THE KNIGHT IN THE DARK (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

MOCHA and I didn't speak during the whole class. She didn't even glance at me like nothing happened earlier. I turned to look at Zairan. I was very surprised when he also looked at me. I immediately averted my eyes.

"Don't pay attention to him," said Mocha. I just nodded slowly.

Until the signal for the end of our class rang. We only have school until morning. At noon, Mocha and I went for a walk. Whenever I was hungry, we would go up to the library and hide in a corner. She told me that she was the only one using the library so no one would see me while eating normal food. And that helps me a lot during my stay here. Mocha was careful to hide my identity. But something inside me feels like she was hiding something from me too.

"Mocha, how did you know about this drink?" I pointed to the package when I drank it which if you look at it looks like a package of blood. Mocha was slightly stunned by what I asked.

"From my master," she replied sparingly. I wanted to ask her more but suddenly the color of her eyes changed. The color of her eyes turned yellow, like the eyes of a snake. They are really different. I took my journal from my bag. This morning I just started writing about vampires.

"What is that?" I looked up at her question.

"I'm writing about the history of vampires. The do's and don'ts as well," I answered with a smile.

"What for?" Mocha asked again.

"So that I know what I should do in case you are gone," I answered. She just shrugged and continued reading.

"Ahm..." my mouth opened hesitantly.

"If you want to ask something, I will answer if it is not beyond my limitations," she said. My lips twitch a little.

"What happened to her? The person Zairan is referring to this morning?" I began to close my eyes because she might not like my question. Mocha folds the book she read.

“Five hundred years ago, you were not the first to stumble upon this place. Cedrick, Zairan and I were best friends, as well as Ren...” she answered and opened the book she was holding again. I remained silent.

“Ren is so kind, jolly, friendly and an outgoing person. He treated Zairan and me like sisters and brothers. But she suddenly disappeared when the Zoldics took her...” Her voice was filled with resentment.

"Not a day goes by that we don't stop searching for her. We always go back and forth in the big house where we last saw her. But unfortunately, we were told that Ren died inside that house but I didn't give up, until Zairan gave up voluntarily and lost hope. Because of that, Zairan and I went our separate ways. Until now, I still can't accept that Catherine. I don't believe Ren is gone and I know she will come back to this place again," Mocha said with a saddened tone. I gently caressed her shoulder to somehow make her feel better.

"Go home Catherine," she said and pulled me upright. I nodded to her sparingly. She took me to the university fence. As far as I know, only the Zoldic's house is far away from the village. That's what my aunt said too.

“Mocha?” I called. She slightly turned towards me.

"You really think Ren is still alive? But she's not a vampire." She smiled sparingly.

"Catherine, Ren is immortal, so it's impossible for her to be alive until now. I hope so," she answered and walked away.

I was stunned for a moment by what she said. I was very surprised to learn that. That it is possible to become immortal without being like vampires who need to drink blood. At the thought I was slightly stunned and turned around. I didn't even realize how far I had walked because of the depth of my thoughts. I glanced at my watch, because until now I haven't seen my aunt Nely. Maybe she can't make it.

I started walking again. The steps of my feet were heavy and the daylight passed so fast. Until my path has been covered in darkness and only the light of the moon is helping me to see where I am going.

"Where are you aunty Nely?" I whispered in the void. I hold onto my bag pack tightly. Inexplicably, I suddenly felt nervous. I looked around me while continuing to walk straight home.

I stopped suddenly because some creature was watching me hidden in the bushes. My chest was pounding and I felt like my knees were going weak. I tried to take a step but something rustled again behind the grass. I was very surprised when two werewolves barked right in front of me.

"My God!" I said and started running down the narrow road.

I'm out of my mind. All I want is to go home immediately. As I was running fast, I suddenly tripped over the protruding root of the tree I passed, causing me to trip. I was especially shocked by what I saw because it was only two feet away from me. I'm sweating profusely and I feel like I'm going to pass out from sheer fear. Its sharp claws, its ferocious appearance, its terrifying growl and its blade-like fangs scared me even more. I think this is the end of me!

I closed my eyes tightly but I was surprised when suddenly everything around me became quiet. I slowly opened my eyes and was just as surprised to see him again, right here in front of me. I also noticed that two werewolves were knocked down at its feet. The man wearing the black jacket and the one who seems to be hiding here, is the one who saved me. Out of my sanity, I quickly stood up and hugged him. I cried so much because I was so scared. I thought that's the end of me.

He didn't move but later on, I could feel the movement of his arms and reached my waist. I felt like something was flying inside my stomach when I felt the cold coming from his hand. Then he suddenly carried me up like he was just carrying a baby. I held on tightly to his neck and gently pressed my face to the side of his neck. I don't know why I feel so relieved about him, despite being a stranger. What perplexed me is that I couldn't even see his full face. He was quiet while he was carrying me.

"Who are you?" I asked weakly. But I got no answer from him. I gasped for air. In the blink of an eye, we immediately arrived near the Zoldic's mansion. He gently put me down and turned away.

“Wait a minute!” I called. He stopped walking.

"How can I get back at you? I mean, how can I return your kindness for saving me?" I dare to ask even though I might not be capable of giving something to him in return. In an instant, I could feel his approach to my waist and his cold lips touching my lips. That kiss also lasted five seconds and I was stupid because I was able to count it! It gave up after five seconds of kissing me and suddenly he disappeared in front of me.

"Catherine! My God! What are you doing here outside? Why did you come home without me!” Aunty Nely woke me up from my stupor.

"Yes?" I confusedly asked. All of a sudden, she caressed my cheeks and hugged me.

“My God Catherine! Forgive me," she said while crying.

"Aunty, I'm fine."

"I'm just so worried, Catherine. Come on, let's go inside." I nodded my head and held my aunt's hands to support her until we got inside the mansion.

"Mrs. Zoldic is not home yet?" I asked because I'm curious. My aunt slowly nodded.

"I'm going to prepare our dinner. Are you really sure that you're okay Catherine?" My Aunty Nely asked me again. Looks like she was doubting me since I was not myself a while ago.

I nodded slightly.

"I'm just going to change my dress," I replied and immediately entered my room. I gently leaned the weight of my body on the door. I still wonder who he is, and why he is doing all this.

"Catherine, the table is ready," aunt Nely called me. I stood up straight and quickly changed my clothes. I also spent a few minutes fixing myself. After that, I immediately left my room and went to the kitchen. It looks like the two of us were only having dinner because there are only two dishes on the table.

"Sit down, Catherine," aunt Nely said to me. I nodded and sat down next to her. When I sat down, aunt Nely and I were both stunned by the loud crash we heard on the fourth floor. I stood up and turned my gaze to the stairs.

"Catherine, just stay here," she ordered me, which surprised me a lot. Like she wasn't even surprised to hear that noise coming from the fourth floor of the mansion. Aunt Nely suddenly stood up and headed to the stairs.

"Where are you going?" I asked. She looked at me when she suddenly started climbing the stairs.

“I just have to do something upstairs. Go eat first," she explained and quickly went upstairs.

I stood up and followed my aunt because of my curiosity. I headed to the staircase, but I was very surprised when Mrs. Zoldic's two men suddenly blocked me. I took a step back and hesitantly went back to the dining table. I am really curious what's going on upstairs but how can I do that when I'm right away blocked by these two men. I have a hunch we're not the only ones living here and I'm going to find out who that is.