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Living Nightmare

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MIRACLE SAT abruptly on her bed with a gasp, sweat trickling down her back as her hair hung limply across her face.

It was barely morning — the sun was yet to rise from the east of Yrris City, and the sky was still a dark shade of indigo. A few birds were settled by the window sill next to her bed, chirping quietly.

"Oh Marias," she murmured, closing her eyes once more to catch her breath. Ipinatong ng dalaga ang isang kamay sa kaniyang noo, naaalala pa rin ang kaniyang bangungot.

Bangungot. That was all there is to it. Nothing but a harmless nightmare.

"Mira!" A voice suddenly called out from below the wooden floors of her quaint bedroom, and Miracle was forced to open her eyes once more.

"Bumaba ka na diyan at kumain!" Sigaw nanaman ng boses mula sa ibaba. She could hear the faint sound of a whistling kettle, and the smell of garlic lingering in the air. Miracle ran a hand through her dark, shoulder-length, wavy hair in an attempt to get it out of her face, before squinting at the low blue light of the early morning sky that emanated from her window.

She then tried to make sense of the time. Sa kaniyang tantya ay mag-aalas singko palang ng madaling araw.

"MIRA! Isa pang tawag at talagang 'di na kita hahandaan ng almusal kahit kailan!" Sigaw muli ng kaniyang ina dahilan para bumuntong-hininga ang dalaga.

"I'm awake!" She yelled back before finally rolling out of bed, her sheets crumpled and sweaty after another night of terrifying dreams. Medyo hindi pa makapag-isip ng maayos ang dalaga lalo na't nakabaon pa rin sa kaniyang utak ang lalaking pinatay sa gitna ng kalsada.

"It's just a dream, Mira." She muttered to herself as she entered the shower. Just a dream.

Ilang beses niya pang inulit-ulit ito sa sarili habang naliligo, hanggang sa nakabihis na siya at nakatayo sa harap ng salamin. But instead of seeing her own reflection's above average height, almond-colored skin, and bronze eyes; the haunting image of the man's lifeless eyes stared back at her.

Agad na napailing ang dalaga at napakurap ng mata, shaking off the traumatizing image. Binuksan niya muli ang kaniyang mga mata at saka palang niya nakita ang kaniyang sarili — nakasuot ng isang dark purple na turtleneck, gray waterfall vest, isang pares ng itim na slacks, at low ankle boots.

Miracle let out a shaky breath. Kahit ata gabi-gabi siyang nananaginip ay hindi pa rin ito sanay sa kaniyang mga nakikita at naaalala.

But despite this, the twenty two year old tried her best to act normal as soon as she went down the rickety wooden ladders that served as the stairs of their home.

"Kamusta naman ang pag-oversleep mo, prinsesa?" Bungad na tanong ng kaniyang ina pagkapasok ng dalaga sa may kusina. Nakatalikod ito, at kapansin-pansin na tanging ang itaas na bahagi lamang ng kaniyang katawan ang makikita. It was floating up in mid-air with the help of a pair of wings behind her back.

"Minsan nakakalimutan mo atang may trabaho ka anak." Komento muli ng kaniyang nanay na lumingon para bigyan ng isang malokong ngisi ang anak. Despite the horrific nature of her mother's upper half-body  suspended in the air, Alejandra Dela Cuesta was beautiful and youthful, free from the usual motherly wrinkles.

"Ma, bakit 'di ka pa bumabalik sa paanan mo?" Nguso ni Miracle habang hinalikan sa pisngi ang kaniyang ama na nagbabasa naman ng dyaryo sa may lamesa. Sa sulok ng kusina malapit sa pintuan palabas ng garden ay makikita ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan ng kaniyang ina. Some of her organs and intestines were out displayed for everyone to see.

"Ay nako Alejandra ibinabalandra mo nanaman sa anak mo yang laman-loob mo." Miracle's father remarked as he flipped the page of the newspaper with one of his hooves, before leaning down to slurp from his morning bowl of warm pig's blood.

"Aba eh Atlas, mas madali kayang magluto habang lumilipad." Her mother retorted, and Miracle couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't everyday that one lived with parents who were Elemental creatures; specifically a manananggal for a mother, and a tikbalang for a father.

They seemed so special and unique, and Miracle wondered why she was so unlike them, so different — so ordinary — like the boring humans that lived on the other side of the Philippine Sea.

Everyday, she'd curse herself in front of the mirror and wonder why she didn't inherit her mother's wings or her father's toned body. Unlike her parents, she was a No-yrr, a non-magical Yrrino. She had no ability to shape shift, fly, or even the very least, have super power speed. She hated herself for it, hated that she looked nothing like an Elemental, but so much like humans; hated that she was non-magical, and hated that whatever she did, Miracle Dela Cuesta just did not fit in with the rest of the Yrrinos who lived in the small city of Yrris — a barricaded land set in the middle of a lone island far off the edge of the Philippines, away from humans.

"Kumain ka na anak. Malayo pa ang lalakbayin mo papunta sa trabaho. Buti sana kung may pakpak ka rin." Her mother said urgingly, pushing Miracle's plate of fried pig's rice towards her.

Miracle replied to her mother with a small smile. Sana nga may pakpak nalang siya, so that she didn't have to live with the pressure of making up for her lack of useful magical qualities. Para sa dalaga, kahit hindi man sabihin ng kaniyang mga magulang, ramdam ni Miracle na kailangan niyang patunayan ang sarili niya sa kanila, at sa lahat ng mga Yrrino na nakakasalamuha niya. It was a self-sabotaging trait, but for the young girl, what matter most was that at the very least, she was trying her best to be useful to the magical community and fit in.

After consuming only a few spoonfuls of her breakfast, Miracle immediately stood up and grabbed her sling bag that hung from her chair's back.

"Pasok na 'ko sa trabaho ma, pa, love you!" She said hurriedly, waving a rushed goodbye to the two who looked up in surprise.

"Teka, hindi ka ba magbabaon—"

"'Di na ma, bye!" Mabilisang sabi nito. And with one swift motion, the young girl bursted out of their home that was made from bamboos and straws. She then ran into the small, open field of tall grasses that stretched from their home, and landed on the muddy pathway of the road connecting to the large canals of the city.

Kumaway ang dalaga nang makita ang kaniyang nanay na kumakaway rin sa kaniyang pag-alis. She then gripped her bag and looked around the neighborhood of the Cacao Division. There were many other small cottage-like houses such as theirs scattered across the fields, some made out of bamboos and straws too, others made from left-over stones and raw bricks hardened from mud. May mga bahay na kasing-liit ng tahanan para sa mga dwende at tiyanak, at may mga bahay na gawa sa kumpol ng mga puno para naman sa mga malalaking engkanto tulad ng sarangay at anggitay.

With one last glance, she then walked along the flooded pathways that would lead her out of the division.

"Maaga ka ngayon, Mira. Buti naman at ginising ka ni Alejandra." Bati ni Lolong Liit, ang pinakamatandang nuno sa punso dito sa dibisyon, habang naglalakad palapit ang dalaga. Nakaupo ang matanda sa kaniyang punso na malapit sa isang puno ng balete, suot-suot ang kaniyang maliit na sumbrero, at hawak-hawak ang isang tungkod.

"Sinong hindi magigising sa lakas ng boses nun 'Lo, unti nalang pati mga sirena magigising sa kaniya." Tawa ng dalaga habang kumakaway sa matandang abot sa sahig na ang balbas.

"Mas mabuti na ang maaga gumising kaysa maabutan ang mga malolokong sentinels." The elder said grimly, his gaze seemingly far away for a moment before snapping out of it.

"O siya, mag-ingat ka. Parang may masama akong pakiramdam sa mga susunod na araw." Sambit ng nuno nang nasa harapan na niya ang dalaga.

"Sus, wala 'yan 'lo, baka kulang ka lang po sa tulog. Sobrang baho na rin kasi ng kanal dito sa'tin — ang hirap na makahinga." Reklamo ni Miracle habang iwinisik ang maduming tubig sa kaniyang paanan. Dahil direktang konektado ang daan sa mga kanal ng Yrris, maputik at matubig ang mga kalsada ng Cacao Division — isang bagay na matagal nang tinitiis ng mga Elementals na nakatira rito.

"Pinabayaan na talaga tayo ng mga nasa taas." Dagdag pa ng dalaga, sighing in disdain as the canal water reached above her ankles.

"Baka nga anak," malungkot na sambit ng nuno. Puting-puti na ang mga buhok nito. "Sana ibalik na tayo sa gubat, katulad ng sinaunang panahon. Matagal na rin akong 'di nakakatulog at nakakakain ng maayos dito."

Napatingin muli ang dalaga sa matanda. "If it makes you feel better 'lo, malapit na rin po ang eleksyon. Baka sakaling magkaroon na tayo ng pagbabago." The young girl smiled in reassurance, before finally waving goodbye to the old elf.

Hindi masaya ang byahe palabas ng Cacao Division. Nang nakarating na siya sa dulo ng tunnel na pinaka-exit ng border, pawis na agad ang dalaga habang putikan na ang kaniyang sapatos. Trudging through mud and dirty canal water was not a fun way to start one's morning, but it wasn't as if Miracle had any choice. Ganito na talaga magmula pa ang neighborhood ng mga Elemental creatures, at mukhang ito pa rin ang magiging estado nila hanggang sa magkaroon ng totoong pagbabago.

As she exited the last canal tunnel, the early sunrise of purple, blue and pink hues greeted her. This was one of the few rare advantages of the division — the sunrise and sunsets were always a view to die for.

Dito sa kabilang dako ay mas malinis na ang paligid. Mas marami na ring puno at bulaklak. On the right side of the pathway was a lone, wooden platform and a streetlight. This was the only train station that was nearest to the Cacao Division. Kung tutuusin, para ngang ang layo mula sa sibilisasyon ang dibisyon kumpara sa ibang mga siyudad at parte ng Yrris.

Miracle stood on the platform along with other Elementals, waiting for the morning train to arrive. A few crows sat on top of the streetlamp, nesting and cooing, whilst an election poster was stamped on its steel post.

Makikita sa poster ang mukha ng isang lalaking nakangiti ng malaki, at naka-thumbs up — the name "Jaeremy Elvacio" plastered across it."Si JR, iboto muli, at buong Yrris ang magwawagi!" ang nakasulat na tagline rito.

Bago pa matitigan ng dalaga nang mas mabuti ang poster, ay bigla niyang narinig ang malakas na sipol ng tren na paparating.

Soon enough, one of the few old rickety trains of Yrris City arrived, smoke belching, horn hooting, slowing down and eventually reaching to a full stop.

"Attention passengers: we have just arrived at Cacao Division train station. Next up: Sinukuan Border." The announcer said through the speakers as Miracle and the other Elementals waiting on the platform, stepped onto the train.

"Welcome aboard, Yrrinos! To repeat, the next stop would be at Sinukuan Border's train station. Please follow safety protocols and avoid blocking the doors. We will be moving shortly. Thank you."

Miracle took her usual seat by the window, pulling out her earphones. Mahaba-haba ang byahe papunta sa Sinukuan Border, kaya't mas mainam para sa dalaga na makinig nalang sa musika habang bumabyahe.

By the time the train started rolling again, Miracle noticed that Jaeremy Elvacio's election flyers had also been posted inside the train, some on the metal poles of the train handles, others on the train's interior walls. It was all the same — the same smiling face and thumbs up that seemed to be staring back at Miracle the longer she looked at it. For a moment, she was then taken back to the image of the dead man in her dream, which was enough for her to shake her head and focus her attention out the train's window.

"Breathe, Mira." She muttered, counting the trees they had passed. Little by little, the train was now passing the Wallowing Woods, the once habitat of the Elementals. For unknown reasons, the government had relocated the creatures out of the forest and by the edge of the city where the canals were. The Elementals were furious of course, but chose to be silent in order to respect the culture of harmony amongst Yrrinos. 

But until now, the young girl wondered what the cause for the resettlement was, as the woods seemed to be abandoned and emptier than ever. She then watched from the window, lone trees starting to grow by the number until she could see nothing but a thick group of branches and leaves.

It wasn't long though before the forest soon gave way to the clearing, and Miracle knew that they were now transitioning from the Wallowing Woods and into the border where Harpies — the most deceptive and cunning Yrrinos — lived.

Sure enough, the large stone arch with the words "Sinukuan Border" engraved on it welcomed the train, thrusting them through the streets of the Harpies. Sa mga kalsada ay makikita ang mga malalaking kapreng nakasuot ng business attire at mukhang papasok rin sa kani-kanilang mga trabaho. May mga ilan na mukhang nagbubukas na ng mga establishamento at mga casino. Mayroon rin namang mga Harpies na nakatambay pa rin sa gilid ng kalsada, nakapalibot sa isang maliit na lamesang puno ng mga boteng wala ng laman. Miracle knew based from her parents' stories that Sinukuan Border was also known as the Hub of Vice and Sin in Yrris City, as the Yrrinos there indulged in their love for drinking and betting — something that can be observed from afar by someone who had a good eye.

Miracle had never been assigned to a beat in Sinukuan Border, but she had always wondered what it would be like to see the neighborhood for herself. The thought didn't linger much on her mind though as the train shot past by the Harpies' territory, and soon enough, they were leaving Sinukuan Border and now entering the largest and richest area of Yrris — none other than District Makiling.

Makiling was far different from Cacao Division. In Cacao, everything was organic, a place pulled out from a farmland on a hill — except it was near the wasteland of Yrris City's canals. Makiling on the other hand was futuristic, with tall, towering buildings that stretched towards the sky. There were roads, sky ways, railroads, tracks, and lines everywhere. Despite it being early in the morning, the district was already bustling and alive, with Seers, people who lived in the territory, walking towards every direction imaginable. Miracle felt much more welcomed here. There were no odd-looking creatures with unique abilities crawling all over the place. Everyone looked like her, like the ordinary humans they've learned in the academies. The only difference is, Seers had the power to manipulate perception, foretell the past or future, and for the most powerful ones, interpret one's energy and omen — something that Miracle could not do in her entire lifetime.

She simply looked like them, but she could never be like them, or any magical Yrrino for that matter.

"Attention passengers! We are now arriving District Makiling, the last station. Please check your belongings before leaving the train. Remember to not crowd and block the doors for everyone's safety. Thank you, and may the Marias be with you all." The conductor announced through the speaker. Sure enough, unti-unti na ring bumagal ang tren hanggang sa tuluyan itong tumigil. 

Napatayo na ang dalaga mula sa kaniyang upuan at pumila kasama ang mga kapwa Yrrino na palabas ng tren. The fresh, urban air greeted Miracle as soon as she stepped on the platform. Others had gone through different directions, and the young girl made her way to the stairs that led to one of the bustling streets in District Makiling. 

Mahigpit na hinawakan ni Miracle ang kaniyang bag habang naglakad sa dagat ng mga tao. The atmosphere was lively, with the sidewalks spotted with a few carts here and there selling treats to the passerby. Shops with large glass windows lined the streets, enticing people with its products. Napatingala ang dalaga sa itaas, sinusundan ng tingin ang mga naglalakihang building na tila ba nahahawakan na ang langit. It was so different from the small houses back in Cacao Division. Kahit na araw-araw na nagtatrabaho ito sa Makiling for the past three years, hindi pa rin sanay ang dalaga sa siyudad. Everything else seemed so large, overwhelming and out of proportion in District Makiling, as if it could be the home for secrets and everything in between.

It was the perfect place for a writer such as Miracle.

Pushing past others, shoulder to shoulder, the young girl crossed the busy street of Amos, heading towards the second largest tower in District Makiling — none other than the building of Umalohokan — the official newspaper of the city. 

"Viva Maria," Miracle greeted the building's main guard who opened the large glass doors for her. As grand as the building's exterior was its interior — white marbled floor with grey swirls, dark mahogany accent on the walls and furniture, and potted exotic plants in its few corners. The whole place was airconditioned from top to bottom, and two sets of elevators were on both wings of the building.

Agad ni kinuwha ni Miracle ang isa sa mga elevator sa west wing at pumasok sa loob nito. It was also made out of sturdy glass material, and as the elevator rose to the top floors, Miracle could see the dizzying view of the street in front of the building before finally getting off at the 13th floor.

"Mira! Buti nandito ka na." A descriptive man greeted the young girl who entered the floor's main office. This was the center of the features department — the writers of the newspaper who focused on specific celebrities and public figures, events, places, analysis, and investigative journalism. Because the department was grueling work, the office was a sight to behold with its many cubicles and inner writers' rooms, papers and documents strewn across desks. The floor still had the building's signature glass windows on the east side, where it showed the beautiful skyline of Yrris City.

"Good morning Sir Ylvaso—"

"I'm reassigning you." Miracle's boss cut her off, dahilan para mapatigil ang dalaga.

"P-po??"

"We are cut short off feature writers this election season." The features editor said quickly, scrambling to the other side of the office as Miracle struggled to catch up with his footsteps. "As such, I'm reassigning you from crime to the political news beat. I want you to follow on our leading candidate here, Mr. Elvacio." Sambit ng matanda at saka itinaas ang election poster na kanina pang umaga nakikita ng dalaga.

It was the same smiling face and thumbs up.

Miracle frowned.

"Sir, hindi po ba si Lili ang naka-assign kay Elvacio?" Tanong nito, dahilan para ibaba ng editor ang papel at bumuntong-hininga.

"I don't think you've noticed with you busy with your own articles, but Lili hasn't been going to work for two days now. Wala man lang siyang pasabi kung nasa'n siya sa panahon na sobrang busy tayo." Mr. Ylvaso sighed.

Mas lalong kumunot ang mukha ng dalaga. Mira's morning seemed to be getting more and more odd with every minute that passed by.

"Kung yung trabaho ang inaalala mo, wag kang mag-alala. I'm sure you can fill Lili's shoes for the meantime under our guidance. As for Lili, I'll try to ask the HR to contact her as soon as possible. Hindi pwedeng iniiwan niya lang tayo kung kailan ngarag ang lahat," he then shook his head. "O siya, pumunta ka na kina Gertrude sa political beat. She'll brief you on where to start."

Miracle's head was starting to get dizzy, but she nodded anyway.

Hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in sa kaniya na absent ang pinaka-kaibigan niya sa trabaho at 'di man lang niya namalayan sa sobrang busy nila dito sa opisina. "I should visit her later," Miracle thought as she headed over to the corner of the room where the feature writers for the political news beat were located.

"O basta 'yung sinabi ko sa'yo Ger, ah." An unfamiliar man whose back was turned was talking to Gertrude Espiñosa, a plump, middle-aged woman who was one of the most experienced political feature writers in the newsroom.

Binagalan ng dalaga ang paglalakad nang nasilip niya ang isang white envelope sa desk ng senior writer. Medyo nanlaki ang mata nito, dahilan para mapunta sa kaniya ang atensyon ng mas nakakatanda.

The older writer raised an eyebrow at Miracle, prompting the young girl to look away in embarrassment, turning her head instead towards the glass windows.

Maganda ang lungsod ng Yrris. Kitang-kita ang sibilisasyon at progreso ng District Makiling, lalo na't sa mga nanlalakihang gusali nito. But there is no hiding the contrast of the grandiose towers next to the faraway slums of the Cacao Division.

Miracle falters in her step as she steals one more look at the envelope on Gertrude's table — wondering if what she had just said to Lolo Liit this morning was entirely wrong.

Baka nga hindi pa sa ngayon ang pagbabago.

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