Tunnel vision.

That's exactly what Nemesis was experiencing at that moment. Her surroundings blurred, and her focus narrowed to the abyss staring back at her.

'Nakuha ako sa role? T- This is amazing! This is everything I've ever wanted...'

Naririnig ni Nemesis ang saya sa boses ng dalaga. Puno ng kagalakan, hindi makapaniwala na natupad na rin nito sa wakas ang isa sa mga pangarap niya. It reminded her of a kid who finally got to buy the toy she's been eyeing for months after saving enough money.

Nemesis felt her body shifting through the abyss, as if her soul was being tampered with. The forward motion made her nausea, but that was quickly quelled by the familiar scenery in front of her.

'I'm at Mahogany Street?'

She was texting someone on her phone. Wait, this small phone uses a keypad! This easily seems like the oldest model she's ever seen.

To: Mama (+6398XXXXXXXX )

Ma pauwi na po ko galing taping. Hindi aq nasundo ni kuya rene,, abang na lang ako ng trike papasok subdivision...

Nemesis unconsciously sent the message on a device that wasn't hers.

Madilim ang paligid at hindi niya alam kung saan siya dinadala ng kanyang mga paa. Walang katao-tao sa lansangan maliban na lang sa iilang mga pusang naghuhuli ng daga sa tambak ng mga basura. Malamig ang ihip ng hangin, indikasyon na malapit na ang Disyembre. Sa hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan, alam niyang nalalapit na ring matapos ang taping na pinagkakaabalahan niya.

Nang sulyapan ni Nemesis ang kanyang lumang cellphone, doon niya napansing hindi na-send ang kanyang text message.

'Mahina pala ang signal dito,' isip-isip niya habang patuloy na naglalakad. Bitbit ang kanyang mamahaling shoulder bag na iniregalo ng kanyang mga magulang noong nalaman nilang nakuha siya sa role, she tried to keep her gaze ahead.

Tried to push the disturbing thoughts out of her head.

"Bakit ba walang dumaraang tricycle dito?"

Hindi maiwasang pansinin ni Nemesis na ibang boses ang kumawala sa kanyang bibig. No, this wasn't her voice. It had a higher pitch and a more sweeter tone to it. But somehow, she can't control her own body or whoever's body she's in.

The same way she can't control the events that happened that night.

May humintong taxi.

"Kuya, pahatid po sa Eastwood Heights. Turo ko na lang po 'yong daan. Salamat!"

Namalayan na lang ni Nemesis na sumakay na siya sa likod ng sasakyan.

Pagkasara ng pinto, humarurot ito sa kabilang kalsadang hindi na pamilyar sa kanya. Mabilis na napalitan ng kaba ang emosyon ng dalaga. Nanikip ang kanyang dibdib. Hindi na siya makahinga. Hindi niya makita ang mukha ng driver na tumangay sa kanya.

"Kuya, s-saan mo ako dadalhin?! Kailangan ko nang umuwi! Please po!"

Panic flooded her emotions. Her whole body felt paralyzed, a coldness that lingered from head to toe. Nemesis couldn't make out what happened next. Screams. Bang. Was that a gunshot? She was losing connection. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, seeing the world through Agnes Salvador's eyes before flickering back to her worried clubmates' faces.

Finally, she inhaled a deep breath.

Resurfacing to the present.

Nemesis opened her eyes. Opened her dry mouth. Her voice now familiar again.

"I think I know what Agnes wants."

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