SLAVE TO THE VAMPIRE KING

HALLUCINATION OR NOT?

Samantha

Hazy gaze constructed and the clouds above me conflicted. The breathless fire erupted out of nowhere and its flame rose above the sky. Not a moment it felt like I was drawn to it, but I was going to get burned under the majestic influence. It was hot, really, really hot around me, like I was stuck in a volcano and the lava would consume me anytime. I was trying to breathe, but my windpipe got blocked, only smoke engulfed inside my lungs.

I got scared when my voice didn’t come out of my throat. All I wanted was to run away from the place and escape reality, but all I could see was a sea set on fire. Unfortunately, there was no escape from this hell. Did Satan drag me here? Or did I manage to piss him off? Am I really such a misfortune?

“Samantha….” I heard someone calling my name. My thoughts were disrupted, and faint voices began to linger around me. My ears buzzed, and the noises disorientated me.

That voice sounded familiar, but it was distinct and interrupted. There was something around me that made the hair on the nape of my neck stand. Sudden chills in my body and shivers seen in the midst of freezing winter. Slowly, I opened my eyes and remained stiff as the surrounding darkness seemed much darker except those red eyes. I found myself glaring back at the pair of red eyes. Those hypnotizing obs pierced through my soul and I felt drawn to them.

I gasped and woke up from a deep sleep when someone splashed a bucket full of cold water over me. Shocking to the core, I couldn’t move as the hot cold water numbed my senses. I was immediately out of my paralysis and watched my mom glaring in pure resentment. Now back to reality, I was inside my room. How did that happen? I have no memory of myself returning to this hellhole. When I thought I had escaped, that was just a hallucination. My mind can’t work for once. My mother was fuming, and she was utterly mad yesterday, and now she is madder. Her expressions screamed how frustrated she was. I was holding my head in the hollow.

“Get up! It’s already eight in the morning, how long do you have to sleep today?” Her voice sounded full of revulsion. I overslept? How?

As far as I remember, I was in the woods, then how come I got back to my room? Was that a hallucination? Or just a dream? What happened to me?

“Mom!!” I thought of asking her.

“What?” she replied in an unusual tone without looking at me, for once.

“What happened last night?” I asked with hope.

“Why? You don’t remember a thing?” she screeched almost, turning a gaze over me.

“Mom, please! Tell me! I remembered I ran into the woods, then how come I was back in my room?” I was scared of my intuitions.

“Well, yes, you ran away, and you were back after an hour. Your dad demanded an answer about your behavior, but you ignored him like he didn't exist and locked yourself in your room for the whole night.” She yelled at me like I did that on purpose when I don't have any memories of doing such a thing.

“I don’t remember doing that,” I said in defense.

“Of course, you will make an excuse to get away with your ass. You have caused a lot of problems for us, Samantha! We are fed up with your attitude. I can’t believe why you behave like that. I don’t remember raising my children differently.” Her voice was full of embarrassment and depression.

I felt guilty for the first time in my life, but why should I feel guilty? My mom might have raised her children the same, but the love was divided. I felt my eyes teary, and I wiped them before they fell out. Maybe I became a crazy person.

I noticed my mom had walked away, and I was standing alone in my room. I went to the bathroom and washed my face, grabbed my backpack and stored everything in it which would be required for my class. Leaving for school, I peeked carefully, and I found out that dad left earlier in the morning for some business.

I sighed and rushed fast to leave in silence. Soon I reached school and I dragged my body into class. Luckily, there was no class for literature today. The day went quickly, as most of the time, I didn't pay enough attention, lost in the thought of the pair of eyes I saw last night. I remembered going to the woods, but I had no memories of returning from there.

There was only one way to find out. I had to go back to the woods again. After school, I went back home and stepped inside my room like a cat. I didn’t want to create a commotion, so my parents would think that I was still out.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Amanda stepped inside my room. She keenly observed my room before her eyes landed on me. Her perfectly neat clothes, her blonde hair tied up nicely, her light perfume, like she was an epitome of perfection. Well, definitely in the eyes of my parents.

“What?” I shrugged my shoulders and asked her.

“This place is messy, just like you.” She commented.

“Well, thank you for informing me about it and if you don’t have good things to say, then you can leave because I am immune to your insults.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“I am not interested either in staying here, anyway, I came here to inform you that dad is calling you.” She glared at me and left with loud stomps, making sure she had finished the task of putting me in a rage of humiliation.

Here comes the trouble. I have to face my dad now. I descended the stairs quietly, observing the tension around the room. Dad, Mom and Amanda were there, waiting for me. I sighed and inhaled air before stepping inside the room and facing the challenge.

“Good evening everyone!” I tried to be cheerful.

No one replied to my greeting, instead Mom gestured to me to take a seat. I ended up taking the seat opposite to them.

“Where were you last night, Sam?” Dad asked, almost growling.

There was no way I could escape, so I decided to go with the truth. “I went into the woods.” I almost whispered.

“You yelled at your mother? How can you do this? Are you really our daughter?” Dad was furious, and I gulped loudly, knowing that I was in big trouble.

“I came home tired from school and mom was yelling at me. I explained to her, but she wasn’t listening to me. Instead, she scolded me for everything I am not.” I clarified to him.

“And you yelled at her back? She was trying to help you, Sam. Look at you, you don’t look like you even put an effort into your looks. These baggy clothes, and a intrepid child's attitude. Failing grades and no hope for a career. All this makes a parent worried for their child.” Dad was yelling at me.

“Dad, it’s of no use. This is the third time this week you have called a meeting just to interrogate her. She won’t listen, all these years, she has become immune to us.” Amanda spat while glaring at me.

There was a hint of amusement in her expression. I was glaring back at her. How can she do this to me, but it reminded me why I hate her so much.

“You are grounded for a month! No cellphones, no hangouts! Give your time to your studies.” Dad announced his judgment and left the chat.

Even mom left, without sparing a look at me, and Amanda crossed my side while bumping intentionally at me.

These harsh behaviors made my blood boil and I returned to my room in dripping anger. I jumped into my bed and cried a river until I felt light but nothing helped me like I thought. From the corner of my eyes, I thought I saw someone standing at the window. I gasped and shook back, but there was nothing. But I felt chills in my body and there was no way my body could lie to me.

I ran to check and peeked out through the window but found no one. Was I hallucinating again? What was happening to me? Am I going insane? I was about to move back when I glanced at something.

The same red eyes shining in the dark street, observing me with a strong gaze. A lump formed inside my throat and I pinched myself to see if I was dreaming or something else except reality? Nope!! These pairs of eyes are real.