Chapter 8: Chapter 8

That morning, Uncle Silas spent some time telling me stories about their life. I have found out that they also get by day through farming and one of his pride and joy is that the coffee that he has served me was harvested and ground into powder by them. They were living a simple life.

Just as I always wished for. But now, I couldn't live a simple life with my family because they were already taken away from me.

I could only listen to him telling stories because he reminds me of my father. Dad and I used to sit in a field while laughing at each other's stories. Back then, I had never thought even once of losing him because we were just simply living... I never thought that he's actually a werewolf like the gossip had said... that we're monsters.

Aunt Vera, once awake, has invited me to join her at the market in their town. I agreed since I needed it to divert my mind. Still, there were times that I was suddenly crying.

We walked our way towards the town. Their house was in front of a muddy road where Arman, the driver who had found me, parked. I only found out his name from Aunt Vera as she talks about him.

According to her, they were really good friends since they once worked together on a plantation. That's also where she met Uncle Silas. They only decided to leave the plantation after marrying each other. She also mentioned that they had always tried to have offspring but were never granted by the Deities.

It took us probably an hour to arrive at our destination. I was at awe to see their town looks modern and lively. There were several individuals roaming around as well as vendors selling different goods.

However, I don't understand why I suddenly felt like someone was watching me. I must probably be delusional since a lot of undesirable events have happened to me.

I was out of my thoughts when I was pulled by Aunt Vera to a clothes market. "Choose anything you want, Maive..."

I looked around, everything looked appealing in my eyes but I am too shy to even choose a cloth for myself. I don't want to spend her money on just mere clothes. Her old clothes were a bit larger than my size but were more than enough for me. I am already grateful for that.

"N-No, Aunt Vera. I'm fine with these," I said referring to the clothes that she had given me yesterday.

She shook her head in disapproval. "Come on, Maive. I said don't be a stranger."

She, then, roamed around to look for clothes for me. Few seconds after that she already has some clothes in her hands. "These look good on you," she said joyfully as she showed me the dresses that she had picked.

She demanded that I try those dresses. The stall that we were in has a small space with thick curtains where clothes can be fitted. Aunt Vera guided me into that small fitting room, not allowing me to refuse her offer of buying me clothes.

The clothes that she has picked for me luckily fit my size. She bought all those and added other simple shirts and shorts. I was actually shy to accept those. I tried to refuse and stop her but she was persistent. She did not buy even one for herself nor for her husband, which made me even guiltier.

She is so kind to me, I wonder what I did to them to receive this kindness.

One day, I'll pay for the kindness that she has shown me. I promised that as I timidly accepted the clothes.

"Thank you, Aunt Vera." I shyly said.

She slightly messed my hair, "You're grateful for everything. Treat me like your mother, Maive." She smiled and I could see the happiness in her eyes.

I bit my lip and nodded; unable to say something.

After that, we went for a walk around the market again. She bought some food supplies which I bet she never bought before because she occasionally gets surprised with the price when she asks for them. It felt like she was buying those for me. Again, her kindness makes me feel guilty because I know I'll be needing a lot of time to pay for those.

While walking around the market, I felt some eyes watching me once again. Actually, it felt like everyone seemed to look at me. I can also hear some whispers that I cannot completely apprehend. Probably, all of those were because I am new in this place. However, I felt a lot more conscious when I saw a woman staring at my neck.

Her look was unexplainable... it held confusion... and fear? No, probably not.

That made me cover the right side of my neck where I received the bite mark at the night of that incident. Aunt Vera noticed that gesture of mine. I wondered if that bite was completely healed by now. I forgot to check it in the mirror this morning.

She stared at my eyes for a while as if she was going to say something but chose not to.

I pouted trying to figure out what she was going to say. Does she have any idea where this bite mark came from? Or what animal bite me?

After some time, Aunt Vera decided to go home. I helped her carry the things that she had bought. It was the only thing that I could do at this moment.

She was quiet as we walked back home. I could see that she's thinking deeply about something. Whatever it was, I knew that it had something to do with the woman who was staring at me earlier or the bite mark in my neck.

I followed her quietly too.

I almost jumped when I heard some voice, "Aunt!"

Aunt Vera was also surprised by that voice out of nowhere; she placed her hand on her chest indicating her being surprised.

"Tobias!" She said as she lightly slapped his shoulder. "You almost killed me from a heart attack!" Aunt Vera exclaimed.

The boy whose name is Tobias chuckled from that, "I didn't mean to surprise you, Aunt Vera... You should have gotten used to it by now."

The boy then looked at me. He raised his brows and then smiled that caused a dimple to appear on his left cheek. He is a lot taller than me. I am only about the height of his shoulder but his age is probably not far from mine.

"Hey," He greeted me. He did not use any formalities but chose to greet me with that three-letter word.

I looked at Aunt Vera... not knowing what to say.

"His family is living near our house. You'll see him more often." Aunt Vera stated.

I nodded at her. I, then, smiled a little at Tobias.

He pouted trying to hide a smile. We continued walking after that, this time with Tobias.

"You did not say your name. May I know?" He asked while we were still walking.

However, I was in deep thought with the way I was feeling. As if there were... intense eyes watching over me.