Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 44804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
I clear my throat. From what I learned of vampires in school, that sounds about right. But then again, humans in general don’t know much about them.
“Tell me.” She quirks a brow and I suppress my smile. “Please.” Her grin grows as we share a knowing look.
“I was a little older than twenty. I don’t remember what day my birthday was because it’s been so damn long. I was unmarried because I had been raised religious and thought I would become a nun. The day everything changed happened sometime around summer. I know that because there was a big thunderstorm that had just passed through our area, and where I lived the rainy season began in June.” She rocks gently, glancing out the window as if watching her recollection playing out before her like she’s watching a movie.
“I was in the rainforest foraging for my grandmother. She sent me out all the time to gather things. My mother and father had both passed away when I was a baby, leaving me alone with my grandmother to raise me by herself. She was in good health for her age and took care of me as any mother would.” A sad smile pulls at her lips. “She always said I looked like my mother.” That humorless huff of a laugh erupts from her throat. “I don’t remember her at all. I used to be able to, but it was so long ago that I can’t even picture her face anymore.” Veronica falls silent as she tries and fails to recall her memory.
“I’m sorry.” My voice brings her back to the present. Her dark eyes find mine and her grin returns.
“Don’t be, dear. My first twenty years were good years. Even if I suffered loss, I was still grateful for my life.” She visibly swallows. “At least until that day.” I settle into my seat as I watch her pull her legs into her body. “I was gathering pandan leaves in the rainforest when I found some mangoes. They were delicious; I remember that well. They were nearly overripe but I’d cut one open to taste it. Fruit is best when it’s almost too sweet, don’t you think? It was a little treat for me. A reward for going out for my grandmother.”
Her smile fades and her voice drops as she continues her tale. “I traveled to my usual area, where I knew I’d be able to find most of what she’d asked for. I was at the last pandan plant with only half of my basket full. I knew she’d need more leaves, so I went out a little farther. There was a large clearing and on the other side I spotted more bushes. The storm the previous night had left downed trees and broken branches in its wake, but somehow this clearing had been spared. It was so pretty. Undisturbed with dewdrops clinging to everything and sparkling in the light. So pure. I almost felt bad crossing through it to get to the other side.” She gently shakes her head again and swallows. “But no one lived close to us and I didn’t think I’d ruin it for anyone but myself. So I continued into the other side until my basket was full.” Her lips pull down in a frown. “I knew my grandmother would be grateful. She would’ve been so happy to have a full basket.”
Leaning forward in my seat, I clasp my hands. A hard pit forms in my stomach and my blood chills. I can tell I’m not going to like what I hear next. She clears her throat, but her dark eyes stay focused on her nails, tracing over the grain pattern in the walnut desk. She nods her head slowly. “I knew something bad was going to happen when I got back to the clearing. I could see so many large footprints in the dirt. They came from the left. I remember thinking there may have been four of them.” The red tears brim in her eyes and spill over, trailing streaks of blood down her light brown skin. I part my lips, but before I can speak, she continues. “They were werewolves. I saw them shift in front of me. Well, two did. Two didn’t.” Her breath hitches.
“I don’t have to tell you everything they did. But know that I didn’t value my life afterward. I wished they’d just killed me. Instead, they left me mangled and damaged after they’d had their way with me. I was covered in bruises and bleeding out from the injuries they’d inflicted on me. Some of the plants I’d gathered had medicinal qualities; I used them to staunch my wounds. I still don’t know how I made it back without dying. It was the longest journey of my life. Part of me wanted to stay and just succumb, but I was so scared they would come back.”