"Ano? Pinalayas ka ng landlady kahapon?"

"Bakit hindi mo kami tinawagan? Ito naman parang hindi tropa eh! Edi saan ka natulog?"

"Tsk. Ang sabihin mo, bakit kako hindi nalang siya umuwi sa bahay nila?"

My eyebrows furrowed when Lazarus joined Sariel's conversation with her bandmates. And yes, I'm eavesdropping, but that's not the issue here. You see, L is our classroom vice president and judging from his sarcastic tone and brazen stares, it kinda seems like he's provoking Sariel on purpose.

However, instead of falling right into his trap, Sariel just shrugged her shoulders and adjusted her already loosed necktie. "Well, bold of you to assume that place was home to begin with."

She licked her upper lip and gave him a smirk. "It was more like hell."

Agad akong napalunok ng laway at mabilis nang nag iwas ng tingin. Like seriously, bakit niya ba laging ginagawa 'yan? Is she trying to be intimidating or sexy?

"What did you just said?" rinig kong bulalas ni L, ngunit napako lang ulit kay Sariel ang atensyon ko nang muli akong bumaling, lalo na dahil sa mga salitang kumawala sa labi niya.

"I said, I'd still end up in hell when I die, so why would I rot there when I'm still alive?"

"Fucking bullshits!"

Napansin ata ni Kelvin komosyon sa pagitan nila kaya nabaling din sa mga ito ang kaniyang atensyon. To be fair, lahat naman ata nang nasa classroom ay nakatingin na sa kanila ngayon. Ngunit imbis na maapektohan ay mukhang mas na-enjoy pa ata ni Sariel ang pangyayari.

She even ran her fingers through her short hair, as if she was in a shooting for a shampoo commercial. What a creep.

I couldn't help but to left out a sighed upon watching the tension between them became higher and higher. L's stares were piercing right through Sariel's whole being, but she literally just shrugged off her shoulder with that fact.

However, the potential wrestling match between them were immediately cancelled the moment our next subject teacher stepped his feet into our classroom.

As fast as the lightning, everyone came back to their proper place as if nothing happened. Leaving me to take another sigh as I rolled my eyes.

•••

Upon having having my lunch with Kelvin and Mikhail (his best friend), they can't help to still gossip about the scene that happened between Sariel and Lazarus, even though Sariel and her friends were actually just next to our table. And as much as I want to focus on my inner circumstances, I couldn't still help but to hear everything, resulting for my squinted eyes to dart them with my lethal glare.

"Punta muna ako sa restroom," paalam ko nalang sa huli at isinukbit sa likuran ang halos naagnas ko nang backpack.

Mga nakakahiyang nilalang!

Nang makarating ay agad akong nagkulong sa isang cubicle at binuksan ang recycled notebook na dala. Marahas akong napailing at itinuon nalang ang pansin sa hawak. Doon tumambad sa akin ang lahat ng mga detalye ng mga biktima ng Blue Devil, pati mga newspaper clips, mga theories na nakalap ko at maging ang mga theories na ako na mismo ang may gawa.

Honestly, if someone can actually see me right now, I'd really appear like a weirdo who's into voodoos and witchcraft, but to hell be with all of that.

All I need to know is the connections of every victim with one another, aside from the fact that they were all at the riverside during the Blue Moon.

Because for Pete's sake, it doesn't seem like they just happen to be there in co​in​ci​den​ce. It was more like they were being summoned occasionally and subconsciously. I know it has a pattern but I couldn't just figure out what it was.

Maliban kasi sa mga matitigas ang ulo na katulad ko, sino ba namang sira ang magpupunta pa sa Blue Devil River kahit pa ang dami nang warning sa paligid ng buong bayan, 'di ba?

It was even proclaimed as haunted spot in our city and it's just strange because everytime I searched about its history, wala namang matinong lumalabas, at kadalasan naman sa mga nabibiktima't nagpapakalunod ay iyong mga taong marami namang dahilan para mabuhay.

Well again, except for one-

"What the fuck!"

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat ng may makitang kamay na gumagapang sa baba ng pinto ng cubicle. Tatapakan ko na sana ito ngunit ng mapagtantong isinilid lang itong bond paper sa may paanan ko ay agad na akong natigilan. Lalo na nang mabasa ko ang nakasulat doon gamit ang pentel pen.

"Will you watch my
gig this afternoon?"

- Sariel.

"Seriously, who would ask someone out like that?" I hissed, storming my way out of the cubicle. And there she was with her mischievous smile, sitting on the sink like a boss.

"I just did," taas noo niyang saad dahilan para panlisikan ko ito ng mga mata. Natawa lang siya at marahang hinimas ang ulo ko na parang isang aso.

"So ano, papayag ka ba? Iku-kwento ko nalang din sa 'yo kung bakit mayroong sigalot sa pagitan namin ni L," nakangiti niya pang saad dahilan upang bahagya akong matawa.

I was right tho, she'll ended up assuming that I'm interested too, just because my circle of friends were talking about it earlier.

"But well, I'm sorry but, I'm not interested. Isa pa marami pa akong kailangang gawin kaya baka next time nalang," diretsang sagot ko.

Akmang tatalikod na nga sana ako ngunit agad ring natigilan dahil sa muli niyang tinuran.

"Busy of what? Hiding from the sun rays but longs for it's warmth in the darkest places?"

Instead of looking back, I remained still, as I took a deep breath. I know what she's talking about but to hell be with that.

"Let me help you. You can't live in the darkness forever," giit niya pa ngunit mapakla lang akong ngumiti bago ito tuluyang hinarap.

"I appreciate the effort but Sariel, I don't live in the darkness, I am the embodiment of darkness itself, so don't worry. I got this."

•••

The bell finally rang so I immediately dashed my way out. As usual, both Kelvin and Mikhail have a basketball practice, leaving me to depart on my own. But I'm actually used to it so it wasn't a big deal.

Wearing my worn-out hoodie, I even found myself closing the distance towards the school's gate while riding my bike. But upon remembering Sariel's phrases earlier and the scene she had with Lazarus, I couldn't help but chuckle nonchalantly.

"Lyrics to your songs, my ass." I even murmured, for it reminded me of another astray who ran away from home. It's none other than Tito Warren, my legal guardian who doesn't even pay me that much of a visit ever since his band became popular.

And I just don't like being reminded of his existence, the very reason why I rejected Sariel's offer, despite of her, tailing to treat me for my profound kindness. And speaking of that girl, I actually told her not to, and it's definitely not out of courtesy why I let her stay in my place.

However, she still made herself believe what she wanted. She was literally chasing me in the corridors and joining my so-called friend's conversation, just to get me into her gig as if I was the kindest person who needed to be praised.

But what can I do, anyway? That's human nature. The more you wanna live, the more you gotta fool yourself to shits that'll suit you.

Sigh.

The afternoon wind blew a breeze that never gave chills down my spine, as I continue to pedal my way towards the Costume Boutique. And as usual, it's for another piece of my overworking saga just to forget Alexandria Crush.

Although it's real and shits, a part of me also knew that I'm just actually doing this routine so that no one will suspect me for researching about the Loserfer's myths, that is said to be forbidden.

Because at the end of the day, I still need to appear like a broken girl (even if I really am), so my plans into figuring out this whole urban legend crap will succeed.

I have no time to jam into the rock n' roll world that Sariel wanted me to attend, because I have priorities in hand. In fact, I even plan to go on the Loserfer's City Library after my shift so I can investigate somethi-

My eyes widened when a familiar motorcycle blocked the way, resulting for me to swiftly gripped onto my brakes. The surrounding was then filled with beeping horns, complaints and curses but my eyes were focused on the woman who happened to be the rider. Dark polo, dark guitar case, dark hair, and probably dark life. Sariel.

"Come on, Cres. Don't make me want to kidnap you now. I just need you to hear my song." She took a deep breath. "Its a thank you gift for letting me stay for one night. And a farewell song as well, since I really felt like I need to leave so you can go back to being comfortable on your own."

Napahawak naman ako sa baywang dahil sa narinig. "Sino ba kasing nagsabing tinataboy na kita?"

Bahagya siyang natawa. "Well, I know you're not, and many people actually wanted me to live with them, but my pride won't let me. So sorry I can't accept your offer."

Napakurap kurap ako dahil doon at huli na nang mapagtantong sumusunod na pala ako sakanya. Did she just counter attack my rejection? And why the hell am I still following her lead when all her sweet talks were just another way of saying "Ayoko lang magkaroon ng utang na loob sa'yo?"

What the freaking hell?

Right at that moment, it really seemed like there was an invisible string between us, and I couldn't help but to get dragged by the whirlpool of her words and darkness. The way she's making me feel many things is drowning me... and it's ironic. Because I was just bragging how the Loserfer's urban legend won't affect me at all, only for me to find another Blue Devil in her.