CHAPTER XXXVIII

It's been days since Thorn left but for Ara, it feels like forever. Walang oras na hindi siya mapakali at mag-alala. Wala siyang ideya kung ligtas ba ito o kung saang lugar ito. Marahil ay nararamdaman din ng kaniyang anak ang kaniyang pag-aalala dahil madalas itong umiyak.

But for the meantime, at least they are safe because the necklace that Thorn gave her has no warnings, yet.

One time, baby Sophina got sick. Ara was so worried that she was tempted to go to the hospital but Sindred stopped her. Mabuti na lang at gumaling ang anak niya sa mga natural remedies na binigay ni Keira.

"Ara, I prepared food for us," Sindred said to her smiling.

Ito ang madalas mag-luto lalo na 'pag umaga at tanghali dahil busy siya sa pag-aalaga kay baby Sophina.

Tumango lamang si Ara. She tucked-in Sophina to her crib before going out.

Nang makababa siya ay naabutan niyang mabilis na kumakain si Keira.

"Your turn," she said as she stood-up.

"Thank you, Keira,"

Keira is like a demon nanny. She took care of Sophina whenever she has to eat or take a bath. Hindi niya ito maiwan ng matagal dahil na rin sa takot na baka may mangyaring masama.

"So, Zanilla sent me a message," Sindred said while they were eating. Mabilis na nakuha nito ang attensyon niya. Alam niyang kasama ni Thorn si Zanilla.

"What did she say? How is Thorn? Does she have a cell phone?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

"She communicated through air. But don't worry, they are fine. They're somewhere in Somalia."

"Ano'ng ginagawa nila ro'n?" nakakunot-noo niyang sabi.

"Not really sure. They've travelled from Eritrea to Somalia when they encountered a rogue demon—"

"What?!" napatayo bigla si Ara. Bumalik na naman ang nagtatagong kaba sa dibdib niya.

"Chill, Ara. They won't update me if they're not okay," Sindred said, trying to calm her and she slowly got back on her seat.

"Nerbyos ang papatay sa akin, Sindred, I'm telling you," she said as she placed both of her hands on her temple.

"Don't worry. We're talking about Thorn, he can't be easily killed,"

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?!" napapairap niyang sabi at tumawa naman ng malakas si Sindred.

"You've been worrying too much, Ara. Have a little faith on us,"

Ara sulked on her seat like a child that wouldn't take no for an answer. But she knew Sindred was right. With all the fears and doubt hovering around her, at the end of the day, it won't help her. She has to let go and believe that Thorn will come home safe.

Ara continued eating when suddenly, Keira, came down running. Hindi maitatago ang kaba sa mukha nito.

"Something's wrong with baby Sophina," Keira said and Ara immediately ran upstairs.

She could hear Sophina's soft wail. Nang tingnan niya ito mabilis na gumagalaw ang dibdib nito. Mabilis niya itong kinarga at agad na naramdaman ang mainit nitong balat. Mabilis ang paghinga ng bata at halatang nahihirapan. Then soon she started coughing na may kasabay na suka.

"What's happening? Is she sick again?" she heard Sindred asked but she didn't answer him. She was busy rubbing baby Sophina's back. She thought it would make her better kahit kaunti pero nagsisimula na itong umiyak.

Hindi na alam ni Ara ang gagawin. Ayaw niyang bigyan ng mga natural remedy meds ang bata at baka mas lalo itong lumala.

She was already panicking when she felt Sophina's trembling hand.

"S-Sindred, kailangan natin siyang dalhin sa hospital," Ara said on her very weak voice.

"Ara, you know we can't," he answered pero mariin siyang umiling.

"I don't care! My baby is still a human, she needs to be treated by a real doctor!"

Kinuha niya ang maliit na comforter ni Sophina 'saka ito ibinalot sa bata. Hindi alintana ang bigat nito sa kaliwang kamay niya, nag-mamadaling inilagay niya ang mga baby bottles nito sa bag at ilang damit. Wala na siyang pakialam sa panganib na naghihintay sa kanila sa labas. Her little girl may be a daughter of an incubus but she's part human and this could kill her easily since she's vulnerable.

"Ara!" Sindred called her when she left the room carrying Sophina and a backpack. "Ara, we can't just go outside!"

"We can, and we will, Sindred. You promised Thorn you will protect me and our baby. This is your time."

"Then let's use the mirror dimension," he said, giving up.

***

It was a crowded white place. People who are wearing white uniforms are all busy walking from here and there.

Sindred has never stepped foot in a hospital. He'd rather stay in a bar and temp people. Party people are more fun to manipulate. They are gullible and can be easily tempted to do a bad deed. But seeing these crowded people, crying, hopeless, and in pain, it was as if seeing hell on earth.

Napalingon siya kay Ara na desperadong kinakausap ang isang nurse. Sindred has never seen Ara so strong like this. Halata ang pagod sa itsura nito pero matapang itong tumuntong sa lugar kung saan ano mang oras ay maari silang salakayin ng mga alagad ni Lucifer.

"Ma'am, puno na po and emergency room namin. Wala ring bakanteng ward. Mas maigi po kung pumunta kayo sa ibang hospital," rinig niyang sabi ng nurse na kausap ni Ara.

"Please po. Kahit sa gilid lang kami. Magbabayad naman kami. Hindi ba, Sindred? Sindred, 'yong pera natin?" she said, her voice almost trembling. Agad niyang binuksan ang duffel bag na punong-puno ng pera. He conjured it while they were travelling inside mirror dimension.

"Here. I could buy the whole hospital just treat my nephew," Sindred said trying to take it lightly pero sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Ara.

Narinig niya ang pagbuntong-hininga ng nurse bago ito tumango.

They were ushered on third floor. It says NICU. Hindi kagaya sa ground floor, tahimik sa third floor. Pero maraming incubator na may mga babies na bagong ipanganak.

Pumasok sila Ara sa isang silid na may salamin na dingding. Naiwan siya sa labas at nagbantay. Nakita niyang pinahiga roon si baby Sophina at sinimulang in-examine. Then the nurse phoned someone. At ilang minuto lang ay may umakyat na lalaki, nakasuot ito ng white robe.

"They're not supposed to be here, Nurse Callo," he heard the doctor say.

"Puno na po sa ward at ER, doc. Nakiusap sila sa akin. Besides, I think the baby is suffering from severe Pneumonia. Kailangan po siyang mabigyan ng antibiotics." Said the nurse sympathetically and the doctor just nodded.

He saw how Ara eased a little when they started treating her daughter. Hindi ito bumibitaw sa kamay nito and her eyes are glued on her.

"Sindred, I could feel a demon inside this building. I think they already know we're inside," Keira said, suddenly appearing on his side.

"You take care of it," he said.

"We're out-numbered," she whispered, pissed. "We need to go now. I don't like what my vision is showing me,"

"I know that. But we need to prioritize baby Sophina's health. Use your little minions to stop those demons! If I leave, they'll be in danger even more."

Keira hissed before disappearing. Sindred saw Ara eyed her and beamed. He couldn't tell her they're not safe anymore. He knew Ara too well now. She's hard-headed and she wouldn't listen to him even if he told her that her life is in danger. All he has to do now is to protect her.

Nang lumabas ang doctor kasama ang nurse ay agad siyang pumasok. May mga nakakabit na apparatus sa braso at dibdib ni baby Sophina. He couldn't help but feel pity for these two girls of Raguel. For a demon like Sindred, he doesn't know the word compassion. And when he discovered that Raguel was interested in a human being, he couldn't understand it. His feelings refused to accept that a demon like Raguel could fall in love with a human. But when he witnessed their love, how protective Raguel is towards Ara, and now having a baby, he now understood why. The unexplainable feeling is beyond his understanding but he could feel it. He's protective too with these two girls because she sees Ara as a family. And also maybe because they are the closest to a person he could talk to.

"Okay ka lang d'yan?" Ara asked him while her eyes are fixated on baby Sophina's.

"I should be the one asking you that," he said while shaking his head.

"Alam mo no'ng bata ako, madalas akong itakbo nila Papa sa hospital kasi hikain ako. Madalas pneumonia ang complications. Hindi ko man lang naisip na mamanahin din pati sakit ko ng anak ko. I thought because she's the daughter of an Incubus, she's inmmuned."

"Sophina is a special child but she's anything but immune to human nature. We can't see her capabilities until she's grown," he said.

"I wish Raguel and I would see her grow into a beautiful and kind woman,"

"Ara..."

"I'm just being realistic, that's all," she said as she looked up to him.

Ilang beses nagpa-balik-balik ang nurse para tingnan ang temperature ni Sophina. But when the doctor came back, they were ordered to wait outside the room kaya nakuntento na lamang silang dalawa na tanawin si Sophina sa may salamin.

"Sindred, they're on their way to you. Lucifer is not with them so Ara's necklace won't work!" Keira's voice said inside his head.

Nilingon niya si Ara na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa anak.

"Oh, shit!" he cussed silently when he heard the elevator open.

Hindi siya makapag-isip ng maayos. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin dahil alam niyang magmamatigas si Ara na umalis and it's too late anyway.

"Can you stay here? Hingi lang ako ng update kay Keira," sabi niya pero kumunot ang noo ni Ara.

"Can't you talk to her telepathically?"

"I can't right now," he said then immediately left.

Lumiko siya sa unang pasilyo dinaanan nila kanina. There, he saw two demons. They were ready to attack but he instantly lifted his two hands and a silvery air appeared through thin air. He did not kill them. He just simply teleported them to a mirror dimension.

The second elevator opened, too, and four demons came out. He was cussing so hard inside his head. Hindi niya alam kung ilang demonyo ang pinadala ni Lucifer, but he can't keep sending them on his dimension. Babalik at babalik lang din naman ito na parang sakit.

"Keira, we need an escape plan!" he said almost screaming inside his head.

"On it!" she replied.

He again lifted his hands and sent those demons to mirror dimension. It was so easy actually. Kung hindi niya lang iniisip ang mga babies dito, kanina pa naging abo ang mga demonyo. Pero kapalit din noon ay masisira ang buong palapag ng NICU.

Keira appeared in front of her. Her face says it all--danger.

Binalikan niya si Ara sa dating pwesto nito pero wala na ito. He immediately panicked pero nakita niya ito sa loob ng nursery at may kausap na medyo may edad ng lalaki. From the looks of him, he knows he's a doctor because of his white robe and a stethoscope in his coat pocket.

The man had kind eyes and Ara was smiling a little bit. He could feel that she's at ease now. Pero hindi dapat sila mapalagay. Lucifer could send a battalion of demons.

He saw Ara and the doctor coming out from the nursery. Ang katabi niyang si Keira at matamang tinitingnan ang dalawa.

"Is he a demon?" he whispered to her but he shook her head.

"Nope. He's clean," she said.

"Naku, maraming salamat po, Doc. At sa mga tips," sabi ni Ara nang makalabas sila at tumawa naman ang matandang lalaki.

"That's nothing. I had a daughter once at naging sakitin din siya. Hindi talaga 'yon maiiwasan sa mga baby pa dahil vulnerable sila sa sakit. Kaya dapat ma-kumpleto ang bakuna niya, okay?"

"Yes, Doc. Pag-balik ng asawa ko pababakunahan namin si Sophina,"

"I thought he was your husband?" the doctor asked confused but Sindred remained silent.

"My husband is a...businessman. So he travels a lot. Buti nga at sinamahan kami ng kapatid niya," sabi ni Ara at tumango naman ang doctor.

"Well, nice meeting you, Ara. I'll be heading out. Mag-ra-rounds pa ako." sabi nito at tumalikod na at pumasok sa isang pintuan papunta sa kabilang pasilyo.

"Okay na ba si Sophina?" tanong niya at tumango naman si Ara.

"She's stable. May tinurok si Doc kaya normal na ang temperature niya."

"Pwede na ba tayo umalis?" Sindred asked.

"I guess so. Bilhin lang natin 'tong mga reseta-"

"I'll do that!" mabilis na tugon ni Keira. "You three should head back home before Lucifer sends more demons," she said before snatching the prescription on Ara's hand.

"Demons?" Ara said, startled. But Keira already disappeared in front of our eyes. She turned her eyes on him and asked again. "There were demons here?"

"Yes. But don't worry, I fought them like a piece of cake." he grinned at her but her face looks frantic.

She immediately went inside the room to get the baby. He follows her as she struggles to carry baby Sophina with an IV on her left arm.

"Let me," he said as he removed the IV bag on the stand. "We will blink here, okay? We can't afford to use the mirror dimension this time."

"Bakit hindi na lang natin 'yan ginawa kanina?" nakakunot-noo nitong tanong.

"We were detected when we used the mirror dimension but it bought us some time. If we blink...then poof, instant demons. Right now, we will blink directly inside the mansion. Do you get me?"

"Yes,"

***

Raguel is staring at a young man who's the same age as Araceli. He has this innocent look that would entice all men and even creatures but a subtle intimidating posture can't be denied.

He is tall with a lean body. Almost looking like a normal being with his maong pants, black t-shirt, and a backpack on his back.

"I heard you've been looking for me," he said in a cool voice.

Raguel has travelled so far, almost giving up, but here he is, the Nephilim, he's real, right in front of him.

"I'm Raguel Asmodues-"

"I know who you are. I may be unknown to everyone, but I knew each and every demon and Angels in this world," he said with a slight crease on his forehead.

"Then I guess you know why I'm here?" Raguel said.

"Yes. Sariel told me. I'm sorry but I can't help you with that. I work alone,"

"But you have the power to make my daughter invisible in the eyes of a demon and angels. Her mother, she's a mortal, and...and I don't want to lose both of them..."

Raguel heaved heavily. He kneeled. He has never been this desperate. A demon like him has always been proud. But everything is different now. All for his two girls.

"What would that gain me? I have been incognito since I was born. What made you think that I will jeopardize my own safety for you?"

"I don't...I don't know. You were my only hope I guess," Raguel said in a low voice.

This is not you. Don't beg. Stand up and just threaten the guy! His demon side talks inside his head.

Silence.

"I have three conditions if I agree to help you," the man said and Raguel suddenly felt the hope starting to rise inside his chest.

"Anything. I will do anything whatever you ask me!"

"I will only help your daughter to make her invisible in the eyes of demons and angels. Second, you will tell no soul about me. And third, I want you to kill my father,"

Shock was an understatement. Raguel doesn't even have an idea who his father is.

"Who is..."

"You knew him," he grinned a little as darkness surrounded his eyes. "But I'll tell you after I help you."