THE UNTAMED LUNA

LEAVING THE LAND OF SURIGAO

December 2022,

"Two years have passed since we are under pandemic times, many of us have lost their jobs. Others are looking for a part-time job on the side just to earn money. The government relies on handling relief goods so that people can survive. But it was still not enough for a family that counted on four to thirteen per household."

A reporter says: Well, that was what I heard on the news as I watched TV and drank my coffee.

I am Abby Jezz Urdanzo, seventeen years old, and my family is one of those affected by the pandemic.

"My husband and I decided to sell our house and lot. Our savings have also been depleted because I lost my job one year ago. That's why we're here to inform you."

My mom talked nicely to our neighbor, who rented a room with my parents. The woman she talked to didn't react anymore and seemed to understand the situation. She thanked her for accepting and letting them stay there for a long time. "It's OK; we understand." Our neighbor said "Thank you very much for your understanding," my mom added.

After two days, we left our home; the new owner of the house and lot is now accepting our neighbor to stay there at the same time. They are still the renters on it. while me..?

It just makes me cry to think that we are leaving the house where so many memories have taken place since I was a child. I watched the trees whip by us as we drove along the highway. I was full of anxious excitement. "What would my life be like in this new place"? I wondered. On the road, Mom and Dad sat in the front, discussing everything from decorating the house to their new jobs.

and also...

I'm going to miss my best friend, and I was still optimistic that this was a positive step forward for the future of my family. This is like what I heard from someone else: "You need change in order to grow; experiences make a fuller life." This is what I will keep telling myself.

However, I kept wondering. "Will I make any good friends?" Are there many places to have fun there?" I truly hoped so. Mom said that the world is full of friends that you just haven't met yet. I believe her wholeheartedly. She moved away from her home around my age. But she was starting college. I am starting midway through my senior year of high school. It's going to be really awkward being new in the middle of the year. Everyone has already established their group of friends. I'll be an outsider. But I will try my best to make the most of it. Because this was a good move for my parents.

My dad is getting his dream job. He will be one of the mathematics professors at Gutierrez University in Zamboanga City. That's one of the big schools in the city. It's been a long few days. We stayed overnight with some relatives at my mom's side. Just to break up the monotony of driving. We are in the SUV that my parents bought when I was little. Also, my parents confirmed that our house and lot were already sold one week ago before we left.

“Dad, Mom, can we take a vacation in Surigao, if possible?” I asked eagerly, leaning between the front seats.

Dad chuckled. “Surigao, huh? You really miss the sea breeze, don’t you?”

Mom smiled warmly. “Yes, sweetie. Do you remember your Aunt Clara? She invited us to go to the Enchanted River in Hinatuan. I told her we’d visit next year. We just need to fix some things first, especially your school.”

My heart jumped with excitement. “Really? We’re going?!”

Mom laughed softly. “If everything goes well, yes.”

I pressed my face against the car window, already picturing the blue waters and the long road trip ahead. “I can’t wait! I wish next year would come faster.”

Dad grinned. “Patience, young lady. The road will always wait for us.”

A peaceful silence filled the car, just the hum of the engine and the soft song playing from the radio. I thought about my best friend, Tagi. Even though she lived far away now, we still talked almost every day online. Still, I knew I’d miss her like crazy.

Then, out of nowhere—

“What the—!!” Dad shouted, his voice breaking through the calm.

The car screeched to a stop. My body jolted forward as my heart pounded.

“Dad! What happened?” I cried.

“I—I saw it,” Dad stammered, his eyes wide. “Something jumped in front of us! It was huge—bigger than the car. Not a bear… it looked like… like a wild dog...or a wolf!”

Mom frowned. “A wolf? Here? That’s impossible.”

“I’m telling you, Solidad, it was right there!” Dad’s voice shook. “It climbed up the tree, fast.”

Before I could speak, they both climbed out to check. The sound of the doors closing echoed in the quiet night.

Through the window, I watched their flashlights sweep across the road and trees. Then I heard it, a low, eerie sound drifting from the woods.

Shhh... zzzz... ssshh...

My breath caught. My eyes locked on the darkness between the trees. A shape moved, slow, deliberate. Then I saw them: two red eyes, glowing faintly from the shadows.

“Dad… Mom…” I whispered, but my voice wouldn’t rise.

Then came another sound—Jee...zzz...—a voice, whispering my name.

“W–who’s there?” I murmured, frozen in place. My hands gripped the seat. The red eyes didn’t blink.

Just then, the car door creaked open. I gasped, spinning around.

Mom climbed in, brushing off her hands. “Okay, honey. Try to calm yourself,” she said gently. “Your father checked around, there’s no wild animal nearby. Maybe it ran off. Don’t worry, everything’s fine.”

Dad slid into the driver’s seat, his knuckles white on the wheel. “Let’s go before the sun goes down,” he muttered.

As the car started moving again, I couldn’t help but glance back. The forest loomed, quiet and endless.

“There’s something strange out there,” I whispered.

Mom turned to me with a reassuring smile. “There’s nothing strange, sweetie. We’re in the middle of the forest, it’s normal to see animals. Maybe it was just a deer.”

Her words made sense, but I wasn’t convinced. I pressed my lips together, staring down at the small pocket novel on my lap. Maybe it was just my imagination… but those eyes... those red, glowing eyes, felt too real to forget.

So I stayed silent, pretending to read, while the car rolled deeper into the forest and the last light of day faded behind us.