” I choked back tears. “How did you do that?”
“Vampires?” He laughed heartily. I looked at him skeptically. “I was just kidding. There are no vampires around. Vampires are just mythical creatures. I killed those dogs, see? They’re not vampires.”
I turned to the direction he was pointing. And behind the evergreen tree are five black dogs—dead. I can’t believe my eyes.
“Oh my God.” I muttered under my breath.
“So, what are you doing here in Bloody Forest?” Christopher asked, looking down at me. I was lying in his lap, my eyes half-closed.
“I ran away. I don’t like the kids there.” I recalled the incident earlier. “You’re warm.”
He smiled and put his hand in my face. “And you’re cold.” I smiled back.
“If you want to run away, don’t choose Bloody Forest as a perfect hideout. It’s dangerous in here.”
I breathed inwardly, smelling his sweet scent. “I know. I was just lost—lost in my thoughts and everything.”
“And lost in Bloody Forest.” He smiled again.
“Yeah, whatever you say.”
I closed my eyes, wanting to sleep and forget about everything. As long as Christopher’s with me, I don’t have to worry about anything.
He caught a lock of my hair in my cheek and brushed it away. “Just relax.” He whispered. “You can consult me and grandma anytime.”
I smiled again, and opened my eyes. His face was too near to me, and I began to blush. “Thanks.”
We reached the end of the forest where the whole school council, with Mr. Clovis, Jay and Jessica were waiting. Mr. Clovis rushed to me.
“Are you okay, Miss Amanda?” He gripped on my shoulders and caught a glance on my bleeding knee. “You know we can’t afford to lose you.”
“I’m okay Mr. Clovis. No need to worry.” I answered, plastering a fake smile on my face.
Jessica and Jay ran to meet me.
“I’m so sorry, Amanda!” Jessica was sobbing, her voice full of tears.” “I’ll never let you drink that again. I fully understand you’re not prepared to it.”
“I understand. I apologize for that rude reaction earlier.”
While we were chatting away, I heard Jay muttered to Christopher. “I never thought we’ll see each other again after all of these years.”
“Me too.” Was all Christopher can say.
“Miss Amanda.” Mr. Clovis’ voice pulled me back to reality. “We should now go back to school. You need rest now. The wound should be disinfected as soon as possible.”
I joined hem, then suddenly remembering Christopher. I ought to thank him for his help. I turned around.
Christopher was gone.
“Amanda Bradfort?”
“Yes she is, Your Highness.”
“Hmm..my long lost niece is finally here.”
You mean—“
“Yes.”
“What are we gonna do, Your Highness.”
“Kill her, the Vampiress.”
I was again back—to where I started—in this stupid four-walled classroom of Antidote class.
I sat to my usual chair, sighing inwardly, careful not to make any noise.
“Amanda?” Jay interrupted my thoughts.
“Hmm?”
“Mr. Clovis wants to see you, after class.”
“Why? Did he say anything?”
“No.” He shrugged and went back to his place.
