Endless Pen [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

ATHANASIA'S POV

"The most awaited contract signing of our famous thriller writer, Ms. Infinite Ink with the FY Publishing is about to happen tomorrow morning," the lady reporter said on tonight's news.

Ang bilis nga naman talaga ng balitang 'yun.

"Ano kaya sa tingin mo ang dahilan ng bigla niyang pagpayag pagkatapos ng halos tatlong taon, Connie?"

I plan to lure out the killer.

"Hindi ko rin sigurado, Tony. Pero ang alam ko ay isa ako sa mga bibili ng libro niya at pipila para sa book signing."

Napapikit naman ako dahil sa narinig. So even these reporters knew about Infinite Ink's existence—my existence. I opened up my eyes as I stood up and left the sofa for a glass of water.

Napatango naman ang lalakeng reporter saka humarap sa camera. "Speaking of book signing, according to the FY Publishing, magkakaroon din si Infinite Ink ng exclusive book signing event sa Sitio Tumana." Bigla itong humarap kay Connie. "Sitio Tumana? Anong meron sa lugar na iyon at doon niya unang plano na magkaroon ng ganoon kalaking event?"

Nandoon nangyayari ang pagpatay.

Mukhang kahit ang babaeng reporter ay naguguluhan at nagtataka sa desisyon ko. "Baka naman may mga kakilala siya roon," pagdadahilan nito na kahit siya ay hindi naniniwala.

I scoffed at their remarks. "Kakilala ko yung killer—ata... sana." Para mahuli na namin siya at matapos na ang pagpatay.

Napabalik ako sa kasalukuyan nang biglang tumunog ang phone kong naiwan ko sa coffee table sa sala. Agad ko itong nilapitan saka sinagot ang tawag.

"Infinite Ink speaking."

(Miss Infinite Ink, I was informed that you want an early and exclusive book signing in Sitio Tumana. May I know the exact date that you prefer?)

I took a deep breath. "I would like it to happen next week's Wednesday."

I waited patiently for the head of the publishing house to decide and answer. I do know for a fact that they can do it but it shouldn't be how it is.

I want them to do my bidding, but that would be unfair to the signed writers whose books were supposed to be published ahead of mine.

(Then on July 15 it is. After the signing of the contract tomorrow, kindly send your manuscript to our email. We'll just do the editing and layout for two days, and then the pre-ordering, printing, and actual selling. Is there anything you want to suggest for the book cover?)

"I'm pretty sure that you prepared it already. Kindly send the options on my email, and I'll send my chosen design as fast as I can."

(Would that be all, Ms. Infinite Ink?)

"Yes. Thank you."

(The pleasure is ours.)

After exchanging goodbyes and thank yous, we ended the call. I let out a shaky breath before I put down my phone on the coffee table.

To be honest, I'm actually pretty nervous. We might catch the killer... and like what Bangun said, my life might be in danger. I might be in danger.

It has been almost two centuries since I ended up like this. An immortal. Where murdering myself is nothing but useless.

Bangun told me that I was cursed with immortality.

Cursed and not blessed.

He told me to complete my mission if I ever want to end this curse.

A mission I do not know of.

A mission that's as unknown to me as my memories.

The reasons why I ended up with a curse... I cannot recall any single one of them.

None.

I once again gazed at my phone. Maybe what I'm about to do is my mission. Maybe this is my ticket out of this sickening life.

I tiredly stood up and went to lay down on my mattress. I felt so drained that I wanted to take another short nap before I prepare my dinner.

As I drifted off and saw complete darkness, I felt eyes intently staring at me. I tried to search for it. I knew I was dreaming.

Finally, I stopped. There, in the corner of the blackness, I saw those eyes.

It feels like it's sucking the energy inside me. It's haunting me. Why is it staring at me like that? I felt like staring back at it. Analyzing its eyes. Deep, hypnotizing, ocean blue eyes.

My body suddenly stilled. Ocean blue eyes?

All of a sudden, I woke up, trying to catch my breath. After a couple more inhales and exhales, I was finally able to think straight and recall what I have just seen in my dream.

Ocean blue eyes are... same as SPO3 Benjie's eyes.

But I can feel what the eyes in my dreams wanted me to feel. I—I'm terrified. I'm trembling in fear.

It feels like it's haunting me.

But why?

I was startled when my phone suddenly rang. Inayos ko muna ang sariling ko bago tumayo at umalis ng kama.

After I grabbed my phone, I checked the caller ID before answering the call. "Bangun..."

(Are you okay?) Puno ng pag-aalalang ang tonong mayroon siya.

I felt the fear, once again consuming my body. "I-I don't know. T-This is the first time I'm feeling this after a century." I bit my lower lip, trying to stop myself from trembling.

I heard him let out a frustrated sigh. (Athanasia, I'm begging you. Stop involving yourself in the case.)

I suddenly froze. Does it really have something to do with the case... or with Benjie? I tried composing myself. I took a deep breath before talking to Bangun. "No. I want to solve it."

(Something inside me is telling me that you're not doing it because you want to solve the case.)

A sad smile formed on my lips. "I need it, Bangun."

(You haven't found out what your mission is, Athanasia.) Halata ang diin sa bawat salita nito. He was like gritting his teeth, trying to calm himself.

"I will. Hindi naman siguro ako mamamatay pa kung hindi ko pa nagagawa ang misyon ko," I pointed out.

(Athanasia—)

"Save it, Bangun. I have to end the call now," pagpuputol ko sa alam kong sermon niya.

I heard him sigh once again. (Fine. Have a good chat with Mr. Policeman, Athanasia.)

Bangun was obviously pissed but no longer about my situation but because of SPO3 Benjie. That somehow made me chuckle softly. "Have a great night, Bangun. Bye."

Once he bid his goodbyes, I ended the call. I took a deep breath before I raised my chin and stared at the ceiling. Can it really be? Is SPO3 Benjie connected to him? Or is he him?

Whatever way it is, scared and trembling as I'll be, I would still welcome him with open arms. Besides, he's one of the things I've been longing for for quite a while now.