STRINGS AND CHAINS

CHAPTER 27

Does it hurt? Does it feel like it's ripping you? Tearing your skin and organs? Sucking your soul out of your body? No. I didn't feel any pain. I didn't feel anything. I fell into darkness. I couldn't see anything. I found myself alone. And then she suddenly came out from nowhere, wearing her freaking sexy lingerie, and exposing her true face, body, and identity; the true Lilith, a demon, the female devil. She was nothing but evil. She was born in it.

Did I saw beauty? No, it was a nightmare. I couldn't even forget it, her face, and what she looked like.

So where am I now? Where is she? Am I still in hell? No.

I am now back here in the human world. I woke up lying in the warehouse, where Jax and the others offered me to Lilith. There are no incubi. Wala sila Jax, Ynna, at ang iba pa nilang kasamang incubus at succubus.

So nasaan sila?

I can't help myself but to smile.

Nasaan na nga ba sila? They're now back to their master, back to the one who created them, sa impyerno kung saan ako galing.

Huminga ako ng malalim. The floor is cold. I am still lying here, looking up at the rusty ceiling, and thinking what should I do next. Hanggang sa natawa na lang ako sa sarili ko. Hinampas-hampas ko pa ang lapag sa kakatawa ko. This is hilarious. What I did, what they did, and what Lilith did to me. This is so fucked up. Do they even know that?

Do I feel different? Yes! I feel so different! I feel so crazy. In fact, maybe I am really going crazy.

"Is it funny?"

Ito na. Nandito na ang kamatayan ako. I heard his voice and he sounds angry, really angry. I will be too if I'm in his position. Pero wala, eh. Nangyari na. Nandito na. It's either I live with it or end it real quick. Just between the two.

"What did we talk about, Maru?" tanong ni Rai sa akin.

I smiled while still staring at the ceiling. "Not to act recklessly."

"And what did you do?"

"I acted recklessly. I was impatient and impulsive," sagot ko. Totoo naman. This is the punishment for everything that I've done. Kasi naniniwala ako na makakatulong ako. Naniniwala ako na may magagawa ako sa nangyayaring gulo. And I was so stupid to think that I could actually help with what's happening in the town and to the creatures living here. I was just a human and I should've just stayed to where I belonged.

Muli akong bumuntong-hininga. So did it work? My plan? Yes, of course. Wala na rito sila Jax. Wala na ang mga incubi. So what did really happen? Anong nangyari rito sa itaas while I was in the devil's den?

"You didn't listen to me. You didn't follow everything that I've said!" Isang malakas na sigaw ni Raiden kaya't nagulat ako. Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko. Nawala ang tuwa na nararamdaman ko. I expected this already the moment I stepped here inside the warehouse. I walked in a trap and I willingly let myself fell for it. But that was the damn plan! I would act a decoy, as a distraction, while they position themselves outside the warehouse and begin a massacre here.

I didn't know na itatapon ako ni Jax sa isang demonic na magic circle! I was expecting na magiging prisoner lang ako! I didn't know Lilith or the cult na mayroon sila. I didn't know everything because he chose not to explain to me! I didn't know Lilith wants me to become like them, her fucking prodigy.

I couldn't speak or answer. What's to tell? How am I going to defend myself? Totoo naman ang sinabi n'ya. Maliwanag ang usapan na hindi ako makikisali, na mananatili lang ako sa mansyon nila Trojan at doon maghihintay sa pagbabalik nila.

Right after I told my plans to my parents na we should trust Rai, I went to him. I talked to Raiden about my plan, to help my parents end this problem. Taliwas man sa utos ng master niya sa kanya, he agreed to it. So he went back to Roscoe's and talked to my parents. I was there, I heard everything. But I realized na hindi magiging tagumpay 'tong pinaplano nila without a distraction. Incubi are no fools. They could easily detect them and it could ruin the damn plan.

So yes. Pinain ko ang sarili ko para rito. It was successful but it paid a price and it was me.

Umupo ako at tumingin sa paligid ko. There's blood all over the wall and floor. So it was indeed successful. Good.

"I am alive, Rai. I'm alive," sagot ko sa kanya.

"No," wika niya kaya't agad akong tumingin sa kanya.

"You're not. You died."

And that broke my heart, seeing how hurt, angry, and disgusted he is to me.

Napalunok ako habang pinipigilan ang sarili ko na maiyak sa nakikita at naririnig ko.

"I said to wait and you didn't. Now look at yourself, Maru. I killed dozens of incubi last night, but you just became one of them."

So you are disappointed? Gano'n ba, Rai? He is upset and he has the right to be. But this, seeing how he looks at me, pains me and rips my heart into pieces. Isn't he glad? That I am safe? That I came back? I did everything I can to survive down there. I risked and sacrificed everything just to get back here, but is this what will welcome me?

"Is this what you want? To become like them?"

"No." I almost couldn't hear my voice.

"You're not—" He stopped. Ibinaba ko na ang tingin ko. I can no longer look at him nor does he to me. We can't bear to see each other in this state. I can't stand this. We can't stand this.

"Even your eyes are fucking glowing," wika niya. He can't stand it.

Lumunok ako. Ang sakit na ng lalamunan ko sa kakapigil sa sarili ko na maiyak.

"You can't accept it," wika ko at tumingin muli sa kanya.

"That I changed. That I died human. That I came back—" I licked my lips as I averted my eyes from him. I'm crying because it hurts. I'm crying because I don't want this too.

Tumayo ako at tumingin sa paligid ko. There's no one here. Where are Trojan and my parents? Dapat nandito sila. Bakit wala sila rito?

"You died. Your heart stopped beating and you were not breathing. If you're looking for them, they already left."

Without me, without my body.

"They know you will wake up sooner or later." Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya.

"And they told me one thing," wika ni Raiden.

"That if you came back like them—"

I smiled, "You will kill me."

"Yes," he answered.

Tumango-tango ako at naghanap ng mauupuan. Nagtungo ako sa mga bakal na kumpol-kumpol sa gilid at naupo roon. Sumandal ako at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. I expected this too. I mean, we already talked about it too. Kapag bumalik ako at hindi na ako ang anak nila, they will kill me. Iyon din naman ang gusto kong mangyari, pero ang sakit pala kapag nandito ka na mismo at nangyayari na.

Maybe I should just accept it and move on?

I will leave this place peacefully. I did my part. I helped them save the town and victims. None of them was killed.

So should I just accept it?

Huminga ako ng malalim. "It hurts to know that my parents gave up on me but I agreed to it too."

Tumingin ako sa kanya. He doesn't look surprised. I just smiled and looked at him for one last time. Look how perfect he is. He's beautiful, so beautiful. He has a godly body and face. Even if he has a scar on his cheek, wala pa ring talab, maglalaway ka pa rin sa kanya. Maybe I should thank his father's sperm. Napakaguwapo at napakasarap ng ginawa niya.

Ito ba ang iiwan ko rito? Nakakapanghinayang, pero thank God at natikman ko muna 'to ng ilang beses bago tuluyang umalis sa mundong 'to.

And yes, I should be really thankful for letting me meet this man and love him.

I love you, a voice in my mind whispered.

"I love you," bulong ko and he, of course, heard it. He walks toward me.

"No pain please? And be quick," wika ko habang papalapit na siya sa akin. He stopped and held my hand. Tumaas ang kamay niya sa braso ko, patungo sa balikat ko, at paakyat sa leeg ko.

"A sweet death for the woman that you loved, please don't strangle me. Maybe I would prefer it if we are in bed, but you're going to kill me."

He's not saying anything. He's not even laughing. I'm making jokes here. Let's have fun before I go. Let me see your smile. Naramdaman ko ang pagdiin niya sa pagkakahawak sa leeg ko. Napalunok ako at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

"No. Just stab me."

He didn't answer.

"Please."

Mas diniinan pa niya ang paghawak sa leeg ko. Napapikit na lamang ako. Ready na ako. Pero nagsalubong ang kilay ko at dumilat nang bigla niya akong binitiwan. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko at lumapit pa lalo sa akin.

"Sure, I will stab you," sagot niya saka s'ya ngumiti.

"Where's the knife?" tanong ko.

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti niya kaya't iba na ang nararamdaman ko rito.

"Maybe I'll stab you with my dick."

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. What the hell?

Bumaba ulit ang kamay niya sa leeg ko at pinulupot ang kamay niya roon. "Who said you can only strangle someone in bed? I can do it here too."

Lumapit pa s'ya sa akin at muling nagsalita, "And I love you too."

Magre-react pa sana ako nang bigla niya akong halikan. Pero teka—Wait lang! Wait lang!

"Mmm—" Napa-ungol na ako sa sunod niyang ginawa. He played with my tongue while he was caressing my boobies. Pero teka muna—Nasa warehouse pa kami—Paano nangyayari 'to? Bakit napunta rito?! Dapat galit siya! Dapat patay na ako ngayon! Bakit—Bakit ganito?!

"Rai—Wait—Not here—Mmm—" Okay, okay. He's so good at kissing. What the hell. I'm not supposed to be enjoying this. I should stop this pero bakit ang galing at ang sarap. Pinulupot ko na ang kamay ko sa leeg niya at nakipagsabayan sa halikan. I inserted my tongue inside his mouth and played with his. Mmm, good. So good.

He unhooked my bra at mabilisan kong tinanggal 'yon. Naghiwalay kami saglit para tanggalin ang mga damit na suot-suot namin at muling bumalik sa ginagawa namin. I kissed him like there's no tomorrow. Hinawakan ko ang balikat niya, patungo sa dibdib niya, pababa sa abs niya, at pababa ng pababa hanggang sa mahawakan ko ang nagtatago sa ilalim ng pantalon niya.

He groaned when I finally reached it. Bumaba ang halik ko sa leeg niya, sa dibdib niya, at sa tiyan niyang mabato habang paulit-ulit kong hinapalos ang patigas niyang alaga sa ibaba.

"Stab it in my mouth," wika ko and he chuckled. Ibinaba niya mismo ang suot-suot niyang pantalon at boxer. His penis waved at me and I welcomed it in my mouth. I can feel its skin rubbing on my lips, my teeth, and to my throat. I'm choking. Ang hirap punyeta pero career-in natin. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang inilabas niya iyon sa bibg ko. Pinunasan ko ang labi ko at tumingin sa kanya.

"You're so good I have to pull it out or I'll come into your mouth."

"I just discovered that I have a talent for it," sagot ko saka ako tumayo.

He pinched my butt and played his fingers on my clit.

"You like that, don't you?" Tumango ako agad.

Then he inserted his two fingers inside my vagina and moved it upwards. Napasinghap ako. This is a new world to me. This is so fucking good. I moaned louder than a cat making love on the top of roof. Wala namang tao na rito 'di ba? I can enjoy this.

"Ahhh—Shit, Raiden. Why are you doing this to me—" I bit his ear and moaned.

Then I felt my body trembled when I reached my first climax. Damn, that was so intense.

Hirap na hirap akong huminga sa ginawa niya. Papatayin niya ako sa sarap. Maybe this is how I will die. This is how he will kill me. Good, good idea.

Nagulat ako nang hawakan niya ang paa ko at ipinatong 'yon sa balikat niya. Am I gymnast now? How am I doing this? I stopped thinking when he inserted his cock inside my core and moved inside it deeper and deeper.

Napahawak ako sa kanya at nakaalalay naman siya sa akin. He kissed me while he's thrusting his big buddy inside me with his full strength. This is pretty hard core and we're doing it in a warehouse kung saan may kamamatay lang na mga incubi. There is blood all over the damn place for Lilith's sake and we're fucking here.

Wala talagang pinipiling lugar 'to si Rai. Kung saan niya gustong gawin, gagawin niya talaga. I just came back from hell. Hello? And I was welcomed with this! Okay, what a terrific idea. Applaud Rai for this!

"Ahhh—" And I'm hearing his damn moan. Ang sarap pakinggan!

Kinuha niya ang legs ko at ibinaba 'yon. Hinawakan n'ya ang baywang ko at agad n'ya akong binuhat. This position again? I wrapped my legs on his waist while he inserted his dick to mine again. And yes, ride all you can na naman baby.

"You love my back and you love me riding on you," bulong ko sa kanya.

"I do." Hirap na hirap niyang sagot kasi he's doing all the work. Natawa na lamang ako.

"Steady ka lang muna." I adjusted myself at ako sinabayan ko na siya sa paggalaw.

Ladies and gentlemen, I can now die.

"Ahhhh!" Pikit mata at pikit labi akong buwis buhay na nakikipagsabayan dito habang nasa posisyon na ganito. Then I reached my second climax. He's that good.

Napalunok na lamang ako nang maramdaman ang pagkabaon ng alaga niya sa loob ko. Sobra na, sobra na 'to.

"Get off," wika niya kaya't agad akong bumaba. Itinalikod niya ako at doon muling pinusisyon ang sarili alaga niya sa loob ko. I can hear our skin rubbing on each other while we're both moaning from pleasure. What a great remix.

"I'm coming," hirap na hirap niyang bulong saka niya inilabas ang alaga niya at doon nagpakawala.

Pero bakit parang may mali sa akin?

I'm supposed to be tired right now. Dapat ngayon pagod na pagod na ko. Sa posisyon na ginawa namin, normal lang na dapat talaga wala na akong lakas pero—

"Isa pa," sabi ko kaya't napatingin sa akin si Raiden.

"What?"

"Sabi ko, isa pa."

He licked his lips at napangiti. "Are you sure? Dito ulit?" tanong niya.

"Yes," sagot ko at muli siyang hinalikan.

Nagtaka ako ng bumitaw siya sa paghalik ko.

"Pagbibigyan kita ngayon, Maru, but be careful. You're eating too much life force from me."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Kaya ba't parang pagod na siya? Because of that? Because of what I've become?

"Oh..." Iyan lamang ang tanging lumabas sa bibig ko.

So ito ang pinagbago ko? Yes, of course, a succubus. And it affects him?

"You're also affected?"

Tumango siya sa tanong ko. Oh, fuck.

"Pero—Pero gutom pa ako. Gusto ko pa."

"I know." He kissed me again at muling nagsalita. "Let's go home first and we'll continue there."

Tumango ako. Hinalikan niya ako ulit saka niya muling isinuot ang damit niya. Kinuha ko na rin ang mga damit ko at nagbihis ulit. Hindi ko maintindihan. Wala naman akong nararamdaman na kakaiba. Sobrang hinahanap-hanap ko lang. Ganito ba pakiramdam na maging succubus? Hahanap-hanapin mo talaga?

"This is too hard," biglaang sabi ko. Tumingin ako kay Rai. "I don't want to stay like this. Is there a way na matanggal 'to?"

Hindi agad nakasagot sa akin si Raiden. "I'm not sure."

"You don't want to stay like that?" tanong niya sa akin.

Kumunot-noo ako. "I don't like the feeling."

"But you can adjust and adapt."

"Through having sex every single day? No." Umiling ako. "I don't want to become like this forever."

Hindi agad umimik si Rai kaya naman tiningnan ko siya ng mabuti. I know what he's thinking. I know what's running inside his mind. Because Lilith already offered it to me and I know what exactly what Raiden wants.

"You want me to stay like this."

Hindi siya muli umimik. Huminga ako ng malalim at umiwas ng tingin.

"Let's talk about this next time. Let me eat you again first. Puwede ba?"

Nakita ko ulit ang pagngiti at pag-iling niya.

"Let's go."