Isadora of the Past
I quietly watched the dark sky. Even the moon refused to show itself to me tonight, hiding behind a blanket of clouds.
I no longer have a home to return to. The church knows that a creature like me exists. I can never return to the Philippines because if they find me, they will kill me. The thought of it lingers in my mind, a constant reminder of my exile.
Yes, I am strong. But... I have many weaknesses.
"I want to know your name."
He's awake.
I turned to look at the man in the bed. His presence was captivating.
Damn, he's really handsome. He looks so clean, clearly taking good care of himself. Even his hair is perfectly styled. If only he weren't... insane.
"Isadora," I replied. "And you?" I asked in his language, a hint of curiosity in my voice.
"Alejandro."
I smiled at him. "What a waste for someone like you to be trapped by your church and religion."
I had overheard his parents in the next room planning to dedicate him to the church. This means he won't be allowed to marry, a fate that seemed so cruel to me.
"What do you mean?" he asked, sitting up carefully. He touched his neck and winced in pain, the memory of my bite still fresh.
"You won't be able to marry, so—"
"I can't have children?" he asked. "But according to the book I'm reading, beings like you can get pregnant or impregnate."
"What?!" I snapped, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "You know, you could have been really attractive. But I think I'd rather go back to the Philippines and burn in the sun than listen to the nonsense coming out of your mouth."
He gave a small smile. He stood up and removed his white shirt, now stained red with his blood. Then he walked towards me. I had to look up as he stood in front of me, towering and imposing. "Did I satisfy you?" he whispered.
I smirked. "I could have killed you."
"Why didn't you?" he asked again, gently touching the ends of my hair. "You did say I'm insane."
"Someone like you is easy to manipulate," I reasoned. "You'll still be useful to me."
"If that's the case, then I'll follow you," he said, his tone unwavering.
I was taken aback when he slowly knelt on one knee before me. He looked up at me, his gaze intense. I couldn't speak as he gently took my hand and kissed the back of it. "What do you desire, my love?"
I WOKE UP BREATHLESS. I quickly looked around and saw Alejandro holding Rafael. He turned to me when he noticed I was awake.
"Strange, you fell asleep. I haven't done that in years."
"I had a dream... a long dream..." I whispered, clutching my chest where I had a wound in my dream because of the cross that...
"Alejandro..." I called to him. "Can I ask you something?"
He laid our child on the bed before facing me. "What is it, my love?"
"Have you known me for a long time?"
He didn't answer. His gaze softened as he approached and kissed me on the lips. "Why do you ask that?"
"My dreams... they don't feel like dreams... they feel like memories, Alejandro."
He nodded and kissed me again. "I hope you also remember how you betrayed me, my love."
What?
"But—"
"So forgive me if I tortured you and was harsh to you when I discovered who you are."
I stared at his face. But I saw no anger or anything in him. His gaze was tender, as if courting me. And I couldn't understand what he was saying...
I don't understand... I remember my childhood with Victoria.
How...
I was lost in thought when I felt my throat burn again. I groaned. I embraced Alejandro, and he comforted me. For several nights, I've felt this way. I'm thirsty. Animal blood is no longer enough... it only quenches my thirst for a few hours before I'm thirsty again.
"Forgive me, Isadora," Alejandro whispered. "If it weren't for me—"
"No. It's not your fault..." I closed my eyes tightly. "But please, I need to feed... even if it's far away, I don't care. No matter how long it takes, I'll endure."
He can't kill here anymore. In other places, maybe. I know those places are far... but...
"As you wish, Isadora. Giovanni will watch over you."
I nodded.
And that very night, Alejandro left. I felt somewhat relieved because my thirst was momentarily quenched after drinking deer blood from the forest.
I sat quietly at the entrance of our home while Giovanni played with Rafael inside our room. The night was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the turmoil within me.
It's strange that Andres isn't here now... have they completely forgotten? Or do they have a new plan?
I was about to go inside when I heard shouting. For an ordinary person, it wouldn't be audible. But... I clearly heard Fe's voice. The cries of her children and the sound of something hard hitting someone's body.
"You're useless!" a man's voice shouted, followed by Fe's sobbing. She apologized, and her children's cries grew louder.
I was stunned.
And I smelled blood.
I walked towards the river without realizing it. Glenda and Fe's homes are close, farther from our neighbors.
Across the river.
"All you had to do was a simple task, Felis! You're so useless!"
I ran. Fast. Fe's cries grew louder in my ears. I easily reached the door of her small house. I opened the door, and it seemed they didn't notice me. I hid in the darkness, away from the candlelight. But Fe suddenly looked in my direction while I glared at her husband.
Fe had blood on her nose and lips, and her children were crying behind her.
The fool was about to punch Fe again when I swiftly lunged at him. The candle's flame died with the man's scream.
I quickly bit his neck. I tore at his flesh. I drank his blood until nothing was left.
When I finished, I stopped and stood up.
Fe hugged her children tightly while looking up at me. The moon appeared, its light entering through the window of Fe's house.
Our eyes met. Her body trembled with fear, unable to believe what she was seeing.
I am a monster.
One of the monsters.
I leaned towards her and stared at her face. I tore the hem of my dress and wiped the blood from her nose and lips. Even her one eye was blackened.
"You're free now," I said after wiping her clean. "You don't have to worry anymore." And I stood up, turned my back on Fe and her husband's corpse.
I walked out and slowly made my way back to my home, the night air cool against my skin.
As I walked, I couldn't help but reflect on my existence. The life I led now was a far cry from what I once knew. The world seemed so different, yet the pain and struggles remained the same. The faces, the places, the memories—everything was a jumbled mess in my mind. The dreams that felt like memories haunted me, leaving me questioning my reality.
Returning to my home, I found Giovanni still playing with Rafael. He looked up at me, concern etched on his face. "Is everything alright?" he asked.
I nodded, though the weight of the night's events pressed heavily on me. "Yes, everything is fine now."
He didn't press further, and for that, I was grateful. I needed time to process everything, to understand the fragments of my past that were slowly coming to light.
As the night wore on, I sat by the window, watching the sky slowly lighten with the approach of dawn. The moon had finally come out, casting a pale glow over the landscape. I thought about Alejandro and his promise to return. His words echoed in my mind, mingling with my own confused thoughts.
Who am I really? And what will the future hold for someone like me?
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