SEVEN DAYS SINCE DISSAPEARING IN THE FOREST

“ FOREST REVELATION”

It was already lunchtime, so Lola Amira called them over. She had set the table with rice and boiled sweet potatoes in the yard. The breeze was refreshing, and the sun’s warmth was just right, making the place feel incredibly pleasant. The siblings ate heartily, which delighted the old woman. Because of the good weather, Federico couldn’t help but ask Lola Amira for a story.

“Lola, how did you end up here in the forest? Why do you live alone?” Federico asked innocently.

“Child, I know you might not fully understand my story because of your age, but I’ll do my best to tell it so I can at least answer your questions,” Lola Amira replied as she adjusted her seat.

**“A long time ago, I discovered this forest. Like you, I had no parents back then. I was under the care of my cruel and abusive aunt. I got tired of her mistreatment, so, as a rebellious and emotional child, I ran away. I walked for a long time until I reached this place. Back then, there were still hunters and loggers around. I found this hut, which they only used as a resting place. The loggers took pity on me and let me stay here in exchange for cooking their meals when they took breaks from work.

During nights when I was left alone, strange beings started appearing to me. At first, I was terrified, but I eventually got used to them. I realized they had been here long before me, and I was merely an intruder. They were kind spirits—enchanted beings. For some unknown reason, they took care of me and protected me from the evil entities and aswang that also resided in this forest, just like how I am guiding you now. The aswang fear the guardians of nature, so they couldn’t harm me. If they tried, my enchanted friends would punish them. That’s why I never aged or got sick—I owe my life to them.

Don’t worry, my dear children. They will protect you too, even if you can’t see them.”**

Lola Amira smiled as she finished her tale.

“That’s amazing, Lola! So the aswang really tried to attack you before? Did they want to eat you too?” Federico asked, bewildered.

**“Oh, absolutely! They even captured me once. They tied me to a tree and were preparing to devour me alive. At that moment, I had accepted my fate. But then, a glowing white figure intervened—a man whose radiance was so blinding that his form couldn’t be seen clearly. The aswang fled in terror, leaving me behind.

That man helped me. He placed his hand on my forehead, and when I woke up, my perspective on the world had changed. It was as if he had opened my third eye. Since then, nothing in the forest has harmed me—not even wild animals. I decided to stay here because I felt safer in the forest than among people. I’ve seen many things I never used to see. It was terrifying at first, but over time, I got used to it.”**

They continued talking, fascinated by Lola Amira’s experiences over the years she had lived in the forest. Before they knew it, the afternoon had passed.

Lola Amira urged them to go inside, warning them that the evil spirits would soon emerge. She didn’t want them to accidentally attract their attention. Once inside, she told them she had to leave for a while to meet someone deep in the forest. She assured them they would be safe inside the hut and warned them not to open the door for anyone unless she said the exact words: “Paki naman, Federico.” Many deceptive creatures roamed the forest, and some might try to trick them while she was away. They should also ignore voices that mimicked hers.

Despite his fear, Federico had no choice but to follow her instructions and try to stay calm while Lola Amira was gone. She cooked them some boiled corn to eat in case they got hungry before she wrapped a shawl around herself and prepared to leave. Federico noticed that before stepping outside, she murmured words in a language he couldn’t understand.

“Remember my instructions, Federico. Look after your brother. Don’t let anything happen to him,” she reminded him.

“Lola, wait… I’m really scared. When can we go home?” Federico asked hesitantly.

“When everything is safe, my child. When the time is right, I will personally take you home.”

“Please be careful, Lola.”

Federico watched through a gap in the hut as the old woman disappeared into the distance.

Night fell, and the sounds of crickets and birds filled the air. Federico sat on the cot while Felimon lay down, trying to fall asleep.

“Kuya, when are we going home? Actually… let’s just stay here. Lola takes care of us. At home, it’s just the two of us anyway,” Felimon murmured sleepily.

“We have our own lives, Felimon. Lola Amira is old, and she can’t take responsibility for us forever. We need to go home. We can just ask her to visit us sometimes so we can still be with her,” Federico replied.

“Alright, Kuya. I’m going to sleep now.”

Federico wanted to sleep too, but he couldn’t. His mind was restless. Then suddenly, he heard rustling outside. It wasn’t just the wind—he heard branches breaking, as if something fast was moving through the trees. Federico knew immediately—it must be the aswang. They were back.

He clutched his sleeping brother tightly for reassurance. Then, he heard growling outside. He slowly crept to the gap in the hut to peek outside.

Three aswang were surrounding the hut. However, they couldn’t seem to get close.

Fear gripped Federico as he stared at their grotesque forms. But what truly made his blood run cold was when one of them spoke. It mimicked Lola Amira’s voice perfectly, as if it were really her.

“Paki naman, anak. Open the door for me. I’m carrying a lot of vegetables, and I need help,” the creature called out.

The aswang cackled, thinking they had fooled the boy. But Federico didn’t move. He wasn’t falling for their trick.

Moments later, something crawled down from a tree nearby. It was jet-black, with human-like features but the body of a giant lizard. Its skin was slimy as if drenched in oil, and its red eyes glowed menacingly.

“They won’t be fooled, you know. Amira must have warned them,” the monstrous figure growled.

“Don’t worry. They won’t be able to leave this forest. We’ve already blocked the exit. Even Amira won’t realize it,” it sneered.

“Is that all you’ve done? You didn’t even make them suffer before handing them over to us? What if they end up like Amira? What if they become white spirits like her and live in this forest forever?” another aswang scoffed.

Federico’s heart pounded. White spirit? Lola Amira is one of them? His young mind struggled to process what he had just heard.

He continued to watch and listen carefully, determined to tell Lola Amira everything. But after a while, the creatures left. The air shifted, and the heavy presence lifted.

And then, he heard it.

“Paki naman, Federico.”

It was Lola Amira’s voice.

She had returned.

Lola Amira greeted them with a smile in the morning and served them a variety of expensive fruits, most of which they had never tasted before, like apples, grapes, and yellow mangoes. The old woman told them to enjoy their food because later, she would take them to a part of the forest she frequently visited.

Federico began to notice something strange about Lola Amira—she didn’t really seem like an old woman. She moved with incredible strength, and sometimes, her voice would shift to that of a young lady. His suspicions grew even stronger when he recalled the conversation he had overheard between the aswang and the giant lizard. However, he kept his doubts to himself, not wanting to assume anything too soon or make Lola Amira feel like he didn’t trust her.

After they finished eating, Lola Amira invited them to walk with her. Before they got far from the hut, they passed by a pile of rotting fruits, which smelled terrible and was swarming with flies and rats. The old woman shook her head in disapproval, clearly displeased by the sight. She warned them not to step on the fruits, as it might not be good for their health.

Federico couldn’t help but say, “What a waste. Who could have done this?”

“The pests of the forest. This is likely meant for the sorcerers who worship the dark spirits here. They use these fruits to poison those they want to curse, so don’t step on them, or the poison might enter your body and kill you,” Lola Amira responded.

“What is a Mambabarang, Lola?” Federico asked curiously.

“A Mambabarang is a more intense version of a witch, Federico—more brutal and more terrifying. They practice dark sorcery and use small insects like cockroaches, centipedes, and flies, among others. These creatures can enter a victim’s body and bring deadly illnesses or curses. These fruits are also one of their tools; stepping on them allows the poison to quickly spread through the victim’s system, leading to sudden death. With just a whisper, they can place a curse on someone.

On the other hand, a witch (mangkukulam) uses rituals, candles, dolls, and needles. However, if a witch repents and changes, they can use their abilities for healing instead. The reason why Mambabarang exist here is because many dark spirits reside in this forest, helping them strengthen their powers. In exchange, the souls of their victims become prisoners of these spirits,” Lola Amira explained.

Federico fell silent, gripped by fear. The thought of encountering a Mambabarang and being cursed terrified him. Seeing the frightened expression on his face, Lola Amira chuckled, as if Federico was about to wet himself in fear.

When they arrived at a breathtaking and mystical spring, Lola Amira told them to bathe since they already smelled bad. The two were thrilled by the beauty and clarity of the water and immediately began splashing around and playing, laughing the entire time. They paid no mind to Lola Amira’s warnings about being careful not to slip or drown.

Federico dove underwater and, to his shock, saw something unusual—the reflection of Lola Amira appeared as a stunning young woman, almost goddess-like in beauty, far from her elderly appearance on land. Not wanting to reveal his discovery, he submerged himself again, confirming what he saw—Lola Amira’s reflection in the water was completely different from her appearance when viewed from above. He chose to ignore it for now and continued playing with Felimon.

Felimon was the first to get out of the water, exhausted from swimming. Federico was about to follow when suddenly, Felimon began trembling and convulsing. Panic filled Federico and Lola Amira as they rushed to help him stand, but he wouldn’t stop shaking.

“YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THIS PLACE. YOU WILL STAY HERE FOREVER. THIS CHILD’S SOUL NOW BELONGS TO US!” Felimon suddenly spoke in a deep, unnatural voice.

That was no longer his brother—someone else had taken control of him. Lola Amira immediately declared that Felimon was possessed and began chanting a prayer in an unfamiliar language. After some time, Felimon suddenly returned to consciousness, appearing dazed and confused.

Lola Amira decided they should go back, so Federico carried his brother, tears in his eyes from fear. He had no idea if Felimon was truly okay.

When they arrived at the hut, they laid Felimon down and gave him water to drink. Gradually, he calmed down, and Federico felt the heavy weight in his chest ease slightly.

“Lola, maybe we should just go home. My brother might get worse if we stay here. You’re getting caught up in this too, Lola,” Federico pleaded, his voice filled with fear.

“My child, if you leave, it will only get worse. The dark creatures and aswang who have been after you since you entered the forest will continue to follow you. They want to turn you into creatures like them—tools of evil. As long as the marks remain on you, you must stay here,” Lola Amira explained.

“When will they stop, Lola? Why do they want to take us? I just want my brother to be okay,” Federico cried.

“Just be patient, my child. I am doing everything I can to remove the marks on you as quickly as possible. I will not let them take you,” the old woman assured him, pulling him into an embrace.

That night, Federico and Lola Amira remained awake as Felimon suddenly developed a high fever. They had thought he was getting better, but they were wrong. He could barely speak properly, making it difficult for them to understand what he was feeling.

When Lola Amira removed his shirt to apply some healing oil, she gasped in horror—there were fresh, deep claw marks on Felimon’s back, with blood still dripping from the wounds. The scratches were enormous, unlike anything a human could inflict.

Lola Amira could only utter in shock,

“MY GOD! LORD, PLEASE PROTECT THIS CHILD FROM THE RUTHLESS ASWANG.”