Sinister Nun (Part 3)

I was too preoccupied as I tried my very best to sketch the face of the nun I saw last night.

It's not Sister Maria. My gut feel tells me rather than my empathic ability. If we pursue on pointing the wrong person then it's no doubt that we'll just be running in circles.

Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto namin pero pinilit kong ituon ang aking buong atensyon sa ginagawa ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" Taki inquired when she got near the study table where I am in.

"Sketching."

"Sketching what?"

"I saw the nun wandering here last night and I had a glimpse of her face so I'm sketching her."

"Really? Let me see."

Tumigil ako sa pagsketch at ipinakita ang bond paper kay Taki. Her excitement was immediately replaced by disappointment and a faint inkling of amusement on what seems to be a work of art of pupils age five and six for her.

"Makakatulong to ng sobra, Coco," she said with suppressed smile and chuckle. Sumimangot naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"I know what you're really feeling, Taki. Nagagaya ka na kay Tobbie." Kinuha ko ang papel sa kanya.

"Hindi talaga ako kumbinsido na si Sister Maria ang madreng nakita ko," I added.

"So far, iyong parehong statement lamang ng mga biktima ang pinanghahawakan natin and we had nothing else aside from those that will help us in finding the mysterious culprit."

Tumango ako at nagsimula nang magligpit ng mga gamit. May tatlong biktima na, may hinala na kami sa kung sino ang pumapatay subalit isa paring malaking misteryo ang dahilan ng pagpatay niya at kung bakit sa hinaba-haba ng panahon ay ngayon niya pa naisipang pumatay. Sandali lang...

"Taki."

I quickly turned my swivel chair to face Taki who's busy gathering her stuffs on the bed inside her tote bag. She faced me and smiled.

"Why?"

"Ilang tao na ba ang reported na namatay dito bago pa iyong tatlong biktima?"

"You mean unusual death?"

"Yes."

She pointed her chin with her index finger, thinking hard. Her chinky eyes looked upward then down probably recalling a memory. Perhaps, the one that's written on the book Professor gave us.

"The mysterious death of Sister Rita. Yon nga."

"What happened?"

"She was found dead sa loob ng kwarto niya. Basag ang salamin na nasa kabinet niya at may laslas dito," aniya sabay turo sa kanyang pulso.

"Ano raw ang dahilan?"

"It was still uncertain kung suicide nga ba iyon pero ang sabi pinilit lang daw siya ng kapatid niyang si Mother Superior na pumasok dito kahit na ayaw niya and that maybe the reason why. Kaso noong sinagot naman ni Mother Superior ang interview noon ay ang sabi niya hindi raw siya naniniwalang suicide iyon dahil kilala niya ang kapatid niya at alam niyang hindi nito magagawa iyon. And the most mysterious part was when Sister Rita's corpse suddenly disappeared in the morgue two days after her reported death,"

We went silent for a minute thinking of the near possibilities, however, it did not last long because Taki dragged me out of my reverie when she spoke again.

"Mabuti pa Coco, mag-ayos ka na kasi baka ma-late pa tayo sa Art class natin. Isa pa, baka ito na ang chance mong matutong magdrawing at ayusin ang sketch mo," she kidded with a playful smile.

I pouted in dismay but nevertheless sighed in resignation and nodded then began keeping my things inside my tote bag. Naunang lumabas si Taki saka naman ako sumunod. When we reached the front door of the Art room, MaJoy and Winona were already there including Sister Sally.

"Sister Sally, narito po pala kayo. Kayo po ba ang magiging guro namin?" I asked. She smiled and shook her head.

"Hindi, Coco. Katunayan, inutusan ako ni Mother Superior na ipakilala kayo sa kanya. Halina kayo," anyaya niya't binuksan na ang pinto. Tumango naman kaming lahat at pumasok.

Pansin naming natigilan ang mga estudyanteng naroroon na nasa harapan ng mga canvas nila at nagpipinta pagpasok namin. However, my attention immediately landed on the man with a humped back.

"Sir Samuel," pagtawag ni Sister Sally sa atensyon niya.

He slowly turned to face us and I managed to observe him. His right eye was tightly closed while the other one look normal. He's an inch or two smaller than us maybe due to his back but despite his appearance, he was able to gave us a welcoming smile.

"Sila nga po pala ang mga bagong estudyante rito. Girls, siya naman si Sir Samuel. Limang taon na siya sa amin at siya ang artist namin dito. Nakikita niyo ba iyong portrait ni Sister Rita sa may entrance? Siya ang may gawa non," nakangiting pagpapakilala ni Sister Sally sa kanya.

Upon the mention of the portrait, I quickly glance at him and tried to sense his emotion but it was to no avail. When I looked at Winona, I noticed how she's frowning while looking at him. Seems like I am not the only one who's having trouble in using my ability here.

"Ah, sila ba yong mga bago? Ako nga pala si Samuel Badeja. Kinagagalak ko kayong makilala," aniya sabay lahad ng kanyang palad sa amin na maagap naman naming tinanggap.

Sister Sally bid us farewell after the introduction then we proceeded to the class discussion. I couldn't help but to steal glances on Sir Samuel every now and then. I don't know why. I'm just simply uncomfortable with him. Sa tuwing nahuhuli naman niya akong nagnanakaw ng tingin sa kanya ay ngingitian lamang niya ako. I couldn't tell if those smiles were genuine because I couldn't use my empathic ability and I could hardly read his micro expressions because of his appearance. Let's be frank here, I know that he doesn't look...uhm...normal but my uneasiness is not merely on the grounds of his physique. There's really something about him that I couldn't explain.

Nang dinimiss na niya kami ay nagsitanguan kaming apat bago tinahak ang daan na salungat sa iba pa naming mga kaklase. We secretly turned left and continued traversing on the corridor on the other side.

"Taki, MaJoy, gather information about Sir Samuel. Lugar na pinanggalingan, taon na dumating, anything that you find suspicious," Winona commanded and the two nodded before withdrawing from us.

"Winona, I swear it's Sister Rita not Sister Maria. Let me to talk to Mother Superior and I'll confirm it," pagsasatinig ko ng kanina ko pa gustong gawin.

She halted walking and turned to look at me then nodded in respond.

"I'll go and ask about Sister Rita then."

Tumango ako bago lumayo sa kanya upang hanapin si Mother Superior. I was planning to go to her office and have some words with her but it seems to appear that luck have sided me this time when I caught her at the entrance of the dorm building. She's staring longingly at the portrait of her sister, Sister Rita. I could feel the sadness, longing and regret on her and  those were very evident even on her expression. I never thought I would see this frail interior of a person with such strong exterior like her.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanya. Nang mapansing papalapit ako ay kaagad siyang tumalikod at nagsimula nang maglakad kaya binilisan ko ang kilos ko upang sabayan siya.

"Kung hindi niyo po mamasamain, maaari po ba akong magtanong?" I courtly asked.

"Nagtatanong ka na hindi ba?" She fired with so much sternness on her voice.

"Ano pong nangyari kay Sister Rita?" My question got her by surprise. Alam ko kahit nakatalikod pa siya. She even stopped in her mid-steps.

"Naniniwala po ba kayong nagpakamatay siya?" Tanong kong muli, hindi na inaalintana kung bugahan niya ako ng apoy o hindi. I don't want to waste time anymore. I've been dying to ask this question since two hours ago.

"Hindi siya nagpakamatay. Walang naniniwala sa akin pero alam ko sa puso kong hindi. Kapatid ko siya at nakausap ko pa siya at nakita ang tuwang-tuwa niyang mukha ng gabing patayin siya. She told me everything. She told me that she doesn't want to be here anymore and I accepted it and even promised to her I'll let her go in less than a month. Masayang-masaya siya nang marinig iyon kaya hindi ako naniniwalang nagpakamatay siya... Ang kapatid ko..."

I was shocked for a sec before my expression quickly softened. Mother Superior's shoulders moved in an up and down motion. She was crying, crying at the thought of her beloved sister. I smiled and caressed her back softly which made her looked at me.

"Pinapangako ko pong gagawin ang lahat para magbigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay niya."

----

"Nakita ni Sister Rita na palaboy-laboy si Sir Samuel limang taon ng nakakaraan sa labas ng school dormitory. May mga pasa ito at bugbog sa iba't ibang bahagi ng kanyang katawan na halatang pinagtulungan ng mga tambay dahil sa itsura niya at kawawang kalagayan," paliwanag ni Taki habang binabasa ang notebook kung saan niya naitala ang mga impormasyon tungkol kay Sir Samuel.

"Si Sister Rita ang kumumbinsi kay Mother Superior at sa iba pang mga madre na patuluyin si Sir Samuel sa kanilang tahanan kahit bilang taga-linis lamang. Aniya wala na raw itong pamilya at ayaw ding tanggapin ng mga trabahong inaplayan nito dahil sa kanyang itsura. Nanilbihan si Sir Samuel dito sa loob ng dalawang taon bilang isang taga-linis hanggang sa napansin ng ilan ang talento niya sa sining. Then, he began teaching here. After the death of Sister Rita ay ipininta naman niya ang portrait nito," dagdag naman ni MaJoy.

"We have the same information. Ang sakin lang, many of those whom I interviewed said that Sister Rita really doesn't want to be here but she's very kind to them. Iyong tipong taong laging nakangiti na parang walang problema." I nodded at Winona's statement.

"Mother Superior said that she agreed on Sister Rita's decision in leaving the convent which made the latter happy so she don't really believe that what happened to her was suicide," I remarked.

"Alam niyo naguguluhan na ako. Only Sister Rita could answer everything. Kung makakausap lang sana natin siya," malungkot na ani Taki bago bumuntong-hininga.

"Then why don't we summon her?" Winona suggested and we all darted our attention on her.

"Pa-paano? Wala naman tayong Quija Board," Taki asked still confused.

"No one's going to summon anyone," I said which made the three of them looked at me.

"Ang sabi sa akin noon ni Wren ay kahit kailanman hindi naging magandang ideya ang pagtawag sa kaluluwa ng mga namahinga na. We could never tell what gates will open and what creature will come out once we summon someone from the dead."

Buong akala ko ay magpoprotesta si Winona sa sinabi ko subalit bumuntong-hininga na lamang siya at tumango para sumang-ayon sa akin.

"She's right. Any other suggestion?"

MaJoy raised her right hand reluctantly. She has something to offer, I know for sure.

"I can talk to her."

"You sure?" paninigurado ni Taki na may halong pag-aalala.

"Paano? Sasaniban ka ba niya?" I asked.

"No. Just plain talking. I will try to call her here and ask. A simple séance. That's all."

"What are the things you need?" Winona queried.

"I just need a pen and a piece of paper."

Dali-dali naman naming ibinigay ang mga kinakailangan niya.

"And kindly turn the lights off but just let the lampshade dimly lighted." We did as we were told before we sat on the bed.

"Now, I need complete silence."

We remained quiet while listening to MaJoy muttered words in what I guess were Latin. We were inside a closed space so the strong wind that we felt delineated the naked shock on our faces. Even the dimly lighted lampshade was flickering.

I closed my eyes to lessen the terror I am feeling when I am starting to hear the incomprehensible murmurs. I felt Taki's hand on the top of mine. They are scared too. Seconds had passed until the murmurs were gone.

"Tapos na?" Taki whispered and tightened her grip on my hand like it was her only lifeline.

"I don't know. Tignan natin," I answered in an equally low voice. I could feel her nodding.

I slowly unbarred my eyes to see if it was already done.

"Pastilan!" Taki exclaimed half-jumping, half-moving away along with my scream. Surprisingly, Winona shouted too when we saw Sister Rita with completely pale skin and smaller shining irises standing near the side of Taki. Kaya pala may bumubulong kanina!

Napuno ng sigawan ang kwarto namin hanggang sa namatay ang ilaw sa lampshade. Para kaming mga tuod na tatlo sa sobrang dikit namin. I could even hear Taki sobbing. Natahimik ulit kami nang lumiwanag ang buong kwarto. MaJoy was already standing near the edge of the bed looking at us with great hilarity on her eyes visible to their profound.

Nagpalinga-linga kami sa buong paligid at maya-maya pa'y napagtanto na in-on na niya ang switch ng ilaw. Umayos kami ng upo habang tumikhim naman si Winona para pagtakpan ang nangyaring kahihiyan kanina. While Taki, on the other hand, wiped away the tears on her eyes with the back of her right hand.

"Here."

Napatingin kami sa piraso ng papel na inabot ni MaJoy sa amin. Kinuha ko iyon at binasa.

"Book of Enoch 10:8. Ano to?" Naguguluhan kong baling muli sa kanya.

"Iyan lang iyong sinagot niya sa lahat ng tanong ko sa kanya. Para kasing may pumipigil sa kanya," paliwanag niya.

Tinignan din nina Winona at Taki ang naisulat ni MaJoy doon sa papel.

"Maybe it is where we'll going to find all the answers to our questions," Taki suggested.

"Meron ba niyan sa library?" I asked.

"I don't think so. The people in here are not Jews," Winona replied seemingly having a sufficient knowledge on the book.

"Alam mo kung ano to?" I asked again.

"Not totally. But the Book of Enoch was one of those ancient Jewish writings that are part of the book of Apocrypha or those biblical works with unknown authorship or doubtful origin or those that are considered unworthy to be part of the Scriptures," she explained calmly wanting us to digest it slowly yet carefully.

"Anong nakalagay doon?" This time, MaJoy inquired.

"Hindi ko pa to nababasa lahat but the first book describes the fall of the Watchers."

"Watchers? Ano yon?" Taki butted in.

"They are the angels who fathered the Nephilim. In short, it is all about the fallen angels."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Winona. Fallen angels? How are they related to this case? Tinignan kong muli ang piraso ng papel. A specific chapter and verse were written.

"May chapter saka verse na nakasulat dito oh. Alam mo ba kung anong nakalagay dito?" I asked but Winona just shook her head in response.

"Sadly, hindi but we can google it. Ano pang silbi at tinawag tayong Millenials?"

She took her phone out of her pocket without removing the sly grin on her face. She typed for a few seconds, waited for some more then she showed the result to us after.

The whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azazel: to him ascribe all sin.

  - Book of Enoch 10:8

The Book of Enoch told us about the fallen angels and then the given chapter and verse lead us to a specific one, Azazel.

"Search something about Azazel," I ordered Winona which she immediately obliged.

"Azazel was regarded as the scapegoat and one of the chiefs of the group of the angels who were casted down to the earth and who married women. He's responsible for teaching people how to make and wield weapons and the use of cosmetics and ornaments among women. He is also said to reveal the secret of witchcraft to mankind. God sees how corrupted Azazel had made the earth and His people so He send him into the darkness and cursed him."

Winona frowned and stopped reading the content of what she had searched online.

"Magulo sa labas," she declared and I immediately stood up from the bed because I am feeling the disarray of emotions outside.

Ramdam kong sumunod naman sina MaJoy at Taki sa akin. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at kaagad na napansin ang mga estudyanteng tila nasa isang pila. Lahat nagmamadali at parehong takot at kinakabahan. The shivering Sister Sally suddenly appeared in front of us.

"Lumabas na kayo dyan at pupunta tayong chapel. Mayroong di magandang nangyayari sa ilang mga estudyante rito at baka pati kayo madamay," she nervously declared before she returned her attention onto the line of students to command them.

"Sige na! Bilisan niyo! We need to stay at the chapel for your safety!"

"Anong nangyayari?" Pagtataka ni Taki na inilingan ko naman.

"Hindi ko rin alam."

"Come to think of it, kung sinuman ang pumapatay sa mga estudyante rito at posibleng kay Sister Rita rin ay sabihin na nating masyadong makapangyarihan. He managed to disguised their death as suicide. May piano namang nalaglag mula sa second floor and trapping Sister Rita's spirit into this realm. These things seemed to appear that he was using some sort of witchcraft, still wandering around without getting caught and weakening in this kind of place," biglang saad ni Winona sa likuran namin dahilan para ituon namin ang atensyon sa kanya.

"Goodness." Sinapo niya ang noo niya na para bang hindi makapaniwala.

"It was there in the clue Sister Rita had given us. Hindi biro ang kalaban natin. It's a freaking fallen angel and it's Azazel!"

Winona went frantically hysteric and I just stared at her the whole time that my mind work to process things until it produced an idea.

"I couldn't feel any emotion on Sir Samuel, even you cannot hear his thoughts and MaJoy only seen Sister Rita present on the night of death of Melaney Maestrado on her vision and she believed that someone's stopping her from telling us the truth."

Natigilan si Winona sa sinabi ko at napatingin sa akin maging sina MaJoy at Taki.

"What do you mean, Coco?" Taki asked downright confused.

"One reason why we couldn't use our ability was that whoever we're facing were not just mere mortals but supernatural creatures. And if it wasn't obvious enough, Azazel was cursed by God in an I don't know way but I guess and most probably it can also be seen on his appearance. Maaaring ang kuba niya ang mga palatandaan ng mga pakpak niya no-"

I stopped in mid-sentence when a slow clap suddenly resonated inside our room. We all darted our attention on the side of our bed.

"Finally, you've figured it out. Kanina ko pa kayo hinihintay."

He moved a step out of the shadow to reveal himself to us. His hellish presence equalled his horrid features. The same hunchback we met earlier was now standing there wearing a devilish grin that hinted us of the coming evil omen.

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