WE WERE told to gather at the president's room. Questions and murmuring were everywhere since all of us are confused at the sudden gathering.
"Everyone, kindly settle down," father Erick announced on the microphone. The small hall silenced. "I'd like to greet everyone a pleasant day. This month has been very peaceful to all of us, right?" he added.
Anya fell asleep on my shoulder. I watched her a bit then glanced at Father again.
"These past few days, we have decided to strengthen the policies and security of our home. We decided to remove temporarily the thrice-a-week-freedom policy."
Everyone groaned at the announcement.
The thrice-a-week-freedom policy is a specialized policy in the orphanage that allows the children to go out with the nuns. Either in malls, parks, or beach. They are free as long as the nuns go with them and they go home before the sun sets.
I was not really affected since I don't go out. I have no reason to go out anyway, maybe to some people who use that program in our orphanage... Especially...
That made me sigh.
"Our orphanage has been receiving anonymous mails these past few months, consisting bothering messages that I would not like to disclose. This has alarmed the organization, and to protect our beloved children, we are going to strictly implement this rule until this issue subsides," father added with finality.
Everyone murmured but I did not hear any disagreement, everyone was just curious about the anonymous bothering mails.
Was that what Lash talking about?
After the short assembly, I went to the side garden to do my duty, watering the plants. Anya was in the kitchen, washing the dishes with others. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get the backyard chore. It was more fun there. Side garden is a bit empty, unlike the backyard garden.
How boring my chore is! I'd like to be with them and do some chit-chats!
I was in the middle of watering the flowers when I heard a loud noise coming from the front gate. My head automatically turned to look. It was a sudden loud that it startled me a bit.
"What was that?" I asked myself and turned off the water hose. Then, I wiped my wet hands on my flowy beige sundress. I went out to see lots of red papers scattered around the mail box, some were already on the road!
I panicked a bit as I approached the mail box. The mail box is covered with red ink and it's all ruined! It was as if someone intentionally slammed it with something to destroy it and make a mess!
"Oh, no!" I panicked more. I picked one of those red papers and my blood left my whole body when I opened it.
"EVERYONE WILL DIE!!!"
Written in black ink on the red paper, was that disturbing message.
Fear attacked me like a bullet. I immediately let go of the paper. The moment I let go of it, I saw my hands covered with red ink from the paper!
Before I could wipe it off, I realized that it was not just an ordinary ink!
"B-Blood!" I screamed as tears stung my eyes.
My vision darkened. I anticipated the pain from falling down but I felt warmth cover my body, and then I lost consciousness.
COLDNESS hugged my small frame, opposite from what I have felt the moment I lost consciousness. I slowly opened my weak eyes. The familiar room welcomed me.
"Artemis..." Miss Leonarda, the orphanage's nurse touched my forehead.
I tried to stand up but then she stopped me. "Don't force yourself, dear. Your temperature was so high, you've been sleeping for ten hours now."
"What?" I whispered. Ten hours?! How about the letters?! What are those?! Who did those things?!
"Better to not force yourself to do or think anything. We'll explain to you everything after. Rest but don't go back to sleep yet, you have to eat."
I nodded and smiled to assure her. But, questions flooded my mind. I tried to stop it but I can't help it as long no one gives me a clue about what I have witnessed.
Before I could close my eyes to think more, the clinic's door opened widely, revealing the presence of the most unexpected person.
I slightly panicked. Oh, God! What should I do?! Why is he here?!
His face was full of questions as well, I could sense it. Eyes were bloodshot, almost pleading as it met mine. I noticed he wasn't wearing his specs anymore. He was wearing his usual simple shirt, and a pair of black shorts, and a white snickers.
My heart tightened as my eyes roamed his body. He seemed more tall now, more manly, more masculine, and tanner.
Was he always out the past few weeks? He seemed more mature.
"I'll leave you two for a bit..." Miss Leonarda noticed the tensed atmosphere, she excused herself.
I played with my fingers. There was an inserted dextrose. I licked my dry lips and glanced back at the man who just sat on the nearest chair beside the bed.
"How are you feeling?" the first ever words after a month.
"Fine... Somehow..." I replied. "And you?"
"I'm doing good," he said, sounding alive now.
I pouted and looked away. "You know what? I'm tired of this awkwardness between us. If you don't like me, then go away! I don't want to be associated with you!" I said, annoyed.
He bit his lower lip.
"You wanna be friends with me? Then stop being so awkward! I hate that you confuse me a lot!"
"F-Friends?"
I frowned. "What?"
He sighed. "You know what, you're right. I'm sorry for confusing you, but what happened last month was not just right, Artemis," he said calmly.
I shot my brows.
"What if someone saw us that night? What would they think? I'm... I'm older than you, you're younger than me and that's... not right, Artemis. That's wrong," calmer, he added.
His voice was as soothing as a cotton. I could melt at his gentleness.
I gulped.
"I cannot tolerate that, I cannot risk your image not just to the sisters, but also to your friends..."
My cheeks burned. "S-Sorry..."
"And who taught you that, huh? You're too young for that, you're only fifteen. How did you know that? Do you read books?"
I shook my head.
He groaned. "Who taught you that, then?"
Oh, no way. This is embarrassing!
"I just wanted to do it. Happy?"
He laughed at my answer. My heart trembled at the sight of his perfectly sculped image. How could someone be this handsome?
What am I feeling right now?
My heart calmed as he reached for my hands.
"About earlier..." I said.
His eyes slowly became serious. "The letters?"
I nodded.
"That was the reason why the president and Father Erick decided to strengthen the security of the orphanage. Unknown sender has been spamming the mails with inappropriate messages, or should I say threats..."
My mouth ran dry.
"How about the blood? What was that all about?"
He sighed and clenched his jaw. "The organization is currently working on it. But they suspect that it was a pig's blood. But I feel like... it isn't."
"God..." I covered my mouth. "But why? What are they after?"
"I don't know yet. Majority of the messages was for me. There was my name on it, some messages were sent for me, but it was not threats. It was numbers and codes I couldn't solve."
"Are you sure you're safe?"
He glanced at me. He smiled to assure my worried face. "I'm here, safe and sound..."
"That's still not enough to make sure the security of your life now. Why don't you ask for help from the police?" My voice trembled.
He patted my head. "I don't think that's necessary-"
"Huh?! Are you out of your mind?! Are you gonna wait for those senders to come after you, hurt you, or wrose, kill you?!" I kind of got annoyed by his calmness.
His lips rose a bit, stifling a smile. "I told you, I didn't receive any threats. But don't worry, the moment I receive a threat, I'll go out and consult it with the cops. You good now?" He tilted his head to meet my roaming eyes.
I looked at him. "I wanna go out too," I said.
His silly smile faded.
"Then, let's consult with cops together-"
"Not that," I cut his words off. "Permanently..."
His face became serious and his looks became really intent. Looking away was the best move or else I'll be drowning from thos deep grey set of eyes.
I sighed. "I honestly want to go outside when I am already eighteen. Find a job to support myself and... I don't know? Find my family." I chuckled. "Do you think my family is out there?"
"Art... Of course," he said innocently. "One day, call me if you need help, I'll help you find your parents."
I laughed at that. "Do you really think that's possible?"
He nodded. "Yep."
"Hmm, I hope this suspicious mails stop. I wanna go out with Miss Claudia and go to church! I haven't done that for years now!"
The topic went long and it made me forget about the problem for a bit.
Not until I noticed fresh letters on my bed. I always see them every night, or twice a week. It depends. It creeped me out but I was too afraid to tell others about it.
I stared at the fifty-three unopened letters I hid on my bed side table.
Should I open them?
I calmed down a bit and tried to open one, randomly.
"GET OUT OF THAT PLACE!"
"Art!" Anya's voice.
I hurriedly covered the letters with my blanket and almost screamed.
What was that?! Who are they from?!
"A-Anya?!"
She looked at me suspiciously. "Why do you look like you saw a ghost?"
"Nothing... What is it?"
"Lash was looking for you. You made him continue your crochet? He got confused at the patterns."
"Oh!"
Right! He asked me if he could learn crochet.
"I'll follow. I'll just change."
She shrugged and ran downstairs. I changed my clothes and fixed my hair. I hid the letters and fixed my bed before I decides to close the curtains.
I was about to close it when a huge hand from the balcony gripped my arm, making me fall on my knees and just let it grab me harshly. His strength was like a grown up man's, and all I could do is scream.
"Ah!" I screamed and tried to push his hands bit he was so strong! "Help! Let me go!"
The man was about to punch me on my stomach when a familiar scent enveloped my senses. The man behind me groaned and his grip loosened.
"Bastard!" Lash said angrily and punched the man on the face. It was so fast and strong that I heard the intruder's nose crack!
I screamed.
"Lash!"
"Fucking bastard!" he roared and beated the man more.
His strength frightened me. I never saw him this red and angry that I only froze on my stance, covering my mouth and just watching him sit on the top of the man and continue smashing his face with his right fist.
And then, I saw blood.