Blood Sucker

Blood 5

"Uhh, Sam?" Elise called after a long moment of silence.

"Yep?" she answered.

She bit her lower lip. Inabot niya ang kamay ng kausap. "Pwede mo ba akong kurutin?" she asked, "I think I'm still dreaming."

Sam frowned and tilted her head in a questionable manner. And then, a smile slowly crept on her lips. Elisse frowned, too. What's with that expression?

Sam giggled and swayed their hands playfully. "Aw...our little human here is really cute! Isn't she?"

Elisse felt her cheeks blushed. Nahihiya siya sa sinabi nito.

The girl's smile grew wider. "See? She's cute even when blushing! Kung ganito ka-adorable ang makakasama ko, then there is no doubt that I will risk my life just to save her awesome cuteness."

The twin nodded in agreement.

Napakamot na lang si Elisse sa ulo niya. They're funny, actually. She never thought that vampires like them exist. Pero naguguluhan pa rin siya. Wala siyang maintindihan sa mga narinig.

"Sam, pwede bang ipaliwanag mo ang lahat sa akin?" she asked, "Ng mas malinaw?"

Naging matipid ang ngiti nito hanggang sa tuluyang nawala ang ngiti ni Sam sa kanya nang mag-focus ang attention nito kay Adrienne.

Elisse's gaze averted to Adrienne, too. The black orbed vampire looked at her coldly before holding her hand at walang sabi-sabing hinila siya palabas ng pinto.

"A-Adrinne, wait lang. Si Sam—"

"It's okay," Sam assured her, "she can handle the story-teller job." Ikinaway nito ang kamay nang mabagal bago tuluyang magsara ang pinto.

Napatingin si Elisse sa magkahawak nilang kamay ni Adrienne. "W-where are we going?"

She was answered with silence. Hindi man lang nito sinagot ang tanong niya. Patuloy lang ang paghila ni Adrienne sa kanya and she didn't know where they're going.

Their feet dragged them to some sort of a garden. Hinila siya ni Adrienne at pinaupo sa isang bench. Ito naman ay naglakad patungo sa row ng mga bulaklak. Elisse stared at the scenery.

Sobrang ganda ng lugar. Puro mga bulaklak at halaman. Different colors, sizes, varieties...name it. Humangin nang malakas and the scent of flowers filled her nose.

Napalingon siya kay Adrienne and was mesmerized when she saw how the fair wind cascaded the woman's hair... It looked messy and yet, sexy.

Pang-ilang beses na ba niyang sinabi na sexy ito?

Everything she had done, still, Adrienne looked so sexy. She sounded like a pervert, she thought.

"Sina Mama at Papa ang nagpasimula ng garden na 'to."

"Ha?" Elisse didn't hear Adrienne clear.

"Aside from extraordinary strength and speed, bawat bampira ay nagtataglay ng attributes. May father, he has the plant attribute—the ability to control and manipulate plants. Si Mama naman, she has the power to control and manipulate the weather. Alam kong nakilala mo na sila."

"Talaga?" Elisse frowned. "Sino?"

"Si Rei and Rico Frost, the couple who brought you here."

"Oh..." Nanlaki ang mata niya sa nalaman. "W-wow."

Kaya pala parang kaparehas ito ng ugali ni Miss Rei at asawa pala nito si Sir Rico.

"A-adrienne," Lumingon ang dalaga sa kanya, naghihintay ng susunod niyang sasabihin. She heaved a deep breath. "Gusto kong malaman ang lahat. Please, tell me everything about vampires and the p—" She felt like choking. "Prophecy."

Bahagyang umangat ang kabilang dulo ng labi ng kausap. "I thought you'll never ask." She was rendered speechless. Adrienne sat next to her. "Let me share you the real story of our race."

She gulped but nodded nevertheless.

"Unlike the other stories, hindi kami binuhay o isinumpa o kung ano pa man ang maisip mo." Adrienne started, "Humans and vampires co-exist together simula pa noon. Ang pagkakaiba lang—we, vampires, are the superior. Slavery exist that time. Our descendants used humans as a source of blood, workers...name it."

Nakuyom ni Elisse ang sariling mga kamay. Hindi niya inakalang nangyari 'yon noon.

"Vampires were not that bad, though," the woman defended, "Yes, they used humans as their slaves pero hindi nila hinahayaang may mamamatay sa ganoong kalakaran. May iilan lang talaga na walang puso at malasakit para sa mga tao. Ang monarkiya ay may pinaiiral na mga batas para mapanatili ang peacefulness at harmony sa pagitan ng dalawang lahi, upang hindi magkaroon ng gulo. At ang pinakaunang batas na naisatupad noon ang siyang naglagay ng boundary between the humans and vampire—having a romantic or s****l relationship is forbidden."

Elissed creased her forehead. She found the law unfair. "Bakit?"

"That's because of the old book. What's written in the book was the overall history of our race and the prophecy about our doom." she said, "The Divine Book was written by the first oracle na kanang kamay ng pinakaunang hari. Sinasabing ang bunga ng dalawang lahi ang maghuhudyat ng malawakang pagkalipol. Mawawala at mabubura sa mundo ang masasamang binhi."

Elisse remained quiet. She's just listening and trying to absorb every fiber of information Adrienne was giving her. Everything's seemed so unreal.

"At naganap nga ang propesiya—ang panganay na anak ng hari ay umibig sa alipin nitong tao. Nagbunga ang kapangahasan nila at isinilang ang sanggol na naging ugat ng digmaan. I'm assuming that you already what happened by then?"

Elisse nodded. She didn't know what to say.

"Many of our kinds met their demise. The vampires built a new monarchy as they isolated themselves to the humans. Nakisalamuha ang mga bampira sa mga tao nang hindi nalalaman kung ano at sino ba talaga sila. Piling tao lang ang may alam. At sa paglipas ng panahon, ang lahi namin ay nabaon na sa kasaysayan at tanging nabubuhay na lang sa mga kwento at alamat."

Napatingin si Elisse sa mga mata ng kausap. There was something forlorn lingering on Adrienne's eyes. Her heart twitched because of what she saw. She held her hand and smiled. "It's okay. Everything has a reason."

She looked back at her with a small smile on her lips. Napaiwas siya ng tingin—nailang.

"A-anyways..." She cleared her throat. "How about the prophecy now?"

Adrienne nodded like she's expecting her question. "Binasa ang prophecy way back before at ang nakasaad dito ay..." She paused for a second trying to gather her thoughts. "Above all, the tainted seeds will once again rise; two different race will face its wrath—to be agonzed. Of different descendants—a chosen one will reign; marked by the stars, fate shall begin. Fangs against fangs shall collide, two superior force will again divide."

Elisse scratched her temple. "I don't quite understand. What does it mean?"

"A war will begin again according to the prophecy. We, the guardians, we're the fifth generations of our own family. The prophecy took place on our families' first generation." She said. "Scientifically explained, muling makikita ang traits na matagal nang nawala sa ika-fifth generation ng isang family. For example is the skin tone pagdating sa human traits. In our case, parang ganoon ang nangyari sa amin. Do you get my point?"

Elisse nodded. It's just like in Genetics, she thought. "Y-yeah. Pero..." she trailed off, "Ako? Paanong...eh, tao lang ako."

She was confused. She's failing to understand why she was involved when she's just normal. Her mother's normal—as far as she was aware. She lived normal, too, and her life was practically just the same as everyone else—except her current situation right now.

"Elisse," She patted her head. "You, being a human, is just a façade."

"What..."

There was a sudden kick of tension, a resurfacing nervousness. She didn't want to assume that what she's thinking was right. That's impossible. She can't be—

"Malapit na ang eighteenth birthday mo." Adrienne interrupted her thoughts. Elisse wondered how the vampire knew her birthday when they just met. "Sooner or later, magsisimula na ang mga pagbabago sa iyo." Hinagod nito ang buhok at tumingin sa kanya ng taimtim.

She gulped. "Pagbabago sa akin?"

"You're just like us." Adrienne stated without blinking. Pakiramdam niya ay umiikot ang ulo niya sa narinig. "Just like what I've said—you, being a human, is just a facade. To protect you. To protect you hanggang sa tuluyang maganap ang dapat maganap."

The frown in Elisse's forehead became visible. She knew that Adrienne was aware that she's having a hard time believing it. She can accept that the existence of vampires is not just a myth, but to actually believe that she's different and Elisse was not who she really was—the thought was terrifying. "Are you kidding me?"

I'm human!

Tinaasan siya nito ng isang kilay. "Don't be stupid."

"Where are you going?" She asked nang bigla na lang itong maglakad paalas. She got no choice but to follow.

Elisse sighed when Adrienne didn't answer. Hindi lang ito bossy, bipolar din. On one second, she's fine and kind and then the next, she's the complex type. Parang mas mahirap pa ito sa math.

"A-adrienne..." she called in a small voice. She tugged the hem of her shirt like a kid. She stopped. "'Uy."

Humarap ito sa kanya and sighed—the vampire was still emotionless. Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya at sabay na silang naglakad. She didn't know why but she can't help but smile without getting caught.

"This is weird," Adrienne muttered.

"Bakit?"

"Wala."

Napakunot siya ng noo. Bipolar nga talaga.

Huminto sila. Saka niya lang namalayan na nasa library sila. Nag-log sila at pumasok na sa loob.

"Wow..."

Ito na yata ang pinakamalawak na library na nakita niya sa buong buhay. Greek style ang buong lugar—mula sa design ng pinto, poste, shelves...everything screamed luxury. Its classic style was timeless. Nakakalula rin ang dami ng libro na makikita. Her former school's library was simple just a large room enough to have books they needed, and it was limited.

Umakyat sila sa second floor ng gusali. Hindi ganoon karami ang tao nang mga oras na 'yon. She then noticed that everyone around the place had been following them by staring pero kaagad ding magbabawi ng tingin. It's like they're afraid of something.

She gripped Adrienne's hand tighter. She tiptoed and leaned pn the girl's ear. "Why are they looking at us?"

"Maybe because they already know who you really are," she answered.

She nodded. Napapaisip tuloy siya kung anong tingin ng mga ito sa kanya.

"Don't do that again," Adrienne said suddenly.

"What do you mean?" nagtatakang tanong niya. Dahil ba ito sa pagtitig na ginawa niya sa mga bagay na meron sa lugar? Was she gawking to much?

"Wala, wala." She sighed. "Forget it." Binitawan nito ang kamay niya at nauna nang maglakad.

Ano na naman bang problema niya?

Sinundan na lang niya ito habang patingin-tingin pa rin sa mga bampirang nakatambay sa library. Nagugulat siya sa sarili, she's not scared anymore. Siguro dahil na rin sa kasama niya si Adrienne and they didn't look scary. Ibang-iba yung mga nakikita niya compare sa unang bampira na naka-engkwentro. She wondered why.

"Come here."

Sinundan niya ang boses ni Adrienne at pinuntahan nito. Naabutan niya itong may kinukuhang isang libro pagkatapos ay umupo sa sahig.

"Sit." She ordered habang tina-tap yung pwesto sa tabi nito.

Elisse sighed. Umupo siya at nakitingin sa hawak ni Adrienne. "Ano 'yan?"

"A book. Can't you tell?" It was a sarcastic remark.

"I-I know." She felt herself blushing. "What I mean is, anong klaseng book 'yan?"

"Nothing but a history book." The cold vampire shrugged her shoulders.

Inabot ni Adrienne sa kanya ang libro. Kinuha naman niya ito at pinagmasdan ang pamagat. "Downfall Chronicles?"

"One of the ancient book ever existed that is only kept for our race, though a human wrote that book." Adrienne explained to her. "Nakapaloob sa Downfall Chronicles ang entry journals ni Xenon tungkol sa unang nagtupad ng prophecy. Her journals is the biggest discovery of our race."

"Y-you mean nabuhay siya noong...noong naganap ang propesiya?" Namamangha niyang tanong. Wow...

Nakaka-overwhelm isipin na may record pa sila ng mga nangyari noon na hindi alam ng sangkatauhan.

Tumango ang kausap. "Over my years of existence, I realized that history is nothing but a bunch of endless theories and arguments. They argue over things that already happened in the past. Arguing about what's the truth and what is not. Teachers teach their students about history without knowing the history themselves. Majority of those histories have too many holes that will lead to a deeper one. Masyadong masalimuot ang kasaysayan kung kaya ang mga tao, tinatanggap lang ng isip nila ang mga bagay na mas madaling paniwalaan, mas madaling intindihin, mas madaling ituro, at ipangaral sa iba." mahabang sabi nito, "You see, people will always find a way for a better escapade, for the convenience of everyone."

Napanganga si Elisse sa mga sinabi nito. Habang sinasabi ni Adrienne ang mga 'yon, nakita niya kung gaano ito ka-mature. Ngayon niya lang ulit naisip ang mga sinabi nito. Sa school na pinapasukan niya dati, hindi mawawala ang subject na history.

She remembered before, may kaklase siya na nagtanong tungkol sa isang partikular na paksa at iba ang binigay nitong paliwanag—pero mapapaisip ang kahit sino na paano kung tama iyon at paano kung mali?

She realized that not everything can be explained. At hindi lahat ay dapat pang malaman. Siguro para na rin hindi na magulo ang nakasanayan na.

Just like that.

Katulad ng sa mga bampira, kung tutuusin, ang kasaysayan nila ay inihiwalay lang sa mga tao, para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Kung may nakakaalam man, mas pinipili nilang manahimik na lang. Because humans were not always ready to know the truth.

After all, the world was created fair and equal, but those who nurture and rule the world was not.

"—the book."

"Ha?" Napatingin siya kay Adrienne. Elisse didn't really hear it because she was too egrossed with her thoughts.

"I said, start reading the book." the black orbed girl repeated, "You're spacing out again."

"S-sorry." She blushed. Hindi niya maiwasang hindi mag-space out kapag napapaisip. Elisse flipped the page open at sinimulan nang basahin ang first entry.

I

Blood. The whole place was filled with it from those red-eyed creatures who now met their demise.

My beloved friend, whom I owed my life and everything... She...

I knew her, I thought. Then it hit me. What if the sacred prophecy was taking place right at that moment? Maybe, this was what her deceased mother had told my mother.

Oh, gods... What am I going to do?

She's out of herself. Her eyes were bloody red, fangs visible on her lips—it felt like I just witnessed a different person—indeed...that was not her.

Bigla siyang napahinto sa pagbabasa at napapikit. Pero mukhang mali siya ng ginawa dahil bigla na lang nag-visualize ang mga nabasa niya—mga duguang tao—and they were murdered in a very brutal way. There's blood no matter where she looked at.

Nakatayo sa isang sulok ang isang lalaki at sa gitna ng mga bangkay ay isang babaeng pula ang mga mata—blangko ito at walang emosyon.

Kaagad siyang nagmulat at mas natakot. May tumutulong dugo sa bawat bahagi ng library. She shook her head and sighed when she realized that it's all just a figment of her imagination.

Ibinalik ni Elisse ang tingin sa libro at naibato niya ito dahil may dugo na naman. Napatayo siya nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa hinagis na libro. Umaagos ang dugo sa bawat pahina nito, kumakalat sa sahig ang dugo. Even her hands were tainted with blood.

"Elisse, anong nangyayari sa'yo?"

Elisse ignored her. She winced when she felt her head hurts. She groaned, her head was beating, like it was being pounded by a hammer, anytime soon it will explode. Napahawak siya sa ulo.

Ang sakit, sobrang sakit...

"Elisse... Elisse!"

She looked at Adrienne and it was blurry. Her vision slowly turned into pitch black.

_____