George
We have to figure out who are those allies of vampires and why they are working with each other.
I hurriedly walk back home. I don't care about their judging gazes anymore. All I thought was how to figure out everything.
"Sorry, Saber," I mutter as I start the car's engine.
I nervously look around before driving. "Am I stealing Saber's car?" I mutter as I stare at the rocky path of the forest.
I chew my lip. "No, of course not," I shake my head. "I'm just borrowing it," I say as I nod.
I drive away from the village. Outside are the tall forest trees, representing how long every deceased werewolf died. The path is only the size of a one-way road. A few kilometers more and I finally see an asphalt road.
"Wow, I really did steal a car," I say in disbelief.
I'm worried.
I'm worried about everything that is happening. I thought the only problem that we had was the vampires. But knowing all of this, this is far more complicated than I thought. At first, I thought Werewolf Village was a perfect place. Disciplined citizens. A simple way of living. But when my mother told me what was happening underneath...
It's far from being perfect.
"Saber," my mother shifts her gaze to the werewolf beside me. "Thank you for believing me."
"You're welcome. No one is here except the three of us. Make it quick before they notice. I guess I should guard outside to make sure no one will figure out your plan." Saber walks out of the dungeon.
"Joaquin says that he met some werewolves when they were in a meeting. They're scattered in the village. High ranking officials, he said they are high ranking officials."
"But why do they have to do that," I ask in confusion.
"I don't know yet," my mother shrugs. "But it seems that they are trying to get rid of you after learning that the next Alpha will be ending their alliance.
"Joaquin has been giving me this information. No royal blood vampires are attending the meeting. It seems like they're planning to build an alliance with these two clashing creatures. However, he didn't get a chance to see their faces."
"He tried to tell this to Dmitri's father but they're gone. No meetings had ever occurred as if they knew someone was watching them."
"We have to figure out who are those allies of vampires and why are they working with each other."
"I told this to the head of witches but she didn't believe me," my mother says.
"Does that mean Jared also has no idea?" I say as I tap the side of the steering wheel.
While I'm in deep thought, the car stops.
"No," I say worriedly. My gaze lands on the gas meter. "No, no, no, no, no," I tap the gas meter.
"No! Why do you have to run out of gas!" I yell in frustration.
I lean my forehead on the steering wheel and sigh, "I'm in the middle of nowhere."
I take a deep breath and exhale, "Nevigera."
I form my wavy brown hair into a bun and use the ballpen on the car's passenger's seat to hold the bun. I rest my head on the window and stare at the clear sky. I search for my phone and check the time.
"2:00 pm," I mutter. "I haven't eaten my lunch," my gaze lands on the bangle that my mother gave me. "I cannot even use this as well," I softly say and trace the gems on it. The vibration of my phone on the desk breaks my train of thought.
I frown seeing an unknown number. Nervously, I look around, thinking that the werewolves figure out where I am.
"Hello?" I answer the call.
"How's everything?" a male voice says.
"Who's this?" I furrow my eyebrows and bite my lower lip.
"It's Joaquin," he replies.
"Joaquin! Hey," I suddenly become happy after knowing it is him. "Um... Why did you call?"
"I just want to know if everything is fine?" Joaquin replies. "I cannot help you now because... you know."
"Well," I look around. "I don't know where I am and... I'm stuck here by myself," I say and tap my thighs.
"What are you talking about?" Joaquin asks. "What did you do?" "Are you heading to somewhere?" Joaquin.
"Back to California," I say.
"On your own?" Joaquin.
"Yeah," I reply.
"How?" he asks.
"I stoâburrow Saber's car and go out of the village. Then..." a nervous laugh escaped my mouth. "I ran out of gas."
What am I doing? I should start finding a solution to this situation.
"Then call them, message them, tell them," Joaquin says.
"I can't," I reply as I step out of the car.
"What do you mean you can't?" he quickly asks.
"I can't," I say and grip my hair in frustration.
"I thought you borrowed Saber's car," he asks.
"I did," I hesitantly continue. "But he didn't know."
"WhâYou- Shit," he curses. "So what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know!" I exclaim in frustration.
I stare at my shoes. I do have a plan. I wanted to know other people's knowledge in this situation. Someone who is far from the enemies and close to being an ally.
I do have a plan. It's just that I am overwhelmed with all of this shit happening in my life.
"I do have a plan," I say.
"Do you mind sharing? I'm kind of accountable in this situation you are in," he exhales. "I bet I'm the only person or vampire who knows where you are."
I nod, "That's true."
And then there is a silence.
"I wanted to find Stacey. Do you know where she is?" I asked. She is the person who came into my mind.
A person who is far from the enemies and close to being an ally
"I'm sorry but I never contacted her since the day we left," he clears his throat. "It's my way of protecting her."
I guess I have to figure it out on my own. I'm thinking of contacting Stacey. But it's a risky move since I know she can't lie to Saber. He might ask her if she saw my shadow once they find out that I'm gone.
I go to the back of the car to check the trunk. "How's everything there?" I ask him.
"Not good," he says. "I'm not allowed to step outside this room. The guards are everywhere."
"Have you tried to escape?" I ask as I gather some chips two bottles of water and a bar of chocolate.
"Of course, I did," he replies. "I escape through the window," he says. "But caught immediately after I turn to a bat," he says with a deep sigh. "They put me in a potato sack!"
"They removed everything that Esperanza gave me. Everything that looks witch-made," he continues. "So I cannot walk outside during the daylight."
"But, are they hurting you?" I ask.
"No," he replies. "They can't kill me. I can be very useful to them."
Silence.
I check the phone if he's still there and he is.
"Joaquin?" I ask.
"Mm?" he replies. "Sorry, I just don't have anyone right now that's why I called. I want to call Anastasia as well, but she'll only get worried about us."
I walk back to the car with the food. He's quiet. I thought of ending the call but he speaks again.
"I faked his punishment so that I can earn a higher ranking," Joaquin breaks the silence.
"During that time, I am the one torturing him."
I paused halfway through opening the door.
"Him?" I furrow.
"Dmitri," he answers. "He is not allowed to have even a zip of blood. He is served with food that has vervains."
"Vervains?" I ask and enter the car. I open a bottle of water. I take zip, afraid that I might run out of water.
"Vampires' weakness," he explains. "It's like a poison to us. Dmitri is not a full-blood that's why it will affect him slower than a regular vampire."
"He didn't eat those of course. The poisoned food is like a choice. It's like he chose to die if he doesn't choose to help the vampires in catching you."
"He's father cannot kill his son of course."
"But he can't kill you too," I say.
My mouth gaped.
"But how did he escape?" I ask. "Did you let him go? I don't think vampires won't catch him as soon as he steps out of his prison."
"Wellâ" his words were cut off. "Who are you calling?" a stranger asks.
"Joaquin? Hello?"
After that, I heard a beep.
Sigh.
"Why is this happening?" I sigh.
Quickly I lift my gaze when someone knocks at the window. An old lady wearing a purple cloak signs me to roll down the window.
"Ah, I see," she says with a small smile. "You must be her," she says while looking at me.
I open my mouth to ask her who she is but she speaks, "Where are you heading? No gas?" she asks when her gaze lands on the gas meter.
I lightly nod, still wondering who she is.
"I might help you," she says. "How about you stay in my humble tent for a while?" she offers.
"But..." I shift my gaze, following where she is pointing.
My eyes widen when I see a small ten nearby.
But, no one's here on this wide abandoned road except me.
"I think I'm good hereâ"
"And what? Wait for them to find you and this stolen car," she quickly asks as she looks around.
"And didn't steal it!" I reply, sounding guilty. "Wait? Were you listening? That is notâ"
"Shush," she says, with her finger on her lips. "This is not a Snow white story where an old wicked lady will give you an apple glazed with poison."
She looks me in the eyes, "I'll help you."
"You stole a car, hmm?" the old lady asks as she opens the tent. "Do you want anything? Food? Water? Gas?"
"Gas, yes please," I quickly say while nodding.
"Cotton candy?" she asks when she turns and faces me, holding one.
"No, no. I'm good," I say waving my hand.
"I don't think you are, though," she softly says as she bites the cotton candy. "Two bottles of water, Two bags of chips, and a chocolate bar? You haven't eaten lunch and it's past noon," she continues.
"Well, that doesn't matter. I need gas," I say. "And I think you don't have it here in your little tent," I say while looking around.
"Your tank is full," the old lady says casually.
"It's not," I say and frown. I try to step out to check but the tent's entrance closes. Something grips my wrist. I look over my shoulder but she's just casually eating the cotton candy.
"It's not free," she says.
"I left my wallet in the car," I lie.
"No, the only thing that is yours there is your phone," she replies.
"Then I don't need your gas. Let go of me!" I yell, pulling away.
"I cannot believe a werewolf would lie. I don't need cash. Just listen to me," she says and gestures her hand in a pulling motion.
I pause and stare at her.
"What... Are you?" I ask.
"I don't think you care," she says and brings me to the seat in front of her.
"So," she clasps her hand and sit in front of me.
She holds my hand and looks at my palm.
"You'll be helpless the next days," her eyes illuminate in the color of violet.
"All of the people and other creatures that matter to you will be punished and forced to be away from you."
She holds my face by my cheeks.
"You have to be braver," she says, staring at me with those bright violet eyes.
She let go of my face and exhaled. Her eyes go back to their normal color.
She stops.
Few more seconds and no one speaks.
"Go on," she says and looks at me.
"If your tank is full and your car is full of food, I guess you'll believe me," she casually says.
"Be braver," she says as gestures her hands. The chair I am sitting in moves as if it is being dragged backward. "Have a nice trip, Georgina!" she says as she waves.
The tent opens. I am completely dragged outside, still on the chair. The chair stops, facing the road where Saber's car is.
"Wait!" I stand up and turn to face the tent.
But it's gone.
She's gone.
"What just happened?" I whisper.
I rush towards the car.
"It's... Full," I whisper in disbelief after seeing the gas meter.
Did she give me food as well?
I open the trunk. My eyebrows rise after seeing the trunk full of food.
"Thank you!" I yell as I look up to the sky.
Day by day, my life is getting weirder and weirder.
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