With my bag slung over my left shoulder, I approached my brother, who was gazing intently out the living room window. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, giving it an eerie, somber atmosphere. Though I could only see part of his face, the terror in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Kuya, are you alright?" I asked softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"They're here," he murmured, his voice distant as if lost in thought. "I thought we had more time."

Suddenly, he turned toward me, his expression shifting from fear to concern. The change only deepened my unease.

"Kuya, please tell me what's going on," I pleaded. "You know I can handle it, right? I'm not a kid anymore. Let me help you."

He placed his hands firmly on my shoulders, his grip steady despite the tremor in his voice. "Listen, Maki. I need you to trust me completely on this. It's for your safety," he said, pausing to lock eyes with me. His gaze was heavy, demanding my full attention. "I need you to go to your room, lock the door, and stay there. And no matter what you hear or feel, do not come out until morning. Do you understand?"

His words carried a weight that left no room for argument.

I wanted to follow his request, but a familiar fear gnawed at me—the same dread I felt years ago when our parents left on a stormy night, never to return.

"Please, Kuya," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I need to know you'll be okay. I can't just stand by and do nothing."

His expression softened as he pulled me into a tight embrace. It was the same warm hug he'd given me during our parents' wake—the same hug that made me feel safe and comforted.

"I know how you feel, Maki," he said quietly, his breath warm against my ear. "You've always been strong, and I've never doubted you for a second. You're the most important person in the world to me."

He stepped back, ruffling my hair with a faint smile. "But to me, you'll always be my little kid brother."

"Cut it out!" I protested, swatting his hand away. "Stop treating me like a child."

He chuckled softly. "I didn't even realize how much you've grown up."

For a moment, it felt like the brother I knew was back. But then a faint crash echoed from a lower floor of the building, snapping us both back to the present. My brother's eyes darted to the door before turning back to me. He reached into his wallet and pulled out a black card, its intricate design almost hypnotic.

"Keep this," he said, pressing it into my hand. The words on the card read:

HIWAGA CLUB: A Mystical Society for the Occult, Magic, and the Supernatural.

"Kuya, what is this?" I asked, bewildered.

"There's no time to explain. Just hold on to it. If anything happens to me, this card might lead you to where I'll be."

Still puzzled, I slid the card into the open pocket of my duffel bag. Questions swirled in my mind, but all I could do was stare at him, searching for answers he couldn't give.

"Maki, I know this will be hard to understand," he said, taking a deep breath. "Some people are after me, and I'm afraid they'll come for you, too. I need to get you somewhere safe so they can't hurt or use you against me. Any moment now, someone will be here for me, and I don't want you involved in any way."

A part of me wanted to argue, to persuade him to let me stay, but another part of me felt compelled to honor his request. I didn't fully understand what was happening, but I knew that whatever was going on, he had my best interests at heart.

"Okay," I relented. "But promise me you'll stay safe. And that we'll see each other soon."

He nodded solemnly. "I'll always be here for you. I'll never leave you alone."

Then the sound of footsteps echoed closer outside. My brother's face tightened as he put a finger to his lips and whispered urgently, "Go to your room. Now."

Reluctantly, I nodded and retreated to my room. I locked the door and leaned against it, trying to steady my breathing. Outside, I could hear the front door creak open, followed by muffled voices.

Then came the sound of a loud blast, followed by clanking metal and piercing screams. My heart pounded as the noises grew louder and more chaotic.

I held my breath, gripping the doorknob tightly. My body trembled as I resisted the overwhelming urge to open the door, determined to fulfill my brother's wish.

Author's Note:

Hiwaga — means 'mystery' or 'enigma'.