Mandy's POV

"Mandy, are you done packing your things?!" My Mom. I am now busy packing and preparing my bag. Unfortunately, always. We didn't stay in one home, we always moved because of Dad's work.

My Dad is a soldier, a general. Sometimes he came home only once or twice. And on occasion, I only see him at home. But when he is here, we always leave or go somewhere else. I respect him for his work, but the worry and concern of her work will never disappear.

But he promised to be careful.

After I put my stuff in the bags, I went straight to the living room. I looked around at the house and did not feel the pain in my heart that we gonna moved to a new house. I never called this a home it's just a temporary shelter.

"Mandy?"

"Yes, Mom?" I answer. I took my bag and started walking out of the house.

"Are you okay?" Mom asked after I got in the car.

"Yes, I'm okay Mom." There was no hint of emotion in my response to Mom.

A few hours later, we reached Laguna. Mom and I were the first one to arrive in the house. Dad was called to his new base. I looked at the whole outside of the new house we were going to live in. Then suddenly I heard a noise in the door and an old woman came out.

He looked at us and smiled.

I think she's in her 60's because of the white hair and wrinkles on her face.

"Good morning Maam, I'm Soledad Cruz, you can call me Solly. And I'm the one in charge of the house and I will be also the one whose helping you with the housework too." She introduce.

"Good day Solly, I'm Meghan and this is Mandy, my daughter."

Manang looked at me and smiled. "Good day, Miss Mandy" She greeted.

"Good day, too," I answer back

"Come on, I'll help you there." She grabbed a bag in the car and headed straight inside the house.

When we got inside, I looked at the whole house. The living room was spacious, with light mahogany walls. A wooden framed sofa was set facing the fireplace. Most of the furniture was dusty while the others were still swathed with white sheets cloth. And it has not been cleaned yet.

To the left was the kitchen. The white curtain is hung from the window. Like the first one, most of them are made of wood. In there were two-burner stove, oven, and an old double-door fridge. And the floor is all tiles.

"Mom where's my room?" I asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Upstairs on the right side." Mom replied while busy talking to Manang Soly.

As I climbed upstairs, I saw a single door to the right. As I opened the door, I suddenly had a cold chill air all over my body. No wind. But the window was all closed. I was beginning to tremble in fear because of what I feel.

'Calm down Mandy.' I told myself.

I went inside and looked around. It's huge than the one I left before. There's a bed, closet, and a table on the right side of the bed. And a door facing the bed. I think that's the bathroom. The walls are painted in dull blue, covered with butterfly drawing on it. And all the types of furniture are made of old wood. In short old-style but, it's beautiful because of the butterfly.

"I'll fix my gear first."

I laid the suitcase on the floor and began to put the clothes in the closet. It took me a few hours to put my clothes in the closet and clean the whole room.

"I'm tired!"

I threw myself into the bed and took a deep breath.

"Woah .."

"Mandy!" I opened my eyes after I heard Mom calling my name.

"Why Mom ?!" I shouted asking Mom.

"Eat up, get down first!" I take a deep breath before getting to bed.

When I enter the kitchen I see the whole thing and it's just plain clean. Other kitchen utensils are swathed with white fabric.

I sat down in the chair while Mom was busy serving the food with Manang Solly'd help. When Mom finished serving, she sat next to me.

"Eat with us Manang. I've cooked a lot because Dani says she'll eat here."

"Oh no, It's okay."

"Don't be shy, just sit here. Everything I cook is delicious."

"All right." She sat next to Mom.

"Mandy, I enrolled you now in your new school and this Monday is your first visit." Mom said while eating. I nodded. What-wait! School ?! I could almost burst out the food in my mouth because of what I heard

. "Are you okay?" Mom handed me the water and I drank it. "Mom, I thought I was studying at home?" I suddenly asked. They never enrolled me in a school, 'cause we always moved, so I couldn't finish studying at school.

"Don't you like it?"

"I like it, but I thought that I will study here?"

"I talked to your dad, and he told me that this is going to be our home. For good." Hearing my Mom say, I don't know I'm gonna react. I just smiled after hearing that. I know there is a possibility of what Dad said, that will staying here for good. But I do not expect it now. But I'm glad to know that this is will be our home, finally.

"Aren't you happy?"

"I'm happy, I'm just shocked."

"Eat up and we'll buy you stuff at school tomorrow."

"Okay." I smiled widely. I'm happy to fulfill one of my dreams.

After we ate, I went straight to the room.

I threw myself into bed. Without knowing, I was smiling. I'm happy because two of my biggest dreams came true.

I woke up because of the noise I was hearing. A howling sound. But I didn't wake up in my room.

It's a castle. And it's so big. I'm dreaming.

I walked around the castle, It's not gold and silver. It's of made huge stones. The chandelier hangs in the center of the main castle, a long wooden table and a red fabric place on it.

Before I knew it, I was sitting in a chair. I looked all over the place. It's dark, so you cannot see the whole area.

After a second, I nearly stood up upon hearing someone shuffling behind me. I stifled a cry and look around the castle. But there's nothing here except me.

My heartbeat hastened. I gulped and told myself, 'this is just a dream'. But I still can't get over my fear.

A few seconds later, I heard a loud door opening. Quickly I had to sit up in the chair. Shit! Someone here! I quickly went to where the noise came from.

And I saw a shadow. My feet froze as he walks toward the castle. As he approached, his face became brighter because of the moonlight.

I could not speak because of fear. My eyes widened as I tremble against the strange chill that crept to my spine. Tall and bulky with pale skin and a messy jet-black hair. His eyes were red were void of any emotion. Before I realized, he stopped walking and that was my surprise.

I can not think properly. It was as if my feet were stuck to the ground.

He's looking at my direction. No. He's looking at me sharply and it's suffocating me.

Then a smile curved on his lips. In a blink of an eye, he suddenly disappeared in front of me, 'where is he?' I ask myself.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as a chill sensation shut down my spine. I could feel the warmth of his breath. Before turning around, I felt a handhold my neck. My heart started surging again. I was swallowed by the sensation of something sharp going through the skin of my neck.

"Mandy ..." His voice. It's husky and sexy. He knows my name. How?

Before I could even speak, his hand started to explore my neck. I could hear my heart pounding for its strength. I gulped. 'Who is he?!' That's the question in my head. "Who are you?" I calmly question him.

But deep inside I wanted to shout. He continues exploring my neck down on my shoulder. I was shocked when his other hand was on my face, rubbing my lips.

"Did you miss me my little one?"