Erica's Letter: She Knows

To: Felicia dela Cuesta

Mom, I'm sorry it's only now that I have responded to your last letter. I know you won't be reading this because there's no mail courier service that sends letters to the afterlife.

You're right, mom. There's really someone after us. I thought it was just a story made by the old people to make us hate humans. But they really want to kill us.

They killed Alice. And now another guy is trying to kill one of us. It's me. I rode the plane with the man, and I felt sick remembering what happened to Alice. I begged him not to. But he didn't listen. But I won't be killed. I will protect our clan even if there's only me left.

The man is here in my cottage. I remember collapsing last night because I threw up too much. He must have brought me in. It's scary, mom. Wouldn't you normally feel grateful that somebody helped you? But this man helped me because he wants to take away my ring.

I know how they work. They make us trust them so that we will give our rings away. They know they're no match for us. That's how they tricked Alice. She was so happy so finally have a friend who was very like her. I shouldn't have encouraged her to leave the woods and live with her friend.

They're smart, and that's what makes me scared the most.

The sun hadn't risen yet and the man was still asleep. I took that as an opportunity for me to find out how he would trick me. I went through his things and I saw some papers. I saw my information there and some scribbles.

"Love," I read. "Is this how he's going to kill me?" I whispered.

"What are you doing?"

My eyes widened and I turned around. He's awake.

"Hi," I said.

"What are you doing?" he asked once more.

He didn't let it go. He was the persistent type. Why was he different from the other man who killed Alice? He seemed cold. Doesn't he know that the best way to gain somebody's trust is to make that person like you? The man who killed Alice did a much better job which is quite sad.

"Are you looking for Erica, too?"

He frowned. "Too?"

I nodded and took a step closer. "Yes. I've been looking for Erica. Do you know where she is right now?"

"No, but how do you know her? Are you related?" he squinted his eyes.

I snorted. "Related? Of course not. She's a friend, and I'm trying to return this to her." I brought the ring out of my pocket and showed it to him.

His eyes grew bigger. "Is she dead?"

"Are you crazy? Why would she be dead?"

"But the ring is not with her," he muttered but I read his lips.

I guess they think that taking off the ring means death.

I looked at the ring. "I really like this ring, you know. It's so beautiful and feels magical. Don't you feel it? But it's a bummer." I pouted. "Erica said this is still hers and this ring will always find its way back to her. And I guess it's true because I keep feeling the need to return this to her."

"What do you mean it still belongs to her?"

This man really likes asking questions.

"I don't know. She just said that she hasn't given up her ownership. You know, all her relatives disappeared after they gave up ownership over their rings. I guess that's why," I explained.

"But she still disappeared."

"Yeah. That's why I'm very annoyed because I don't know where she is and I need to return it."

He took the paper from me and said, "Give me the ring and I'll return it to her for you."

"No." I hid the ring behind me. "The last thing that Erica said before she disappeared is that she gave this to me so I will be the one to give it back to her."

He was quiet for a moment, weighing the situation.

"How do you plan to find her?" he asked.

"No plan. I just feel like this ring and my guts will take me to her."

"Guts? That is a very scientific way of thinking," he sarcastically remarked.

"But it would be great to have a companion. Why don't we work together? You help me. I help you. We help each other."

"For what reason should I work with you?"

"You seem desperate so I'm just trying to give you an offer.""And how will you help me?"

"Only the ring and I can lead you to her. She emphasized that I am the one to return this."

He didn't say anything after that. It's easier to talk posing as somebody else. At least I know that I'm not being targeted and I can keep my guard down.Mom, I'm going to play this game with him. I'll make him my friend. I'll make him trust me. That's the only way to protect myself.

"Okay. We will work together but make sure that you do not do anything stupid that will be a hindrance. Make sure you won't be the hindrance."

I smiled. "Great! What do you want for breakfast?"

Mom, I'll be using the ring's power many times now. I'll change my appearance. From now on, Erica and Carie will be living at the same time in this man's world.

"Anything," he replied. "But before that, can you tell me more about the things that she said to you?"

"Hmmm... I can't think if I'm hungry. Let's eat first."

I had no idea what to tell him. I haven't thought much about Erica and Carie's story.

"And I just told you not to be a hindrance."

"I'll really be a hindrance if I don't get to eat any moment now. Come on and let's get cooking."

I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the kitchen.

From: Erica dela Cuesta