LASING siya.

Yes. 'Yun lang 'yun, Ara. He wasn't on his right mind. Hindi 'yun big deal.
Ginulo ko ang buhok ko at mahinang binatukan ang sariling ulo. Putang ina. No matter how I try to stop thinking about it, it just keeps on coming back!

I'm supposed to be mad, right? I am supposed to complain and say I don't want to be touched.

Pero bakit hindi ko magawang magalit?

"You look frustrated."

"Oh, fuck," bulalas ko, almost jumping in surprise.

Carwell grinned goofily. "That's new. Hindi ka naman ganiyan kagulatin dati. Does my presence bother you?"

What the fuck? He surely remember what he did, doesn't he? Kaya ngayon ay ganito siya umasta.

"Get out of my sight," malamig kong wika at muling tumalikod sa kaniya.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa ibaba. Pilit na hindi pansinin ang presensya niya. I'm on the second floor veranda right now, looking down at the busy midday life of Mortises. Dapat nga ay kaninang umaga pa kami bumalik sa kweba pero dahil lahat ng mga tao rito maliban sa 'kin ay may hang over pa, I had to stay too.

There are a lot of things we have to discuss and I still couldn't figure out how to convince Milka to come with me. Kahit sumama man siya sa 'kin, she would still feel lost. Dahil maging si Demi ay hindi niya naaalala.
Napabuntong hininga ako. I can't believe I put myself in this kind of mess.

"Ang lalim ah," Carwell interrupted. Tumabi siya sa 'kin at dumungaw rin sa baba.

I clenched the rail in front of me. Bakit ba hindi niya nararamdaman na ayaw kong makipag-usap sa kaniya? Fucking hard headed.

I sighed again. Frustrated and uptight. I turned around to go back to Milka's room but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to the edge.

"About last night..."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Magmamaldita na sana ako nang bigla siyang napakamot sa ulo.

"How did I get to my room? I don't remember anything..."

Tila natunaw ang tinik sa lalamunan ko. Thank goodness at wala siyang naaalala. I can now pretend that nothing happened.

"We took you upstairs," wika ko. "You were wasted. Amoy patay ang hininga mo."

His face darkened, but in a rather silly way. Bumitaw siya. Napangisi na lamang ako nang makita ang naiinis niya mukha. Saka ako bumalik sa pwesto ko kanina at muling sumandal sa railing.

"We have to convince them today so we can leave tomorrow," wika ko.

He nodded slightly. "I'm not good at persuading people."

"Because you're only good at being bossy."

Napalingon siya sa 'kin at mas lalong sumama ang timpla ng mukha. "Katulad mo."

"It's simple," kalmado kong sabi. I let out a smirk. "I can knock them out and we'll take them—"

"Unconscious? Are you serious?"
I held my thumb up. "Only if we have no other choice."

"That's against the rule," he stated, back on his usual emotionless voice. There he goes again with his Student Council, peacemaker self.

"Since when did I conform with the rules? Your obedience will bring you nowhere." I gave him a side glance. "You'll only fall into the pit of never ending courtesy until it starts to take over your life."

Some rules are for the betterment but some have hidden motives. The wisest wins, losers weep.

His eyebrows narrowed. "I don't think knocking them down makes you lose your rights. Are we still on the same page?"

I shrugged and walked out, only to see Milka and Sin looking at us in shock. They have been eavesdropping the whole time?

Milka held Sin's hand in fear.

"Ano'ng pinag-uusapan niyo, Ara?"

"You've been listening to us. I'm sure alam mo na kung ano'ng sagot sa sarili mong tanong."

Nilingon ko si Carwell. I signalled him to follow me to the living room, as well as the others. Nag-aalangan namang sumunod si Sin but Milka dragged him. I could smell fear and anxiety circulating around us.

May nakakatakot ba sa pinag-usapan namin ni Carwell? I don't think so. Ang o-OA ng mga 'to.

"What is it?" Milka asked when we settled on the couch. Katabi niya si Sin na hindi mapakali at hindi makatingin ng diretso sa amin. He seemed to have something on his mind, though. Unlike Milka who's completely clueless.

"Ask him." Nginuso ko si Sin.

He pointed to himself. "Me?"

"Hindi. 'Yung nasa likuran mo," I sarcastically uttered.

Milka turned her attention to him. "Anong mayro'n?"

"Hindi ko alam..."

"Don't lie to me." She glared at him.

"Fine!" Napaatras si Milka nang biglang tumaas ang boses ni Sin. He looked at us helplessly, then back on Milka. Guilt suddenly filled his face. "I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you that I..."

"That you're...?"

"I'm... I'm not normal."

Mas lalong naguluhan si Milka habang kaming dalawa ni Carwell ay tahimik lang na nanonood sa kadramahan nila.

"What do you mean 'not normal'?"

Sin flashed a worried look. "Promise that you won't hate me after this."

Milka nodded repeatedly, eager to know what her boyfriend was talking about.

Sin sighed, pressing his eyes close. He lifted his hand. Tinapat niya kaniyang palad sa nakabukas na bintana kung saan may mga tangkay ng kahoy na nakapasok. Then he opened his eyes kasabay ng paggalaw ng kahoy. His hand form into a fist and the tree twigs crumbled. Nahulog ito sa makintab niyang sahig at ilang segundo lang ay biglang naglaho.
Silence prevailed in the entire house. Our eyes were all on him while he was locked waiting for Milka's reaction. But she didn't said a word. Sa halip ay tumayo si Milka at tumitig sa likuran ni Sin... or should I say, sa anino ni Sin.

"Go away," she said.

Napalingon si Carwell sa akin. He was about to interrupt but I stopped him.

Sin's face softened. The corner of his eyes started gleaming in tears and regret. Luhaan siyang humakbang papalit ngunit mabilis na gumuhit ang pagkalito sa mukha niya nang mapagtantong hindi siya makagalaw.

"What is happening?" he asked, almost a whisper.

Milka smiled. She ran forward, almost jumping in glee as she hugged him. "I am not normal."

Napaawang bibig ni Sin. I don't know if Milka was still controlling him but he surely went stiff as if moving was a painful task. Kalaunan ay tila natauhan na rin siya. He hugged her back with the same intensity.

"Oh, God, thank you. I thought... I thought I..." Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin at hinagkan si Milka.

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Putang inang 'yan. Ginawa pa kaming audience sa kalaswaan nila.

"How?"

My head turned to see Carwell staring at me. Siya naman ngayon ang napuno ng katanungan. Kulang na lang ay magtagpo ang kilay niya.

"That's not her power," he stated with a voice full of doubts. "She was gifted with petrification, just like her sister."

As if a bubble of knowledge popped in his head, suspicion enveloped his face. I could see it clearly on his eyes. Kulang na lang ay suriin niya ang pagkatao ko.

"You did something, didn't you?" His voice went colder. "Who are you?"

I avoided his gaze. I didn't give him the satisfaction of hearing my response. Hindi ko na kailangang sagutin iyon. Labas na siya sa kung ano o sino man ako.

"You have to come with us," I stated, diverting my attention to Milka and Sin, "the both of you. Our kind doesn't belong on this island."

Ramdam ko pa rin ang matalim na titig ni Carwell. Malamang ay kanina niya pa ako pinapatay sa isip niya.

"You're also... not normal?" Milka asked.

Napairap ako. "We are called Mages, not 'not normal'. And those people out there," tinuro ko ang pintuan, "they're Mortises — the powerless ones."

Paulit-ulit siyang tumango habang si Sin ay hindi matanggal ang titig sa akin. Isinawalang bahala ko na lamang ito.

"Pack up your things. Carwell and I have to go back to the cave to get our stuff. Meet us at the shore, 6 PM sharp," maotoridad kong wika.

Both of them didn't complain and it was our cue to go. We bid our goodbyes and went off. Tahimik lamang ang kasama ko hanggang makarating kami sa kweba.

The moment we entered, Carwell immediately fixed his things. Padabog niyang tinupi ang blanket na binigay ko noong nakaraang araw at ipinasok ito sa drawer kung saan nakalagay ang kaniyang mga gamit. He tied his laces before going out without a single word. Habang ako ay walang emosyong nakatingin sa kaniya.
So childish. Hindi lang sinagot ang tanong, nagkaganiyan na?

Kumibit balikat na lang ako. Niligpit ko na rin ang mga gamit ko at nagbihis ng mas maayos na damit. Pagkatapos ay lumabas ako bitbit ang aking bag. May dalawang oras pa bago mag-alas sais pero mas maiging nasa dalampasigan na kami sa paglubog ng araw.

"Stop acting like a kid." I nudged his elbow, making him glare at me. Nailing lamang ako. "Why are you so upset?"

"Why do you care?

"I honestly don't care but a little gossip won't hurt." Pabiro ko pa siyang kinindatan pero binalik niya lang ang tingin niya sa mga puno. I sighed. "You want to know about me that much? Kaya ka nagkakaganiyan?"

"Ang daming bagay na pwede kong pagdudahan sa 'yo. You possess all those suspicious things," malamig niyang sagot. Hindi pa rin lumilingon sa 'kin.

"Didn't you say that I remind you of your mom? Was she suspicious back then too?"

Nagsilitawan ang mga ugat sa kamay niya kasabay ng mahigpit niyang paghawak sa laylayan ng bag. Before he could muster a word, muli akong nagsalita.

"Like your mom, I was once a child too, but a rather unfortunate one," wika ko na siyang ikinalingon niya. "That's all you have to know."

He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "We have to reach the shore when the sun sets. Malayo-layo pa ang lalakarin natin."

Binalik ko ang malaking bato sa likuran namin at itinakip ito sa bukana ng kweba. Saka ko tinahak ang daan patungo sa dalampasigan. Sumunod naman sa akin 'yong isa.

"Why?" rinig kong tanong niya mula sa likuran.

Hindi ako sumagot. I continued to walk in silence, as though there's no nosy man behind. Lumakas ang kaluskos sa likuran ko. Tanda na binilisan niya ang paglakad. Then he finally kept up with me.

"You're trying to be mysterious."

Hindi pa rin ako umimik. He must have concluded that I had no plans on answering so he walked past me. We both stayed silent as we made our way to the shore. He kept on giving me side glances and if I managed to catch him, he'd give me a sharp glare.

Dumating kami sa dalampasigan ng walang nagsasalita. The familiar salty smell penetrated my nostrils as I looked around, absorbing every bit of the ocean. From the calm cerulean waves to the crystal-like reflection of the sunset.

So far, ngayon ko pa lang nakita ang paglubog ng araw sa lugar na 'to. Most of the time, especially at this time of the day, nandoon lang ako sa bayan, nakikipaghabulan sa mga tao.

Napailing na lamang ako sa naisip. I never really had an idea of how beautiful this place can get.

Hindi nagtagal ay natanaw na rin namin sina Milka at Sin. They waved at us, approaching and struggling to carry their luggage. Grabe naman makapag-impake ang dalawang 'to.

"I'm so sorry medyo natagalan kami, Ara. I had to find my favorite dress pa kasi," ani Milka.

Tumango lang ako. Inutusan ko si Carwell na kunin na ang portal seeds. He obliged. He thrust the seed against the sand until the impact slowly formed an oval of glittery mists trying to absorb us inside.

Nilingon ko si Milka.

"No matter what happened, you shouldn't let it consume you."

Napakunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko. "What do you mean?"

I didn't bother to respond. I shut my eyes and entered the portal, pressing my stomach tight to refrain myself from vomiting.

Isa-isa kaming lumabas sa portal. Sin hurried to the corner and threw up on one of the gigantic tree roots. Samantalang si Milka ay tila hindi man lang naapektuhan. She was staring weirdly on our surroundings. Nasa kakahuyan kami. Nothing weird.

"Why does this place look familiar?" wala sa sariling tanong nito habang nililibot ang tingin sa paligid. "Where are we?"

"Forthmore." It was Carwell who talked this time. Nauna na siyang umalis.

"Forthmore? May gano'n ba?"

"Goodness, that thing was hellish!" ani Sin na mukhang natapos nang sumuka.

"Hina mo naman, mahal! 'Di nga ako nahilo!"

Bago pa sila maglambingan na naman, sumunod na ako kay Carwell. Milka's probably used to the effect of the portal for she's been doing missions back then, as an Arcane. As for Sin, hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon ang epekto sa kaniya.
Dumiretso ako sa sakayan. Naabutan namin doon si Carwell na nakikipag-usap sa isang kutsero. They stopped talking when they saw as approaching. Pumwesto na ang lalaking kausap niya at umakyat na rin kami sa karwahe.

"Ang ganda ng karwahe niyo rito, Ara," komento ni Milka habang tumitingin sa paligid. Gaya ng nobyo niya.

I stared blankly at Sin. "You've never been here before?"

He reluctantly nodded. "I was born on the island."

What could be the reason why Boris wanted us to find him? Ano'ng mayro'n sa kaniya gayong isa lang siyang hamak na lalaki na walang alam sa kaharian na 'to? He can't even survive a portal.

"Your parents are both Mortises?" I asked, trying not to sound so curious.

"They have these too." He waved his hand as though pertaining to his power.

"So you're a son of traitors..."

Napalingon kaming lahat kay Carwell na kanina lang ay tahimik sa tabi ko. Blangko ang mukha niya at mukhang wala sa mood. Well, palagi naman talagang wala sa mood ang lalaking 'to.

"Bro—"

"Only the ungifted, traitors, and murderers are banished from this kingdom. Kung may kapangyarihan ang mga magulang mo, bakit sila pinatapon sa isla?"

That was a quite direct and rough statement but he's got a point though. Pero bakit naman ipapahanap ni Boris ang anak ng isang traydor?

Sin dropped his gaze on the floor. Buong byahe ay nanatiling tahimik ang lahat. Nandoon pa rin ang tensyon na dala ng sinabi ni Carwell pero mas nangibabaw roon ang pagkalugmok ni Sin.

The sky was already midnight blue when we reached the massive gate of the academy. Carwell did something on the center, katulad ng ginawa ni Genesis. The gate creaked open as soon as he stepped back. Pumasok na kami at naabutan si Boris na tulalang nakatitig sa kasama namin.

"Ms. Ross..." He dropped his yellow ochre hat, his mouth ajar and suspended on the air. Pinagdasahan niya ng tingin si Milka mula ulo hanggang paa. "Y-you're alive?"