"Give way, Give way!" The cute voices of fairies announced.
So this is what Downtown looks like. I place my bow and arrow on my back with the help of Walter since it's a burden to carry them using my hands. Some of the creatures are dancing and walking in Downtown, laughing and even pushing each other. I guess they don't have any idea that dark spirits are now roaming in Parallel World.
Keith, walk ahead of us. He glanced at each place and even in the corner. Walter is in front of me while Victor is on my right side.
"Kanina pa tayo palakad-lakad. Hindi ba pwede magpahinga muna? Nananakit na ang mga paa ko." Nakangusong salaysay ni Walter. Me either.
Upong-upo na ako. We've been roaming for one hour already and there's nothing suspicious.
Nasorpresa ako sa mga dwarfs na nakikita ko pero kaagad din naman iyong nawawala dahil pinapakilala ako ni Walter sa kanila. Hindi lang siguro ako sanay sa aking nakikita kaya ganito akong makapag react. Mukha din naman silang mababait at maaamo.
"We need to stay alert. We have no time to rest." The intimidating voice of Rick answered. "Me either. Can we sit well for 5 or 3 minutes only?" Napatingin sila sa akin and shakes their head. I just sigh and follow them once again.
Sa sobrang bigat ba naman nitong pinapasan ko sa likuran ko. Gugustuhin ko mang magpahinga hindi naman sila papayag.
Umupo si Walter sa isang bakanteng upuan sa tabi at minamasahe ang batok niya. Tumabi ako sa kanya atsaka tumingin sa paligid.
The others didn't have any idea that we are secretly resting so they just walk away, fading from our sight in the sea of creatures. "Na-stiff neck na naman ako." Napatingin ako kay Walter nang dahan-dahan at ngumiti.
"I'm hungry. Hindi pa ako nakakain nang pumunta tayo dito." Dagdag pa nito.
"What do you want to eat?" I asked and poke his shoulder. "Yun!" May tinuro siyang tinapay sa harapan namin. I nodded my head before I composed myself to stand and headed to the small store stand. I fished out my wallet and paid for the bread.
"Hazel!" Napatingin ako sa paligid nang may tumawag sa akin at nakita ko si Walter na nakatingin sa entrance ng Downtown.
We've been roaming Downtown three times kaya alam ko na kung nasaan ang entrance at exit nito. Downtown is like a Marketplace. Though it had an underground for other creatures, it's still a marketplace. I squinted my eyes when Walter looked so serious while he was staring at someone... no, something on the entrance. "Ito na po." I smiled at the elf and went back to the bench where Walter is.
"Bakit?" I asked and handed the bread to him pero hindi niya ito kinuha. "Tawagin mo ang iba." Mahinang bulong niya sa akin. "I can't. I don't know where they are. I guess they already headed to the underground. Bakit?" He grabs my wrist kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.
Nabigla ako nang tumakbo siya at makipagsiksikan sa mga creatures na papunta sa underground. Seriously. What is he up to? Why does he look so serious and... afraid? Did he see the spirits? What did he see at the entrance?
Humihingi ako ng pasensya sa mga dwarfs, org, even faries na nababangga namin. Kanina pa kami tumatakbo and there's no sign of Victor, Rick, and Keith. Where are they? Mahigpit ang mga hawak ni Walter sa akin habang kami ay tumatakbo.
"Where are we going?" I can't help but ask him that question. He's been dragging me. Wala kaming tigil tumakbo at halos libotin na namin ang Downtown kakatakbo.
"We need to find the others." I know Walter when he's serious. He'll start talking in English. "Why?" I asked once again. He stopped running to catch his breath and so am I. Inilagay niya ang mga kamay niya sa balikat ko atsaka tumingin sa aking mga mata. "They are here." My jaw almost dropped when I heard those from him. "I saw them." He pants softly and closes his eyes to take a breath. "In the entrance." He added.
Then if that's the case.
"We need to warn everyone." Umiling si Walter sa sinabi ko that frowned me. "We can't make a move unless it's Rick or Victor." Napahimalos siya sa mukha niya and I got startled when the creatures started moving so fast going underground. "What's happening," I asked out of nowhere.
"WALTER! HAZEL!" Agad na itinaas ni Walter ang kamay niya and my eyes followed where the voice came from. Napatingala ako at nakita ko si Victor, Rick, and Keith Fighting the dark shadows. Out of surprise, I cover my mouth when the shadow forced Keith to open his mouth.
The quick danger sense of Rick helped Keith to escape from the shadow. "Hazel! Let's go!" Napatingin ako kay Walter at sumabay sa kanyang pagtakbo. We can't use our weapons yet. The creatures are still on the road and we can't reach our bow and arrow to help them. I covered my ears when Walter kicked the door that was on his side. "Dito!"
"We're trapped." Yun ang nasabi ko kay Walter when we reached the roof of the store that we just sneak in. "Not yet." Iniscan ni Walter ang tindahan and what a coincidence. We are in an Axe shop! "Tumabi ka muna, Ren." Kaagad kung sinunod si Walter at pumunta sa gilid.
He repeatedly hit the roof of the shop para makalabas kami sa loob at matulungan sila, Rick. When he made a hole, He hurriedly jumped off it and waited for me on the roof. When I also reached the roof. My eyes squinted on their own when I saw the boys fighting the shadows with all their might on the other side.
Inayos ko kaagad ang weapon ko at kumuha ng isang bow para patamaan ang aninong kalaban ni Keith. Masyadong malikot si Keith kaya kailangan kong magfocus para hindi siya matamaan ng arrow ko. When I release my arrow kaagad na tinamaan nito ang anino and it reflects a bright light before it fades. Napatingin sila sa akin kaya kaagad akong umiwas ng tingin at kumuha ng panibagong arrow.
I aimed my arrow at Victor's. When he turned in my direction, he swung his head to a different direction so he wouldn't get hit with the arrow before I released the arrow from my bow. Walter helped me with protecting the boys and I look down on Rolex when she vibrates.
"Hazel! Watch out!" I tilt my head to Rick and turn my head to the side. My eyes widened when the shadow is grabbing my weapon from me. Hinila ko ang bow ko sa anino at tumingin sa nag-uusok na mga mata nito.
What kind of creature is this? It's a black shadow and their eyes are burning white. Hugis tao sila at kaya rin nilang manakit kung gugustuhin nila. Parang kanina lang noong nakipaglaban si Keith sa isa sa mga ito. Natatakot ako. Hindi dahil takot ako sa kanila, kundi dahil sa maitim na impact na binibigay nila sa akin.
Napakalakas ng force nila that I had left with no choice but to turn around before I released my arrow. Napatakip ako sa mga mata ko when the shadow beams a light before it disappears. So that's what they called Dark Spirits.
After I moved on from frightening shock. Umayos ako ng tayo at tinulungan na naman ang boys. Walter did the same but he is making sure that no spirit can harm the two of us. I keep on releasing my arrow quickly the best that I could. They are getting a lot darker each time. Rick gave us a signal to go down but Walter told him that they should go first before us.
Wala namang nagawa si Rick kundi ang sumunod kay Walter. When the other roof is clear that's the moment we start to hop down from the roof. I cast a spell to reload my arrows before we rushed outside.
Hinanap ng mata namin sina Victor at sakto din namang paglabas nila sa isang store din na katapat lang ng sa amin. "Ano yong mga 'yon?" Tanong ni Walter at inayos ang bow niya.
"The Dark Spirits." They are having a conversation but I am spacing out right now. Those eyes. Those kinds of eyes keep on recalling it. Para kasing hinihila ako ng mga matang 'yon. Ngayon lang ako nakasalamuha ng ganong klaseng espiritu. Napapasabak din naman ako sa Blanche pero sa pagkakaalam ko ay kaagad na inaksyunan ni Principal Spencer ang mga 'yon para hindi na makarating pa sa bayan.
"Let's go this way." I snapped back into reality when I heard Victor's voice.
Tumakbo kami paalis sa underground at hinayaan ang mga creature na makapag-tago. Mas mabuti kung nakapag-tago sila sa safe na lugar para hindi sila madamay sa gulong ito.
"Whatever happens. Don't look into their eyes." I gasped when Victor announced it to us. "Bakit?" Tanong ni Walter. Tumingin sa aming mga mata si Victor at inihanda ang espada niya. "They can possess both immortals and mortals. Either you stare into their eyes or they possess using your open mouth and they can control our mind." Sagot ni Victor. I blink my eyes and make sure they won't hear my sigh.
We tilt our heads to the sky when it starts to become darker. "They are starting," Rick whispered. I swallowed the lump on my throat. Napatingin ako sa mga kasama ko, they are discussing what to do again while here I am. Spacing out. And can't mingle in their discussion. My mind is so occupied because of the fact that I stared into the spirit's eye. What will happen to me next?
Someone held my hand so I looked up to the owner of the hand and it was Victor. "You okay?" He asked. I smiled before I nodded my head. He messes my hair before we run back to the fountain Downtown. Rolex is vibrating so much that I shake my hand to stop the vibrations. "Brace yourself..." Rick whispered to us.
Naghanda ako ng dalawang arrow sa bow ko. I close my eyes. I am in the center while they are around me. I tried to calm myself so I can focus on this battle. I even grip on my bow tightly and take a deep breath before I open my eyes.
"They are afraid of lights." Tumingin ako sa gawi ni Keith. The werewolf looks so serious right now. Naging tahimik ang downtown at nagiging madilim na rin. Natatakot man ay pilit ko itong nilalabanan. Hinahawakan ko ng mahigpit ang aking bow and arrow. Ayaw kong mawala sila sa akin. Masyado pang delikado para mawalay sila sa akin.
"A mortal..." I roamed my eyes around when someone whispered in my ear. I even turned myself to glimpse that someone but there's no one. "Focus," Victor whispered. I closed my eyes to forget what I heard and took a deep breath. Calm down, Hazel. Calm down.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Napatakip ako sa magkabilang tenga ko dahil sa malakas na sigaw ni Magtanggol at ni No Jams napatingin ako kay Rolex and to check if she screams but I frowned when she stopped working. The moment I tilt my head a dark shadow appeared right in front of me. "Hazel!"
***
I groaned when I came back to my consciousness. I have no idea what happened. I just found myself laying on the ground without my bow and arrow. When I tried to sit up someone grabbed my shoulder to stop me from doing it. Napatingin ako sa paligid and soon realized what happened.
The boys got alarmed by my scream that they turned their backs to me. The quick Victor hurriedly pointed the tip of his sword to the shadow. I am holding my knees after the incident. The lucky thing is that I haven't stared into the eyes directly. Which is a good thing. But the impact is still there. The reason why I lost my consciousness.
"careful." Rick helped me to stand before he gave me my bow and arrow. "Thanks," I beam a smile before I place my arrow on my back and hold my bow tightly.
"Who gave you that pearl, Haze?" Itinuro ni Rick ang Pearl bracelet na binigay ni Headmistress Pearl.
"Bakit?" I asked. Tumingin lang silang apat sa akin so I frowned my brows. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganyan siya makatingin sa akin. Victor held my wrist and take a closer look at my pearl bracelet. Ipinikit nito ang kanyang mga mata para makapag-isip ng maayos habang hawak hawak ang aking kamay. Napatingin ako sa mga kasama ko and they look at Victor, waiting.
"This thing...." This thing? This thing what? Tumingala ako sa kanila and frowned my brows deeply. Bakit hindi nila matapos tapos ang sasabihin nila? Ibinaba ni Victor ang kamay ko at pinagkrus ang kanyang mga braso. I don't get it.
Why did they look so stress right now? Tinatapunan nila ako ng mga ngiti pero alam kong may itinatago ang mga ngiting iyon. Pakiramdam ko ay may itinatago sila sa akin na parang isa itong malaking sekreto. Nakakapanibago.
Tumabi sa akin si Walter at ngumiti. "Huwag mo nalang sila isipin. Ayos na ba ang pakiramdam mo?" Tanong nito sa akin. Kaagad naman akong tumango at ngumiti ng tipid. "Ano ba ang iniisip nila?" Well, I more prefer to have a proper conversation with Walter. I know he won't let me down to answer any of my questions. As long as he's not eating.
Bumuntong hininga si Walter bago nagkibit balikat. "Baka pagod lang siguro sila? Halika na, Babalik na tayo sa Rogue."
"But... how about those dark spirits roaming the Downtown?" Naunang maglakad si Rick, Keith, and Victor. They are discussing a serious matter about me. How could I say so? They are glancing at me. So unusual. I really think something happened before I passed out. I know there is.
--
We arrive at exactly 9 pm in the evening. We headed to our respective dorms after we took our dinner and I just did nothing but stare at my pearl until I dozed off to sleep. I wore my dad's sweater when I got up at 5 am. I glance at Axl Ancient Journal which reminds me of Rick. He said I should be at the train station this Saturday. I wonder where we'd go.
I got up from the bed and took a quick shower. After I took a shower, I stepped out of the room, and the speakers in the hallways started announcing that the rest of the days this month will be suspended. There'll be no class until the issue about Dark Spirits/Shadows will be over.
Placing my hands on the sweater's pocket. Nagsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa school hospital. Kailangan kong tingnan kung maayos na ba ang pakiramdam ng aking Uncle. Apat na araw ko na din siyang hindi nabibisita dahil sa patong-patong kong gawain at isipin.
"Mabuti naman at napadalaw ka. Kahapon pa siya nagising, Hindi ko muna pina-alis kasi alam kong babalik ka." Nginitian ko si Nurse Cha. "Salamat po, Nurse." Lumingon ako sa pwesto kung saan nanggagaling ang ingay ng pagnguya. Napangiti ako nang makita ko si Uncle na naka-upo na sa kanyang kama habang kumakain ng mais.
The nurse excused herself so I paved my way to went to my uncle and sat on the edge of his bed. "Insan! Hehehe good morning!" I giggled. "Good morning. Napa-sarap ata ang tulog mo?" Nakangiting tanong ko sa kanya na ikinatawa nito. "May napanaginipan nga ako kagabi! ang gandaa" Sagot niya sa akin. Napanguso naman ako atsaka inayos ang gulo-gulo niyang buhok bago ngumiti. Nakakapanibago ang postura niya ngayon. Parang nung biyernes lang ay halos maging kasing puti na niya ang nyebe pero ngayon bumabalik na ang kanyang dating kulay.
"Bakit ka napadpad dito?" Matagal ko na itong gustong itanong sa kanya pero dahil wala pa siyang malay nong nagdaang araw, wala akong magawa kundi ang tumahimik nalang muna. "Exchange student din ako" Sagot niya sa akin sabay kagat sa kanyang sweet corn.
I swallowed the lump on my throat. I love sweet corn. "Nung makapasok ako dito, tinanong ako ni Principal kung kaano-ano daw kita. Sabi ko pinsan kita!" Nakangiting sagot nito. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili ko na mapatawa. "Ganun ba?"
"Oo! Madami nga nakakakilala sa'yo dito! Kasi pag naririnig nila ang apelyedo ko, tinatanong kaagad nila ako kung kaano-ano kita!" That's so new. Hindi ko alam na marami pala ang nakakakilala sa akin dito. Siguro dahil 'yun sa brawl. Doon naman talaga ako na-expose sa karamihan. "I see..." Inilabas ko ang wand niya sa aking bulsa atsaka ito nilapag sa binti niya.
Kagat-kagat niya ang kanyang mais bago tumingin sa akin. Alam ko ang tingin na 'yan. "I keep your wand while you are in the state of recovery." Sabi ko. Ngumiti ang kanyang mga mata bago kinuha ang wand. "Did, Uncle Benjamin work your wand?" Tumango si Oishi sa tinanong ko at tumingin sa kanyang wand.
"Oo. Sabi ni papa." His dad. The father of my Dad. "I see."
"Hazel. Gusto ko lang sanang humingi ng tawad." My brows frowned on it's own nang bigla niyang binanggit ang pangalan ko ng seryoso. "Bakit?" Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko bago siya huminga ng malalim. "Kasi hindi kita na-comfort noong panahon na kailangan mo ng comfort. Syempre, bata pa naman ako 'non at wala akong alam kung ano ang nangyayari pero I swear. Sinubukan kong hanapin kung saan ka nakatira. Namin ni papa pero wala eh. Hindi ka namin nahanap."
"Hinanap niyo ako?" Tumango si Oishi at tumingin sa mga mata ko. "Oo, Hazel. Hinanap ka namin. Hindi ka namin nahanap pero laking pasasalamat namin nang malaman namin na si Jane Ferdinand ang nag-alaga sa'yo pagkatapos mawala ng mga magulang mo." He said with a smile on his lips. "Sabi ni papa na if ever mahanap at ma-encounter daw ulit kita. Wag daw kitang pababayaan. Ayaw niyang mamatayan ng apo. Masakit 'yon para sa isang hu---"
"Hazel? Nandito ka!" Hindi natapos ni Oishi ang sasabihin niya nang may kumalabit sa aking braso. Napalingon ako sa likuran ko at napangiti nang makita ko ang malusog na si Franco kasama si "Ethel?" Napatayo ako sa kinauupuan ko at tiningnan silang dalawa. "Bati na kayo?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na hindi 'yon itanong. Tumingin silang dalawa sa akin bago dahan-dahang tumango.
"News." I grinned. They gladly came to me and gave me a warm hug. "You visit so early," Ethel asked followed with a soft laugh. "Oh right! I would like you guys to meet, Oishi Gamalo." I led my hand to Oishi who was putting down his sweet corn and flashed a sweet smile. Weird. Because of that smile, recollection starts playing in my head. I remember him now! This little kiddo.
"Pinsan mo?" Tanong ni Franco sa akin. I smiled and shook my head but Oishi nodded his head. I just simply rolled my eyes and took the sandwich, Ethel handed to me. "Thanks," I took a bite before I sat on Oishi's bed again.
"He's the son of my Father's dad. So, he's not my cousin at all! but he interferes and calls me as if I am his cousin which is totally fine for me." I explained. They nodded, including Oishi. They sat on the vacant bed beside Oishi's and we discussed a lot of things. I also tackled the issue of The Dark Spirits and they also can't believe what I just had said.
After my discussion about The Dark Spirits, Franco and Ethel also told me how they make up for each other. According to Franco, Ethel asked him first if he was doing fine the moment he opened his eyes. He is shocked by her appearance but moves on after some minutes. Ethel told him that he felt sorry for what happened and then also said sorry for treating him badly when they were still SS officers.
Which is a soft topic for me. After they reconcile they start treating each other as close friends like what they used to be before insecurities take over.
Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin, since discharge na si Franco at Oishi sabay-sabay na kaming umalis ng campus hospital. Wala na rin namang dapat pang pagtagalan doon kasi inaaya na din kami ng nurse na umalis na dahil masyadong delikado ngayon. Dumiretso kami sa cafeteria and only few students are eating. Daig pa namin ang mga estudyanteng na lockdown dahil sa nakakalat na airborne virus.
Juice nalang ang inorder ko total binigyan naman na ako ng pagkain ni Ethel kanina sa hospital. Naghanap kaming apat ng table at umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa paanan ng cafeteria. Sobrang tahimik ng cafeteria. Nakakabingi.
Franco and Oishi are chatting about the previous program and he congratulated my uncle for winning the competition. It was said that he is the first mortal who won the Life Vs Death Competition after my mom. I can't help but smile while overhearing their conversation. They are praising my mom's skills and Oishi's skills too.
After we took our breakfast, Hinatid muna namin ang boys sa dorm nila just to make sure that they'll arrive safely. "Mauna na kami. 6 am pa naman. Baka gusto niyong matulog ulit?" Tanong ni Franco nang makarating na kami sa kanilang dorm. "Hindi na siguro." Sagot ni Ethel. Nanatili akong tahimik habang nakatingin sa aking uncle.
"O'sige. Mauna na kami sa inyo." Tumango kami ni Ethel at hinihintay na sumara ang pintuan ng kanilang dorm bago kami umalis. I and Ethel are chatting to each other when someone called me out. Napalingon ako sa paligid at nakita ko ang grupo ni Victor, Walter at Keith na sinesenyasan akong lumapit sa kanila. "Tinatawag ka nila, Mauna na ako." Tinanguan ko si Ethel at inayos ang aking sweater. Inilagay ko ulit ang aking mga kamay sa bulsa ng sweater bago ako naglakad papunta kila Victor. Ano na naman kaya ang sasabihin ng mga 'to sakin?
"Oh?" As expected. Walter wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Pinapatawag tayong apat ni Principal King." Rick said. Napa-irap nalang ako sa hangin at sumunod sa kanilang tatlo. Nakapalupot din naman ang mga braso ni Walter sa balikat ko kaya wala akong takas sa kanila.
Dumaan kami sa hallway at tinahak ang daan papunta sa office ni Principal King. Gusto ko mang itanong kung bakit kami tinawag ngunit pakiramdam ko naman ay wala rin silang alam kaya nanatili nalang akong tahimik.
"What do you think he'll talk about this time?" Keith asked. I just make a face. "No idea. I guess he'll be consulting about yesterday?" Sagot naman ni Rick. I tilt my head to Victor. He seems so quiet now, what is he thinking though? He is frowning his brows while we are paving in the hallway. It could be something deep then.
"Baka." Walter mingles in. "Or maybe, Hazel's pearl." my brows frowned when I heard my name and my pearl. "Seriously? You guys are hiding something from me. What's with my pearl? I told you guys yesterday, this was given- more like a gift from Headmistress Peal from Blanche. Why make it a big deal?" I can't help my mouth. I've been keeping that question until I fell asleep last night. I want an answer immediately or else I might conclude that they also like my pearl!
Rick, Keith, and Victor turned their faces on me that made me stop walking and cross my arms. "That's exactly the point. Your pearl saved us from the Spirits yesterday. After you fainted, your pearl creates a bright light that ousts the spirits" My lips parted a little, and looked away. "How..."
"That's what we are trying to figure out," Keith answered. "And if ever, Principal King wants to talk about what happened yesterday, we tell him the entire truth and so we can receive an answer from our questions and what's behind your pearl's power," Rick said in front of me.
"I.... don't know what to say." Those are the only words that come out of my lips. I can't say any further. After I heard Victor's statement it puzzled me too. But I am sure, a hundred percent sure that the pearl Headmistress gift to me is for my safety.
After all, that's what she wanted, to ensure me on my way to Parallel World, Rogue College.