Sometimes I just can't help but wonder... What the hell did I do to deserve all of the good things that keep happening to me? Did I save the world in my past life? Do I have a guardian angel? Or am I just born lucky?

Whatever the reason is, I hope this streak of good luck continues until the day that I die. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, our gorgeous debutante, Gianna Las Valiente!"

The sound of applause made my heart flutter. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

Dressed in my pink ball gown, I walked up the stage and stood right in front of the glittery-pink microphone. 

"Thank you so much for being with me on this special night." My tears brimmed as I looked around and saw my friends and family, cheering for me. "I can't believe I was able to make you wear pink!" biro ko pa.

My parents made the entire ballroom look like a pink forest. They even got some cherry blossom trees that look so real and pretty. Don't even get me started on the pink walls and chandeliers, complemented by white fluffy carpets.

"I honestly have so much to say, but somehow I'm having trouble finding the rights words. Gosh! This is too overwhelming!" I looked up at the chandelier and fanned my eyes using my gloved hands. "For sure my haters are overwhelmed din."

I heard the crowd laugh. Ugh! Why do they only laugh at my jokes when it's my birthday?

"Any message for your parents, Gianna?" The emcee asked.

"Of course naman yes!" I nodded and stomped happily in my Jimmy Choos. I looked at the table where my parents sat and blew them flying kisses filled with love.  "Mommy, Daddy! You two are the freaking best! I love you with all my heart and soul! No wonder some bitches at school hate me, they don't have such cool parents like you! They can kiss my expensive ass!"

Dad quickly covered his face, while my Mom glared at me. I laughed and continued sending them flying kisses.

"Gianna, how about you just sit there. Your friends have something prepared for you," bulong sa akin ng emcee at inalalayan ako papunta sa kulay pink kong trono.

I giggled as I sat on my throne, crossing my legs as I fixed my pink flower crown. I wanted to lean my back on the throne, but I don't want to mess up my hair. My best friends spent so much time trying to curl it!

"Happiest Birthday to our dearest Gianna!"

I beamed in delight the moment I saw Harmony right next to a slideshow, holding up a candle. She looked so pretty in her pink dress and beret. 

"I don't mean to brag, but did you know that I was Gia's first friend when she first got to Adelaide's Bridge? I think I'm the cutest, too?" Harmony said, which garnered some playful boos among our friends. Ang boyfriend niyang si Darko nga lang yata ang nag-thumbs up sa sinabi niya.

Harmony continued to share her heartfelt stories about our tween-age years, showering me with compliments every step of the way. Her words are so touching that it's making me cry, but for the sake of my make-up, I had to hold it all in.

After Harmony, it was Sadie's turn to share her message.

"Last month ko pa iniisip kung ano ang sasabihin. Kung alin ang makakatulong o hindi. I'm not really good at this, but here goes..." Sadie took a deep breath and smiled at me as she held up a candle. "Sometimes no matter how hard we try to stop bad things from happening, they still happen. But you know what? Here's a promise... We promise to be with you every step of the way. We will try to protect you in every way we can. And we promise you that you won't be fighting alone."

Natahimik ang lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Sadie. Kahit maging ako ay hindi alam anong ire-react. That was random, yet very touching.

Sadie looked around and swallowed hard. "Hindi alam ng lahat pero lagi akong nagpapatulong kay Gia sa homeworks ko!"

And just like that, everyone clapped. 

Mabilis akong napatingin sa direksyon ng mga magulang ko at ngumisi. Ha! Your daughter is a genius! 

"Kaya pala lagi kang bagsak, Sadie!" biglang umalingawngaw ang boses ng kaibigan naming si Pluto, dahilan para magtawanan ang lahat.

My eyes twitched in fury. Kung wala lang talagang mga camera, tinanggal ko na ang sapatos ko at binato ito kay Pluto.

***

After the cotillion dance, the real party began. My parents allowed us to have a straight-up dance party at mukhang nage-enjoy naman ang lahat, kahit ang mga relatives kong medyo may katandaan na.

Because my parents and other relatives are around, I had to limit my behavior. They have no idea that their dearest child has gone to a bunch of parties before kaya naman pa-demure muna ang galawan ko habang sumasayaw kasama ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Hudas ka, hindi ako sanay sa'yo!" biro sa akin ni Harmony na kanina pa tawa nang tawa sa mumunti kong kembot.

"Sayaw ka lang, tatakpan ka namin," biro naman ni Sadie.

"You guys are so supportive," I playfully glared as I continued to dance with them. "Gosh, I want to drink so bad! The wines are tempting!"

"Control yourself, Gianna!" Pabirong pinisil ni Harmony ang magkabila kong pisngi.

"Speaking of drinks, be careful with your dress," babala sa akin ni Sadie dahilan para mapangiwi ako.

I really hate it when Sadie nags at me. Lagi kasing nagiging tama ang mga babala niya. If I'm lucky at life, Sadie is lucky at guessing things. Sometimes I even wonder kung may lahi ba siyang manghuhula.

As we danced and joked around, napansin ko ang boyfriend ni Harmony na nakatayo lang sa isang tabi, para bang nagmamasid sa paligid. Even if he's wearing pink, he still exudes this dark and cold aura. No wonder Harmony calls him Dark Lord - Darko for short.

Hindi ko napigilang manibago kay Darko lalo't usually ay kay Harmony siya laging nakabantay. Daig pa niya ang CCTV.

"What's wrong with your Darko? I mean he looks creepy by default, but he looks differently creepy tonight?" tanong ko kay Harmony pero tumawa lang ito at nagkibit-balikat. Kung anong ikinadilim ng aura ni Darko, siya namang ikinaliwanag ni Harmony. She's just this ball of sunshine without even trying.

"How about Blaze?" tanong ko kay Sadie sabay nguso kay Blaze na kanina pa hindi umaalis sa kinauupuan. Kagaya ni Darko ay para rin itong nagmamasid sa paligid.

"Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo?" Natatawang tanong ni Sadie. I don't know if she's just feigning ignorance, or clueless talaga siya - after all, we playfully nicknamed her Confucious dahil lagi siyang confused o wala sa wisyo.

I shrugged. "Kayo kasi ang madalas kong nakikitang magkasama these days."

"Mas mdalas kaya kaming magkasama ni Sadie!" Nagulat ako nang biglang sumulpot sa tabi ko ang lecheng si Pluto. At school, this guy would always wear trench coat kasi doon nakalagay ang mga paninda niyang pagkain at kung anong school materials. Pero ngayon, himala at nakasuot siya ng pink polo. Hindi tuloy siya mukhang turon.

"It's because of a mission!" Natatawang giit ni Sadie kaya agad nakunot ang noo ko.

"What mission?" tanong ko at pare-pareho silang nagkatinginan.

"A mission to help Pluto to raise his grades."

Mabilis akong napalingon nang may magsalita. Natuwa ako nang makita si Amya kaya mabilis ko siyang niyakap. "So glad you're here!"

"Sorry we were late." She chuckled, hugging me back.

Amya's blind. Moving around isn't so easy kahit pa may saklay siya kaya sobra kong na-appreciate ang pagdalo niya sa debut ko. I also really appreciate that she wore pink eyeglasses, instead of her usual black ones! So cute!

"Birthday girl, 'wag mo masyadong manyakin ang girlfriend ko," Rocky joked, as usual nakabuntot na naman ito sa girlfriend niya. Sana all may devoted na jowa! 

"Tawag ka yata ng parents mo, Gia!" sabi ni Pluto kaya mabilis akong lumingon sa direksyong tinuto niya.

Nakita kong kumakaway sina Mommy at Daddy na para bang pinapalapit ako kaya naman mabilis akong nagpaalam sa mga kaibigan ko.

Habang naglalakad, nagulat ako nang bigla na lamang may bumangga sa akin.

I gasped when cold drinks splashed down to my dress. I was about to scream and throw a fit, but before I could even utter a single word, the waiter apologized profusely. He looked so scared and it seemed like he was about to cry. I couldn't help but feel bad for him.

"Ma'am sorry! Hindi ko po sinasadya! Ma'am sorry!" Sa sobrang panic niya, parang nalilito siyang kung pupunasan ba niya o hindi ang damit ko. Natatakot yatang mahipuan ako.

"It's okay..." I breathed a loud sigh. "I have another dress prepared, anyway."

"S-sigurado ka, Ma'am?" tanong nito.

I rolled my eyes and nodded. I continued walking to my parents' direction at nakita ko ang gulat sa mukha nila nang makita ang mantsa sa damit ko. Kung mamalasin nga naman, red wine pa ang natapon sa akin.

"It's okay. Hindi sinasadya. The waiter almost cried as he apologized profusely. Magpapalit lang po ako sa taas," I assured them before they could even say anything.

My parents are pretty chill people and they were understanding of the incident. Actually, ako lang naman talaga ang ma-issue sa maliit naming pamilya. My parents are saints compared to me. 

Nagpaalam silang ihahatid muna ang paternal at maternal grandparents ko, babalik lang kapag susunduin na ako. 

Nang umalis sila, dumiretso na rin ako sa hotel suite namin upang magbihis.

***

Paglabas ko ng elevator ay sandali akong napako sa kinatatayuan nang makita ang isang lalakeng nakatayo sa tapat ng suite ko.

Kahit nakatalikod, alam ako na agad sino siya. My radar is strong when it comes to my one and only, Owen J. Coleson.

I bit my lip, trying hard not to smile. Sandali akong humarap sa salamin na bahagi ng dingding at inayos ang buhok ko, pati na ang pagkakalagay ng flower crown sa ibabaw ng ulo ko.  Natigilan ako nang maalala ang mantsa sa damit ko, tatakpan ko sana ito gamit ang mahaba kong buhok kaso matatakpan din nito ang cleavage ko kaya 'wag na lang.

As soon as I was ready, I breathed a loud sigh and flashed my prettiest smile.

I've always had a crush on Coleson, but he told me that he likes Harmony. I respected his rejection and moved on, so it's surprising to see him outside my suite like this. I guess he finally moved on from Harmony and realized my worth.

As I walked towards him, I started to think of different scenarios on how this night will unfold. Should I reject him the way he rejected me before? Should I give him a chance? or should we just make out? The third one sounds so fun.

"Pakisabi sa kanila na deadbat na ako. Nakalimutan kong mag-charge ng cellphone kanina."

I tried to suppress my giggle as I watched Coleson talk to himself again. He's so cute and weird.

I have to admit, I thought he had some mental issues back then lalo't lagi ko siyang nakikitang nagsasalita nang mag-isa; 'yong tipong parang may kausap. Minsan nga ay para pa siyang may kaaway na hindi namin nakikita.

May mga students din na pareho ang naiisip dahil sa parehong dahilan, but Harmony and Sadie assured me that Coleson is saner than most of us. In fact, Coleson is a secret voice actor daw. He has to practice his lines all the time kaya lagi siyang nakikitang nagsasalita nang mag-isa.

Nakakainis dahil hindi sinasabi ni Coleson saang radio station siya nagta-trabaho. Ni hindi niya sinasabi kung available ba online ang mga projects niya. I tried listening to the radio for months, trying to find his program, kaso hindi ko mahanap-hanap.

Lumingon si Coleson sa direksyon ko kaya naman awtomatiko akong ngumiti at kumaway sa kanya. He smiled back, making my heart flutter. Damn! I should be playing hard to get!

"Happy Birthday, Gia." Bungad niya kaagad sa akin.

"Umakyat ka pa talaga rito para batiin ako..." I giggled, tucking my hair behind my ears.

"Just making sure that you're safe." He smiled, making my heart do some somersaults.

"Now that's just random, but sweet." My voice grew softer and gentler without even trying.

"Well, I'll head inside to change. Do you want to come in?" I smirked, looking at his eyes directly. 

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll stay here."

I was taken aback by his response but kept my smirk. "To make sure I'm safe?"

He nodded. "All the best for the birthday girl."

I moved closer to the door and held the doorknob. I smiled sensually as I looked at his lips. "You're the best, Coleson."

Coleson chuckled, his heart-fluttering smile making my heart throb even more.

"Hindi ka talaga nauubusan ng kalokohan. Magbihis ka na nga doon, amoy alak ka na," aniya, dahilan para agad maglaho ang ngiti sa mukha ko.

Agad akong pumasok at padabog siyang pinagsarhan ng pinto. I made sure to slam it right in front of his handsome but paasang face!

"Siraulo ka talagang gwapo ko," I muttered angrily with gritted teeth. I raised both my fists, punching the air.

Mabilis akong nagtungo sa kwarto ko at nagbihis, paulit-ulit na minura si Coleson sa isip ko. Damn him and his mixed signals! Good thing marami pa akong crush maliban sa kanya.

Thinking about my other crushes made me smile. Kung gaano ako kabilis nainis kay Coleson, ganito rin ito kabilis nawala. After all, he's a buddy of mine. No need to hold a grudge.

I grabbed my pink satin dress from the closet and laid it on the bed. I was about to take off my dress when I suddenly remembered my hair. Naupo ako sa harap ng vanity mirror at inisip kung anong gagawin ko sa buhok ko. Should I leave it down or tie it to a bun? 

Naisip ko ang effort nina Harmony at Sadie na kulutin ito kaya sa huli, hinayaan ko na lang ang buhok ko. Pero siyempre, inayos ko ang pagkakalagay ng pink flower crown. I added more hairpins to make sure it stays on top of my head.

All of a sudden, I heard a door open and shut. Mabilis akong lumingon at napakunot-noo. Nagbago ba ang isip ni Coleson?

Tired of him playing hard to get, I stood up and walked out to the living room. 

"Coleson, do you really--" I gasped when I saw an old man covered in blood, standing by the door. He looked so weak as he held his bleeding arm. 

"Sino ka?!" I screamed, horrified at the sight. Pero kaagad ding naglaho ang takot ko at napalitan ito ng matinding awa, lalo na nang makita ang kanyang mukha.

Napatingin siya sa direksyon ko at kasabay nito ang tuluyan niyang pagbagsak sa sahig. 

"Coleson!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. 

I quickly grabbed my jacket from the couch and ran towards the bleeding old man. Bumagsak ang mga tuhod ko sa kanyang tabi at mabilis kong tiningnan ang kanyang mga sugat.

"Sinong gumawa sa'yo nito?!" Kusang rumagasa ang mga luha ko nang makita ang mga galos sa kanyang mukha, pati na ang tila ba mga saksak sa kanyang braso at sikmura. How can someone do this to an old and weak man like him?!

I looked at his pale face and cried even harder at the sight of his gentle brown eyes. I held his cheek and it felt cold. He reached for my hand, holding it back. It felt even colder.

Bumuka ang kanyang bibig at kasabay nito ang paglabas ng dugo at garagal niyang boses.

"Don't talk! Please, don't talk! Save your energy!" I pleaded as I cried, holding his hand tighter. "Coleson! Tulong! Tulungan n'yo kami! Parang awa nyo na!

"P-Patawarin mo ako, hindi na kita mapo-protektahan." Hinang-hina man, pilit na nagsalita ang matanda.

Naguguluhan man sa kanyang sinasabi, umiling-iling ako at mas lalo pang naiyak. "Hihingi ako ng tulong! You won't die! I won't let you die!"

Tatayo sana ako, pero hindi ako nakagalaw nang mapansing  mas humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

"P-Pinuno, parating na siya," aniya na para bang nagbibigay ng babala. "Patawarin mo ako..."

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita, bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at laking gulat ko nang makita sina Sadie at Harmony, kapwa humahangos at may bahid ng mga dugo ang damit.

"He's not the one trying to hurt her! Baby, we have to get her out of here!" bulalas ni Harmony habang nakahawak sa tenga niya.

"Help! Oh God! We need help!" pagmamakaawa ko.

"Gia, let's go!" Mabilis na lumapit si Sadie at pilit akong hinila. "We have to go now!"

"He needs help!" giit kong muli at pilit na nanatili sa tabi ng matanda. "Please, we have to help him!"

"Ilayo n'yo siya rito. Pakiusap, protetahan n'yo siya..." sabi nito, dahilan para mas lalo akong maiyak. 

Wala akong naiintindihan sa mga nangyayari, pero wala akong ibang nararamdaman kung hindi pag-aalala para sa matanda.

Lumuwag ang hawak nito sa kamay ko at para namang naubusan ng lakas ang mga paa ko. Sapilitan akong hinila nina Harmony at Sadie palabas ng silid, ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay umiyak.

"At saan kayo pupunta?!"

Pare-pareho kaming napalingon at nakita ang isang lalakeng balbas-sarado at may kalakihan ang maputlang pangangatawan. Humahangos din ito at may bahid ng dugo sa damit at noo. Pero kinilabutan ako nang mapansin ang ubod nang pula niyang mga mata.

Tumayo sina Sadie at Harmony sa harapan ko na para bang tinatakpan ako. Dahan-dahan silang umatras, kaya napaatras din ako.

"Uuwi na? We have curfew?" Sadie laughed awkwardly, scratching her head.

"Iwan n'yo na ang tagapangalaga ng mga bampira nang makapag-usap kami. I believe, we still have some unfinished business?" sabi nito at napatingin sa akin sabay ngisi.

"Ako ba ang kausap mo?" Nakunot kaagad ang noo ko.

"You have the wrong person!" giit ni Harmony sabay taas ng kanyang kamay, dahilan para matakpan ako ulit. "Does she look like she can guard some vampires?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" bulalas ko.

"Shhh..." giit ni Sadie at hinawakan anng mahigpit ang kamay ko.

"Well, there's one way to find out..." Bumukas ang bibig ng lalake at napatili ako sa gulat nang bigla na lang lumabas ang kanyang dalawang pangil.

"Yuck! Kadiri! What the hell was that?!" Hindi ko napigilang sumigaw. Paano niya nagawa 'yon?! Hindi naman gumagalaw o ganoon katalas ang postiso ng lolo at lola ko ah?!

Mabilis na nagsara ng bibig ang lalake. "Your words hurt, young lady."

"Yeah?" Humalakhak si Harmony. "Well, there's more where that came from. Leave us alone before she hurts your feeling even more!"

"Grabe ka naman..." I muttered. I can be tactless, but I'm trying my best not to hurt anyone with my words.

"Ang dami n'yong satsat!" Dumagundong ang boses ng lalake at muli akong napatili nang bigla na lamang humaba at tumalas ang mga kuko nitong napakaitim.

Is he Wolverine?! 

"Hindi pa tayo tapos! Gago!" Bigla na lamang sumulpot ang duguang si Coleson at sinakyan ang malaking lalake sa likuran. Pinulupot niya ang braso sa leeg ng lalake na para bang gusto niya itong sakalin.

"Go!" Pabulong na giit ni Harmony, pero bago pa man kami makatakbo, nagawang maihagis ng lalake si Coleson, dahilan para tumilapon ito sa dingding.

"Coleson!" Nagsigawan kaming tatlo, lalo na nang humalakhak ang malaking lalake at nagtatakbo patungo sa amin.

Bago pa man kami makagalaw, biglang sumulpot ang matandang duguan at sinugod ang lalake. Sa sobrang bilis ng pangyayari, kapwa sila tumilapon sa pader, dahilan para yumanig ang paligid.

I don't know how, but their impact became enough to crush the concrete walls! How was that even possible?!

Sapilitan akong hinila nina Harmony at Sadie hanggang sa namalayan kong tumatakbo na kami pababa ng hagdan.

"Gia, we know you have lots of questions. We will answer them all, but you have to trust us first!" giit ni Harmony.

"We have to get you out of here. Don't worry about your parents, kami na ang bahala sa lahat!" paniniguro naman ni Sadie. 

Ilang sandali kaming nagpaikot-ikot pababa sa hagdan, hanggang sa matanaw namin ang isang nakabukas na pinto na gawa sa metal.

"Baby, we're almost the parking garage. Are you still there?" tanong ni Harmony habang nakahawak sa tenga niya. Ngayon ko lang napansin na pare-pareho silang nakasuot ng para bang in-ear device.

Pare-pareho kaming nahinto sa paggalaw nang bigla na lamang pumasok mula sa pinto ang isang babaeng may maikli at kulay pulang buhok. Gaya ng lalake kanina, kulay pula rin ang kanyang mga mata at maputla ang kanyang balat.

"Your baby is a little busy." Nakangisi nitong sambit.

"Shit! Akyat!" bulalas ni Harmony, pero bago pa man kami makagalaw, bigla na lamang sumulpot ang isang malaking bola ng apoy at tumama ito sa babae, dahilan para tumilapon din ito sa pader.

The impact caused another crash, enough to destroy and burn part of the concrete.

Nakita namin si Blaze na pumasok at napasinghap ako sa gulat nang makita ang kamay niyang naglalagablab. May naiiwan pang mumunting apoy sa bawat hakbang niya.

Umalingawngaw ang isang tawa at nakita naming tumayo ang babae mula sa guho. All she got were dirt on her clothes! 

"Go! Now!" sigaw ni Blaze at kitang-kita ko kung paano namuo ang naglalakihang mga apoy mula sa kanyang mga kamay. Mabilis niya itong hinagis sa babae, dahilan para muli itong tumilapon sa guho.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita o nakakurap man lang dahil sa gulat. Bago pa man ako makapagtanong, hinila ako nina Sadie at Harmony pababa ng hagdan at palabas ng pinto.

Nakaramdam ako ng matinding init nang madaanan sina Blaze.

Habang tumatakbo kami sa gitna ng parking lot, biglang umalingawngaw ang isang napakalakas na busina. Pare-pareho kaming napalingon at nakita si Pluto na lumabas mula sa isang kulay asul na van.

"Go! Go!" giit ni Harmony at nagtakbuhan kaming muli patungo sasakyan.

Pluto got to the driver's seat, while Harmony sat in the front with him. Kaming dalawa naman ni Sadie ang nasa likod.

"Can you please explain what's going on?!" Iyak ko. "Who were they?! Is the old man okay?! Is Coleson okay? Bakit umaapoy si Blaze?! I know he's hot, but what the fuck?!"

"Shit!" Pare-parehong nagsigawan ang tatlo, at kahit ako ay napasigaw din nang makita ang isa na namang lalakeng may mahabang mga kuko at kulay pulang mga mata. 

Mabilis itong sumampa sa hood ng sasakyan at sinipa ang windshield, dahilan para ma-crack ang buong salamin.

"My car!" iyak ni Pluto.

"It's your brother's car!" sigaw ni Sadie.

"My brother's car!" iyak ni Pluto.

The man stood up and raised his leg for another kick, but before he could even do, biglang may lumitaw na kung anong bagay dahilan para tumilapon ito palayo.

"Go!" Nagulat ako nang makita si Darko na dumaan sa harapan namin. He ran towards the man's direction while raising his hands. Something was shooting out of his hands and have no idea what it is!

Pluto turned on the car and sped away, much to our relief.

I cluched my chest, chasing my breath. Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa sarili ko at saka ko lang napansin na isang sapatos na lang ang suot ko at napakarumi na ng suot kong ball gown. 

I looked at my reflection in the rearview mirror and saw mascara tears down my face. My make-up and hair are all over the place, while the flower crown above my head stayed in place.

"Someone please explain what the hell is going on?!" I screamed as we drove along the quiet and dimly lit street of Adelaide's Bridge.

"They were rogue vampires, and for some reason, they are coming for you. Based on what that bearded vampire said earlier, they think that you are the guardian of the vampires," paliwanag ni Harmony habang hinahabol ang hininga. 

"Vampires?!" bulalas ko. "Harmony, vampires aren't real!"

"Vampires are real and they are out to get you." Lumingon akin si Harmony at inabot ang kamay ko at saka ito hinawakan nang mahigpit. "But you have us, okay? The task force will protect you."

Task force?! Vampire?! What the hell!

"Sadie? Okay ka lang?" bulalas ni Pluto, dahilan para sabay-sabay kaming mapatingin kay Sadie.

Nagulat ako nang mapansing nakatulala lamang si Sadie, hindi gumagalaw. Bahagyang nakabuka ang bibig, at may umaagos na luha mula sa kanyang mga matang para bang puno ng takot.

"Say?" I raised my hand, but before I could even touch her, Harmony stopped me.

"It's okay," Harmony assured me. "That's what she does when she gets visions."

"Sadie gets random flashes of memories, from both the past and the present," dagdag pa ni Harmony.

Bigla kong naalala kung paano laging tumatama ang lahat ng hula ni Sadie. It makes sense!

"H-Her visions... do they always come true?" tanong ko.

"Let's just hope it's nothing bad." Harmony flashed a warm and reassuring smile.

Umayos si Harmony ng upo at napahawak ulit sa device na nasa tenga niya. "Yeah, we're okay. We're on the way to the headquarters. We're passing by the farmlands. Sadie's getting another vision, we'll update you once she's back."

Narinig kong suminghap si Sadie kaya mabilis akong napalingon sa kanya.

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita, bigla siyang dumungaw sa bintana at lalo pang rumagasa ang luha niya.

"Sadie?" tanong ko.

Unti-unting humarap sa akin si Sadie at kinilabutan ako nang makita ang matinding takot sa mga mata niya.

"Sadie, what did you see?" Lumingon muli sa amin si Harmony.

"Shit!" sigaw ni Pluto kaya sabay-sabay kaming napatingin sa daan. 

Muling bumalik ang matindi kong takot nang makita ang ilang kalalakihan sa gitna ng daan -- pare-parehong kulay pula ang mga mata at naghahabaan ang mga kuko.

"Sasagasaan ko na sila! Kapit!" sigaw ni Pluto, desperado na.

Bigla kong naramdaman ang mahigpit na paghawak ni Sadie sa braso ko. Napatingin ako sa luhaan niyang mga mata.

"Gia, we can't stop it from happening. Do whatever it takes to survive..."

On the night of my 18th birthday, my streak of good luck finally came to an end...

//