Chapter 3: Vampires

Veronica's P.O.V

"Do you believe that all the things in this world are already here? Like the rocks, tress and even the animals and creatures that are now no longer exist are the one who saw and live this world first. Do you believe in that?" Our lecturer asked, her voice filled the every corner of the room. Our eyes was on all of her, listening to her puzzled question.

"Now, if the gods of above made the world and shelter first, for the human race that he really adore. Then why does some of this worlds creatures and monsters exist?" Tumahimik ang lahat sa kaniyang sinabi, mababakas ang pagkalito ng iba habang karamihan naman ay napatango na nagpapakita ng pagsang-ayon sa kaniya.

"Who made them? If the god from above made them then why do they harm humans that the gods from above adore so much?" Realization hits me, she's right. But i don't want to loose my faith just because of her perspective. "Opps! Did i just made you all think? Now, our topic has a similarities of what i said. This may also give you awareness to all the things that has been happening right now."

Agad itong tumalikod at may pinindot sa kaniyang remote na agad namang sinundan ng mga litrato sa aming monitor. "Vampires," as he said those words goosebumps run to me. "Are they real? Or myths?" Her eyes was on us, watching and observing each of us.

"Vampires are creatures who often fanged to consume the blood of a human to mantain their living, ending someones life just to keep their living in this world. Are they creature? Or a monster?" I gulp, 'they are monster endeed.

"Now let me show you something," she press her remote and again a video clip of a girl appeared in the monitor. In the video a teen-age girl was featured, the context says that she's a victim of a vampire attack. And just like me, she also can't remember what happened after she left their house. Her mother statement says that her daughter was about to go to the mall to buy what her mother asked to, she ride a taxi to lessen her hassle. The mother saw her daughter leaving and the taxi she rode, but she didn't expect that was the last time that she can see her lovely daughter normally, without suffering.

Later that night her mother recieved a call from the police saying, they saw a body of teen-age girl in the dark alley of the city. They got her phone number in her contacts, she's unconscious and has heavy breathing. The pictures and footage of the crime scene suddenly pop-up on the screen, we can see it clearly how the girl suffered in the video, 'she's so pale.

The camera immediately focus on the girl, it says she is still 17 years old. She suffered from PTSD, she can't remember what happened. The last memory she remember is when the time her mother asked her to go to the mall. Their statement says she is talkative and jolly, but now she's the opposite from what they define. She barely talked in the interview  shocked and pitty filled the room.

On the last part the police doesn't have enough evidences to point that it was a vampire attack, but their major evidence was the mark of a fang in the girls neck. It can see clearly how swollen it is, now the family of the girl wanta justice for her. They collect more possible evidences to give justice to the girl.

Nanlalamig kong tinitigan ang papatapos na video, 'yan ba ang possibleng mangyari sa akin? Gusto kong umiyak, hindi ako mapakali sa aking inuupuan. Natatakot ako na baka isa sa mga estudyanteng narito sa loob ay biglang dukutin ako, suddenly the feeling of someones eyes makes me panic. I roam my eyes to see who it was, 'sino ka? Unti-unting tumataas ang aking balahibo nanginginig na ako sa takot.

"Hey, are you okay?" Nababahalang tanong ni Saylor. Natatakot na ako, ng biglang nadapo ang aking paningin sa aming lecturer, nakakapanindig balahibo ang kaniyang mga ngiti. Ang kaniyang mga mata ay nakatutok sa akin na para bang natutuwa sa aking naging reaction. "Sad to say the tragic incident happened two months ago, and they still couldn't find enough evidences. That leads to the girl to commit suicide, and now the family of the 17 year old girl mourn so much, they supposed to celebrate her birthday but they just mourn for their loss."

Nanginginig na ako sa aking upuan, gusto ko ng tumakbo. Parang hinihihop nito ang aking isip, ang kaniyang nakakapanindig balahibong mga mata ay patuloy parin akong sinusuri. 'Hindi ko malubayan. Ting! Ting! Ang tunog ng kampana na nagpapahiwatig ng pagtatapos sa klase, "Reminder! To always be careful, children!" Walang pag-aalinlangan 'kong kinuha ang aking mga gamit at agarang lumabas sa silid.

"Hey! Nica! Are you okay? What happened?" Sigaw ni Saylor. Hindi ko ito pinapansin at patuloy parin akong naglalakad papalayo sa silid na 'yon, 'why does she make me rattled? Nanginginig parin ang aking katawan, is she one of them? But its impossible. "Nica," i stopped walking when i felt Saylors hand on my arms, "Anong nangyayari sa 'yo?" She's furious by the tone of her voice, kunot noo niya akong tinitigan. "Kanina ka pa! Ano ba ang nangyayari sa 'yo. Nagiging balisa ka ng walang eksaktong dahilan!"

The truth is, i also don't know. The mixed emotions im feeling right now, i know Saylor wouldn't understand it, the feeling of no one would ever know and understand my trauma and situation, it makes me suffocated. I don't want my friends to intervene my problem, it is risky and big, and it has a lot of chances that it will lead me to death.

I forced a smile as i look at Saylor's eyes, "Nothing, i'm just exhausted." Nakakunot parin anf kaniyang noo, hindi kombinsido sa aking dahilan. "Let's go? Im so hungry na, Saylor." I immediately change my mood to enlighten our atmosphere. I didn't wait for her reply i turn back and start to walk going to the cafeteria. Ang ingay ng mga estudyante ang sumalubong sa akin, makikita ang mga estudyanteng nag-uunahang makapila at ang iba naman ay nakaupo at naghihintay. I roam my eyes to check if there is vacant but all i can see is full pax of students in every table.

'All i want is to eat peacefully, my stomach are starting to grawl. I keep on looking until i gave up, i was about to exit the cafeteria when i saw Saylor sitting in a round table with some of the basketball team, but i see no trace of Steven on the table, i sigh and continue to walk through Saylor's direction.

"Hey," i greeted nicely, "Hi Nica!" "Hey their NicNic!" "Sit beside Saylor." Samot saring reaction at bati ang aking natanggap. I roam my eyes and only to see there are five of them, they are not complete, where is Steven? "Wala so Steven, ipinaiwan sila ni coach." One of the answered, 'did i say it out loud? How did he knew? I look at him in shock and he just smiled and roll his eyes. "I already ordered food for you, mukhang napagod ka kakahanap ng bakanteng upuan," walang buhay na tugon ni Saylor. I thanked her and immediately sit beside her, 'im so hungry! Walang pagaalinlangan 'kong kinain ang pagkaing ibinigay ni Saylor.

"Bakit nga ba pinaiwan sila Steven?" Saylor asked, "Whole day kasi kami ngayon mag pa-practice lang, eh kaninang umaga second practice namin wala sa hulog si Steven. Puro sablay ang tira o di kaya'y wala sa huwisyo, kaya ipinaiwan siya ni coach kasama ang ibang first year." Kaswal na sagot ng isa sa kanila, "Pero sa tingin ko pagod lang 'yun kay Steven, magiging maayos din 'yan mamaya." Said by the other, "Hindi pwedeng hindi siya magiging okay, malapit na ang finals siya ang inaasahan at inaabangan ng lahat." They continue their conversation regarding of Steven, suddenly i remember our confrontation.

"May tinatago ka 'ba sa akin, Maria?" I gulp. He called me by my first name, he's mad by the tone of his voice. Slowly i faced him with my eyes on the floor, i can't look at him. Steven is so scary when he's mad sometimes.

"Absent ka ng limang araw, palagi akong tumatawag pero hindi ka sumasagot. Hindi ako maka punta sa inyo dahil naging busy ako pero hindi 'yun hadlang para mag sekreto ka na sa akin. Sabi ng Mom mo nagpapahinga ka 'raw, ayos ka lang ba?" Pilit niyang kinakalma ang kaniyang boses, may bahid ng galit pero mas lumalamang ang kaniyang pagaalala. Nakokonsensya ako sa kaniyang mga sinabi, alam kong tumatawag si Steven, kahit sa telephone namin hindi niya pinalagpas para lang kumustahin ako. Pero mismo ako hindi handang mag salita sa kaniya.

I still didn't answer to him, "And how did you know Hunter? Where do you met him? And why does he called me five days ago saying to call your residence to fetch you on the city? Is there something happened that i didn't know?" Napakunot noo ako sa kaniyang sinabi, anong ibig niyang sabihin? Hunter called him? But.. How? I didn't recall Hunter as Steven's friend. "You know its dangerous to be with strangers especially guys that you never know, how did you met him? And what are you doing on the city with him?" I remain silent and keeping my eyes on the floor, still processing the things that he said. "Saylor,  May kinalaman ka ba dito?" Taas noong tinitigan ni Saylor si Steven, gamit ang kaniyang mapanghusgang mga mata. Sinusuri niya si Steven mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Don't you dare accused me, ang lakas ng loob mong sumigaw sa open field, you're so loud. Hindi ka ba nakaka-feel ng ashamed? Look at you, ang lagkit mong tignan. And stop questioning Nica, hindi niya obligadong sagutin ka palagi. And if you're asking if may alam ako, konti lang ang alam ko at hindi ko pipilitin si Nica na mag sabi kahit hindi naman siya komportable para lang ma feed ang curiosity ko, if 'yan ang makakapag tahimik sa 'yo." Saylors voice is prim but loud, nakakaagaw pansin sa mga taong dumadaan, ang hirap mag away ng dalawa walang mag papatalo. I really don't know how to stop them when they're arguing.

"Anong curiosity?! Nagtatanong ako kasi concerned ako! Pano kung ano ng nangyari sa kaniya? Paano kung kailangan niya ng masabihan? I would always update kahit hindi niya gusto para maramdaman niyang andito lang ako sa kaniya!" Stevens voice are starting to rise, i felt ashamed and guilty on how genuine his actions. 'I shouldn't have ignore his calls.

"You're invading someones privacy! Pano kung gustong mapag isa. Ayaw maramdaman ang sino man, kahit gaano pa kayo ka close kung gustong mapag isa ng tao wala kang magagawa. At isa pa hindi naman siya artista para palagi kang naka abang kung anong update sa kaniya, you're just her childhood best friend Steven. Know your place, unless you wanted more than that." Natigilan si Steven sa huling sinabi ni Saylor, isang nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin. Tapos na ang kanilang bangayan pero bumawi naman ito sa kanilang mga matang nag-aalab. I sigh, 'im so useless, i don't know how to calm them down. I really don't want them to know my situation, its too risky.

"Steven, i souldn't have ignore your calls and text. At alam kong may mali ako but-"

"It's okay Nica, Saylor's right." I was taken off by what he said, taas kilay namang tinitigan ni Saylor si Steven.

"Im invading your privacy. Hindi dapat ako nagalit kaagad, pasensya kana nadala lang ako sa emosyon. And its okay you don't need to be sorry, hindi mo naman obligadong mag sabi lahat sa akin." Nagtataka ko siyang tinitigan, his eyes is full of emotions while his face is blank.

"I'm your bestfriend, just feel free to tell me what you wanted. You know im always one call away." He smiled, the sun reflects his face causes his features to define more.

"I gotta go, may klase pa ako mamaya." Dali-daling tumalikod ito at tumakbo patungo sa kabilang building, hindi maipagkakailang mapapatingin ang mga taong dumadaan sa kaniya.

"That was intense," komento ni Saylor.

"You know Steven's maturing, for the first time he accept that he was defeated by you. And i admire him for that."

"Wala siyang choice kung hindi tanggapin. Though he still have an anger issue, it's still a big no."

Steven and Saylor are like dogs and cats, kadalasang inaawayan ay ang kanilang mga opinyong magkaiba. Likas na palaban at m*****a si Saylor na siyang kinaaartehan ni Steven sa kaniya. While Steven is the goofy and childish one, Saylor doesn't like that personality. She thinks a person who acts like Steven is dumb. Well not generalize, she just really don't like Steven.

"Let's go, ma le-late tayo. May utang ka pang explanation sa akin." She flipped her hair as she walk through the building. Even though they have a different perspective, they sometimes share the same opinion when it comes to me. I used to get bullied in my grade school, luckily Steven is their to protect me. He says that people are jealous of me because of my status and especially for having him as my friend. Well i didn't believe his last statement.

It was fun in grade school with Steven's company,  we hang out in his or my house especially our family is also friends, i was contented by that concept. Not until Saylor is on the picture. She's transferee and popular, kids wanted to be friends with her but she's the one who declined them. We met when she did an surprising move, it was our lunch break when she went to my seat and said out loud that im the only one who can be friends with her. Surpirse by what she did, but it also a sweet move for me as a kid.

Steven doesn't like what Saylor did, it looks like i was taken from him. From that Saylor, Steven and i are bestfriend until now. Well for me, i don't know for the both of them if they consider each other as bestfriend. Until now they used to protect me, and i appreciate them for that.

"So, how did you know that man?" Natauhan sa kaniyang tanong, hindi ko napansing nasa labas na kami ng pinto. Sinilip ko ang silid at nakitang wala pa ang instructor, konti pa lang din ang mga estudyanteng naroon.  "You have five minutes before the class start. If you won't tell me then i won't force you, its your choice." Saylor has this convincing power, even though i knew it already she really just know that i can't resist her.

I took a deep breath, analyzing the right words is must say to her. "I just met him at the mall one time, he helped me in my shopping bags that time," kunot noo niya akong tinitgan na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa aking isiniwalat, ng makumbinsi ay unti-unting napamaang sa aking sinabi bakas sa kaniyang mukha ang gulat.

"How can you forget me to tell that amazing moment of yours!" Pabirong hinampas niya ang aking braso.

"Talaga Saylor? Importante ba 'yun?" Tinitigan niya ako na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa aking ginawa. Makaraan ang ilang sigundo ang kaniyang malakas na buntong hininga ang nakapagpagulat sa akin. 'Sometimes Saylor has this weird doings. "Anong ibig sabihin nung mga sinabi niya? 'Yung natatakot ka na baka bigla kang mawala?" Biglang sumeryoso ang kaniyang mukha, blanko ang kaniyang mga matang nakasunod sa akin.

I bite my inside cheek, i can feel the sweats of my forehead. Hindi buong pangyayari ang isiniwalat ko sa kaniya, hanggat maari ayaw ko siyang magalala at alam kong darating ang panahon na itatanong niya 'to. At handa naman akong sabihin sa kaniya pero hindi ko naman inaasahang mapapadali ito.

"Well, its just something in between us." I can't look at her eyes directly. I heard her tounge clicking in between her mouth, "Okay." We remain standing outside of our room stil didn't know how to react, slowly when i take courage i slap her shoulder jokingly. "I thought you're not interested on Hunter? Was that a scam?" She rolled her eyes and smirk at me, "Because i can't deny that he's a good looking and you knew him, then maybe you can be the bridge for the both of us." She laugh after she said those words, i look at her in disgust, "I can't believe you have that kind of side, Saylor." Her laugh became louder. 'Im sorry Saylor.

Agad akong napabalik sa huwisyo ng biglang umingay ang cafeteria, ang kaninang magulong mga estudyante ay mas lalong lumala ng dahil sa sigaw at hiyawan nito. Nilibot ko ang aking paningin pinagtataka kung ano ang dahilan ng hiyawan nila, ng biglang napako ang aking paningin sa pinto ng Cafeteria, 'Hunter. Mas ikinagulat ko ang biglaang paghuli niya sa aking mga titig. Para akong nawawalan ng hininga sa kaniyang mga mata, i was mesmerize on how beautiful his eyes are.

Napatigil lamang ang aming titigan ng may biglang sumulpot sa aking harapan, napadako ang aking paningin sa kaniyang hawak-hawak na papel na may nakasulat na 'Music Fest, gaganapin na sa susunod na apat na araw. Kunot noo akong napatingin kay Kaiden, isa sa mga magagaling at talentadong musikero ng Malayan. Ang kaniyang walang buhay na mga mata at sinasabayan ang kaniyang malinis ngunit maypagka kulot niyang buhok. "Uhm- i know this already Kaiden, im part of the organization for this event." Naguguluhan ako sa biglaang inasta ni Kaiden, tinitigan niya ako na para bang sinusuri ang aking bawat galaw, nang makontento ay agad naman nitong isinabit sa kaniyang likod ang dala niyang gitara. "Nothing, i just feel like i must distract you immediately." 

Agad naman itong naglakad papalayo kasabay ang iba niyang mga kabanda, 'hindi ko napansin ang kaniyang mga kabanda kanina, binalewala ko na lang 'yun at patuloy na sinusuri si Kaiden, hindi maipagkakailang mapapatingin ang bawat taong dumadaan sa kaniya. He really stand out in everything, talented, handsome and the most he can ace his studies. 'I really admire him for that, kahit sa paputian at pakinisan hindi maipagkakailang mananalo si Kaiden.

"Who met you first, Kaiden or Steven?" Out of nowhere Saylor asked. Taka ko naman siyang tinitigan, "What do you mean?" She rolled her eyes, "Don't act like dumb, just answer me." Kahit nagtataka ay sinagot ko parin ang tanong ni Saylor, "Kaiden's family and mine are friends, technically buisness partners. I was in grade school when i first met them and that time im already friends with Steven." Napataas ang kaniyang kilay na para bang nasagot ko na ang kung ano mang bumabagabag sa kaniya.

Patuloy kong tinapos ang aking pagkain ng biglang nahuli ng aking mga mata ang lamesa nila Hunter, malapit lang sila sa amin. Nakaramdam ako ng hiya sa pwesto ni Hunter, hindi sa nagmamalisya pero sa direksyon at atensyon niya ay nasa akin. Agad niya namang pinutol ang aming titigan ng tanungin siya ng kaniyang kasama, agad ko namang nilibot ang kanilang grupo. May tatlong lalaking hindi pamilyar sa akin, 'transferee rin ba sila? Bakit hindi ko man lang sila nakita kanina? Ang mas ipinagtaka ko ay kasama nila sa lamesa si Ava.

"Whore," komento ni Saylor, agad kong tinapik ang kaniyang braso nagpapahiwatig na baka may makarinig sa kaniyang sinabi. "Alam ko talagang may tinatagong agenda 'yang si Ava," bulong nito. Ava is Steven's step sister, maybe its normal to be friendly with anyone but Steven's kinda annoyed with Ava.

Pilit kong binabalewala 'yun at patuloy ko paring tinatapos ang pagkain, agad ko namang sinilip ang aking relo, ng makitang malapit na ang aming klase ay binilisan ko agad ang aking pagkain. Akmang magpapaalam na kami ng biglang nagulat ang lahat sa biglaang padabog na pagbukas ng pinto ng cafeteria, kasabay ng malakas at nakakawindang na sigaw ng isang estudyante. "Tulong! May tatalon sa building!" Agad kaming naalarma, samot saring gulat at reaction ng mga estudyante ang pumuno sa Cafeteria, may ibang nag uunahang makalabas habang ang iba naman ay hindi naniniwala sa kaniyang isinuwalat.

Nagdadalawang isip man ay agad akong hinila no Saylor patungo sa Main building, unti-unti nang nagsilabasan ang mga estudyante kasabay ng mga guro. Lakad takbo amg aming ginawa ng tuluyang makaabot sa Main Building ay doon namin nakita ang mga rescue na nag uunahang pigilan ang isang lalaking estudyante, 'i remember him. "Siya ang matalinong scholar na pambato kapag may paligsahan," said by someone. I look where it came from and only to see a girl with eyeaglasses. 'Blue, the man in the building and Blue are both scholars and the schools specialty for every contest.

Agad nawala ang aking atensyon sa kaniya ng biglang nagsigawan ang mga estudyante, ibinalik ko ang aking paningin sa building at ng makitang wala na roon ang lalake ay nakampante ako, akmang aalis na ako ng biglang nahagip ng aking mga mata ang pulang likido na bumabalot sa sahig ng building. 'Wala na nga siya sa itaas ngunit itinuloy parin nito ang kaniyang balak, nakakatakot. Hindi ko inaakalang makakakita ako ng ganito, patuloy parin ang pagdaloy ng pulang likido, para akong nabingi sa aking nasakaihan puno ng hiyawan at sigawan ng mga estudyante, nagkakagulo ang mga guro. Hindi ko namamalayang may police na palang humaharang sa karumaldumal na pangyayari.

Hindi ako makagalaw, nanginginig ako sa aking nasaksihan. Nahihirapan akong huminga, inilibot ko amg aking paningin ngunit hindi ko makakita si Saylor. 'His neck, "I can't breathe," gusto kong sumigaw pero parang walang boses ang lumalabas sa aking bibig. 'His neck, it has scar. Like the one i saw on our class, slowly my vission are starting to get blurry i might pass out. Unti-unti nang bumibigat ang aking mga mata, gusto ko na itong ipikit, i can't support my weight anymore, nasa lalaking naka handusay parin ang aking paningin. 'Vampires, and within second i past out, im waiting to feel the impact of the ground but i felt nothing. Instead i felt someones arm to catch me, the smell of lavander was the last thing i knew before i confirm i was right.