Grave School: The Blood Chronicles

Blood One: I am a Half-Vampire

 

                "Amanda!" I heard Mistress Andre call.

                "Yes, mistress?" I answered, my thoughts drawn towards the book I'm reading.

                I sat on a couch in the living room, reading The Vampiress. I have a raven-black hair and an almost pale complexion, not to mention eyes as dark as the night. They said my mother left me in the doorsteps of St. Peter's Orphanage on a cold, chilling winter night. I grew up as a prim and proper orphaned girl like everyone else in the orphanage. Mistress Andre, who was the head, forced us to act ladylike at all circumstances. And because of this, I always hungered for freedom.

                Being sixteen can be hard, sometimes, not. They force me to do things like what ladies do in the olden times of Renaissance era. They said I was the worst, the worst of all the ladies under mistress, and so, I was the one they call for running errands, buying things for dinner, et cetera.

                "It's already late. Haven't you forgotten something?" she said in a rather sarcastic tone.

                "I'm sorry, mistress." I apologized. Poor old me was just to busy reading the book that I already forgot the most important thing in my life to do-- running errands. And since dinner is drawing to a close, it's time to buy the ingredients for our dinner.

                She handed me a purse. "Didn't you realize, Amanda? We're eating late because of your foolishness. Now, go."

                I reached for my jacket and mittens. I opened the door and was greeted by the familiar cold whistle of late December wind. I shivered.

                I stared back at the orphanage and into the window of the music room. I heard the other girls singing late Christmas songs while Mistress Cecile played the piano. I sighed. I was really an outcast.

                I walked the dark road towards St. Peter's Valley's central town. The place was still gay and lively like Christmas season. Everyone was in their jeans and in their warmest clothes brought from the department store. I wished I wasn't an orphaned girl, that haven’t fell into the arms of mistress and wasn't an outcast in the society. Being the worst in your orphanage doesn't mean you don't fit in your generation, I know, but the feeling was just too common I nearly accepted it, like I was from Medieval Europe and traveled fast forward via time machine.

                I just brought all the necessary items in a 24/7 convenience store. Since it's already late, I nearly imagined myself scolded by mistress in her office. I decided to take the shortcut to the orphanage. I use the shortcut when I'm in the state of emergency. I walked in the dark and narrow path of what seemed like a dark alleyway or something. I was halfway inside when I heard a man shout. I stopped in my tracks until the shout died away. I gulped hard, thinking what it can be. I blinked once and continued. The damp cement on both sides of me was sending somewhat cold electric shocks as I touched them for dear life. I walked one step more and felt something hard under my winter boots. I can't see what was lying at the cold, wet snow. I held my breath. Where the heck moonlight is? I frantically searched for a match in my pocket. Oh my God, I thought. What did I get myself into? This is a very bad sign.

                I flicked a matchstick. It glowed brightly like a piece of candle. I dared to see what lies under. I thought my eyeballs would pop out from their sockets and roll down to the ground at that moment. I saw a corpse.

                I heard myself shriek at the top of my lungs. It was a corpse, a dead man's body! I didn't know what to do, whether to stay or to run. But I just stood there-- frozen.

                I heard a small giggle-- from above. I stretched my arm with a matchstick up to see clearly. Its face glowed as my eyes went large.

                It was a vampire.

                I've read a lot of vampire and werewolf novels and even watched them whenever Mistress Andre and Mistress Cecile are out. But I never expected to see them in person-- nor believe that they actually exist.

                I backed out a couple of steps, while the creature floated in the air. It licked its bloody lips and stared at me longingly after his hearty dinner. He opened his mouth wide and I turned my back against him and ran.

                I ran for dear life. I ran until my legs weakened and cannot hold my body no more. And worse, I tripped, exhausted, out of breath. Bitter tears welled down to my cheeks as I felt the cold snow underneath. My life is over.

                 Darkness still enveloped my total being. Where am I? Am I dead? Is my dream to be free and experience a simple life outside the orphanage will never ever come true? I looked like Cinderella at the time the clock struck midnight. Everything was gone. And then I saw myself lying in bed.

                I jolted up, and widened my eyes. The bedroom was so dark, it was creepy. Did that stupid vampire brought me here? Was he nuts, he let me live? It touched my neck to confirm if he had really bitten me. No blood. No sign of a wound. No pain in the neck. I decided to go out and see the truth for myself.

                I felt like I was in a horror movie-- where I imagined outside stood poor old Dracula thirsting for my blood. I opened the door and checked the hallway. All clear. I slowly walked through the creaking hallway. Was this for real? I'm in a haunted house. I reached the grand staircase. The entire house was so dark; I can hardly see a thing. Vampires do own this freaking mansion, and I can't believe I'm actually here, staying for the night.

               

My heart beated so fast, my mind ran out of conclusions. My eyes tried to adjust to the little illumination the moonlight gave me. And there I saw him.

                "Good evening, Miss Amanda Bradfort." He greeted me with a warm, playful smile.

                "How...How did you know my name, Mister?" I asked, totally confused, like my mind was spinning in all directions, only I wasn't dizzy.

                "I understand your confusion, Miss Bradfort. And since you're here, I shall explain to you about your true self, what you are and all. Please have a seat."

                What am I? The three words echoed in my head. Wasn't I human?

                He wasn't the vampire I saw earlier. And, how did I get here, anyway?

                "I assume you don't know me yet." He laughed. "I'm Clovis Trent, headmaster of Grave School. I saved you from a vampire attack while I was strolling downtown not too long ago."

                I sat uncomfortably, even thought the sofa was as soft as feather. He started to speak and explained it one by one, detail by detail.

                He said I am the long lost daughter of the deceased king of—vampires! Can you believe it? I mean, I can't believe it! I was totally freaked out—inside. Then, he told me my mother was a human being. And since she was a mortal, she was never accepted by the Royal Vampire Blood. After my father was mysteriously murdered, my mother immediately fled away from the royal family and left me at the doorsteps of St. Peter's Orphanage before she died. The rest was history.

                I was speechless. I can't believe all the things he said to me.

                "Miss Amanda?"

                "Mister-- I don't know what to say..." I stammered.

                "It's okay, I know you are confused but I should enroll you to Grave School. You should face your destiny as our Vampiress."

                "Vamp-vampiress?"

                "Yes, you’re the next to the throne. We have been waiting for you for centuries."

                I was about to reject his offer. For once and for all, I am entering a vampire high school with kids at my age that sucks blood from a human. And earlier, a vampire itself had almost bitten me to death!

                I didn't know what has gotten into my mind but I accepted his offer. I am about to enter the most dangerous part of my life ever.