Vampire's Pathos

Blood 04

Eara Laire Arella

As much as they tried to hide it, nalaman at nalaman pa rin ng mga studyante ang nangyari. Well, it turned into rumors to be exact. But I guess some rumors are not far from the truth. 

Well, except one. 

"Eara, okay ka lang?"

Napatingin ako sa kanan ko, and I saw Kate standing right in front of me. 

She's now fine.. I think. Hindi ako sigurado dahil kahapon lang nangyari yung pagpatay. And until now, I still haven't found the guy with a scar on his cheek. 

I mean, he should be the only one with a wound like that on his face. Pero bakit parang mas mailap pa siya kaysa sa hayop kung magpakita? 

"Some rumors say that ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit may namatay na dito." Nakita kong kumuha si Kate ng isang upuan at dahan dahan nalang na umupo sa tabi ko. 

I wouldn't blame them. 

Except for the fact that they're blaming an innocent person. 

"Just so you know, hindi ako naniniwala sa kanila! You helped me after all!" Nakangiti niyang sinabi sa akin, as if she was assuring me that she will still be on my side whatever happens. 

I guess.. it's not bad with her around. 

It was our time for art class, kaya naman nung dumating yung teacher bumalik na kaagad si Kate sa upuan niya. 

The teacher was calling names to see if we're present in the class, of course I was done since isa ako sa mga nauna sa list. Tahimik lang akong nakatitig sa lamesa ko, nang biglang inulit ng teacher yung pagtawag sa pangalan ng isa kong kaklase. 

"Monte Ferrer!" 

Nakunot ko yung noo ko nung inulit na niya yung pagkakasabi, at may naalala ako. 

The one beside me. Siya yung Monter Ferrer hindi ba? Napatingin ako kaagad sa kanan ko at nakita ko yung lalaki na nakatungo at natutulog sa desk niya. 

"Absent si Monte Ferrer?" Tanong niya sa buong klase at itinaas ko yung kamay ko. 

"Miss, he's here." Ani ko at tinapik ko na yung katabi ko. 

"Wake up." I called to him, and it looked like that was enough since he slowly moves his head up. Just as he did, I was certain that I couldn't hide the surprise on my face. 

A scar.. on his left cheek. 

"What..?" He looked over to me as he asked in a raspy voice, indicating that he just woke up from his slumber. 

Inayos ko kaagad yung sarili ko, and I struggled to find the words. 

"Tawag ka ng teacher." I said and I looked away from him. 

How could I have missed him? 

Tanong ko sa sarili ko, and I found myself looking at that guy again. 

That kind of large scar was definitely noticeable, but the fact that his hair was long might have been one of the problems why I didn't see him yesterday. At masyado siyang tahimik para mabigyan ng atensyon. 

It's like he never draws attention to himself. 

"Um, may kailangan ka pa ba?" Malumanay na niyang naitanong sa akin kaya nagulat ako. 

"You were still looking at me.." He continued, at nalunok ko yung laway ko at napailing.. 

Was I too obvious?

"N-Nothing." 

I told him and I focused on the problem at hand. 

Paano ko malalaman kung anong ginawa niya kahapon? 

I contemplated on the things that needed answers until the end of classes. It was only a half day because of the incident, at hinanap ko kaagad yung lalaki. 

I kind of think that I know his name. 

Let's see.. Ang pinaka alam ko, it starts with the letter R. 

Rain? No, that's not it. 

Ryan? Wait, that sounded familiar. I guess it starts with the letter R and ends with N. 

Rion? 

Yes, that's right. 

Rion.. Rion Monte Ferrer. 

When I finally found the guy I was looking for, I put some distance between us and I followed him. I don't know if he's going straight to his dorm or if he actually does go there. 

But I should just follow him for now. 

Tahimik ko lang siyang sinundan hanggang sa nakalabas kami ng campus. 

Looks like this is my lucky day, he's actually going somewhere. 

And when he seemingly made a right turn, susunod na sana ako. Hanggang sa natigil ako nung may mga lalaki akong nakasalubong. 

"Oh? Ngayon lang kita nakita dito ah?" A blonde one said, at napaatras naman ako. I might lose the guy.  

Without even bothering to talk to them, gumilid ako para makadaan. Kaso hinarangan ako ng isa sa kanila. 

"Where are you going?" The guy smiled, but the way he spoke English was so unnatural it made me cringe. 

It was like he was desperately trying. 

"Padaanin niyo ako, please." 

Ang tangi kong sinabi and I moved to the side again, but they still got in my way. 

"Alam ko siya yata yung bagong lipat e." Ang sabi nung isa and he moved closer to me and his friend. 

There were three of them. 

How should I handle this?

"Say, why don't you spend some time with us." Himala mas maayos yung English nung blonde na lalaki. Maybe he's a half? 

Half bobo and half tanga? 

I immediately shrugged the thought off at napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat. 

"I don't have the time." Gumilid ako for the last time, and my patience was at its limit. 

Nung hinarang ako ng isa pa sa kanila, walang alinlangan ko nang sinipa yung kaluluwa nung isang lalaki. 

Nakita kong nanlaki yung mga mata nung kasama niya, and the injured guy cursed under his breath. As there was already indication, the other two guys tried to grab me. 

Nabitawan ko yung bag ko dahil doon, but I got away safely. 

"Pagbabayaran mo yung ginawa mo." The guy I kicked earlier slowly recovered, and finally he spoke his own language. I thought that he'd speak perfectly cringing English once more, pero sinamaan nalang niya ako ng tingin.

Wala na silang iba pang sinabi at pinalibutan na nila ako. 

This is just.. 

I let out a frustrated sigh, and I looked around to find an opening to escape. 

Buti sana kung nag iisa lang, but there were three of them. Even I knew that I'm not a match for them. 

"Wala ka nang matatakbuhan." One of them warned me as they closed in. 

Come on, Eara! Think! How would you get out of this one! 

I was slowly backing away, until I felt a wall behind my back. 

Nakita ko nalang na itinaas nung isang lalaki yung kamay niya, and I closed my eyes to prepare for the worst.. 

At nagtaka nalang ako kung bakit hindi masakit. 

"Holy shi--!" 

"Takbo! Si Aerovan 'yan!" 

When I opened my eyes, I could see the other two running away like they were on a run for their whole lives. And what I saw next was really Kian Pierce Aerovan, who was holding the guy's hand that was just about to strike me. 

"Get lost." 

Kian told the guy off, at napaupo yung lalaki sa kinatatayuan niya nung binitawan ni Kian yung kamay niya. 

And he slowly crawled before running away.. in fear. 

Because what it looked like to me, is that if they did come back.. The man before them would never let them see the sun rise ever again. 

I froze on my place nung mapatingin siya sa akin, and I composed myself. 

It's a good thing that I'm not on his bad side. 

"Don't just wander off in places you don't know." 

Babala niya sa akin, at dahan dahan kong kinuha yung bag kong nakalatag sa kalsada. 

"Thank you." Ang tangi kong nasabi, and I went on my way. 

I don't have any businesses with him anyway. I'd rather be alone than be stuck with a guy like that. 

Nagpatuloy ako sa daan na tinahak ni Rion, until I came upon a fork in the road. 

Saan na ako pupunta mula dito?

Trusting my instincts, I went left. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa daan until I reached the end of it. 

Mukhang namali ako ng pili. 

At the end of that road, nagtaka ako nung may nakita ako clinic. It wasn't exactly a clinic for humans. It was a veterinary clinic. 

Tinignan ko kaagad yung paligid ko at nagtaka ako. 

Ito lang yung nag iisang bukas sa mga shops dito.. 

Why is that? 

"Might as well ask." I told myself, and I went inside that certain clinic. 

"Um, excuse me?" I called for someone, if there was one. At may nakita nga akong tao sa loob. The woman smiled warmly, and I continued to go inside. 

"Ano pong kailangan nila?" Tanong nung babae, and I looked around the place. 

Well, I would say this was suspicious, but it just looks like a normal veterinary clinic. Pictures of different animals were everywhere. Posters on how to take care of them, and advertisements of branded cat and dog foods.

"May pumunta po ba dito?" Nakita ko kaagad yung pagtataka sa mukha niya, and she asked in return. 

"Pumunta po?" Ulit niya sa mga sinabi ko na parang naninigurado, and I nodded. 

"It's a guy.. with a scar on his left cheek." I even gestured and slid my finger on my left cheek to emphasize on how large the scar was.

And I just saw the woman's face light up with realization. 

"Ah, hinahanap niyo pala siya!" I'm pretty sure na natuwa ako doon sa sinabi nung babae, kaya naman pinagpatuloy na nung babae yung sinabi niya. 

"You just missed him, kakaalis niya lang kani-kanina lang." Napatango tango nalang ako, and I asked again. 

"Pwede po bang matanong kung anong ginawa niya dito?" The woman's face grew with confusion once more with my question, but she soon recovered and stood up from her seat. 

"It might be better if I show you." I silently nodded and I followed behind her to where she was going. 

And I reached a room inside the clinic. 

In which I saw a cat with beautiful white fur and bandages all over its body. 

"Siya yung nagdala ng pusang 'to dito kahapon. Akala nga ni doc hindi na mabubuhay yung pusa. But look, it's still alive. Any later than he was when he brought it here, mamamatay na talaga yung pusa." 

My heart kind of felt warm from the story.. It was nice thinking that he saved this cat's life. 

That explains the blood and why he was running. 

After the discovery, nagpalaam na ako at lumabas sa clinic then I went on my way. 

I'm kind of glad that my assumptions were wrong. 

There was no way that someone who was kind to animals would kill a human. 

Buti nalang at hindi ko sinabi yung nakita ko kahapon, or else I would've put him in a tight spot. 

Without any more places to go to, bumalik na ako kaagad sa dorm before the curfew.

Pumasok na ako nang walang kaimik imik, and I changed into comfortable clothes at saka humilata na agad sa kama ko.

I still can't believe I can judge people that easily. I rolled on my bed to get everything out of my head. 

What's done is done, Eara.

At least you finally knew he wasn't the culprit. 

"Mahihilo ka lang kakaikot mo dyan." Nanginig naman ako sa gulat nung marinig ko yung boses ni Kate, at napaupo ako kaagad sa kama. 

Kanina pa ba siya dyan?

"Nagulat ka?" She chuckled lightly at my reaction at napatingin ako kung nasaan siya. She was just lying in her bed, just like what I did earlier. 

"Are you.. fine?" I kind of hesitated to ask the question, but I still asked anyway. 

I could see a small smile forming on her face, and she turned to face the ceiling. 

"Honestly.. hindi ko alam." She exhaled sharply and she held her hand up as if she was grabbing something in the air. 

"You said that it wasn't my fault.." I listened to her, and she closed her hands as if she finally caught something. 

"But it's just that.. napapaisip nalang ako na sana may nagawa pa ako." She lets her arm down, and finally looks at me eye to eye. 

Her eyes looked tired and sad.

I didn't know what to say, but I think I know what she felt.

What do you call our relationship anyway?

Nabalot na nang katahimikan yung buong kwarto, at hinayaan naming makapag isip yung isa't isa. Hanggang sa narinig naming bumukas yung pinto. 

"I forgot that you're here." Napatingin kami ni Kate sa taong nagbukas ng pinto, and it was just Serene. 

Napailing nalang ako sa ugaling pinakita niya, and Kate just shook her head. 

At saka kami napatingin sa isa't isa at natawa. 

I guess transferring here wasn't that bad after all. 

After taking a nap, nagising akong wala nang araw na tumatama sa bintana ng kwarto namin. And I just kept myself busy knowing that I won't be sleeping again anytime soon. 

I did all the assignments in some of my subjects and already finished some of the given projects.

But it took me up until midnight.

Nagunat-unat muna ako ng katawan ko, before resting myself in the back of the chair. 

I wanna breath some fresh air.

Hindi na ako nag alinlangan pa na lumabas, I took a jacket from my drawer at saka ako lumabas sa gitna ng gabi. 

I silently went down from our dorm and I went out to the open area that this school had. 

Alam kong delikado lumabas, but it's not like the murderer will just show up out of nowhere at papatayin nalang ako bigla di ba? 

Well, if that does happen, I just hope he knows that I'm not going to die without a fight.

I went over a vacant bench and sat there as I looked at the stars. 

The sky was clear at this hour, kaya natuwa naman ako sa nakita ko. 

A cold and refreshing wind brushed against my cheeks, and I closed my eyes to feel the moment. It was just peaceful and quiet. 

I was just about to fall asleep right there, when I clearly heard someone move. 

Napatingala nalang ako at nakita ko yung lalaking sinundan ko kanina..

It was Rion Monte Ferrer. 

Hindi ako nagtaka, hindi rin ako nagulat. 

I don't know. I just didn't feel a thing when he showed up in front of me. 

"You shouldn't be here at this hour." He told me in such a gentle voice, like he was concerned. At napaupo nalang ako ng maayos, bago ako ulit napatingin sa kanya. 

"Then, why are you here?" Tanong ko sa kanya, and he immediately looked away. 

I could tell that he was hiding something, but I'm sure that he wasn't a bad guy. 

"I was.. taking a walk." I nodded slightly as his thoughtful answer, and I gestured on the vacant space beside me. 

"Gusto mong umupo?" I asked him, and he silently took the offer and sat beside me. 

"So.. naglalakad ka tuwing ganitong oras?" I asked once more and he looks at me attentively before looking away. 

This guy.. sobrang tahimik niya. 

He pursues his lips in a thin line as he thought of an answer, pero hindi ko nalang siya hinayaang sumagot pa. 

"Me too." I said in a carefree tone, at napatingin na naman siya sa akin. 

His eyes were wistful, but I couldn't really tell what he was thinking. 

Was he sad or something? 

"Gusto mong sumama?" This time, nagtaka nalang talaga ako sa sinabi niya. He really was going somewhere. 

But were not that close para ayain niya nalang ako. 

I thought about declining, but there was something mysterious around him that made me agree anyway. 

I cautiously followed behind him, until we were in a garden. This was the first time that I ever came here. 

Baka yung lugar na napuntahan ko nung nakaraan ay labas lang ng garden na 'to?

The place was well kept, at sobrang daming klase ng bulaklak sa paligid namin. We casually walked along side each other as he pointed out some statues that were hidden behind shrubs and bushes. 

It was as if he owned the place. 

"Looks like you really know this place." He stopped walking and looked over to me as I smiled. 

"Madalas akong pumunta dito.." He answered, and I couldn't help but feel that he was still hiding something. 

But it looks like he won't be telling me anytime soon. 

"Eara nga pala." I said my name and I offered my hand for a shake. 

And he gladly took my hand. 

"Rion." He told his name, and I took back my hand and put it inside my jacket's pocket. 

"Let me ask something." I said as we walked through the path again, and I couldn't help but look at his broad back. 

His shoulders were stiff, but it didn't take long for me to notice scars on his nape. And it didn't look like that was the only place where there was scars. 

I'll pretend that I didn't see that.. 

That might be a question for another time. 

"What will you do to the cat that you saved?" He abruptly stops, kaya naman tumama ako sa likod niya. And he immediately turns to give me a look. 

His look was very obvious. 

Parang tinatanong na niya kung paano ko nalaman 'yon. 

"Nakita kita kahapon, clothes full of blood and such." I continued, and he relaxes his shoulders as if a burden was lifted. 

Wag mong sabihin na 'yon lang yung tinatago niya?

I suppressed my urge to laugh, kaya ang nangyari ay napangiti nalang ako sa kanya. 

"May nagawa ba ako..?" He asked with his gentle voice, and I shook my head. 

He's too much of a bad liar to hide something. 

Hindi siya marunong magsinungaling. 

"So, ano nang plano mo?" I asked him once more, and he just stood there. 

Conflicted. 

There was so many emotions that was painted in his face, na hindi ko na malaman kung ano ba talaga yung gusto niyang mangyari. 

"Hindi ko alam." 

Hindi na ako nagtaka pa sa naging sagot niya, and he just looks at me. As if he was trying to find an answer through me. 

So I voiced out what I thought of in my mind. 

"How about an adoption shelter?" I suggested and he looked interested in the idea. Kaya pinagpatuloy ko na naman yung sinasabi ko. 

"Since we can't really take care of it kasi bawal ang mga alaga sa dormitories." He nodded, indicating that he understood, but then nagtaka na naman ako nung nag iba yung ekspresyon ng mukha niya. 

What is it now?

"Can't we just take care of it for a few days?" 

"We?" 

Nilinaw ko yung narinig ko at tumango na naman siya. 

How could--

Paano nangyaring nadamay na ako sa problema niya? 

Nakita ko siyang tumango and I sighed. So this is what I get from meddling in someone's affairs?

I should just keep my mouth shut next time. 

"Um, I don't think that's such a good idea." Ani ko, and he sulked.

Did he want to take care of the cat that badly? 

I'm not really sure what should I do, pero hindi ko naman siya pwedeng iwan sa ere since I was the one who suggested an idea. 

"Just a few days?" I asked him, and his head shot up when he heard those words. 

And he looked at me as if I was his savior. 

What am I? His hero?

Napailing nalang ako sa iniisip ko, and I sighed once again. 

"Okay, gagawa ako ng paraan." For a moment, I could see him smile at me. At nagtaka ako kung bakit biglang nawala 'yon. 

"I hope I'm not troubling you too much, Miss Eara." 

Miss? 

Maybe that's just the way he speaks.. 

Umiling ako kaagad sa sinabi niya, and I answered him. 

"Well, kasalanan ko rin naman. So, it's fine." Nakita ko naman siyang magtaka sa sinabi ko, and I shivered when the wind became to cold for comfort. 

"We should go." He urged when he saw me like that, at napatango nalang rin ako. 

"Yeah, anong oras na rin kasi.." 

It wasn't long after that that he led us out of the garden, and he even offered to walk me back to the dorms but this time I declined. 

Pagod din naman siguro siya gaya ko, so there's no need to trouble him more.

I got back safe on my dorm room, and I just laid down on my bed as soon as I got in. 

I'll just think about what to do tomorrow. 

I woke up as usual, and did the same routine that I had. 

But I didn't cook any breakfast since I was in no mood to eat, at nagmadali nalang ako paalis ng dorm at saka dumiretso sa faculty. 

I knocked lightly, bago ko tuluyang binuksan yung pinto. 

When I opened the doors, from there I could see that Ms. Teves was talking to someone. Dahan dahan din naman akong lumapit since I also had business with her. 

Hindi pa ako gaanong nakakalapit sa kanila but I could already see the two people clearly, at nagulat nalang ako nung sabay na napatingin sa akin si Ms. Teves at yung kausap niya. 

It was none other than the guy who saved me yesterday. 

Aerovan. 

Both of their looks looked like they would've killed me if they didn't know me, and they both let their guards down when they saw that it was just me. 

I didn't want to go further and disrupt their discussion, kaya naman naghintay nalang ako sa kinatatayuan ko. The last thing I saw was Ms. Teves nodding at Aerovan as if she understood something, at umalis na si Aerovan ng walang sabi. 

And as Aerovan was going away, there was no way he wouldn't pass through me. 

Hindi ko napigilang mapatingin sa kanya, and he did the same. 

I could feel his sharp eyes staring into me, na parang sinisilip niya yung buong pagkatao ko. Kaya napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin at dumiretso na kay Ms. Teves. 

"Did you encounter any problems during your transfer?" Nakangiti niyang tinanong, and I don't know if I should answer that.

Besides the fact that my hair was pulled by the so-called vice president the other day, and the incident of someone being murdered happening on the next day.. 

Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihing natuwa ako di ba?

In the end, I just ignored the thoughts at sinabi ko na yung kailangan ko.  

"I have a therapy pet." Ani ko at nakita kong nakunot yung mukha ni Ms. Teves. 

"I see.." Ang tangi niyang nasabi, not delving deeper into the context, which led me to no other choices but to explain myself.

"Only for a few days, allow me to keep my pet." I said.

Hindi ko alam kung tama ba yung mga salitang ginamit ko, and Ms. Teves just looked at me. Did I convince her? 

Or not? 

"As said in the dorm rules, pets are not allowed." She smiled as she explained the rules once again, and I showed her my papers. 

"I was diagnosed with PTSD as a child, and my doctors advised that I indulge my self into different types of therapies once in a while. Sana maintindihan niyo." She instantly looked through the papers that I gave her, and when she finished, she looks at me and sighs. 

I hope my previous diagnoses works. 

"For a few days?" Paninigurado niya, at hindi na ako nag alinlangan pang tumango. 

Does this mean pumapayag siya?

"Okay, I understand. I'll arrange the things." Pinigilang kong hindi mapangiti at tumango nalang ulit for the last time before seeing myself out. 

I silently cheered at myself for making the plan work, at dumiretso na ako papunta sa classroom namin. 

Habang naglalakad ako, may bigla nalang bumangga sa akin. It didn't take me long enough to know na sinadya yung pagbangga sa akin. 

Akala mo ba'y naghahanap ng away. 

Well, it was Serene Real after all. 

"Stay away from Kian." Bulong niya sa akin, pero hindi ko pinansin 'yon. 

Even if she doesn't tell me, kusa akong lalayo sa lalaking 'yon. 

I don't know why, but that guy's dangerous. Kind of like hindi na ako magtataka kung siya yung mapagbibintangang pumatay sa studyante nung nakaraan. 

Dumiretso nalang ako papasok sa room at umupo sa upuan ko, saka ko napansin si Rion pagpasok niya palang. 

A feeling of familiarity washes over me nung nginitian niya ako, and I did the same. 

Everyone settled down as soon as Ms. Teves entered the room, everyone was quiet at napatingin muna siya sa buong klase bago tumingin sa mga dala dala niyang papel sa lamesa. 

"Ms. Serene Real, meet me in the faculty later." Nakita ko yung gulat sa mukha ni Serene, at pati na rin sa mga iba kong kaklase. 

It's like it never crossed their minds that Serene might've done something. 

Tumingin lang ako sa paligid, at nakita akong napalingon si Real sa akin. 

If looks could kill, I would be dead right now. 

Hindi niya naman siguro iniisip na ako yung dahilan kung bakit pinatawag siya, right? 

"Today, we're going to discuss your project." The students have stopped wondering about the announcement earlier, and frustrated groans were heard in replace. 

Instead of complaining, bakit di nalang nila gawin para tapos na? 

"Don't worry, it's not and individual project." Sabay sabay na naghiyawan yung mga kaklase ko, na akala mo naman naligtas na sila sa project o kung ano man. 

"Since exactly twenty five kayo dito.. You will be in five groups with five members. I will now pick the leaders and the leaders will pick their groupmates." Paliwanag ni Ma'am at nagtawag na siya. 

Surprisingly, konti lang pala talaga kami dito sa classroom. Kung hindi pa sinabi ni Ms. Teves, I don't think I would've bothered counting how many of us are there. 

But still, masyado naman yatang konti? 

Or maybe they have enough rooms so they have so many sections? 

Napaisip isip pa ako kung ano ano yung mga nandito sa school na hindi ko alam, and Ms. Teves just continued with what she was doing. 

"When I call your name, come in front."

"Aerovan."

"Real."

"Yuan."

"Medina."

"Quezon."

"All the leaders will pick their respective groupmates. Let's start with Aerovan." Ang sabi ni Ms. Teves and she looked at Aerovan who just right beside her. 

"Gosh! Kian piliin mo ako!"

"Ako nalang please!"

"Syempre dapat ako di ba, Kian?"

I knew that my face scrunched up when I heard the girls' desperate pleas to be chosen by him. Can't they tell that the guy might be a serial killer for all we know? 

I started to shake my head at the event, at napatingin nalang ako sa bintana para maalis yung tingin ko sa mga kaklase kong walang ibang ginawa kung hindi tumili. 

There must be something out there. 

Out of the normal things.. Something that might excite me? 

Or even give purpose to what I was.. 

What am I anyway? 

Nakunot yung noo ko, when an unfamiliar question popped inside my head. 

What was I..?

"Eara Laire Arella." 

I came back to reality nung narinig ko yung pangalan ko. 

"I said I chose you." Nagulat ako nung makita kong nasa gilid ko na si Aerovan, napahawak pa ako sa upuan ko dahil sa gulat. 

Napatango nalang ako bilang sagot at sumama ako sa kanya. Looks like I was the last one that he chose. Tahimik akong dumaan sa classroom at napunta doon sa pwesto ng grupo namin. 

But not before passing through the girls whose looks will eat you alive. 

I shrugged the looks off at umupo nalang sa isang upuan. 

Nung nakapili na ang lahat ng leaders, Ms. Teves explained the project once more.

"What you're going to do is find how this school was founded. The founders, the year it was founded, basically everything. The presentation is next week. I'll be leaving early, so plan your project and goodbye class."

After saying that, Ms. Teves left without another word. 

Saka ko naman tinuon ang atensyon ko kung anong balak ng mga kasama ko sa project na 'to. 

"Um, anong plano natin?" Tanong ng isang babaeng kagrupo ko rin, while she stole glances at Aerovan. 

So, isa siya sa mga maswerteng napili ni Kian.. 

Ako naman ang minalas. 

"Miedes, you're in charge of researching about the founders." Napatingin kaming lahat kay Aerovan, and he continued acting like the leader he should be. 

"Peria, research why it was founded. The school's vision and mission. Something around that." Napatango yung babaeng unang nagtanong kanina, and we listened to what more Aerovan wants us to do. 

"Naval, try to be the one who researches the rules and in charge of the printing. The three of you should try to think about the formats and how you want to present the thing."

I was kind of surprised on how he was able to memorize the names of our classmates, but then again, he's a student here and been with them for almost a year. 

When it was finally time to assign something to me, I froze on my spot at saka siya nagsalita. 

I've got a feeling that I'm not going to like what he was about to say. 

"Eara and I will compile the whole thing." 

I closed my eyes as I processed what he said. 

Tama nga yung naramdaman ko. I secretly bit my lip, at nakita ko yung sama ng tingin ng kagrupo kong babae. 

Can't the guy just get the idea and stop making my life hard as it already is?

The meeting was concluded at that, and soon enough. Classes ended at half day. 

Bago pa ako makalabas at makabalik sa dorm, natigil ako nung may tumawag sa akin. 

"Eara!" I looked at Kate who was running towards me, and I just looked at her. 

"Di ba inaya kita sa library nung nakaraan?" Napatango naman ako sa kanya when I remembered the day that she asked. 

The same day she found her friend dead. 

Nakakapagtaka lang na hindi sinarado yung library during this time. But I guess they can't, since all of the students rely on the library. 

Hindi rin naman kasi sa mismong library nangyari yung pagpatay. 

"Ah, Naomi!" Napatingin nalang ako kay Kate na bigla nalang lumabas ng room, at may sinalubong na babaeng dumaan sa harap ng room namin, and I slowly followed behind her.

It looked like they knew each other, kaya naman natahimik lang ako sa kinalalagyan ko and I watched them as they caught up with each other.

"Nga pala, this is Eara. Yung sinasabi ko sa'yo?" I saw Kate turn to me at napatingin ako doon sa babaeng kausap niya lang kanina. 

She had a hair so long that it almost rivaled Rapunzel. 

Kung hindi nakatirintas yung buhok niya, I'd think that her hair could possibly reach the ground. 

"I'm Naomi." She introduced herself as she lend out her hand. 

Inabot ko naman yung kamay niya and I did the same.

"Eara." Bangit ko sa pangalan ko, and we took our hands back because we already acknowledged each other. 

"Tara pumunta na tayo ng library bago pa tayo maubusan ng pwesto!" Sigaw niya habang tumakbo papalayo sa amin, at nagkatinginan kami ni Naomi. 

We both scoffed at the same time as if we thought of the same thing, at sumunod nalang rin kami kay Kate. 

"Oh, right! May susunod pa sa atin mamaya. It's Aiya! She'll just show up at the library later." She grinned at her statement and we finally reached the library. 

It was already past one nung nakarating kami, and surprisingly, there's still a lot of people in the library after what happened. 

And lahat sila puro magkakasama. No one was alone. 

I guess that one's the unspoken rule. 

Don't march into a war by yourself. 

Nagsimula na akong magbasa dahil tatlong libro lang naman ang kinuha ko. Ganun din naman si Naomi, at pareho nalang naming hinihintay si Kate na naghahanap pa rin ng libro. 

"E-Eara.. Patulong naman oh?" Nabigla ako nung makita ko si Kate na lumabas sa pagitan ng mga bookshelves. 

"Kaya naman pala ang tagal mo, ang dami mong kinuhang libro." Sabi ni Naomi at pinuntahan naman kaagad si Kate para tulungan siya. Yung dala kasi ni Kate nakastack na sa kamay niya mula sa beywang alalay nung baba niya.

I helped them arrange the books, at tinignan ko kung anong mga libro yung mga kinuha niya. Fantasy books? Inisa isa ko yung ibang mga pinili niya, and puro fictional yung librong kinuha niya. 

And there was even a book about vampires. 

Nabasa niya ba yung nasa dyaryo nung nakaraan? 

I sighed at her actions, at tinignan ko kung paano siya pagsabihan ni Naomi. 

Naomi was telling her that she won't be able to finish that many books in one day. 

Napaupo nalang ako ulit sa upuan ko kanina, and Kate suddenly cuts Naomi off.

"Teka, anong oras na ba?" Kate asked in the middle of Naomi's nagging, at ako na ang sumagot. 

"3:43." After looking at my watch, nanumbalik ako sa pagbabasa. 

At naalarma nalang ako sa sinabi ni Kate pagkatapos. 

"Hala, bakit wala pa rin si Aiya?" Pare-parehong nanlaki yung mga mata namin sa sinabi niya, at napatayo naman na ako sa kinauupuan ko. 

This.. is definitely bad. 

"Is she going here alone?" Tanong kaagad ni Naomi, at napahawak ako sa ulo ko nung tumango si Kate. 

There's still light, so there might be hope. 

But didn't the murderer strike during the morning last time? 

We have no time to waste. 

"Naomi, can you call the teachers? I maybe jumping into conclusions, but it might be for the best." Ang sinabi ko sa kanila nang makalabas kami sa library, at tumingin ako kay Kate. 

"We'll have our best chances kung maghihiwalay tayo sa paghahanap." Tumango naman si Kate, and each of us went on our way. 

In thirty minutes, we promised to be back in the library. Para hindi rin kami yung sunod na mabiktima. 

"Aiya! Aiya!" I called an unfamiliar name on my lips, but I still continued. 

Come on, answer to your name.

Habang patakbo sa daanan hindi ko napansin may tao pala kaya nakabangga naman ako, saka naman ako napatigil nang saglit. 

"S-Sorry.." Napatingala ako at nakita ko mukha niya.

Bakas sa mukha ko yung gulat nung makita ko siya, and he also laid his eyes at me for a second before running away to somewhere. 

Kian Aerovan?

Bakit siya nandito?

No, this isn't the time to think where he's going. 

I need to find the girl. 

"Aiy--" I was about to call the girl's name once more, kaso biglang nagring yung phone ko. 

A text message?

With a hint of confusion, binuksan ko naman kaagad yung message sa phone ko. 

From: 09xxxxxxxxx

Turn left. You'll find what you're looking for.

Turn left? 

Napatingin ako sa paligid ko para makita kung may nakatingin sa akin. But there was no one at all. Saan nanggaling 'tong text na 'to? Paano nila nalaman number ko? 

Paano nila nalaman na nandito ako? 

In the end, I saved the questions for later. 

Kung mahahanap ko si Aiya kapag sinunod ko 'to, then it's worth a shot. 

It was my only lead anyway. 

I turned left from where I was just like the message said, and I stumbled upon a body. 

But I could already tell just by looking at that body..

The girl was long dead. 

Unlike the other bodies that was reported. This had the blood almost everywhere. If anybody else saw this, they'd be screaming. Kasi hindi talaga magandang tignan. She had her face separated from her skull and was pinned on the tree where the body rests. 

The stomach was brutally torn open, and the body's guts spilled everywhere. 

Huge and fatal wounds were visible on her arms and legs. 

If I were to explain it in one word.. 

Inhumane.

I don't know where the hell did I get the strength to go near the body, but then I saw her identification card on the ground near her. 

Aiya Montiveros.

Napapikit nalang ako.. I should call someone. Habang patayo ako, hindi ko naiwasang mapatingin sa kamay nung bangkay. 

I looked closer at the letter the dead formed with her blood. 

K? 

I even squinted my eyes as I checked once more. 

The blood really did form the letter K. 

Hindi ko na tinagalan pa yung pagtitig doon sa sinulat nung bangkay, at tumalikod na para maghanap ng tao. 

As soon as I turned around, I saw Naomi and a few teachers walking on the main path to the library. 

"Over here!" Tawag ko sa kanila at agad silang napatakbo sa akin. 

Habang papalapit sila, yung iba hindi na nagtangkang lumapit pa para makita yung bangkay gaya ko. Naomi had her back turned, and some teachers even vomited at the sight of it. 

Of course, alam na nilang patay na yung studyante. 

Just as the first time I was interviewed, sinabi ko nalang lahat ng nalalaman ko sa mga pulis na dumating. Ako yung unang nakakita, and how she was supposed to meet with us earlier at the library. For sure nakita na nila yung letter. 

I just hope I'm not wrong with what I chose. 

Still.. The letter K.. 

Was it Kian?

I did see Kian, but it doesn't mean na siya yung pumatay? Or not. 

Siya lang yung nakita ko dito, at tumatakbo siya?

Was it him?

Baka katulad lang siya ni Rion. Maling hinala.

I can't be too sure, since there's an evident clue. 

It's just too suspicious.. Kakalipat ko lang, dalawa na ang namatay..

I tried to piece what I know, and soon enough the school had already made its announcement. 

"All students. Please go to your respective classrooms, immediately."

"I should've known." I heard Ms. Teves say beside me, kaya nagtaka ako.  

Did she somehow know something about the two incidents that happened?

Balak ko sana siyang tanungin kung anong ibig sabihin niya doon sa mga salitang binitawan niya, but then she turned to look at me. 

Kaya hindi ako nakapagtanong.

"Naomi and Eara, could you find Kate? After niyo siyang mahanap bumalik kaagad kayo sa classroom niyo." She still smiled as she said that, as if she wanted to put some remedy to what already happened. 

But there was no way that she could've saved the girl.

After a few minutes of searching with Naomi, agad naming nakita si Kate na naghahanap pa rin.

"Naomi! Eara! Nakita niyo na siya?" Tanong niya sa amin nung makita niya kami, at lumapit siya sa amin.  

Naomi and I gave each other a look, at parang walang gusto magsalita sa amin. 

So I made the decision. 

"She's de--" Hindi ko na natuloy yung sasabihin ko kasi tinakpan ni Naomi bibig ko. Tahimik akong napatingin kay Naomi, and she just shook her head. 

At nakita namin yung pagtataka sa mukha ni Kate. 

"We didn't, but they're going to find her for sure." Naomi said in my place, at tumango nalang ako sa sinabi niya. Then she held Kate by the arm. 

"Everything's going to be fine." Naomi assured and I helped her hide the fact that Aiya is already dead. She already saw a dead body last time.. 

So maybe Naomi thought that it was enough? 

Although we hide the truth to comfort them..

Hindi ba mas magandang sabihin nalang yung totoo para matapos ang lahat?

"Pinapabalik na tayo sa classroom." Paalala ko at nauna na ako sa kanila, and they followed behind me.

Hindi na rin ako umimik pagtapos, at si Naomi na ang naging bahala kay Kate. Nung makabalik kami ni Kate sa classroom, lahat ng mga kaklase namin nakaupo lang sa mga upuan nila. And they followed our movements like it was a show. 

Napaupo nalang ako sa upuan ko, and soon enough may mga pumasok na sa room. It was Ms. Teves and a couple of men dressed in suits. 

Are there hidden investigators in the police? 

Bakit ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganito? 

"All of the students have been called for investigation." Ms. Teves said that had everyone in an uproar. Basically, it's like they were already telling us that the murderer is one of us. 

So.. tama ako? Si Kian? 

"Oh my gosh!"

"So, that means wala na talaga tayong mapagkakatiwalaan dito?"

"SILENCE!"

When will this people learn to shut up?

"They will ask you regarding the two incidents that happened within this week, so please cooperate." Ang huling paliwanag ni Ms. Teves at nagsimula nang gumalaw yung mga lalaki, or what would I like to call..

The men in black.

Because they were wearing black suits.

"Where were you at 3:30 p.m?" Was one of the question they asked.

Each one of the investigators started asking questions, and I just silently waited for my turn. That was until Real was asked the questions. Nakita ko nalang siyang napatayo at tumuro sa akin.

"Naglalakad ako papuntang library, at siya lang yung nakita kong lumapit sa bangkay! Don't you even think it's funny? Ever since she was here, saka lang nagsimulang mangyari yung ganyan!" She suddenly accused me of something that I didn't do, kaya napatayo ako sa upuan ko para magprotesta at protektahan yung sarili ko.

As if what she said is really going to help the investigation.  

"Where's your proof then?" I wasn't the one who said those words. 

I looked across the room to see another student standing.. 

At hindi ko inaakalang siya yung magsasalita para sa akin.  

It wasn't Kate, but it was Aerovan. 

He had an unfamiliar stare in his eyes, hindi katulad nung nakita ko nung nakaraan. Something was different about him. 

And it gave me the chills.

I saw Real look at me with anger and frustration clearly painted in her face, at hinarap niya ulit si Aerovan. 

She's seriously going against him? 

Magsasalita pa sana ulit si Real to prove Aerovan wrong and still put the blame on me, pero natahimik nalang kami nung may narinig ulit kaming nagsalita.  

"Now, now, pointing fingers isn't going to help anyone, Ms. Real." Everyone in the room turned their heads over the door, and a man was resting himself on our classroom's door. 

His face has an uncanny resemblance to Aerovan. Especially the shape of his face and his lips, like we were looking at an older version of him.. But the only difference was the eyes.. 

The man's eyes were playful, full of mischief, while Aerovan's eyes portrayed that he was distant and cold. Hindi na nagtagal pa at pumasok na rin ang isang tanong sa isip ko. 

Are they brothers?

Nagsimula na namang magbulungan yung mga kaklase ko, at isa lang yung pinaka tumatak sa utak ko mula sa pag uusap nila. 

That man was the principal.

"Please, don't mind me. I am only excusing Aerovan from the investigation."

Nakunot ko kaagad yung noo ko nung marinig ko 'yon, at hindi ko matanggal yung gulat sa mata ko. The principal is on his side. If someone powerful was backing him, then that might mean that he's.. 

He's the killer. 

The only other person on the scene. 

The one who messaged me. 

The killer behind the murders. 

Is it really Kian Pierce Aerovan?