Eternal Bloodlust

"Mom?" Misty called, thinking Leona might be calling her. Although she never remembered her mother having such a deep voice.

For a few moments, there was no sound. Silence. She turned her eyes back to the window.

White snow fell, heavier and heavier, piling up on neighbors' roofs and trees. But the snowmen she had seen earlier were gone.

It was as if what she had just seen was just her imagination.

Misty shook her head. Why was there so much strangeness today? Was she going crazy?

She decided not to think about it right now. She had to prepare for her birthday party.

But no one remembered or wanted to celebrate her birthday. Today was just a party for Minna. No doubt she felt sad.

Was she selfish for not being happy on Minna's birthday? Was she selfish because she thought of herself?

She didn't understand, but her heart hurt at the moment. Still, every year there was the hope that Leona would call her and blow out birthday candles with Minna.

But that image fades away every year. Also this year. Leona kept her busy preparing food for them while they celebrated Minna's birthday in the living room.

While they ate, she made drinks. Whatever it was, Leona always had orders for her and didn't give her a chance to eat together.

And then Minna's birthday was over. Laughter could be heard from the living room and happy squeals from Minna as she opened the present Leona had given her. It was the expensive leather shoes she wanted.

Misty didn't want anything more, she just wanted to eat. Her stomach hurt. She grabbed a piece of a boiled egg and wolfed it down.

"Happy birthday, Misty," she muttered to herself. She took a deep breath and held back the tears that wanted to fall.

The candle that lit the kitchen flickered to encourage her. Misty smiled. There was nothing to cry about. What was so special about a birthday? It was a blessing that she survived.

Misty picked up the bowl and was about to put the soup on the table. Leona came into the kitchen. The woman immediately stopped her.

"No. That's not for you. Cook the potatoes over there, or do something. Don't ruin this nice day!" Leona said, disapproving. Misty hated this look.

Misty stared at the empty bowl in front of her, then looked at Leona confused.

"Why? Why don't you cook for me?" asked Misty. Why did Leona hate her so much? Just for eating, the woman even forbidden her.

"Why do I have to cook for you? You can do it yourself!"

"But why? I cook for everyone! Why can't I eat yours too?" Misty didn't understand why she was so upset right now. Usually, she doesn't mind food. She could cook and eat as much as she wanted. But why was she so upset today?

"It's my birthday too," Misty continued quietly, trying to avoid getting out of control.

Leona looked sharply at Misty. "Know your place, Misty. Be thankful I still let you sleep in my house and eat my food. Don't cross your line!"

Misty clenched her fists. It was true that she was a foster child living on the land. However, all the money she earned from working was always given to Leona. And the woman still treated her like a slave. Remember, she started working when her adoptive father died?

"I gave you all the money I got, and you still can't love me as your daughter?" Misty asked.

Leona looked angry for a moment. She didn't see her adopted daughter's sadness, but she was angry that the girl sniffed around her hard-earned money. Money she earned by raising the girl.

"You will never be able to pay me even if you work for your life! And you're taking the meager money you gave me?" shouted Leona, her eyes bulging with rage.

"It's not about money! I want your love too!" screamed Misty for the first time in her life.

Leona was stunned to see Misty suddenly crying in front of her. But then her expression changed.

"If it wasn't for you, I would never lose my husband! And you think I can love you? Oh, Misty, if I can, I really want to kick you out," Leona snapped, gritting her teeth. It was as if the anger that filled her chest had overflowed at that moment.

Misty fell silent. Her tears were still falling, but her head was full of thoughts. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Leona pursed her lips and did not speak again.

"Get out! Sleep in the cowshed! Learn to be grateful and reflect on your mistakes!" Leona ordered.

Misty wanted to ask more questions, but the woman wouldn't answer them. But what was so wrong that she had to sleep in a cowshed?

Misty didn't want to argue with Leona. She wiped away her tears and ran out the back door.

The cowshed had been empty for a long time. A lot has happened since her father died. They had sold a lot of cattle and now they had nothing.

Misty threw herself into the dry hay. Since the place was often used to punish her when she was "naughty" Misty made a mattress out of straw to make herself comfortable.

But the night air was so cold that it made her tremble. She had nothing to cover her body except her clothes. For a moment, her body shivered.

In the silence of the night, her mind wandered. What if the monsters that attacked the cattle mistook her for a cow? Then they ate her? Or tore her bodies apart?

Her teeth chattered, terrified at the thought. Did Leona really hate her enough to let her sleep in a cowshed when the village was on alert? Everyone made sure their animals were safe, but Leona did the opposite.

She was cold. And hungry. She tried to sleep, hoping the night would end soon.

It seemed she had just drifted off when her surroundings lit up. She tried to open her eyes. The next second, her eyes widened.

Her house was on fire!

"Hah!" she exclaimed in shock, waking up spontaneously and running out.

There she saw many people gathered around her house, which was engulfed in flames. Men carried water, trying to put it out. The heavy snow made it difficult.

"THAT'S THE WITCH! BURN HER!" shouted a woman Misty knew as her most hated neighbor.

Misty was stunned. She saw that everyone stared at her now. A look of hatred. Reflexively, she stepped back.

"CATCH HER! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY!" Shouts erupted back and forth.

Misty felt her chest quiver. Fear gripped her. She had no choice but to run.

But in the blink of an eye, the men of her village dragged her back into the crowd. Though she struggled with all her might, they were not lenient.

Misty trembled. What did they mean? Were they going to burn her?

They tied her body with rope so tightly that she could hardly breathe. The rope was so rough that she could feel it penetrating her skin.

"Let me go, what are you doing?" screamed Misty. She looked up at the angry faces around her.

"Get some firewood, let's burn her!" one of them shouted. Misty couldn't hear who's voice it was. She was scared.

"NO! WHAT HAVE I DONE? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!" screamed Misty, her throat dry. But they weren't listening. Her small, slender body was easily lifted by a man. Even if she struggled, it was useless.

Her long, wavy blonde hair fell over her face. Her bright green eyes were filled with fear tears. Along the way, she cried out because she felt wronged. She had done nothing.

In her fear, the man carrying her suddenly stopped. Misty tried to rebel and break free, but couldn't.

The villagers gathered. What's going on now?

Misty glanced over, and an old man she recognized as one of the elders stopped them. Misty hoped he could stop this injustice.

"Oh, help me, Mr. Jones!" Misty pleaded.

Jones looked at Misty, his dark face staring at the man who brought the girl.

"We're in big trouble. Burning the girl won't solve anything," Jones said.

The villagers shouted again that they didn't want Misty. It seemed they were always waiting for a moment like this to drive her away.

Jones calmed them down. "We're not burning anyone!" he insisted. Misty was relieved to hear that, but it didn't last long.

Jones continued. "Maria, see if she is still a virgin. We will see what we can do!"

Misty widened her eyes. What did he mean?

One thing was for sure, they were going to sacrifice her?

"NOOO!!!"

She didn't want to die right now, she wasn't ready! And she felt that all this was unfair. There were many girls in Odessa, why her? She didn't even know what had happened to her house. Why did it catch fire? Why did they accuse her so easily?!