Danger is everywhere. Wherever we go or whatever we do. It's either we can escape from it or it will keep on hunting us forever.

Sa tingin ko, wala akong ligtas sa lugar na 'to. Kung ordinaryong tao lang siguro ay magsisigaw kapag nakakita nang bampira at mahihimatay pagkatapos. Pero...  ako rin pala.

"Nia! Oh my gosh! I'm glad that you're awake!"

Wala namang ibang tumatawag sa'kin ng ganyan kundi si Lixe lang. I roam my eyes around and just found out that I'm in the school clinic. I wonder which part of the Academy is this. Inalalayan nila akong dalawa na maupo dahil wala pa akong masyadong lakas.

"Ano ba talagang nangyari sa'yo at nahimatay ka? Hindi ka naman nakagat at wala ka ring sugat."

Kumunot ang noo ko kay Heaven."I-I passed out last night?"

"Oo, girl. Hindi mo maalala? Nagpaalam ka na magc-cr ka saglit kagabi tapos ilang oras na at hindi ka pa bumabalik. I was so worried about you so I tried to search for you. Nakita na lang kitang wala nang malay at nakahandusay sa sahig kagabi. Shocks!" Lixe put her palm on her forehead, looking so frustrated.

Why is she acting like that? Hindi naman ako namatay.

"Tell me, did someone scared you?" tanong bigla sa'kin ni Heaven.

I tried to remember the scene last night. I was walking on the hallway when I heard scratches at my back. Nakailang lingon ako pero wala akong makita. And then suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist and pinned me on the post. That guy...

"It's so fast, I couldn't explain it clearly." Umiling pa ako at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa bedsheet ng kama.

"Okay, ganito na lang. Let me enter your mind and I will be the one to see it. Saglit lang naman 'to, okay ba?"

Ilang sandali akong napatitig kay Lixe at saka tumango. I closed my eyes and started to reminisce the incident again. Pagkatapos ay idinilat ko na ang mga mata ko at tumingin ulit sa kanya.

"Anong nakita mo?"

Nilingon niya si Heaven bago nagsalita."Naglalakad siya sa hallway tapos may biglang kumaluskos sa likuran niya. She turned around for several times but she did not saw anyone. Tapos bigla na lang may humila sa braso niya at isinandal siya sa poste. And that guy was about to bite her.."

"Tapos?"

Umiling naman siya."Wala na akong nakita pang kasunod, bigla na lang naputol. We can't accuse anyone because that guy's face isn't clear on her memory. Hindi ko makilala kung sino."

"We're going to talk to the head mistress about it. Pinapabantayan siya sa'tin kaya tayo ang malalagot kapag nalagay siya sa alanganin."

Napalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa na para bang sila lang dalawa ang tao rito. Uh... hello? The person they are talking about is just in front of them. I seemed like a ghost here.

"Who brought me here? At saka saang parte 'to ng Academy?" pag-agaw ko ng pansin sa kanilang dalawa.

Sabay naman silang napalingon sa'kin."Si Hendrix, 'yong isa nating kaklase na nagreklamo kahapon dahil ayaw niya raw na magbasa. Sa West Wing pa rin 'to, sa itaas ng library, first floor."

"Aalis lang kami saglit, Niane. Pagbalik namin may dala na rin kaming pagkain. Just stay here for a while, don't try to escape. Hindi ka pa magaling."

"But Heaven, I wa---"

"No buts, follow the leader of the Delta. It's a command."

Wala akong nagawa kundi tumango na lang because it's an order from the leader of the third class. Hindi rin dapat ako magmatigas dahil mas lalo ko lang itong ikapapahamak. It's not just me that is putting my life in danger, madadamay silang dalawa.

Nang maalala ko ang nangyari kagabi ay kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko. Who is he? Why did he told me that I'm familiar with him. Hindi pa naman kami nagkita, ah? And he wants my blood... pero wala naman silang nakita na kagat sa'kin.

"Shit! Mali! Okay ka lang ba?" Bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto ko at iniluwal no'n si Seven... si kuya.

"K-Kuya.. nandito ka."

Agad naman siya lumapit sa'kin at umupo sa tabi ko."Are you okay now? Hindi ba masama ang pakiramdam mo?"

"No... okay na ako. Just feeling a little bit hungry pero alam kong paparating na sina Lixe at Heaven dito." Ngumiti ako ng pilit sa kanya para ipakitang okay lang talaga ako.

"I saw it Mali... I saw what happened last night. I had a vision so I knew that it would happen. Masyado lang talaga siyang mabilis kaya hindi ko siya napigilan. Mabuti na lang at naabutan ko pa siya bago ka niya makagat."

Sandali akong natigilan, pilit na pinoproseso ang mga sinabi niya."So you're the one who saved me from him? S-Sino ba siya kuya? He said that I'm familiar. Nakakatakot din ang itsura niya."

"He's our leader, Jyron. The most dangerous vampire in this Academy. Kilala mo na siya 'di ba?"  Bumuntong hininga siya at tumungo, parang malalim ang iniisip.

T-That guy... was him?

"Nagkita na ba kami o 'di kaya'y nagkakilala, kuya? Somewhere in the past. Marami kase akong mga bagay na hindi na maalala. I don't know if it was just me or---"

"Don't force yourself to remember things, Mali. Makakasama lang 'yan sa'yo, magpahinga ka muna." Hinalikan niya ang noo ko at ginulo ng konti ang buhok ko.

"Okay, kuya. Thank you."

"Just remember to keep things as our secret, okay? Wala munang dapat na makaalam na pinsan kita at may koneksyon tayo sa isa't isa. Everything's in a mess, we still need to be careful. I'm going to protect you no matter what."

"Oo naman, kuya. Pero protektahan mo lang ako kapag nasa panganib na talaga ako, ah. Don't mind those rumors about me," sambit ko naman.

"Alam mo kahapon pa ako naiinis sa issue na 'yon. Gusto ko silang pagsabihan pero hindi ko magawa dahil baka mahalata nila. Pero nakipag-usap na ako kay head mistress tungkol do'n."

I shook my head on disapproval."Baka sabihin din nilang panig sa akin ang head mistress kapag ginawa niya 'yon. It's just going to be worse. Hayaan na lang natin sila, balewala lang naman sa'kin kaya dapat ikaw din."

"Ayoko pero dahil sinabi mo, sige. Just whisper my name and I'll be there. Alright?" I just nodded in response and gave him a hug for a minute.

Nang makalabas siya ay saka ako napaisip. Bakit parang may mali pero hindi ko naman alam kung ano. He's not keeping something, right?

Nagpumilit ako na bumalik na sa dorm para doon na lang magpahinga. I'm feeling better now so there's no reason to stay here. Ayaw pa sana nilang pumayag pero sinabi ko naman na hindi ako lalabas ng kwarto ko kaya wala silang nagawa.

Sinamahan nila ako papunta sa dorm namin dahil baka maulit na naman ang nangyari sa'kin. I couldn't blame them because they might be scolded if something happens to me... again. Kahit na hindi naman talaga nila ako dapat protektahan dahil isang hamak na ordinaryong tao lang naman ako. Nothing's special to me.

"This isn't good." Biglang tumigil sa paglalakad si Heaven kaya napahinto rin kami ni Lixe.

"Oh no! The Black Zythe together with Mavis. Hindi magiging maganda ang kalalabasan nito," kinakabahan ding sabi ni Lixe.

Pati ako ay hindi rin makagalaw nang marinig ang mga salitang 'yon. Ang grupo ni k-kuya? Tapos 'yong malditang si Mavis na naikwento nila sa'kin. Holy mother of Earth!

"We couldn't just stand here. Kailangan na nating makabalik sa dorm. I-Is there any other way?" Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko.

I'm so freaking nervous! Who wouldn't be? Kinatatakutan sila ng lahat ng mga bampira, ako pa kayang tao lang?!

"Uh... we're too late. They're here and they already saw you, Niane. Just prepare yourself for a confrontation," paalala sa'kin ni Heaven.

W-What?!

Napatingin ako sa harap at nanigas nang makita ang apat na lalaking papalapit sa'min, one of them was kuya Seven. And when I turned my gaze to the girl beside them, her eyes were full of hatred. Na para bang nagdadala lang ako ng dungis sa paaralan nila.

"Ein Eindringling, oder?" Lumapit si Mavis sa'min pero nasa akin lang ang atensyon niya.

Intruder? She's calling me an intruder?

Lixe pulled me away from her."Stop it, Mavis. Kakalabas niya lang sa clinic at kailangan niyang magpahinga."

"Nö, es ist in Ordnung. Jeder will mich nicht hier und ich verstehe es. Wir gehen jetzt, entschuldigen Sie uns." I gave her a light smile and faced Mavis.

She's really scary but that guys at her back are the scariest. Especially their... l-leader.

One of the guys clapped his hands as if he's watching a show."Ang galing niyo naman! But we're not in a speaking German competition. We can't relate."

"Shut up, Xian!" Heaven exclaimed.

"Und denkst du, du kannst hier ein paar Tage durchhalten? Ich habe gehört, dass du sterben würdest, vielleicht hast du Glück, denn du lebst heute noch." Hindi pa rin nagpatinag si Mavis na walang pakialam sa kanila.

Ang harsh niya! Nahimatay lang naman ako pero namatay agad ang sinabi niya. Amp!

I just let out a sigh and shrugged my shoulders."Vielleicht? Tut mir leid, aber es sieht noch nicht so aus, als wäre ich tot. Vielleicht kannst du warten, oder?"

Ayoko siyang insultuhin kaya hanggat makakaya ko ay iingatan ko ang mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko.

"Okay? Mukhang nag-aaway ata sila. The both of you should stop or else I'll tell mom about this!" sambit pa no'ng isang lalaki.

"It's the head mistress, Aiko. Not your mom! Wala ka sa bahay niyo," kontra naman sa kanya ni Lixe.

Mavis smirked and grabbed my collar that made me winced a bit."Was ist, wenn ich dich jetzt töten will?"

She wants me to die right now, huh?

"Mavis, that's enough. The head mistress won't like your actions towards a human girl," kuya Seven interrupted so she pushed me a little.

Kahit mahina na 'yon para sa kanya, malakas na 'yon sa'kin dahil kung hindi pa ako nahawakan kaagad ng dalawa ay natumba na ako. Damn her!

"Das hast du schon, aber denk zuerst an deinen Namen. Sie können auch befleckt werden, weil Sie einen falschen Schritt unternommen haben." I fixed my collar and bowed my head a little before walking on the other side, avoiding to meet their gazes on me.

Nang tuluyan na akong nakapasok sa kwarto ko ay saka lamang ako nakahinga ng maluwag. God! I felt suffocated earlier! Nakaharap ko ang mga nasa matataas na posisyon at feeling ko I'm just a trash compared to them.

You know what's worse?

Sinagot ko lang naman si Mavis. Ang malditang leader ng second class na Hemione at kaibigan ng apat na masters, the Black Zythe.

Oh shit! Ano ba 'tong gulong napasukan ko?!

I sat on my bed after changing my clothes. I'm feeling sleepy kase night shift ang klase ko. Hindi naman ako bampira kagaya nila pero mukhang kailangan kong makiayon sa kanila.

I'm not special to have a special class. Makikisabay ako sa kanila...

Nagising ako nang maramdaman ang sakit ng balikat ko kung nasa'n ang birthmark ko. Napahawak ako rito at napapikit sa sobrang sakit. Hindi akong pwedeng dumaing o sumigaw dahil baka marinig nila ako.

Why is it hurting again?!

How can I ease the pain?

Napapadyak na lang ako dahil hindi ko na kayang magtimpi pa. A little sound came out from my mouth as I endure the pain. Whenever it happens, it always took 10 minutes or even 20 minutes longer before it'll subside.

Gamit ang nanghihina kong katawan ay tumayo ako para buksan ng konti ang pinto ng balcony ko para makalanghap ng sariwang hangin. I couldn't even breathe because of this. Pati katawan ko ay nadadamay kaya halos magkandarapa ako sa paglalakad.

"Kuya... masakit"

I thought he won't come but I was surprised when he immediately appeared on my balcony. Agad niya akong dinaluhan papasok hanggang sa makaupo ako sa kama ko.

"Holyshit! Alin ang masa---Fuck! Your birthmark added its shade. I don't know how to stop it, Mali." Kuya seemed so nervous while looking at my reaction.

Tanging pagpikit lang ang kaya kong gawin dahil naghihina na ako."H-Hindi 'to kayang pigilan, kuya. It usually happens to me since I was still living in Zeal. Hinihipan lang naman 'to ni Lola para maibsan ng konti ang sakit.

"Then, let me do it. I can't afford to see you suffering in pain, Mali. Nasasaktan si kuya." He came closer to me so that he could blow my shoulder part.

Ilang sandali pa ay humupa na ang sakit kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Pawis na pawis na rin ako habang si kuya ay kumuha ng towel sa closet ko para ipunas sa'kin. When I stared at my shoulder where my birthmark is located, it really added it's shade... again.

What's the meaning of this?

Sa tuwing sasakit ito ay madadagdagan ang lilim nito. Kung gano'n ay kailangang mapuno ang bilog na marka ng shade?

B-But.. why?

"I think it happens because your 18th birthday is near, Mali. Sa katapusan na ng susunod na buwan, kung kailan ang full moon. It's the day of threath and revelation of secrets. At sisiguraduhin kong handa na tayo kapag nangyari 'yon."

Nagulat ako nang marinig ang seryosong boses ni kuya. He sounds so scary using that kind of tone. Iniisip ko pa lang ang mga posibleng mangyayari sa birthday ko ay napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Wala naman talagang kasiguraduhan kung magiging isa ako sa kanila o mananatili akong tao.

Panganib? Is it what the librarian said no'ng una kaming magkita? Did she knew something about it?

Whatever it is, I'm sure my birthday will be the worst nightmare of my life. Death is waving at me. Wala na akong kawala.

"Lahat siguro ng sakit ay kailangan kong maranasan pagdating ng kaarawan ko o baka mas malala pa ro'n." Mapait akong ngumiti habang nakatulala sa kawalan.

He immediately held my chin to look at me."Mali, listen. What you're thinking will never happen. I'll assure you that. 'Di ba sabi ni kuya po-protektahan kita? Promise ko 'yon."

"Not at all times, kuya. Hindi pwedeng palagi lang akong nakadepende sa'yo. I also need to fight for myself, even though I don't know how. Hindi naman ako inutil."

I appreciate his concern about me. Syempre, we're cousins and he wanted to protect me as his little princess. Pero siya naman ang mapapahamak kung gano'n. I can't stand it.

"Hindi naman sa gano'n, Mali. Hindi mo pa kaya, hindi pa sa ngayon. Time will come and you can handle things by yourself but it doesn't mean that I'm going to leave you alone. Tutulungan kita, nandito naman si kuya. Maybe next week, I'm going to teach you some basic skills to protect yourself in case that you're in trouble. Sasabihan na lang kita."

Pilit akong ngumiti at tumango sa kanya."Hindi ba 'yon ituturo sa klase namin, kuya? Ang sabi kase ni---"

"Lixe's coming, I need to go. Bibisita ako kapag may oras ulit ako. Take care of yourself, Mali." Nagmamadali siyang lumabas sa balcony ko at tanging ngiti lang ang binigay ko.

"Thank you ulit, Kuya Seven." I whispered in the air.

"Nia? Nia, may kausap ka ba dyan? Are you okay there?" Muntik nang masira ang pinto ng kwarto ko dahil sa lakas ng pagkalabog ni Lixe.

I fixed myself and hide my birthmark before opening the door."I'm sleeping Lixe, why? May problema ba?"

Don't read my mind, please?

Napakamot naman siya sa batok niya."Ah, sorry kung naistorbo kita. Maybe I'm just hallucinating. May naririnig kase akong mga boses eh pero 'wag mo na lang pansinin. Just sleep again, we'll eat later."

No matter how I forced myself to sleep again, hindi na talaga ako makatulog. I stood up on my bed lazily and get my towel. Nakalimutan ko pa lang maligo kanina dahil sa antok.

Nang mahubad ko na ang lahat ng saplot ko ay tinitigan ko ang repleksyon ko sa salamin. I have a white skin like vampires, pinkish lips, cute nose, curly eyelashes, but my eyes were different from them. Its was all black, not like all of the vampires that has brown eyes. 'Yon ang normal na kulay ng mga mata nila.

Mabilis ang mga mata kong mangilatis sa physical appearance ng iba. That leader of the Black Zythe, has gray eyes and fierce expressions. Kitang-kita ko siya sa peripheral view ko na nakatingin sa'kin that's why I didn't lay my eyes on him. Si Kuya Seven naman may gold eyes at palagi lang siyang seryoso kapag nasa labas. That Xian, Aiko, and Mavis has the same eyes, brown lang din ang sa kanila.

I wear my turtleneck jacket with a pair of black jeans and white rubber shoes. I tied my hair into ponytail and displayed my bangs in front. Heaven and Lixe were probably sleeping right now so I can take a look in the whole Academy. Baka mamaya pa sila gigising kase alam kong pagod sila.

"Bakit bihis na bihis ka? Where are you going?"

Napatalon ako sa gulat habang hawak ng isa kong kamay ang dibdib ko."H-Heaven! You scared me! You guys like to see me priceless."

"Hindi naman, sanay na kami eh kaya dapat ikaw din. May gusto ka bang kitain?"

I shook my head and directly went to the kitchen to get a toasted bread with ham and cheese."No, wala namang may gustong makasama o kahit makausap man lang ako. I just wanna explore the whole Academy."

"Gusto mo bang samahan ka namin?" she asked.

"Okay lang naman ako, hindi naman ako magtatagal. Is it okay?"

Tumango naman siya."Balik ka kaagad, ah? Mag-ingat ka. I'll tell Lixe that you left when she wakes up."

Nang makababa na ako sa dormitory ay sinalubong na naman ako ng sariwang hangin. The sky were just the same as usual. There's no sun.

Dinala ako ng mga paa ko sa East Wing at naglakad papunta sa Mall nila. There were few vampires inside and shopping just like humans. Hindi ko maipagkakailang magaganda nga ang mga produkto nila rito.

Where did they get this?

May iba kaseng mga gamit na kagaya ng sa mundo namin. Don't tell me they have connections in our world? Matagal na sigurong putol ang koneksyon nila dahil sa ipinagbabawal na batas.

"Hey, human! Do you want to buy something?"

I stared at the guy beside me, not feeling comfortable. Eto ang unang beses na may nag-approach sa'kin na bampira sa mabuting paraan.

"Uh... I-I don't have money. Hindi ako nakapagdala." Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko sa kanya.

Tumango naman siya at tumingin sa likuran ko."Don't you have a companion? Mabuti naman at hindi ka naligaw."

"No, I'm good in directions. At saka marami silang kailangang gawin na responsibilidad kaya ayokong mang-istorbo. I'm not that important for them to protect me." Kinuha ko ang bracelet na gawa sa pearls pero binalik ko rin kaagad dahil hindi ko naman gagamitin.

I can't replace this silver bracelet that I'm wearing.

He chucked that made my brows frowned."Ang bait mo naman pala, bakit hindi ka gusto ng iba?"

"Ewan ko. Bakit hindi sila ang tanungin mo?"

"Okay, tama na. Ang sarcastic mo masyado. By the way, I'm Red Wintersox. You're Niane, right?"

Gosh! He's so talkative!

"Y-Yeah.. Hindi na ako nagulat kung bakit kilala mo ako. Ako lang naman ang laman ng balita sa buong Academy." Umalis ako sa jwelry store para magtingin ng iba pa nilang mga products dito.

"Ang swerte mo naman, sikat ka na. Let's celebrate!"

Oh my---Nakasunod pa rin pala siya sa'kin. I know that it's nice na magkaroon ng kakilala but I find him annoyingly and uh... feeling close?

"Aren't you afraid na magkaroon ng humors about you and me? Kinakausap mo ako na hindi mo naman dapat ginawa. I'm a human and you're a vampire. Besides, I think you're the brother of Madam Ovrey. Parehas kayo ng surname."

Where did I get those words? Ni hindi ko nga alam ang pinagsasasabi ko. Ugh.

He suddenly clapped his hands."Bingo! You're not just kind but also smart. I wonder why did you entered this school. May misyon ka ba o ano?"

"Wait lang ah... Why do you kept on asking me some questions? We just met and weren't even close. Sinasabi ko sa'yo, hindi magandang makipag-usap sa isang taong kagaya ko." I turned my back on him and started to walk away.

Why do I have this feeling that... I couldn't trust him? Well, hindi naman talaga ako dapat magtiwala kung kani-kanino lalo na't kakakilala ko pa lang. I don't want to put myself in danger. Mag-aalala na naman si kuya at ayokong mangyari 'yon.

"I'm also famous in this Academy so there's no need to worry. At saka wala namang masama na kausapin ka. You're a loner so---"

"So what? I prefer being alone than being with a noisy guy like you."

Am I so harsh to him? Ang ingay niya kase eh.

"Okay, sorry na. Tatahimik na lang ako basta susunod pa rin ako sa'yo."

Hindi naman ako maldita kagaya ni Mavis kaya hinayaan ko na lang siyang bumuntot sa'kin. What can I do? It's his choice and not mine. Mapapagod lang din naman siya.

"I'm going back now. Pwede ka nang umalis kung sa'n mo gusto." Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa nang makalabas na ako.

I want to get money but I don't know how. Well, may pera naman ako pero no'ng may nakita akong nagbayad kanina, iba 'yong perang ginagamit nila. I should've expected that, it's not Zeal. I'm in Hydera Penha.

Haist. Kailan ba ako masasanay dito?

Hindi pa ako bumalik sa dorm dahil halos isang buong araw din akong nagmukmok do'n. Biglang tumigil ang mga paa ko sa tapat ng Training Room. I hesitated if I'm going to enter or not but I just found myself walking inside.

This is composed of third floors but I let myself wander inside the first one. Malaki rin ang lugar nito dahil sakop nito ang buong first floor at walang kahit anong pinto. It's also wide because it doesn't have any furnitures except for the weapons that were placed in any corners of the room.

Lumapit ako sa unang set at nakita ko ang iba't ibang klase ng mga patalim. Hindi ko alam kung anong tawag sa mga 'to dahil ngayon ko pa lang ito nakita. Maybe they made it by themselves.

I get one of it and stared on it's texture. Gawa ito sa isang matibay na metal na ang porma ay triangle. The edges were both sharp and I'm sure that once this weapon hit your skin, it will surely bleed.

May nakita akong paikot na board sa harapan kaya sinubukan kong ihagis pero nahulog lang sa sahig. Napasimangot na lang ako at pupulutin na sana nang may biglang maghagis na kagaya no'n at tumama ito sa center point ng board. My eyes widened and my hands were still left on the air, like I couldn't move it.

"That's the right way of throwing a weapon, Niane. Lakas lang ang kulang sa'yo."

When I came back on my senses, I picked the weapon on the floor and faced him.

"It's you again, Red. Nakasunod ka pa rin pala sa'kin. Why are you here?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at ibinalik ang kinuha ko.

"Bakit? Am I not allowed to enter in our training room?" tanong niya pa.

"Bakit sa inyo lang? It's for all the classes, right? Don't tell me that they're not also allowed to train themselves here because some of them weren't strong enough." 

"Ha? Hindi naman 'yon ang ibig kong sabihin, eh. Everyone can train themselves here, of course. Depende naman 'yon sa instruction ng cena nila. Do you want to train yourself here?"

Umiling lang ako at akmang lalabas pero huminto ako saglit."I can't make it. 'Yong lakas na sinasabi mo, wala ako no'n. Pero teka nga... Bakit ba nandito ka ulit?"

Nakibit balikat lang siya at naapamulsang naglakad papalapit sa'kin."Maybe you need someone to talk so I'm here. At 'yong tungkol sa lakas naman, hindi physical strength ang kailangan mo. It's the determination you have to make it. 'Wag kang maniniwala sa sinasabi ng iba na mahina ka dahil tao ka. You can even beat us if you want."

"You're so funny. Alam mo namang imposible 'yon, 'di ba? Bakit mo ba sinasabi 'yan sa'kin?" naiinis kong tanong sa kanya.

Nilagpasan niya ako pero may salita siyang binitawan na nakapatigil sa buong sistema ko.

"Because I don't want you to be like the first human who entered our world. You don't have to suffer like what she experienced."

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