Chapter 10

Who knew how long Miranda had been traversing through the dark and cold woods. The pain coursing throughout her, both physically and mentally, were on the verge of breaking her apart.

Her mind blank as she kept trudging through the forest, without any destination in mind. Everything that had transpired so far made no sense to her, she wouldn't believe what Alberto had done. For lord's sake, despite not being the most loving teacher out there, at least he provided her with food and shelter; provided her with vampire hunting skills to protect herself. He would pat her head if Miranda performed well, it was something most anticipating for her.

At the very least, Miranda really did consider him a father. Having lost one cruelly, she never would had thought she would lose this one in such an inexplicable manner.

What happened? Why? Miranda kept asking herself over and over again as she kept running. As if possessed by a demon, the Alberto who normally wouldn't speak more than three sentences at a time, who normally wouldn't be bothered to have too much physical contact with her, suddenly went all out and performed those atrocious deeds.

Thorns from the bushes and trees kept adding more physical wounds to Miranda's already broken body, prickling her all over, but their presence never kept in mind by her, as she continued to make her way through the woods, and solve the unfathomable riddle in her head.

She kept running and running. Before she knew it, she was lying on the ground, unconscious.

Miranda gradually opened her eyes, the bright rays from the light on the ceiling blinded her for an instant. Somehow, this scene felt so familiar to her. Alberto?

"She's awake!" a female voice cried out as hurried footsteps came soon after. She was hugged around the neck by a girl around her age. "Thank goodness!"

The sensation of human touch quickly turned unpleasant as horrid memories of the night before came back to haunt her. Instinctively, she let out a scream, "Nooo! Don't touch me!" and pushed the girl away, retreated to a corner of the bed and grabbed tightly the blanket that enveloped her during her recovery, her body trembling violently.

The girl was puzzled by this sudden outburst, she tried to reach her hand to comfort, but in response she received another scream and Miranda hastily turned her back to face the girl. She buried her head between her knees, weeping deeply.

"So, she finally woke up?" This time, it was a man, the dreaded sound of a man. Upon hearing it, she grabbed the nearest object beside her – a rubber-made ball, and threw it with pinpoint accuracy towards the forehead of that man. He was holding a tray with had a few plates and bowls on it, must be a meal prepared for her. Fortunately, the impact from the ball wasn't that severe and he held on to the tray firmly, not allowing it to drop.

Miranda's eyes were fierce, her breath fast and shallow, her eyes shaky. Sensing that his presence somehow triggered something unpleasant inside her, the man put down the food and left the room, leaving his daughter and the silver-haired girl.

"It's alright now, nobody is going to hurt you here." The girl very slowly, attempted to approach Miranda again to calm her down. Miranda grabbed tightly her blanket again, still bearing feelings of hostility. "My name is Iris, I found you lying unconscious just at the edge of the woods, and brought you here." Iris thought it might be better to start explaining things to her, perhaps it would clear off some questions in her head, and loosen up to her.

"M… Miranda…" it was a success, as Miranda at least would introduce herself. Prior to that incident, Miranda had gradually grew more outgoing and often introduced herself to everyone she met on the job, although still small, there were quite a number of vampire hunters who knew her.

Iris smiled as she brought the tray closer to Miranda, "eat it while it's warm!"

Staring at the food, her stomach begun to take over. Iris took her seat a comfortable distance away, so Miranda took the opportunity to help herself and feasted upon the meal she was offered.

"It's just past lunch time, no wonder you're hungry." Iris chuckled, the sight of Miranda eating so voraciously was hilarious. "You were hurt pretty bad, I helped you with the bandages."

After hearing that, Miranda took a moment to examine her dressing, they were neatly put together, with her able to feel the care enveloped in these bandages. Then Miranda thought of the condition of her private part, and grabbed the blanket, pressing against it.

"You are on your period," said Iris.

"Huh?"

"It happens every month, all women do."

Catching the hint that Miranda was absolutely clueless about this matter, Iris patiently explained the concept to her. Feeling her nervy layers of hostility unfolding away from the gentle and kind Iris, Miranda began to tell her everything, about what happened to the Roses at Lidoris, how she met Alberto, and what filthy thing Alberto he had done to her.

"My lord…" Iris closed her mouth with her hands after hearing such a bitter experience, Miranda had it worse, tears cascading from her eyes as they wet the food and blanket she held in her hands. Iris went on and gave her the best hug she could. "It's okay now, I am here with you."

Miranda, appreciating the kindness, hugged tightly back and bawled to her heart's content, releasing all the sorrow inside her.