Chapter 3 CHAPTER 3

AVARA

"What's my crime? Why is she trying to kill me?!" I panted with so much fear, sprinting through the passages without stopping!

"Don't make this worse for yourself, Avara. Because when I get my hands on you, you'll be so sorry that you ever messed with me!" She threatened from behind, dragging that heavy rod along.

I was so scared to the point of almost losing myself.

Why is there no security in sight?!

"Not even a single soul passing through this area. What am I going to do?!" I panicked, heart pounding fast!

That's when my eyes caught sight of a private signboard that says Coming Soon.

"If it's private, surely there'll be someone guiding that place!" I believed, changing my route straight in that direction.

Without looking back to know how close my bully was, I dashed right into this private hallway, took a left turn and another, then in a swift mode, I ran into the first opened door I saw and hid myself behind the door in the darkness.

I was breathing and trying to control it by covering my mouth.

"I didn't see any security. Oh God!" I prayed, shutting my eyes tight!

Soon, Stella arrived.

I could tell from the dragging sound her rod made on the tiled floor.

"Where are you hiding you rat?" She groaned, looking for me.

I was shaking in my spot, praying hard for her not to see me.

And just as her shadow was appearing at the entrance of the room I was hiding in... "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" A security man yelled, scaring Stella off!

I heard her utter a curse word, drop her rod and run away!

"Oh, thank God!" I heaved in, leaning against the wall away from the door.

"I need backup on Hall nine. There was a weird lady holding a rod not too long ago. She just dropped it and ran off. I'll give you her details," I heard the security saying, as he went after Stella.

Good riddance to her... For now.

With all that running, I decided to just stay here and catch my breath a little before I go and join my schoolmates in our tour.

But it was at that moment the light in this very room came on, revealing where I was.

"Oh my..." I gasped while rising to my feet, staring at the exact thing that brought me over to the museum!

"I found it!" I shrieked, excited to see many supernatural artifacts!

Werewolves, Vampires, Fairies... They made a special room for them!

"This is so amazing!" I said excitedly, going from one art to another, reading their histories that either claimed they were real or not.

But in my heart, I know they were real.

As I was busy admiring every item I came across, my eyes suddenly caught sight of a large painting, covered up with a dark veil.

The sight of this left me curious to sneak a peek and see what's behind it.

"I mean, no one's here," I said naughtily, looking around to confirm.

"They'll think it fell on its own," I giggled, facing the covered-up painting, taking hold of the hem.

Unable to hold back my curiosity, I pulled the veil off and was instantly left... frozen in shock.

"What... What is this?" I stammered, my lips trembling in disbelief as my feet drew back, gazing at this unexpected image!

"That's impossible. Is that... me?" I uttered in shock, staring at a beautiful portrait of a well-dressed me!

This felt creepy. Am I being stalked or what?

That thought ran through my mind wildly, until I noticed the write-up below this painting which said otherwise.

"Luna Aurora?" I read, realizing something that caused my heart to skip.

"Luna? That's the title of a werewolf queen. She's..." My eyes popped in astonishment, as I lifted my head to gaze at this copy of mine.

"She's a werewolf!" I gasped, not with fear but with intense admiration!

Not only did I find a painting that looks just like me, but the beauty herself is a werewolf ruler.

"I've always dreamt of being a werewolf. What if she's my..." Crazy thought ran through my mind.

Maybe we're related? Could it be?!

I was lost in this discovery when suddenly I heard a deep elderly voice from behind, "You're not supposed to be here."

That startled me instantly, forcing me to turn around and look.

There stood an old janitor at the door, holding a mop and bucket, looking right at me angrily.

"This room is off limits. How did you get past the security?" He questioned, drawing near with heavy thuds.

Fear gripped me at once. I knew I was in big trouble for trespassing, so I tried to explain myself to the janitor.

But as soon as he got closer to me, his anger suddenly vanished.

He stared at me like he had just seen a ghost and said, "Well I'll be. You... You look just like her!"

He pointed at the portrait, indicating what he meant.

"Luna Aurora. Is... Is that you?" He asked, his lips cracking into a longing smile.

Seeing his grin made me scared, but I had to let him know I wasn't the one in the painting. "I'm just as surprised as you are," I said, lifting my head again to stare at it.

"We look so much alike."

"Oh, you're a striking resemblance, my dear. Do you know what that means?" he said in a weird excited manner, like he knew something no one else does.

"No," I replied with discomfort, hoping he won't creep me any further.

But I was wrong.

The old man stood before the image and began sharing an interesting tale of the queen.

"Legend has it that Luna Aurora, adored by werewolves and many creatures far and wide, went missing centuries ago with no trace. Her disappearance shattered the entire kingdom. And with no ruler to lead her pack, they had to move on and find her a successor. One who has the exact quality she possesses."

"One who looks just like her?" I muttered with eagerness, wondering if this was a sign meant just for me.

"I don't know," the janitor chuckled like I just cracked a joke.

"It's just a myth. There's no such thing as werewolves," he shared his take on this.

But to me, this was real.

I mean what are the odds?

A missing Queen who looks so much like me? What if this is the breakthrough I've been searching for?

Away from all these pains, sorrow, bullying...

"Not that I'm fully in support of this but..." The janitor spoke secretive, pulling out what appears to be a paper, giving it to me.

I was confused, wondering what it was.

That's when he said, softly, "If you feel you stand a chance, then I suggest you write a letter to them." He winked, walking into a corner to mop.

"Write a letter?" I picked that phrase and slowly opened the paper to see what exactly was inside.

To my surprise, it was an address to the werewolf kingdom!

My heart glowed with delight.

I looked over at the janitor who was already staring at me with a smile, and I returned the gesture, racing out of the room with joy.

Yes, I can feel it.

This is a sign.

.

Soon, we arrived back at school, only to learn that Stella is in big trouble.

She wasn't on the bus when we were heading back. That's because the principal was called over by the museum to get her.

Stella's actions were reported and it got not just the principal mad, but her father as well.

"Millions of dollars? How are they going to pay for that?" Some students gossiped over the artifacts Stella destroyed.

That's enough to say she's done for.

"I hope they expel her," many hoped, laughing at her misfortune.

I won't lie, I was looking forward to this as well. A school free of Stella is like heaven on earth.

On my way to my locker—since school is almost over—I was met by the school janitor from the other day, who happily asked if my day was going well.

I smiled and said I was doing fine, only for him to reveal something that stunned me.

"I knew you wouldn't report Stella to the principal, so I did it on your behalf. Now you don't have to worry about her anymore. Her goose is toast," he shared confidently, giving me an answer to her madness today.

"That's why she tried to hurt me!" I gulped inside, feeling my legs trembling.

Not just from the information the janitor shared, but Stella!

She was walking through the hallway with her raging father, staring right at me!

Her eyes filled with hate and revenge... She's blaming me for her misfortune!

"She can't do anything for the next two months. She has been suspended," the janitor broke the news he heard, laughing.

I really wanted to feel good about this news, but after seeing that icy stare from Stella... "Please, excuse me," I said shakily to the janitor, walking speedily in fright.

"She won't leave me. She'll come for me!" I cried, running into an empty classroom to hide.

I sat behind the door as my eyes dripped with tears, knowing well that this torment will only get worse.

"I can't take this anymore," I sniveled, reaching into my pocket to grab a napkin, only for me to feel the very paper that old janitor gave to me.

The address!

I pulled it out and stared at it, as thoughts of this nonexistent kingdom and its wonders gave me hope within.

"I'm doing it. I won't delay for another minute," I decided, exiting the classroom to begin my letter.

If you're in my shoes, going through all these abuses and sorrows... You won't think twice before making this decision.

You'll definitely write a letter to the wolves.