The Curse of Ashenvale

Kabanata 38

Merielle Hyacinth Aksha

"Need anything else, madame?" one of the servants asked after cleaning up my meal.

I shook my head. "No, I want to sleep already."

She just nodded, bidding farewell before leaving my room.

Napabuntong-hininga naman ako. My father brought me back here, in our family mansion. He always locks me up in here every bloodmoon. They say the night under the blood moon is very dangerous, too dangerous, that's why I can't go out.

Pinatay ko na ang lamparilya at matutulog na sana ng may aninong biglang dumaan sa bintana ko. Agad akong napalingon dito.

Every bloodmoon, no one is allowed to go outside, even the nightguards. Kaya sino yun?

I suddenly heard a horrifying scream. It echoed through the silence that I'm sure everyone heard.

I felt goosebumps all over. What happened?! The scream, it felt too familiar!

Nagulat nalang ako ng may mukhang nagpakita sa bintana.

"Cinth!" tawag nito.

Dali-dali akong lumapit saka siya pinagbuksan. "Vessie?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

She's a mess. Ang gulo-gulo ng buhok niya. Her eyes screams fear and worry.

"Si Sili, nakita mo?" aligagang tanong niya.

"Sili?" mas naguluhan ako. "What happened? Did she—" Natigilan ako. "Was she the one who screamed?!"

She explained to me what happened at halos pigilan ko na ang hininga ko. Oh god.

"I saw someone," I said. "Someone passed by but it wasn't her. Was it you?"

Umiling siya. "Kakarating ko lang."

"Then who could that be?" takang tanong ko, unti-unting nababahala.

Bigla siyang natigilan na parang may naalala.

"What is it?" diretsong tanong ko.

"Hindi ko pa nasasabi sayo to pero..." She trailed off. "Hindi ba, kada bloodmoon, bawal lahat lumabas kahit kaming mga nightguard?" tanong niya.

I nodded, confused. "Yes, why?"

"Ang totoo niya, mangilan-ngilan sa amin ang pumupuslit at hindi sumunod sa rules," pag-amin niya.

My brows furrowed. "You what?!"

"But Cinth, everytime, nagtatago kami," putol niya.

Natahimik ako. "Why?"

"Dahil nakikita naming lumalabas ang mga taga-student council," sagot niya.

Natigilan ako. Anong sinabi niya?

"Pag nakita namin sila, nagsisitakbuhan kami palayo, natatakot mahuli at maparusahan," patuloy niya.

"D-Did this always happen?" kabadong tanong ko.

She nodded. "Yes, every bloodmoon."

Tuluyan akong natigilan.

"Cinth?" kinakabahang tanong niya, napapansin ang pagkabahala ko. "May iba ka bang nalalaman?"

"I'll deal with this," I said as I shook my head. "You better go, find Sili!"

Nanlaki ang mata niya, naalala ang totoong pakay. "Hala!"

And she was gone.

I hissed as I ran for my bed. I posutioned the pillows so it'd took human form before covering it with my mattress.