Blood Sacrifice

Chapter One

Chapter One

"Are we moving again?"

Irritation was evident when Errine asked the question. It was their fifth move of residence from one place to another ever since she was seven. She is now eighteen. Her mom would shrug followed by a deep breath because she doesn't want to move again. It's tiring and uncomfortable for everyone.

"I'm sorry, but we need to move again," his dad answered. There was no explanation just like the first until the fourth move of the house.

Gustong mag-protesta ni Errine sa paglipat ngunit tinalikuran na siya ng ama. Malungkot ang ina nitong pumasok sa kuwarto para mag-impake. Wala siyang magawa kung hindi ang mag-impake rin ng gamit. Kaunting gamit na sapat na para mabuhay ng isang linggo na aabot ng ilang taon sa panibagong lugar.

A few people were outside their house, moving laboratory equipment from their terrace to a pickup truck. Lucius, Errine's dad, is a doctor who specializes in blood. He sold them to a nearby hospital.

They left the house at nine o'clock in the evening. It was the safest time for them to go to the train station. Lucius bought their tickets while his wife and daughter waited for the train. They set to travel past ten and expect to arrive at Blumint by three.

Blumint is a small city in the northwest part of Kalorburg country.

"We regret to inform you that the estimated arrival of the train has been delayed by an hour due to a train malfunction. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause."

Bakas ang dismaya sa mukha ni Lucius na pinakalma naman ni Cassara, ang asawa nito. Napahalukipkip naman si Errine na nakasandal sa may posteng malapit sa waiting area.

Isang oras ang lumipas nang dumating ang tren. Sa tabi ng bintana naupo si Errine at pinagmasdan ang lugar sa labas bago umaandar ang tren. Limang oras ang kanilang byahe pero wala siyang antok na nararamdaman.

Isinuot na nila Errine and hoodie jacket bago lumabas ng tren nang marating nila ang Blumint. Bago pa man siya makababa ng tren ay nabangga siya ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng itim na kasuotan. Nahulog ang hawak na libro ng lalaki. Mabilis na binasa ni Errine ang nasa libro.

How to Conquer the Sun?

"I'm sorry," they said in a chorus before the man picked up the book on the floor and left.

'Conquer the sun? What kind of book was that?' Errine shook her head, walking out of the train. She saw her parents in the waiting area. But the book was still in her head.

'It's familiar. Where did I see that one?'

Maraming tao sa istasyon kaya nahirapan silang makahanap ng masasakyan. Pasado alas singko na ng umaga nang makasakay sila ng taxi. Narating nila ang isang maliit na bahay bago ang ala sais ng umaga.

It was a bungalow made of brick, low-pitched roof, double-hung windows, and a wooden door with a glass panel at the top. It was the simplest house in the place. Errine could not help but look around with just her eyes.

"Another adjustment and everything under the moon," she uttered before following her parents inside the house.

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