The Keeper

Anza dreads going home today. Her father and stepmother, the entire family, will go to their annual holiday to the mountains. She will be the only one that cannot take part in their activities. A virtual demonstration of supernatural skills that she does not have. She is not as strong nor as fast, and she cannot shape-shift. She will be left alone in the cabin as they all go out at night, giving vent to their natural inclination to transform and be themselves. Her cousins, her aunts and uncles, her step grandparents, her father, her stepmother, all of them are Viscerebus, Aswangs as they are locally called. She, the only one in their midst, an Erdia, a half-Aswang that has their bloodline, but none of their powers. The only thing of value she has for her father's kind is that her viscera can power them better than a human viscera. Her parents love her, and never treated her as non-Viscerebus, but they cannot deny the fact - she is as human as most of the people in her school. And soon, immediately after her graduation, they would have to move to an unfamiliar country where no one knows who they are. Her parents are due for a Transit. Transit is required for her parents' kind to hide their nature to the humans in the society where they live. Every thirty years, they have to move to disguise them not aging like humans do. She, on the other hand, not blessed with that trait, will age like the humans. And eventually, she would look older than her parents, and she would die long before they are halfway with their lifetime. In the meantime, she will live the kind of life they have. With no permanent roots, with no longtime friendships. She longed to connect with any human, but that will not happen with the life that she lives. She sighed and got into the car, the plush leather comforting, the floral scent of the air freshener familiar. She leaned back and closed her eyes. It will be another half an hour before they got home. Their family driver drove in silence. That suited her. She is not in the mood for conversation. Memories of how she felt when she overheard her classmates talking about going to the movies during the weekend, of having a sleepover tonight, were still fresh. The piercing sense of envy and longing still hurts. They invited her, but she had to decline. Apart from her family's weekend out to the mountains, her father never allowed her to hang out with her human classmates. They warned her that the pain of separation can be terrible if she gets attached to anyone of them. She understands her father's reasoning. And she agrees. But she does not like it. *** The sounds of the forest are familiar - the crickets, the birds, the wind rustling the leaves of the trees that surround them. Her room in their mountain lodge has not changed. The caretaker had cleaned it. The bed and the linens fresh and new. She had aired the room, for it does not have the musty smell of wood that usually pervade a room long unused. With a deep sigh, she looked around her room, her sight landing on her bag. She cannot be bothered to unpack, so she left it where it is at. She can hear the sounds of her family outside. They were all in high spirits. Her step-uncle's booming voice as he said something funny, the chorus of laughter that followed it. She can imagine her stepmother is in the kitchen now, supervising the supplies they brought for the weekend - the food, the wine, and everything they would need to spend a memorable family event. A knock on her door was unwelcome, but she forced herself to respond, trudging to the door to open it. It was her cousin, or more correctly, her step-cousin, Drew. "Cuz, we will set up the barbecue outside, would you like to join us?" his smile was warm and cajoling. Drew was one of her cousins that was always attentive to her. He's two years older than her, athletic and bookish. They bond on the common love for poetry. She nodded and followed him to the verandah where the grill was set up on the uncovered portion to allow the smoke to waft out into the air. Beside it was a small table laden with raw steak, marinated chicken breasts and drumsticks, prawns on skewers, corn on the cob, pineapples and plantains, and pre-baked potatoes wrapped in foil, all ready for the grill. Drew fired up the grill, while she hung back, waiting for it to heat. She can see him giving her surreptitious glances. He sensed her disquiet. But he will not ask her, he will patiently wait for her to open up. He may have to wait for a long time, because she does not know what is wrong with her - why she gets like this, so unhappy, so dissatisfied. Her heart was heavy with a combination of grief and anger, a sense of injustice that she needs to correct. *** Rocco slung his duffel bag over his shoulder. They had called him to the Iztari office for a quick briefing. He was planning to take his bag home first, but it was no hardship to pass by the office instead. They instructed him to go straight to the office of the Chief Iztari, which was on the third floor. Edrigu Orzabal, his mentor, was waiting for him, a smile of satisfaction on his face. Edrigu gave him a tight hug and a strong pat on the back. "Congratulations, Rocco! Papa told me you graduated top of your class," Edrigu said, his grin wide. "Thank you, sir! It was the least I can do," he replied. He cannot help but grin. It pleased him that his mentor, and Don Lorenzo Ibarra, his sponsor, felt the same. He thought he owed it to them to do well. They were his only family in this world. "So, how long do you have before they give you your first assignment?" Edrigu asked. "I don't know, but we have about a month of break before we report back to camp for more training," he replied. "Okay, what do you plan to do with your month?" "Maybe... I can spend it here at the office?" he said, hopeful that Edrigu would say yes. "You do not have to. You're allowed to take a break, you know," Edrigu said, handing him a cold bottle of beer. This surprised him. He did not realize they were allowed to drink in the Iztari office. He looked at Edrigu inquiringly. Edrigu smiled. "It's allowed during special occasions, and today qualifies," he said in a manner of explanation, correctly interpreting his unvoiced question. He smiled back and gladly accepted the beer. They clinked the bottle together, toasting his graduation from the Military Academy. "I actually prefer to spend my summer break here. I've always wanted to become an Iztari. So, if it is okay with you, I really would love to do this," he said after a moment. Edrigu looked at him closely, his expression paternal. Or at least he thinks that is how a father would look at a son - indulgent, patient, and caring. "Don't you want to spend your summer doing carefree things, like being with people your age, partying, meeting young women, getting a girlfriend, and all that sort of things?" Edrigu asked. "No, sir. I've spent all my life with people my age. I am not interested in parties, and while I do not mind meeting girls for a laugh or two, I think it is unfair to any potential girlfriend of mine to be in a relationship with a man like me who has no plans of getting serious," he said. And he meant it. "Okay, I will train you myself. You can start as my personal assistant. Come here in the morning at eight a.m. For now, go home and rest. You deserve it," Edrigu said, patting him on the shoulder, and giving him a shove toward the door. "Thank you, sir. I will see you tomorrow," he said, giving Edrigu an Iztari salute and then took his leave, his duffel bag slung over his shoulders once more. Edrigu watched his protege walk out. It is a pity that the boy is too young for his granddaughter, Yuana, and that she is already deeply involved with a human. Otherwise, he would set them up. He is the type of man that any grandfather would want their granddaughter to meet. Smart, intelligent, driven, and with his heart in the right place. *** Anza watched as her cousins horsed around in the gated backyard of the lodge. They had cut the grass. The ancient trees that surround the area seemed bigger, more lush, adding to the security that the high fence provided. Laughter came louder as the older ones teased the younger ones to the point of annoyance that her younger cousins would transform into their animal forms out of frustration. Her twelve-year-old cousin, Sheila, got so fed up with the antics of her older brother, a fourteen-year-old rascal named Caleb, who had been making fun of her crush with one of Caleb's human friends. In a burst of temper, she turned into a hyena, snarling and growling, and snapping at her older brother. The elders were indulgently laughing it all off, and their father intervened only when Sheila had clamped her jaws on Caleb's calf muscle, making him cry out in pain. "Enough, Caleb! Sheila! You're drawing blood already" her uncle's stern voice arrested Sheila's fury, and she let go of her brother's leg, transforming back into her human form. She was teary-eyed out of wrath and frustration, her brother's blood rimming her lips. Caleb shot her a furious glance, his hand pressed against the bleeding calf muscle that his sister almost tore off. It looked like a deep wound. It will take about an hour to heal. Her uncle gave Caleb a handkerchief to bind the wound. Sheila stood sullenly over her brother, wiping her mouth on the neckline of her T-shirt. This is almost a common sight, to see all of them transform into their Animus, at anytime they feel like it. Because of boredom or driven by passion. Tomorrow, they will all venture into the woods, shape-shift into a land-based predatory animal, hunt or merely just to run around. And like before, they would leave her behind in the house, alone. She did not realize that the pasted smile on her face had faltered until Drew nudged her side with his elbows. "Should I hunt him down, cuz?" Drew asked lightly. "Who?" she looked up at him. She did not understand who he was referring to. "Whoever it is who caused such a grim frown on your face," he said, touching forehead, stroking it. "No one. I was just... preoccupied," she said. She walked away and sat at one of the rattan chairs. She is not inclined to talk about it, but Drew followed her and sat beside her. "Cuz, something is bothering you, and if I would hazard a guess, I think you are feeling out of place," he said, his eyes on her intent. His words sent a stab of realization through her heart. He was right. "I'm just tired, cuz," she said. "Tired of being the only Erdia amid the Aswangs?" he persisted. "I guess..." she said, the closest to admission she could give to him. Her reticence made it clear to Drew that she was not ready to discuss what was in her heart, but he continued to watch her with intensity, worried for her. She patted his hand in reassurance, got up and went inside to help her stepmother in the kitchen. She needed a distraction. Her stepmother was preparing the raw human liver the family will partake of tonight. Everyone will have a slice, except her. She had seen her parents and her extended family eat raw human viscera countless times, and it never bothered her in the past. She never cared for it before, but now, her feeling of being an outsider intensified. "Anza, the ice delivery guy is coming tomorrow morning. Can you handle it while we are away?" her stepmother said as she walked off with the bowl of the human liver toward the living room to call everyone in for their sustenance. She nodded. It does not make any difference. That night, she could not pretend that she felt upbeat. She kept to herself, longing to be left alone. It was an easy thing to do as everyone was in full volume. They filled the house with chatter, laughter and activities. Each other's antics and stories entertained them. She sat at the corner chair, pretending to chat with her friends on the phone, at looking at their post. She was the picture of engrossed. In reality, her mind was drowning in misery. It took Drew's words to shake her out of it and spark an idea on how to put an end to her pain. "You need not feel like an outsider, cuz. Don't set yourself apart. Choose to belong," he said, dropping an affectionate kiss at the top of her head as he left her to her own company and proceeded to his room to sleep. *** Early the following day, as the sun was just beginning to rise, the kitchen is already abuzz with activities. She could imagine all of them preparing for their day out. They will spend the better part of it running in the woods in their animal form, hunting for deer or whatever it is they fancy. She would have preferred to stay in bed, pretend that she was still asleep so she does not have to see them off, but a knock on her door forced her to get up and socialize. It was her cousin, Drew. "Your mom is calling you. I think she wants to leave a few instructions," he said, looking her up from head to toe. She is sure that he will not miss the signs that she barely slept. She followed him out to the living room. Everyone was waiting, raring to go. Each one wearing track suit and a belt bag around their waist. The belt bag will keep their clothes and shoes while they are in their animal form, so it is within easy reach when they return to their human form. "Anza, the payment for the ice is on the kitchen table. Have them put it in the big freezer. They should deliver ice cubes in bags, and a block of ice for the drinks," she said. She nodded. A plan has already crystalized in her head. Being left alone is the perfect opportunity. She noticed that Drew did not seem ready to leave, like the rest. "Are you not running out with everyone?" she asked. He would ruin her plan or remove her time advantage if he stays. "I don't want you left alone here, cuz. I will stay with you," he said. But she heard the reluctance in his voice. "Oh, don't be silly. I will be fine," she said, pushing him toward the rest. She kept her tone cheerful. "No, truly, cuz. I do not mind staying in today," he said. He looked down at her closely, trying to assess her sincerity.  "No, I won't let you give up on the chance to unleash your Animus, cuz. Don't worry. I am okay," she insisted. "Are you sure?" he asked, frowning. "Yes. I will lock up behind you all so I will be safe. Find me some wild guavas and we are even," she said, offering him her most reassuring smile. He smiled back, relief on his face. He dropped a kiss on her forehead and snapped on his own belt bag around his waist. Soon, everyone ran excitedly to the woods. She watched them all disappear behind the thick cover of trees, their shouts of goodbye fading. She immediately went to Drew's room to get his backpack. She found it on the chair, open but full. Her cousin, typical of men, did not bother to unpack. She dumped his stuff into one drawer and slid it shut. A quick search of the many pockets ensured that she had taken out everything that belonged to him. She took the backpack into her room and loaded the contents of her own bag into it. She was in a hurry to finish this before the iceman arrives. With house keys in hand, she took the backpack to the kitchen to wait for the ice delivery. She had enough time to write her parents a note, so they will not worry. But she placed it where they will not immediately see it, to give her time to cover more distance before they go look for her. She also wrote a decoy note telling them she went to the nearby creek to pick up some herbs. She had just finished having breakfast when she heard the approaching truck. Her heart pounding, she waited for the truck to come nearer and pull over. She motioned for them to come closer to the kitchen area. Ten minutes later, all the ice has been unloaded and stored in the big freezer. She paid the men and asked them for a ride to the city. She told them she needed to buy something, and they gladly obliged. With the house locked up, one last look around, she hurried out and got into the front with the driver and his assistant for a ride to the city. She wanted to cry, but held herself in check. She had chosen her path, she would have to live with it. She is on her way to living with the humans now - where she belongs. *** It surprised Rocco when he picked up his phone to find that it was Edrigu who was calling him. He just got home from the Iztari office. There must be something he had forgotten to do. "Hello, Sir?" he said, waiting for Edrigu's instruction. "Rocco, can you come back to the office? I need you to do something for me," Edrigu's voice was even, but there was a sense of urgency in it. "Yes, sir. I can be back there in twenty minutes," he replied, picking up the backpack he dropped off on his bed just a minute ago. Sixteen minutes later, he walked into Edrigu's office. He was on a video call with a worried-looking gentleman. "Take a seat, Rocco," he said, then turned to the gentleman on the screen. "Manuel, this is Rocco. I think he is the perfect person to find your daughter. As we agreed, we will have more success of getting to her and convincing her to come back home if she does not feel threatened by the Iztaris," Edrigu said. The man on the screen looked at him closely, seemingly unconvinced. "He looks so young, Ed," he said. "He is capable, and he has my complete trust, Manuel. And he will not be deployed alone. I will send a second team and we will use both approach so we can recover her quickly. But I think Rocco will be more successful at this," Edrigu said. He listened carefully, his posture erect, not wanting to ask questions until he received the full instruction from his mentor. "Okay, I trust you. You know best how to do this. But, please hurry, Ed. She's only sixteen and an Erdia. She cannot protect herself," Manuel said, his fatherly concern palpable. "Don't worry, Manuel. We will get her back. She cannot have gotten that far. Now, send me a copy of her letter to you so we can start immediately," Edrigu said. The man nodded and hang up. Edrigu turned to him. "As you heard, I am assigning you to this case. Manuel is a good friend of my father-in-law, and his daughter, an Erdia ran away, and we need to find her ASAP." He nodded. "She ran away with her boyfriend?" he asked. Such cases are common. Edrigu shook his head. "No, Manuel does not think so. According to him, Anza has been down for the past couple of months. She did not seem to want to go in Transit. Her cousin said that she was feeling like she does not belong with her family. She is the only Erdia in their closely knit family," he explained, pushing a copy of the printed picture of the missing girl. He picked up the photo and looked at it. She was pretty. Long black hair, enormous eyes, baby-soft lips, innocent looking face. Barely wearing any makeup. Slim and petite. Maybe around five foot three at most. She looked younger than her sixteen years. Maybe this was taken years ago. "Is the picture recent?" he asked. She might look different now. Most sixteen-year-olds that he has met so far looked far older than their age because of how they dress and with all the makeup they wear. "No, that was taken a month ago, on her sixteenth birthday," Edrigu replied. He printed the attachment that he just received from the email. It was the letter from the runaway girl to her father. Edrigu read it aloud. "Dear papa, please do not be angry. Do not worry. I will now live with the humankind where I belong. I love you and mama with all my heart, but I am not like you and the rest of the family. I will leave you earlier in this life anyway, since I do not have your long lives. Let me establish a root here. Allow me to find a family that will be like me, mortal and human, while I have the time to do so. This is not forever. When you leave for your Transit, keep our post office box open for two years and send me a letter where I can get in touch with you. I will write to you to let you know how I am doing, that I am well. I love you and you will always be in my heart, Anza." He felt slightly annoyed with the runaway girl. It seemed to him too bratty of her to leave her family on a whim, just because she was feeling insecure about being an Erdia. To make her parents worry like that was just petty and inconsiderate. "How can she be the only Erdia in her family? Her mother should be like her, at least, right?" he asked. Edrigu shook his head. "No. Her mother was human and died of complications during childbirth. She was referring to her stepmother, an Aswang who married her father when she was three." "Okay. So what do you want me to do? From what I heard earlier, you want me to find her. Why me and not the Iztaris?" he wanted to get the full picture. What the objectives are for this case. "The simple aim is to find her. I believe that she could relate to you better than my other Iztaris because Anza is closer to your age. We do not know how long she planned this. According to her father, she's smart and organized, just a tad emotional. No doubt because she is still a teenager. So, if she had planned this well, she would be harder to find. She would factor in the reality that her parents would approach us, and we will be deployed to look for her. She might have prepared for that," Edrigu speculated. His brows knitted in concentration. "So, does it mean that I will look for her without telling her the Iztari office sent me?" he asked. Edrigu smiled. "Without telling her that an Iztari is looking for her." His eyes widened from what he heard, surprised at the implication of his words. "Iztari? Am I one?" he said tentatively, looking for a confirmation. Edrigu's smile widened. "Yes, this is your first official case. You are the youngest Iztari in the history of this office." "And if I don't find her? If I fail in bringing her back?" he still cannot believe it. "Don't say that. And you won't fail. But even if you do, the outcome will not affect your appointment. Welcome to the team," Edrigu held out his hand to shake his. He clasped it tight, shaking it a little too vigorously in his excitement. "I will not let you down, sir," he said, too excited to say more. Edrigu laughed. "I know you won't. So off you go. I gave you access to her file. Learn about her tonight, and you will be off to the area where she was last seen - Tuguegarao. And from there, you figure out where she could have gone to hide." "Okay, thank you, sir. I truly appreciate it," he said, feeling giddy and fired up at the same time. He is confident that he will find her and bring her back home, even if he had to sedate her the whole way back. With a quick Iztari salute, he left the office. He had to stop himself from jumping up in joy. His blood afire with excitement.