LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT. Whispers of the lips.

As Kate tended to her wound, the room reeked of chlorhexidine. The only light in the darkroom came from the cracked wood in the hearth.

Tonight was one of the many nights she had that terrible dream, but this time it felt so real that she woke up with wounds on her left arm.

Little Kate was only eight years old when she lost her family in a cold massacre in her hometown, where they had lived before she moved to this new town.

The only thing she remembered was having blood on her hands that day. It is still one of Kate's most painful memories, and it comes back to her from time to time.

Now nineteen she wondered how she couldn't forget those memories, it was always haunting and tormenting her.

She had tried everything she could to know about what happened eleven

years ago but it seemed as if those events had been washed off by the sea as no one ever spoke about it.

She couldn't go back to sleep, so she kept listening to the sounds the breeze made as it blew very cold air. It had continued snowing as the little town was now covered with snow, making it look like a ghost town as the little town's men and women had retired to bed early.

Hearing the cracking of the wood again, she stood up as she made her way to the fireplace. Her room was barely large enough to hold the necessary items she needed, and her small bed, stove, and some kitchen utensils were all neatly placed at one end.

Putting one more log of wood in the fireplace, she sat down on her small plinth, placing her palm near the fire. She feared if she ever went back to bed, she would have more nightmares, probably ending up with more wounds.

She couldn't understand what was going on in her life as she had no one in this world, a world that could swallow anything and everything. Where the night creatures and demons mingled freely among humans causing chaos.

While lost in her thoughts, she fell asleep on the floor.

As the town's bell rang in the distance, she awoke. She rubbed her eyes to get the remaining sleep off her eyes as she stood up in pain from sleeping on the cold, rough floor the night before.

She went to the only piece of furniture in the room where she kept her brush holder and brushed

her teeth before warming the leftover porridge from the night before. She then took a bath and got ready for the day.

"Wish me luck, Sun and Moon Goddess."

"May today be more fruitful than the days before" she prayed as she locked her door and walked to town.

"Good day, Ms.Kate."

"Mister Borrel, good morning." Kate made a small bow to the townsman, which he acknowledged.

"Isn’t this a lovely morning?" Borrel spoke as he attempted to converse with her.

Kate was stunning with her black, wavy, and luscious hair that reached her bottom. Because of the beauty of her sculpted face, everyone turned to look at her as she passed. Also, her brown eyes that held so much intelligence that pierced men’s souls.

She was aware that Mr. Borrel, like many men in town, had been attempting to woo her, which she was conscious of while hinting to them she would rather stay single than get entangled in the lust of men.

"Yes, pray that the day will favor us with the sun." She smiled, hoping the conversation would end, but the man persisted.

"Aye, Kate, it will. I hope you’re keeping the cold at bay," he subtly said, implying that he is always available to add more heat.

Kate smiled as she realized what he was saying. "Yes, Mr. Borrel, the woods are doing an excellent job.

"If you don’t mind, I’ll begin. "Have a wonderful day."

"Ahh, yes, I’ve kept you for too long. How about I walk you to your destination?" Borrel asked while rubbing his hands together as he trod towards her.

"Mister, I wouldn’t want to impose on you early this morning. I’ll start moving now". Kate bowed and said, “See you later,” putting Borrel on the spot.

He came back while clenching his teeth. "You will be mine, Kate, one day."

"What are you talking to yourself about?" An old man passing saw Borrel talking to himself, he couldn't help but want to know if he was perhaps losing some nuts.

"Old Magie mind your own business!" The amiable and compassionate Borrel had long since vanished.

After leaving, Kate went to the market to assist Madam Rosie with her stand. She received a small salary, but she could get by for a day and also had some savings.

She intended to use the money to start her stall, but more importantly, she wanted to go back and find the answers to her questions. But, there was always this fear in the back of her mind that she couldn't pick on. Something too deep for her to know. Perhaps ignorance is bliss, but the curiosity that killed the cat is always present.

"Kate, you're just in time," Madam Rosie said as Kate entered the shop.

"Good morning, Madam Rosie." Kate greeted her as she placed her bag on the table.

"Good morning, Kate. How was your night?"

Kate wanted to say 'horrible' but instead, she said "It was lovely Madam. Yours?"

"Good Kate."

"You wanted me to do something?" Kate inquired.

"Yes, an order came in late last night. We must deliver the last badge of that linen to Madam Castrol "I'd like you to deliver them this morning."

"Okay, has it been packaged?"

"Yes, it's on the stool inside."

Madam Rosie handed Kate a coin when she returned with the bag containing the linen.

"Be quick before you miss the local carriage, and please be careful over there, I heard the night creatures are killing again". She said the last sentence quietly because she didn't want anyone to overhear her discussing it.

"I will, Madam Rosie." Kate hung the bag over her shoulders as she said her goodbyes to Madam Rosie.

"Okay lass" responded Madam Rosie.

Madam Rosie was one of the few people who offered her assistance when she first arrived in town. She had welcomed her in, despite the fact that she had no place to stay, and no food to eat. She would be eternally grateful to her.

The area where the local carriages

were stationed was bustling with activity, with people coming and going.

Some carriages arrived from the upper town, where the aristocrats lived. With a single glance, it is clear that these carriages originated there.

Some carriages bore the name of the family, indicating their social standing. The most prestigious families had their names on them. They were mostly made of gold.

"Hello, mister, is the carriage to Lockwood available?" Kate came to a halt and approached one of the coaches.

"Yes, it is about to leave." "Hurry up before you miss it."

Kate rushed to board the carriage before it was too late, or she would have to wait for another, which would be inconvenient.

She managed to get inside the carriage before it left for Lockwood.

There were many of the town’s men and women, and also travelers, chattering inside the carriage.

The carriage was made of wood, like every local carriage one can find, with wooden seats placed in rows.

Kate held onto her bag as she didn’t want to be pickpocketed. There was always a high chance of somebody getting pickpocketed on every trip.

She turned her face away, looking outside the window as they passed houses and shops before entering the woods.

The road to this town always passes through the woods, where one has to fear for their life and goods.

The fear of night creatures and the fear of robbers who robbed traders and travelers of their goods and money always lingered in their minds each time they had to pass through there. It was always said to keep your heart and your money separate because you never knew which would be taken from you.

The night creatures take the heart and the robbers take the money, but you can end up losing both.

The carriage shook as it slowed down and finally stopped. Before getting down, people started paying. As she gave the coachman her coin, Kate clenched her bag.

Ahead of her, a large signboard read, "THE TOWN OF LOCKWOOD" in capital letters. She walked a short distance before stopping in front of the large gate that had THE CASTROL written above it in capital letters.

Up until this point, she had seen the family name on the gates of every property she had passed. The mansion inside was as tall and solid as the gate.

While standing there, she noticed something move in the corner of her eyes. She turned around, but there was nothing but the trees that surrounded the area.

She dashed inside, recalling what Madam Rosie had said about night creatures, before having to turn to one of the meals.

When she went inside, whatever had been lurking in the shadows emerged as it looked at the girl who didn’t appear to be from this town based on her clothes and shoes. Its pupils changed from black to red, and the sight of a sharp, clean fang was revealed from the slightly opened mouth. In less than a minute, it turned around and headed back into the dense forest.