SEVEN DAYS SINCE DISSAPEARING IN THE FOREST

Federico was only nine years old when their father passed away due to a heart attack. He was left with his sickly mother and his younger brother, Felomino, who had a mental disability. Their mother was too weak to work, and Federico couldn’t accept the thought of them starving now that the pillar of their home was gone. So, at a young age, he chose to stop studying and look for a way to survive. He thought of selling firewood as their only means of income. In the nearby forest, he could gather wood to sell in their village. And so began his early struggle in life—facing a world far too heavy for his young shoulders. “Federico? Son, you must be having a hard time. I will find a way,” his mother gently said. “You know you don’t have to do this. I’m sorry for being like this. Remember, it is my duty to take care of you and your brother, not the other way around.” “Nanay, I’m fine. This work is easy, it’s not tiring at all. What would hurt me more is seeing us struggle,” Federico replied. “You don’t have to work, Nanay. You’re not strong enough. I’m healthier, so please leave this to me. Just take care of Felomino—he needs you.” “I am so grateful to God for blessing me with a son like you,” his mother said warmly. “Come here and let me give you a kiss.” That night was filled with stories. Their mother reminisced about their father, sharing memories of when he was still alive. Although she smiled as she spoke, the sadness in her eyes betrayed the grief of losing her beloved husband. The weight of her sorrow had taken a toll on her health—aside from her illness, the frequent crying had weakened her even more. Every day, Federico prayed that, unlike his father, their mother would live a long life, for she was the only parent he and his brother had left. But fate does not always align with our wishes. Just a few weeks later, their mother never woke up from her sleep. Her body had finally succumbed to illness. Their parents had been good people, so their neighbors came together to help arrange the wake and burial. The loss was unbearable for the siblings, having lost both their mother and father in such a short span of time. A Brother’s Resolve Federico became even more determined. It was just him and Felomino now. Every day, under the scorching sun, he carried his brother on his back while dragging sacks of firewood from the forest. No amount of exhaustion could stop him—he couldn’t leave Felomino alone, fearing for his safety. He was terrified of losing another loved one. Five years passed, and Federico had to stop collecting firewood from the same forest—it had been prohibited. He couldn’t think of any other job because this was the only way he could carry his brother while working. Many villagers relied on him for firewood, too. By this time, he no longer had to carry Felomino since his brother had learned to walk, which slightly eased his burden. They immediately searched for another source of wood. They ended up in a forest farther from their village, about an hour’s walk away. The place seemed untouched, overgrown with vegetation, so Federico had to clear a path just to enter. He was overjoyed to see plenty of fallen branches, so he wasted no time collecting them. Since he wasn’t familiar with the area, he remained cautious, making sure they didn’t stray too far from the entrance—the only way he knew out of the forest. As the sun began to set, he worked faster. Felomino was unusually quiet, which reassured Federico that his brother was calm. He was tying up his sack when, out of nowhere, Felomino suddenly ran off, chasing a firefly. Panic surged through Federico like a cold wave. He yelled his brother’s name and sprinted after him, but Felomino wasn’t listening—he was too fixated on catching the firefly. Federico’s heart pounded as fear crept in. The sky darkened, and he realized he no longer recognized the path they had taken. They were lost. He prayed in his mind, his voice trembling as he called out to Felomino. A gut-wrenching dread filled him—something felt off about this forest. Something unknown lurked in its depths. His instincts screamed at him to leave, especially as the surroundings became harder to see. Then… Felomino finally stopped. But they no longer knew where they were. The full moon now illuminated the sky, casting eerie shadows through the trees. The sounds of crickets and frogs filled the air, while a chilling wind whispered through the leaves. Mosquitoes swarmed around them, biting at their skin. Federico scooped up his brother and scolded him, but he quickly fell silent, knowing it was pointless. For protection, he pulled out the machete tucked at his side. With careful steps, he tried to retrace their path, hoping to find their way home. Federico felt that the more they walked, the more lost they became. So, they decided to stop and sit on the roots of an acacia tree. “Look at this, Filo! Instead of being home and eating by now, we’re stuck here until morning. You just can’t sit still! Don’t do this again next time, or I’ll leave you with our grumpy neighbor—you’re in big trouble if she watches over you!” Federico scolded his younger brother. “I’m scared, Kuya. I want to go home. These mosquito bites really hurt,” Felomino responded tearfully. “Exactly! You’re not the only one suffering. Look at me—these mosquitoes are biting me too. Don’t worry, I’ll think of something. I’ll find a way to make this situation a little less miserable,” Federico reassured him. They had nothing to do but slap their legs to ease the mosquito bites. Felomino was getting sleepy, so he leaned on Federico, who was trying his best to be brave despite the eerie atmosphere around them. Federico didn’t even realize that tears were already falling from his eyes. He looked up at the sky and prayed for their safety. Thoughts of his mother and father suddenly filled his mind, making him long for their presence. He wanted nothing more than to cry in their arms out of fear, but he knew he couldn’t. Instead, he had to be strong for his younger brother, who needed him. Federico’s stomach was growling, and he was sure Felomino was hungry too—he had fallen asleep from exhaustion. Federico regretted entering this forest. As sleep slowly overtook him, he barely noticed the mosquito bites anymore. Just before his eyes completely closed, he caught sight of what seemed to be an old, frail woman with a walking stick. He immediately sat up straight and became alert. Who would be walking in this kind of forest at this hour, under a full moon? He didn’t take his eyes off the old woman and tightened his hold on both his sleeping brother and the machete at his waist. When the old woman got closer, she spoke. “What are you children doing in the forest at this hour? Aren’t your parents looking for you?” the old woman asked. “We got lost. We didn’t try to leave because we were afraid of getting even more lost. We’re sorry,” Federico replied, his voice laced with fear. “You children don’t know what danger you’re in. Has no one told you about this forest? Get that boy up—you can’t sleep here, or you might wake up somewhere else entirely. Come to my hut; it’s safe there. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. It’s not far, and I’ve boiled some bananas—we can share them. You two look starving,” the old woman offered. “No, thank you. Our parents told us never to go with strangers. We’ll be fine here. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to my brother,” Federico said firmly, gripping both his brother and the machete even tighter. “If you don’t come with me, you’ll regret it. You have no idea what kind of creatures you might encounter here. With your small bodies, you won’t stand a chance. I’m not trying to scare you, but there are aswang in this forest. If they sense your presence, you’ll never be seen by anyone ever again!” the old woman warned. Federico was terrified. Given how eerie the forest was, he couldn’t dismiss the possibility that aswang really did exist here. Reluctantly, he woke Felomino and urged him to follow the old woman. The woman talked a lot, but Federico couldn’t focus on her words. His mind was too clouded with fear, and all he wanted was to see her hut—to at least feel a sense of security. They finally reached the old woman’s house. It was lit only by a small lamp, situated near a water source, and surrounded by lush plants. It was odd—there were no other houses nearby, making it clear that she lived alone in the forest. Inside, Federico was finally able to breathe a little easier. The old woman took care of them, showing them kindness that made them feel like they had a grandmother looking after them. She served them plenty of boiled bananas, which they eagerly devoured. The old woman chuckled as she watched them eat hungrily. “My name is Lola Amira. What are your names? How did you end up here?” she asked. “I’m Federico, and this is Felomino. Please forgive him if he acts restless—he has a mental condition. We were just gathering firewood since it’s now f*******n to do so in the forest near our village. He saw a firefly and ran after it, and that’s how we got lost, Lola,” Federico explained. “You should be grateful I happened to be walking by and saw you. You don’t realize the danger you were in. If you had stayed in that spot any longer, you could have been attacked at any moment. The aswang in this forest usually stay in the treetops, waiting for the right time to strike,” the old woman said seriously. “Lola, don’t they attack you? Since you live here all alone?” Federico asked innocently. “Child, the aswang are afraid of me. They wouldn’t dare mess with me,” Lola Amira said with a laugh. “I may look old and frail, but I am the queen of this forest. Now, enough talk for tonight. I’ll feed you again in the morning before I take you home. Get some rest—you both need it. If you need anything, just call for me, and I’ll come right away.” Federico and Felomino obeyed, lying down on a woven bed, embracing each other as they closed their eyes. Federico felt at ease—he trusted Lola Amira and finally believed they would make it out of the forest safely. They were deep in sleep when they were suddenly disturbed by the howling of dogs. Federico immediately jolted awake and quickly looked for Lola Amira, whom he found already awake, peering through a small gap in her hut. She glanced at him and gestured for him to remain silent. So, he stood still, listening intently to his surroundings. Then, the old woman motioned for him to come closer and take a look outside. Federico carefully peered through the gap, and what he saw made his blood run cold—massive dogs with monstrous appearances stood outside. Their jet-black skin and glowing red eyes made them look even more terrifying. Their sharp, jagged teeth dripped with thick, viscous saliva, and their fierce gazes sent shivers down his spine. However, they could not step foot inside Lola Amira’s yard; they only lingered at the edge, creating a dreadful commotion. It was clear they were starving and desperate for something—or someone. Fear overtook Federico, making his entire body tremble. Sensing this, Lola Amira gently pulled him away from the gap. “Did you see them?! If you hadn’t come with me, you and your brother would have already been their meal. But don’t be afraid—they cannot step inside my yard or get close to us. They must have caught your scent from the path you took earlier, which is why they know you’re here. But no matter how much noise they make, they will never be able to take you. Come here, child, let me hold you. I won’t let anything happen to you or your brother,” Lola Amira reassured him, rubbing his back and squeezing his trembling hands. Federico clung to the old woman, tears welling in his eyes. He didn’t know where to place the overwhelming fear and regret that filled his heart. He didn’t care about pride or shame—at that moment, he simply needed the comfort of someone who could protect him. “They will keep making noise. They won’t stop until I go out there. They want to talk to me… most likely to beg me to hand you over to them. But I will never do that. They will have to step over my cold, dead body before they can take you. Stay inside and promise me you won’t come out. I’ll handle this,” Lola Amira declared, her eyes burning with anger. Federico couldn’t say a word. He could only watch as the old woman stepped outside, unarmed. His admiration for her bravery grew, but he couldn’t shake off his worry that this might end badly. He peered through the gap once again to see what would happen. To his surprise, the restless aswang suddenly froze the moment Lola Amira stepped closer. It was as if they feared her. “Get away from my yard! Don’t make me beat you all to a pulp!” Lola Amira shouted. “Come on now, we all follow the same ways in this forest. What’s the harm in giving us those kids? No one will know, and nothing will be lost. We’ve never come this close to you before—don’t you feel even a little pity for creatures like us?” one of them spoke, shocking Federico. He hadn’t expected these monsters to be able to talk. “I will never hand those children over to parasites like you. If you don’t listen to me, you know the terrible fate that awaits you at my hands. I don’t play games with pests like you,” Lola Amira spat, her voice laced with fury. “Fine, have it your way. But do you really think you can get those kids out of this forest? Don’t count on it. They will never leave here alive,” the creature threatened before turning away with the others. Lola Amira quickly returned, concern etched on her face as she looked at Federico and his brother, Filemon. She then urged them to go back to sleep, hoping to ease the tension. But Federico couldn’t close his eyes again. He stayed awake until morning finally came. When the sun rose, his younger brother woke up, and they prepared to leave, hoping to return to their normal lives outside the forest. However, Lola Amira told them they couldn’t leave that day—it was still too dangerous. The forest was filled with mysteries, and rushing their departure could lead to disaster, especially after the aswang had left them a chilling warning. It was best to wait. Despite their disappointment, the siblings had no choice but to trust the old woman. That morning, she allowed them to play in the yard. For the first time in a long while, Federico felt like a child again. He didn’t have to wake up and work—he could just play with his little brother. The forest looked stunning in the daylight, with towering trees and birds of various colors flying around. Beautiful plants and flowers decorated the area, standing out with their vibrant hues. Many of the trees bore fruits so ripe and tempting that Federico longed to pick them. Thankfully, Lola Amira allowed them to eat the fruits, telling them they belonged to no one, so they were free to take what they pleased. As they played, the old woman watched them fondly, as if their presence had brought warmth back into her once-lonely life. In a place where she had long been alone, the arrival of the siblings had filled her world with color once more.