LAUREN
I packed my things with a heavy heart and distorted mind. I panic a little but I made up my mind, as much as I don't want to be here, I can't let this project go. This is a huge break for me and with the unsure future this will help me get through life alone. I sighed before rubbing my tummy gently. I'm not sure if Matt's going to accept us or will Roni forgives me if she finds out.
I shook my head and sat down on the folding bed. I opened the zipper of my shoulder bag and glanced at the pregnancy kit below. Haven't told anyone about my pregnancy and I just found out the day before we board for Delphilia.
"Lau?" Matt called from the outside. I hurriedly put the kit back and stood up before going back to the table and put my clothes to the baggage. "Lau, are you done?" He asked and this time, he already zipped the tent after he went inside. I smiled a little and shook my head. "I'm almost done." I answered before turning back to the table. I heard his footsteps behind me and when he's almost near me, he managed to knock the folding bed. I turned to him and my shoulder bag fell on the ground.
"Sorry." He muttered. He bends down and picked my things that fell. I hurriedly stopped him and held his hands. He was about to grabbed the plastic zip lock when I got it first. He looked up and creases his forehead. I put the kit back to the bag and ignored his puzzled expression. "What was that?" He asked rather quietly. I swallowed hard and pretended to be busy. "Lauren, tell me what was that." He warned. "It's nothing, really." I stuttered. Matt suddenly grabbed me forcefully by the arm and I slammed against his chest. His eyes were intense as he clenched his jaw. He's losing his patience.
"Are you pregnant?" He asked, scared. I bowed my head and a tear escaped from my eye. "Are you pregnant, Lauren?!" He shouted. I yelped a little, surprise by his outburst. Tears raged down my face and he closed his eyes, confirming it. "Jesus." He cussed .under his breath when he let me go. I sobbed when I saw how broken he was and it breaks my heart into tiny pieces. "I-I was going to tell you." I uttered but he raised his hand, silencing me.
"Who's the father?" My eyes widened when he asked. I thought he's mad because I kept it a secret. "God damnit, just tell me!" H demanded. I curled my fingers into a fist before biting my lower lip. I shook my head. I wiped my tears and ran away. I went out of the tent and headed to the bridge. Matt is sprinting behind me why calling me but I'm so afraid to face him. I can't tell him the truth. I just can't.
"Lauren, wait." Matt grabbed my arm and stopped me from my tracks. I gasped and steadied my breathing as he eyed me seriously. His hand is gentle against my skin and it awakened the guilt I have longed to ignore. His lips tremble but he managed to ask me again.
"Just tell me the truth please?" He begged. It's a rare sight; Matt isn't the type of person who let his emotions get the better of him. I looked away and gulped down the uneasy feeling rising on my body. "I would be the happiest man if I'm going to be a father but.." He inhaled sharply before he cupped my face and made me looked at him, straight in the eyes. "But we both know that isn't possible."
I closed my eyes and cried harder. His hand tightened but it doesn't matter. I am deeply sorry but that cannot turn back time and changed anything. "I'm so sorry." I whispered. "Forgive me." I pleaded just as Matt's tears fell on his face. It's heartbreaking to see and all I can do is cover my mouth. "Is it Jack's?" He spits the name with utter bitterness. I didn't respond. He clicked his tongue and laugh sarcastically. He pushed his hair back in place while staring into the cliff. "H-how?" He asked slowly.
"It hurts knowing you cheated but Lauren..." He turned to me and fished out something from the side pocket of his pants. I cried more when I saw what it was. I broke down on my knees and muttered the word sorry a couple of times.
"But it hurts so much more that you cheated with Jack. Lauren, he's getting married to your best friend! How could you do this to Roni and me?"
I shook my head, still unable to say something. He screamed his heart out and it echoed on the cliff. He kicked the rocks out of frustration. I can feel him gasping while crying and it broke my heart again.
"What did I do to make you feel like this? Wasn't I enough, huh?" He screamed at me. I moved backwards a little while shaking my head. "You could've at least told me. Fuck!" He uttered amidst his harsh intake of air. He was about to say something when his eyes widened in disbelief. The ring fell on the ground while he froze. With a trembling hand, I turn around. A huge monster appeared right outside the cave and my heart immediately pounded on my chest. It's daylight. That's not possible. How come there's a werewolf?
"Lauren, run!"
Matt shouted but it was too late, the monster had snatched me away even before he can hold my hand. I winced in pain but was covered in a cloud-like subconscious. But it's all clear to me. Matt's desperate calls subsided and the darkness slowly crawled down my body. Is this the judgment for my sin? I'm going to die without ever telling Jack about our baby. And I can't live so see Matt again. I hope they make it out safe.
"Wake up, Dr. Lauren." A creepy voice whispered against my ear. I opened my eyes and sat up when I felt pain on my neck. I raised my hand to touch it but the metals clang. Both of my hands are chained up on either side of the wooden pillar and when it hit the marble floor, it made a sound. "You're finally awake." Said the same voice. "Who's there?" I asked before blinking my eyes. My sight is slowly going back and when it does, I saw a young maiden in a white satin dress that is filled with blood stains. She moved closer and bended down so we're eye to eye. Her eyes are yellow and it's the same as the monster who grabbed me. I moved backwards but the chain pulled me. She smirked before standing up straight.
"Dr. Lauren Mae Breiner." She hummed.
"How did you know my name?" I asked. She grinned wider before walking around me, surveying me. "How did you know my name?" I asked again, a little louder. She stopped in front of me and pulled a syringe under her sleeve.
"What is that? What are you going to do to me?" Panic rises and I turned pale when she moved closer to me. I tried to pull my hand but I grimaced. The chain hugged my skin and it's hard to break through.
"Don't come closer." I warned but she didn't even listen. She cupped my face with her other hand and I was forced to stand up.
"I'm going to turn you into a far more superior being than a human." She whispered. I shook my head and begged for her mercy. She laughed creepily as she pointed the syringe to my face. "Don't you want to avenge your child?" She asked with a hint of joy glistening to her eyes. I felt the whole world stopped and my ears deafened at her remarks. Sure I wasn't sure whether I'll keep the baby or not but hearing her say that makes my heart ache so much more.
"Don't you want to take revenge on Dr. Veronica? Who's the main reason why you're all here?" She moved me down and her hot breath hit my neck when she moved a little closer. "Doesn't your blood boil in anger when you think of how your life might be easier if Dr. Veronica doesn't exist?"
It does.
"Would everything turned to normal if Dr. Jack loses Veronica?"
It would.
"I'll give you strength to end her life. Kill her." She muttered with an evil laugh after. I felt something sparks from within me and slowly, my lips crept into a smile. "Kill Dr. Veronica and see to it that she doesn't survive." She whispered once more. I nodded slowly before arching my brow.
"With pleasure." I muttered sweetly and in a blink of an eye, she pushed the syringe down on my shoulder. Veronica. I will make sure you'll pay for everything. This is all your fault and Jack is mine! Mine alone!
"Any last words?" I uttered while smiling. Roni is suffering and it's a view to witness. I smiled wider before tightening my grip around her neck. "Did you feel this pain too?" I whispered. "I'm sorry for everything. I hope you'll forgive me." Roni muttered amidst not being able to breathe properly. I clenched my jaw and growled at her. She doesn't have the right to ask me that! And why am I being affected?!
"Jack loves you."
A tear immediately fell from my eye. Jack loves me? Impossible. What he wanted was just lust and not Love. When we were in Paris, he always talked about her. He even called her when we cuddled to sleep. I growled and throw her to the other side of the cage. She fell badly and my heart skipped a beat. I shook away the irrelevant feeling and grabbed her when she tried to escape.
"I may not—." She said before gasping for more air but my hand is squeezing her neck tighter. "I may not always say this but I love you. I am thankful to have you as my best friend." She slowly muttered. "Goodbye, Lauren."
Roni fell unconscious and I panicked. I let her go but I immediately hugged her to my arms before turning back to human again. I hugged her closer to me. "No. Roni, wake up. No." I whispered. I tapped her cheek lightly but she isn't responding. "Roni, wake up." I called but she didn't even flinch.
"Good job, Lauren." Luna whispered before checking Roni's pulse. I turned pale as I realized what I did. "She isn't breathing but her pulse is still active." She then turned to me with anger boiling down her face. "I told you to finish her!" She screamed at my face. I shook my head. I can't. I can't hurt Roni.
"Useless." Luna said before she kicked me in the stomach. I grunted before I slammed away. "I guess you'll be joining your friends after all." She uttered nonchalantly before dragging Roni by the hand. I sat up and tried to stop her but before I can even transform to a werewolf, her guards had knocked me down unconscious. And when I opened them again, I'm in the same room and with the same metal chains that hang from the pillars but I'm not alone. In front of are Jack, Prim, Art and Matt. I bit my lip and cried of relief. Thank goodness! They are all alive.
"Matt!" I whispered. They're all sleeping soundly on the marble floor and even though I called them a couple of times, they didn't wake up. I tried to shake my hands and the chain followed my movements. It made a low clang sound. "Matt." I called again. I spread my legs and extended as far as I can to reach his torso. But I stopped when the familiar sensation bit my skin. I also tried to transform but to no avail.
"Lauren?"
I glanced at my right and saw Art blinking until his eyes adjusted to the surroundings. His eyes landed on mine once more before he jolted upwards. "Lauren!" He muttered in disbelief. "You're alive." He looks so surprise but I'll save the details later.
"Oh, shit. Why are we tied down here?" He asked when he noticed the chains and handcuff on his hands. Unlike me, Art can't move properly because his hands are handcuffed together.
"What happened? Why are you all here?" I asked him. He stilled for a second, remembering something until his face drained a pale color. Art shook his head and momentarily closed his eyes before looking back at me again.
"Roni sacrificed herself for us to escape but we were cornered by the female alpha and before we can even run, she snatched us away." He answered. "I don't know why we're here or why they didn't devour us yet." Art added before he slowly leaned on the pillar.
"How did you survive?" He asked quietly. I averted my gaze before muttering, "It's a long story but probably the same reason why she didn't devour you." I whispered.
"Have you seen Roni? Is she here?" He asked. I took a deep breath and was about to answer when the double doors opened and Luna comes in. She's smiling from ear to ear and she brought two eight feet werewolves on her side. Art started to shake while I fisted my hands.
"Seems like some of you are still asleep." She muttered before gesturing to the werewolves. The two nodded at her before advancing. I shook my head before standing up. "What are you going to do?" I asked. She pressed her fingers to her lips as the wolves bit Jack and Matt on their necks. Art screamed in horror while I gasped and looked away. The other then bit Prim and she immediately grimaced. Their eyes sprung open. "What did you do?" I gritted my teeth at Luna who's enjoying the bloody view. When she ordered for them to stop, they soon left the room.
"Now that everyone's awake." She said rather cheerfully. Matt coughed while holding on to his wound. I badly wanted to help him. I pulled my hands from the chain and it moved a little. Luna turned to me with a grin.
"You can't break it my dear. It is made out of silver." She said a matter of fact. "You bitch! Let my friends go!" I screamed. I pulled my arms again but my bones made a cracked sound. "Why didn't you kill us?" Art asked with a low voice.
"As much as I want to but I have a rather brilliant plan and you'll be a great use." She answered. Jack coughed and blood gushed out from his mouth. His breathing became slow. "What did you do?!" I asked. "Why are you so concern about him, dear? Aren't you this man's girlfriend?" She asked before pulling Matt's hair. Matt screamed in pain. "Damn you!" I shouted with frustration. Luna let him go in a second while laughing.
"R-Roni." Jack whispered. "Where is she?" He asked while keeping his eyes open. He's losing much blood than the others! "Luna!" I called in pain. She ignored me instead; she gave Jack her full attention. She knelt down in front of him and slowly cupped his face.
"Poor man. Do you really want to see your lover again?" She asked. Jack weakly nodded his head. "But I'm afraid I can't guarantee that you can still call her Roni." She uttered. Art and I looked at her with a creased forehead. She signaled at someone and in a few seconds, the wall slowly rose up. I gasped and couldn't talk for a moment. My knees shake and I fell down on the floor while covering my mouth. Art stilled for a moment, unable to keep his eyes off the other room. Matt and Prim looked at it too and they froze. Jack, who's unable to breathe properly, tried his best to search where Roni is. His eyes widened in disbelief. Luna laughed once more.
"W-what did you do?" I asked, my voice shaking. "I gave her the taste of her own medicine." She answered. I bit my lip to stop myself from stifling a cry. "Her blood shows a remarkable restraint over the serum so she wasn't able to transform into a werewolf." Luna explained.
"WHAT DID YOU DO? LUNA!" Jack screamed while crying. Luna enjoyed our reactions and was having the best time of her life. She asked the werewolf something and a few seconds later, Roni is screaming in pain. Two werewolves hit her with a thick wood. Roni agonized while the hitting continued. "STOP!" Jack pleaded. "Just stop, please."
My heart broke into two but I shake my head. This is what I expected and I have no right to say something or stop him. "It won't kill her. Unless we ripped her to pieces." Luna said without care. "Now, I hope you're enjoying the view as much as I do." Art immediately pulled Luna's leg after she said it but she managed to dodge him.
"Roni!" Jack called. Roni screamed louder this time and blood drips from her body. Luna didn't order them to stop and its torture. I closed my eyes while crying. "Baby…" Jack whispered. "She looks human but she isn't." Luna shouted at us. I opened my eyes and stare at her intensely. She will never get away with this. "Veronica's blood cells didn't mutate like us but she evolved into something far more dangerous." She then raised her hand and one of the werewolves carried a human girl. She's screaming and crying but there's no use. "Now watch how your dear little friend becomes a monster."
The two werewolves stopped hitting her. They tied the girl into chains like us and when Roni heard her crying, she raised her head. Roni stare at the girl while her eyes changed into crimson. She pulled the chain that bind her and immediately bit the girl on the pulse. Roni's wound healed in an instant while she continued drinking the girl's blood. We were all surprised, shock and horrified to even say something. I can't believe it. Roni closed her eyes and let go when the girl drop dead on the ground. She licked the blood on her hands before she turned towards our direction. Her eyes turned back to blue. She passed out in an instant.
"I wouldn't mind letting you guys go but would you leave her behind? I mean she's different and she'll probably kill you on the spot but that depends on you guys." Luna said before leaving. The wall fell down slowly, closing the room. For a few moments, no one dared to speak. Prim fainted while Matt is unconscious.
Jack cried while praying and even though he's in pain, he didn't mind it. His love for Roni is far too great and I don't think he'll leave her alone. Art is silently thinking hard. Like Jack, Roni is important in his life and he doesn't want to leave her here. I bit my lips before taking a deep breath. If I didn't run away and just told Matt the truth on my turf, we may have gotten out of this place, unscratched. And now I'm a monster too while Roni became a hybrid that looks far stronger than the werewolves. My eyes widened.
"Let's get out of here." I muttered. "How about Roni? I won't leave her behind." Art immediately said. I shook my head. "We're going to bring her back." I uttered with finality. "How?" Jack asked. "I'm certain Roni isn't fully conscious when she did what she did awhile ago. We just have to make sure she won't bit us." I added.
"There's a possibility that we can't go out alive." Art whispered. Jack took a deep breath. "We might die here anyways. I'd rather fight for our lives." He said. "We'll move tomorrow morning, when they're asleep. We need to make sure your wounds will be covered."
They both nodded at me. I nodded back at them. This is an unsure plan but I would rather try than stay here. I don't want Roni to kill anyone, she's been in deep pain and adding another one up will definitely kill her soul. So I'm going to make sure she'll live. I don't care if I don't survive, I just want to make things right.