Chapter 36
“Catherine, you didn’t tell us that you transformed into a wolf when you passed out that night,” Felix’s voice was angry. I thought Nana told them already. I thought it wasn’t necessary to tell them about that.
Jay threw a tense glare at me. I never saw him look at me like that. Yes, I was used to Felix doing that. But Jay? He was never mad at me. He would be the one who will assist me with everything that I needed to do. He’ll support me. He’ll defend me from our oldest brother. But now, he hated me for not telling them.
“I didn’t lie,” I said. “I thought you already knew. I thought Nana already told you when you visited the last time.”
“Nana wasn’t at the place where you collapsed. Gelo lied to us. He said that a group of wolves attacked you and you passed out of fear. He didn’t tell us you transformed into a wolf and decided to save everyone. He didn’t say you almost sacrifice your life for these strangers not until the woman you were with chattered to us.” Felix sounded like rapping, throwing shades on everything I’ve done that night.
“Gelo wasn’t a stranger. He is my friend.”
Jay crossed his elbows. He was still serious and looking intensely at me. They looked like I cheated and lied to them. “More of like a lover when I saw the two of you in a weird position inside your room. Are you pretending to clean to finally kiss that time?”
I growled out of frustration. “I didn’t mean to lie and hide these things about you. And that day…” I sat on the couch. “We’re not kissing. An accident happened. We’re not lovers. We both like each other but we’re not on the level of doing sensual things to each other. Can the two of you stop assuming things that didn’t happen?”
They stomped toward me. Those were heavy and made the ground shake for a bit. Felix clicked his tongue. “We’re not assuming anything. Those were the things that happened. You hide a lot of things from us. You had a relationship with our neighbor’s grandson. And now you transformed into a wolf without telling us. We are your family. You should ask us for the things you needed advice for.”
“I’m old enough not to rely on you. I can make decisions for myself. Aren’t you glad that I finally transformed into a wolf? I can protect the two of you. I can find the person behind our parents’ death. I can’t go silent for the rest of my life without knowing who did that to them. They were the best people in this world and their death is one example of injustice in this society. You are their legitimate children yet it seemed nothing happened in your life. You continued without…”
Felix almost slapped me but Jay stopped him. Jay killed me with his stare. I don’t have any allies in here. “Cath, stop! What you’re saying is nonsense.”
“Because that’s the truth. You didn’t grieve for their death. I badly wanted to see them but you never let me. It felt like we transitioned in this place as if nothing happened. It sucks!”
Felix clenched his fist. He glared at me. That kind of glare when your opponent in a boxing match defeated you. “You don’t know anything about our feelings! You can never understand our sentiments! They were our parents and how could you say that we don’t feel anything. Every night, Jay and I both have nightmares. Every day, we had to pretend that we were fine because of you. It’s painful to lose our parents, but what’s more important is for us to preserve you. We promised Mom and Dad that we will do anything to protect you. Even though you’re not our legitimate sister. It doesn’t matter. We grew with you and we care about you! I don’t despise you, Cath. But I hate that you invalidated our feelings.”
My tears started pouring like rain. I don’t know if it’s because they shouted at me and they wanted to leave this town. Or it is because I’m guilty. I hurt the two most important men in my life. My brothers, were always there to protect and care for me. I invalidated their feelings.
“I… I going to take a bath. I still have to attend my classes.”
They never spoke again. I left the house without them noticing me. They locked themselves inside their room. They were as tough as metals, but I knew their heart is as soft as a marshmallow. I still remember my eighth birthday, Felix was twelve while Jay was eleven. Felix gave me a huge doll from the money he saved. I rejected it because I don’t love dolls. I love books at that time. Felix cried inside his room. Jay tried to stop him. That’s when I started to appreciate everything that they’re doing for me whether it’s small or a big thing.
…
My mind was bombed with thoughts while I was at school. I can’t focus on the discussions and lectures in all of my classes. I broke Felix’s heart yet I have pride that it’s fine. It can’t be fine!
After I got back from school, our things were already in the living room. Boxes of clothes and bags of special things. I even saw one cardboard box filled with my books. Are we going to leave this town?
My two brothers came downstairs. Signs of tears and pain were visible on Felix’s face. It looked like someone had punched him. That must be the sign that I’ve done something wrong. Still, I don’t want to leave this town for whatever reason they have in their mind. The trust lies here. That must also be the reason why Mom and Dad wanted to live our lives here after they died. Because to seek the truth, anyone must go back to its origin.
“Check your room, Cath if there are still things that we forgot to bring,” Jay said. Felix walked past me.
“Are we going to leave this town?”
“Why can’t we?” Felix asked me in a serious tone of voice. “Is it because you already have a lover in this place? Is it because long-distance relationships wouldn’t work for the both of you? I’m sorry about that but we’re leaving. I don’t care if you despise me right now, Cath. But I’m going to do what I know is right for the three of us.”
“That’s not the reason why I wanted to stay! You know that the two of you are more important than all of my lovers. The truth lies here. There’s a reason why Mom and Dad wanted us to stay here. There’s something that we should know. Also, we’re safe in here.”
“She’s telling the truth.”
My world shakes when Nana suddenly appeared. Was she listening earlier? Did she hear everything that we’re talking about?
“Nana, we’re going to leave no matter what. The place is not safe for us anymore,” Jay said. “We can’t risk our sister’s life.”
“That’s not the key to peace. I’ve been protecting the three of you since the day you got in here. That’s the promise I gave to your parents that if you come back here, I’ll do my best to protect you.”
Felix trudged to Nana. “But Cath already transformed into a wolf and killed four of them. This means that chaos would happen, right?”
Nana slid her fingers through Felix’s face. “Dear, wherever you go, there’s chaos. You can’t stop what’s going to happen. Your parents and I tried to do the same eighteen years ago. But what happened, they were killed. It’s like a prophecy. If you leave the town it would cause the three of you more trouble. That’s why I suggest you stay.”