They say that being soft-hearted can be manipulated because they are weak and pathetic. Underestimated for they are helpless that everyone disregards them. However, it doesn't mean that they can't take the privilege to fight back for themselves.

Napadaing ako nang biglang sumakit ang balikat ko kung nasa'n ang birthmark ko. I felt so weak knowing that my stomach is empty when Mavis took me out of the Academy. My eyes are so tired that I couldn't open it even a little. My body was paralyzed maybe because of my wounds and bruises. Pati ang paghinga ko ay hinahabol ko na rin dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman ko.

"P-Please... give me something to eat. I-I'm getting weaker and weaker," paos kong bulong habang nakapikit pa rin.

"Anong pagkain ang ibibigay natin sa kanya? Namumutla na siya at baka mamatay sa gutom. Marami pa siyang sugat sa katawan na mukhang sariwa pa," boses ng babaeng lobo na nagligtas sa'kin kagabi.

"Hayaan mo siya, Alexia. Hindi natin siya kauri at mas lalong hindi natin siya kilala. Paano kung patayin lang din siya ng iba pang mga nilalang dito sa Ivoire?!" pagalit naman na sagot ng lalaking kausap niya.

I-Ivoire? I'm here in the forbidden spot in Hydera Penha? Oh god!

"Goethe! Muntik na siyang patayin ng mga black vampires na nagkalat sa gubat malapit sa Academy. Kung hindi pa ako dumaan do'n para kumuha ng mga gamot ay pinagpyestahan na siya ng mga bampirang 'yon. At mukhang estudyante siya ro'n kaya isasauli ko na lang siya mamaya."

Kahit masama ang pakiramdam ko ay sinubukan ko pa rin na idilat ang mga mata ko para makita sila. They didn't notice that I'm awake because they kept on arguing about me. When I wandered my eyes around, I found out that I was lying in a wooden bedroom with feathers as a sheet. Nasa loob ako ng isang kubo na gawa sa dayami pati na rin ang sahig.

"Are you crazy?! Kaya nga tayo gabi lumalabas dahil hindi tayo pwedeng makita na pakalat-kalat. At paano kung sabihin niya sa mga nando'n na tinulungan siya ng isang lobo?! Magkakagulo na naman."

"N-Nagugutom na po ako. Can I have some food?" nanghihina kong tanong dahilan para sabay silang mapalingon sa'kin.

The girl named Alexia come near me and held my forehead."Mainit ka, mukhang may sakit ka yata. Just stay here and I'll get your food so that you could eat."

I slowly nodded and turned my gaze to the guy named Goethe when Alexia whispered something to him. Lumapit siya sa'kin na wala man lang reaksyon ang mababasa sa mukha niya. I can't determine if he's mad or angry at me but the way he answered Alexia earlier, he doesn't like me.

"Paano ka napunta rito sa mundo namin?! Hindi ka namin kauri," seryoso niyang sambit kaya parang sinakal ang puso ko.

I gave him a weak smile as I close my eyes to stop the tears from flowing down to my cheeks."Kahit saan naman dito sa lugar niyo, walang may gusto sa'kin. But don't worry, I understand why. Actually, no one knows how much I wanted to go back to my world but they don't let me. Tapos kapag nanatili naman ako rito, pangungutya lang ang palaging inaabot ko."

"This world is full of favoritism, just so you know. Kapag mahina ka at walang alam ay hindi ka gusto ng lahat. And this place where you're staying right now is the forbidden spot that no one is allowed to enter. Tapos ngayon ay kasama mo ang mga nilalang na kinamumuhian ng lahat," mapait siyang ngumiti at nababakas do'n ang sakit.

Baka nga dito ako kabilang kase lahat naman kinamumuhian ako.

"Saang grupo ka kabilang? Hindi ka naman mukhang masama."

Napatawa naman siya sa sinabi ko at umiling pa."I'm Goethe, a werewolf. And that girl earlier is my sister, Alexia. What's your name?"

So, they're one of the members of my grandfather's pack. I'm very glad to meet them but I can't tell them who I am. Without my cousin's permission or my uncle's, I'll keep everything as a secret... for now.

"I'm Niane, a human. Nandito lang ako dahil magiging turned vampire ako kapag sumapit na ang 18th birthday ko."

He was about to talk back when Alexia suddenly get inside with a basket of fruits and water. May nakasabit sa balikat niya na isang bathrobe gawa sa malambot na balahibo at binigay niya sa'kin para hindi ako ginawin. She also helped me to sit on the bed as she gave me the foods that I could eat.

"Thank you for this, Alexia. Gutom na talaga ako." Agad akong sumubo ng maraming pagkain at walang pakialam kung nakatingin sila sa'kin.

I want to drink Zandrei's blood but he's not here. Iniisip ko nga kung hinahanap ba nila ako o kahit man lang nag-alala sila sa'kin pero mukhang malabong mangyari 'yon. Maybe Kuya Seven already know what happened to me or where am I. He can see what's going to happen in the future, of course.

W-Wait... Kung alam na nila, baka papunta na sila rito ngayon. I'm not sure but it's okay to get out of here as soon as possible or else they might get angry. Baka masaktan pa nila ang mga naninirahan dito.

"I'm thankful because you let me sleep in your place even if you didn't know me. No words can express my gratitude to the both of you especially to you... Alexia. Pero ngayon, kailangan ko nang umalis dahil baka hinahanap ako ng mga tauhan sa Academy. I'll promise that I won't say anything to them. Pinky swear." Pinakita ko pa sa kanila ang small little finger ko na nangangako talaga ako.

Alexia gave me a sweet smile."Oo naman, okay lang. Basta ipangako mong hindi mo talaga ipagsasabi ang pagsagip ko sa'yo, ha? We don't want to get caught because they're going to punish us if ever. Hindi lang kami ni Kuya kundi kaming lahat na nakatira rito."

"Sigurado ka ba na kaya mong umalis na mag-isa? Paano kung mapahamak ka na naman?" tanong naman ni Goethe.

Umiling naman ako at inalis ang kumot sa katawan ko pati na rin ang binigay na bathrobe sa'kin ni Alexia. I maybe stupid when I let Mavis fool me but I'm also smart at the same time. If Zandrei could touch this bathrobe, he would probably know that Alexia gave this to me. My only problem is that Heaven has the ability to find out if I'm lying or not.

"Gusto ko lang sanang magpahatid hanggang sa labasan ng haunted forest. After that, I'll be the one to find a way back to the Academy." Huminga ako nang malalim at sinubukang tumayo at tiniis ang init na nararamdaman ko.

Alexia holds my hand to guide me as we get out of the small house."May kaibigan akong ahas, si Carmy. She can guide you in the way out but you must follow her immediately. Sa poisonous lake, sampung minuto kang hindi hihinga kundi malalason ka at mahuhulog sa ilog pero kailangan niyong tumakbo dahil hindi mo kakayanin ang hindi huminga nang gano'n katagal. And when you get through the haunted forest, you shouldn't look at your both sides. Maraming puno sa magkabilang gilid mo at napupuno ng mga ligaw na kaluluwa kaya tatawagin ka nila para linlangin. At kapag lumingon ka, kukunin nila ang kaluluwa mo at habang buhay ka nang kasama nila. Pagkatapos mong malampasan ang lahat ay malaya ka nang makakaalis."

Kinakabahan akong tumango sa sinabi niya dahil wala naman akong masabi. Just one wrong move and I'll be dead. Bilang pa ang oras ko na para bang hinihintay ako ng kamatayan. It's really creepy to live in their world.

"Siya na ba si Carmy? Hindi niya ba ako kakagatin?"

Mahina naman siyang tumawa at tumingkayad para kunin si Carmy sa puno."No, you're my friend so she's not going to hurt you. Galit lang siya sa mga gustong manakit sa mga kaibigan ko. Pero tingnan mo siya, parang gusto ka niya."

"Uh... Hi Carmy. It's nice to meet you. I'm Niane, a friend of Alexia."

Napaigtad ako at hindi gumalaw nang bigla siyang lumipat sa'kin at inikutan ang katawan ko. It's tickling me but I can't help but to be afraid of her. Ang ahas kase sa Zeal ay hindi nakikipagkaibigan at nangangagat na lang bigla... minsan nga inaakala pang tao.

"Carmy, take care of her. Go back immediately if you already sent her at the end of the haunted forest," Alexia instructed her and patted her head.

"Thank you again, Alexia. I'll visit here if I have time. Pakisabi rin sa kapatid mo, thank you."

Nagsimula na kaming maglakbay ni Carmy at nauuna siya sa'kin para ituro ang daan. She's crawling fast so I need to catch up immediately. Muntik ko nang matapakan ang buntot niya nang bigla siyang huminto para lingunin ako at nilabas ang dila niya na para bang may sinasabi. I couldn't understand her that's why I looked in front to see what she's referring to and I stopped for a bit when I realize that we're going to enter the poisonous lake.

"C-Carmy, hindi talaga ako handa rito pero kailangan ko talagang makalampas dito. Okay, at the count of three we'll run together."

Nagsimula na akong magbilang at nakikinig naman siya sa'kin. When I counted three, she run fast just like what I've told her. Mas binilisan ko pa ang takbo ko para makaabot sa kanya at tiniis ko ang sakit ng katawan ko. I'm catching my breathe when we finally passed the poisonous lake without looking everywhere. Basta sinunod ko lang ang sinabi ni Alexia na sundan lang si Carmy.

"Carmy, papasok na ba tayo d'yan?" tukoy ko sa makipot at madilim na daanan na nasa harapan namin.

She turned around and let out her tongue as if I could understand her. Tumango lang ako at sinenyasan siyang mauna na at mas bilisan ang galaw. Huminga ako nang ilang beses para pakalmahin ang puso kong nagwawala na dahil sa kaba. I just hope that I could do this.

"Niane, anak. Mahal na mahal kita kaya sumama ka na kay Mama."

H-Hindi pwedeng boses 'yon ni Mama. I-Is she here? Nalinlang din ba siya ng mga multo rito at nakuha siya? P-Pero matagal na siyang wala at... hindi.

Kahit anong mangyari, 'wag na 'wag kang lilingon

This is crazy! I need to get out of here. Ginagamit lang nila si Mama para makuha ko. And I don't want to be fooled again.

"Thank you for guiding me, Carmy. Masaya akong makilala ka at babalik ako kapag nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon. You can go back, take care." Hinimas ko ang ulo niya at tanging tunog niya lang ang narinig ko nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko.

I roamed my eyes around and I could see the surroundings clearly. The chirping of the birds, dancing of the wind, and the sound of the fallen leaves on the ground. The place is peaceful yet scary when the night comes. Naglakad-lakad ako at naghanap kung saan ako dadaan. But I just end up sitting near the tree and leaning my back on it.

"I know that I can use this necklace to find way back to the Academy if I want to. Pero gusto ko munang mapag-isa, Kuya Seven." Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko at hinaplos ang kwintas na suot ko.

I can't say that I'm thinking right this time. Kanina nagmamadali ako na umalis para makabalik pero paano naman kung hindi na nil ako tanggapin ulit do'n kase naglayas ako. If I know, Mavis told them the opposite and lied so that they'll hate me.

Gusto ko sanang magtagal pa rito sa mundo na kinamulatan ng ama ko pero ayaw naman nila akong tanggapin. Nagmumukha lang akong kaawa-awa dahil lahat naman sila may ayaw sa'kin. It's like I did something wrong to them that I couldn't remember.

"Please, lead me the way to the borders line. Uuwi na ako sa mundo kung saan ako nararapat." Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko kasabay nang pag-ilaw ng kwintas na suot ko.

It glowed up into green that made the trees shine and form a way to serve as my guide. I followed the path as I looked at the ground where I'm walking that is also glowing. I let myself walk through it, not minding where it's going to take me.

Huminto ang pag-ilaw ng kwintas ko at ng mga puno senyales na nandito na ako. Nakaramdam ako ng panghihina dala siguro ng kapangyarihang nilabas nito pero pinagsawalang bahala ko 'yon. What I'm thinking right now is to go back home and see my grandmother. Nagbabakasakali na matulungan niya akong kumalma at maiparamdam niya sa'kin na may nagmamahal pa rin sa tulad kong kinamumuhian ng lahat.

"Mali! Don't do that!"

My hands stopped in the air when I heard Kuya Seven's voice at my back. I don't want to turn around. Baka naman nagkakamali lang ako ng rinig at dahil lang 'yon sa pagkahilong nararamdaman ko. Even though I'm hoping that this is true and he's going to stop me from going back to my world.

"Nia! Don't go! Dito ka lang, hindi ka pwedeng umalis." And now I'm hearing Lixe's voice near me.

Why? Is it because you need me?

"What happened to you, Niane? Bakit ka umalis? You didn't tell us that you're leaving," sambit pa ni Heaven pero hindi naman ako nag-aksayang lumingon.

"Why don't you ask your friend who lied?" I asked sarcastically and finally turned around.

Nandito pala talaga silang pito sa harapan ko. Wow! Is this a reunion? Ang importante ko naman masyado para pumunta silang lahat dito. For what? To convince me that I should go back to the Academy and let those students hurt me again?!

"Niane, what are you talking about? Kagabi ka pa namin hinahanap at ngayon ka lang nagpakita." Master Aiko looks so frustrated while saying those words.

"Don't ever find me again, I'll go back home. Hindi na ako babalik pa," I said coldly that made them shocked except for Mavis that is secretly smiling like an evil.

"What's your problem? Hindi ka pwedeng umalis nang hindi nagpapaalam sa headmistress. Besides, you're going to turn into a vampire like us so this is your home now," Master Xian explained.

Pagak naman akong natawa at pinunasan ang luhang tumakas sa pisngi ko."Home? Wala akong ibang tahanan kundi ang Zeal at Lola ko. This place is like a hell for me. Bakit ko naman pipilitin ang sarili kong makibagay sa inyo na walang ibang ginawa kundi pahirapan ako nang ganito?! Everyone here doesn't like me. They always want me to get out of here because I just brought a bad luck in your world. Now tell me, do you still want me to live here and suffer a lot just because you need me?"

Natahimik naman silang lahat sa sinabi ko. Master Jyron was about to speak when I felt like thousands of knives strucked my shoulders that made me scream in pain. I lost my balance and kneeled on the ground, holding my shoulder where my birthmark is placed. Agad naman sila nagsilapitan sa'kin para tulungan ako pero wala akong kahit anong marinig dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman ko.

I cried harder when it's getting painful and my body couldn't make any single move. Tanging sakit lang ang nararamdaman ko ngayon na kahit anong sigaw ko ay hindi magawang bawasan 'yon. All I know is someone's carrying me and it's him. My warrior.

Nagising ako sa infirmary at medyo magaan na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon. Nakaramdam ako na para bang may nakadagan sa kamay ko kaya napalingon agad ako dito. Heaven was peacefully sleeping beside me and using my hand as a pillow. While the other side of the bed was Lixe and she's also sleeping while hugging my waist.

Bigla na lang akong napahikbi sa hindi malamang dahilan. I made them worried about me. Ako na naman. If they were just treating me nice because they need me just like what Mavis said, then so be it. Whatever it is, I treated them as my real friends even if I don't know why they need me and for what. Pero kung ano man 'yon, handa ko silang tulungan hangga't kaya ko.

"Niane? Shit! Why are you crying? May masakit ba sa'yo?" natatarantang tanong sa'kin ni Heaven at napahilamos sa mukha niya.

Lixe groaned and wake up but her expression is priceless after seeing me."Gosh! Nia! Anong nangyayari? What to do?"

I wiped my tears away and started to sob."I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I've said earlier. Hindi ko rin naman talaga gustong umalis."

"Hush, it's okay. Naiintindihan ka namin. Bakit ka ba umalis? Hindi naman kami magagalit, sasamahan ka pa namin." Lixe sat beside me and caressed my hair, calming me down.

"S-Si Mavis... sinabi niya sa'kin na fake daw kayo. That you're just treating me nice because you need me but the truth is I don't have any companion." I sobbed quietly when I remembered what she'd said.

Masakit siya magsalita at sinasabi niya kung anong gusto niya. Is it my fault if I trusted her to get me away from the Academy because I don't want to get hurt? Na naniwala kaagad ako sa kanya kase akala ko sinabi niya 'yon para hindi ako masaktan. But she's a liar!

"That bitch! Pinapakulo niya talaga ang dugo ko. How dare she?! Kahit na mas mataas pa ang rank niya kaysa sa'kin, masasakal ko na talaga siya ngayon." Heaven was about to walk towards the door when it suddenly opened and revealed the masters together with Mavis.

I don't really like the atmosphere when we're all complete in one room. It's suffocating me.

"What happened to you? Para kang papatay d'yan sa itsura mo," Master Xian exclaimed when he saw Heaven's reaction.

Lixe, tell her to stop using your ability. Ayoko ng gulo.

Alam kong narinig niya ako sa isip niya dahil bago pa man makasagot si Heaven ay lumingon siya sa'min. I gave her a small smile and slowly shook my head to tell her to stop and I'm glad she did. Lumapit siya sa tabi ko na hindi maipinta ang mukha kaya mahina akong natawa.

"Are you okay now? How are you feeling?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Master Aiko sa'kin.

I bowed my head a little, feeling guilty of what I did earlier."I'm sorry, master. H-Hindi ko sinasadya ang sinabi ko kanina. I was just carried by my emotion that's why I don't mind what I'm saying."

"Okay lang, wala namang rason para magalit ako. But you seemed to be angry that you want to go back without telling us."

"She's just trying to seek our attention... again. Buong gabi tayong naghanap sa kanya tapos malalaman lang natin na gusto niya na pa lang umuwi sa kanila. Why don't we just send her back to solve the problem?!" singit naman ni Mavis at inirapan ako.

"Hindi ikaw ang masusunod, Mavis. Kung wala kang magandang sasabihin, pwede namang tumahimik ka na lang," seryosong sagot ni Kuya Seven na ikinatahimik niya.

"Actually, I haven't tried running away. Hindi naman kase ako bad girl sa Zeal at marami akong kaibigan do'n. My grandma loves me so I don't have a reason to do that. Sabi kase nila wala raw magandang idudulot ang paglalayas. But now that I experienced it already, I could no longer say that it's bad." Huminga ako ng malalim at sumandal sa headboard ng kama.

"Why? Hindi naman talaga maganda ang maglayas. You're making others worried just to find you." Master Xian's eyebrow frowned.

"Hindi ko naman sinabing masaya ako kase napagod kayo sa paghahanap nang dahil lang sa walang kwentang kagaya ko pe---"

"Shut up, Niane! You're worth it, everyone has," Lixe cut off my words.

Ngumiti lang ako ng pilit at saka nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita."I don't think I am but I hope so. May magandang naidulot naman ang pag-alis ko. Wanna know why? Because after seven years, I finally heard my mother's voice again. Kahit na alam kong hindi naman siya 'yon."

A tear escaped from my eye as it was followed by another and another. Masakit pa rin kase sa'kin na wala na akong matatawag pang Mama. Everytime that I remember her, it makes me cry without any reason. P-Para kaseng... sariwa pa sa'kin ang nangyari sa kanya na hindi ko naman maalala.

Hindi ko namalayang humihikbi na pala ako at nakayakap na sila Heaven at Lixe sa'kin. The masters together with Mavis wasn't here and they probably left because it's just a drama for them. It lasted for minutes before I finally stopped crying. Hinatid din naman nila ako sa dorm namin para makapagpahinga at pinagbawalan talaga akong lumabas.

Wala pa ako sa sarili ko ngayon at masasabi kong hindi pa ako okay kaya kapag nakipagkita ako kay Winslet ay bugbog lang ang aabutin ko. Besides, I don't want to disobey them because I didn't follow them once. Ayokong suwayin na naman sila sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Nakasuot lang ako ng shorts at saka sleeveless para mahanginan ang mga sugat ko na naghihilom na. My bruises were healing and maybe tomorrow I could train again.

Lumabas ako sa balcony ng kwarto ko para pagmasdan ang konting araw na palubog na. It's still shining but no that bright because anytime from now, it will set. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na mabilis lang pala ang takbo ng araw dito sa mundo nila kumpara sa'min.

And then Zandrei suddenly flashed on my mind. I'm wondering where is he or he's doing something right now. Tatlong araw na yata simula no'ng huli kaming magkausap. Ever since that incident happened in the Academy, he didn't even called my name. Tapos nangako pa siya na pagbalik at pagbalik niya ay papainumin niya ako ng dugo niya.

Tama ba si Mavis? Kung sabagay, hindi naman ako gano'n ka-importante para paglaanan niya ng oras.

Bumuntong hininga ko para alisin 'yon sa isipan ko at saka tumalikod. And when I turned around, I saw him leaning on the sliding door of the balcony and looking intently at me. Akmang magsasalita sana ako nang bigla siyang sumulpot sa mismong harapan ko kaya amoy na amoy ko ang mabango niyang leeg.

"I'm sorry for not protecting you, meine liebe. Wanna go with me? I'll take you somewhere and I'm sure you'll love it." He hugged me and caressed my hair and sniffing it at the same time.

I just nodded in response, not planning to talk. But when he suddenly carried me like a bridal style, syempre napasigaw ako sa gulat. I even saw the side of his lips rose up as if he's enjoying it. Napanguso na lang ako at hinigpitan ang hawak sa leeg niya.

"Where are you taking me? Hindi mo naman siguro ako iki-kidnap, 'di ba?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

Tinaas baba niya pa ang kilay niya at ngumisi."If I'm going to do that, what do you think will happen? Anong gagawin ko sa'yo."

"H-Ha? Ewan... Bilisan mo na nga lang." Sa likuran niya ako tumingin dahil nakakahiya kung makikita niya na namumula ang pisngi ko.

He just laughed a little, probably teasing me. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita dahil masarap din namang pakinggan ang tawa niya... na para bang narinig ko na dati. I shook my head because I'm starting to think some impossible things and just focus on the place where he took me. Wala akong naramdamang anumang pagkahilo dahil siguro sa mga iniisip ko at hindi ko namalayang narito na kami.

"It's beautiful here especially when watching the sunset. Come, sit beside me." Hinila niya ako nang dahan-dahan pagkatapos niya akong ibaba at pareho kaming umupo sa bermuda grass.

"Ang ganda nga tingnan. What part of the Academy is this place? Gusto ko sanang pumunta rito para tingnan ang sunset araw-araw." I focused my attention in front, observing the beautiful scenery in front of us.

"I found this place on my own. Walang pumupunta sa lugar na 'to kundi ako lang at wala akong dinadala rito. I'm not the type of person that likes to bring someone in my special place."

Doon na ako napalingon sa kanya na kasalukuyang nakatingin din pala sa'kin."And what are you doing? Bakit mo ako dinala rito kung special naman pala sa'yo ang lugar na 'to? I'm nothing special, Zandrei."

"You are, Mali. It's just that you don't have a confidence and you're pulling yourself down. Hindi ako marunong magbigay ng advice sa kahit kanino kaya hindi ko alam kung pa'no."

Tinawanan ko lang siya at para bang may parte sa'kin na gumaan ang pakiramdam ko."Can I hug you? Just for one minute. Please?"

Siya na mismo ang yumakap sa'kin at saktong lumubog naman ang araw. It looks like a perfect timing for us. Kahit papaano ay nakisama ang sunset sa akin dahil ngayon lang ako sumaya sa araw na 'to.

"Bakit bigla mong naisip na yakapin ako?" he asked out of a sudden.

I shrugged my shoulders, not even knowing why."Para kaseng naramdaman ko na ang ganito noon pero hindi ko lang maalala. It's an unsaid feeling that is confusing me."

"So as me, Mali. The feeling's mutual."

*********************