✔ Killer in the Attic

[26] VIGINTI SEX

I got back to her room just in time. Humiga ako sa tabi ni Oriana at tinitigan siya. Even when she sleeps, she still looks pretty. I felt the familiar pang of pain again.

Kailan kaya niya ako papatayin? Would it even feel painful? Will I be trapped inside her head again?

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Masyadong maraming tanong ang umiikot sa isip ko, pero walang makakasagot nito. It's not like worrying would solve anything either.

"I'm awake."

I smirked. "I know."

Oriana opened her eyes and smiled. "Gusto sana kitang awayin dahil umalis ka na naman, but I remember Caleb's coming over so..."

Iyon ang nakapagpawala ng ngiti sa labi ko. What the hell did she just say?

"Why?"

Pero imbes na sagutin ang tanong ko, she got up and walked towards the bathroom.

"Oriana?"

"It's none of your business, Sebastian." At kumindat pa siya!

Gusto ko na talagang isipin na na-abduct ng mga alien ang totoong Oriana.

Naiwan akong nakaupo sa kama, dumbfounded by her words. Literal na yata akong nakanganga. Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed again or maybe Vela possessed her? Agad akong napailing. That's stupid, even in Eastwood.

Sometimes I honestly find it easier to slaughter people than to understand this girl.

*

"Umuwi na sina Auntie Mara kanina, sumabay na kina ninong."

I saw Oriana nodded. Nasa hapag-kainan sila ngayon ng kuya Apollo niya habang ipinaghahain naman sila ng almusal ng lola nila. They were sitting across of each other. That made me get a clearer view of Apollo's face. Mukha talagang mamamatay-tao rin ang isang 'to, at alam kong malaking epekto roon ang kapansin-pansing peklat sa mukha niya.

When their grandmother served them breakfast, tahimik silang nagsimulang kumain. Their other relatives had already went home, including their parents na inaasikaso raw ang pagpapalibing sa namatay nilang family driver.

'Again, Alec's fault not mine.'

All the while, I can't help but notice Apollo glancing at my direksyon. Kasing-talim ng kutsilyo ang kanyang tingin at parang may gustong ipahiwatig. It was as if he could see right through me. Shit. Bigla na naman akong kinabahan sa ikinikilos ng taong 'to. Hindi naman niya ako nakikita!

Pero sa mga nangyayari ngayon, I'm slowly doubting that belief.

Nang umalis na ang kuya niya, I immediately asked Oriana, "Has your brother told you anything strange lately?"

Gumuhit ang pagtataka sa mukha niya. "No. Why are you asking?"

"I have a feeling he can see me."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko. "What the? I-Imposible naman yata 'yon... Maybe you're just being paranoid." Marahan siyang tumingin sa gilid para siguraduhing nasa malayo ang lola niya. I shrugged. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam ang iisipin ko sa sitwasyon na 'to.

"Maybe... Or maybe not. How did he even got that scar?"

"Don't know. It's been on him for as long as I can remember."

*

Lumipas ang oras nang abala si Oriana sa pag-aayos sa sarili niya sa harap ng salamin. Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa suot niya. Kailan pa siya nahilig sa palda? Nang magtama ang mga mata namin sa salamin, she immediately put down her lipstick and glared at me.