"Ashton there is something you have to see." Turan ni John sa kay Ashton habang nakatotok siya sa kanyang laptop.
Nasa bahay siya na tinutuluyan nila pansamantala at gumagawa ng analysis niya tungkol sa naerecord nilang data noon sa Panriche mansion. Napatingin siya rito at napakunot noo siya nang makita niyang pawis ito at halatang tumakbo.
"Why? What's wrong?" he said as closes his laptop and slowly stands.
"It's urgent; there is something you have to see." Turan ng kanyang kapatid at lumabas ulit ito, sumunod siya hanggang sa makapunta sila sa kagubatan.
"What's going on? Anong ginagawa natin dito sa kagubatan?" tanung niyang sumusunod parin dito.
Natahimik si Ashton nang makarating sila sa bandang malapit sa isang ilog, sa taas niyon na parang mini falls ay may mga taong nakaumpok. Nakita niya sina kuya Fred katabi sina Robert at Stevenson. Sa may tabi ni kuya Fred ay may lalaking nakatayo na hindi mo mawari ang emosyon dahil sa pagkaseryuso ng mukha, magandang lalaki ito at matipono ang katawan. As far as he can remember ay Sethorne Vancove Alonzo yung pangalan nito at siyang nagmamay-ari sa vine yard sa malapit sa kagubatan sa may west side ng Vengeance.
"What happened here kuya Fred?" tanung niya pagkalapit sa kanila.
Nagsilingon sila at nasigilid yong iba pang kalalakihan sa may gilid ng ilog na tinatakpan ng malalaking mga bato at nakita niyang may bangkay ng isang babaeng nakaputi at duguan. Duguan yung damit nitong punit-punit at mahaba yung buhok nitong kulay itim. Marami itong kalmot at ang tiyan nito ay watak-watak. Halos mapaduwal si Ashton sa itsura nitong nakakahabag-habag. May babaeng umiiyak sa gilid at hawak ng dalawang lalaki.
"Ash we have a 30th body. Same MO (Modus Operandi) with some of the past victims, duguan, sugatan at walang nakakaalam kung sino ang gumawa nito." Turan ni John na nakatingin sa bangkay.
"Dalawang araw pa nawawala ang kaibigan ni Helena...Helena Santiban, siya yung umiiyak doon. Nagsama-sama kami at hinanap siya kaninang five. Natagpuan namin siyang ganyan." Malungkot na turan ni kuya Fred.
"A-Anong pangalan niya?" tanung ni Ashton na nakatingin sa bangkay at saka matamang kinilatis iyon.
"Jenny Montrata ang pangalan niya. Sabi ni Helena ay nagkwento sa kanya si Jenny na may nakilala raw si Jenny dito na isang lalaking gwapo at nagkagusto siya rito. Pinipilit niyang samahan siya ng kaibigan upang hanapin yung lalaki ngunit hindi pumayag yung magulang ni Helena na lumabas siya kahapong umaga. Nalaman nalang niyang umalis daw si Jenny sa bahay nila na ang sabi'y magkikita silang magkaibigan at sa bahay nina Helena ito matutulog. Nagulat nalang yung mga magulang ni Jenny dahil akala nila ay nasa bahay pa nina Helena si Jenny, dali-dali silang naghiwa-hiwalay upang hanapin siya. Naalala ni Helena yung sinabi sa kanya nung kaibigan niya kaya dito kami tumungo." Turan ni kuya Fred na napapailing nalang sa kalunos-lunos na sinapit ng isa sa dalaga nila.
May kaya yung pamilya ni Jenny, pagmamay-ari ng pamilya nito ang kalakihang bakery na siyang takbuhan ng mga mamamayan. Nag-iisa lang itong anak na babae sa anim na magkakapatid at ito pa ang kanilang bunso.
"She's been dead for almost 14 hours. Siguro pinaslang siya mga 2 ng hapon kahapon." Turan ni John na sinisipat yung bangkay at ginagamitan ng isang device na nagsasabi kung anong temperature ng bangkay at doon nito nalaman kung anong oras ito namatay kung gaano kababa yung binaba ng normal na temperature nito.
"Alas dos!?" gulat na turan ni kuya Fred at bahagya pa itong napaatras. Napatingin silang lahat dito.
"Bakit kuya?" tanong ni Ashton dito habang yung lalaking nagngangalang Sethorne ay kanina pa napapatingin sa paligid.
"Kasama ko ang mga bagong guro na nagpahinga rito doon lang sa may baba noong oras na iyon. Kasama pa nga namin si Seth ngunit wala kaming nakita o narinig na sigaw mula rito. Paanong namatay siyang hindi man lang namin napapansing may tao pala dito." Turan ni kuya Fred na lubusang nagtataka.
Napatingin silang lahat kay kuya Fred at sa lalaking tinawag nitong Seth.
"Really? Wala ba kayong napansin?" tanong ni John habang nakatingin parin sila sa mga ito.
"W-wala naman pero sina Seth at ang mga guro kung may napansin sila, umalis kasi kami ni Sofan para kumuha ng pagkain. Yung mga iniwan namin noon baka may napansin sila." Turan ni kuya Fred kaya napatingin silang lahat kay Sethorne na nakatayo lang doon.
"Amnnnn wala naman akong napansin noon, though Miss Sylvester seems to have notice something since she asked us kung may napapansin ba kaming kakaiba noon. Her friend didn't feel one so they just thought that she is imagining things again." Turan ni Sethorne at napakunot noo siya.
"Miss Ran? I see, though we can't ask them or else they will fear this place and leave." Turan niya at napapatango ang mga ito maliban kay Sethorne na mukhang walang pakialam sa nangyayari doon.
"God bakit nangyayari ito sa lugar na ito." Napatotop sa noo na turan ni kuya Fred at saka ito tumalikod at nilapitan ang kaibigan ng biktima na si Helena.
Nagtulong-tulong ang mga kalalakihan upang ilagay sa isang kumot yung bangkay at magkakatulong silang umalis sa lugar na iyon kasunod sina kuya Fred at ang umiiyak na kaibigan ni Jenny. Nakita niyang sumunod sa mga ito sina John at Sethorne, nagpahuli siya na nakatingin sa baba. He saw something in between two rocks he slowly bend and pick it up.
"What is this?" nakakunot noong turan ni Ashton at nang maiangat niya iyon mula sa tubig ay nakita niyang isa iyong kwentas.
It is a silver necklace. May pink na stone sa gitna niyon, ang baba niyon ay may design na nakaukit....tatlong bulaklak. He slowly plays with the pendant when he suddenly...
They're running on the forest and he look back to see figures that are running after them. He looks at the person holding his small hand and he saw that he was running beside a man and a woman.
"Stop traitors. Where are the queen and the princesses?" said an angry tone as they run. He look back to see who are running after them and he tripped. The man picks him up and carried him on his arms as they continued running.
"Luke." The woman said when she tripped and was left behind. They returned and helped her up and they run again.
They came in to a river and he saw that they are already cornered. The pursuers are already near.
"Josephine my love I believe we have to save Raven first." The man said as he look at the woman and she nod.
"Our dearest Raven, always remember that we love you. Please live for us." The woman bowed down to him and kissed his forehead. He looks into her cleavage when she kissed him and he saw the necklace he found hanging on her neck. She separated to him and the man bends to kiss him to.
He was back to his self and he drops the necklace when pain kick in to his head. He look at the necklace that he dropped to the ground, he then pick it up and stared at it. Ano kayang ala-ala iyon? Sa kanya kaya iyong alaala o may nagpapakita lang sa kanya ng mga iyon? Raven? Ang pangalan na iyon….. it sounds too familiar to him.
"Ash what's wrong let's go." He turned to see his brother waving at him.
He pockets the necklace to his pant's back pocket and he walk away to that place wondering what was that he suddenly kept on seeing.
"Are you sure Lilbenia? We still didn't know what happened to her." Robert said as they all walk towards the place where they found the body of Jenny.
Lilbenia wanted to conduct a séance where she will channel the spirit of Jenny for them to know what happened to her. It was already getting dark and it's already pass six. Sila lang ang nakakaalam sa gagawin nila doon, kakaiba kasi ang naramdaman nila nung nakita nila yung bangkay. There is something going on in this place…. Something big is coming and they can feel it.
"Lilbenia you must be careful at this time many spirits lurks the place....we might not be successful to call to Jenny and some bad spirit might be the one you will channel." Leonore said worriedly because they all know the risks they will face.
Channeling a ghost can make a great breakthrough to the channeler's body. Especially when the body is a woman's.....very vulnerable and fragile. Ang pinaka nakakatakot ay pag isang masamang spirito ang sasanib kay Lilbenia.....she will be in danger.
"Well, that is why we have our exorcist here and Stevenson can use his familiars to hold my body just in case I get controlled by an evil one." Lilbenia said confidently. Napabuntong-hininga nalang yung iba.
"We should make sure that Jenny will be the one to be channeled. This time of the day is the time where ghost can be free to show themselves. Lilbenia be very careful." Ashton said to her since he is still their leader and their safety is in his hands. Sa nararamdamn niya sa lugar ay sinabi nga niya sa mga kasamang umalis na sila at magpapaiwan siya pero hindi sila pumayag.
"Well! As long as we follow Lenore's plan then we will be fine." Turan naman ni Robert na ngayo'y ibinababa yung hawak nitong bag at iniayos nito yung video cam nila.
The ladies laid a wide cloth in the ground and Lilbenia, Leonore, Robert and John sat in an Indian seat forming a circle as they fix some candles in the middle. Ashton and Stevenson stood there watching them. Stevenson needs to be out of the séance so that he can protect them and so is he so he can ask questions to Jenny.
"Let's begin. Ash, Stev kayo ng bahala." Lilbenia said closing her eyes.
The 4 starts to chant as they hold each other's hand and close their eyes. Napapatingin siya sa paligid dahil may nararamdaman siyang kakaiba sa paligid. After the chant Lilbenia said her words at biglang humangin ang buong paligid habang nakapikit si Lilbenia at napapatingin sa paligid ang iba habang magkakahawak-kamay pa sila. The candle's light went off and Stevenson used his ability and he creates a blue fire from the candles that are now burning. Malakas parin ang hangin at nililipad sa hangin yung mahabang buhok nina Lenore at Lilbenia.
"Stevenson do you feel anything?" Ashton shouts to Stevenson who shakes his head.
Ashton returns his gaze to Lilbenia when the wind suddenly stopped and Lilbenia look as if she is unconscious. She then opens her eyes and they saw shock and fright in her face. She suddenly stood and tried to run away but Stevenson used his ability to hold her on her spot.
"Lilbenia----Jenny i-is that you?" he asked as he look at her.
She turned to look at him and she look so scared. He definitely knows that this is not Lilbenia.
"Wh-who are you? H-how did you do this?" she asks as her face is full of fear.
"I-is that you Jenny? Jenny Montrata?" he asked as he slowly walks towards her.
"Y-Yes...who are you? T-this body.....it's not mine. Anong nangyayari dito?" She said as she looks at her hand.
"What's going on?" she panicked.
"Calm down Miss Jenny, you are temporarily in one of our associate's body. We just want to ask you something regarding of how.....how...you ....died? A-alam mo naman sigurong.....pa-patay ka na?" John said as he stood from sitting ganon din sina Robert at Leonore.
Sa sinabi ni John ay natulala ito na para bang may naisip, napuno ng galit ang mukha nito saka ito napaluha.
"O-oo naaalala ko na. H-Hindi pa ako handa ngunit naglaho nalang lahat parang bula. H-hindi pa ako naging isang mabuting anak sa mga magulang ko. I haven't yet told them how much I love them. Why? Ba-bakit ito nangyari sa akin?" umiiyak nitong turan habang tinatakpan ang kanyang mukha upang punasan ang mga luhang nagdadagsaan.
"We're so sorry; we are here to help you find rest. Gusto naming malaman ang nangyari sa iyo. Limitado lang ang oras na pwede mong gamitin ang katawan ni Lilbenia kaya pasensya ka na if we are to direct. What happened to you?" directang tanong ni Ashton dito at napatingin ito sa kanya saka pinunasan ang kanyang mga mata.
"Your friend Helena told us that you meet a man whom you've fallen for. Did you meet him that time? Is he the one who did this to you?" tanong ni Robert na nakatingin dito.
"Oo nakilala ko siya dito rin lang, sabi niya ang pangalan niya ay Cole.... Cole Alvertos at nagbabakasyon lang daw sila rito ng kanyang pamilya. We planned to meet here again and I wanted to bring Helena with me....gusto ko sanang ipakilala sila sa isa't isa....buti nalang at ayaw ng pamilya niya kundi pati siya ay wala na rin ngayon. I'm so stupid...mag-isa lang akong pumunta rito....I was blinded by the idea of love so..." she said as she look at the sky.
"Is Bradley...the one who killed you?" he directly asked at bumalik ang tingin nito sa kanya.
"No....Cole tried to stop him but he can't. We are so happy when he suddenly appeared and started shouting at Cole. They fight and some men hold Cole still, galit yung lalaking humarap sa akin at sinasabing hindi raw sila papayag sa pagmamahalan namin. It's forbidden to their law as what he said. He punched me to my stomach and the last thing I remembered is Cole shouting my name. That man killed me. He killed my dreams." She started sobbing again.
"Do you have any idea who is He?" he asked.
"Something along his lines he addressed Cole as little brother so I guess they are brothers. There is something wrong about the man." She said.
Napatingin sila rito at nakita nilang nakatingin ito sa paligid.
"He looks like a stone, he is cold and hard. Naaalala kong binato ko siya sa mukha ng bato ngunit parang bali wala lang iyon sa kanya. He even bites me in my neck draining my blood before he punched my stomach. He's so scary and....his eyes are turning into red." She said.
"I-I see." The only word he said. Napatingin siya rito at nakita niyang parang nasasaktan ito.
"W-what? A-anong nagyayari?" she panicked.
"Wala ka ng oras kailangan mo ng ibalik kay Lilbenia ang katawan niya kundi unti-unting hihilahin ka ng kadiliman at mawawatak ang iyong kaluluwa. Hindi ka pwedeng magtagal sa katawan na iyan." Paliwanag ni Leonore.
"Please tell my family I love them." Saad nito bago siya nawala at natumba si Lilbenia na agad sinalo ni John.
Kalong ni John ang walang malay paring si Lilbenia at nilisan nila ang lugar na iyon. Hindi nila aakalaing ganon pala kabrutal ang pagkamatay ni Jenny. The way she described those persons made Ashton wonder who these evil strangers are. Hindi lang pala mga multo ang kinatatakutan sa lugar na ito....may iba pang parating. Nararamdam niya ito.