Chapter Text
It is a story from the 19th century,which probably held a love story. Tragic? Maybe not entirely true. Because, it was the most beautiful thing to ever happen to two young hearts
~Year 1835~
There was a girl who lived, not having much idea of the outside world. Because, she was trapped inside the walls of poverty. Also a bit by the church walls. Those walls even gave her a name. *Catherine*
"Catherine" the name someimes made her dig her flesh herself.
"Sister, please help me with these books"
"Sure. Wait" she said as she ran to help the one. "Are these all from donations?" she added.
"Yes. We got so many this time. Mr.Kim seems like a very generous man. He's always helping us" The other nun replied.
"Yeah. And very religious too. He's a really devoted man" she added. "Anyways sister rosé, are these all for the school or for us too?"
"Oh. Some of these are for the school. But those boxes there are for our library" Rosé said pointing at 4 boxes which are placed at the corner on top of each other.
"Those are a lot" Her eyes grew in excitement. 'Hope i find some other type of books' she said to herself.
"Okay. Lets get this done quickly" Rosé urged her.
"Sure." Eyeing those particular boxes one last time, she carried those boxes to the other building.
The work of moving the boxes with books to the school beside the church was done, which was basically a few small rooms which can barely hold 16-17 kids at once, which has wooden chairs and tables and a little playground on the other side.
She quickly ran to the books that were supposed to be theirs.
But those weren't there anymore. She starts to pace around back and forth trying to figure out where they were.
In hopes she can find some different type of books in them before some other Nun finds them and returns them saying, those were inappropriate for nuns to read because apparently, they should only focus on religious stuff which made them spiritually more attached to God. Which always annoyed her thinking why would God not want them to know more about the world he created ?
"Sister, Catherine? I assume you are looking for something. What is it, If i may ask?" It was Sister Bernadette, who's usually in the duty of cooking.
"Oh. Do you happen to encounter anyone moving the boxes of books, which were previously here few minutes ago?" pointing at the place were the boxes were placed.
"Oh, Mother Agnes instructed sister Rosette and sister Mary to move those in the library. Why? Is it urgent?" She asked the young nun who now had a reaction of fear and anxiety mixing on her face.
"Oh, no. Nothing actually. I was told to move those. And then when i was back after a while, those were gone. So i just asked." she laughed awkwardly.
"I think i need to go" she said as she almost sprinted through the halls trying to get to the library, in hopes those boxes weren’t already opened and inspected.
"Do not rush honey. Remember the ethics and walk properly" Sister Bernadette cooed from behind.
For once she did fix her walk and tried to calm her walking pace. But after when she was distanced enough, she quickened her walk again.
Her thoughts started to run again. What if they inspected the books already and returned the ones which were not religious. No. Can't let that happen again. Mr. Kim was generous enough to send other types of books all the time too thinking those were necessary for knowledge, even after them being returned.
"I have waited for a year again. I can't let this opportunity to be missed again" she said to herself while rushing.
After a while she reached the Library. She steadied her breath and took a deep breath. And entered though the door of the library trying to see if there is anyone. And specially Mother Agnes.
She looked around and she was relieved to see no one around. She huffed.
Started to look around for the boxes.
She tiptoed and saw the boxes sitting right infront of the desk where the record of the books are usually kept. One box is on top of the table and three other on the floor. None of them seem to be opened.
She rushed and crouched down to the one box on the floor trying to block the view from the library door.
She quickly opened the box carefully. And was going through books.
"This box has nothing interesting. All the same usual things" she said looking a bit disappointed.
Her lips pressing into a straight line as she opens another box. Looking through them and checking one by one.
When one particular book catches her attention. The colour of the books is a bit dark. Its not completely clear through the sheer organza fabric, which is wrapped around the book. This one specifically.
As she was about to remove the fabric from the book and check if this book was the one she looked for, she heard someone call her name.
"Sister Catherine, what are you doing here?"
It was Mother Agnes.
'I am doomed' she thought to herself. Panic took over her. She quickly tucked the book inside her habit and stood up.
She turned around facing, The nun who was in charge for all the others in this convent.
"Mother, Agnes. I was just checking out the books that came this afternoon" she said trying to take a control over her shaky voice.
"You won't have to. I will be the one inspecting them" She said with a smile. "You can go and finish your chores"
"Okay Mother Agnes. I was just a bit excited about the new book. Want to learn more about God and the spiritual life" she said smiling. Actually lying through her teeth.
"I shall go now" she added, as she took small steps towards the door, trying not to drop the book which was tucked under.
"Oh wait" Mother Agnes called from behind.
She froze in her spot thinking she might've been caught.
Anxiety taking over her as she turned around
"Yes, mother Agnes?" she responsed with an awkward expression.
"Today you have the duty in the kitchen, right? Go there right after the Vespers. And help out with dinner" Mother Agnes commanded.
Woo. Close one. She thought. "Sure, Mother Agnes" with a genuine smile of relief.
She slowly excused herself from the library as if trying to sneak out. After she was out, she quickly ran to her room in the convent, which wasn't that far but today felt like, she had to walk a mile to reach her room.
She reached the room, shut the door. Waves of relief taking over her.
"I made it" she said with a hue of a great achievement.
She slowly took out the book from under her Habit.
"I just hope you're worth it" she said with a smile as she slowly sat down on the floor with her one hand on her chest trying to calm her pounding heart.
She took a deep breath before unfolding the soft organza.
Eyes never leaving it. She finally removed the fabric and the pretty red colour of the book mesmerised her. She was bored from seeing the same white and off-white colour on books.
She caressed her fingers over the book. She flipped it and the title was written there. It was rather a unique design yet interesting. It said - "The Anatomy of vampires"
"Vampires..?" she thought to herself.
"Have heard about them a lot. Do they actually exist? " she thought to herself.
She took a moment staring at the title of the books.
"We'll get to know more later, i guess"
"Vampires" she uttered one more time thinking about the unknown entity...