"You got unconscious for two hours after we saw you crying," Keith said. Napatingin ako sa katabi niya at nakita ko si Oishi na hawak hawak ang aking mga kamay. Napabuntong hininga ako at ipinikit muna ang mga mata ko.
Sa sobrang dami ng iniisip ko ay hindi ko na napigilang hindi napaluha kanina. Narinig ko lang naman ang salitang pinaka-ayaw kong marinig. Simula pagkabata ay hindi ko narinig si daddy na tinatawag akong disappointment. Nakakalungkot. Nakakapanghina.
Keith is throwing questions to me about what happened and why I burst out into tears when Victor held me, but I can't open my mouth to answer his questions. He tried to comfort me but Oishi stepped in and gave me a hug.
"Okay ka lang ba, insan? Wala naman masakit sa'yo 'di ba?" I nodded my head. "Mabuti nalang talaga at walang ginagawa si Z kanina kaya mabilis ka niyang pina-inom ng gamot." He added. Napangiti naman ako at hinayaan si Oishi na laruin ang kamay ko.
A minute later, someone stepped inside the room and my eyes darted to the tall man followed by my friends here in Rogue. "I just figured out that someone is trying to manipulate your mind, Ms. Gamalo." Principal King said. I blinked my eyes and frowns.
"For now, we had no idea who it might be. Rick and Victor said that it might be one of the spirits, thus, the Brown wand group has nothing to do with manipulating your mind." Principal King turns his head to Oishi.
Napatingin ako kay Oisihi at ngumiti nang ibaba niya ang ulo niya. Ang akala niya siguro ay baka kagagawan 'to ng grupo ng Victor. But, I am a hundred sure that Victor's group has nothing to do with me. Especially Warren. He is a good friend of mine.
"Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo, Haze?" Nginitian ko si Walter at huminga ng malalim bago ko sinagot ang tanong niya. "I'm fine..." I answered.
Tumabi sa akin si Victor at katulad ni Walter, umupo rin siya sa tabi ng kama. "Sir, I just want to ask one thing," Victor said.
Napatingin ako sa kabuuan ng ward ko. Walter is here, so is Victor and Rick. Oishi and Keith are here too. I somehow feel guilty since I tried to push them away from me, away from the harm that I might cause but then, look at them, helping me to get better.
Rick is at the table side, peeling an apple. Keith is talking to Oishi to make my uncle feel better while Walter and Victor are here beside me.
"About the sacrifice. Is it really needed? Is it the final decision?" Victor asked.
Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at kumuha ng isang piraso ng mansanas galing kay, Rick. Akala ko ay hindi na sila magtatanong sa bagay na 'yan. "Sad to say, but it is the final and last decision. People in the Parallel World are important sections." Victor turned his head at me while listening to Principal King's words.
"So does that make Renbee and Ms. Pearl not important at all? That's why you are tossing them in a battle?"
I stared into his eyes with my puffed cheeks and blink my eyes. "'cause, if they are important. You know how risky it is for them to just go for a battle, especially in Hazel's state. It would be better if we are with them so we can help but you never did something. You even attempted to tear our friendship by not allowing Hazel to talk to any of us because of that." Victor said while he's still staring into my eyes.
"Have you tried losing a friend, Sir?" He added. He turned his head to Principal King so I took a deep breath and held his arm. He doesn't need to do this, I would allow them to follow us even though Principal Spencer and Principal King didn't want to! "Not yet." Principal King answered.
"But for Parallel World, I can't do anything regarding that as for now." Principal King turned his head at me and smiled. Wait. I know what that smile means!
Nagsimula nang sumigaw si Walter at tumayo bago ito ng tatalon talon sa sahig. Nakatingin lang si Oishi sa kanya nang may pagtataka sa mukha.
"Thank you, sir! We won't disappoint you po!!" I smiled as I giggled and hug my uncle. Finally! "Just make sure! Or else!" Natatawa na sabi ni Principal King at kumuha ng apple galing kay Rick na nakangiti ng malapad. Even the wolf beams a smile.
Hindi ko naman din napigilan ang sarili ko na hindi mapangiti. Ibang saya ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Hindi ko ma explain. Basta masaya ako.
"By the way, Ms. Gamalo" I lifted my head to Principal King and smiled. "Yes, Sir?" He places his forehand on his chin then he leans closer to me. "Your action earlier reflects something. Did you look into the Manyeo's eyes?" He asked.
Alam kong narinig nila Victor ang sinabi ni Principal King kaya tumingin ako sa kanya, tinanguan lang nila ako. Mukhang gusto nilang ipahiwatig na magtiwala ako kay Principal King which is not a problem at all. "Oo, po," I replied.
"When we fought with them in Downtown." Principal King shook his head in disappointment. I wouldn't care at all. I had no idea that staring into the enemy's eyes would cause this kind of friction at me. I was merely a newbie, a newbie who knew nothing but calling them 'spirits' and 'shadows' because they never told me about those creature's existence.
"That's why we need to come with them, sir. We don't have any idea yet what will happen to her, now that they can manipulate her mind. Z's potion has nothing to do with how Manyeo manipulates her mind. We won't know what will happen next."
"Victor had a point, Principal. " Rick seconded. Tumango nalang si Principal King at ngumiti sa amin. He fished out his wand and started murmuring spells as a big book appeared on his palm and opened it.
"This is what's happening to Homan now," Sabi ni Principal King. "Show me the 1st town." He said to the book as we watched it opened. Tinulungan din ako ni Oishi na umupo para makita kung ano ang nasa Libro. My brows twitched while we are watching the footage from the book. Nakakapangilabot. Madilim ang paligid at rinig na rinig namin ang sigaw ng mga maliit na faires.
A lot of houses are turned down to ashes. Some of the houses are still standing and I saw some giants getting hypnotized by the Manyeo's by taking their souls away.
Sa tuwing tumitingin ako sa mga Espiritu, parang nahi-hypnotize din nila ako so what Rick did is he cover my eyes every time a Manyeo appears.
He whispered at me when it was over and allowed me to witness the tragedy again. I smiled. "There's only one way to end this." Principal King said. We turn our heads to him and listen attentively. "Most of the spirits are puppets. In order to end this, you need to look for it's superiority. Their echelon." He added.
"Is that a risky one? Yes, it is. Only one or two people can call out the Echelon." Principal King looks at me and sighs. "For the meantime, the weakness of the Manyeo's is the light that Pearls created. It is to cease the fire in their eyes." Oishi lifts his hand up.
"Does that mean that their eyes are the source of their strength?" Principal King nodded his head. "Yes, Mr. Gamalo." He flashed a photo of moving Manyeo so Rick covered my eyes again. "Blind domination. That's the best thing to do to fight with the Manyeo's."
"Blind domination?" I guess that's from Walter's voice. "Blind domination is a technique to avoid having eye contact with an enemy. Precisely, Manyeo. Black shades can be used as well. Manyeo's can't see anything but they can hear, especially our breaths. Fight with them with your eyes closed and use your sense of feeling, you are able to defeat them. Black shades are compulsory in battle in case you can't hold your eyes closed longer. But, Manyeo's are intelligent. They'll know when you use a shade." Victor explained.
Rick put down his hand and I smiled to him. "Eh kung ganon, ano ang dapat naming gawin?" Huminga ng malalim si Oishi kaya napunta sa kanya ang atensyon ko. "Bakit?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Umiling lang si Oishi at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.
"Natatakot ako, insan~ paano kung may hindi magandang nangyari sayo?" Nakangusong tanong niya.
Para talaga itong bata. Nginitian ko siya at hinaplos ang buhok niya. "Nothings gonna happen to me," I assured him. "Pero..."
"Oishi, do you trust these people?" Tumango si Oishi at ngumuso. "I do! But I don't trust Kuya Walter!" Itinuro ni Walter ang sarili niya at kumunot-noo. "Bakit? Huh?"
I shrug my shoulders and listen to Principal King's discussion about the Manyeo's while Walter and Oishi are fighting verbally behind my back. "Who is the Echelon?" Rick asked.
"We hate to admit it but we don't have any idea who." I nodded my head while Keith, Rick, and Victor were still with their straight faces.
"Where is Principal Spencer and Ms. Pearl?" Keith asked. I noticed it too. Principal Spencer should be blamed for why I ended up in Campus Hospital but he is nowhere to be found. I am not pointing fingers at him, but the moment he cast those spells directly to the spirits to attack us is belting me out. Though some part of me thought that it's for practice, still!
--
I woke up because of the loud quarrel noise coming from my ward. I groaned and tilt my head before I open my eyes. Agad kong nakita si Oishi at Walter na nag-aaway at pinag-aagawan ang isang candy. "Akin na to, Kuya Walter!!"
"Anong iyo? Ako bumili nito kaya akin 'to!"
"Mas bata ako sa'yo, Kyah Walter!!"
"Walang bata bata pagdating dito! Kutusan kita eh!"
"Kyah Walter!!!"
"Heh! Hindi!"
"Your awake..." Victor greeted. "What happened?" Tinulungan niya akong umupo sa kama at binigyan ako ng mansanas. "You fell asleep while we are discussing the Manyeo's. Don't worry, we didn't talk that much." He added.
"I'll just go out to grab some dinner." Sabi ni Rick. "And you two will come with me." He took out his wand, pointed its tip towards Walter and Oishi as they float in the air screaming and begging Rick to put them down. Pero nagbibingi-bingihan lang si Rick at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Napa-iling nalang ako at ngumiti sa kanilang tatlo.
My attention drifted to Keith when he heaved a deep sigh. "Why?" I initially asked. "My dad will be here in an hour. I think he'll be going to confront me." He stated. Napatingin ako kay Victor asking for answers and he shrugged his shoulders. Guess he doesn't have answers either.
"Confront you? with what?" I asked again. Hindi na sumagot si Keith at kumuha nalang ng tangerine sa gilid atsaka iyon binalatan. Naging tahimik ang ward at wala ni isa sa amin ang nagsalita kahit na nangangati ang dila ko na itanong kung ano ang confrontation na magaganap kanina katulad ng sinabi ni Keith.
It's been 6 hours at wala akong nakita ni anino ni Principal Spencer at Head Pearl. Naguguluhan din ako kung bakit hindi man lang nila ako binisita dito kung may ideya pala sila sa dinaranas ko ngayon. Pinagdududahan ko ba sila? Hindi ko alam. Ayaw ko silang pagdudahan kasi sa panahong wala akong kaide-dieya sa pinasok ko ay handa si Principal Spencer at Headmistress Pearl na sabihin ang lahat.
"Lola said that what happened was an accident. She said that my dad's intention is to take me away from brother Winston and brother Spencer " I frowned when I remembered that sentence again from the journal. Could this mean something? Is Principal Spencer that bad that even Axl's grandmother thought that Axl should part ways with them?
But, how about, Mr. Arson? Keith's father? What could've been his reason why he quit his decent job? What's his reason for turning the tables? "Keith, can I ask you something?" Napatigil si Keith sa ginagawa niya, maging si Victor ay napatigil din sa pagbasa at ini-angat ang tingin sa akin. "What is it?" The wolf asked. "About your father..."
"What's the sudden reason why you prick an interest about my father?" Natatawang sabi niya at ibinalik ang tingin sa kanyang ginagawa. "I would have laughed if this question was not a little confidential." Victor vocally shared. Tumingin lang sa kanya si Keith at ibinaba ang hawak niyang tangerine para tumingin sa akin.
"Fine, what is that question?"
Nagdadalawang isip pa ako kung tatanungin ko ba siya or hindi. The latter was waiting so I just smiled and shook my head. "Don't worry, I will answer them the best that I can." Is he assuring me that it's fine to ask him some confidential questions?
"Your dad worked as a prosecutor in Nardith before, right?" Keith looked surprised at first but then he nodded after.
"Yes, used to. Why?" He takes one tangerine and feeds it to himself. "Why did he quit the job? I mean, did he quit the job or someone asked him to do so?" Victor cleared his throat so I darted a glance at him. Just like Keith, He also places his index finger on his chin.
Both looked surprise kung paano ko yon nalaman.
Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Keith at inintay ang sagot niya. "I honestly don't have any idea about his sudden change of heart. So sorry to disappoint you with that answer, but I remember one person, he said concerning his work." I frowned my brows and listened attentively.
"He said that he is more important than the justice that he preserved."
"He... said that?" Keith nodded his head in my question. "He does." Huminga ako ng malalim bago ko itinanong sa kanya ang tanong na matagal ng nabuo sa utak ko. "Okay, so. Have you heard the news about Axl Ancient? The innocent kid who died because of your dad's game of turning tables?" I was expecting that he'll answer the answers I didn't expect but I was wrong.
"Yes. I am so sorry for not doing anything. Victor, I'm sorry for what happened and for your loss." He gently bows his head and sighs. "I actually tried to convince my dad by not turning the table but he keeps on repeating that someone is worth more than Axl."
I have a lot of unanswered questions in my head but I just keep quiet and listen to his explanation. "You mean?" I turned my head to Victor when he spoke.
"Yes, Victor. Your friend is innocent a hundred percent. It's a frame-up. I know it's too late for this cause it's done but at least, I had a chance to clear my conscience." He said. "Remember, Aqua Tofana?" Tumango si Victor.
I had a piece of knowledge about Aqua Tofana. Aqua Tofana (also known as Acqua Toffana, Acquetta Perugina, and Aqua Tufania, and Manna di San Nicola) was a strong poison that was reputedly widely used in Naples, Perugia, and Rome, Italy. (literally meaning "Tofana water")
Poisoning by Aqua Tofana could go unnoticed as the substance is clear and has no taste. It is slow-acting, with symptoms resembling those of progressive disease or other natural causes. The symptoms seen are similar to the effects of arsenic poisoning. Several symptoms were reported by those poisoned by Aqua Tofana.
The first small dosage would produce cold-like symptoms. The victim was very ill by the third dose, symptoms included vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, and a burning sensation in the digestive system.
The antidote often given was vinegar and lemon juice. The fourth dose would kill the victim. As it was slow-acting, it allowed victims time to prepare for their death, including writing a will and repenting.
But all of this knowledge turn out usable if Keith will tell us exactly what happens to the poisoning. I hope he'll help us genuinely this time. If his father can't give the justice that the late Axl Ancient deserves, then I will.
"Yes, I remember that water clearly," Victor replied. Keith leans closer to us as he whispers. "He did it." I and Victor frowned. Who? I was about to ask him that question when the door slammed open.
Umupo ako ng maayos sa kama at tumingin sa pinto. I was moved when I saw Mr. Arson with his intimidating look, with Sir. Jielo. "I've been searching for you, everywhere." Goosebumps start to run from my head down to my shoulder, to my knees, and to my toes.
The same feeling that Victor gave me every time he caught me did something unusual in his eyes.
"Well, a good thing, you found me here, dad." Victor stood beside me to assure me, while I turned my head to Keith. Is this the one he's referring to that he'll be having an intense confrontation with his dad? How did he know? Is this one of their skills? How I wish, I had a quick-thinking like them.
Mr. Arson threw a glance at me so Victor held me close to him. "What are you doing here? You know how much we hate..... human meats." I swallowed the lump in my throat but still managed to express my resting face. I need to. Or else, I'm a lump of dead meat. Dead human meat. "I had no plan, eating a friend though."
"Friend?" Tumawa ng malakas si Mr. Arson. Sir Jielo didn't move an inch. Tumingin ako kay Rolex kasi kanina pa siya nagv-vibrate. Pati ang pearl ay nagiging puti tuwing darating sila dalawa. I should have known sooner. "You don't have a friend."
The door slams open again at inioluwa nun si Rick, Walter, at Oishi. My uncle rushed in my direction and hid his face in between my arm and Victor's arm. I can feel that he's scared so I gave him a hug and tilt my head to Walter and Rick. "You call them friends? Since when?"
"Since that day I have wanted to be involved with them." Mr. Arson growled, which made Oishi shiver in panic. Victor and Walter helped me to comfort Oishi. He's just a kid and of course, he'll be startled if he heard the growl coming from Mr. Arson because it's not a normal growl. It's a growl made out of anger.
"You are kidding me!" Keith shook his head and crossed his arms in his chest.
"No, I'm not."
"You seriously think, you can make friends huh? Someone like you? A loser like you?" Well, If only I had the courage to protect Keith from his father. I would've slapped him and told him that Keith will never be a loser. After he spilled the tea on us and spoke the truth, I never regretted that I gave him a chance to be one of us. Thus, I wished that he'll change and he did, I am beyond proud.
Werewolf like him had a short temper but not Keith. He'll never be a monster like his dad.
Natahimik si Keith dahil sa sinabi ng tatay niya atsaka napatingin sa baba. I wanted to stand up for his right cause it looks like he's slowly losing but then I saw his eyes. It once again turns gray. "Loser? I'm a loser?" Keith laughed and shook his head.
"No dad, I'm not. Now that I have them." He pointed at us and smiled. "I will never be a loser because I have someone who'll count on me. I have some people who trust and believe in me. I have them beside me and I will be there beside them in return."
"I won't forget the words that you delivered to me when I was a kid. Those humans had nothing to do with us, they are monsters hidden in an innocent body. But no, dad. Those words coming from you don't define humans but you, yourself!" I smirked a bit. Watching Keith talk back to his father spitting the truth sounds graceful in the ears.
"How dare you!"
"Hazel taught me that humans are harmless unless they harm us first. No wonder the hunters are hunting us down because you feed them their fear. The huntsman, all the innocent huntsmen that you kill!" Keith growled as loud as his father's growl earlier. "You started the chaos between the huntsman and immortals! You started everything because of him!"
"Damn you accusing me of the things with no proof provided! You are nothing! Nothing but a piece of trash that I pick from the trash bin! How dare you talk back to me!"
We are surprised by the revelation that Mr. Arson said. Even Keith was surprised. "Now, reflect on everything that you did! Put a shame on your name. Fucking rat!"
Mr. Arson takes his cape from Sir Jielo's arm. He throws a glare at me first before they start walking away. Leaving the clueless, Keith. "Keith...." I called him out. He turned his head to me staring into my eyes.
He smiled.
Hinayaan ko muna si Victor at Walter na bantayan si Oishi at nilapitan si Keith. He keeps on staring into my eyes as his eyes slowly turn back to normal. I smiled at him and spread my arms, he hesitated at first and it took a while before he came forward to wrap his arms around my petite body.
Lumapit din si Rick para e-comfort si Keith. Hinawakan ko ang buhok niya atsaka ito hinaplos ng dahan-dahan. I suck at comforting but I'll do my best to make him feel better. Alam kong may kirot sa puso niya ngayon pagkatapos ng rebelasyon na narinig namin.
"I've heard those words many times, it still hurts here in my chest," Keith whispered.
"Well. If you get immune to it, you'll be fine." Rick advised. Napatingala tuloy ako sa kanya. "What do you mean?"
"If you allow those words to sink in your heart rather than your brain, it'll make you vulnerable. But if you allow those words to sink in your brain before your heart and slowly get immune to it, it wouldn't cause too much affliction." I nodded my head. He has a point.
'Yon ang parati kong naririnig dati. It goes like "There's a war between heart and mind, a war between maturity and emotions" which somewhat relates to Rick's point of view. If we allow our heart to control our emotions then it'll be hard for us, but if we allow our brain to process with our maturity then we can cope with it.
It's amazing how words can do something like that, just shred you apart. So don't allow the words to sink inside your heart cause you'll break. Words kill, words give life. It's either a poison or fruit that you choose.
"Thanks, President," Keith said. He parted the hug and beams a smile at us. Maybe because he finally thought that whatever happens or conflicts that he might have with his dad in the future, we will still stay beside him. Comforting him and telling him that everything will be alright.
"But, Keith...." We turned our heads to Victor. "Hmm?"
"About what you said earlier..." He keeps his brows frown while he's staring at our friend. "Because of your dad's activity, the hunters are hunting US immortals down, because he feeds them their fears? What kind of fear?"
Keith composed himself as he took a deep breath and was lured to Victor's stare. "Witches."