ARCADIA

"A legend. You were a humble wolf full of love, strength and encouragement to us. In life and now death you wouldn't want us to focus on sadness and downcast.   Never in my wildest imagination did I ever predict that I would force a smile while saying such a cruel word - goodbye. Your name will always mark me and my soul. You will forever have a  place in my heart. Goodbye for now, my luna." I am forcing myself na hindi umiyak while listening to Evan's message to Kari.

Kari... one of the wolf I treasure the most.

Using the torch Evan is holding, he burned Kari's body covered with white blanket and surrounded with flowers at hinayaan yung sumabay sa agos ng tubig.

"She will be forever be cherish." Astrea wiped her tears habang naka tingin sa apoy na inaagos ng tubig.

Tinignan ko si Astrea. I can see the fire's reflection on her eyes.

"And that is an oath." I smiled at her at yinakap.

Kumalas ako sa yakap and then tinignan si Evan na naka tayo sa warf habang naka tingin lang sa apoy na medyo malayo na sa amin.

The rain started to fall kaya nagsi-alisan na ang mga students na andito but Evan and Kari's pack stayed here at hinayaan lang ang sarili na mabasa ng ulan.

They are all wearing a white cloak at naka-yuko. Some of them are crying. Damn, I hate this kind of scene.

They are all on grieve for they just lost their luna.

Pumunta ako sa warf na kung saan naka tayo si Evan. Naka tingin lang siya sa apoy not minding the rain.

"This is not the end, Evan." Tumingin siya sa akin and then he gave me a weak smile.

"Grief is the price we pay for love, Evan. Grit your teeth and let it hurt. Don't deny it, don't be overwhelmed by it. It will not last forever." I am not good at comforting but I am trying my best to do so.

Nag squat is Evan and then he covered his face with his palm.

Hinila ko siya patalo and then I placed his right hand on his chest so that he can feel his heart beat.

"Feel that? That is called purpose. You're alive for a reason, don't forget that." He smiled at me so hugged him in a friendly manner.

"Thank you for uplifting me, Arcadia." Humiwalay siya sa yakap and then his fist turn into a ball.

"I will avenge my luna's death. Me and my pack will join you on your battle. You have my words." I smiled at him and then I patted his shoulder.

"And I promise to do the same." That was my last words before I let him think on his own.

...........

I am sitting here at my room's veranda when I heard a loud sound of a wind. Tinignan ko ang coffee table na nasa tabi ko and I saw a letter there.

A witch sent me a letter.

I grabbed it at krinack ang platic circle seal that keeps the letter unopened until the receiver will do so.

   To: Arcadia

           ~I guess you already know that you are about to loose your immortality. You still have a week to enjoy yourself as a hybrid. But of course, there is still a way to stop the spell. Kill Hezera Fang and offer her blood and heart to the Ancestor's grave as an exchange for your immortality. Think twice, Arcadia Stone. Don't let humanity stop your power.

I crumpled the paper na hawak ko. Fuck this shitty witch bitch Medea! Sinasagad niya ako!

Tumayo ako sa inuupuan ko and using my vampire speed, pinuntahan ko si Laurie sa kwarto niya.

"Invite me." Laurie immediately said sa magic words kaya nakapasok agad ako sa kwarto niya.

Umupo ako sa isang stool at tinignan ko ang scar na nasa braso ko. The mark is half way completed.

I gave her the letter para mabasa niya yun. Her eyes widened dahil sa nabasa niya.

"No matter what happens, don't kill the girl, Arcadia." She said in a serious tone.

"I'm not that heartless to kill a child, Laurie. And besides, her death is your death remember? I can't afford to loose another family." Napatigil siya dahil sa last na sinabi ko.

She fakely coughed at nag iwas ng tingin.

"There will always be a loophole. And I want you to know what is that." Tumayo ako ang then I grabbed the paper na hawak niya.

I tore it into pieces.

"Useless piece of shit." Balewalang hinulog ko yun sa sahig.

"I need that loophole tonight. So start looking for it now." Lumabas na ako ng kwarto niya after nuon.

I decided to visit the mystical land. The last time na pumunta ako duon ay kasama ko si Vlad.

But I guess now is time to accept the truth that Vlad will never be on my side.

I sat down sa isang swing as I enjoy the view. This garden looks even more amazing now but it looks dull for me. Maybe because Vlad is one who gives life to this garden in my own perspective.

"How I wish Vlad is here." Dapat sa isip ko lang yun sasabihin but it came out into my mouth without my control.

Tch. I know that wish is just a dream.

"I am here." Napatayo agad ako when I heard that voice.

Behind me, I saw Vlad standing with a sweet smile plastered on his face.

"Vlad?" I asked in confimation.

"Yes, love." It seems like nahulog ang utak ko sa kung saan because I ran papunta sa kaniya to hug him pero nalampasan ko lang siya.

What?

"This is just my spirit, love. Zamantha helped me para makita ka. Gray's soul is controlling my body for a week now." Napatigil ako sa sinabi niya.

"I miss you, my Arcadia. So much." I don't know what to say and what to react.

Umupo si Vlad sa swing na inupuan ko kanina.

"I'm so lost. So lost that I can't find my way back to my body," He said after a minute of silence. Tumingin siya sa akin.

"Promise me, love. Promise me that you'll keep my daugther safe." Lumapit siya sa akin and then he hugged me.

I can't feel his skin but I can feel na parang may hanging yumayakap sa akin.

"I will always love you, my Arcadia." I closed my eyes tight at pinakiramdaman ang hanging nakapalibot sa akin.

"I will always love you too--" When I open my eyes, wala na siya sa harap ko.

I let out a deep sighed. This will end soon, Arcadia. You just need to be strong.

Stronger than you are before.

•••

CONTINUE READING....