Monsterstruck

Chapter XXIX: Night of the Wretched

        “It’s nighttime again.” Vylet muttered in flat monotone as her hazel eyes darted to the pitch-black darkness hung above the horizon. Night, the period of a day where all the hideous things happen. Night, a double-edged knife twisting in her dark soul, unleashing all the demons and monster in her; Night, a time of the day she wanted not to hit that she wished earth would just have a f****d-up rotation on its axis.

    Craig noticed the sadness etched in her voice. He playfully tucked the purple strands behind her ears falling in her oval face.

    “Why? Don’t you like nighttime?” He shot back incredulously.

    Vylet nodded and flashed a faint smile as she cocooned herself in his arms. They were rendezvousing under a tree, ten blocks away from their hotel. They hadn’t returned yet to their peers which they both hoped they wouldn’t mind. Craig just gave Eric a call that she was with her, but Craig hadn’t announced yet that they were now a couple. He wanted to slam a surprise to them.

    “I like nighttime.” Craig quipped as he held her hands, tracing every space of it.

    “Why?”

    “Nighttime is the time of the day when I first met you.” He said tenderly planting soft kisses in her head.

    Vylet smiled at him as memories started to slam back in her mind, the moment when he first met his loathed front man before. Yes, nighttime was also the time of the day when she first met him. It was also the time when he saved her from the cloaked entities that made her flabbergasted by him.

    “You have a point,” she answered, giggling.

    Craig just flashed a crooked smile at her.

    “I always have a point,” he shot back cockily, still smiling crookedly at her that she almost forgot how to breathe.

    “Oh really?” She said arching her brow, puckering her thin lips.

    Craig’s chestnut eyes flickered tenderly on hers; his irises were dancing as he mused over her beautiful catlike eyes playing a rhythmic blissful music that only his heart could hear.

    “Everytime I look into your eyes, I could hear the seraphs playing music.” Craig muttered.

    “What kind of music?” She asked smiling playfully at him as she draws circles in his palms. “I bet seraphs doesn’t play hardcore or metal music,” she clipped grinning on him.

    Craig just laughed musically. “They do,” he retorted grinning a playful grin on her.

    “Really?” She replied laced with amusement.

    “Yup. The Black ones.”

    “You mean black angels? Are you kidding me Mr. Davis? Haha. There’s no such things like that, my mom said that the black ones are the fallen ones, the one who have been thrown to hell.”

    “Wow such knowledgeable you are about angels huh,” he chuckled as he twitched his lips.

    “I may not be a religious person, but I do believe in the omnipresence of God and angels, heaven and hell,” she said as the feeling of nausea started to creep on her as she thought about hell, a damnable abysmal place where monsters like her belong.

    The sudden gut-wrenching hate gripped on her thoughts as she thought about their hideous airs. She couldn’t hide this forever; from her mom, Skylar and most especially to him, the love of her life-Craig Samuel Davis who was by ill fate was a cresclunar owner, their kryptonite, their enemy.

    A smack on her cheeks yanked her away from her train of thoughts.

    “Stop overthinking things,” he said as if he was reading her mind and gently squeezed her palms.

    “It’s hard to do that,” she replied in flat monotone biting her lips and heaved a deep sigh as she gazed at the blanket of stars in the sky.

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    “Where the hell is Craig? I’ve been calling him, but he seemed to be out of coverage?” Vygnet grumbled as she paced back and forth in the dining area of the hotel.

    “Didn’t he tell you that he’s with Vylet?”  Eric butted in as he unscrewed the lid of his beer.

    “Obviously.” Jake muttered as he glanced around.

    “What?” Vygnet mumbled in disdain as her eyes narrowed.

    The Clamor dudes threw Eric a surprised look.

    “Wait, what really? He’s been with her for almost seven hours!”  Alex exclaimed as his eyes popped wide.

    “Oh yeah, he called me around afternoon, and he said that he’s with her.” Eric said as he shrugged off his shoulders.

    Rachelle just smiled furtively as she pressed Jake’s hands and gave him a knowing look.

    Vygnet’s face twisted into a sour expression upon hearing this. He couldn’t be. They couldn’t be together! Suddenly her phone buzzed indicating a reminder that tonight is the “Night of the Wretched” at La Boracay Garden. Everything was set for the gathering. Yomas abounding in this island would flock there. But knowing the man of her dreams was currently spending time with another monster like her was what clawing her inside.

    “Where are they?” She turned to Eric.

    “He hasn’t said anything.” Eric shot back.

    Vygnet clenched her jaw and threw dagger look at him.

    “You’re lying.” Vygnet said tersely.

    “I’m not. I swear I have no idea where they are. He just told me that he’s with her!” Eric said indignantly raising his hands.

    “Then why the heck didn’t you ask him where he is? What kind of manager are you? You should know your responsibilities as their manager! You could not just let him get away elsewhere especially in this island, see what happened to the poor boy who was found dead?!  What if that thing happened to him huh? He’s in danger!!! Because he’s with a monster!” She snapped that made them petrified by her last phrase.

    “With a monster? Are you telling us that…Vylet is a monster?” Rachelle tried to tune out the wrenched statement as she c****d her head sideward in confusion. Alex, Cameron and Jake just laughed their heads off. Vygnet snapped her mouth shut for accidentally spilling out the truth.

    “What are you talking about Vygnet?  Damn! you have no right to question me as a manager because if anyone here knows my credibility of being a talent manager that would be me and also these lads!” Eric fired back in a pissed infused voice.

    “Sorry Eric, I’m just worried sick about him!” Vygnet said laced with hysteria.

    “Well, who isn’t? But maybe they are just having a good time that they lost track of time!” Alex yelped. Those words cut like a razor blade to her chest.

    Maybe they are just having a good time that they lost track of time. She tried to keep smug, but the erratic beating of her heart due to this ugly feeling of jealousy failed her.

    “You shouldn’t be!! He’s with someone we know.” Rachelle shot back.

    “Someone you think you know.” Vygnet rectified dripping with sarcasm.

    “Vygnet I think you had drink enough Vylet haterade to think of such awful things about her! And to hell with that, he is an adult now, so he can take care of himself!” Rachelle grunted.

    “That’s the adverse reaction of it, jealousy. I’m prescribing you to calm down and let out all the negative vibes you have inside.” Eric chastised.

    “Like who are you to tell me what to do? Whether you believe me or not, he’s really in danger and you guys are so naïve!” She bristled.

    “Hey guys, enough let’s just call him, okay? Maybe they’re heading back now.” Cameron said as he looked at his wristwatch.

    “Yeah… or maybe, Vylet who is allegedly a MONSTER have eaten him.” Jake jested and they cracked up.

    “Keep on laughing you goofs. I don’t see anything funny about this whole stuff. Such friends you are huh!” Vygnet grunted, shaking off her head and they all stopped from laughing.

     “Some people are full of secrets. We never know what lies ahead, everybody in this island could be a suspect, a killer, robber, a r****t or even a monster.” Vygnet said curtly and with that she stormed off.

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    The beautiful atmosphere in La Boracay garden had turned into somewhat grotesque place as yomas started to file in the meeting place, impenetrable by humans. All of them were wearing red and black cloaks; the official yoma’s dress code, everytime they would have a big gathering, or they were on to a special mission. The place was filled with buzzing yomas and an alternative music playing on the background. Drinks and food were served everywhere; the gathering was in full swing.

    “Where the hell is Vygnet?” Verona hissed to Blaze whose combing for Vylet because she was not answering her calls since early in the afternoon.

    “I don’t know maybe she’s on her way now. Didn’t she leave you a message?  Anyway, I was calling for Vylet but she’s not answering my calls. Can I head back to the hotel? I promise I’ll be quick. I need to get her.”

    “No. Just stay here.” Verona said sternly.

    “But…”

    Suddenly a midnight voice broke off.

    “Good evening yomas.” The voice greeted. Everybody looked around to find out whose voice was it.

    “I see, I see all of you are surprised to hear an unfamiliar voice because you’re expecting a female speaker here. But life is full of surprises, isn’t it?” He said and laughed merely. Everybody groaned because he kept on beating about the bush.

    “Who are you!!!” Some yoma yelled.

    Suddenly, it dawned on Verona’s senses, she knew the owner of that voice! That voice she didn’t want to hear anymore, the voice that calls for her retribution and death. Fear spurred on her as she recognized the owner of the voice. Then right before her eyes, under that pitch black hood, unveiled a gray-haired middle-aged man, with his lips curled in a smirk, and his black orb eyes boring lethally at her. It was like a vulture had perched on her shoulders, whispering her death.

    “Ba…ron,” Verona muttered in disbelief as she could feel the bone chilling coldness that ran up to her spines that made her quiver.

    “Lo and behold! I guess some of you already knew who I am.” Baron said with a sinister grin and his eyes flickered to Verona. “I’m the younger brother of the late head mistress, Ms. Barbara Montez who has been killed twenty-one years ago,” he said acidly as his black eyes blazed with revulsion. “By a cresclunar warrior who happened to be a lover of some yoma, more likely a tramp,” he chuckled as his steel gaze fixed accusingly at Verona. She gulped as she could feel the curl of nausea twisting in her stomach. The yomas moved around to worship the headmaster as they chanted the “Song of the Wretched”.

     So, this bastard was now the headmaster, thus making him formidable and more notorious.

    “Verona… are you okay? Why does he keep on looking at our direction?” Blaze asked quizzically.

    “That’s Baron, the most callous yoma I’ve ever met.  I think he’s here to avenge for his sister’s death who was killed by… Tim.” She revealed in a strangled voice.

    “Tim Marshalls? Your ex-lover?” Blaze’s jaw dropped as he recalled her story about her ex-lover who was by will of fate, a cresclunar warrior.

    Verona just nodded.

    “I think he’s here to kill me. He’s going to kill me! He had been tracking me since he found out that I’m conceiving…and…he said then that he’s going to kill my baby!”

    “Then what the hell are you still doing here? You better get out of here now!” He admonished, dripping with hysteria.

    “I can’t and I don’t know why. My feet won’t budge an inch. It’s like my feet are glued in the ground. I’m too scared.”

    But truth was, Verona wasn’t scared for her life, she was scared for her daughter’s life and there was no way for this vindictive Baron in not finding out. She silently thanked Vygnet in her mind that she was not yet here….and she should not be here!

    “But your baby is gone right? So, this douche will surely prey on you!” Blaze hissed.

    Verona couldn’t answer for it was not true. Such twisted fate that had been endowed on her and such twisted lies she had created brought by her mangled life. It was like every waking moment, she was walking in broken shards of glass; trying to piece together all the jagged parts of her.

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    Craig received a call from Chief Rendoza saying that they already had a lead in his father’s case. A glimmer of hope swam in his eyes upon hearing that good news. He couldn’t wait to go home. He hugged Vylet out of joy as they trudged back in the hotel.

      “I’m happy for you,” she muttered half-heartedly.

    “I can’t wait to go home tomorrow!” He exclaimed friskily.

    But Vylet just stared impassively at the pristine sand. Yes, she was happy for him, but she couldn’t shake off the thought that she was also that monster, a yoma--cold blooded monster who murdered his father and if he found out that she was also a yoma…shit will hit the ceiling. He would surely despise her forever.

    Vygnet saw them embracing each other. All the blood in her veins boiled and she felt the urge to transform into a yoma upon seeing them together.

    Why does she feel like life hates her? Her biological mother abandoned her, her beloved mother was suffering in a mental institution, and the man she’s head over heels is in love with someone she hates! All of these fueled the fireball of hate in her heart, coursing in her veins and before she knew it, she already transformed into a yoma.

    She suddenly hit on a plan, one of the riskiest things she could ever thought of as of now. She snarled and aimed to attack at her. She leapt down from a tree and lunged at Vylet notwithstanding the presence of Craig.

    “Vylet!” Craig cried in revulsion as he scooped her away from the monster.

    But Vygnet was driven mad, her eyes were livid, her fangs showed a complete hint of belligerence. Her talons were curled menacingly.

    Vylet didn’t know what to do as she was trying to tune out if this yoma really wanted to prey on her, and if she really did, then why? Unless this monster held grudges against her.

    “Vylet run! I got this!” Craig said in authoritative voice.

    “No, I will stay with you. We got this together!” She shot back in a complacent tone.

    “No Vylet! You’re unarmed, you’re just an ordinary human, unlike me I am a cresclunar owner.” He retorted sharply.

    Vygnet leered and laughed raucously. “Ordinary human? She isn’t an ordinary human my dear!”

    “You better shut up and prepare to die, you ugly piece of hell!” He snarled and held his cresclunar and different colors of light rays dappled as it shone brilliantly in the sartorial glow of the full moon. He aimed the amulet at her and Vygnet shielded herself as she felt the electrifying torture coursed all over her brought by the cresclunar.  She shrieked in excruciating pain that reverberated in the whole place. But she was determined to aim at her target; she sprang backward and aimed to lunge at Vylet again who was now wearing a panic-stricken face.

     Why did Vylet couldn’t feel the same thing that this monster was feeling? She should also be wincing in pain once she got struck by the light of the cresclunar. The blinding rays of light did send a curl of pain all over her before, even in the minimal amount of light it emitted, and it even when she got near to his amulet, she felt like pain was smiling on her. But now, why does she couldn’t feel those things?

    “Vylet!!!” Craig roared but Vylet ducked her head and ran as fast as she could. The least thing she could do now was run. She couldn’t transform in front of him! A surge of adrenaline rush jolted all over her as the monster continued to prey on her… she was really after her! Who is she?

     Why does she want to kill me? She could feel the erratic beating of her heart as she positioned herself in a fighting stance.

    “Who are you?” Vylet purred huskily.

    “Vylet it’s no use to ask that question to such monster like her. You know the hideous air of them, they choose anyone to strike upon.” He chuckled and prepared to give the monster a crashing blow. In a fraction of seconds, Craig struck the blow at Vygnet.

    But someone shielded Vygnet from the crashing blow; his grayish skin received the blow from the cresclunar, like a loyal bodyguard who was ready to take the bullets for her beloved master.

    “Please stop. Go away now!” He pled feebly to Vygnet.

    Amidst the immense brightness of the full moon and the rays of light coming from the cresclunar, came the picture of a monster whose undying love for her woman, justified his heroic act.

    Vygnet’s soul was ripped into pieces upon realizing who saved her… Paul.

        Her mouth went dry; she couldn’t utter a word nor can let out a shrill. Her trembling limbs gripped his weakening body that threatened his life to ebb away. Hot tears streamed down on her cheeks.

    “What are you doing? You better get out of here!” Paul said in a strangled voice. Vygnet just shook her head as she continued to cry.

    Craig was in a daze as he witnessed what had just transpired. He willed his hands to hold back and felt his breath knocking out of him.

    Then with Paul’s last shred of strength, he managed to retaliate, his jaded eyes held ferociously at him and sprinted towards Craig.

    “No!!!” Vylet roared and a purple ball of light diffused all over the area causing them to cower and flew backwards. With that, her flaxen catlike eyes dilated as she felt the newly found power surging in her body. And in a jiffy, she disappeared amidst the blinding rays of light.