The children shouted to each other and left the playground equipment they were using to go to the sidewalk. Passing by the entrance to the playground was a short procession of men and women all dressed in black, walking behind a slow-moving hearse that was blasting loud funeral music. The somber instrumental music was made even more eerie by the imperfect audio system that introduced echoes and muffled horns that sounded like voices from beyond the grave. The children who ran to the sidewalk stood quiet as they watched the slow procession, curious at the serious faces of the grieving men and women. A woman wearing a black veil over her head was crying inconsolably while her relatives supported her.Lisa and Nestie likewise walked towards the entrance to the playground behind the line of children and watched the slow procession.“I wonder who died,” murmured Nestie as he looked over the heads of the children. His question was quickly answered as he saw a tarpaul

“That took you a while to process!” exclaimed Lisa.“I know. It’s just that you don’t seem too keen to acknowledge Carmela as your ancestor. Celie seemed quite proud of it. Why, she even acted the part this morning!" said Nestie before taking another bite at his food.“Well, you’re right about that, Nes. I just don’t quite identify with Aunt Carmela. Her decisions just didn’t make sense to me. They said she died of true love, waiting for that mysterious man to return to her, but I think it was just plain stupid to die waiting for any man,” said Lisa.“Ha! Wait ‘til the professor hears you say that!” said Nestie.Lisa lowered her gaze and frowned. Nestie realized his mistake and apologized.“I’m sorry, Lisa. Sometimes I just speak without thinking.” Nestie took Lisa’s hand and squeezed it tightly. “I told you that we’ll go out to divert

“Wow!” exclaimed Nestie. “That’s first-class acting!” He turned briefly to look at Lisa who also seemed likewise transfixed by the scene unfolding before her.The woman in white leaned back on the railing as the Ember Ghost placed a hand at the back of her head. The Ember Ghost opened his mouth and showed his sharp teeth before lowering her mouth to the exposed woman’s neck.The crowd watched in silence as the Ember Ghost appeared to suck the woman’s blood. The woman’s arms flailed weakly but her face looked serene, if not enjoying the experience. Then, the woman’s expression slowly changed into pain and she grimaced. She placed her arms around the Ember Ghost’s head weakly before dropping them weakly to her side. Then, the woman’s limp body slid out of view leaving the Ember Ghost standing. He wiped the remaining red stains from his mouth with a swipe of his arm before disappearing within the smoke that

"Okay, you win, Lisa. I'll tell you all about him,” said Celie all of a sudden as she sat in her bed inside the guest room with Lisa. She had finished briefing Nestie almost an hour ago about what would happen the following morning and Nestie had given Celie his reassurance that he would be able to handle the program. It was agreed that Nestie would be driven by the de Luna family driver to the House of the Elderly to help the staff in preparing the venue. Celie and Lisa would be coming afterwards.Lisa had already switched off the lights and had just lain down in her own bed, ready to go to sleep when Celie suddenly spoke. Sensing that her cousin was not sleepy yet and wanted to talk, Lisa sat up and propped her pillows to lean her back on. She turned on her bedside lamp and looked at her cousin in the dim light. She observed that Celie's complexion looked different, a lot paler, but it must be because of the darkness of the room.“Are we talking about tha

The cousins bid each other goodnight and Lisa turned off her bedside lamp. As she did so, she realized that she still had her garland of sanaria on the bedside table and wondered what she would do with it. The moon shone higher in the sky and was like a spotlight shining inside the room from the open window. Lisa decided to turn her face to the wall to get to sleep. Before she did so, she noticed that Celie was still sitting up in her bed and staring outside at the moon. Lisa thought she heard the flapping of wings, but after spending the whole day walking, she felt her exhaustion and was soon oblivious of what was happening inside the guest room.Lisa did not know how long she had slept when she heard Celie’s voice as if she were talking to someone. Slowly, Lisa opened her eyes and tried to see through the haze of sleep. She blinked several times before realizing that the room itself was filled with a smoky haze. Then, she heard Celie speaking, but her words were unint