The Devil's Trap

Chapter 28: The Invitation

Chapter 28: The Invitation

Nakaharap si River habang nakaupo ako sa kama at sapo ang aking mukha. Hindi ko siya matignan nang derecho sa mga mata kahit pa nakatitig siya sa akin.

"I'm sorry," ito ang paulit ulit kong binabanggit.

River sighed. "You don't have to be."

"But this... this is not me."

"What you're feeling right now is the post transition effect. Normal lang ito. The sooner you'll accept the truth, the easier it is for your body to adjust."

Dumako ang tingin ko sa sugat na ginawa ko sa wrist ni River.  "Will it affect you?" I asked.

I've been with them long enough to know that for every blood exchange comes certain consequences.

"It doesn't matter," River said. "Mas alalahanin mo ang sarili mo. The blood I provided will last for weeks. Once you felt the urge, call me."

"Will I... will I hurt others if ever I felt the blood lust?" I asked.

Ito ang pinaka-kinakatakot kong mangyari, ang mapahamak ang mga taong nakapaligid sa akin dahil sa pagbabagong ito.

"You won't. As long as I'm your first blood, you'd crave my blood more than any blood. It's like a blood contract without commitment."

Natigilan ako sa kanyang sinabi. I've put River in an uneasy position. Dahil siya ang una kong hiningan ng tulong ay hindi siya nagkaroon ng pagpipilian.

"I'm so sorry."

I don't even know if he's currently into other contract or if he ever planned to have one.

"Hey, human girl who is not so human anymore. Stop apologizing for things that are out of your control. The world owes you some luck too. Don't be too hard on yourself."

Tumayo siya at nag stretch. "Well, I have to keep going."

Hinatid ko si River sa labas ng apartment. Malamig ang hangin ng gabi na dumampi sa aking balat.

"Call when you need a lifeline." River smiled his all too familiar dimpled smile. "Loosen up a little, Althea Denise."

Matapos ang ilan paalala ay umalis na siya gamit ang kanyang sasakyan. Sinubukan kong gawin ang kanyang sinabi. But I still found myself that night staining my sheet with my tears.

--

Dumating si Elyse kinabukasan. Nadatnan niya akong nakahiga sa kama at nakatalukbong ng kumot. I heard her came into my room to check on me. Marahil nagtaka siya dahil nagkukulong ako sa kwarto.

"You okay?" I heard her asked.

Tumango ako mula sa ilalim ng kumot. I don't want her to see my pale and puffy face.

"May sakit ka ba, Denise?" Muli niyang tanong.

Umiling ako. "Just tired," I lied.

Tumahimik siya. Alam kong may gusto siyang sabihin. Gusto niya akong kausapin.

Elyse sighed. "Okay then. I'll let you rest."

I heard her walked out of the room. My breathing was suspended until I heard the click of the door knob closed. Hindi ko pa kayang harapin si Elyse.

--

Bandang tanghali nang lumabas ako ng kwarto at bumaba sa kusina. Nadatnan ko si Elyse na naghahanda ng pagkain. Omelet and a kind of salad. It was rare to see her preparing food in the kitchen. She barely cook.