The Rogue Werewolf

Chapter 2

The weather was as hot as the sun even though summer had just gone by. Well, it was pretty as usual because the Philippines is a tropical country. Summer is always just around the corner. But Elam’s confidence and determination weren’t swayed by these nuisances. He was so focused on the job he immediately reached the first address he had to go to. It was not difficult considering that Elam already had a job delivering newspapers and delivering letters.

The city of Manila, which has an area of approximately forty-two square kilometers, was just like a small playground for him. Every existing district, such as Ermita, Binondo, Malate, and Quiapo is known for its churches, and even the famous tourist spot, Intramuros. Fortunately, the first destination was not so far away because it resided within the city. Plus, Elam knew each corner of the streets and alleyways of Manila.

However, when he reached the house, he was not familiar with it. He was certain that he had never seen this house before. But by the looks of it, it seems like it was built there since the time Spain colonized the country. The house had a combination of Spanish and Mexican styles. The walls of the first floor were built using mortared bricks and stones, while the second floor was purely built using bamboo and timber. The surroundings of the house were full of slim but tall trees, bushes of Santan and gumamela, and Boston ivy. Elam was stunned by astonishment. A roughly 200-year-old house was right in front of him. He couldn’t fathom that a historical house was sitting inside Manila—a modern and industrial city.

“Are there people inside? This house seems like it has been abandoned for a long time,” Elam muttered to himself as he cautiously observed the house. “Good morning! The letter is here!” Elam shouted, but no one responded. He waited for several minutes but still had no answer.

Elam approached the gate and looked for a mailbox, but there was none. It was simply just a rusty silver steel gate. He sighed in disappointment. He couldn’t think of any other way he could give the letters. Maybe I should try saying that Doña Domirita sent me. Would that work? Let’s try.

“I was sent by Doña Domirita! This is a letter from her!” he shouted again and waited for a response. Not long after, a man came out from the front door wearing a traditional Chinese tunic—Da Gua Fu.

“Come in,” the man said before turning his back and immediately went back inside. Elam swallowed deeply because he thought that he’d just be handing him the letter and wouldn’t go inside just like how it was supposed to go. Well, this is a first…

“Thank you for having me.”

“Only you?” the man asked as soon as they got inside. You wouldn’t be able to tell that he’s Chinese because of the way he spoke English. He sounded native but still had a little bit of an accent to it.

“Yeah?” Elam answered confusingly. Of course, it’s only me. Did he expect a group? he thought.

“Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable,” the man said before heading into the kitchen. Elam hesitantly sat on the small couch, wondering if he should stay, knowing that he had been there just to give him a letter. “Do you drink tea?” Elam then nodded as an answer, even though he didn’t know what that was. Act like a normal human.

Elam wandered his eyes around the interior of the house to somehow ease his boredom while waiting for the tea. The walls were made from stones and bricks, but there was also a touch of bamboo to maintain the light tropical balance. The flooring used for the floor was vinyl, using unfinished walnut solid hardwood, and it exquisitely complemented the theme of the house. There was also a small gold and black Empire chandelier in the living room where Elam was. The vibe of the interior design was pleasant and relaxing. However, the tension in the air got heavier each time the silence outweighed them.

“Are you living here alone, sir?” Elam asked, trying to make the atmosphere a little lighter. The man then sat on the couch in front of him, putting the cups of tea on the table.

“Master Sun Zian. And you are?” the man—Master Zian—asked, ignoring Elam’s question. So he’s Chinese. This is my first time meeting one and on top of that, he’s a master!

Elam was overjoyed upon hearing the man’s name because he was always fascinated by the martial arts movies that he used to watch in the jeepney station every lunchtime with the drivers. He didn’t imagine that he would be able to meet one. Although I’m still not sure if he’s a true master, who cares, right?

“Elam. The name is Elam.” Master Zian then nodded before sipping on his tea. After that, silence came back again, as if nothing had happened. But Elam was having another problem: he didn’t know how to use the tea bag…

“The tea bag is not edible, kid. Let it fuse with the water, then you can drink it.” Elam immediately put down the tea bag onto the cup of tea and straightened his posture. Acting like it was his intention in the first place.

“Just trying. I have had a lot of ‘first time’ here. Thinking if I could also have a first time eating a tea bag…,” he responded with a laugh, covering the embarrassment that he felt. I probably should leave now.

“You’re funny, kid. Anyway, where’s the letter?” Elam instantly took the letter from his hand and gave it to him. When Master Zian read the letter, his jaw tightened as if it was about to break. He received bad news just by looking at his furious but serious face.

“Why didn’t she just give this to me herself? This is too much of a problem to be sent just by letter,” Master Zian muttered to himself, but Elam heard it loud and clear.

He was shocked because it seemed like the chain of events from this morning up to now was making sense. Doña Domirita was late because of an emergency, her husband came home mad, and now, master Zian was also unsatisfied with the news that he had received. They are possibly working for the same company. Well, I wish them good luck.

“I’m taking my leave now, sir. Thank you for inviting me.” Elam then stood up and gave Master Zian a bow as a show of gratitude for his hospitality. Master Zian sighed heavily before putting down the letter on the table.

“Thank you. You can go now.”

Master Zian escorted Elam until they reached the gate. The expression on Master Zian’s face was still unpleasant. But Elam couldn’t care less, even if he wanted to help, he didn’t know anything about businesses, and even if he did, it sounded like a major problem that was too much for him. Might as well get his nose out of the place where it doesn’t belong.

Just right after Elam went out to the streets, the time had already struck twelve. He didn’t realize that it would take too much time to stay there. However, he still had a lot of time to deliver the letters before nighttime. Besides, he took a day off so there was nothing to worry about.

“Good afternoon! Letters!’ Elam shouted as he reached the second address. It was yet again another quiet and abandoned-like house. Do the rest of the houses look like this?

“Sigh, it would be easier for me if Doña Domirita put their names in, so I could just call them out,” he whispered to himself while checking the letters if he got the right address.

Not long after he complained about names, a loud sound of someone who fell on the floor was heard inside. Elam’s instincts were telling him to move and find out what happened, but his mind was telling him to get out of there because it smelled like trouble. Elam himself, on the other hand, wanted to finish his job, and that was to give the letter to its receiver. So instead of running away, like how a normal person would react after hearing someone fall in a haunted-like house, he jumped over the fence and made his way inside the house.

A choice that he was certain was a great one, and that there shouldn’t be anything spooky happening inside. It was just someone who needed his help. Or so he thought…

As soon as he got inside, he immediately wandered his eyes around like an eagle hunting its prey from a hundred kilometers above the sea. Careful and stealthy. After he observed the front part of the house, he figured out instantly that the sound came from the backyard. And that means that the impact was worse because it was heard from the outside, which was roughly 15 feet away.

When he was about to go to the backyard, he heard two people talking, so he stopped. Elam didn’t like the thought of eavesdropping, but the situation was making him do it. Their voices were like ghosts. Deep and spine-chilling. Hearing them would make you think that these two gentlemen were all sorts of bandits. With the sound of their voices, I can tell that they’re huge, just like those bodyguards in the mansion.

“What are we going to do now?” one asked the other. The other one puffed his cigarette before giving him a smirk. “Just like what we did to the rest?” he asked again. Just like what we did to the rest? What are they talking about?

“We’re also giving him a safe trip to heaven,” the other one finally responded and flicked his cigarette onto the dirt floor. Elam's eyes immediately widened as if all of his blood spilled out of his body. At that moment, he knew what was happening.

Someone is going to be killed!