Looking at her reflection on the mirror, Ella sighed.
She looked like hell.
Why?
Well, within the year after escaping that hell of a house, once or twice a month but ever since the 'anniversary' of that night, that long night which made her watch her friends die... Nightmares just seem to keep haunting her.
Kung minsan, parang nararamdaman pa nya ang presensya ng nilalang na sumapi sa kanya. She can smell it. Minsan, parang nararamdaman nya ang paghinga nito sa likod nya.
She shivered at the thought.
It was one thing to hear a demon talk... Laugh... Mock all of them that night.
But none would compare to hearing those words inside your body. From your own mouth.
"Sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo ah?"
Ella jumped which caused LA to frown in concern.
"Are you okay?" LA asked. "I'm sorry for... That though."
Ella smiled tight lipped and then nodded at him. "Okay lang. Ano pala ginagawa mo dito?"
LA smiled back at her and sat next to her. "Susunduin lang si Den."
Ella raised an eyebrow and look at the man with question. "Kayo na ulit?"
"Uhm... Hindi pa but to be clear, cool-off lang kami. We didn't broke up."
Ella chuckled. "Dude, you've been cooled-off since a year ago. But sure."
"Okay. Well, I'm trying okay? I'm trying to be better than what I've become... Over a year ago."
The sullen look of LA made Ella believe that maybe... LA and Dennise were just pretending that that night didn't happen at all.
She thought of what she could've felt if it was her cousin and... Well, all of her childhood friends and first boyfriend died that night.
"Well, you're now a policeman for one, LA. I think pulling some strings to give Kim and his friends scholarships is great. And, to be honest I totally understand how you felt that night. Well, not really. But, if that happened to me. I would be more than an emotional wreck too."
LA smiled. Genuinely happy someone's on his side. "Thanks. Anyway, nag-text si Den sa akin. Sunduin ko na lang daw sya sa building nila."
"Sure! Ingat!"
LA turned, looked back at her then smiled. "Thanks. Ikaw din."
Cold breeze slapped Ella and she shivered again.
Okay, Ella. You've been so paranoid. Just paranoid.
Sighing, Ella stood up and went home. Not even bothering to change, she flopped on her bed and then she's out like a light.
Butil butil ang pawis ni Ella at hindi ito mapakali sa pagtulog.
Parang may gustong humila sa kanya pa-ilalim...
Ngunit kahit gusto nyang magising ay hindi nya magawa.
Maya maya ay may mga bulong...
Taun-taon, kung kailan mas nananaig ang dilim sa liwanag ay lumilitaw sya...
Nakikipag-kwentahan...
Nakikipagkasundo...
Nanunuso...
Nandaraya...
Nakailang iling si Ella pagkatapos na maliwanagan sa parang mabilis na bulong sa likod nya.
