Prologue

PROLOGUE

“August 18, 2017. 9:00 pm"

I start while positioning my video cam placed on its stand. I stepped back and sat in the chair in front of the camera.

"The content of this video will be different because it is about the hidden truth of the history of Madiville. An unbelievable story that was told to me by a man who was here when this town was founded. This isn't your typical story, so it's difficult to accept, but given what's happened to me recently, I'm beginning to believe it."

I adjusted my mirror. I can't believe I'm saying this but his secrets became my truth.

"I don't have solid proof or anything, so if one day you watch this video, try to find out the truth."

I looked at the camera as I took a deep breath.

"1898-1933, the year when the Spanish-American war broke out and the Spaniards sold the Philippines to the Americans. This was also the year when a wealthy American doctor bought this town. I still can't believe that the town where I was born, and where I practically grew up, has a dark secret that Madiville isn't the ordinary village we thought it was. History is indeed a mystery. "

I paused for a moment and thought about all the things that the man had told me about Madville, because there is a part of me that is in denial.

"A wealthy American bought a small town in Baguio and he named it after his eldest daughter who died due to a serious illness. That's the story that normal people knew but someone opened my eyes to another possibility "

I clung to the hem of my dress. I glance at the floor and then looked at the camera again.

"When Dr. Steven Pearce bought this town, he moved his two daughters, Madelaine and Josephine Pearce, immediately but his eldest daughter Madelaine, was gravely ill and despite their father's best efforts, he was unable to help her. While their father was busy looking for a cure, they met a friend, Amelia, the daughter of their helper Susana. Years passed, Madelaine's illness worsened then Dr. Steven told them the truth that her eldest daughter only have a few more days or months to live. Amelia was devasted she didn't want to lose Madelaine because she isn't just her friend but she is also like a sister to her, so is Josephine. Amelia was determined to save her friend, and because she's a witch she tried to look for another way to save Madelaine using her grandmother's ritual book. During her search, she found a spell that can make a person immortal. She immediately informed Dr. Steven about it, but the doctor refused because he insists that only science can cure his daughter. However, Josephine's great love for her sister pushed her to agree and secretly perform the ritual. Madelaine didn't want to be immortal by herself, so the three of them agreed to go through the spell together. The three of them became the first vampires in Madiville and were called the Maidens. Madelaine, Josephine, and Amelia had a difficult time transitioning from humans to vampires. They had a hard time controlling their hunger because they were beginners, which resulted in many people dying. The royal realm's council, which is consists of powerful vampires who are responsible for upholding the peace between demon-blooded and mundane, was alarmed, therefore, royals were dispatched to capture the maidens. Madiville was enveloped in terror because of the war between the Maidens and the Royals, during the fight, Josephine was the only one who was captured while Madelaine and Amelia were able to escape. When the vampires vanished and the massacre ended, people thought that it is Madelaine who saved their town, they assumed that she courageously fought the vampires because she was the president of the Madiville council and pretended to lead the people in fighting, which is why they named the town after her. But, in reality, she is the mastermind behind everything. She even murdered her own father in order to hide her actual identity."

Madelaine is a horrible person, and it scares me to think that she might be alive and roaming around here.

I straightened up and fixed my gaze on the camera.

"As I already mentioned, I do not have ——"

My bedroom window suddenly opened so, I quickly stood up and turned my video camera toward myself.

"I'm Celine Salvador, signing off."

I turned off my video camera and put it away in a drawer. A few moments later, a man entered my bedroom window. My eyes widened when I saw who it is and my heart started beating fast because of fear.

"What are you doing here?"

What's the matter with me? Why am I stuttering! I'm making it too obvious that I'm scared. He took a couple of steps closer to me, and I moved back with each step he took.

"Stop!! Stay right there! or I'll scream!"

I tried to stop him, but it didn't seem to work because his blue eyes stayed fixed on me as he continue to walk towards me.

Is this the end of me?

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