moonwake

i

Chapter One

Nagising akong hinahabol ang aking paghinga, tila ba may dumagan sa’king dibdib habang natutulog. Mabilis kong inilibot ang mata sa paligid, I sighed in relief when I realized I was alone in my room.

Thank goodness, it’s just a dream.

These past few months nightmares always pestering me. It’s like hindi nito nakakaligtaan na bumisita gabi gabi para takutin ako. My brothers, Jace and Eli always telling me that it’s just a dream and it will never come to reality. Damn, I wish they are true about that.

Iniwan ko ang aking higaan, at lumabas para kumuha ng water sa kitchen. I’m in the middle of thinking if I want a cold water or not when I heard a footstep behind me. Dahil sa takot, nanigas ako sa’king kinatatayuan and prayed it was not some magnanakaw.

I saw on the news they are running rampant these days, and the police haven’t yet arrested these people so I’m pretty sure they’re gonna visit our neighborhood anytime soon. Not to brag naman kasi or anything but our house is like mansion na.

My brothers, they’re always in their work so I’m always alone here sa house. I know they love me so much but we need money of course para sa needs and bills. Sila kasi ang nagaasikaso ng lahat like tuitions ko and anything since namatay na parents namin dahil sa aksidente. They told me about it siguro noong 13 years old ako, at first of course I was depressed and hindi ako maka-focus sa study but then I was able to managed it and I’m okay na right now.

Kumuha ako ng kung ano mang pwede kong magamit as a weapon nang marinig na papalapit na ang footstep sa’kin. Nagtago ako sa likod ng pinto at nang maramdaman ang paglapit nito ay siyang pagbilis din lalo ng t***k ng heart ko.

I immediately point to whoever that is my weapon when he reached our kitchen.

“What the hell?” sigaw ni Jace, when he saw me pointing a knife on his face.

I instantly relaxed when I saw him, “I thought you’re magnanakaw.” I said and let out a deep breath.

“Of course not! and hindi iyon makakapasok dito. We have guards, remember?” sambit nito, at kinuha ang knife na hawak ko.

“I forgot, kasi mga binabalita sa news eh dami raw nananakawan right now.” ani ko, and he just laugh at me when I don’t know what’s funny.

“Ikaw talaga, always funny.” he said and tinuro ang hawak kong glass. “Pahingi ako.”

“Nope, this is mine. Go get yours.” ani ko, at binelatan siya.

“Hmmm, damot.” sagot naman niya at naglakad na para kumuha ng baso.

“Anyway’s, where is Eli? Hindi kayo sabay?” I asked when I noticed Eli isn’t here yet, madalas kasi na sabay silang umuuwi.

“He has some things to do pa, pahinga ka na.” he said and I just nodded. “Also, take that off before sleeping, hmmkay?” he added.

My hand went to my neck where he is pointing to. “Ito?” tanong ko, habang hawak ang necklace.

“Yap.” he just simply answered before drinking some water.

I had this necklace since I was a baby, they told me it was from our mother and I never take it off since then. But I guess I have to now, siguro ay may gagawin lang siya rito.

“Okay.” I sad, and took it off then handed it to him. “Goodnight, brother.” pagpapaalam ko, at hinalikan ang kaniyang pisngi.

I went back to my room and lay on my bed. When I got bored looking at the ceiling, I grab my phone and watch some kid stories in youtube, it helps me to feel sleepy kasi kapag nanonood noon.

Nang unti-unti ko ng naramdaman ang antok ay itinabi ko na ang hawak na cellphone para matulog.

--

I woke up with the sunlight touching my skin, ‘damn it’ sambit ko sa’king isip. I hate monday’s morning.

But I don’t have a choice though since I need to go to school. I let out a loud yawned as I stood up, I went to the bathroom to take a bath.

As I walk down the stairs I could already hear my brothers talking. I went on the kitchen and found them enjoying their breakfast.

“Good morning, you two.” I greeted them.

“Good morning, Little one.” Jace greeted me back. He always calling me different endearments, and I love that it sounds sweet.

“Good morning, Avia.” Eli greeted me, then sip on his coffee.

Eli and Jace are twins but they aren’t really look alike at all. Though, they have the same body built, Jace has a shaggy blonde hair and baby blue eyes, while Eli has this tousled coffee-colored hair and olive green eyes.

When it comes to personality naman, sobrang magkaiba sila. Jace is cheerful, he loves to joke around me and he is sweet. Eli is the opposite, he is always serious and minsan lang magsalita kaya kapag nagsasalita yan or sinesermonan ako ay sinusunod ko kaagad, but I always feel his love for me naman.

“Hey Avia...” tawag ni Eli sa’kin. “How’s your sleep?” he asked.

“It was good, but I still hate monday’s morning.” I replied, grumpily.

He tap my head. “The weather is actually good today, Avia. Smile.”

I did smile. A force one.

He tsked and shook his head. “That’s a fake smile, Avia. Alam ko yan.”

“Can I call in sick today?” I asked while doing puppy eyes in him. Jace laugh at my face, and I just rolled my eyes at him.

“Princess, you always say that every mondays.” Jace said then kiss the top of my head.

“You’re going to school, Avia. Be productive. That’s final.” Eli said in his serious tone. Oh, I hate that tone.

I stayed silent as I eat my breakfast, I’m annoyed that my puppy eyes didn’t worked. Eli open his laptop, maybe to check the reports and updates in our company, he is the one managing our Company for years now. Jace is in different industry naman, he creates game application and stuff, I actually find it cool. I’m the youngest here, 18 years old taking English Literature. My brothers won’t let me have my own place but I want na. Kaya nga dati ay ipinaglalaban ko iyon, pero wala hindi ko pa rin sila na-convince. They really care for me that’s why they are being so protective.

After eating breakfast, I went upstairs to get my bag and cellphone. But then, when I saw my bed I felt the urge to lay there and sleep. So that’s what I did.

Nang lumalalim na ang tulog ko, I felt like I’m being sucked into a void. Mabilis akong tumayo, at tumingin sa paligid. I’m still in my room.

I sighed, I must be imagining things.

Humiga ako ulit, at pumikit. Minutes passed, I felt hands touching me and holding me roughly. I immediately open my eyes, then I saw hands coming out from my bed. I panicked, and try to get away from them.

“Help!” I shouted. “Please! no!”

I wish that this is just a dream, but I know it is not! Im being swallowed now by my bed that makes my body trembled in fear. What on earth is happening to me?

The hands were getting stronger while pulling me down, I can feel my bed swallowing my whole body making me to gasp air because I can’t breathe properly.

I can't shout anymore because of the hands that are covering my mouth. I can feel sweats filled my face as I struggle, I was panting as I tried to escape those hands that gripping my body and sinking me down into the mattress. My vision started to blur, at unti-unti na rin akong iniiwan ng aking lakas.

Tears starting to fall down my cheeks, I try so hard to free myself from those hands that were hugging me. As my bed swallowed me, naramdaman ko ang paninigas ng aking katawan at unti-unting pagdilim ng aking paningin.

--

I woke up in a strange surroundings, agad akong tumayo, at dahil do’n ay nakaramdam ako ng kaunting pagkahilo. The memory of what happened suddenly came in my brain, tinignan ko ang paligid. There is a very long passage, it’s like an old underground train railroad. It was surrounded by dirt and ivy leaves.

I started to walk and I almost heard my footsteps echoing in every steps I take. Where on earth is this? am I kidn*pped? I turn around to see what is behind me, and I guess that was the biggest mistake I ever made in my whole life.

I couldn’t move and speak. I just stare at the man who is in front of me. He has a very messy long hair, his eyes were cold and he was wearing an armor. Yes like those from medieval age, his hands were big and he is freaking holding a very long sword. It look very sharp, at parang handang-handa siyang hatiin ang katawan ko gamit iyon.

Inilabas ko na lahat ng natitirang tapang sa katawan ko at nagsalita. “W-who are you?” I stutter. “Where are we?” I looked around. “Are we on a shooting or something like movie? is this a prank? he...he...” this must be joke right? but why do I have this feeling that this is not.

The armored man didn’t say anything, and just stared at me, coldly.

“Who the hell are you?” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “You better tell me right now! before my brother found—”

“Lakad.” putol niya sa’kin. His voice gave me goosebumps.

“No! I am not walking unless—Oh my god!” napaigtad ako nang iangat niya ang hawak na espada at itapat ito sa’king leeg. Nanlambot ang tuhod ko roon, na tila matutumba na ako.

“Where are you t-taking me?” I asked, my lips are trembling. I need to ask, I don’t care if my whole body is shaking right now. I need to know where am I. “P-please... where are you taking me?” I begged.

“Dadalhin muna kita sa tirahan ko bago ibigay kay Queen Verena. Kaya’t maglakad ka na, bago pa magbago ang isip ko at tanggalan na kita ng buhay dito ngayon. Bibigyan pa rin naman niya ako ng pabuya may buhay ka man o wala.” he spoke again, but I didn’t understand anything that he said.

Queen Verena? Pabuya? Is he for real? gustuhin ko man tumawa dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya ay hindi ko magawa dahil sa espadang nakatapat sa leeg ko.

“I don’t even know who Queen Verena is.” I said, pero hindi siya sumagot at mas lalo lamang niyang inilapit ang espada sa’king leeg. “Wala akong maalalang nagkaroon ako ng utang, and if my brothers hurt her. I’m really sorry.” Pinilit ko pa ring magsalita, ‘coz I really have no idea of what is he talking about.

“Manahimik ka!” he shouted, I felt my sweats dripping down to my neck as I feel the electricity that’s surrounding his sword, I will probably die if that touches me. But, where the hell is it coming from? I want to ask but he might slit my throat with that to shut me up.

And because I was afraid to die, I stayed silent. I have many to things to do pa in this world so bawal pa ko mamatay. Sinunod ko na lang muna siya, at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad.