Present Day75Please respect copyright.PENANAgjGuhLk8rB
75Please respect copyright.PENANAJmeyrSuuSI
Sinaksak niya ang stuff toy sa gitna ng maumbok nitong tiyan.75Please respect copyright.PENANAsTbCRoabES
75Please respect copyright.PENANAXcoPHcvu2b
". . . Dumanak ang dugo noong araw na iyon. Hanggang sa isang araw, bigla na lamang siya naglaho," idiniin pa ni Rowley ang laruang kutsilyo sa kawawang si Snitch habang taimtim na nakikinig sa kanyang kwento ang mga bata.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVNqXMh2PD9
75Please respect copyright.PENANAXDN5uGOZNg
"Hay, buti na lang tumahimik din ang mga bubwit," nakangiting bulong pa ni Rowley sa sarili. Magkaharap silang nakaupo sa sahig habang napapalibutan ng mga nakakalat na laruan sa paligid.75Please respect copyright.PENANAjCDaNy51rX
75Please respect copyright.PENANA1u36ajW4hi
"Wala nang nakakaalam kung saan na siya nagpunta o kung saan na siya ngayon nagtatago."75Please respect copyright.PENANAnyuDVo03o2
75Please respect copyright.PENANAzXFreGe8DQ
Nakayakap na ang batang lalaki sa kanyang berdeng dinasaur stuff toy, pilit na tinatago ang kalahating hitsura. Pasimple naman na tumabi at kunwaring tapang-tapangan pa iyong kakambal niyang babae. May hawak naman itong laruang ispada ng Scar Mars. Kapwa hindi na nila gusto ang kwento, subalit hindi nila mapigilang hindi makinig. May ice cream daw kasi sila mula kay Rowley pagkatapos.75Please respect copyright.PENANAiYpyovXo9V
75Please respect copyright.PENANAyZVCT9naGc
Mariing tinitigan ni Rowley sa mata ang dalawa at saka pinagpatuloy ang kanyang istorya. "Pero magpasa-hanggang ngayon, maraming matatanda pa din ang nagkukwento na baka buhay pa ang 'Mantataga.' Naghihintay lamang ng susunod na biktima, sinuman ang magkamaling tumapak sa dilim."75Please respect copyright.PENANAX9C5A3kVLp
75Please respect copyright.PENANADWOk92FVJW
Sandaling nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong silid sa kanyang pagtatapos ng kwento. Walang imik ang kambal at nanatili lamang sa kanilang mga pwesto. Walang gumalaw, liban sa kanilang mga matang napapakurap at napapatingin sa kung saan-saan. Nag-iisip. Nakikiramdam. Kinikilabutan.75Please respect copyright.PENANAvNyIyRIPBR
75Please respect copyright.PENANAqPwsJyUoqv
Isang malakas na tahol ng aso mula sa labas ng bahay ang bumasag ng katahimikan nilang tatlo. Sabay na napaigtad sa gulat ang kambal na sinabayan pa ng sigaw ni Rowley ng "Hala! Nandyan na ang Mantataga!" at sabay turo niya pa sa bintana.75Please respect copyright.PENANAYhL3zoAivi
75Please respect copyright.PENANAb0DLccDAk5
Nagsisigaw ang kambal at kaagad na nagsitayo papunta sa kanya. Siya naman ay humarurot palabas ng silid at saka pinatayan ng ilaw ang dalawang makukulit. Hindi mapigilan ni Rowley ang sarili sa kakatawa, habang hinahabol siya ng magkapatid hanggang sa pasilyo.75Please respect copyright.PENANARjWW78Q25J
75Please respect copyright.PENANAPjCKohNxss
"Hahahahaha!" tawang abot-langit ni Rowley nang makita niya ang mga maasim na hitsura ng kambal. Umiiyak na ang mga ito. *Ang sarap talagang magpa-iyak ng bata!*75Please respect copyright.PENANAQiQbDonKqR
75Please respect copyright.PENANA7azbTxFD21
"Ano na naman 'yan, Rowley?!" *Naku! Lagot!* Tumigil na siya sa tabi ng hagdan upang salubungin ang mga batang umiiyak. Narinig niya ang mga mabibigat na yapak mula sa ibabang palapag.75Please respect copyright.PENANAWqiJuz0qn7
75Please respect copyright.PENANAyWoc0zAyxI
*Paakyat na siya!* Saglit na kumabog ang kanyang dibdib. Hinarap na niya ang mga bata, nakikiusap na tumahan na habang hindi pa din mawala ang kanyang mga bungisngis.75Please respect copyright.PENANAQCkp6SOr0v
75Please respect copyright.PENANAlM5MFrW8q3
Lumapit sa kanya ang batang babae at saka siya pinaghahampas ng laruan nitong ispada. Mas lalong lumaki ang kanyang ngiti na para bang naaaliw pa sa mga nangyayari. Samantala, ang kakambal nitong lalaki ay patuloy lang sa pag-iyak sa harapan nila, habang hawak ang kanyang dinasaur sa buntot. Nakasayad na sa sahig ang ulo nito.75Please respect copyright.PENANA6rZDPqJmSv
75Please respect copyright.PENANAb5lYMd3Ug5
"Ginagawa mo, Rowley?!" Dumating na ang ate ng kambal dito sa pangalawang palapag ng bahay. Naabutan niya ang eksena sa pagitan ng kanyang kaibigan at nakababatang kapatid na babae, habang nasa isang tabi at umiiyak naman ang kakambal nitong lalaki.75Please respect copyright.PENANAN5ZDz1PD16
75Please respect copyright.PENANAAi1uOZiWOa
"Ang sabi ko sa iyo bantayan mo, hwag paiyakin!" Karga ang kapatid na lalaki, ay muling pumasok si Season sa loob ng kwarto ng kambal. Nakasunod naman sa likuran nila sina Rowley at ang isa pang kapatid na hindi pa din nagsasawa sa pagpaparusa sa kanyang pilyong kaklase.75Please respect copyright.PENANAg9tMJfPOeN
75Please respect copyright.PENANAhWNlgsYhB2
Si Rowley kasi ang kanyang inatasang magbantay para naman matapos sila sa ginagawang project sa baba. Ang kaso, gumagantong din sa kakulitan ng kambal si Rowley. Gusto niya na lang i-fast forward ang araw na ito dahil napapagod na siya.75Please respect copyright.PENANAAy8ecjh1V2
75Please respect copyright.PENANAwQGN82bYFn
Nasa day-off kasi si Manang Lauren dahil namatayan ng kamag-anak. Baka dalawang Linggo o isang buwan pa bago ito makakabalik sa kanila. Kaya ngayon, walang nagbabantay sa kanyang mga kapatid na nasa limang taon pa lamang.75Please respect copyright.PENANAjJm9VdYh8S
75Please respect copyright.PENANAAjfs0XSMpV
"Eh, ang kulit kasi ng mga kapatid mo, Sea! Tumahimik lang sila noong nagkukwento na ako!" depensa pa ni Rowley. Muling tumama sa kanyang mukha ang laruang espada. Kumpara kanina, mas masakit na ang hampas ng batang babae sa kanya ngayon.75Please respect copyright.PENANAohS4uyntts
75Please respect copyright.PENANAPCxwWZPDNm
Para makaganti, pinulot niya naman ang isang pink na unan na hotdog. Tadtad ito ng disenyo ng maliliit na mukha ni Meanie Mouse at saka niya hinamon ng espadahan.75Please respect copyright.PENANAEfLzCPVfId
75Please respect copyright.PENANA9KLobAwphd
Kanina lang, ang sungit at hindi pa mapinta ang mukha nito. Ngayon, abot-tenga na ang ngiti. Naghabulan pa ang dalawa palibot sa buong silid habang pinapanood sila ng batang lalaki sa kama na ngayon ay tumatawa na.75Please respect copyright.PENANA9g8qc5vbgs
75Please respect copyright.PENANAA9jCjbgYYz
"Hoy! Ang ingay ninyo na naman!" Hindi na alam ni Season ang gagawin niya sa mga ito. Away-bati ang peg ng kanyang mga kapatid sa kaklase, at kahit anong suway niya, laging ingay ang dulot ng tatlo.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVPFSCx7LKZ
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Habang nandito silang apat sa loob ng kwarto, hindi nila namalayan ang mahinang pagsara ng pinto.75Please respect copyright.PENANAmqpuM2Feyr
75Please respect copyright.PENANAe077iHjEl9
Nagtungo na si Season sa pinto para makalayas na sa silid. Wala ng pag-asa pang humipa ang ingay. May group project pa silang dapat na tapusin ngayong araw. Hahayaan niya na lamang ang tatlo sa kung anong gusto nilang gawin, basta hindi lang sila pumunta sa baba.75Please respect copyright.PENANAIaBWFmrVKZ
75Please respect copyright.PENANAy2Cvj4WiAn
She twists the door knob open, but the door itself won't budge. May kung anong mabigat ang nakaharang mula sa kabila.75Please respect copyright.PENANAtWS9bY4TrK
75Please respect copyright.PENANATjz70jYdsM
"Bakit hindi ko mabuksan ang pinto?" Pilit niyang tinutulak ito gamit ng kanyang katawan, pero hindi pa din mabuksan. Lumapit na si Rowley para tulungan siya. Subalit kahit magsanib-pwersa pa sila, wala pa din itong kwenta.75Please respect copyright.PENANAco3sCmROHT
75Please respect copyright.PENANAkdAfSofFxL
"I saw Ate Kieya, sinara niya ang door," sumbong ng isa sa kambal at ang lalaki. Si Silver.75Please respect copyright.PENANALGjxO05DhK
75Please respect copyright.PENANAkWBwFeVlwS
"Wrong, Sil!" Umupo sa kanyang tabi sa taas ng kama ang kakambal na babae. Si Crimson. "It's Ate 'Kiera,' not Ate 'Kieya.'"75Please respect copyright.PENANAKNqvTxPlBb
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"But, Clim! It's just the same thing!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAUsQCVAM0Yr
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"No, it's not! Can't you hear they sound different?!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAv9M8Yz6qSN
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"Ohkaaaay," Silver muttered with a sigh of defeat as he sinks his other cheek into his dinasaur plushie. He always is subordinate to his two minutes younger twin sister.75Please respect copyright.PENANAz1iLAp2zV6
75Please respect copyright.PENANAKgLqnqauh4
"Wala eto. Kinulong tayo ni Kiera dito," napapailing at natatawang bigkas pa ni Rowley. Hindi talaga nila kahit maiurong man lang ang pinto ng konti. Kung ano man ang nakaharang sa labas, mabigat iyon para sa kanilang dalawa.75Please respect copyright.PENANAazF5O21Nc6
75Please respect copyright.PENANAJNMyUIWp6E
"Tinopak na naman si Kiera," komento ni Season sa tabi ng kaklase. Sinimulan na niyang tawagin ang paniguradong salarin sa harap ng pinto. Pero kahit anong lakas ng tawag niya, hindi pa din ito dumarating.75Please respect copyright.PENANAl0Pxx5FQuC
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Isang cutter at gunting ang nakalapag ngayon sa taas ng coffee table. Pinag-iisipan ni Kiera kung alin sa dalawa ang mas ligtas niyang gagamitin. Takot siyang gumamit ng cutter dahil minsan na siyang nasugatan nito. Ayaw niya naman sa gunting dahil purol ang talim.75Please respect copyright.PENANAMPqQ78hZlU
75Please respect copyright.PENANA0EbXaipy8q
Sa huli, gunting ang napusuan niyang gamitin. Kesyo na sa purol, basta hwag lang siya magkamaling masugatan. *I just can't afford to let her take over me today.* Ang resulta, hirap siyang gupitin ang mga edges ng mga designs sa cardboard.75Please respect copyright.PENANALQk144H2Ql
75Please respect copyright.PENANAI1ehLqFzIR
Nauubusan na siya ng oras. Hapon na at bukas na ang pasahan ng kanilang project, kailangan niyang mag-doble kayod.75Please respect copyright.PENANAnFPhhHZBjX
75Please respect copyright.PENANAW4w6NUcXec
Maliban sa oras, konti na lang din ang kanyang natitirang pasensya. Hindi sapat ang ikulong niya lang ang apat sa taas, kailangan niya ding takpan ang mga bibig nito dahil umaabot hanggang dito sa baba ang ingay nila. Lalo na iyong boses ng pinsan niyang si Season na kanina pang putak ng putak ng kanyang pangalan.75Please respect copyright.PENANA61AWXnXNZX
75Please respect copyright.PENANAG16IFO1qwa
Dala ng emosyon at pagkainis, pahablot niyang pinulot ang cutter. Ginamit niya ito ng walang pag-iingat at sandali lang ay nadaglit ng matulis na blade ang balat ng kanyang daliri. It is deep enough that it immediately starts bleeding. *Shocks!*75Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6B9i1XFkd
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"Makalabas-labas lang talaga tayo dito, malilintikan ka talaga sa akin! Rowley!" nanggagalaiting sambit ni Season sa hangin. Hindi pa din siya sumusuko sa pintong animo'y sinimento mula sa kabila.75Please respect copyright.PENANAxxdbyuQtdb
75Please respect copyright.PENANAARt2tRQ9Rd
"Teka, ba't ako? Anong kasalanan ko?" Natagpuan niyang naglalaro si Rowley ngayon ng Super Dario sa harap ng flat screen T.V. at kasama nito ang kambal sa sahig.75Please respect copyright.PENANAEaVRcOxwcA
75Please respect copyright.PENANALg1VkIvsgk
"Kung hindi mo pina-iyak sa ingay sina Sil at Crim, hindi sana tayo kinulong ni Kiera! Alam mo namang minsan, loko-loko mag-isip ang isang iyon!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAFTM03KZKvr
75Please respect copyright.PENANAqqtFsvlY1n
"True! Parang ikaw din!" natatawang bigkas ng kaklase dahilan para tapunan ni Season ito ng malaking teddy bear sa ulo.75Please respect copyright.PENANAJKwOTPcQtY
75Please respect copyright.PENANAK62bfbGLDQ
And because of that, Rowley lost his focus from the game. Nabitin tuloy ang talon ni Dario at nahulog sa bangin.75Please respect copyright.PENANAiwUlEQfaX4
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"Game over!" The game announced.75Please respect copyright.PENANApaEPjpF2L0
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"NOOO!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAE6MozGfnqa
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"YESSS! My turn!" Inagaw na ni Crimson ang controller na hawak niya. Ito na kasi ang susunod na maglalaro pagkatapos ng Suigi ni Silver.75Please respect copyright.PENANAydGUFLCa52
75Please respect copyright.PENANA0HGUn3miYD
Inikot ni Rowley ang pwet at hinarap ang kaklase na muling nagsisigaw sa harap pinto.75Please respect copyright.PENANAbIWBT5MMGe
75Please respect copyright.PENANAkVUT096T4j
"Kung hindi mo kasing kulit ang mga kapatid mo, hindi sana maingay. Tulad niyang ginagawa mo, ayaw na ngang lumapit ni Kiera, tawag ka pa din ng tawag. O 'di ba, ingay pa din?" Napansin niyang nakatingin at nakikinig sa kanya si Silver kung kaya tinaas niya ang palad, at humingi ng high five.75Please respect copyright.PENANA8V05jfxzAB
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Just then, Silver beamed a smile and gave him the high five. Season rolled her eyes at the sight of these two boys.75Please respect copyright.PENANA7c4b8BMozL
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"Seriously, Rowley? Sa dinami kasi na pwede mong ikwento, iyong bagay na iyon pa talaga?!" Season knows how addicted this guy is about the rumored Night Shadow and the legend of 'Mantataga.'75Please respect copyright.PENANAxu3YntlltU
75Please respect copyright.PENANAQKNRfhwI9R
"Pero, totoo naman kasi iyon eh! It's better to raise their awareness while they're young!" Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Season sa narinig. Hindi niya tuloy alam kung alin sa dalawa ang 'totoo' ayon sa paniniwala ni Rowley. Iyong rumored Night Shadow ba? O, iyong 'Mantataga' na kwento lang ng mga matatanda?75Please respect copyright.PENANAP2OarFpygd
75Please respect copyright.PENANAzqcG1311RN
"I don't care, Morante! My point is, stop scaring them!" She blurted out, scratched her nape, and crossed her arms. "Gumawa ka na lang ng paraan para makalabas na tayo dito, ok?! Trust me, hindi kaya ng babaeng iyon matapos ang project natin. You know Kiera! She sucks at finishing tasks!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAlYOhItoc5A
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"Aye, aye, Captain!" Sumaludo pa ito sa kanya bago tumayo at nagtungo sa isang bintana ng silid.75Please respect copyright.PENANA42yEaFfEOE
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"Where are you going?" Nilingon ni Rowley ang magkakapatid na ngayon ay nakatutok ang mga titig sa kanya. Season has this confused look on her face, watching him. Nakapatong na siya ngayon sa bibig ng bintana.75Please respect copyright.PENANAa9FJO68Qmz
75Please respect copyright.PENANAfI2ZMh8yjV
"I'm a ninja in my past life." He smiled a foolish grin and jumped out of the window. Season gasped, while the twins shrieked as he vanished before their eyes.75Please respect copyright.PENANA6rbYmZEvrZ
75Please respect copyright.PENANAIfDZalcpFX
"Rowley!" sigaw ni Season mula sa bintana. Nakadungaw siya ngayon sa labas kasama ang mga kapatid. The siblings sighed in relief the moment they found him alive and kicking. He just managed to land on the ground without any injuries.75Please respect copyright.PENANAe1CpbQH1zd
75Please respect copyright.PENANAMaVkNS3Gu6
"Wow! Kuya Reyrey!" The twins cheered and clapped in unison. They couldn't pronounce the name right, so they just randomly made it up and gave him that nickname.75Please respect copyright.PENANAUHK0LdEMPy
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Halos gusto siya tuloy gayahin ng dalawa. Gusto na din ng mga ito maging ninja.75Please respect copyright.PENANA2NWeCUMqz0
75Please respect copyright.PENANA6LkqmsNmwa
"Dalian mo! Buksan mo na ang pinto! Na-ji-jingle na ako!" Season demanded in a hurry, stomping her foot against the floor, while keeping her siblings from jumping out of the window. It wasn't a joke, but the twins find it ridiculously funny.75Please respect copyright.PENANAtpX1nBpUEY
75Please respect copyright.PENANAM3MxfgKOej
Just like they have planned, Rowley went straight into the house from the backdoor. Bukas lamang ang pinto dito dahil nasa labas si Manang Rian, nagsasampay ng mga bagong labada sa likod-bahay.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVZo4p1cqKv
75Please respect copyright.PENANAvSLIcHpPcq
Sumilip sa gilid ng pinto ng kusina si Rowley. Mula dito ay tanaw na niya ang hagdan paakyat sa pangalawang palapag. Madadaanan niya pa ang sala, kung nasaan ngayon panigurado at gumagawa ng kanilang project ang kaklase na si Kiera.75Please respect copyright.PENANAi0dplgvbTi
75Please respect copyright.PENANA09XyzWtGqd
He had a chance to sneak on to her. Although, there is a risk that she may caught him if he won't be careful. Wala namang kaso kung makikita siya ni Kiera. Magtataka lang ito kung paano siya nakalabas. Pero, baka pigilan siya nitong buksan ang pinto ng kwarto. Naiihi pa man din daw si Season.75Please respect copyright.PENANAOgDt4e7BHG
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Lumabas na siya nang dahan-dahan sa kusina para silipin ang kaklase sa sala. There she was. Kiera.75Please respect copyright.PENANAUASN54mBST
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But she isn't doing there project at all. She stands before the flat screen T.V. and watches something on it. Curious of what drawn her full attention at the television, Rowley tiptoed forward, trying to catch even a small portion of the screen.75Please respect copyright.PENANANJZyQPzxPh
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As he gets closer behind her, he finally got himself a view. A male anchor of a certain local news network flashed before his eyes, reporting about another murder found from the neighboring barangay.75Please respect copyright.PENANAziOK0L5KRG
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"I didn't know that Kiera is also interested to this kind of stuff," he thought.75Please respect copyright.PENANAvFc8y7tQV8
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Dahil nakasubsob ang atensyon ng kaklase sa pinapanood, minabuti na niyang kumilos. He tiptoed quick and for the love of heavens, he stepped on something soft. The thing let out a funny, high-pitched sound that echoed throughout the place.75Please respect copyright.PENANAOVri8MxPHW
75Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZgfSMAsst
Agad niyang sinilip ang natapakan. A yellow, rubber duck is sitting under his foot. *Shit!* He mentally laughed and cursed.75Please respect copyright.PENANApuzWzZxgcm
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Muli niyang inangat ang tingin para silipin ang kaklase. Napansinghap na lamang siya nang makitang nasa harapan na niya ito ngayon! How come he never heard her footsteps or even sensed her presence?!75Please respect copyright.PENANAZz4ZEQsKD0
75Please respect copyright.PENANAbfwMUUlDAL
In a swift second, Kiera holds him by the neck and starts strangling him by one hand. Rowley is confused and surprised to even bother to dodge her or defend himself from the sudden attack.75Please respect copyright.PENANAhHIiFBhzbS
75Please respect copyright.PENANAGkqNrHtKz1
He lifts his hands and tries to free himself from her. The girl adds her free hand to double the power and to keep him from slipping away. Both hands are now choking Rowley to death.75Please respect copyright.PENANAzGtdpCWL5r
75Please respect copyright.PENANAsRZHqcnQaJ
"K-Kieraaa!" Namimilipit na ang kanyang boses. Namumula na din ang kanyang mukha at may iilang ugat na ang bumabakat sa kanyang noo at leeg. Hindi niya akalaing ganito kalakas ang kaklase. Nang kanyang titigan ang mga mata nito, ngayon niya lang napansin na iba na ang pagtitig nito sa kanya.75Please respect copyright.PENANAJGuEdFljJ4
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She doesn't look like she knows him at all. She doesn't look a friend, or a classmate to him anymore. It feels like she turned into a completely different person. *What is happening to her?!*75Please respect copyright.PENANABGxDjefti5
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Rowley's chest begin to feel heavy. Kiera's nails are starting to dig deep into his flesh, giving him a nasty, pain-thrusting sensation. Now, he feels the excitement of his pulse, as if it is running against the passage of time.75Please respect copyright.PENANAQW03WgY5SH
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*What a beautiful music.* It plays genuine agony and infuriating pain. He can hear this every day.75Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ2A43kMIy
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But, the enchanting music has to stop. He shouldn't be the instrument here. No. Of course not! He should be the one playing it instead!75Please respect copyright.PENANApHv0zjrPU7
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He surrenders from struggling, letting her squeeze the life out of him as he stretches out his hands through his sides. He picks up the first solid thing he touches, and smashes it right through the girl's fine head.75Please respect copyright.PENANAMopuYruj2H
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*Encore!* He rejoices in his thought, smiling in victory.75Please respect copyright.PENANA02cFck3dS0
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The glass shatters and scatters throughout the floor like the stars at night. Kiera's strength wears out in a sudden and she immediately lose her consciousness.75Please respect copyright.PENANA2XJRJEBTbt
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Rowley caught her falling body before it touches the flourished floor. Blood came oozing out of her head, painting half of her face and hair with dark royal red.75Please respect copyright.PENANAcjBfr5r0Nk
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"She is beautiful to behold," Rowley thought, as she lie unconscious in his arms.75Please respect copyright.PENANAcj4VJ3kn7o
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"Aki! Aki!"75Please respect copyright.PENANA3EL9HfNSfQ
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Isang tinig ang kanyang narinig sa gitna ng kadiliman.75Please respect copyright.PENANAUaPe7siwLr
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"Ikaw talagang bata ka! Sasakit na naman ang ngipin mo niyan!"75Please respect copyright.PENANA7YuMeTvVkC
75Please respect copyright.PENANA683JOEf3Fa
Unti-unti ng nalulusaw ang dilim at nagiging klaro na ang imahe sa kanyang harapan. Nakita niya ang isang batang babae. *Ako ba iyan?*75Please respect copyright.PENANAFcJXOMutmB
75Please respect copyright.PENANAnUvYMc9f2V
Kumakain ito ng mag-isa bitbit ang supot na puno ng kendi. Nakaupo siya sa sahig ng balkonahe ng isang sementadong bahay.75Please respect copyright.PENANA69BYbHkfhq
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Lumingon ang bata sa likuran at saka pumasok sa senaryo ang isang ale. Nag-squat ito sa tabi ng bata at pinunasan ang mga nakakalat na tsokolate sa pisngi nito.75Please respect copyright.PENANAyTdSxerHkm
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"Tama na 'yan, anak . . ."75Please respect copyright.PENANAQbw3abZLlp
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*Si Mommy?!*75Please respect copyright.PENANANePXYcUzha
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". . . Marami ka ng nakaing kendi." Umiling-iling ang bata habang pilit na tinatago ang mga kendi mula sa kamay ng ale. Hanggang ngayon, maliban sa bata, malabo pa din ang hitsura ng ale sa kanyang paningin.75Please respect copyright.PENANA8KvnKQZCl9
75Please respect copyright.PENANAvBCUqhEbBB
"Sige na, tago muna natin iyan. Promise, hindi iyan babawasan ni Mama." Ngumiti nang pagkalaki-laki ang bata at hindi nagtagal ay nakumbinsi din ito ng ina. Pinalaya na nito ang supot ng kendi at binigay. Pagkatapos, inakay na siya ng ina papasok sa loob ng bahay.75Please respect copyright.PENANAlH3mjJiLwt
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*Alaala ko ba ito? O, alaala ng ibang tao?*75Please respect copyright.PENANAWSD18fzMaJ
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Naiwang nakatunganga sa kanila mula sa malayo si Kiera. Nasaksihan niya ang lahat ng interaksyon ng mag-ina bago ito umalis na ng tuluyan.75Please respect copyright.PENANAyP6rddipB4
75Please respect copyright.PENANAxGzo1Bykrm
Hindi niya mawari ang mga nangyayari. Lagi niya na lang kasi nakikita ang eksena ng mag-ina sa kanyang panaginip. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang importansya nito sa kanya. Kung siya ba talaga ang batang babae at kung bakit niya patuloy itong napapanaginipan. Ni hindi siya sigurado kung kanya ba'ng nakaraan ito o sa iba, o sadyang panaginip lamang talaga.75Please respect copyright.PENANAyMbI2kgMB7
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Iminulat niya na ang mga mata para lamang muli niyang isara. Sinalubong lang naman kasi siya nang malakas na ilaw mula sa bumbilya sa taas ng kisame.75Please respect copyright.PENANAsh8RbalQF6
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She squints her eyes for a while and starts to blink several times against the brightness of the room.75Please respect copyright.PENANAihvYcvWdoe
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"Kiera?! Buti na lang ikaw na yan!" Narinig niya ang pamilyar na boses ng babae. Naramdaman niya pa ang paghawak nito sa kanyang braso habang pinipilit niyang maupo mula sa pagkakahiga. "Teka, tawagin ko lang si Maam Nurse! Nurse!"75Please respect copyright.PENANA3tlBdylXlg
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Nilibot ni Kiera ang paningin sa buong silid matapos lumayas kasama ng ingay si Season. Natagpuan niya ang sarili sa loob ng ospital. *Ano na naman ang ginawa ni Tasha?!*75Please respect copyright.PENANAtMfmYjBri8
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Naramdaman niya ang kakaibang bigat at pagkirot ng kanyang ulo. Dinala niya ang kamay doon at kanyang nakapa na may benda ang palibot ng ulo niya. Sunod naman niyang napansin ang band aid sa kanyang kaliwang hintuturo.75Please respect copyright.PENANApobP7HAngw
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Muli niyang naalala ang isang pangyayari. Nahiwa niya nga pala ang daliri gamit ang cutter habang gumagawa ng project sa sala. Biglang umasim ang kanyang lalamunan. Napakagat siya sa labi at saka napasapo. *Kasalanan ko ang lahat. Lagi na lang ganito. Nakakasawa na!*75Please respect copyright.PENANABjOJDWVRHJ
75Please respect copyright.PENANAqmViZaNdRm
Bumalik na si Season kasama ng isang babaeng nurse. The nurse immediately checks her vital signs and makes a quick evaluation of her current status, including by asking her questions. It isn't long until she is done and eventually leave the room.75Please respect copyright.PENANAube5H20pzy
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After the nurse exited, Rowley steps inside.75Please respect copyright.PENANANr107w8L1Y
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"Rowley?!" Hindi inaakala ni Kiera na makikita niya dito ang kaklase. Nagtatanong ang kanyang mga mata habang sinasalit ang tingin sa lalaki at pati na din kay Season.75Please respect copyright.PENANAoB4wjpB0DN
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Season just remained her silence, while busy peeling an orange on the couch. Did she betrayed her?75Please respect copyright.PENANAvFpLtepO5A
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"Alam ko na, Kiera. Alam ko na ang tungkol kay Tasha." Rowley said, sitting down on the couch beside Season with a huge distance between them.75Please respect copyright.PENANAaDzhUKa6or
75Please respect copyright.PENANA3mgbcQk4Ve
*Yep, she definitely betrayed me!* Kiera's eyes narrowed and glared at the girl next to Rowley. "Season!" she cries out in a snappy tone.75Please respect copyright.PENANAQOeKc8JJBS
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"What?!" Season fires back, almost gets herself choke on the piece of orange inside her mouth. Her face and voice screams irritation and innocence.75Please respect copyright.PENANAmuXcGtQCLD
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Bago pa man magkaroon ng hindi pagkakaintindihan sa pagitan ng dalawang kaklase ay pumagitna na sa kanila si Rowley. He tells Kiera that no one told him about it, not even Season. He instead, managed to meet Tasha by himself.75Please respect copyright.PENANArqUO3plb2H
75Please respect copyright.PENANArP6AiH8hUv
Kiera listens attentively to Rowley as he tells her what actually happened and how come they end up being here. She begins to learn that Tasha, her other personality is responsible of Rowley's wounds. The guy's neck is now covered with bandages.75Please respect copyright.PENANAekJLoXgW0G
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Then Rowley, on the other hand, has to do something in order to defend himself from Tasha. Thus, giving Kiera a blow to the head.75Please respect copyright.PENANANvjrCIRO1t
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In the end, both sincerely asked for forgiveness from one another. No one should be blamed of the incident . If only Tasha never existed, then nothing like this would have happened. Kiera can only wish.75Please respect copyright.PENANARYYwm0o0rs
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"Tasha has bitter taste for strangers. But once she learns about you, you'll be fine! Unless. . ." Season puts the last piece of orange fruit into her mouth before continuing, ". . . Kiera is a fool for not telling her other self about you."75Please respect copyright.PENANAIHz1S8Goll
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"Sinulat ko na siya sa listahan, Seya!" Kiera grits her teeth, and clenches her fists. She swore that she did write Rowley's name on her diary for Tasha to know.75Please respect copyright.PENANAqoPrHjCwhE
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"Pero, sana naman sinabi ninyo agad sa akin, no? Para alam ko! I honestly thought I was going to die back there!" says Rowley, still terrified.75Please respect copyright.PENANA16Bj3Rx3Fy
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"Well, wala din namang mag-aakalang may mangyayari kay Kiera. Once she faints after seeing blood, Tasha emerges." Rowley's eyebrows lift up knowing this vital information from Season.75Please respect copyright.PENANAoCMk5At6lq
75Please respect copyright.PENANAMBSLaTkwY9
Kinapa ni Kiera ang naka-band aid na sugat sa kanyang hintuturo, habang nagsasalita si Season. "Who's at fault again? The cutter?"75Please respect copyright.PENANAMK1O6vkAim
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"Oo na nga!" Kiera exclaims, almost like crying. Season just shot a sharp, intimidating look at her across the room. "Alam ko namang kasalanan ko! Sorry na nga ulit!" She puffs her cheeks and turns away, ashamed of herself. Kiera can't help but to keep blaming herself for what happened.75Please respect copyright.PENANAeSzQxJIxNz
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"Rowley. . ." The guy turns to her and met her pleading eyes. The moment Rowley saw those eyes of Kiera, he instantly understood what she was aking from him. He made up his mind. He then promise the girls with assurance that their secret about Tasha will be safe with him. 75Please respect copyright.PENANAHlgLbEJk1S
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"Oh, heads up!" Biglang napatayo sa kanyang pagkakaupo si Season habang hawak ang android phone. It ring one time and she accept the incoming call.75Please respect copyright.PENANAjcoe1oQZIh
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"Hello po, Tita?" Kiera's eyes widens as saucers. She then buries herself under the sheets, hoping she can just immediately teleport elsewhere.75Please respect copyright.PENANAsAfYjyGdH5
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Some strong force pulls the sheets away and she is exposed! Season is now standing beside her bed, in front of her, and holding out her phone to her.75Please respect copyright.PENANApRX8zPImW4
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"Bilis! Si Tita!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAnoqclvgJIg
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"No! Ayaw ko!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAmN6PTG06sV
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"Kausapin mo na! Ako ang mapapagalitan!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAcrye8fgDtR
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"Ayaw ko nga sabi!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAuxRUAT083H
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"Dalian mo na! Kiera!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAEBcWqXrban
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Kakainin na siya ng buhay ni Season kung hindi niya pa din sasagutin ang tawag. Napilitan na siyang kunin ang phone. Hinablot niya ang gadget kay Season at saka tumalikod mula sa kanila. Para siyang bata ngayon na ayaw kumain ng gulay.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVPWV1W7czb
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"Yes, Mommy?" Kiera's voice is low, soft, but weak.75Please respect copyright.PENANAY8DlNfCXyP
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"Akiera!" Napisil niya ang phone nang suklian siya ng sigaw ng kabilang linya. Not to mention, her mother just called her by the nickname that she used to hate.75Please respect copyright.PENANAD3TwPqP0Hz
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Upon hearing the explosive, horrifying voice, Season rushes back to the couch afraid to get scolded as well. She takes another orange from the basket her Daddy brought for them. When she notice that Rowley is starting to feel uncomfortable, she toss an apple for him. Rowley mutters a small 'Thanks' to her that she didn't even bother to care.75Please respect copyright.PENANAbANlbASDst
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"What happened to you? Couldn't you be more careful? Mamaya niyan, hindi lang daliri mo ang mahiwa mo. Magdoble-ingat ka nga!" Seems like there's no need for Kiera to explain everything to her mother.75Please respect copyright.PENANAGYx066KRXN
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*"Ang bilis talaga kumalat ng tsismis sa kanilang pamilya,"* Kiera thought these words as she pay a quick glance at the possible culprit that told her mother. She finds Season, who keeps munching every fruit in the basket.75Please respect copyright.PENANA1j3AFJLkWq
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"Hala! Dahil diyan, kila Tito Ashton mo muna ikaw titira. He already agreed, and you're going to stay there until I return."75Please respect copyright.PENANAByTMOt5Adt
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"Ngiii? Mommy?! Ayaw ko! I'll be extra careful next time! Promise!" Kiera curls herself, stretches her legs and starts stomping her feet against the mattress. Nahihiya na tuloy si Season sa tabi ni Rowley.75Please respect copyright.PENANAy0Ama0nMeS
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"Stop with all your excuses, Kiera! You and Tasha needs to be under Tito Ashton's supervision! Hindi na ako papayag na mag-isa ka lang sa bahay. If anything bad happens like this, nandyan kaagad sina Tito mo at Seya!"75Please respect copyright.PENANA2zx0d9oqgb
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"But!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAgnnmt4offx
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"Two months, Kiera! Just two months and I'll be home! Take extra care and love you always."75Please respect copyright.PENANAllPBOUJkQe
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"Mommy!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAXQyEOXK13h
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"Enough, ok?! Again, love you."75Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ4qCj3wPu
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It was no use. Hindi na niya mababago pa ang pasya ng ina. She let herself fall back into the bed, feeling depressed and worn out. Umalog tuloy ang ulo niya sa ginawa dahilan para mapahawak siya agad dito. Napakagat siya sa labi habang iniinda ang nadaramang kirot.75Please respect copyright.PENANAfXEkGq5ah1
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There is a short pause, until she decides to say, ". . . Yeah, love you too." It is the most lifeless tone of voice she can utter.75Please respect copyright.PENANASt5KAUpe1d
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Soon as Kiera spoke these words, her mother ended the call. She just waited patiently till she heard her daughter's reply before she hanged up.75Please respect copyright.PENANAhPWtAz0t0I
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Season retrieves her phone back as soon as Kiera dropped it on the bed. "Ok! Call ko na si Daddy para sunduin na tayo dito. Tutal, ready for discharge ka na."75Please respect copyright.PENANAGepstD5YMz
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Masaya ang tono ng boses nito, pero wala ng pakialam si Kiera. She starts to sulk on the bed, doing nothing.75Please respect copyright.PENANAOPxmyApsEc
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"Bantayan mo si Kiera, Rowley. Tatawag lang ako kay Daddy." Rowley just watch Season as she steps out of the room, leaving the place utterly quiet. Silence and awkwardness is their companion for the next several seconds. Not for long, when Kiera suddenly rolls over and faces him.75Please respect copyright.PENANA0WEyNbv5p1
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"Anong ibig sabihin ng 'ready for discharge?'" she asks in curiosity.75Please respect copyright.PENANAX76oWjGDZv
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Isang bakanteng kama na lamang ang naabutan ni Season pagbukas niya ng pinto. Umihi muna siya saglit bago tinawagan ang tatay kaya siya lumabas kanina. She just left for a damn three minutes and Kiera is already gone!75Please respect copyright.PENANA9rgvkTjCMs
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Nilingon niya ang couch kung saan nakaupo ang lalaking dapat na nagbabantay ngayon kay Kiera. She gives off a disgusting look the moment her eyes found Rowley.75Please respect copyright.PENANAk53MeXTeDQ
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Rowley is casually sitting there, while hands tied on his back with a belt. His own brown belt.75Please respect copyright.PENANAdIU4O413Va
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"Pinigilan ko siya ah!" He exclaims in defense mode. His ears are already in beet red and he can't stop himself from smiling. "Magpinsan nga talaga kayo, parehas kayong makulit!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAqP0NWkBbnS
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Nanggigil tuloy ang mga balikat at kamay ni Season.75Please respect copyright.PENANAg7PnLXo7MS
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"Ugh! Daddddyyyy! Tinakasan ako ni Kiera!" She bursted out on the phone.75Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0wJ0jf5ow
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