•••••Raven’s POV•••••

“The fudge? Bigla ka na lang niyang niyakap ng ganun-ganun lang? Wow, ha? Feeling close naman ng Jugg Fuentes na ‘yon. Walang hiya.” Maura scoffed, eyes focused on the t.v.

We were sitting on a coach and she was the one who invited me to watch a t.v show with her. Well, her eyes were indeed focused on the t.v, however, her mind was flying somewhere else. She just turned the t.v on so we could have some additional noise around us.

I just rolled my eyes at her. When we came back from the garden after the encounter we had with Jugg and Sniper, Maura was so pale because she was worried about me.

Blade told both Maura and Hades what happened and she still has not moved on. She was furious and she kept on cursing Jugg’s name over and over again.

“Alam ko naman na masama yung dating niya. I mean, naramdaman ko unang kita ko pa lang sa kanya, e. Ang hindi ko lang inexpect is yung pagiging gagong manyak niya.”

“Seriously, Maura? Get over it. Ayos lang naman ako, ‘di ba? Is it not what matters?” She was very irksome. Bakit ba hindi na lang siya mag-move on sa nangyari?

I doubt she even knew what was going on with the show she chose to watch. She was too occupied by what Jugg told me that she never paid goddamn attention to it.

“Raven,” She turned to face me. “how can I move on if palagi kong naaalala ang ginawa ni Jugg sa‘yo? He abused you. Buti na lang dumating ang mga prince charmings mo.”

I glared at her because of what she said. I hated it when she starts saying that. So irksome.

“Call them that again and I will sew your mouth shut,” I said.

“Raven, naman. Sorry na. Niligtas ka kasi ni Sniper at Blade, e,” she said, totally not paying attention to the t.v show since her eyes were now focusing on me. “Imagine? You have three guys who like you. You even caught the eye and attention of the new student which worries the hell out of me.”

“Like me? Come on. Do not talk shit with me.”

“Sinasabi ko lang naman sa’yo ang observation ko, Raven. President Sniper is obvious. Jugg is—”

“Shut. The. Hell. Up. Taylor.” Nakatingin pa rin ako ng masama sa kanya kaya napalunok na lang siya sa harapan ko. “You should have applied for being a matchmaker, not as an assassin. Mali ka yata ng school na pinasukan, e.”

She was about to say something when my phone throbbed on top of the table in front of us. We both diverted our attentions to it so I reached out to get it.

Tiningnan ko kung sino ang nag-text sa akin at nagulohan ako nang makita na hindi naka-registered sa phone ko ang number.

“Unregistered number ‘yan, ah?” Tumingin ulit si Maura sa akin. “May idea ka ba kung sino ‘yan?”

I shook my head. Maura automatically gave me some privacy as I read the message. I looked at Maura again and her half-curious and half-worried look welcomed me.

“Well? Anong sabi?”

“Not something that you should worry about. Just a wrong sent message.”

She sighed. “Akala ko kung ano na.”

“Alright, then,” I stood up and yawned. “I will go to my room now. I am tired and I really need to sleep.”

She nodded. “Sege, after all, it’s almost 9 p.m,” she said. “Good night, Raven. Bukas na lang ulit ang chika.”

“I do not have time for you chikas kaya mag-chika ka mag-isa sa sarili mo.” Tanging tawa lang ang sinagot niya sa sinabi ko kaya umakyat na ako sa taas.

When I entered my room, I turned on the lights and locked the door. I walked towards my bed, sat, and read the message again that was sent on my phone.

Hi, Raven! How are you? Tagal na rin tayo hindi nagkita.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ko ulit iyong message. I did not tell Maura about this because I knew she would get worried again. I even lied at her that I was tired and sleepy just to keep this from her.

Normally, I did not want to waste my time in this kind of message. However, something urged me to reply. Who is this?

I sent my reply and it did not take long before I got another message.

Simon Reyes.

Kaagad na napabangon ako sa higaan ko. How did you get my number? Why are you texting me?

Someone knocked on my door which immediately caught my attention.

“Raven?” It was Maura. “Gising ka pa ba?”

I was reluctant to say anything and I was left with only two options; to answer her or just act asleep. But then, I never chose the latter so, I just answered her.

“I am going to sleep. Why?”

“Nothing. Matutulog na ako, ha? Please, don’t go off on your own again, okay?” she said behind the door. “Gisinging mo ako kapag lalabas o kung may kailangan ka. Sege, good night.”

With that, I heard the door from across the room opened and closed. I sighed. Maura was being paranoid anew and I hated that. I never wanted her to worry about me.

Nagulat ako nang biglang tumunog ulit ang cellphone ko. However, it was not my tone for text messages but incoming calls. It was the same unregistered number who texted me and claimed himself as Simon Reyes.

Hindi ko alam pero parang may kumontrol sa sarili kong katawan at sinagot ang tawag.

“Hello? Raven?” the person on the other line answered. The moment I heard his voice, it was like all the annoyance I felt for sending me a message just like that disappeared. “Hello? Raven, are you there?”

“I am. What do you want?” I finally answered.

Though, I kept my voice low because I did not want Maura to hear that I was talking to Simon Reyes. Besides, if she knew, who knows what could happen. Baka ma-star-struck na naman siya at biglang ma-unconscious.

“Wala naman. Hindi naman kasi lahat ng mga tumatawag ay may kailangan,” he told me, “Bakit, bawal ba?”

“No, but it is weird. Of all the people in the world, ako talaga ang tatawagan mo?” There was a short silence after I said that. Eventually, he laughed. I raised a brow at him. “Seriously, Reyes, am I a joke to you?”

“Gommenasai. I did not mean to laugh,” he said.

“Are you... Japanese?” Tumayo ako sa kama at lumapit sa bintana.

There was a moon shining brightly outside and as I gazed at it, it looked like it stared back at me also.

“Me? No. Nasa Japan kasi ako ngayon for the shooting of my new movie, so, I’m learning the basics. Needed kasi sa new movie ko kaya needed talaga akong mag-aral sa language nila kahit basics lang.”

“I see. You see, that is my point.” I sighed, my eyes still at the moon. “Isa kang artista. You should be spending your time right now concentrating about your upcoming film.”

Again, there was a short silence. Hindi ko alam pero naramdaman ko bigla ang pagbago ng ihip ng hangin sa loob ng kwarto ko. Alam ko namang naka-on ang aircon but still, the air was very outlandish.

“Be frank with me and cut the crap. Is there something you want from me? Mayhap something you want to tell me?” Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya sa kabilang linya.

“Wala akong kailangan sa’yo, Raven. I just want to talk to you for a little because I want to thank you for saving my life at my concert. I never had the proper moment to tell you that because I never had a chance.” I was surprised of what he said.

My body felt weak as I walked back towards my bed. I never expected to hear such things from him. It was very... unusual for me.

“It was our team’s mission. You did not have to thank me,” I said. There was another silence on the other line again and it was longer this time kaya medyo nairita na ako. “Hey, are you still there?”

“Raven... May sasabihin sana ako sa’yo, e...” The line suddenly became choppy and I could not comprehend what he was saying anymore.

“Hello? Hello? Reyes, I can not understand you anymore.” The line was still choppy and I doubt he understood what I said.

I looked at my phone and ended the call. My fingers immediately moved to type a text message. Choppy. Can not fathom you.

That’s okay. We just arrived at our destination. Looks like the reception here is bad. I hardly believe I can send another message, let alone call you. Gotta go now. Bye.

Nagbuntong-hininga ulit ako at humiga sa kama. I did not bother to send him another reply. I stared at the ceiling, wondering what was it that he was trying to tell me.

I looked back at the last message he sent and somehow, I do not know why but I hardly believed that he called just to thank me. Feeling ko, may iba pang rason. Pero ano?

I sighed one last time as I remembered something before completely closing my eyes.

He did not answer my question where he got my number.

-----

I was wandering alone in pitch black. I could not see where I was. I could not even tell if I was walking forward, backward, or sideward. The place was so quiet but something was off about it.

Eventually, as I kept on walking, I saw a light. I walked faster towards that light and it brought me in front of a mansion. It was very spacious, extravagant, yet, dark. It was filled with nothing but dark and perilous aura. It was scary.

The doors opened on its own and without any hesitation, I walked towards it. I went inside the house and when I did, there were two people inside—talking.

I could not recognize them at all since they were just figures. However, the only thing I could recognize was that the other one was a female and the other was a male.

I came closer. I reached out my hand to them and my eyes widened in surprise when I could not even touch them. My hand just went right through them as if I was a ghost, or perhaps the other way around.

Based from what I saw, my instincts were telling me that the boy was older than the girl; since the boy was taller than the girl, and the girl looked like a child to me.

Then, the boy started talking which caught my attention pretty well.

“Kiite imasu ka?” the boy asked in a stern voice to the girl. “Kotaete, kudasai.”

“Yes, I am listening.” the girl’s voice was low.

“Good. Let’s go, then.”

“Omachikudasai!” the girl raised her voice as the boy started to walk. “Can I not at least play outside?”

“Anata wa kunren suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.” You need to train. Even if they were just figures, I could clearly see how the boy came closer to the girl. He bent one knee to level with her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Playing outside is foolishness. It won’t do you any good.”

“But—”

“No buts. Never forget that you still have a name to prove,” the man said.

Para namang nanghina yung babae at instead na magsalita, tumango na lang ito.

May sinabi pa sa kanya ang lalaki ngunit hindi ko na ito marinig pa. Lumapit ako pero hindi ko pa rin marinig ang sinabi niya. I was about to come even closer when suddenly, a warm hand landed on my shoulder.

“Raven.” I raised my head and saw four faces looking down at me. Nakatulog pala ako. Sinubsob ko kasi ang ulo ko sa lamesa at gamit ang kamay ko para gawing unan, hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako. “You fell asleep. You weren’t listening to everything I said.”

I blinked many times. I sat properly on the table. We were still at the garden. Although, we occupied the only table and chairs that is why some other students were just standing up. Malayo naman sila sa amin kaya hindi siguro nila narinig ang pinag-usapan namin.

But because I fell asleep and that dream, I was not able to listen.

“Raven?” Napatingin ulit ako sa mentor namin nang tawagin niya ulit ako.

“S-Sorry. My mind just hurt a little. What were we talking again?” I asked.

They all exchanged perplexed glances. Reo sighed a few moments later.

“Your friends told me about what Jugg did to you. You should stay away from that guy,” he continued, “Also, we were just talking about kung may bagong misyon na ba tayo o wala.”

“T-Then?” My hands started to tremble. I immediately hid it in my pocket so they will not notice it.

He sighed. “Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong bagong misyon na gagawin sa labas. Although, Benedict is still our responsibility. Dapat pa rin natin siyang bantayan at dapat pa rin natin mag-imbestiga.”

“I-I see.” Damn! I still could not help not to stutter.

“Actually, that’s not all.” Napatingin ulit ako kay Reo nang sabihin niya iyon. “Nagsimula nang magtanong ang Headmaster tungkol sa Book of Apocalypse. Nagtataka na siya kung bakit hindi pa rin natin mahanap ang libro.”

He said and I could not say anything. I nearly forgot about that book and the headmaster. This is so insane!

“I reasoned out with him at sinabing si Benedict lang ang tanging clue natin kaya kakausapin natin siya bukas.” He sighed. Our mentor looked pretty stressed up. “I don’t think I can reason out with him the next time I’ll see him. Somehow, we will have to find a way.”

“O-Okay.” Hindi ko magawang magsalita ng maayos sa kanya. I felt cold at napakalakas ng tibok ng puso ko. “Reo, can I-I go to the restroom?”

“Sure. May problema ba?” I shook my head.

“Ayos lang ako. I just need to go to the bathroom.” Tumayo ako at dali-daling lumayo sa kanila.

Ang dami na naming problema.

Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag ni Blade at Maura sa akin pero hindi ko na iyon pinansin pa. I never looked back and just ran towards the bathroom.

Pagpasok ko sa C.R ay huminga kaagad ako ng malalim. Pinagpawisan ako ng todo and I could not comprehend my expression. I looked so haggard and I felt so anxious.

“I must be crazy because of that dream.” Huminga ulit ako ng malalim at naghilamos ng tubig.

The water was cold as it touched my face. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ko ang handkerchief sa bulsa ko at pinunasan ng maayos ang aking mukha. My heart was still pounding so fast. Hindi ko alam kung paano kumalma.

Mga five minutes pa ang nakaraan bago ako lumabas sa C.R. Paglabas ko, napatalon ako ng biglang sumalubong sa akin ang mukha ni Fuentes. Walang pasabing sinuntok ko ng malakas ang mukha niya kaya napaupo siya sa sahig.

“Are you retarded?! Bakit ka ba nasa labas ng C.R ng mga babae?! Manyak ka ba talaga?!” Hindi ko maiwasang magalit sa tinuran niya.

Sumosobra na siya, e. Manyak!

“I was waiting for you to come out. Hindi ko naman talaga intensyon na gulatin ka, e.”

“Oh, really? Just why the hell would you do that, huh?” Nag-overheat na ang utak ko dahil sa walang hiyang pagmumukha niya. “What the fuck do you really want from me?”

“Hindi ako ang may kailangan,” Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo habang nakahawak sa ilong niya na dumudugo. “ikaw.”

I raised a brow at him. “If I am the one who is in need, bakit ikaw ang lapit ng lapit sa akin?”

“Because that is why I’m here for,” sabi niya na naging dahilan kung bakit ako nagtaka. “Just so you know, magsisimula ka ring magtanong tungkol sa sarili mo.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have a prisoner underground, right? Kayo ng team mo ang nakahuli sa kanya, ‘di ba? You should ask him first. Then, come to me and I’ll explain the rest to you.” He took a step closer to me and smiled. Although, he looked pretty miserable because of my punch. “Or you could ask that person.”

“Who exactly do you mean?” I scoffed. “Ginagago mo ba ako?”

“Huwag kang mag-alala. Malalaman mo rin kung sino ang tinutukoy ko. Besides, I want you to know one thing.” Lumapit pa siya sa akin at ewan ko ba pero nawalan ako ng control sa katawan ko at hindi ko na ito maigalaw pa. He leaned in closer and whispered something in my ear. “Never forget that you have a name to prove, Raven Saldoviana.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

Uniquekorns, tanong ko lang, are you able to catch up to the scenarios in each chapters? Mag-comment lang inline at sabihin niyo sa akin if oo o hindi. That way, malalaman ko if I’m still on the story’s plot or if masyado na akong malayo sa story. Tbh, I forget very easily kaya may possibility na may na miss talaga akong scenario at character. That’s why it is very essential for me to know since ayaw kong ma-out of place kayo sa whole story just because I forget so easily. That’s all. Be safe kayong lahat and God bless. Malapit na ring mag-100K ang story na ito kaya I need your support very much. So, until then, be red, stay unique. Labyoo!