___________
❝𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫❞

Napasinghal ako nang makaramdam ng pananakit ng ulo ko. I squainted my eyes only to see some people—men and women naked on the floor. Muli kong pinikit ang mga mata ko habang inaalala kung ano ang nangyari.

Alcohol. Sex. Smokes. Cigarettes.

Mabilis akong napabangon. Saka ko lang napansin na nakatulog pala ako sa inidoro kagabi dahil halos ikwintas ko na ito sa panay pagsuka ko. When I look at myself, my clothes are still intact. Muli ay napatingin ako sa dalawang babae at isang lalaki na nakahubo pa't nakahiga sa malawak na sahig ng banyo.

I inhaled a sharp breath before leaving the bathroom. Paglabas ko naman ay nabungaran ko ang dalawang lalaki at isang babaeng nakahilata sa couch. They were butt naked as well. Nagkalat sa sahig ang mga bote at mga pagkain pati na rin mga sex toys na malamang ay ginamit nila kagabi.

On the bed, may tatlong babae doon at isang lalaki. Kahit malayo ay nakikita ko kung gaano kabasa ang bedsheet ng kama. May nakita pa akong mga tali ng lubid kasabay ng mga damit at underwears na nakakalat din saan mang sulok ng hotel room.

How the fuck did I even end up in this situation?

Kinapa ko ang sarili ko at napahinga naman ako nang maluwag dahil wala akong naramdaman na kakaiba. Tahimik kong hinanap ang gamit ko at sinuot ang sapatos ko bago lisanin ang kwartong iyon. I reek the smell of alcohol.

Paglabas ko ng hotel ay pumara ako ng taxi pauwi. I checked the time on the car display and it's already eight in the morning. May manuscript pa akong ipapasa mamayang alas tres pero hindi ko pa natatapos ang pagsulat ng special chapter.

Napasapo na lang ako ng noo ko nang maramdamang kumirot ito konti. I don't usually get drunk over liquor, but last night, they put party drugs on it.

Who are those people? I don't have the slightest idea.

The problem with the influence of alcohol is that I treat everyone as friends when, in reality, I am a very anti-social type of person. I don't even talk to my neighbors when sober. My social media is ghosted, and my writing account has become a shitload of memes. I don't have the talent to be social—not unless I'm drunk. That's a whole different story.

Binuksan ko ang bag ko para kunin ang phone ko nang makarinig ako ng sunod-sunod na notification. It was from the X app where I had few interactions with my co-writers. There are numerous of reactions, followed by mentions and wishful thinkings of the readers to do a collaboration with them.

I turned my phone off—Nalulula ako sa rami ng notifications from other apps, plus the messenger.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakauwi na rin ako sa bahay. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto. I took a bath and wore an oversized shirt bago mag set-up ng laptop ko para ipagpatuloy ang pag-edit ng manuscript ko. Uusok na naman ilong ng editor ko kapag na-late na naman ako sa pagpasa.

In the middle of writing, my mind went all black—another writer's block. And I know exactly what to do. Patalon akong umalis ng upuan at nagtungo sa sa fridge. Nang makita ko ang target ko ay napangisi ako. I took the small bottle of Jack Daniels and opened it.

Then I started writing again, and this time, I had a secret weapon: liquor inspiration. Everything went smoothly. My words danced on the page, plot twists got even messier, and my characters had a life of their own. Fortunately, I finished the special chapter and sent it to my editor on time.

Nilagok ko ang natitirang alak bago pabagsak akong humiga ng kama, pakiramdam ko ay dinuduyan na ako sa alapaap. I grabbed my phone in the mattress and decided to scroll on my writing account.

Heizhoukristo: Gago! Bakit naman nilagyan ng mata ng baby yung binignit! Hindi ko na tuloy masikmura kumain ng sago!

BriefniZhongli: She needs therapy smh. Imagine punishing someone by letting them swallow a molten iron?!

Scara'sLeftNut: Wbt the scene where the female lead had a miscarriage, and that jerk threw the fetus to be eaten by the wolves!

Neubilat: Why are y'all throwing hate at the author??? It's a Dark and Gore fantasy! Not your typical Disney plots!

Napangiwi ako nang mabasa ko ang ilang comments sa last chapter na sinulat ko. Palagi namang gano'n. My alias in the writing industry is RedHorse—halatang hindi pinag-isipan alam ko. I write gore and dark fantasy novels, my sanctuary in the midst of turmoil.

Throughout my writing career, I have always been questioned regarding how traumatic my stories are. And there are always healthy and toxic commentaries about me. But, well, I really wished I cared.

I'm simply a lone writer finding my peace. At least I don't glorify nor romanticize rape and grooming like the others, right?

Duling kong pinidot ang isang notification nang mag pop-up ito bigla.

hapi twerking crack head plotterhead

Dumapa ako sa kama at nag-scroll. This was the group chat of my co-writers and my friends. Just a few weeks ago, readers were requesting us for a collaboration. Ang hindi nila alam may matagal na talagang nag reach out sa amin si Abo para sa collab na gagawin. They decided to keep it a secret to surprise the readers.

They were discussing the meeting place in Neko-chan Manga Cafe around 7:30 PM. Masyadong seryoso ang pinag-uusapan nila kaya naman naki-epal na ako.

RedHorse: Kung may Redhourse may BlueHorse ba?

Buburahin ko nasa ito dahil korni pero huli na dahil napindot ko na ang send.

TheMortalSol: Kung ang pambansang isda ay bangus what if kami talaga ni Silvanus? Boom panes!

Silvanus: Yuck!

Bhi3: Ouch, mhie. pakiss daw.

Napangisi ako. Would you look at that? It looks like Sol has a thing for Silv. I've seen some of their interactions online. Sol usually jokes around, but I always think they're half meant.

abo: hoi wag kslimutan meet uo mamsaya! be sober Red!

Bahagya nangunot ang noo ko dahil sa sabog ng typings niya. Naka-alphabetical arrangement ba keyboard niya? Kaagad ako nagtipa ng reply sa kanya.

RedHorse: mas lasing ka pa nga mag type kesa saken.

Kanya-kanya namang tawanan ang mga ito at send ng mga GIF at stickers.

Sanguine: Saan nga ang location, mhie?

Vetle: Neko-Chan Maga Cafe, vhie.

Sanguine, I like her vibe. Aside from her sudden shortage of social battery, she's easy to get along with. I had my eyes on her since she writes exciting storylines and looks hot with her glasses on.

And I was surprised that Vetle came out from her deep slumber. Madalas ay nag-uunahan lang ang chat heads nila ni majesticity sa pagse-seen ng messages sa group chat. They're the shy girlies in the group of friends who will probably say sorry first, even if you did them wrong.

RedHorse: See yahhh dear mfs.

I bid my goodbye to the group and started doing my rituals for preparation. At dahil alam kong mabilis lang ako pagpawisan lalo na sa panahon ngayon ay nagsuot na lang ako ng black sleeveless body suit top and jeans.

Nagtimpla rin muna ako ng soju na may sprite and yakult sa tumbler ko bago umalis dahil alam kong mga mukhang kape ang makakasama ko roon at hindi ako mahilig sa kape. Bago ako umalis ay napatingin ako sa sarili kong repleksyon sa salamin.

I have wolf-cut styled hair, and my eyes are different from one another. Hazel is for the left eye, and mint green is for the right. I honestly look abnormal.

Paglabas ko ay tumawag na rin ako ng taxi at habang nasa byahe ako papuntang Neko-chan Cafe ay nagbukas ulit ako ng messenger para makipagkulitan sa group chat.

RedHorse: GUYS, HELP!!!!

RedHorse: MAY SAKSAKAN DITO!!!

Fiorifae: What?!

Abo: okeish k lNg ba mamsh?

Vetle: Call 911

Tumawa ako sa sariling kalokohan ko. But then, Fiorifae's reaction got me smiling. It's a surprise that she reacted, maybe out of genuine concern or wondering if my funeral was the next meeting she had to attend. Well, based on her personality online, she seems intimidating, and sarcasm is all over her like it's the latest trend—so it's really rare to find she cares.

RedHorse sent a picture to the group.

RedHorse: SAKSAKAN NG GANDA

Silvanus: Tangina

Napangisi ako bago uminom ng soju cocktail sa mint green na tumbler na dala ko. A few more minutes, I arrived in the meeting place. Nasa labas pa lang ako ay nahagip ko na kagaad ang grupo ng mga magkakaibigan na mukhang enjoy na enjoy sa pag-uusap at pagkukulitan.

The first person who caught my attention was a tall, tanned-skinned guy laughing contagiously—Abo. His straight shoulder-length hair matched his mysterious grey eyes and kept my attention on him for seconds. My eyes glued on his veiny big hands.

Ah, yes. The manly gay top vibe.

"Red! You're here!" Abo exclaimed, making everyone's attention shift to me. I gave them a warm smile, which I hoped didn't turn out awkward.

"Lasinggera." I turned my head to Silvanus. He didn't sound like a snob, rather he sounds friendly.

"Hindi ba Civil Engineering student ka? Balita ko amoy simento raw kayo?" He shot his eyebrows and gave me a side-eye before drinking his coffee.

Nonchalant yarn? Well, I think not. Baka hindi lang talaga siya marunong mag-express ng feelings niya. It's understandable.

May kumalabit sa akin kaya bahagya akong napalingon. A guy with a pink hair and white highlights. "Bhie, akala namin sinaksak ka na talaga kanina! Loka ka talaga!" Bumunghalit ako ng tawa.

Bhi3, a femboy who gives off a witty OA friend in a group—bubbly and approachable na mukhang naligo ng zonrox dahil sa puti.

"What coffee would you like, Red?" Napatingin ako sa babaeng katabi ko. She had a pretty calm face, complementing her serene amber eyes. She looks nice. If I remember correctly, she goes by the name Starlight in the writing industry.

"Oh, I don't drink coffee. That's why I brought my juice." Winagayway ko ang tumbler na hawak ko. I lied. Of course, I did. Juice? Hell no.

She beamed at me, a smile that could light even the darkest corner of the streets. "Oh, alright!" She went back to eating her cupcake. Nakipagdaldalan na rin ito sa iba naming kasama.

"Seriously Red, you should give your liver a break. Your liver is probably not in the mood for another round." Nagulat ako nang mapansing may babaeng dumaan sa gilid ko upang amuyin ang nakabukas na tumbler na dala ko.

I tilted my head and watched her sitting on the vacant seat. She goes by BOOMXD as her pseudonym. She looks rather short, just like her temper—a pretty face with a heart-shaped face dressed like a fashionista on her runway.

"Looking good, Red." Mabilis kong hinanap ang pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. It was from a woman with a long silky black hair in hime-cut. Poisson. The mommy tsundere I'll gladly let to step on me.

"Likewise, you look ravishing," I replied. Kapwa kami natawa sa kabaklaan naming dalawa.

"Hello!" My lips formed an 'O' when I saw the woman who greeted us—late.

Chinita na may mahabang octopus cut na buhok. Mabilis akong napalinga kay Silvanus na nakatitig din sa kanya. Ooof.

"What did I miss? Sorry for being late." We gave her a thumbs up. We have yet to discuss matters regarding the collaboration. More like puro chismisan lang at kanya-kanyang bigayan ng spoilers.

"No worries, Sol. Make yourself comfortable. How about ordering another cup of coffee with me?" Presinta ng babaeng naka-messy bun na may blonde with white highlights na buhok. Awe, how nice of her.

Tumayo ako at nagpaalam na iihi muna. Sa dami kong ininom ngayong ay araw ay malamang magiging suki na naman ako ng CR. When I went inside, may naabutan akong babaeng naglalagay ng powder sa mukha. She has a medium black and wavy hair and a cute mole in the nose. With the way she dressed poshly—I knew her.

"Fiori, right?" Nakita ko kaagad ang pagtaas ng kilay niya, when she recognized me, binigyan niya ako ng tipid na ngiti.

"You must be Red?" Tumango ako.

"Nice to meet you." I smiled at her. "Likewise, you should hurry up and go back. Kompleto na tayo." I reminded her before entering the vacant cubicle.

The truth is, it's not about her resting bitch face, nor the way she dressed was the reason why I recognized her. She was a familiar face because she was the daughter of a politician who once had many corrupt issues. But let's not put our nose to someone else's life problem.

Pagbalik ko ng table namin ay nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang hawak-hawak ni mejesticity ang tumbler ko. She was drinking it like a mere juice! Gosh!

"Oh, sorry, Red. Akala ko kasi water. Nice juice tho!" Namumula niyang bulalas. Napasapo na lang ako ng noo. Can she handle liqour?

Napatingin ako kay BOOMXD. She gave me a what-the-hell-did-I-do look. She knows it wasn't regular juice, so why didn't she stop her? Gracious!

Majesticity, the girl who just drank my cocktail had a wavy brown hair with curtain bangs. Her cheeks slowly started to puff in red, and she smiled radiantly. She gave this soft girl, a silent vibe that always pays attention to people around her.

We're the opposites, so I was somehow drawn into her story 'The Villain's Lament.' It's fascinating how a modest and timid girl like her could write a monstrous villain even I wanted to butcher and hang. I didn't like the ending tho, I wish I could rewrite it in a more gruesome way.

"Are you okay?" I asked her. She gave me a quick nod. Bigla itong bumungisngis kaya napakamot na lang ako ng noo ko. I guess I need to look out for her. Mukhang hindi pa naman sanay malasing 'to.

"Uy, ayos ka lang ba talaga? Nasobrahan ka ba sa blush on?" Aniya ni Sanguine habang inaayos ang frame ng salamin na suot niya. Concern crossed her face seeing Majesticity on a daze state.

Napahalakhak na lang ako sa sarili ko nang matapos magbitaw ng iilang salita ay nanahimik na naman sa isang tabi si Sanguine. Tingnan mo 'tong isang 'to.

Time flies so fast and hindi ko namalayang pauwi na pala kami. It was already past midnight when we decided to part ways. I bid my goodbye to everyone and checked on the nearest grab taxi I could find in the area—but found none.

"Should I just went straight to the nearest bar to drink?" Bulong ko sa sarili ko habang naglalakad sa gilid ng kalsada.

Habang abala ako sa pag-scroll sa phone ko ay may napindot akong notification. Napunta ako sa comment section ng story na sinusulat ko, titled 'Heroes for Auction' puro hinaing at reklamo ang nandoon na nagde-demand na baguhin ko ang ugali ng male lead. Honestly, I plan to stop on writing for a while. I wanted to try being a ghost writer to earn more dahil maluho ako.

I was about to cancel the comment section when something caught my attention. There are some passages where they were discussing the character's role, but while I was reading it, hindi ko napansin na may truck na pa lang nag-Tokyo drift sa harapan ko.

My life flashed in my eyes when I saw it near me—with no chance of escaping. How cliche. Thanks to this godly truck, it looks like my dream of becoming a ghostwriter came true—literally. 

𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐑
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ