Enigmatic Vengeance

Chapter One: TEST

MALACHI

When I stepped in front of the gate of Seraphim High, I suddenly felt a heavy sensation. It felt like there were eyes staring at me.

Something is peculiar about this place.

I took a deep breath before finally entering. It wasn't just a feeling, there were indeed many eyes looking at me. They seemed to have seen a ghost while looking at me. The looks on their faces said, "good luck here." It didn't sound like cheer, but rather a threat.

The hallways were dimly lit, casting long shadows that seemed to dance and whisper secrets.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint sound of my footsteps echoing through the empty corridors.

Every now and then, I would catch glimpses of figures darting out of sight, disappearing into the darkness. It was as if the school itself was alive, hiding its secrets and watching my every move. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, that there was something lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal itself.

As I stood in front of the classroom door, I took another deep breath before knocking.

When I entered, I immediately caught their attention. They were in the middle of the class when I arrivesd.

Napansin ako ng gurong nasa harap kaya't binati ako nito, "Hi, you must be Ms. Haggai, right? The new student here?" Nakangiting tanong niya. Ngumiti nalang ako bilang tugon.

"You don't need to introduce yourself. Just come in and find an available seat to sit on." Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag dahil ayaw ko talaga sa mga ganyan. Isa pa, mukhang wala naman silang pake kung magpakilala man ako.

May nakita pa 'kong bakanteng upuan sa may dulo kaya't doon nalang ako umupo.

Hindi sa natatakot ako, pero sobrang weird talaga ng mga tao dito. Ewan ko ba ba't ganyan sila makatingin sa 'kin, parang binabantayan nila ang bawat kilos ko.

"Okay, let's continue." Our teacher resumed the discussion as I took my seat. My classmates also shifted their gaze away from me and focused on our Teacher's discussion. But my feeling of unease only intensified. Ano ba 'tong nararamdam ko? Mas lalo lang akong 'di mapakali.

Ipinilig ko nalang ang ulo ko para itigil ang pag-iisip. Baka kung sa'n pa mapunta 'yon. Nag-focus na lang ako sa discussion ni Sir.

KAKATAPOS lang ng morning period namin kaya't halos lahat ng mga kaklase ko'y nagsilabasan na para mag-lunch, may iilan din namang nagpaiwan. Ako nama'y nandito pa rin sa classroom nakatulala habang nakadungaw sa labas ng bintana at malalim ang iniisip.

"It's weird here, right?" Liningon ko ang kung sino mang nilalang ang kumakausap sa 'kin. Kahit obvious naman na ako ang kinakausap niya ay tumingin muna ako sa paligid ko, baka kasi multo pala ang kausap niya at hindi ako.

"May I ask who you are?" Just in case, baka multo kasi kausap ko.

"It's normal. I felt the same way when I was new here. It's weird." Ano ba'ng pinagsasasabi ng babaeng 'to?

Tumalikod na ito at naglakad patungo sa pinto. Pero bago pa siya makalabas may pahabol pa siyang sinabi, "By the way, I am Margaux Plimentel, nice meeting you." Ngumisi muna ito sa 'kin bago tuluyang lumabas. Napailing nalang ako.

Tiningnan ko ang orasan ko at dahil eleven fifty palang naman ay naisipan ko munang pumunta ng locker para ilagay ang ilang gamit ko at para na rin maayos ko.

Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at bago pa 'ko makalabas ay may bumato pa sa akin ng eraser, nagkulay puti ang kabilang pisngi ko. Mukhang sinadya 'yon ng mga ugok kong mga kaklase dahil imbis na mag-sorry ay tinawanan pa 'ko ng mga 'yon. Kinuha ko nalang ang eraser at ibinalik sa chalkboard.