First encounter at the Madforest

Today we’re having a game night at my cousin’s house since my mom is out of town for today, so my brother and I will be staying here.

“Kids, the dinner is ready!”

Aunt Anna shouted, and we all rushed downstairs as if we were running out of food. As usual, the dinner was filled with laughter, having the four of us together at one table is chaos. I walked to the balcony after cleaning the dishes to enjoy some fresh air and watch my cousins and brother grill barbeques since they said that they are not still full. While watching Jensen, I remembered what happened earlier at school so I pulled out my phone and started typing a message to Brandon.

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Celestine Salvador

Hey jerk , stop messing with my brother. Believe him when he says that he doesn’t like ur not so gorgeous girl becoz that’s tru, so back off.

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I clicked send. If he tries to hurt my brother again, I won’t let it slide anymore. I remember Jensen's first fight; we were in grade school, there’s a boy who stole my lollipop and he even trip me off so I got bruises on my knee and when Jensen find out about it, he was so mad that he kicked the boy’s ass and he almost beat him up if Faira didn’t arrive.

My phone vibrated as a sign that Brandon had replied.

Brandon Esguerra

What if, I don’t want to?

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Celestine Salvador

Then don't . but ur girlfriend will suffer the consequences of ur stupid actions.

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Brandon Esguerra

Are you threatening me? Don’t involve my girlfriend into this, delete that damn video now!

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Celestine Salvador

What if, I don’t want to?

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Brandon Esguerra

I’ll report you , you lunatic b*tch

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Celestine Salvador

duh i'm not scared. try harder

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They're all worked up over that non-existent video, and even if there is one, I'm not that petty to post it or anything; it's Stephanie's personal life, and whoever she wants to make out with is none of my business.

After they’re done grilling barbeque, we decided to play some games, and then at 1 am we watch movies until all of us fell asleep in the living room, I didn’t even know how the movie ended because I think I already fell asleep on the middle part. I still feel sleepy since I have to wake up at 5 because I have a class at 6 am, I hate morning class.

“That would be all class, see you next meeting”

After our Physical Education class, I immediately went to the comfort room to change and I was the first one to enter our classroom. Science is our last subject and while Mrs. Reyes is teaching, all I could think of is going home and have a good sleep.

“Goodbye ma'am,” we all said as we rose up.

When our teacher left the room, I opened my bag to arrange my stuff, but as I put my things back in my bag, I noticed that something seemed to be missing. I thought for a moment and realized that my video camera was not in my bag. So, I opened all of my bag's zippers and checked them, but I couldn't find it, which made me anxious. I went through all of my stuff to double-check, but there was nothing. I looked at the bottom of my chair as well as the chairs of my classmates but still I couldn’t find it.

I searched the bottom of my chair, as well as the chairs of my classmates, but it was nowhere to be found. I even checked the teacher’s table but no luck. I was starting to feel anxious. It’s impossible that I left it at my cousin’s house because we are still using that in the car on the way here to school. I’m sure that it’s just in my bag the entire class. I can’t lose that because it’s brand new. One by one, my classmates began to leave the room.

Kyrstal apparently noticed that I seem worried so she asked me what the problem was.

“I can’t find my camera, have you seen it?”

She sadly shook her head as a response to my question.

"Have you asked the others?”

I scratch my head in frustration. I can’t believe that my camera is missing! I went at the front and all my classmates looked at me.

"Has anyone seen my camera?”

I swear if anyone is pulling a prank on me, he better start praying now because no one messes with my precious camera. Some of my classmates shook their heads and some of them didn’t even bother to look at me but someone caught my attention. I walked towards Stephanie upon seeing her reaction.

"Hoy"

I stopped in front of her and she looked at me with one eyebrow raising.

“Where’s my camera?”

I laid my hand in front of her but she went back on arranging her things like she didn’t hear anything.

"You do know that hiding my video cam is not a smart move, right? I wasn’t born yesterday, I can make copies of that so while I’m still being nice to you, better tell me where is it.”

I said to her with a dark expression and serious tone. She remained silent while looking at her desk. Is she really pushing me to my limit? I slapped her desk hard causing her to jump in surprise while our classmates also looked at our way but no one dared to speak or come near to us.

"Where is my video cam"

I made an emphasis on every word that I said.

"I don’t have it, I swear!”

She looked frightened but my expression remained cold as ice. I narrowed my eyes at her as if I was examining him

.

"I swear!! Maybe it’s Brandon? I remember him saying that I should not worry about that video anymore because he will take care of it"

She said in a low and shaky voice while looking around, checking if someone is listening to us but I blocked the view that made her look up at me.

“Where is he?”

I don’t think Brandon understand any word that I said last night.

"He’s in the gym, I think."

Upon hearing her answer, I didn’t waste any more time and immediately took my bag then went to the gym. I’m so mad right now that my hands were clenched tightly as I walked. I can bear all those bad things that they have been saying to me but messing with my camera is on another level and I can’t let it slide.

When I entered the gym, Brandon was there playing basketball with his friends and there were few people also aside from them. Apparently, Chase my crush was also in here so I pretended not to see him and shifted my gaze to my enemy and walked towards Brandon who is currently holding the ball and being blocked, not minding that they are in the middle of the game. When they noticed my presence, they stopped what they were doing. I tapped Brandon’s shoulder, he was frowning when he turned to me but when he saw my face, a smirk appeared on his lips. The game also seems to have stopped because of me entering the court.

"Hey lunatic what do you think you're doing?"

A friend of Brandon's shouted then others also started complaining that I was disturbing the game but I didn’t care, my eye remained on Brandon.

"Where's my video cam" I said coldly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about”

He laughed and he was about to pass the ball but I snatch it from him then I threw it away. His friends were about to approach us but he raises his hands telling them to stop.

"So where is it?"

I took a step forward and I noticed that the gym went silent like everybody here is looking at us. Meanwhile, Brandon acted like he was thinking.

"Ah, the video cam that we buried in the ground!"

My jaw dropped upon hearing his answer.

"What did you say?"

I blinked twice. I heard him loud and clear but I was in denial, I was hoping we would take it back and give it to me now but examining his face. I think he’s serious.

"Right, Rex??"

He asked one of his friends and the guy nodded in response. I felt like my heart just dropped.

"I’m sorry I didn’t know it was yours, I thought it was trash."

I scoffed in disbelief. He pretended to feel sorry but I know that deep inside he’s happy.

He leaned at me and move his head closer to my ears.

"I told you not to mess with me, don’t worry you can find it at Madforest and I put a little cross as a sign. See I’m still kind”

I pushed him away and stared at him coldly.

“I wasn’t born yesterday, Brandon, you can bury my camera but you can never bury that video of your girlfriend”

His expression changed but he still tries to smile. This time I was the one who walked closer to him.

“You better hope that I find it because if not, I’m going to bring you down with me”,

I tapped his shoulder and I noticed in my peripheral that someone is approaching.

“Whatever you say b*tch”, he winked at me and Chase interrupted us.

“What’s going on here”

He looked at Brandon then at me but I avoided his eyes. I didn’t expect him to come at us.

“Nothing, she was just about to leave”

Brandon answered while smiling, while I shook my head. I wasted no time and took a tricycle to the Madforest. As I arrived at the forest, I stopped and scan the entire area. I sighed realizing that I might took forever finding my camera because this place is vast. I went inside and started looking for it hoping to be finished before it became dark.

I've been looking for a few hours and been bitten by insects but I still can't find that cross sign. I’m starting to be stressed because it’s getting dark but I still can't find it. Hours has passed and its getting really darker.

It also feels creepy here because of those many stories about people who disappeared and died here. They say that people who come here didn’t come back anymore. Although I’m scared, my determination in finding my camera is stronger, so I bravely searched the forest. In the middle of finding my camera, my phone suddenly rang and I jumped in surprised like I was to have a heart attack.

"What?”

[ Where the hell are you Celestine? Do you know what time is it? If mom got home before you do, we’re both dead ]

I move my phone away from my ears because my brother was too loud.

"I'm in the Madforest"

I said nonchalantly and continued walking.

[What are you doing there?! ]

"Brandon hid my videocam here"

It’s too quiet here, all I can hear is the crackling sound of the woods and leaves on the ground as I step on it.

[that as*hole! Go home now and we'll find that tomorrow]

He suddenly sounded like a protective brother.

[Celestine go home now, that place is too dangerous]

He said seriously for the second time and I assured him that I'm leaving. I hung up the phone and put my phone in silent mode so I wouldn't be disturbed again. While searching, I was also thinking about how to get revenge on Brandon.

I stopped when I heard a rustle and listened to the surroundings carefully. The sound grew louder as if there was someone else was here. I'm starting to get nervous so I walked away quickly but the sound seemed to get louder in the direction I was heading.

I stopped walking when I saw two men fighting in the distance. I immediately turned off my flashlight and hid behind a tree. I kept a close eye on them and they seemed to be around Jensen's age. I wonder if they are also a student in University of Madiville? I peeked again and I was surprised to see that they are now closer, allowing me to see them more clearly. The man who is taller was wearing a black leather jacket while the other guy was wearing only a black v-neck shirt. I was amazed to see both of them fight because they are like professionals. In the meanwhile, the guy in the leather jacket appeared to be faster than a normal person, and the guy in the black v-neck shirt took something out, but I couldn't see it well since it was too dark. The man in the black leather jacket came to a complete halt and turned around as if seeking his opponent who just went behind him.

"Hey coward you know you should fight fair right?"

The black leather jacket yelled and I was so shocked to hear how deep and husky his voice was. I've never heard a voice such that perfect.

He was punched by the guy in the v-neck shirt and he was about to fight back but he missed him. The guy in the shirt seized that chance and knocked him down. It seems like he can’t see the guy in the v-neck shirt because he keeps attacking in the wrong direction. My eyes widen when I saw that the v-neck guy was holding a knife in his hand, and due to the moonlight, I also noticed a tattoo on the back of his neck. I wanted to shout at the guy in the leather jacket to warn him but I couldn’t. When the man in the leather jacket got up, he came to a halt in his position, as if he was sensing something.

"See even though I can't see you, I can still hear and feel you, dumbass"

He looked at my direction so I quickly hid behind the tree and covered my mouth using m hand.

"Sh*t"

I peeked again, afraid that the v-neck guy had stabbed him after hearing his groan. The man in the leather jacket clutched his wounded arm as he appeared to be stabbed. Now they are facing each other but the man in the jacket doesn't seem to know. I could hardly breathe seeing the knife was already close to the leather jacket guy's heart.

Thoughts rushed to my mind like the guy might actually die! My heart was pounding so loudly in my chest that I couldn't hear anything.

I think I completely lost my mind because the next thing I did was smack the guy with the knife on the head with a rock and he collapsed to the ground. Both of them were caught off guard, but I was more shocked by what I had done.

My hand is trembling and I dropped the rock with a blood from the v-neck guy. My heart felt as though it stopped beating. I pointed the flashlight at the man in the v-neck shirt, allowing me to view his entire face as well as his neck tattoo. on his neck. I was shocked when a small knife suddenly hit him in the stomach. I looked at the man next to me who threw it at him.

I was frightened as I saw his dark expression, as if he could kill anyone at any time.

"Where is he now?"

I returned my gaze to the man in the v-neck, but he was gone. I looked around but he was really gone leaving only the two of us. I picked up the knife that the man dropped earlier.

"He's gone"

I was in dazed. My brain can't seem to function what happened. Did I hit my head and fell asleep? Is this all a dream?

"Damn it!"

The guy yelled in frustration. I met his ocean eyes as I pointed my flashlight at him. I froze when I saw him staring at me. He opened his mouth to speak and I was stunned by what I saw. Did I see it right? I blinked twice. Did I just saw his fangs? He frowned at me when he realized I was staring at him. I remembered Chester's story about vampires and suddenly memories of Nadia, Celestia, and Lorenzo appeared to my mind causing my head to hurt.

"What are you?"

I pointed the knife that I found at him but he didn’t seem bothered and he remained silent while staring, more like examining me.

In a blink of an eye, he was already holding me and his arm wrapped around my neck while pointing the knife at me

"I should be the one asking you that, because obviously I'm a vampire. So, what are you?"

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