Blue Crescent

Dear Diary

I was born from the bloodline of vampires and werewolves. But because the supernatural world was suppressed, my mother died in childbirth. Most supernatural beings who gave birth after the “blood war” died of delivering their babies the way humans do. What was natural for humans didn’t work for me and my ancestors. Unable to accept his loss, my father blamed me for my mother's death and left me at the orphanage. In fact, I didn’t have any idea what he looked like.

Fast forward, I grew up at Little Oaks—the only orphanage in town where I met Maddison, a sickly six-year-old girl, who was a year younger than me. Maddison was fragile and shy. Unlike me, all of the kids wouldn’t want to befriend her. She would lock herself in her room and peep through the window, watching us as we laugh, dance, and sing under the sun.

One afternoon, I caught her watching us playing with other children. Her eyes reflected the loneliness in her heart. I invited her to join us, but one of the kids opposed and called her “ugly.” I could feel her pain as she closed the curtains and hid away.

Fifteen years later, we became the best of friends which made the other teenagers hate me for it. I would always defend her like a sister from anyone who bullied her. One day, I found a foster family, and it broke our hearts to be away from each other. Nevertheless, I promised to visit her and keep our connection. My new home became a new-found paradise of freedom filled with so much love and affection.

It was with them that I celebrated my birthdays with real celebration. Well, the people in the orphanage would greet me “happy birthday” once a year, but I didn’t know that there was something more than saying those empty words. Matter of fact, my parents seemed to celebrate my birthday every single day. There were plenty of food, music, and laughter with lots of kisses, cuddles, and “I love you’s.” It was then that I found the reason for living.

The unexplainable feeling made me forget Maddison, and I started to dismiss her from my thoughts. I have thought of nothing but my parents in my new world since then. My new world drowned me in selfishness and insecurity, and I didn’t want anyone near my parents. Yet, the happiest days of my life turned into an endless nightmare and torture on my sixteenth birthday. I started to crave for blood.

My sixteenth birthday was the happiest and the most heartbreaking part of my life. It was the day I almost killed my adoptive mom when I saw her bleed, holding the knife while cutting apples. Hours before midnight, my senses started to heighten. I could hear the most inaudible sound, my speed became extraordinary, and I could smell anything no matter what the distance was.

I couldn’t understand what was happening. I was struggling for control, but I eventually gave in to my hunger and thirst for blood. I ran away into the woods and fed on a stranger. Ah, it was the most satisfying feeling ever. Human blood tasted sweeter than honey, and I couldn’t stop myself wanting for more so I fed on countless humans since then.

Turning into the vampire that I am was unexplainable, but I couldn’t stop myself thinking about the legend of the blood war that was passed from generation to generation. It was said that after the blood war, all supernatural beings were stripped off from their powers and became ordinary humans in the hands of the ultimate beast. This beast took all of our powers and was told to rise again after hundreds of centuries. All the supernatural species loathed this beast, and that includes me. If it wasn’t because of this evil beast, my mother could have lived longer. My father couldn’t have thrown me into an orphanage.

Oh, how I wanted to smash that beast! If given the chance, I would never think twice taking its pathetic life. I would love to see my bare hands around its neck, breaking it and sucking its blood, and I would never stop until I see it on its knees begging for mercy.

This legendary monster caused all the pain and sorrow in the supernatural world and all the species in it for depriving us from our rights to live. My unexpected transformation had endangered my foster parents, and it pained me a lot like hell. I couldn’t be with them knowing that the urge for blood was in my veins. I feared that one day I might take their lives in my own hands, and I could never forgive myself if that happens.

- Emma

“Ah, I miss you mom, dad.“ I took a deep breath before putting the pen down and closing my diary.

I opened the drawer and put the journal inside it before standing up. Grabbing my jacket, I opened the window and took off into the night.

***

Maddison

“Mom, I really love your cooking.”

“I know how much you love my cooking, sweetie. But do not talk when your mouth is full like I always told you,” Mom said with a laugh.

“You gotta listen to your mom, Maddie. Mommy knows best,” Dad said. “Your mom cooks the best chicken soup in the world.”

“I know, I know.” Mom said, nodding.

I couldn’t explain the happiness every time I see my parents smile and laugh. Heck, I could still feel the guilt for being such a brat sometimes. Thinking of giving them time together, I went outside the house after finishing my dinner.

I looked at the sky and was amazed at the shining stars flooding the vast space above me. As the air got colder, I decided to join my parents’ chit chat but was distracted by the sense of having somebody’s eyes on me. I turned around and walked towards the front gate but found no one.

Thinking that it was probably just my imagination, I went back inside the house and locked the door.

I couldn't stop myself watching the most precious human beings glow with happiness and love, but my mind was telling me that danger was lurking outside.