Vampire's Pathos

Blood 01

Eara Laire Arella

It was a rather cold morning..

"Do I really have to do this?"

I asked myself and I sighed.

Inayos ko na yung sarili ko saka bumaba na ako mula sa kwarto ko papuntang kusina.

The first thing I saw was my mother preparing breakfast.. Nothing less than I already expected.

"Good morning, Eara. Kain ka na at maaga pa ang pasok mo." She smiled and I looked at her silently.

It's so deceiving.. her smiles..

Tahimik lang akong umupo sa lamesa, and she proceeds to lay out the plates of food she prepared.

I finished eating my share and without any other words, I turned around to leave.

"Bye, Ma." I said goodbye, out of respect. At saka ko kinuha yung bag ko.

"Wait, Eara!" I stopped on my tracks, at nung mapalingon ako sa likod, bumungad sa akin ang tinuturing kong nanay. Bigla nalang niyang hinatak yung kamay ko at may nilagay dito.

"Nakalimutan mong suotin 'tong kwintas mo." Oh, right.

Walang alinlangan kong sinuot yung kwintas, and I went on my way again.

"Sige, aalis na ako." Huling paalam ko at umalis na.

As I rode our car to go to school, hindi ko maisipang maisip yung dahilan kung bakit na naman ako lilipat ng school.

Well, aside from the murders around our town lately.. And unusual disappearances of townsfolk..

I don't see any more reasons.

Huh, isn't it too late to show me kindness now?

I looked over to my side at nakita kong may dyaryo doon. Might as well read it. Mother told me that it might take an hour or so to get to my new school.

"Recent murders, done by a mythical being?" I read the headlines at agad na nakunot yung noo ko nung napagtanto ko yung nabasa ko.

I opened the newspaper to the page where the article was, and I scoffed lightly nung nabasa ko ng maigi yung article.

The article went like this..

During the past few months, a huge number of students have been disappearing without any trace. At first, the police concluded that it might just be a case of people being lost, and nothing more. That was until series of bodies are being found, and are identified to be the missing students.

"We have never encountered something like this."

Said the Chief Inspector of the Police Force, Harold Tanaya, who was leading the investigation.

The bodies were found in different places of the town, but they are mostly found near schools, and all of the victims have always been high school students. When found, the bodies are unidentifiable because of the gruesome wounds left on the body. Other than that, the bodies appeared to be dry.

Although there was evidences of wounds, traces of blood was nowhere to be seen.

"It might be a work of a vampire. You never know, maybe they think it's finally their time to rule over the world. How else would you explain a bloodless corpse like that anyway?"

Suggested by an online blogger, and in just a few days, the blogger's article have gotten a lot of attention.

In any case, the police are doing all they can to prevent any more disappearances and assures people that whoever the perpetrator might be, they won't take any second chances.

So now, in desperation.. Their scape goat is a mythical being?

Yes, the bloodless corpses might be unexplainable.

Pero para maniwala ka sa bampira?

I mean, it's just too fictional to believe that they exist.

I shook my head lightly, at napatingin nalang sa bintana. I shouldn't focus my time on this.

"Ms. Eara. We are here." I turned to look at the front and I saw a lot of people staring at our car.

"I'll take it from here. Pakisabi na hindi na ako babalik." I said with bitterness, at lalabas na dapat ng sasakyan.

"But Miss, your parents ordered that I escort you inside." Paliwanag nung driver, and I gave him a look before sighing.

"Bahala ka." Ang huling kong sinabi at lumabas na ng sasakyan.

Saka ko binagsak yung pinto.

So.. this is my new school huh?

Napatingin ako sa lugar na nasa harapan ko.

Acadia Academy.

It certainly is big just as the rumors say. It is a university.

I think.

I was greeted by a large silver gate along with a lot of strange looks from students.

I'm guessing transferring isn't really common around here.

Without even thinking about it much more, nagpatuloy ako sa pagpasok sa school. Habang naglalakad, I wasn't able to stop my eyes from wandering around to examine the place.

Sobrang lawak nung area..

You could even run around and there would still be a lot of space. I guess this is what I should expect for a school that's almost as big as any town.

With a luggage in my other hand, I proceeded to go where I was supposed to. There was a small map that I drew para naman hindi ako maligaw, until it finally led me to the place I needed.

Napatingala nalang ako sa isang pinto nung makita ko yung nakasulat.

Faculty.

Found it.

Tatlong beses akong kumatok sa pinto bago ko binuksan 'yon.

"Excuse me." I said as I opened the door, at lahat ng tao na nasa loob napatingin sa akin.

"Is Ms. Ada Teves here?" Nagkatinginan muna yung mga teachers bago may nagsalita.

"That's me." I looked over to who said that, and I analyzed that person carefully.

She had long hair that reached her waist, slim body, and a small face. She wasn't small.. but she's not that tall either.

Well, her black heels are kind of helping too.

"Are you the new student?" Tanong niya at tumango nalang ako.

Well, hindi pa ba obvious 'yon?

With all the bags that I've got.

"You can sit down." I nodded once more and I sat on the sofa across her. Apparently, there's a small lounge inside. Kung saan siguro nila ine-entertain ang mga students or parents alike.

I gave her my papers that I was supposed to give her, and I just watched as she checked the files.

"So, a transferee from..?"

Napatingin nalang ako sa kanya habang chinecheck niya yung files ko. And when I didn't answer, she turned to look at me.

Shouldn't she have found the answer by now?

"CCL University."

Napatango naman siya kaagad matapos akong makasagot.

"You also inquired for a dorm."

"Yes."

Maikli akong sumagot, and she continues to go through my papers one by one. Hanggang sa inayos niya nalang 'to at napatingin sa akin.

"Is that all your luggage?" Napatingin siya sa mga gamit ko, kaya ganon din ang nagawa ko. She must think that one luggage is not enough for a move like this.

Well, unless you're a minimalist.

But I'm not.

"Um, no. My driver's outside with some of my other things." Napatango naman si Ms. Teves, at tumayo na siya.

"You can leave your things here, magsisimula na rin kasi yung klase." Tahimik nalang akong sumunod sa sinabi niya, at nilabas ko yung driver ko na dala dala yung gamit ko sa labas ng faculty.

"Thank you."

I simply gave my driver a nod, at kinuha ko na yung natitira ko pang gamit sa kanya.

I went on my way, and he went on his way.

Just like what Ms. Teves said, I left all of my luggage in the faculty. At saka ko siya sinundan papunta sa classroom ko.

She's also my adviser, that might be the reason why I was assigned to her.

"This is your classroom. Pumasok ka na, may mga naiwan pa kasi akong mga bagay sa faculty."

She smiled as she explained, and judging from the way she smiles..

Mukhang sanay na sanay na rin siyang ngumiti in cases like this.

Medyo naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit..

Teachers need to be approachable, right?

"I hope you'll have a nice experience in this school."

I froze in my place nung matapos niyang sabihin 'yon.

I couldn't really explain it.

Pero naramdaman kong tumaas yung balahibo ko sa sinabi niya. Her smile looked warm, but her voice sounded cold and grim.

She hides behind some mask..

I'll pretend that I never saw that.

Mukhang may iiwasan na ako sa buong school year, well for a few months.

There's only three months left after all.

New years. New school.

It's actually not bad for a change, at least because of this I got away from my so called 'parents'.

I exhaled and composed myself as I looked at Ms. Teves.

As soon as she turned to leave, my hands slowly went for the door. At nagulat nalang ako nung may naunang kamay sa handle nung pinto.

I immediately looked at this person.

How come I never sensed him behind me?

The guy was almost, or at least six foot tall. His height was already so hard to miss. And somehow I've already got the feeling na hindi kami magiging close.

Nakita ko siyang mapatingin din sa akin, then as if he saw nothing, he simply opened the door and went inside.

Huh, another weird fellow.

I shrugged the encounter off and continued to go inside just as he did.

At nagsimula nang magbulungan yung mga tao sa loob. Well, what's new? Syempre ako. Medyo nagtataka ako sa mga matatalim na tingin ng ibang mga babae sa akin.

I would ask, but it's not really worth my time.

In the end, I found a vacant seat right in back.

At nanatili lang ako doon hanggang sa nagsimula na nga yung klase.

"Good morning, class." Hindi na ako nagtaka nung nakita ko si Ms. Teves sa harap namin, and each student greeted her back.

"As you can see, we have a new transfer student, Ms. Eara Laire Arella." I quietly stood up from my seat nung pinakilala ako ni Ms. Teves, and everyone had their eyes on me.

"Nice to meet you." I suppose that was to break the ice, but I'm not really a people person.

I prefer to be alone.

I said those word indifferently, so maybe nakuha naman nila yung gusto kong iparating?

"Well, enough with the introductions then? Let's start the class."

Ms. Teves smiled once again, at kinilibutan ako.

I'm not liking this school already.

Well, not that I really liked school anyway.

"That concludes our lesson for today." And that's how our English class ended. I copied all the notes and I memorized it easily.

I guess, yung lugar lang talaga yung nagbago.

Still the same routine of school related things anyway.

I don't get the reason kung bakit pa ako pinalipat. If it's my time then it should be. I don't think prevention is going to be any better.

I was closing my notes and putting it inside my bag, nung bigla nalang may sumigaw.

"Hoy ikaw!"

Napatingin ako sa isang babaeng papalapit na sa akin.

"Ako?" Tanong ko, at tinarayan niya ako.

"Tanga ka ba? May iba pa bang tao dito?" I looked around and saw nobody but me, and her group of girls.

Tsk, dapat pala umalis na rin ako kaagad para sa sunod na klase. Now I've got to deal with troublesome girls.

I showed them a fake smile, and asked. "Then, what is it that you want?" Nung natapos akong magtanong, I got rid of my smile and I stood up with my bag on my hands.

"Oh? Ano tatakasan mo kami? Sabihin mo, anong relasyon mo kay Kian?"

What?

"Sino?" Paglilinaw ko.

Wala naman akong kilalang Kian.

"Hindi mo siya kilala? Ha, transfer student ka nga. Siya ang class president at ang highest ranking student dito--" She had something more to say, but I didn't exactly have the heart to listen to nonsense.

Ano na bang sinasabi ng babaeng 'to? Speech?

She's not only rude, but it looks like she's also stupid.

Nasasayang oras ko sa kanya.

"I'm really sorry, but I don't really know who you're talking about. At tignan mo, tinatawag na ako ng teacher."

Paalam ko at dinaanan ko na ang grupo nila. Napatingin ako sa relo ko, at nakita ko yung oras.

It was just past eight.

"Okay, Eara. P.E class niyo na ang next sa English class niyo. I heard na hindi ka daw active sa sports?" Tumango nalang ako, habang sinusundan yung teacher para ihatid ako sa sunod na klase.

"Magpahinga ka nalang kung pagod ka na ha? Explain mo nalang sa class teacher niyo." I nodded again, and after that pumunta na ako sa dressing room para magpalit ng ibinigay na damit sa akin nung teacher kanina.

Medyo masikip yung shirt, mas gugustuhin ko sana kung medyo maluwag.

I'll just buy another one next time.

Nilagay ko muna yung iba kong gamit sa locker ko dun.

Paano ko nalaman na locker ko yun?

May pangalan ko e..

Bumaba naman ako papuntang field kung saan kami dapat magla-laps.

After going down a few flights of stairs, nakarating na ako sa baba ng building, and I got a nice view of the field.

Nung makalabas na ako ng building at nandito na sa field. Napasinghap nalang ako sa malamig na hangin na bumabalot sa lugar.

The cool breeze really distracts you from the heat of the sun, maybe because it's still January, kaya ganito pa yung lamig nung hangin.

I really wanted to stay put like that just a bit more, but I had little time to appreciate the surroundings, at tinawag na kami ng teacher namin.

"Okay! Line up!" Narinig kong sigaw nung teacher at luminya sila. Sa pinaka likod ako pumila, I don't like being in front you see..

Napansin ko naman yung mga babaeng kinausap ko kanina na sa likod ko pumila.

"Start now!" Sigaw nung teacher sabay pito, at nagsimula na kaming tumakbo. Unang lap namin, natapos ko kaagad. Hindi naman sa hindi ako active sa sports, ayaw lang talaga nang parents ko na may iba pa akong gagawin maliban sa pag-aaral.

Hanggang five laps lang kami.

Pinagpawisan..

Pero hindi naman ganun ka pagod.

"Okay, you can go in now and change your clothes. You only have thirty minutes." Paliwanag nung teacher. Dumiretso agad ako sa locker ko at nagpunas.

Ano ulit yung sunod na subject dito?

Napatigil ako sa pagpupunas ng pawis at napatingin sa bag ko.

Saan ko ba nilagay yung schedule na binigay sa akin nung isang teacher kanina?

I asked myself, and I was about to search my bag para mahanap 'yon, kaso biglang may nagsalita sa likod ko.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka active sa sports?" Napatingin naman ako sa nagsalita.

"Oh, it's just you." Yung babae na naman kanina.

I'm kind of regretting na pumayag akong magpalipat.

I hate useless interactions like this.

At least in my previous school, everyone just ignores me.

Tinungo ko nalang yung atensyon sa locker ko, at inisa isa ko yung uniform ko para makapagpalit na ako.

"And you're just gonna ignore me?" Mataray niyang sabi, and I unknowingly shook my head.

"Alam mo, kung wala ka ng iba pang magandang sasabihin, manahimik ka nalang." Sabi ko. 

Bahala siya dyan, basta ako magbibihis ako.

There's nothing more to talk about anyway, and besides, ano bang kailangan ng babaeng 'to sa akin?

I haven't even done anything.

"How dare you talk to me like that! Don't you know I'm the vice president?" Pasigaw na niyang sinasabi.

Vice president?

Pinagloloko niya ba ako?

Nagsimula akong isuot yung polo ko and palda bago ko siya sinagot.

"Does it look like I care?" Ani ko at kinuha ko yung vest ko, and that was it. I was done changing.

Napatingin nalang ako sa harap ko nung makita ko yung babae doon, at bigla nalang niyang hinawakan yung buhok ko. Napaaray naman ako dahil doon, and I held her hand that was on my hair.

At saka ako nagpumiglas para makaalis.

"Ikaw, kung hindi mo iibahin 'yang tono nang pagsasalita mo sa akin. Hindi mo alam kung anong kaya kong gawin." Sabi niya, and that was it.

That was my limit.

Napuno na ako sa kanya, at hindi na ako nakapagpigil.

Hindi ko na pinag isipan pa at siniko ko siya sa sikmura niya, kaya napaatras naman siya.

And she immediately let my hair go.

This stupid mannerless b***h had it coming.

Tumayo ako ng maayos at tinignan ko siya at pati na rin yung mga kasama niya.

"At hindi mo rin alam kung anong kaya kong gawin." I told her off and I glared at her. I tied my hair into a ponytail, got my bag, and went away.

They don't know what I'm capable of doing.

Kaya 'wag nila akong mahamon hamon ng ganyan.

Habang naglalakad sa hallway, napabuntong hininga nalang ako habang iniisip yung nangyari kanina.

First day of school ganito na kaagad?

I don't want to imagine the next few days. I slowly shook my head as I walked at napabuntong hininga nalang ulit.

Bumalik na ulit ako sa room namin, as usual pinagtititigan.

But I still didn't care, at umupo na ako sa pinakalikod sa may kaliwa, and another class started..

After one more subject, it was our break.

Habang dala dala yung bag ko, lumabas ako ng classroom para mapag isa.

Naglibot-libot ako para makakita ng tahimik na lugar para pagkainan, and here I am in the wonderful, peaceful, and utterly quiet garden.

Who knew na may garden sa likod ng building ng school na 'to?

It wasn't impossible to find a place where there was no people, since sobrang lawak ng school. Nung may makita akong bench doon, umupo naman ako kaagad sa lugar na 'yon.

Kinuha ko yung tubig ko at sandwich sa bag ko, saka ako nagsimulang kumain.

I was already half done, pero napatigil ako nung mag narinig akong nagsalita.

"C-Class President Kian Pierce Aerovan, will you go out with me?"

Kian?

'Yon yung pangalan na tinanong sa akin kanina di ba?

Na-curious ako kaya pinuntahan ko kung saan nang galing yung boses.

Dumungaw ako sa may pader at tinatago ko yung katawan ko. At nakita ko yung lalaking nakasabay ko sa pagpasok sa room, and a cute girl.

Is that really the Kian the other girl was talking about?

I carefully observed the guy, at medyo tumaas naman yung balahibo ko.

I never actually got a good look at him kanina nung nasa pinto kami, at kahit sa loob ng classroom since I didn't even know him.

Nor that I did want to.. but..

With eyes that looked so cold as if he wasn't alive, and his facial expression that almost represented winter..

Kulang nalang isipin mo bangkay na siya.

And he's seriously getting a confession right now?

But of course, you wouldn't deny him of that nice pale face that he has..

One might even think that he's an angel.

A fallen angel.

Napailing iling nalang ako sa mga iniisip ko, at tinigil ko na yung pagsilip sa nagaganap sa kanilang dalawa.

Well, at least they gave me another person to stay away from.

Naisipan ko nang umalis because the conversation looked private enough, and I don't think I have any reasons to interfere.

Kaya naman mas minabuti ko nalang na umalis.

I was on my way to get my bag, pero napatigil ako when I heard a guy's voice.

"I'm sorry, but I can't love. And even if I do, it would not be you." Pagkatapos noon nakaramdam ako nang malamig na hangin.

That was from Kian right?

You can't love huh..?

Love.

Feeling it is like magic, but magic is an illusion.

Love is not true.