The Queenbee's Downfall (On-Hold)

45: Continuation of Nightmares

Chapter 45: Sweet, yet awkward, and promising in the end

"Princess?... is that you?", his tone sounded wary.

"Father?"

"My sweet, you're here... " I sensed relief in her voice.

"Mom?"

Pitch-black surrounded me as I try to look around. Wala akong makita na kahit ano kundi kadiliman. Fear gradually seeped into my heart when I felt that familiar, sickening, hands snaking around my waist. The disgusting breath fanning my ear, as the thorny hands went down to my stomach. And the inevitable voice whispering in my ear.

"You'll never get away from me, Caitlyn."

Hinihingal akong napabalikwas ng bangon. Sapo ang ulo, umusog ako sa headboard at niyakap ang mga tuhod. I was crying, burying my face on my knees when my door suddenly opened.

"Caitlyn, darling... what's wrong?"

As soon as Mommy touched my arms, I quickly hugged her. So tight I felt her stiffen. I badly want to tell her everything. My dreams, the past few nights... weeks had past, but I know I shouldn't. All I could do is cry and hide every bit of nightmare that has happened to me from my mom. Ayaw kong mapahamak si Mommy. I'd rather be alone in this dangerous situation I got myself into than let her be involved.

"Are you okay?"

Tumango ako bago kumalas sa yakap at pinunasan ang luha. I begged Mommy to stay with me for the night, just one night, kasi pakiramdam ko... kapag nanatili pa akong mag-isa, mawawala na ako sa katinuan. And for the first time in weeks, I slept in peace.

I woke up at 3 in the morning. Pagbaling ko sa gilid ay mahimbing pa rin ang tulog ni Mommy. I slipped off my blanket and decided to go downstairs. Sinuot ko muna ang pink bathrobe bago dumiretso sa kusina para kumuha ng tubig.

Binuksan ko ang ref at kinuha ang pitchel bago sinalinan ang hawak na baso. Matapos kong uminom ay nagpasya akong lumabas ng bahay.

The cold breeze caressed my face as my hair danced in the night.

Hinuli ko ang takas na buhok at nilagay sa likod ng tenga ko bago binuksan ang gate at naglakad sa village.

The Evans are just up Northwest of the village, while the guardhouse is far East. Sigurado akong walang makakapasok dito sa lugar namin dahil nandito ang pamilya ni Heath. Visitors must pass the Security Guards before they could be allowed inside. At sa pagkakaalam ko, it is the Evans' people that are guarding the village.

Kaya kahit dilat na dilat ang buwan habang kumikislap ang mga bituin sa malamig na gabi, alam kong ligtas ako. Though, fear seeping through my skin is inevitable as soon as I heard little scratches nearby. Howls of the dogs... mewls of the cats, it terrified the hell out of me.

Nagtaasan ang mga balahibo sa katawan ko at impit na napatili nung may humawak sa braso ko. I was about to scream when Heath's cold and menacing eyes met my startled ones. I just realized how uneven my breathing was after taking a deep breath to calm myself. The hammering of my chest died down as I let everything sink in my mind.

"It's just you... " I whispered, almost as if in relief. Pumikit ako ng mariin bago siya muling tinitigan. "A-Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"I was... strolling."

Strolling? "In your pajamas?", sabay titig sa black sando at color blue niyang sweatpants.

Napatingin din si Heath sa kanyang suot bago nagtatakang tinitigan ako. "What's wrong with it ba? You're in your pink robe."