The Curse of Ashenvale

Kabanata 48

Merielle Hyacinth Aksha

"Pres, andito na si Hyacinth," Akantha announced.

Napalingon ako sakanya, suddenly feeling wary. The way she chose her words felt like Lorenzo was expecting me.

That this was all a trap.

Humakbang ako paatras pero bigla niya nalang hinawakan ang braso ko ng sobrang higpit. That simple gesture  confirmed my suspicions.

"Let go." Marahas kong binawi ang braso ko sa kanya at marahang umatras. Ng akmang lalapitan niya ako ay may espadang bigla nalang bumulusok sa  pagitan namin. Before I knew it, Vessie appeared between us, unsheathed her sword and aimed it at her, threatheningly.

I was amazed how she managed to understand the situation from afar when she spoke through gritted teeth.

"Ibaba mo ang kutsilyo," gigil niyang utos.

Ngumisi lang si Akantha at nagulat nalang ako nang sa isang kisap-mata, nagsulputan ang mga lalaking nakaitim at tinutukan ng espada ang leeg ni Vessie.

So fast. I couldn't even see their moves with my naked eye. Fear swept in as a foreboding realization hit me. Vampires.

I guess Vessie knew it too. "Wag kayong lalapit!" she screamed. That was not for the vampires, but for her comrades who were about to come and help her. "Hindi niyo sila matatalo!"

Naramdaman ko nalang na may humawak sakin at sabay kaming pinadapa ni Vessie sa lupa.

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Akantha. She got us. I should have known when she suggested that ridiculous plan.

Nakarinig kami ng mahinang palakpak. "Well done."

Kumulo ang dugo ko ng marinig ang boses na yun. Inis akong napalingon sa direksyon ni Lorenzo. Walang ekspresyon ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin samin.

"Lorenzo," I snarled.

Hindi niya ako pinansin at nilagpasan lang ako bagay na mas lalo lang nagpapagalit sakin.

"You bastard!" singhal ko. "Is this what you wanted?! For this village to be massacred in exchange for your petty little freedom?!"

Napahinto siya at napalingon sakin. I got his full attention.

"If you think I'm sacrificing all of this bloodshed for freedom, you're mistaken." Umupo siya sa harap ko at marahas na inangat ang baba ko dahilan para magpantay ang tingin namin. "You're a good for nothing who thinks she knows everything."

Kumislap sa kadiliman ang mapupula niyang mata at buong tapang naman akong nakipagsukat ng titigan dito.

Rinig ko pang nagmumura sa Vessie pero hindi ko na siya magawang pansinin.

"I know you're nothing but a monster," I told him with spite.

Nandilim ang paningin niya nang sabihin ko yun. There was something strange that lingered in his eyes before they disappeared. Emotions? There's no way.

"You're right." Nagtaka ako nang bigla niyang tinanggal ang salamin niya saka ito dinurog ng sariling kamay. Blood overflowed between the gaps of his fingers. "I am."

I hadn't even blinked yet when I suddenly felt something cold and sharp pierced through my neck.

Narinig ko nalang ang pagwawala ni Vessie. "Cinth! Tangina, bitawan niyo ako!"

Halos manigas ako sa kinalalagyan ko. My mind can't process what's happening. I could feel my blood being sucked like vacuum.

Nang mahimasmasan ako ay saka ko lang naramdaman ang matinding sakit. Napasinghap ako at pilit siyang tinutulak palayo pero niyakap niya ang bewang ko, preventing me from escaping his grasp.