Monsterstruck

Chapter IV: Tormented Hearts

              Wistfully, Craig and Vylet bounced their gaze at the scenic beauty that gaped before their eyes. With the ivory tainted sky framed over the horizon along the cool breeze that swiped over the greenery that cushioned the dots of houses below, they couldn't help but to be raced in a trance. In addition to the picturesque pulchritude was the Taal volcano, which looked like the cradle of nature's gods and goddesses. They were in Heinville's, a coffee shop in the outskirts of Tagaytay which has a good overlooking of the smallest volcano in the world, Taal Volcano.

              Reveling the balmy scent of the cold breeze, Vylet wistfully stretched her arms outward and lost herself in the surge of euphoria. With that, Craig draped his jacket around her.

              "I'm glad you love this place," he muttered, curbing a smile as he mused at her.

              "Who wouldn't? Why didn't I have any idea about this place?" Vylet mumbled in amusement.

              Abruptly, silence cut in.

              "My father died here," Craig confessed casually in a somber tone. He leaned his back against the wooden fence.

              Shocked and mortified, Vylet couldn't utter a single word. Either way, Craig started to relate the details about his father's death.

              "My dad was a botanist here in Tagaytay. He spent most of his time studying about plants and stuff, but he never fails when it comes to spending quality time with his family despite of his tight schedule,"

              "I'm sorry about that... but how did he die?" She asked incredulously.

              He took an erratic deep breath before he continued.

              "He was found lifeless here, with his body contorted in a strange position, -vines of plants wrapped all over his body- gashes of claw marks writhed across his face," he lamented. Hearing that, she felt the curl of nausea in the pit of her stomach. She was now wearing a horrid stricken face that contrasted the loveliness of the scenery.

              "Someone murdered him brutally ... with the plants?" Vylet asked incredulously.

              Craig shrugged off his shoulders, giving her the impression that it remained a mystery.

              "How long had he been dead?"

              "About three years ago,"

              "And they still haven't found out the suspect?" She probed.

              He nodded tentatively and his voice dropped in a morbid tone.

              "What freaked us the most was his carcass was sucked dry and his brain…. was missing as if somebody took it or ate it." Craig countered.

              With that, her face grew pale as beads of sweat started to dance in her skin. Do vampires really exist, and other supernatural creatures like in the popular urban legends?

              With a labored sigh, the onslaught of memories on what had transpired the other day snapped back in her mind, thus giving a ring of light to her question. 

'Probably, yes' Vylet thought and quickly dispelled that unwanted memory.

              "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you or something," Craig mumbled apologetically with a wry upturn of his lips.

              "No, it's okay... go on," she prodded enthusiastically. For some unknown reasons, she wanted to know more about his father's case. She was oddly drawn at the nature of it. Maybe she has a knack for anything supernatural­ that have been haunting her these past weeks. Even to the point that it's almost tormenting her sanity. Outlandish girl she is.

              "You can't shun what you are!" A sinister voice echoed in the back of her head followed by its demented laughter. With that, Vylet felt her head sting as it resonated in every corner of her skull. Sinking into her teeth, she clasped her head as she tried her damnedest to fight off the giddiness tugging inside.

              Hearing that voice inside her head was a pure torture. She'd like to know why she was experiencing these a lot. When will the monster inside her head let go of her? Was she cursed?

              "Are you okay?" Craig asked worriedly.

              "I think I've got to go. Sorry, but this headache is relentlessly driving me mad," she lied.

              With that, Craig offered her to drive her home, but she politely turned down his offer and willed her shell-shocked heart to go home.

              On her way home, the death of Craig’s father had her chewing inside, making her want to dive into the mystery of it, headfirst.

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              "I'm sorry mother, we didn't mean to do that, but we need to." Vygnet said plaintively while watching her mother wailing behind the bars. Seeing her mother in that state made her heart shred into pieces. If she could only do something to make her mother came into her senses, she would never have to do this. But she's neither a doctor nor God, they had to entrust her mom into someone who knows the proper medical attention for her condition.

              "I love you mom. I'll wait for you. I can't wait for that day when you got yourself back," Vygnet crooned to her mom.

              For the past two and half years, her mom's condition hadn't improved. Occasionally, she'd recognize her. There were times that her mom would go livid every time her aunt, Verona would pay her a visit, shrieking in hate at her. The nurses also said that most of the time, they could hear Adela repeatedly yelling Samuel's name.

              "Samuel! Samuel!" her mom wailed again. With a heavy heart, Vygnet could only watch her mom gone bonkers again to the man she ever loved, to the love that her mom lost, to the love that would never return forever.

              Grimly, Vygnet suddenly thought of Craig as fat tears started to brim in her eyes, plastering a broken smile that mirrored her mom's.

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              It was drizzling outside; the sky was in a grey hue, thus lulling Vylet into a sleepy mood. She could feel her eyes starting to shut down, until a silhouette of a man standing outside their lawn yanked away her haziness.

              "Blaze?" Vylet called hesitantly as she spotted him in the lawn. His raven hair was dripping wet, and his eyes were soaked into liquid that she couldn't figure out whether he cried, or it was just due to the rain droplets.

              "I haven't seen you in ages. Heck, what's up with you?" Vylet asked warily as she let him in.

              Blaze just stared at her remotely and abruptly hugged her.

"I miss you," he mumbled with such longing.

 Dazed, as she was not used at him for being an affectionate friend, she stood there stiffly like a cold statue.

              "Uhmm... do you want some tea?" Vylet asked, breaking the klutziness, and pulled away from him.

              "Sure." Blaze replied as lolled himself in the big leather sofa.

              Vylet shot him a bewildered look. She hadn't seen him for almost three weeks and now he was here at her door, soaked and seemed to be at sea. After preparing his rose tea, she bustled in the bathroom and got some dry towel for him.

              "Baby sitting a twenty-one-year-old retarded prick feels great," she bantered as she annoyingly tossed the dry towel at him. Blaze shot her a boyish grin and dried himself.

              "Didn't you miss me?" Blaze teased as he sipped his rose tea

              "Not really," she replied, smirking lopsidedly.

              "Aww", he replied as he twitched his lips.

              Lolling next to him, she eyed him dubiously as she appraised his whole visage. Something about him had changed. Clearly, there was a lot to catch up with him.

              "What have you done these past three weeks? Neither your officemates didn't have any idea of your whereabouts; they just told me that you filed a leave,"

               Involuntarily, Vylet riveted her gaze at his well-toned arms.

              "You look...different." Vylet mused.

              "Hmmm why do I feel like you're secretly ogling me?" Blaze teased, grinning cockily.

              With that, Vylet wrinkled her face and playfully punched his chisel arms.

              "You really have a sick humor dude," she sneered.

              He let out a soft peal of laughter and shook his head.

              "I got busy doing a research. Sorry if I hadn't told you."

              "Research? Whoa, what was it all about?" Vylet retorted.

              Suddenly, Mrs. Marcia's voice broke off as she went downstairs.

              "Why, hello Blaze. I haven't seen you for these past two or three weeks," she greeted amicably.

              "Hi, Tita Marcia. Yeah, I got busy with my research. You know, how pretty tough my job is," he countered as he rose up to holler at her.

              "I see," she replied and turned to Vylet.

              "Honey, Skylar is coming later. I'll just head to the supermarket to buy ingredients for her favorite macaroons. You know how she loves my home-made macaroons," she said cheerfully.

              "Yup, she did text me a while ago. Take care, mom. I'll just help you out later when you get home,"

              "Bye guys," the woman bid.

              "Bye mom,"

              "Bye, Tita Marcia." Blaze echoed to the retreating figure.

              "So, what's the buzz with you huh?" Blaze probed with an upturn of his lips.

              "Nothing much, just seeing some friend." Vylet mumbled thoughtlessly.

              Hearing that, his brows formed into thick ripples.

              "I didn't know that you have other friends aside from me?" Blaze countered in disbelief.

              He was right. She had no other friends aside from him and Skylar. In the spur of the moment, he thought of Craig. So, what was the growing connection between them? Shoot. No, Vylet you're just being nice to him, okay?

              "Is there anything you want to tell me?" he asked, studying her expression.

              "Actually... I'm seeing Craig," Vylet mumbled under her breath.

              This appalled him.

              "I'm sorry?" his forehead creased, a clear taste of sour grapes.

              "I said I'm seeing Craig Samuel Davis." Vylet confirmed.

              "I thought you hate him?" His brows pulled together, and his lips twisted into a scowl.

              "Well, that was before, but I realized that I should be nice to someone who doesn't do any harm to me and in fact he saved my life last week, from the unknown beings that tried to gang up on me," she related, exhaling dizzily.

              This made him grew more appalled, knowing that he was one of those unknown beings.

              "What are you talking about? Why didn't you tell me about that?" Blaze foxed.

              "Well how could I? You just disappeared without bothering to text me up," she answered with a tinge of sarcasm.

              "Look I'm sorry, I was just too caught up with my research that I dreaded for almost a month,"

              "Fine, sorry for sulking, but I just wish you spared me a one text message, that would be cool!”

             Suddenly, she remembered about the letter and a bouquet of blue roses, but she was hesitant to broach about the topic. But her skyrocketing curiosity failed her.

              "And the letter and the bouquet... What was that? An advance peace- offering?" Vylet asked in her most innocent air.

              "Do you really think that it's just a peace-offering?" Blaze asked intensely.

              "I don't know! That's why I'm asking you!" She shot back indignantly.

              "I love you Vylet! I have been loving you ever since. I mean, I love you more than a friend!" Blaze interjected.

              There was a heavy pause. Vylet went aghast. She didn't know either if that statement rang true in her cloudy senses.

              "I admit that three weeks away from you... has been hell. Try as I might, but I can't fight off my feelings for you anymore. I've been loving you ever since and it sucks to hear from you that you're dating that jerk!" Blaze bristled with his clenched fist.

              Another infinitesimal silence broke off.

              "I'm not dating him," she retorted flatly.

              Closing the gap between them, Blaze looked straight in her eyes and cupped her beautifully crafted Aphrodite's face.

"I love you... I'm here to protect you away from any danger. I'll be your personal hero and you'll be my heroine," he murmured as his breath reverberated through her ears.

              Vylet felt the spasm throbbing in his hand as he cupped her face. Suddenly before she knew it, his lips were only about an inch away from hers.

He's going to kiss me!

               Slamming back to her senses, Vylet craned her face away from him.

              "I'm sorry." Blaze said apologetically, raising his one hand.

              Vylet’s lips twitched into a bitter curve.

              "I don't know what's happening to you Blaze...It seems like you're hiding something from me. It's just that it didn't make sense to me at all," she countered, aggravated. She shifted her gaze to the gate and that's when she saw her cousin clad in a plain pink skater dress. Skylar waved at her and ducked her head.

              "I guess you better go now," she admonished tersely.

              In no time, Blaze turned away dejected and flashed a faint smile.

              "I'm sorry again Vylet. But I meant what I said. I promise I won't do anything stupid the next time," he mumbled and bid goodbye to her.

              I'm sorry too Blaze. I can't love you the way you want me too. But I love you...as a friend, a brother. I'm sorry if I caused you in a deep pain. I never thought you'll hold such feelings for me that will both ruin us soon. You can't love me, Blaze. I'm not deserving for that kind of love.

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              "Love is like a monster, isn't it?" Paul pressed as he blissfully stared at Vygnet who was busily toying the camera, browsing pictures of her and Craig.

              "What were you talking about?" Vygnet asked, mystified. The association of the noun "monster" was what startled her.

              Paul continued to stare at her with such longing.

              "It haunts every inside of you. Tormenting you in both physical and emotional pain 'til you just can't take it anymore - opting you to die or fight. But both of the options are worth the price to pay." Paul countered in a forlorn tone.

              "Seems like it's coming from a heartbroken person's point of view huh," Vygnet snickered.

              "Absolutely."  Paul concurred gloomily, pitching her a meaningful look.

              "I must agree with you then," she replied in flat monotone as she riveted her gaze over the picture of her and Craig. It seemed like it was fading away. Out of her impulse, she pressed the Delete all button and chucked the camera as it toppled on the floor.

              With that, Paul went awestruck upon her sudden outburst.

              "Why...did you do that?" He asked, gawking at her.

              "Just sending that stupid camera a one-way flight to Dumpsville."

              Paul just stared at her apprehensively. "Come on," Paul prodded.

              "Love is such a double-edged sword." Vygnet countered as she lit a cigarette. She stared at the blazing flame that fueled her heart to hurt herself more. She was more than hurt. She felt again the stabbing pain of being love wrecked.

              Grimly, she stood up and fell on the shattered pieces of lens. Worriedly, Paul bustled towards her.

              "You let yourself hurt, are you out of your mind Vygnet Ferrer?" He taunted.

              Indeed, love is such a double-edged sword as she felt the tugging sensation due to the stinging feeling of the blood on her elbow.

              Clicking his tongue, Paul headed to the medicine cabinet and wrapped some cloth in her elbow.

              "Thanks." Vygnet mumbled heartily, placing her spent cigarette in the ashtray on the table situated beside her.

              "Are you okay now? Do you want to rest?"

              "Don't leave me alone. I hate being alone," she pressed in a strangled voice, suddenly recalling pictures of Craig the last time they had seen each other.

              "I didn't say that I'll leave you," Paul retorted, staring at her apprehensively. "...tell me why you're acting that way. What happened?" He prodded in a serrated voice.

              Heaving a deep sigh, Vygnet spazzed out on how Craig broke her heart. Grimly, Paul just can't bear to see her in a deep s**t, because of some jerk that caused her from being love wreck. Had he been that guy, an unrequited love would never come into the picture, that she would not shed any tears with him. But then again, he thought about the concept of pain in love, if it wasn't for pain, love will not grow, that it would not be as strong as it stood in times of adversities.

              "I thought he likes you too, but don't worry Vygnet, there are some other guys out there who's dying to love you unconditionally," he said in assurance with a blissful glint in his eyes.

              'You're right. Love is such a double-edged sword. It cuts deeply and makes you wounded. The deeper the cut it makes, the more you feel your life ebbing away, but still, you hold your breath, and you fight the stinging feeling clinging into the modicum hope. The most ridiculous part of it, you can't help yourself bewitched by its double-edged curse." Paul figuratively countered in his head. He then planted a kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her. In the corner of his mouth, he was akin' to say the spell bounding word of love.