Chapter 81: Twin

I turned to face Madame again. She looked at me with sarcasm. "You always like to play the hero,"

"Mom, stop it!" Ani Selton at akmang pupuntahan niya ako nang pinigilan siya ni Madame.

"Don't you dare take one more step closer to her, Selton Rage." Banta niya.

S-Selton, please leave. The last thing I want is for you to be involved in my mess—"

Namalayan ko na lang na nakalapit na siya sa'kin. He disobeyed his mother. He held my shoulders. "Hey, I won't leave you. I'll talk to my mom. I'll do everything I can to stop her from killing you!"

I took his hands off my shoulders gently. I looked at him with begging eyes. "There's nothing you can do. You can't convince her and you know that. Laban ko 'to. I'll face this on my own."

"How can I let you? You'll die! Are you on a suicide mission?!"

I remembered Dark. He's also mad at me for my decision. They're all mad because of my decision but I need to do this. And I'll do my best to survive this.

"How could you disobey me, Selton?! Lock him up!" Ani Madame sa mga naka-cloak.

Agad naman nilang hinawakan ang magkabilang braso ni Selton.

"Please, just don't hurt him! Sasama na ako sayo! Just don't hurt the people I care for!"

She wouldn't hurt his son. She shouldn't.

Selton was strong and he managed to free himself but one of the guys with a cloak injected him with something.

"N-No! No! What did you do to him? How could you do this to your son?!" Agad kong nilapitan si Selton.

He looked at me intently before he lost consciousness. I tried to hold his face. "Hey, w-wake up, please!"

Before I could say another word to him, the guys already took him away.

"What did you do?!" Nanlilisik kong sabi.

She waved her hand at me as if it was nothing. "Stop overreacting. He's going to wake up after a few hours. He's being stubborn so I needed to get rid of him for a while. I wouldn't kill my son!"

I felt relieved for a little bit. But my relief immediately vanished when I saw Prof Leonsio walking towards us with the book of the rarest power.

So when they went to the dorm, they got Julia and they got the book. Of course.

Prof Leonsio handed it to Madame and he eyed me with amusement. He smirked and I felt creeped out because of it. Well, well, Miss Dawnt, it was you. I know there was something about you. You're my fierce and brave student."

Madame dramatically held the book. "Finally, I got a hold of my prized possession. Without this, I wouldn't be able to do the ritual."

Ritual? Ritual in transferring the rarest power to herself?

"Kill me now. You got what you wanted, right? I stole the book and you got it back. Now, kill me." I tried to act brave while saying it.

Prof Leonsio smirked even more. Madame sarcastically laughed at me.

"Not so fast, dear. I need to test something out. You know what, it's been hard for us to test who has the rarest power since we need laboratory materials to determine if there's something extraordinary with their blood. Pero ngayon na nasa akin na ulit itong aklat, I can easily determine it."

"What do you mean?" Nakakunot nuo kong tanong.

"Of course before you die, we need to test you. You might have the rarest power." She tapped her fingers on the book.

I knew it. She's going to do something. Never underestimate her and her way of thinking. And plus, she has Prof Leonsio with her.

"Madame, listen to me... I know you have the good in you—"

"Stop wasting your time!" She shouted at me and before I could even react, I felt someone inject me behind my back.

After a few seconds, I lost my consciousness.

*****

I woke up with the smell of... laboratory materials?

I immediately opened my eyes and I closed it again when I felt the lights directed at me. I adjusted my vision to see clearly. I'm in the school's laboratory.

I can't move my hands nor my feet. I'm tied again but this time, it's not rope I'm tied with. It's metal chains.

I still can feel my strength, thank God. I still have the power. I can escape from these metal chains if I wanted to but I shouldn't.

I examined my body and I didn't see any wounds. Walang saksak ng kutsilyo o ano. This means they haven't tested me yet if I have the power. And I think the syringe they injected me with was the same as what they injected to Selton. I just lost consciousness for a while. But how many hours did it take?

I saw Prof Leonsio come into the room. When he saw me awake, he smirked and crossed his arms above his chest. "You're awake now. Is it time for the test?"

"Why haven't you tested me yet?"

"Trust me, I wanted to test you immediately. And I want to get rid of you fast but Madame wouldn't allow it. She wants to test you when you're awake. She wants you to feel the pain while she uses the knife to cut your wrist."

I flinched. I chose to close my eyes. I'm scared of blood and just the thought of my wrist being cut by a knife, brings shivers through me. It'll hurt so bad, I'm sure of it. Madame clearly wants to torture me.

Napadilat ako ng bumukas muli ang pinto. Madame went in the room this time.

She looked at me with her murderous eyes. "Shall we begin?"

"Absolutely," Prof Leonsio replied and he took a sharp knife from the table.

Madame took it from him and he touched the tip of it. She turned to me again with a smirk. "Very sharp,"

She got a hold of the book next. Is she planning to let my blood drip on the book? Di niya ba alam na pwedeng ipahawak niya lang sa'kin ito? Obviously she doesn't. And even if she knew, she'll probably still do the bloody method to torture me.

They both went closer to me. Kinalas ni Prof yung kadenang nakagapos sa mga kamay ko. My hands are free now but my feet aren't.

I was startled when he gripped my wrists. He extended my left arm and he gripped my right one tightly as if I could get away any minute now.

Madame held on my left wrist and Prof let go of it. He gripped my right arm so tightly that I feel like it'll bruise. Madame placed the book just under my arm. She then pointed the knife on my wrist. She was smirking like she's enjoying all of this.

I chose to close my eyes. I'm trembling. I can't handle watching this. It'll be painful and I'm so scared of blood.

I then felt the pain on my wrist. I shouted because of the pain. Napadilat ako. I thought she's just going to cut a little but she cut deeper.

"Ahh!" I shouted louder, tears already coming out of my eyes.

It was as if everything was in slow motion. It feels like my blood is slowly dripping from my wrist down to the book.

And it happened.

The book glowed brighter than ever before.

Everything went back to its normal speed.

Madame looked so shocked. She immediately let go of my wrist and the knife. Prof Leonsio did the same.

"O-Oh my G-God," Madame said.

Prof Leonsio looked at her, looking victorious.

"Get the dextrose now, Sylvester! Get everything we need to suck every inch of blood she has!" Madame looks ecstatic. "Oh wait, give me the syringe first! She might use her power! Hurry up!"

I knew it. She'll use it on me next so I'll feel weak and I couldn't use my power in that state of weakness.

Prof Leonsio immediately rummaged through a box and when he found the syringe, he gave it to Madame. Everything happened swiftly when I felt Prof's tight grip on my neck. He tilted my head so he could get more access to my neck. Parang mababali 'yung leeg ko sa ginawa niya.

Madame was about to inject it to me when I used my power to free my feet from the chains and to free myself from Prof's hold.

I used every ounce of strength I have, even after I lost a lot of blood. I kept the golden knife that Dark gave me in my pocket. I was going to use it if everything fails and they successfully used the syringe on me but I can't let that happen.

It happened so quickly. I freed my feet from the chains and I pushed Prof Leonsio away from me. Napatilapon siya sa mesa, causing the laboratory materials made of glass to break.

I saw some of the glass go to his forehead and I saw blood dripping from it. I didn't look at it for long.

Some glass also went to Madame's arm and she looked at it with so much shock. Her arm is dripping with blood. The syringe wasn't in her hands anymore. It probably fell off somewhere when she was startled of what I've done.

I can't stand the sight of her blood so I just decided to look her in the eyes. Now is the time.

"W-What now? Y-You'll kill me?" It's the first time I saw the fear in her eyes.

"No, I wouldn't do that." I've lost a lot of blood and I could still feel my blood dripping from my wrist nonstop.

She looked surprised by what I said. "What are you planning? Torture me then kill me? I know you want revenge so bad. You want revenge for everything that I have done."

"You know I'm stronger than you. I can kill you if I want to." I said and fear was etched all over her face. "But I wouldn't. You're Selton's mom. You're the only one he has."

I saw something in her eyes but she immediately hid it. Instead, she acted tough. "Why do you love being the hero so much? You always put the people you care for first rather than yourself. It sucks."

"Because that's what love can make you do. Love requires sacrifice. And I'm willing to sacrifice myself for the people I love."

Di ko mabasa ang reaksyon niya. Nag-iisip din siguro siya.

Pagkatapos ng ilang segundong di siya naka-imik, she stood straight and looked at me with a smirk again. "Of course, you can't kill me. I'm the only one who can get you all out of here."

Kumunot ang nuo ko. "What do you mean?"

"I'm the only one who knows how to get out of here. I'm the key."

I suddenly remembered the secret volt Dark was talking about. We can get out using the secret volt. But how can we open it?

Madame says that she is the key. But what should we do to get out of here? Anong meron siya na pwede magpalabas sa'min dito?

"You have to tell me what exactly is the way to free us all from this hell hole."

She just laughed at me. "You think I'm dumb enough to tell you?"

"Hindi ka ba napapagod, Madame? Hindi ka ba napapagod sa lahat ng kasamaang ginagawa mo? All of these students, all of these teachers, they had a life outside and you ruined it for them!"

Her smirk disappeared.

"You ruined my life too. You ruined everyone's life including your son's!"

"You better shut up, Dawnt. You don't know a thing!"

"No, I get it. I get why you're being like this. You're still grieving for your dead husband."

Bakas ang gulat sa mga mata niya. I saw tears well up in the corner of her eyes. She went to where I was and she gripped my neck. "Don't you ever mention him here!"

I can break her hand if I want to. But I don't want to fight back. Her emotions are getting the best of her right now. Her dead husband is a sensitive topic for her.

I tried my best to speak clearly. Hindi ako makahinga dahil sa pagkakasakal niya. "Y-You loved him so much. I-I get it. B-But you need to—"

"I said shut up!" She let go of my neck and she fisted her hair.

Umubo-ubo ako pagkatapos niya akong sakalin. "H-He might not be here physically but I know he's watching over you. At hindi siya matutuwa sa mga ginagawa mo."

She slapped me, tears started streaming down her face. Pero kahit masakit yung sampal na 'yon, hindi ako nagpatinag.

"Do you really think he would love to see this? I know that you have that good side in you that you refused to show right after he died." I went closer to her this time pero lumayo siya sa'kin. "Is this really the reason why you're doing all this? Is it because your husband died?"

I know I shouldn't be bombarding her with these kinds of questions right now but I can't stop myself. It just doesn't fit. She might have many reasons why she's this cruel right now, excluding the fact that her husband died.

"Selton told me everything," Again, she looked shocked by what I said. "After your husband died, you weren't yourself anymore. Selton feels neglected. To be honest, you were being selfish. You have a son and he needs to feel loved. He needed you, most especially that time when he was grieving. Nawalan din siya, Madame. Hindi lang ikaw."

She looked at me with her eyes that were already red.

"Masakit din 'yon para sa kanya. It feels like he also lost you right after his father died. Pareho kayong nawalan pero naging makasarili ka. You grieved alone and you neglected him. Anak mo pa rin siya. Anak ninyo ng asawa mo." Tears continue to fall from her eyes. Just the thought of Selton, grieving by himself, alone, and no one to talk to, breaks my heart.

Lumapit ako muli sa kanya. This time, she didn't walk away. Hindi niya ako iniwasan.

I slowly held her hands. I looked at her intently. "Madame, it's not too late. You can still change for the better. Don't shut it all off. Go back to your old self. Your husband wouldn't be happy about this. Apologize to Selton. Magpaka-nanay ka sa kanya."

"O-Oh my God,"

Napa-upo siya sa sahig. Dinamayan ko siya. I caressed her back. I know that there's still hope for her.

After a few minutes of showing her vulnerability to me, she wiped her tears dry. Her eyes are red and swollen due to crying.

"I'm sorry... I-I'm so, so sorry. O-Oh my God, W-What have I done?" Her face was full of guilt and regret.

I feel happy. I felt happy to the point that I cried again. She's back. This is her old and real self, right? This is the real Selina now, not the evil one I used to know. She finally opened her heart.

"W-What have I done?" She really looks guilty. She fisted her hair again, out of the frustration she's feeling.

I know she's thinking about every cruel thing she did in the past, and in the present. And I hate to see her like this. She's full of guilt and regret, she blames herself for everything.

Before I could say another word to comfort her, the door of the laboratory opened with a loud bang.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Dark, with his bloodshot eyes.

I immediately went to him. I hugged him and so did he. I keep on sobbing. I thought I wouldn't be able to feel his warmth again. I thought I wouldn't be able to come back and embrace him.

"Thank God you're safe," He said and I could feel his hand on my hair, trembling.

"I-I thought I wouldn't be able to come back to you," I said in between sobs. "I-I love you so much."

Before I could even process that he's here with me, bigla akong nawalan ng malay. It was all pitch black.

*****

I felt someone caressing my head. It took a while before I could open my eyes, maybe because I was so weak that I couldn't even open them.

I adjusted my vision. I saw myself in Dark's bed, I have a big bandage on my wrist.

Agad kong naalala lahat ng nangyari. The way Madame hurt Julia, the way she used the knife on me to let my blood drip down the book, everything. I remembered how I used my power on Prof Leonsio and I don't know if he's still alive.

And the most important part, I remembered how Madame Selina opened up her heart. I remembered how vulnerable she was. She was sorry for everything.

"How are you feeling? You should sleep more." Dark said, trying hard to give me a smile.

"W-What time is it? How many hours have I been asleep?"

"Fifteen hours,"

Namilog naman ang mga mata ko. It's a new day, then? How's Julia? How's Selton? Did he see his mother? How's Madame right now?

"I know you have a lot of questions on your mind right now but you should rest. You need your strength back after losing a lot of blood."

I felt my head ache. Dark's right. I should rest first and I'll search for the answers I want right after I get my strength back.

I slowly closed my eyes. Unti-unti rin akong nawalan ng malay.

*****

I gently opened my eyes, just to see how relaxed the clouds are outside the window.

Naalala kong natulog pala ulit ako. I slept for fifteen hours that time, at ngayon, ilang oras ba akong natulog?

Napagdesisyunan kong umupo mula sa pagkakahiga. My head still hurts a little bit but I can manage now.

I looked around Dark's bedroom but no one is here. It's just me. Hinilig ko ang ang aking ulo sa headboard ng kama. I then took a deep breath.

Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang brasong may benda. Palapulsuhan ko lang ang may sugat but the big bandage reached my elbow.

I've gone through a lot.

The bedroom door suddenly opened and it was Dark. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero parang gusto kong maiyak by the sight of him. Tears started to well up in the corner of my eyes.

Agad naman siyang lumapit sa'kin. "Baby, what's wrong?"

I immediately hugged him. "I-I thought I wouldn't see you again,"

He hugged me gently, na para bang ayaw niya akong masaktan sa higpit ng yakap niya. Even I'm emotional right now, I want to laugh at him. Ang oa niya naman, yung kamay ko lang naman yung may sugat.

"I thought I wouldn't see you again, too. I thought I was going to lose you."

Naramdaman ko ang panghihina niya habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon. I cried even harder.

After a few moments, kumawala na kaming dalawa sa yakap. I was about to wipe my tears dry when Dark did it instead. May kung anong bumalot sa puso ko dahil sa ginawa niya. He always do this. He wipe my tears like he wants to wipe away the pain I'm feeling.

"How's Madame? Where is she?" It was the first thing I asked.

He looked at me intently while caressing my cheek. "You always check up on other people first. Can't you just rest for now without thinking of anyone else but yourself?"

"I just want to know if she's okay. And Julia, how is she? Where is she?" Sunod-sunod ko namang tanong.

He tried to smile at me. He sighed in defeat. "Madame's alright. She's with Selton right now. She probably wants to be alone after feeling guilty with everything she has done. And Julia, she's fine too. Nasa dorm siya nina Godwin. She decided to stay there for the mean time. And also, Godwin doesn't want her out of his sight... How are you feeling?"

I tried to smile too. "I feel fine,"

"How's your wound? Does it hurt? What do you feel?"

I laughed a bit because he bombarded me with questions. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just feel a little bit dizzy. Siguro dahil sa nawalan ako ng maraming dugo but overall, I feel okay."

"You should rest more,"

Napatawa ulit ako. I held his hands. "Look, I got enough rest already. Halos isang araw akong tulog. Trust me, I feel fine."

"I'm sorry," Aniya at napayuko siya.

Pinaharap ko siya sa'kin, only to see him with bloodshot eyes. It breaks my heart seeing him like this. I don't want him to cry.

"Don't say sorry, okay? None of this is your fault. Once again, I brought this all to myself. Pero kahit nangyari na lahat ng 'to, I don't have any regrets."

I was sure of it. I didn't regret stealing the book. Maybe the only regret I have is that I got the people I care about involved in this mess. Reena even died and I regret it so much.

"And I'm sorry that I told you that there's no hope for her." Aniya, namumungay ang mga mata. He meant Madame.

I gave him an assuring smile. "It's alright. I understand you. We both know how evil she was and I know you're just worried about me."

He held my face and he slowly kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes while he did that, feeling the warmth.

When he let go of me, I looked at him intently with the same intensity of his stare.

"So what now? Are we going to get out of here?" Tanong ko.

"Kapag ayos na si Madame, we'll talk to her."

I just nodded. I can feel the excitement in the pit of my stomach. I can't help but to tear up again by the thought of coming home.

I can't believe we'll be free. After more than a year of staying here, I will finally be free. Dark, Julia, Selton, Demi, and the other people, they have stayed here for more than two years. They have spent more than two years of their life living in this university, without freedom, and trying to survive.

I admit that I changed a lot. I wasn't the person I was before. I think I grew a lot. I have become more mature. My entire stay here in Death University wasn't entirely a waste. I have learned a lot.

Kung 'di ako napadpad sa lugar na 'to, I wouldn't have met the amazing people I care for now. And most especially, if I wasn't here, I wouldn't have met the love of my life. Dark's both my weakness and my strength.

I feel so happy that I met him. I feel so happy that he became a part of my life.

"You should eat. I cooked something for you. Sleeping isn't enough, you should also eat to get your strength back."

I smiled widely at him this time. He smiled back at me and went out to get some food.

I looked at the clock and it's four in the afternoon. I wonder what's happening outside. Are the students still on it? May patayan pa rin bang nagaganap?

I slowly stood up from the bed but I immediately sat down again after I felt dizzy. After a few moments, when I already felt fine, I stood up again. Thank God I managed to.

I walked towards the window to see what's happening outside. And everything looks... normal.

I can't believe what I'm seeing right now. I could see the students smiling and laughing. I could see how happy they are while walking and talking.

How did this happen? What did Madame say to them? What exactly happened while I was asleep?

Before I could ask another question in my head, I felt Dark's presence behind me.

"Dapat 'di ka tumayo. You need to sit down." He said, while organizing the food on top of the bed.

"Hindi ako imbalido, okay? I'm fine."

I walked towards him and I sat on the bed to see what he cooked for me. There's tinolang manok and rice. It smells so good that I heard my stomach grumble. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang gutom.

Agad kong nilantakan ang pagkaing hinanda niya para sa'kin. I kept on smiling while eating.

"Hindi ka kakain?" I asked him because he was just staring at me.

"I already ate," He said. He's looking intently at me with his serious expression.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Sabi ko habang ngumunguya.

"I just can't forget about the fact that it was possible that I'll lose you. What if I did? What will happen to me? I'll surely feel like dying."

Binitawan ko ang mga kubyertos. I held his face. "Hey, I'm here. I'm alive. Everything went well."

"I can't afford to lose you," He said, weakly.

"I can't afford to lose you either. Hindi ko kakayanin. But hey, everything is fine. Nothing happened to me. I'm alive."

He licked his lower lip and he nodded.

I continued to eat the food he cooked for me. Gutom na gutom talaga ako to the point na naubos ko lahat ng inihanda niya.

Pagkatapos kumain ay naligo na 'ko. Inalalayan pa ako ni Dark. He thinks I'm fragile to do things on my own right now. Hinayaan ko na lang din siya since I need some help too.

After I took a bath, tinulungan niya rin akong magbihis. Ingat na ingat siya sa'kin. Julia brought me clothes the day before kaya 'di ko na pinroblema 'yon. He also changed the bandage on my arm with a new one.

He then tucked me to bed and I got confused. "Hey, I'm fine. I've got plenty of rest. Ayokong matulog ulit."

"Just stay here and rest a bit,"

I can't help but laugh at him. "You're worrying too much. I'm alright now. And huwag ka ngang oa, I didn't break any bones or something."

He sighed in defeat. "Fine, what do you want to do, then?"

When he asked, nag-isip ako. I want to see Madame and check up on her but maybe it's not the right time yet. She and Selton have a lot of catching up to do.

But there's one thing I want right now. "I want to get out and smell fresh air. And I saw the students from the window and they're happy, Dark. I think the atmosphere changed."

"Okay, but I'll go with you."

I smiled widely at him and nodded. Mas gusto ko pa nga na magkasama kami.

Inalalayan niya naman akong makababa sa hagdan pero pinigilan ko siya. I can handle myself. He slowly opened the doorknob.

When we got out of his dorm, I then inhaled the fresh air from the outside. The atmosphere really had changed. It's not gloomy anymore. The atmosphere felt... free. Overall, it felt good.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Dark. Wala na akong pakialam kung makita kami ng mga tao sa ganitong ayos. I just feel so happy right now. And I feel free with him.

We walked together and I can't help but to look at the students who are all smiling and laughing. Lahat ng nadadaanan namin, may saya na nakaukit sa mukha nila. It feels good this way.

Ang iba ay napapatingin sa direksyon namin pero wala naman silang sinasabi.

"This feels good," I can't help but to voice out my thoughts.

"Yes, this feels good." He answered and I could feel his eyes boring into me.

Agad akong napatingin sa kanya at napahinto sa paglalakad. "May dumi ba ako sa mukha? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I just want to treasure this moment. You're smiling... you're happy. And I love this."

May kung anong bumalot sa puso ko. I reached for his face and I kissed him. I don't care that we're in public right now, I just want to kiss him. He was caught off guard but he kissed me back with equal fervor.

After the kiss, hingal na hingal kaming dalawa. We're both catching our breath.

Pinagdikit niya ang aming mga nuo. "I love you,"

I smiled at that. "I love you too, so much,"

After walking around for an hour or so, we chose to rest in the fountain area. Nakaupo kami ngayong dalawa sa bench.

I have a lot of memories of this place, good or bad. The fountain area is one of my favorite places. A lot took place here, good things and also bad things. But despite everything that happened here, I just feel close to this place. I feel united with it.

"What did Madame say that made the students happy? Wala ng patayan? What exactly happened while I was asleep?"

"A lot, actually. Yes, Madame announced that there will be no killing anymore and we will get out of here as soon as possible. And because of that, the students felt really happy and some cried because of joy."

I nodded. Even after what Madame is going through right now, she still managed to announce it in front of all the students. I know she doesn't feel good at all, after everything she's done.

"But there are students that tried to kill her,"

Namilog naman ang mga mata ko. "W-What?"

"We can't blame them, though. Lahat tayo may galit kay Madame. They want revenge."

"But she has already changed. She's going to set us all free!"

"Yeah, I know. But some students really hold grudges. This isn't easy for them to take in too."

I understand them. After everything they've been through, trying to survive, I get why they're so angry at Madame. They're probably thinking that she made their life a living hell.

"But if they kill her, we couldn't get out. Siya lang ang may alam kung paano makalabas dito."

"They know that already. Natauhan naman sila. Selton and I told them that Madame is the only one who knows the way out so they can't kill her."

I kind of felt relieved. Naaawa rin ako kay Madame. She's going through a lot because of her guilt and some people are sending her death threats. I hope she's going to be okay soon.

I suddenly remembered Demi. How is she? She's probably happy too. She'll finally be free. She can see her family again. I just felt bad that she lost her friends. I don't know if she'll be able to forgive Madame Selina. But I hope that she's not one of the students who wanted to kill Madame. I know she has a grudge but I really hope she'll be able to forgive her.

Dark and I decided to go to Onyx. It's been a while since I have visited him. But Dark came to see him everyday. He needs to feed him and pet him.

"I missed you!" I said while caressing his black skin. He made noises after that and I can't help but to chuckle. "We're getting out of here, Onyx. Syempre, kasama ka talaga."

I talked to him as if he would understand what I'm saying. Dark just smiled at us. He also caressed Onyx.

A question suddenly entered my mind. "How did you get him by the way? Paano mo siya napasok dito?"

"He's already here when I came. He looked skinny and abandoned."

I felt kind of sad when I heard it. It's a good thing that Dark found out about him. He looks good now. He looks healthy and he has been eating well. Dark really did a great job in taking care of this beautiful horse.

After spending a lot of time with Onyx, Dark and I decided to go back to his dorm. Gumagabi na rin.

When we arrived, ininit niya ang natira sa tinolang manok na niluto niya para sa'kin. We both ate together while talking about random stuff.

Time passed by so fast and we're here now, sprawled on his bed. My head was on his chest and I could hear his beating heart. I also feel sleepy because he's caressing my hair.

"Goodnight, Dark."

"Goodnight, baby." Sagot niya na nagpangiti sa'kin.

Pagkatapos 'non, unti-unti na akong kinain ng antok.

I woke up to another day and I felt good. Panibagong araw na naman at hindi lang ito basta-basta, dahil ngayong araw na ito at ang mga darating pang mga araw ay 'di na katulad ng dati.

There will be no killing anymore. It's going to be a normal day. The atmosphere isn't gloomy in this place anymore.

Dark didn't want me to go to my classes today. Sabi niya kailangan ko pa daw magpahinga. Pinagbigyan ko na lang siya kahit ayaw ko naman talaga.

I won't go to classes today but I won't be staying at his dorm the whole day. Ayokong mabulok doon.

Nasa harap ako ngayon ng dorm ng mag-inang Kang. I know Julia is inside and I want to see her so bad. Huli ko siyang nakita nung sinabihan ko sila ni Dark na lumayo.

After a few knocks, the door opened, revealing Mrs. Evelyn Kang.

She immediately hugged me. "My goodness, thank God you're okay!"

Nang pinakawalan niya na ako, she smiled at me widely. "I know everything that happened and I'm so proud of you. And I want to thank you because we will all be free from this place soon. It's all because of you."

I smiled back at her. "Please, huwag niyo po akong pasalamatan. I just did what I needed to do."

"Come in," Aya niya sa'kin at agad naman akong pumasok.

Tamang-tama lang at pababa sina Godwin at Julia sa hagdan. Nang makita ako ni Julia, namilog ang kanyang mga mata at halos malaglag na siya sa hagdan dahil sa pagmamadaling makapunta sa'kin.

She immediately hugged me. "Thank God you're alright! I missed you!"

Ang higpit ng pagkakayakap niya sa'kin at tila di ako makahinga. Nang maramdaman niya naman 'yon, agad niya akong pinakawalan.

"How are you, Juls?"

"I'm fine! How about you? I'm so proud of you! You were so brave!"

I felt the warmth in my heart. I just can't help but to feel happy that they're all proud of me. But really, I just did what I needed to do.

This time, it was my turn to hug her. "I missed you too. I thought I wouldn't see you again."

Pagkatapos naming magyakapan at lahat-lahat, umupo kami sa couch.

"I'm glad you're safe, Zaya." Godwin said with a smile. Nilapat niya rin sa maliit na mesa ang isang baso ng orange juice. I thanked him and I sipped on it.

"I'm planning to go to Madame's today. I want to see if she's alright."

"Hindi pa rin ako sanay, Zee. I can't believe that Madame has changed! I can't believe that we're getting out of here!" She sounded so happy.

"Me too. But it's all true. We're getting out of here. Aalis na tayo rito kapag maayos na si Madame."

We chatted more and I don't know how many hours I stayed in Godwin and Mrs. Evelyn's dorm. I'm sure natagalan talaga ako.

Dark will surely be busy today. Aayusin niya ang lahat ng dapat ayusin at dalhin kapag lalabas na kami ng DU.

I have decided to go to Madame and Selton's dorm next. It took a while of knocking before the door opened. It was Selton who opened it.

"Demerine, you're here!" He smiled brightly at me.

"How are you? How's your mom?"

"I should be the one asking you that. How are you? Come in."

Nang makapasok na ako, nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa loob ng dorm nila. "I'm alright,"

"Mom told me everything that happened. She told me how you saved her from herself."

I can't help but to smile. It feels good to hear that.

"Where is she?"

"She'll go down any minute now... How are you? You lost a lot of blood. I was with Dark when we went to get you from the laboratory."

Bahagya naman akong nagulat sa sinabi niya. "You were there? I didn't see you."

"Yes, you didn't. Nahimatay ka kaya 'di mo ako nakita."

And the last time I checked, he and Dark aren't on good terms but it's good to know that they worked together.

"Dark and I aren't friends but, yeah, when it comes to you, we need to help each other."

I smiled widely now. Napansin ko, I've been smiling a lot lately. I'm just happy that everything's fine now.

"Zaya?"

I knew it's Madame who called me. I then looked her way. She smiled widely at me. She looks different. She looks... free. Free from her darkness.

"How are you... po?" Hindi ako sanay.

"I'm alright. How about you? I was worried about you, hija. I want to apologize to you. I've hurt you a lot. And I know it isn't easy to forgive me—"

"I forgive you," Pagputol ko sa kanya.

I saw the glint of tears in her eyes. "Still, I'm very sorry. All of this wasn't my intention. I think I just... got carried away. My emotions took over me. I can't believe I did all these horrible things for years."

I walked closer to her. I held her hands. "As I have said, it's not too late to change. I knew that you still have that good inside you and I chose to not give up on you. I was right, there's still hope that I could still bring you back."

I was caught off guard when she hugged me. "I now know why my son chose you. You're so brave and you have a heart of gold."

After being emotional together, we sat in the dining area. She has prepared banana bread for us to eat. Madame looked fine now. She really looks free.

"Eat up," She said with a smile. "Saglit lang, titignan ko kung anong juice meron kami. Ipagtitimpla kita."

I was about to say that I'm fine and I'm okay with the banana bread but she already disappeared from my sight.

At ngayon, kaming dalawa na lang ni Selton ang nandito.

"Demerine, thank you for bringing my mom back. I really am thankful."

I've heard a lot of thank yous today and my heart felt full. "You're happy. You deserve to be."

"How can I move on, now?" He said with a chuckle. 'Di naman ako nakapagsalita agad, causing him to smirk. "Just kidding. I'm really on the process of moving on."

"You and your mother really have a lot of catching up to do,"

"I know. When we get out of here, magpapakalayo kami ni Mom."

I was stunned by what he said but it's reality. I'm going to miss him but I should accept it. Ito naman talaga ang mangyayari pagkatapos naming makalabas dito. We will be parting ways. I'll surely miss him but he'll always be in my mind and heart. Demi, Chad, and everyone else.

"Demerine, I now know that you have the power. As I have said, Mom told me everything."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. "I-I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I trust you but I just can't tell you. I wasn't ready."

He gave me an assuring smile. "It's okay, don't worry. I truly understand you. But it feels surreal. Everything feels surreal."

"I know," I totally agree with him.

Tamang-tama lang at dumating na si Madame. She brought a pitcher containing iced tea. Siya na mismo ang naglagay ng iced tea sa baso ko. I thanked her for that.

"I know you really want to get out of here, Zaya. And I'm ready to open the vault."

I was yet again, stunned. "How can you open it?"

"That vault was made exclusively for this school. Pinagawa ko 'yan and I spent a lot on that. What makes it special and expensive is the fact that you need blood to open it."

What the... Blood? I never heard of a vault that can be opened by someone's blood until now! Who made that vault anyways? Papaanong may ganon? I'm mindblown right now!

"I know it's shocking but yes, there's something like that. The people who made it exclusively for a bunch of scientists."

Selton looks mindblown too. Pareho kami ng reaksyon.

"Whose blood is needed then?" Selton was the one who asked.

"Mine. And I need one jar of my fresh blood to open it."

How big is that jar exactly? She isn't going to die right?

"And don't worry, it's just a small jar. I wouldn't die after losing that amount of blood." Tila nabasa niya ang tanong sa isip ko.

"Can I use mine instead? We have the same blood!" Ani Selton.

"I'm sorry, son, you can't do that. And even if you can, I won't let you. Only Romero's blood can open the volt."

Romero... that's Madame's surname before she got married. So it means that if she has other relatives, they can open the vault too?

"Can't we use the golden gate to get out instead?" Tanong ko.

"No, hija. We can't use it. Nababalot ito ng mahika."

I was surprised about what she said. Yes, it should be binded by a spell kaya hindi 'to mabuksan.

"The people that can open the golden gate are only ones who will enter Death University. And those who are already inside, cannot open it." Selton figured out.

Madame nodded. "Exactly,"

"But how did you bind a spell on it? Who did it?"

"A witch,"

Wow. Witches are real too, huh?

"Where's that witch now? She can undo the spell right?" Tanong ko pa.

"Yes, she's the only one who can undo the spell since she's the one who casted it. But now, she's nowhere to be found."

"So how was the rarest power invented?" Tanong ulit ni Selton sa ina.

"It wasn't invented, Selton. It's there from the very beginning. The witches from thousands of years ago were in charge of it." Madame said while playing with her fingers. I could see that she's thinking deeply. "But one of those witches fell in love with a man. And she gave that man the rarest power. Right after that man got the power to himself, he killed the witch."

My eyes widened. It's possible that... that the man Madame's talking about is my ancestor. Or Dark's ancestor.

Again, it's like Madame read my mind. "Yes, he can possibly be your ancestor, Zaya. We don't know. Posible rin na ninuno siya ng isa pang may taglay ng rarest power."

I almost forgot Madame doesn't know that Dark is the other one who has it. I can't tell her... for now. What if she knew that Dark has it? Na kami palang dalawa ang mayroon nitong matinding kapangyarihan? What if she'll be blinded by evil again at gusto niyang makuha ang kapangyarihan namin? This will make her the most powerful. I know Madame has already changed but I can't tell her yet. I need to play safe.

"Madame, how do you know about all of this? About the rarest power?"

"My parents were hunters,"

Nagimbal ako sa kanyang sinabi. Pati na rin si Selton.

"H-Hunters?" Nauutal kong tanong.

"Yes, Zaya. Hunters of the rarest power."

So this is why she knows a lot about it... At ito ba ang isa pang dahilan kung bakit niya ginawa sa paaralan ang lahat ng 'to? Was she really in search of the rarest power from the very beginning?

"Please, stay calm. I can explain."

Bumuntong hininga ako dahil tila naubusan ako ng dugo sa nalaman ko.

"I was never interested in power. My parents were too crazy over it. They kept on searching for it. They want to hunt down the people who have it. They want it for themselves."

"They dragged you into this?"

She slowly nodded and she looked at Selton with sad eyes. "S-Selton, your father didn't die because of an accident. Your grandparents were responsible for it."

I saw how shocked Selton was. I was stunned to see him tearing up. Hindi siya makapagsalita. Nor can I.

Madame started tearing up too. "It's all my fault. I was the reason he died. They didn't want me to marry your father because for them, he's just a distraction. They want me to be like them. They want me to be a hunter. I-I didn't want it. I want to live a normal life with your father. Nagpakalayo-layo kami, and then we had you."

"H-How can they do this to you, Mom? B-Bakit ayaw nilang maging masaya ka?" Nauutal na sabi ni Selton, tears streaming down his face. He looked so weak after Madame's revelation.

It pains me to see them like this.

"As I have said, anak, they think your father is the reason I want to live a normal life. At oo, siya ang dahilan. My parents were evil and merciless. They have killed a lot of people because of the desire they have to get a hold of the power." She said while crying. "When your father died, I had a lot of regrets. Andami kong sana. Sana hindi ko na lang siya nakilala at minahal. Kasi dahil sa'kin, namatay siya. The man I love died and the people who killed him are my parents... your grandparents."

I couldn't do anything to comfort both of them. I'm still mindblown right now. At nasasaktan din ako para kina Madame at Selton. They both have gone through a lot.

Madame tried to wipe her tears. She also tried her best to calm down. "And my sister didn't care about me. I felt so alone all those years. It pains me that my sister chose to side with our evil parents."

It must've been so painful for Madame. She felt so alone. Her parents and her sister didn't care about how she would feel. They all are selfish. Gahaman sila sa kapangyarihan.

I never expected all of this. Madame Selina experienced all of this. She's a strong woman. She survived everything. I admire her for that.

"Madame, you're so brave. You're so strong. Kinaya mo lahat ng iyon." I chose to say what's in my mind.

Magsasalita sana ulit si Madame nang makarinig kami ng ingay sa labas. There's some commotion going on.

Napakunot naman ang nuo ni Madame. Nagtataka rin ako. What's happening out there?

Agad kaming tumayong tatlo at lumabas sa dorm para tignan kung ano ang nangyayari.

"Who is she?"

"What's with the aura? Shit, nakakatakot! Sino ba 'yan?"

"Ba't siya pumasok dito? Naligaw ba 'yan?"

The students around us had a lot of questions. Ako naman, parang natulos sa kinatatayuan.

There's a woman who just entered Death University. She's wearing a black longsleeved button down dress. She's wearing sunglasses and a black panama hat. She's also wearing a black pair of killer heels. Agaw pansin rin ang kanyang sobrang pulang labi. She screamed wealth all over her.

I saw Dark, running towards me. He immediately hugged me.

"Who is she?" Tanong ko.

"I don't know,"

When she took off her sunglasses, I was more shocked than ever.

"What in the world," Hindi makapaniwalang anas ni Dark.

"Bloody hell," Ani Selton naman.

I looked at Madame and she looked like she had seen a ghost. "N-No... W-What are you doing here? Y-You can't be here. This can't be real..."

Tama ba itong nakikita ko? She looks like Madame Selina. I blinked a few times to see if namamalikmata lang ako.

But no... She really does look like Madame! There were only minor features that differentiated them both!

Could she be...

The woman played with her sunglasses. Her attention went to Madame Selina. She smirked. "Long time no see, twin sister."

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