ILLIANNAH SOPHIA'S POINT OF VIEW.
I'm awestruck by how big this place is. It is ginormous on the inside, and I bet the outside is too. Though on the outside, you can only see the front, since it is in the middle of the forest, the other parts of the lot are covered with a thick line of fully grown forest trees.
Nana's mansion couldn't be compared to this, as it has compounds of buildings. There's one building in front, which is where the front desk is, it's big enough that it can be mistaken for a gymnasium. It is where these unfamiliar drawings were written. The name of the said camp is also carved on the building's front walls, having cursive as its font. The word 'Eudoxia Castra' fits perfectly, as it is also tinted with gold, matching the color scheme of this place.
There's a building on the left part of the lot too, leaving this building in front of us in the middle of everything. It can be classified as the gymnasium as it has a gate in its ginormous doors. It's like a covered court but I think that that place can fit three basketball courts in there. I can see some things inside of the gym, even if it's far away from me. There are bleachers, and a hoop, but there are tables too, and a net. There's this small basket but I can't see what's inside since it's too far away from my sight. The building is also in the black and white color scheme, and the word 'Eudoxia Castra' is also carved on the front wall above the entrance.
There's also a tall building with many floors on the right-hand part of the lot. It is painted white and gray, the window's being clear with gold outlines. I'm guessing that this building would be the dormitories. The said dorm has two different structures, being conjoined by the means of this bridge-of-a-room. I think it serves as a bridge for the two dorms, but it is a room, having a cube outline. It stretches from the high end of one part of the said building to the high end of the other one. It also faces the east part of the forest, having the view of pink and yellow streaks of light at dawn before the sun rises in the morning.
The Open field in front of the gate separating these said buildings is too big for comparison, it's not a walking distance as you'll be exhausted when you circle this place. It is mostly covered in grass, except for the pathways which are cemented and some are laid with bricks. there is a symbol in the middle, embedded in the grass. There's a nonagon-shaped symbol in the middle, having the color of blood, then yellow and slim triangles pointing at the middle of these nine sides. There is a white flower in the middle, and I think that is a poppy. The outline of the field, as far as I can see, are golden-colored potted plants.
The ambiance is really– really creepy though. It's dark since it's nighttime, add to the fact that it is a Howl Night, having a red moon. But since we're not normal humans, we can still see perfectly at pitch black, but there are pathway lamps here, and tiny ground lights to help us see the entirety of the place. Howl Night makes all werewolves and other wolf creatures transform into rogue monsters, as at these times, they can't control their animal sides. You'll be targeted when you're a vampire since even until back then, wolves and bats don't mix. You can't place us vampires and werewolves in one room as there is a long, ongoing conflict between these said creatures.
The red light illuminating from the red moon makes this place even scarier as we're literally in the middle of the forest. The fact that we don't even want to be here, and we don't even know what we would do here, makes this place terrifying. The howls of these said creatures outside the perimeter of this place make it more obvious that they're just waiting for someone to jump those tall walls and become their next prey.
Howl moon is like 'our' Blood moon. It gives these us vampires the abilities at their peak level, leading to us not having full control over our senses. But that only affects weak vampires… yes that includes me. But, the Blood moon happens once every five years, the Howl moon, however, occurs every six months. There's a difference there. Also, werewolves have more control over themselves during the said event, as it happens more often to them.
Today's date makes me question my safety, and that every other vampire in here too.
Why would this school hold their registration and enrollment during a Howl Moon? just for the clout? for the vibe? or maybe, so no one would dare to take escape measures?. They're crazy if that's true!. Just to ensure the student's compliance, they'd even put them in danger? The heck?!
I looked around and examined the people that surrounded me. We were thrown outside the building and hence, were at the entrance, an open place for us to be stared at. The students around us are giving each of us 'the stare'. Of course, they would know who we are, Chelsea herself would give it off.
The people here have different emotions; anger, sadness, shock, some are terrified and some were smiling, even if that's just for show. Some people try to console other people or friends, but given the dark and sad aura of this place, crying and being scared isn't a bad thing. You can't deny that almost all of us here are forced to come, not willingly or by the choices we've made ourselves.
The fact that this place would be our so-called home for the next year makes me want my old self back. It makes me ponder about the times I choose to think about my old place, old self, and old mum and dad, as the worst things I could have. Now that just made me think that I am one ungrateful brat. I don't have the best life just a few hours ago, but who would think that being a vampire isn't the worst place I could be? It is this camp. Even if I hate my time as a vampire, and have always wished to be back as a human, I'd choose to be one bloodsucking creature that to stay a day over at this place.
"My mother hugged me one last time, but dad didn't. I can sense that he doesn't want to leave me here either. But seeing the elder's seal in that document and my name printed?, I figured that he doesn't have a choice." One girl said and sobbed into her friend. I heard her friend shushing her and patting her back. I've been listening to them since I can, I know that they're not near but hearing them with my enhanced senses makes them not too far from where I am standing.
" Wouldn't this place be fun?. I mean look around, it's dark… creepy… and the lady earlier was… weird. Also! my twin is finally panicking! haha. He hasn't even shown me that face for about 15 years now. That's way– way back when he first wet the bed." One boy said, having a forced laugh after that.
I can hear many more conversations but choose not to listen, as my cousins started arguing… again. I scoffed at their responses to each other and the fact that they even choose that at this very moment, they'd fight with each other rather than find a way to escape. I don't know?…maybe, something… think of a way to get our butts away from trouble, which is this place.
I coughed once… twice and even louder the third time, but they didn't even care to look at me. "How?! are you really out of your mind! we're in the middle of nowhere! Nowhere! Our iPhones are freaking dead! and Oh my ghod, I haven't posted an update!" Chelsea shouted at them, which then led to chains of reaction.
They're in the middle of the doorway so other people here can't even go inside the building if they wanted to. That's one rule of being a vampire, don't try and meddle in other vampires' business, you might get your neck snapped without much fight. There are many more rules, but it sure is exhausting to tell and discuss them all.
A 'light bulb' appears in my mind after thinking stupid ideas for some time, another idea comes up, that would for sure put me in trouble, but since we're already in trouble, what's there to lose?. Since they didn't even know that I'm here, they wouldn't know that I left, right?. I mean, I'm getting second-hand embarrassment here, they're shouting at each other, getting the attention of everyone.
As I've said, this place is ginormous, but seeing that even the students from the farthest corners turn their heads towards us, my cousin's mouths and yells would be enough to cover that big-big distance. They wouldn't even budge if I pulled their hair, which in fact is a great idea but I wouldn't do it. That's immediate death if I did pull Cassandra's precious hair. Anyways, I'm gonna escape their sights and they wouldn't even feel it.
I slowly tip-toed my way away from them, not wanting any attention towards myself, I acted natural. When I think I'm far enough from them, I turn my back to the direction I'm facing and against my cousins…
"Where are you going in a place like this?!" Alexandra shouted. I stopped in my tracks and turned to her slowly, acting as naturally as possible.
What would I say?
If she knew what I'm trying to do, she would tie me around her waist and forbid me to even speak!.
I'd say that I'm going to the restroom. yeah! nothing's wrong with that?
"a-ahh, I-im g-going t-to.." I stopped when I finally turned to them and saw that none of them were looking in my direction.
"It's a dumb idea Arman! as dumb as your pea brain! can you even climb that wall? it's half of the building!" She shouted again. I breathed a sigh of relief. She's not looking at me, not talking to me, she has not seen me!. Let's continue then, operation escape the grips of Alexandra,.
I backed out again, maintaining my natural stance and walking one step at a time. My world would stop every time Alexandra would yell about something, but seeing her shouting at Cassandra would make me continue my genius plan.
A little while later, I got a fair distance away from them. I turned to the first corridor I saw. I smiled at myself and sighed, I got away, and this time, It was successful.
I breathed the fresh forest air, opened my eyes, and unconsciously stared at the big red moon moving slowly above me, hovering over anything in this world. It's creepy as hell, but seeing that it illuminates everything, the red hue that it gives… breathtaking. My eyes showed me the beauty of everything, even the things as small as the ant crawling into tiny squadrons, following their leaders. They can't even see where they are going but, they trust who's in front of them, they follow that fellow's ant scent and that causes this ants lining.
There's nothing outside the wall as it's too high for anything to breach into, but I can see the tops of the trees swaying with the breeze of tonight's peaceful wind. The grass looked different too, as the red hue of the moon's light contrasted its natural green color. The crow squawk flying over me, some are staying at the top of the wall, covering the howls of some wolves, making a melody that has a strange but soft sound to my ear. The plant's leaves on the ground rustle when the wind hits them, giving out this sensational sound, calming me for some reason.
This night happening's seems worse for me, but looking deeply into its characteristics, I found the inner beauty. Looking into the little things that these 'creepy' elements give out makes me wonder…
There's beauty in everything, it's just… not all creatures have the ability to see it. Good things wouldn't exist if the world has no impurities. You'll see the more beautiful side of everything if you wouldn't filter out the messes that makes this world an artwork. I smiled at my thoughts, not minding my closed eyes, I still walked in an unknown direction. I laid my hands out and stretched them, feeling the breeze of the wind touch my skin.
Mhmmm...
For some reason, these natural occurrences and natural little things help me calm down and temporarily forget about the situation I am in. I keep enjoying myself and walking still having my eyes closed, which is a dumb decision.
Moments later, I bumped into someone. I fall to the ground as she has a firm stand, while here I am enjoying my little alone time.
I rubbed my butt, feeling it hurt. I tried standing up and the girl that I bumped into continuously said sorry to me.
"I'm sorry... I didn't look in the way! It's just, I'm finding somebody and he escaped again, argh! and not that it matters for you but it matters for me and—, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for bumping into you, and Sorry, I'm just really talkative when I'm stressed. I'm sorry really, I'm sorry for bumping into you! I didn't see you." She said while helping me get up.
I chuckled at her stressed figure, she seemed to be one kind and joyous girl… far from me.
"It's fine... I'm sorry too. And being talkative is not a bad thing. You're finding– no, following somebody?" I asked her. Not that I can help her, given that I had my eyes closed all these times, but it's better to know.
"Ah yes! by any chance? did you see a boy? with chestnut hair like yours and has this leather jacket and black pants?. He doesn't talk to anybody, so he'd probably just pass by you. He's this tall, like tall-tall. Slim figure but great body, serious but handsome face?" She asked me back, having lots of body movements. I chuckled again, her expressions made me laugh. Maybe that boy is her boyfriend so she's that stressed to find him, pft. She's so protective of him, what a lucky guy.
I started to sense footsteps towards me, and even though the scent was faint, I know for sure that, that was Alexandra and the others. I fixed my stance and prepared my ears for her lessons.
"I didn't actually, I'll tell you if I do. By any chance, who do I find when in any case I do find him?" I said to her smiling.
"I'm Illiannah. You?" I told her my name and laid my hands for a shake. This is a very different personality from me, and for some reason, she makes my friendly side out. I smiled again, looking at her so-sweet face, innocent and kind.
"Oh. I'm Blair! Thena Blair Nightblood! Nice to meet you!" She said, accepting my laid hands for a shake.
I froze hearing her surname. I just looked at her, who's now so happy shaking my hand. I didn't move an inch as I pondered over what she just mentioned.
A Nightblood?. But she looks so kind and friendly. That face is not what I expected from my family's mortal enemy. Her innocent face makes me giggle and chuckle, but hearing that she's from my most hated clan, my friendly intentions suddenly back out, and a cold and blank expression pushes out from me.
I backed out from her, firmly taking my hands away from her grip. She looked so kind and friendly, she even made me happy, and yet here I am being rude as ever when she mentioned where she is from.
She panicked when she saw me change. I looked at her scared face and felt my mind fight over. She's not the type to kill, or hurt anybody.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
I told myself that quote over and over. Even if she looks kind and friendly like a bunny, soft and fluffy, she can still bite.
"Why? What's wrong is somebody here?!, who-where-what?" She said panicking. I stared at her, who immediately posed as if she was about to fight. She blocked herself in front of me and her hands protecting me from this so-called attacker. She is 'protecting' me, a Hargrove, her enemy too.
I stood there like a complete idiot. She turns to me confused, not finding the attacker she's been panicking at. She tilted her head at me, trying to find answers in my eyes. I looked down at the ground and talked to her.
"A N-Nightblood?" I stuttered and looked at her again, who was now deeply confused. I can easily read her and seeing that she has mixed emotions toward me, makes me think about my actions toward her.
A Nightblood, being concerned for a Hargrove? Is this a trick? a Plot? I don't know. I'm confused and thinking of it makes my thoughts jumble in my brain.
"Who me? Yeah, I'm Thena Blair Nightblood, I just told you that." She said, moving closer to me. I also stepped back when she stepped forward. That move makes her more confused, which also makes me so stressed. I can feel my eyebrows crinkle, the thoughts make my brain all stumble.
I can sense footsteps getting closer and closer, which she noticed too since she looked in the direction where the sound is. Her eyes widened, but to my confusion, there was fear in her eyes, not anger.
Her expression makes me more and more confused. I started asking what the response was. Fear over a Hargrove? not anger?. It is drilled into our brains that Nightbloods are the worst creatures ever, at this point in time I wonder, what are the Hargroves for them?.
"Why you– Illiannah!" A familiar voice shouted at me from a distance. It's Alexandra, and by the tone of her voice, I can feel and tell that she's angry.
"Who told you to go–" she is stopped when she sees Blair, which still has the expression of shock mixed with fear.
"Tch. What are you doing to her!" She shouted at her, who at this point, was even more scared. She backed out and looked at me.
"A Hargrove?" She silently muttered and pointed at me then turned to Alexandra.
Alexandra then places me on her back but I just stand there, like a bamboo… I'm standing firmly at the ground beneath me, but I'm just letting the wind swerve my movements. Just like what's happening at my present time, I do not know what to think, what I would say, or what to do.
Alexandra just shouted and shouted at Blair who didn't know what to do either. She's scared of her, and that makes me more confused about her reactions.
" Alexandra stop.." I started, she stopped at my response and looked at me with a crinkled eyebrow. I looked her dead in her eyes, which I think, shocked her.
" She didn't do anything, She can't… don't you see?" I told her, talking about Blair who's now at the peak of crying.
"She's a Nightblood Illiannah! What are you doing?" Alexandra spoke up, again, pointing at Blair.
Why is Blair scared?
Why is she not fighting nor answering back to at least protect herself?
Why is she not like the people we are told of?
What do I do with her? be angry? console her? be friendly like she is towards me?
Who tells the truth?
Who's innocent?
Who really are, the Nightbloods?
Why doesn't she fight us?
I mean she's a Nightblood is she?
Out of confusion, my brain just snaps and wants to immediately get out of there.
" She didn't do anything, let's just go!" I said to her, pulling her hands away from Blair. Blair then looked at me and her falling tears continued. There's a part of me that feels some sympathy towards her crying face.
I don't know! I don't know anymore!
I don't know what to think! It's just better to go away for now!
"What are you doing? Seriously!. You are a Hargrove and She's a Nightblood! Easy enough said!" She yelled at me, pushing me a few meters away.
I stumbled to the ground one more time. She's angry and since she's not a normal human, her push has more impact, making my body look like a ragdoll. I got thrown a few meters away from her, and I can hear a shriek, which I guess is from Blair.
Are the Nightbloods that bad for Alexandra to act like this in front of one?
I just looked at Blair's position earlier and she's just gone. I was frozen in place, as I thought about what Alexandra had just done to me. My butt hurts once again and my clothes become dirty. She pushed me so hard to the ground that I even left a mark from where I stood earlier to where I am now.
"Hey what's with the commotion?" Said Chelsea, who then gasped at the sight of me on the ground and Alexandra at the distance. I didn't bother to look at her or anyone, as I got to feel something weird, not sure of what or where it was in my body.
I tried standing up, and there I hissed at the stinging sensation of my wound. I looked at my knee and there I saw a bleeding wound. It stings and the fact that I got hurt and ended up with a wound makes me panic and fear arises in me. It is bleeding profusely and some blood even dripped into my shoes. I got a wound?. The thing is, vampires had a very high metabolism, where a scratch wouldn't even bother them as in a minute, it would be fully healed without even leaving a mark, but how come, mine's not healing or closing at least?
My eyes widened at the open and bloodied scratch. The blood… It's red, and it smells… very sweet… very human…
I'm bleeding… human blood… in a place full of vampires…
"I'm sorry– I didn't think straight.. I'll–" Alexandra said, walking in my direction.
She stopped immediately after I stood up and looked at my knee. It's bleeding, and that's a bad thing. The thing about blood, the sweet stench attracts the noses of these creatures. The fact that I am in a camp, filled with teenage vampires makes me gulp my spit rapidly.
I looked at them and shook my head, an open mouth is my only response. They're all looking at me, shocked. Earlier, out of confusion, I didn't know what to think. Now, out of panic, I don't even know what to do.
One wrong move and I'm dinner.
~ Thank you for the continuous support that all of you have been giving me. I am very happy and thankful! Thank you very muchhhhh! ~
~ Thrilllllll! Actionnnnnnn! Death? Who knows? ~