CHAPTER 11: Guns

**ALICIA**

“Alicia? What’s happening?”

My family ran towards the main door to check the loud noise while my eyes were focused on the dead cat. It looks like it was bitten by some animals that I am sure is a vampire. A monster…and there’s only one who can do this.

“Oh, damn! What is that?” Mom said. “Who the hell is playing pranks on us?” Mom continued as she was checking the lifeless cat. “Thank God, it’s not human.”

“Are you okay?” My brother caressed my shoulder. “You’re in shock.” He held my hand as he tried to calm me. “Alicia, you have to breathe.”

“I…am fine…” I inhaled and exhaled. “I am just shocked…and the cat…where did it come from?” I was already panicking as my father held me.

“Hush, Alicia. You are okay.” He whispered to me. “We will report the incident and check who killed the cat. I’m sorry. This might be because of the case I am working on.” Dad apologized when I should be the one because this is my fault.

I am aware that Akihiro has his eyes and ears in this town yet I still opened the idea of vampires to my parents. He was right. My life is on his now as he can control me. Damn!

Alicia, calm down! Don’t let Akihiro think he got you!

“Do you think this is the doing of the serial killer?” Mom was already worried. “We should not have accepted the case. Now, they are after us. Look at the cat, it was killed the same way the rest of the missing people were killed. Who knows what happened to the rest?”

“Alexa,” Dad called my mother. “This could be a coincidence.” Dad told her.

“Or maybe this is a warning…” I whispered. “Maybe he’s telling me not to do something.”

“Alicia, what are you talking about?” My brother, Alexus, asked. “Is there something we need to know?”

“Nothing, brother.” I said, when I already calmed myself. “I’ll go to school now. I’ll be late.” I picked up my bag and started running towards the bus station.

While inside the bus, I couldn’t help but to think of what just happened. I am pretty sure that Akihiro is the one behind it. But, how about the attack in other towns?

I lifted my head when I heard the news about the sudden attack in the nearby towns. It was said to be an animal bite as people aren’t aware of vampires yet. If Akihiro doesn’t want their existence to be known, why is he killing innocent people? Or is he not the one doing it?

“Earth to my best friend, Alicia!” Ross snapped in front of me. The lecture hadn’t started yet and I was already spacing out. “What happened to you, Alicia? You’ve been out of your mind lately.”

“Nothing.” I sighed. I don’t want to hide anything from Ross as we promised yet it would definitely risk his life. “Can you please stop bothering me and just do your project. Have you even finished it yet?” I changed the conversation because I knew I wouldn’t be able to control myself.

“Yes, yes. Whatever. Why are you being grumpy? I am not going to treat you to lunch later.” He grinned and started writing. That’s when I noticed something on his wrists.

“Hey, what is that?” I immediately grabbed his wrists. It was too late to hide it from me as I already saw the bite marks. They’re fresh and I can still smell blood. “Are you kidding me? Why aren’t you putting something on it?”

I started panicking. I pulled the medicine kit in my bag which I arranged last night for future events since I am sure I won’t be having a normal life from the moment I knew of their existence.

“What happened to this, Ross? We should go to the hospital and have it checked!” I told him. “Did you put something—”

He cut me off. “Hey, why are you worrying so much? This isn’t the first time I was bitten by an animal. Why are you overreacting?” He pulled his hand, looking at me confused.

“What kind of animal?” I clarified.

“Well, it’s my dog Reese that bit me. What else do you think?” He turned his eyes on me. I know when he is lying so I am sure that it wasn’t a dog.

“It doesn’t look like a dog!” I reasoned out..

“What? Then, what would it be, Alicia?”

I was about to say something when our professor came in to start the lecture. I spent the whole class thinking of Ross’ bite. I just hope it isn’t really a vampire.

“Are you okay? Does it stink?” I asked Ross while we were eating. I cannot stop worrying knowing I don’t know what will happen if you were bitten by a vampire. Is he going to be a low-life?

“I’m fine.” He replied, raising his brow. “You seem pretty different after your meeting with Akihiro. What did he do to you, huh?”

“Nothing.” I lied. “I am just concerned. Did you not watch what happened in the news? Those missing people were bitten and it looks like what you have. What if there’s some virus?”

“Relax. I am going to think you are already falling for me now.” He teased me.

“This is not the time to joke, Ross Keil Verde!” I called him in his full name for him to know that I am fucking serious. He’s not even aware that we are surrounded by vampires.

“Okay.” He nodded. “I will let the doctor check this tomorrow. Finish your food.” He ordered me.

I cannot wait until the day class ends to confront Akihiro. I think he sensed my emotions because he didn’t appear in our club meetings. I know I am walking into a death trap but I decided to enter the night class.

I heard the crickets as I walked the hallway. The place is cold…and it's sending me goosebumps. I am familiar with this hallway as I used to walk to this every morning, yet it’s different when I am surrounded by the night class…the vampires.

I held my head high even though I was already losing my confidence as I reached the main hall where Akihiro and his group usually have their class. I hugged myself when the wind blew in my direction, making me think of going back…but there’s no chance anymore…as I felt a gun at the back of my head.