I turned off the light and lay down on the bed. The lampshade on the side was still on. Mom and Dad have been asleep in the other room for a while now. My sibling is having an overnight stay at her friend's house because her friend's birthday. I stared at the glow-in-the-dark stuff stuck to my room's ceiling. The solar system and my favorite crescent moon are also complete there.
I don't like dark places that's why I don't turn off the lampshade and I also stuck a lot of glow in the dark stuff around my room. Mom has also told me that my room looks like a kid's room but I don't want to change it. This is my comfort zone, this is where I can think and write stories.
I grabbed my phone and browsed through social media for a bit. I checked out the uploaded pictures from the book signing, these are the memories that, no matter how much time passes, will never fade away. Each smile and joy from every moment captured in the photos is stayed in my mind.
When I started feeling sleepy, I put my phone back on the side table but accidentally knocked over the paper bag that was on it, causing the letters, gifts, and artwork that were given to me at the book signing earlier to scatter everywhere. I turned on the light and picked them up one by one; it was nice to see the things I worked hard for. Nothing in the world can compare to this.
I stopped when I saw an old piece of paper that looked like it was torn from a book. What I wondered was why there was nothing written on it. An old paper that's yellowing and smells old too.
I thought about it for a few minutes but in the end, I just put it back in the paper bag. Maybe it got torn from a book and just ended up here. I got up, turned off the light, and went back to bed.
When the morning came, Pia texted me right away. She's inviting me to hang out in Intramuros since we haven't checked out the newly opened dungeon yet. It was already afternoon when we got there, we wanted to do a night tour, so we ate first and wandered around before heading to Fort Santiago.
There are a few people strolling around. Most of them are foreigners and young people holding their own selfie sticks. I'm also holding my phone but I forgot to take pictures because of the beautiful scenery. The lights and peaceful surroundings inside Fort Santiago look amazing.
I walked with Pia, she had a DSLR camera and was really capturing the surroundings well, it's also nice to see the security guards dressed as Guardia Civil. There's only a small line at the dungeon today. Some people didn't stay out late because they have work tomorrow. We were third in line when suddenly Pia got a call, it was her boyfriend.
I was looking at her because she suddenly frowned until the line got cut. "Faye, do you have a load?" Pia asked, I handed her my phone. "Why? Didn't he let you leave today?" I asked, she just took a deep breath and then dialed her boyfriend's phone number and moved a bit away to talk to him.
They talked for a few more minutes until it was our turn to go into the dungeon. "Miss, aren't you going in?" asked the person in charge there.
"Just a sec, I'm just waiting for my friend," he looked at her watch.
"Your last batch, and we'll be closing" he said, then called out to the three other friends who were behind me. "you should follow them already," he said, look to my friend, who was already arguing with her boyfriend. she give me a sign that she will follow me.
I was actually thinking of just going home, but the three friends and the guy with the flashlight haven't left yet. They're waiting for me. I glanced at Pia again, who seemed like she didn't want to hang out in the dungeon anymore. She signaled me to go ahead and enter while she was still talking to her boyfriend on the phone.
I just see myself follow the four of them inside. We all bowed our heads as we approached the door. I was lagging behind them, they turned on the flashlights of their cellphones.
As soon as we entered, we were greeted by a strange chill. The smell of the walls made of sturdy stones worn by time was also prominent. There were a lot of lights inside, so it wasn't that dark. On top of that, friends in front of me were teasing each other.
"how many peoples died on here already?" the other girl asked to the guard
"Many. A few thousand. Most of them are buried here too," said kuya with the flashlight, causing the friends to scream. I wanted to scream too, but it felt like I swallowed my tongue from the nervousness.
I kinda wanna go back but I can't remember the way out so I just followed them. I'm holding my sling bag tight. I'm also holding my leg which is getting cold now. I'm wearing a denim skirt and a white long sleeve t-shirt that says Hope. My hair is in braids which makes me feel the cold flowing down my neck too.
A little while later, I stopped when I felt like I stepped on something weird. I slowly picked up the paper I stepped on. It was like the old paper with no writing that I also got with the gifts at the book signing yesterday.
A paper fell again on the floor just like the one I was holding. It didn't have any writing on it, and I looked to the left where there was an open cell, with a lamp hanging on the wall. I couldn't figure out why there was a lit lamp there even though there were only electrical lights inside.
I wanted to ask the guard why there were papers there too. Maybe someone left a book in the cell, but I was surprised because the pieces of paper were being blown out of the cell one after another. I went inside, there was an old book sitting on an old table, the book was open and the wind kept flipping through each page, which was flying around.
My eyes widened and I couldn't move because there was no electric fan or strong wind to blow the papers away like that.
I slowly backed away, my whole body feeling cold. I couldn't move my legs properly because my heart was pounding so hard.
The lights around started to flicker, even the flame of the lamp was fading. "guard!" I called out to them but when I looked over to the other cell, they were gone.
"guard!" I grabbed the rough wall while papers kept flying around and the lights kept flickering. I quickly opened my bag but realized I didn't have my phone.
A few minutes later, the light suddenly disappeared and all the lights went out. I screamed and grabbed the wall. I couldn't move from where I was standing. I couldn't see anything, and I couldn't hear anything either. It felt like I suddenly vanished into nothingness and ended up in a space where there were no stars, sun, or any light.
"Animals!" I almost had all my hairs stand up when I heard that loud shout followed by a series of shouts and curses.
"Demons! You will pay for all of this!" I also heard a shout that echoed throughout the cell until the voices multiplied, most of them pleading, begging, and some filled with anger.
Is there a presentation like this here in the dungeon? I didn't see any speakers around earlier. I held my heart, at least my anxiety has lessened because I know there are people here too. I'm sure my brother and my friends from earlier are just around. I hope Pia has followed up with us too.
In a little while, the surroundings slowly brightened. I closed my eyes against the light I could see from a distance. It felt like that light was coming from a fire that was getting closer and closer. Then I heard the sound of shoes marching in unison.
"¿Quién está ahí?" (Who's there?) A man shouted with a deep voice. My eyes were almost closed as they were running towards me. I was shocked when they pointed at me with a long gun.
I slowly raised my hand in the air, is this for real? Is the dungeon already closed? I looked at my watch that isn't working now. Maybe it really is closed, why did they leave me? I tried to smile at the other guards surrounding me.
"I'm sorry, I'm not a trespasser. i had a friend who was in the same room, but I don't know where they are. Also browned out so I couldn't get out right away" I looked at them curiously, I didn't look like a thief and why did they have to point all the guns at me.
They just looked at each other like they didn't understand me. "Uhm... c-can you put down the guns? Just take me to the security office, I'll explain myself," I continued, not getting why they looked so serious. They're way too dedicated to their job.
"¿¿De qué habla?" (What are you talking about?) A civil guard shouted with a beard. I tried to smile to ease the tension. Their guns are still focused on me.
I was about to say something when another group of civil guards suddenly arrived. But this time, they had a general leading the way. The guards surrounding me earlier immediately stood up straight and respectfully greeted the general.
I was stunned by the incoming general, tall, mestizo, with a sharp nose, and his eyes full of courage that I can say are also captivating. He was in a complete uniform adorned with medals. I think he's just over twenty.
He stopped in front of me, just looking at me like he didn't care. A guard immediately approached and whispered to him, I just swallowed. Even the head of security is in costume too?
"Se supone que no debes estar aquí" (You're not supposed to be here) the general said, his voice was deep too. I bite my lower lip, "Why do you speak Spanish?" I asked curiously then looked at them one by one but they had no reaction.
"Ah, do you have a performance here now? Or is there a shoot?" I asked, possibly there is a shoot happening here now because there were almost no people earlier. But why are we still being let in here if this is going to be used for shooting?
"El General, esa mujer merece morir por entrar ilegalmente ("General, that woman deserves to die for trespassing)" a guard yelled, I was about to point him out to say he shoul be talked in english but they just grabbed both of my arms and forced me to kneel on the floor.
I shouted out in frustration and was struggling, they probably thought I was going to pull out a gun earlier. The general started walking towards me and knelt in front of me. "¿Quién es?" he asked, which left me speechless. I didn't know why I couldn't speak and just kept staring into his eyes.
After that, I heard again the cries of people asking for food and water. I looked at the ceiling and the floor, the lights that were there earlier were gone. There was no CCTV camera either. "Cómo llegó?"(How did you get here?) he kept asking while looking straight into my eyes.
At that time I was more unable to understand what was happening around. There were prisoners inside each cell who were now screaming again and being silenced and beaten one by the guards. The fire continued to burn from the torch held by a guard. Don't they have flashlights?
I was about to speak when suddenly a guard from afar came running towards us. "El general! Un mensaje urgente del gobernadora" (The general! An urgent message from the governor!) he shouted while handing an envelope to the general.
He quickly opened the envelope and read the letter inside, the envelope fell to the floor and I was shocked to see the name of the guy in front of me now. El General Sebastian Guerrero.
I slowly picked up the envelope where his name was written. Why does he have the same name as one of the characters in my novel?
I was surprised when he suddenly took that envelope from my hand. He stood up and immediately ordered his soldiers in Spanish. They quickly followed and positioned themselves at every exit. Two guards lifted me up and still held my arms tightly.
I was just staring at the floor, like I hadn't heard anything about my story being made into a movie. I also didn't get any email asking if Salamisim could be staged.
That guy in the general's outfit looked at me. He said something to the two guards holding me that I didn't understand.
He was supposed to leave but he stopped when I spoke, "Wait! Is your name really Sebastian Guerrero?" He looked at me.
"A general who is the son of the right-hand man of the governor-general and also a young man who is going to marry Maria Florencita Garza?" i continued, they surprised, even by two guardians holding me.
"Te preguntaré por última vez, ¿quién te envió aquí?" (I will ask you for the last time, who sent you here?) in this time his voice become serious. i cant believe, It really looks like what I said is true. He is indeed Sebastian Guerrero, one of the characters in my novel Salamisim!
"Wow! I don't know if I should be happy or mad. Why are you guys already shooting? Why didn't I know?" I just laughed out of frustration. "Who's your director? Who said I agreed to make this a movie?" Now I'm the one yelling at them.
I was about to scream when suddenly a loud explosion shook all around. We all fell down, covered with thick dust and smoke. The prisoners inside the cell began to run and chase the guards.
I was stunned by the surroundings, people were in chaos. No cameras, stuntmen, staff, makeup artists, or tents outside. Just people in chaos, running around, and fighting ruling the whole place.
A prisoner quickly attacked at Sebastian. Sebastian immediately drew his sword and bravely faced the man.
Three steps, two dodges and just a slap of a sword he immediately snapped the man in the neck who fell straight to the floor. My eyes widened, shouldn't have killed real in the shooting!
"Hey!" i said to Sebastian. I understand he just got carried away with his role but he might hurt the stuntman.
I was about to wake up the bloody man to make sure that the blood that had spilled from his neck was fake but Sebastian pulled me right away and at that moment we were stopped by the loud and simultaneous shouts of about fifty men who were now running bravely towards us holding their weapons.
"Down the government! Wave the flag of brotherhood!" they shouted, making me stunned at the group of men charging into the fire and the damaged cell caused by the strong explosion.
I can't understand what's happening right now. But I'm sure this is the opening scene of the novel I wrote!
......