THE KNIGHT IN THE DARK (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

As I arrived at the house, I went upstairs and went straight to my room. I shut the door, crawled into bed, and cried a lot. I lay down and stared at the ceiling, astonished. I want to go home. I'd like to return to our former village. Or anyplace else far away from here. Then all of a sudden, I heard a noise coming from outside of my room. I quickly wiped my tears away when I noticed that the doorknob to my room had twisted.

"Catherine," my aunt Nely called me.

I didn't say anything to her. After entering, she opened and closed the door behind her. It's no surprise that she readily unlocked my room because she had the key and has been a maid here for a long time. Mrs. Zoldic had already entrusted her with everything.

I stood up and leaned against the headboard of my bed. Aunty Nely then sat quietly by the side of my bed.

"Is something going on? The driver mentioned outside that you were anxious when he spotted you on the road. The university even contacted us to inform us that you did not attend your other classes," she stated. I sobbed quietly. I crept closer to her.

"Aunty Nely, tell me the truth. Is it just me, or am I the only one? Am I the only normal person here!" I inquired, my eyes welling up. My question caused her eyes to widen.

"How did you know that?" she worriedly inquired.

"I nearly got in trouble earlier! Why!? Why have you brought me here!? Please tell me the truth! I'm the only one who's normal here, right!? Like a normal person with... damn it!" I feel furious. I respect my aunt, but in my current situation, I can't simply remain silent. She burst into tears and held me.

"It's just you and me, Catherine." What she said astounded me. I jumped out of bed as quickly as I could.

"Let's get out of here. Far away from here." Aunt Nely instantly shook her head, which made me even more concerned.

"We can't leave here, Catherine. We're on the secluded island of Isla Bakunawa. Catherine, this island is only visible during a lunar eclipse. And you know how long that will take," Aunt Nely explained, regretfully.

That's why she forced me to sleep on the boat that night. I even wondered why it was so dark when we traveled, and yet I ignored that on our way here.

My heart beat was pounding so fast. Everything is getting clearer to me. This must be the reason why she always avoids telling me which island she works on? I gathered myself and sat dejectedly on the floor.

"That's impossible! You go home once a week or twice a month, depending on how long you are away. That won't take years to travel!" I inquired, perplexed.

Aunt Nely rose and took a seat in front of me. She tenderly stroked my hands, including my wet face from my own tears.

"Every time they send me home, I have no idea where they take me. Every time I travel, my eyes are blindfolded, and Mrs. Zoldic is with me at all times. I fell asleep as well, Catherine, especially when I brought you here," she narrated. I rose up and shook my head.

I'm desperate to get out of here! I ran to the door and opened it, only to see Mrs. Zoldic standing in front of me. I, too, lost my balance and fell to the floor.

"What's going on, Nely?" Mrs. Zoldic turned to face my aunt and even assisted me to stand up.

"Madam, my niece is simply exhausted. She's not used to the way things work at university. Perhaps she just needs to relax."

My aunt defended me and turned to face me. Aunt Nely wanted me to ignore what's going on. I gulped a little and nodded slowly against my will. Mrs. Zoldic simply smiled and exited my room first. Before closing the door, my aunt Nely flashed me a warning glance. I screamed for help inside me but no words tried to come out from my mouth.

When they're gone. I stepped carefully out of my room, closing the door behind me. Before ultimately leaving the house, I had to look in both hallways to see if no one was around.

I continued to walk carefully until I finally went outside the mansion. I don't want to be here any longer. I wish to get away from this perilous place. As I moved past the house, a lush forest opened out in front of me. My heart continued to beat and my breathing continued to become heavy as I passed the clumps of vines blocking my path.

"Catherine..." the wind murmured softly to me. I looked around, but there was no one there.

"Catherine..." the voice said again in the abyss. I followed the voice wherever it went.

A paradise-like garden opened up to me when I removed another vine that was covering my pathway. I was surrounded by many varieties of flowers that I had never seen before in my life. There is also a huge river visible at its end. I was particularly struck by the length of the branches of the trees that were around me. I was pleased with what I saw because it was my first visit to such a beautiful place like this.

I came upon a river while strolling and almost held my breath because I was so happy. I felt like I was looking into a mirror because of the clarity of the water. But, in the midst of my joy, I heard my name called again.

"Catherine..." muttered an anonymous voice again, as if it had just been whispered in the breeze. What I saw on the opposite side of the river left me speechless. I took a deep breath and covered my lips with my left palm. I was also taken aback by the amount of surprise.

"It isn't true!" I spoke loudly into the void.

The things I see in my dreams are the same ones I see in my waking life. I didn't think twice about fleeing while turning my back. Because of my fear, my body appears to be convulsing. Something hit me in an instant, causing me to fall to the grass, and the pain caused me to close my eyes tightly. I was about to open my eyes when I was taken aback. When I thought something heavy had hit me, my entire body went numb.

"Stay by my side, Catherine..." he whispered in my ear, and I felt his gentle hand caress my lips. I couldn't open my eyes even if I wanted to. Something about him made my fear go, and I abruptly lost consciousness.

“CATHERINE!”

When my aunt called out loudly, my eyes widened. I was stunned for a few seconds when I saw her face. It's all a far-fetched fantasy. I was suddenly confused.

"Catherine? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yes, yes!" I simply responded.

She smiled briefly and exited my room. I jumped out of bed right away. My bed cover was filthy and strewn with fallen leaves and flower petals, which astonished me. My forehead wrinkled. I can't remember how the hell I got back here, like something had pulled me back here. I look at the ancient watch hanging on the wall. It's already night, which is surprising given it was still morning when I went out there. And I vividly recall what he said to me. 'Stay at my side, Catherine,' he says. I embraced myself and bit my lower lip. Whoever he was, he calmed my anxious heart and removed my intense fear.