Chapter 10: First Phase

I didn't completely pass out. However, after the last hit I took, my senses had become too weak even to grasp what had happened. Basta ang alam ko lang ay binali ni Brienne ang usapan namin.

That witch would pay for this!

Nung magmulat ang mga mata ko ay mukha agad ni Callum ang bumungad sa akin. Nakapikit ang kanyang mga mata at nakaawang pa nang kaunti ang kanyang mga labi. He was still unconscious.

Nagawa kong makabangon. Wala na akong nararamdaman na sakit. Inikot ko ang tingin sa kabuuan ng silid. Kahit na may mga pagbabago ay agad ko pa rin itong nakilala. This is the home of Aristotles.

It's already daytime. How long was I unconscious?

I heard Callum let out a grunt. Nakangiwi ang kanyang labi habang nakahawak sa ulo. Nakatingin siya sa akin na tila wala pang ideya sa kung ano ang nangyari.

"I feel weird," he complained.

I just stared at him blankly. He will feel weirder later.

Bumangon siya saka nag-inat ng katawan. Hininhintay ko pa rin na mahimasmasan siya para malaman niya kung ano ang nangyari. How the hell did he fall into her trick? Fuck. I fell too!

Agad na bumaba sa mga binti ko ang kanyang tingin. For some reason, there was a relief seen on his face. Saka niya ginulo ang kulay pulang buhok at humikab.

"Akala ko tumakas ka na," sambit niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Saka ko lang napagtanto na nakakadena ang mga binti ko. Sinubukan kong alisin pero bigo ako. Nagpumiglas ako pero walang nangyari.

Why the hell am I chained, and he's not?

"What the hell happened?" As if he had just realized we were in a strange position, he started questioning himself. He stared at me, confused. "Bakit ako andito sa kwarto mo? Did I fall asleep?"

"What do you think?" I asked sarcastically.

He looked at me in an ominous way. "I think nakatulog ako dahil sa pinainom mo sa akin na dugo. I am not complaining, though. That was the best drink I ever had."

My lips parted. What the hell is he talking about?

"May saging pa sa kusina. Ikukuha kita—"

"Okay. Listen, Callum." I sighed. "I know it's weird, but," My voice was calm, even though I knew there was nothing to be calm about our situation. "Can you at least remove the shackles?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot. Lumabas siya ng kwarto at iniwang nakabukas ang pintuan. Kahit na nakatali ang dalawa kong mga paa ay umalis pa rin ako sa kama. Patalon-talon ko siyang sinundan sa kusina.

I'm getting extremely frustrated. I cannot stay here for long. Hahanapin ako ng mga pinuno. Hindi pa gano'n katagal nung tinakas namin si Brienne.

"Puwede mo ba akong painumin ng dugo mo ulit?" tanong niya habang nagbabalat ng saging. "I promise to give you something else in return. I know you are sick of eating bananas for days."

"Fine. First, please release me from these restraints."

A chuckle escaped his lips. Hinawakan niya ang braso ko saka inalalayan akong makaupo. Nilapag niya ang plato na may mga saging sa harapan ko.

"I cannot do that, Brienne. Baka tumakas ka at malagot ako kay Lord Oscar," aniya. "Just eat. Baka bukas ay karne na ang kainin mo."

Okay. That's it.

I took the plate and threw it across the room. Nabasag ang plato na lumikha ng nakakabinging ingay. Napabuntonghininga na lang si Callum.

"Sa tingin ko ay nagsasawa ka na sa saging—"

"I'm not Brienne!" That was senseless to say, but I still tried anyway. Nung makita kong napailing na lang si Callum ay mas lalo akong nairita. "Listen, Callum. Believe it or not, I am not Brienne."

"Then, who are you?" his brows arched.

I swallowed. "I'm Oscar."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa akin at hinaplos ang mukha ko at buhok.

"L-Lord Oscar?" he mumbled.

I nodded. "It's me."

"I will get you bread instead, Lord Oscar." Ginulo niya ang buhok ko saka tumalikod para ikuha ako ng tinapay. "May crush ka ba sa kanya?"

I refused to say anything at this point. He is clearly under some spell of witchcraft, deluding him into believing I am someone else. The question is, where is Brienne? If she's not here, she must have escaped.

Shit. We are in trouble.

"Gusto mo bang ipalaman ang saging sa tinapay?" tanong niya.

There's no way to make him believe. Sinubukan kong ilabas ang mga pangil ko pero wala akong naramdaman na kahit ano. Not a single jolt of heat or shiver of intensity slid into my veins. There was nothing.

Callum stared at me weirdly. "Why are you showing me your teeth?"

"Do you know that we are in danger?" I asked.

He nodded. Umupo siya sa tapat ko saka kumain ng saging. Pinalaman niya 'yon sa tinapay. Nakangiti siya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Honestly, we really are," he said as he shoved the food down his mouth. "Kapag nakatakas ka ay mas manganganib tayo."

"Witches can copy someone else's appearance. Have you heard about that?" I questioned. "Don't you think there's a chance that I am not Brienne?"

He winced. "You are really weird. Buti na lang maganda ka."

What the fuck?

"By any chance," he cleared his throat. "Are you interested in having a vampire friend? Boyfriend? Or just a company? Hmm?"

"You got exiled because of me, Callum. Pinalabas kong nagpabayad ka sa ibang bampira para maging spy sa Nightfall Clan. Kahit na ang totoo ay kinailangan ka naming patalsikin dahil magsusumbong ka kay Brixton."

"Damn." He looked so amused. "Witches can really read someone's history."

"That's because I am not a fucking witch. I'm Oscar Cardinal. Unfortunately, Brienne has tricked me as well. Now we are here, fucked, but you don't realize it yet."

Shit. How can I convince him that it's really me?

When he realized he was down to his final slice of bread, he stuffed it in his mouth and stared at me maliciously as he chewed. "I would love to have more of your blood. I loved it!"

I winced and cringed. Not just were we in a ridiculous situation, but also awkward. He was flirting with me without knowing I could slit his throat that moment I freed myself from these shackles.

"Anyway, may usapan kami ni Lord Oscar. Makikipagkita ako sa kanya mamayang gabi para magbalita. I will take that opportunity to your raise your concern about food. Alam kong sawa ka na sa saging."

"Just shut the fuck up, Callum. If you don't believe me, just don't talk at all. All right?"

"Damn. Why are you so grumpy?" he chuckled.

Wala sa sariling kumuha ako ng tinapay at sapilitang kumain. Hindi ako maaaring magpalipas ng araw rito. Kailangan kong makaalis.

"I have a joke," he declared.

I didn't respond.

"Why is Peter Pan always flying?"

Hindi pa rin ako kumibo.

"Because he Neverland." And he started laughing.

I think the worst part of being stuck in this delusion was I had to deal with Callum and his old-ass jokes. Not to mention that he thought I was a damn woman who he could flirt with. But how could I forget about the runaway witch who tricked us both?

"Don't you get tired of that joke?" I sighed.

I looked around. The kitchen was small, but complete with utensils. Makaluma ang mga bagay at ang kailangan pang magsiga para makapagluto.

The plan was to encage Brienne her. Pero kami ngayon ang nakakulong. Great.

"Come on. I'm just trying to make you laugh," sabi pa niya. "Alam ko kasing bored na na masyado. I feel bad, but it's not like I have a choice."

Sinubukan kong igalaw ang mga paa ko, pero masyadong dikit ang mga ito para magalaw ko. Malamang na may salamangka rin ang nakatali sa akin.

"I think you need sunlight," aniya saka kinuha ang mga plato saka nilagay sa sink. "You are not a vampire. Masamang nakakulong ka lang dito."

"No. I'm fine here."

"Oh, come on." Hinawakan niya ang braso ko saka ako sapilitang tinayo. Habang wala pa akong maisip na paraan para makawala ay sumabay na lang muna ako. "Gusto mo bang buhatin kita?"

"I can jump—"

"Buhatin na kita." He made an attempt to pick me up and carry me, but I pushed him away and stared at him. He chuckled and shrugged. "Let me loosen the shackles. Para makalakad ka kahit kaunti."

I was standing still when he knelt down. Hinawakan niya ang tali sa paa ko. I took that chance to shove him down with my elbow pressed against his neck, restricting his moves.

"Free me," I said with a threat. "I have no time for this bullshit."

He cracked a grin. "How can you be so hot?"

Mas diniin ko ang siko sa kanyang leeg. Ngunit parang wala lang sa kanya 'yon. He didn't look like he was struggling at all. My entire body repulsively jolted when I felt his hands on my waist.

I gave him a good smack across the face. Kahit papaano ay nasaktan siya. So I tried to hit him once again, but he swiftly altered our position. Ako na ngayon ang nasa sahig at siya ang nakapatong sa akin.

"I adore brave ladies," he whispered. His face was too close to me that I could feel his words against my skin. "Too bad I am not really into witches."

Hinawakan niya ang likod ko saka inalalayan akong makatayo. Wala akong nagawa nung buhatin niya ako para ilabas. I felt so tiny in his arms.

"You are a wicked witch," he whispered.

Nung nasa labas na kami ng bahay ay binaba na rin niya ako sa tapat ng araw. Kahit papaano ay maluwag na ang tali sa mga paa ko kaya nagagawa kong igalaw ang mga ito. But it's still not enough for me to break it.

Umupo sa ilalim ng puno si Callum saka sumandal doon. Nakatingin siya sa akin. Nung napansin niyang nakatitig din ako sa kanya ay ngumiti siya.

"Did I break your heart when I said I'm not into witches?" he asked.

"You will break your jaw after we get out of this."

I roamed my eyes around. There was nothing but trees. I was anxious about the possibility that the Seniors may go looking for me if I could not make it home before the sun went down.

"So, Brienne..." Callum cleared his throat. "Bakit ka napadpad sa pangkat ng mga bampira? You could have just joined Nightfall Clan instead. That would make even more sense. But Caligo Clan? They are rebel vampires."

"First of all, how did you know about that? Kaming mga Seniors lang ang nakakaalam sa bagay na 'yan." I stared at him, suspiciously. "Lagi ka bang nakikinig sa amin?"

He shrugged. "I just want to help Lord Oscar."

"But you are not helping by eavesdropping on the conversation. You are just putting yourself in danger. You have only recently rejoined this clan. You have not yet earned our whole confidence. Simply put, you are prone to suspicions."

I was still frustrated given our situation. Pero nung siniwalat niya ang mga nalalaman ay napalitan ng pangamba ang nararamdaman ko.

He laughed, and it appeared that he hadn't understood what I was trying to say. Or maybe he did. It wasn't simply something that bothered him enough. But I was telling the truth. Kapag nalaman ng mga Seniors na may alam siya ay hindi nila ito magugustuhan.

"Well, Lord Oscar trusts me. Alam niyang wala akong ibang motibo sa pagbabalik ko rito," he remarked, shrugging his shoulders.

"W-what else do you know?" I asked.

"Is this a trick?" he eyed me, suspiciously. "You are trying to trick me again, Brienne. Ikaw ang tinatanong ko pero binaliktad mo ang sitwasyon."

I sighed. Tumabi na lang ako sa kanya.

"Mamayang gabi ay makikipagkita ako kay Lord Oscar," bulong niya saka ako inakbayan. Sinubukan kong alisin ang braso niya pero mas hinila niya ako pasandal sa kanya.

"Good luck with that," I smirked. "I hope you find him there."

"You know what?" Inalis niya ang braso sa balikat ko saka humarap sa akin. Nawala ang mapaglarong ngiti sa kanyang labi. "Lord Oscar's life is so tragic that it baffles me how he he can still stay in this place. Lahat ng buhay rito ay nasisira. It would have been easier if he just escaped this place just like the rest."

Natawa ako. Damn. I don't like it when they see me as this pathetic man who cannot deal with his demons because he is too soft-hearted to do so. That may be the reason why I tried to follow in my father's footsteps. I wanted to change that.

"Maybe I get where he is coming from." Callum let out a sigh before looking at my feet. His face suddenly took on a worried expression.

"Does it hurt?"

"Yeah."

He nodded. "I cannot do anything about that."

"Wait. What do you mean by that?"

"Lord Oscar?"

I only gave a small nod, so as not to give away how interested I was.

"Because the Nightfall Clan is all he has."

"I see..." Bumaba ang boses ko.

"He lost everything just to get here. And now he's here; there's nothing left but this." Muli siyang tumingin sa akin. "Don't you think that's tragic?"

I shrugged. "He looked just fine."

"Is he really?"

I looked away. He is.

"Thank you, Brienne."

Muli niyang naagaw ang atensyon ko. He was smiling again. The kind of smile that I rarely see on his face. That genuine and kind smile.

"Why?" I asked.

"I think Celeste is really his greatest failure. Therefore, by helping him get in touch with her again, you are helping him to face his greatest fear. Do you not believe it requires a significant amount of bravery for one to confront their fears?"

I smiled. "You are a good friend, Callum."

"Do you think we can be good friends as well?"

I just laughed.

Natigilan kami nung may marinig na kaluskos sa paligid. Bago ko pa man mapagtanto ang mga bagay-bagay ay napaligiran na nila kami.

Lord Reggar stared at me, full of disgust.

"What the hell is going on here?" Lord Varnes asked. "Bakit ka nakagapos, Lord Oscar?"

Bumaling ako kay Lord Wenson. Siya lang ang nagpakita ng pangamba para sa kalagayan ko. Nakakuyom ang mga kamao niya at gaya ko ay

hindi rin magawang makapagsalita.

"What are you two doing here?" malamig na tanong ni Lord Reggar. The deadpan tone on his voice sent me chills. "Bakit ka nagapos, Lord Oscar?"

"Did you do it?" tanong ni Lord Varnes kay Callum. "Ikaw ba ang naggapos kay Lord Oscar?"

"I knew it!" Lord Wenson blurted out. He was glaring at Callum. "You were once exiled from this clan. Kaya ka pala bumalik ay para maghiganti!"

"W-what?" Callum looked so confused.

"Milords..." Lord Wenson swallowed as his fists clenched tightly. "I think my hunch was right. This guy is a member of Caligo Clan. Siya rin ang nagpalaya sa manggagamot at ngayon ay binihag naman niya si Lord Oscar."

Mabilis na nilapitan ng mga kawal si Callum. Nagpumiglas si Callum kaya sinipa siya sa dibdib. Napaluhod siya saka ginapos.

"Let me help you." Kinalag ni Lord Wenson ang tali sa mga paa ko. Saka niya ako inalalayan na makatayo. "You are safe now."

I was unable to tear my gaze away from Callum. Nakaluhod pa rin ito at nakayuko.

"Are you really from Caligo Clan?" tanong ni Lord Reggar kay Callum. Nung hindi ito tumugon sa tanong ay sinipa niya ang mukha nito. Napahiga si Callum. Nilagay ni Lord Reggar ang isang paa sa dibdib ni Callum saka dinaganan.

"Let's get out of here," bulong sa akin ni Lord Wenson.

Bumaling sa akin si Callum. Tumango siya na parang sinasabi na sumama na ako kay Lord Wenson.

"Did you free the witch?" muling tanong ni Lord Reggar.

I heard Callum groan when Lord Reggar hit him again. I had to do something, but I did nothing but watch him suffer there.

"Lord Oscar. Sumama ka na pabalik," bulong pa rin ni Lord Wenson at pilit akong hinihila. "Please do as I say. You cannot save him anymore."

His last sentence triggered a sensitive part of me. I couldn't save her anymore. That's why I decided to set her free. I couldn't fight for her. That's why I decided not to fight at all.

Lord Reggar stepped on Callum's neck and began to choke him. Blood gushed from the corner of his mouth as he fought to support the weight of the ruthless man.

"You know what I despise the most?" Lord Reggar pressed his foot in his neck even more. Napansin kong nanginginig na ang mga kamay ni Callum. "Traitors."

"Wait. We just assumed everything!" biglang sambit ni Lord Varnes. Saka siya bumaling sa akin. "Lord Oscar. Siya ba talaga ang may gawa nito?"

"What do you mean? Nakita nating nakagapos siya!" paglaban ni Lord Wenson. "Hindi ba sapat ba ebidensya 'yon na ginawa niyang bihag si Lord Oscar?"

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak sa braso ko ni Lord Wenson. He was trying to cover me up.

"Then, let's put him in trial for now," saad pa ni Lord Varnes. "We will investigate into this matter further. Sa ngayon ay ikukulong muna natin siya."

"No," ani Lord Reggar. "I won't let another traitor escape anymore."

I swallowed when Lord Reggar withdrew his sword. The edge of the weapon glistened as it pointed to Callum's throat.

"Come with me now!" madiin na sambit ni Lord Wenson.

"L-Lord Oscar..." tawag sa akin ni Callum. "I can see you now."

Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko habang nakatingin sa kaibigan ko. He was smiling again. The kind of smile that I rarely see on his face. That scared but friendly smile.

"I-I'm sorry..." he whispered. "I'm sorry for betraying you and Nightfall Clan."

"He just admitted it!" ani Lord Wenson.

I looked away and turned my back.

"That's right. Come with me," Lord Wenson whispered.

"It was me..." I whispered.

"Lord Oscar..." may pagbabanta sa boses ni Lord Wenson. "Please just come with me. I will take of everything. Just don't say anything."

With tears around my eyes, I looked back and screamed, "It was me! I betrayed Nightfall Clan! I did it!"

There was complete silence.

My gaze was quickly drawn to Callum. I fell to my knees when I saw his head on the spike of the sword. The blood was dripping on his body.

I firmly shut my eyes. This is not happening, is it? Is this happening again?

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Brienne's face looking down at me with concern. She caressed my cheeks and wiped my tears.

"You survived the first phase, Lord Oscar," she whispered.