"Seven candles. Seven werewolves. This is our way of introducing ourselves, ma chérie...will you let a pack of monsters guide you to salvation?"  

Nanlamig ang katawan ni Red sa kanyang narinig. Kamuntikan na niyang nahulog ang hawak niyang rosas. Noong mga sandaling 'yon, para bang kinapos siya ng hangin. Sumunod ang nakabibinging katahimikan. Ang katahimikang may ikinukubling panganib na maaaring manakmal sa kanya, anumang oras nito gustuhin.

Red Ridinghood was suddenly aware of where she was and who she was with...

'But am I ready to walk through the darkness with these savage beasts?'

She suddenly felt vulnerable.

Dahil alam niyang sa sandaling piliin niyang ipagkatiwala sa kanila ang kanyang kaligtasan, hindi na siya maaaring bumalik sa kanyang dating buhay. Hindi na niya pwedeng pagsisihan ang kanyang magiging desisyon. Whether they will let her reach the end of the tunnel unharmed or murder her in the darkness, Red doesn't know anymore.

Then again, maybe she doesn't even care.

"Are you ready to meet the Big Bad Werewolves, ma chérie?"

She found herself staring at her own reflection, in those wicked black eyes. Huminga nang malalim si Red at tumango.

"If you're asking me if I'm ready to see the seven faces of death, then yes, I am."

Siguro nga, nababaliw na siya...

Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ni Macednus. 

Maya-maya pa, nagpatianod na siya rito patungo sa lagusan. Noong tuluyan na silang nakapasok sa loob, agad na napansin ng dalaga ang paglamig ng paligid. Hindi na niya maaninag ang binatang kasama niya, ngunit nararamdaman pa rin ni Red ang presensiya nito.

In the darkness, she can feel Macednus' eyes on her.

"Hold on to that red rose, ma chérie. Don't make the same mistake the other girls did."

She kept her eyes straight ahead.

"Other girls?"

Sa kadiliman, naramdaman ni Red ang paghaplos ni Macednus sa kanyang pisngi. Mapang-akit. Mapanganib. Agad rin siyang napangiwi sa sakit nang mapalitan ng matatalas na kuko ang kanyang mga daliri. Soon, his claws grazed her cheek, as he whispered seductively in her ear. "Ah, yes. The other girls didn't listen to me, darling. Foolish little girls. Kaya kung may magmanstang dugo mamaya sa mga paa mo, don't be surprised..."

Lumipat sa kanyang kabilang tainga ang masuyong boses ni Macednus.

"...their blood will forever stain this tunnel, ma chérie. Which reminds me, do you why the dead always leave something behind?"

"No. Why?"

"Because they don't want to be forgotten."

Nasinagan sila ng liwanag ng unang kandila. Lalong kinilabutan si Red nang makita ang nakakalokong eskpresyon sa mukha ni Macednus. 'Hindi ba siya pwedeng magsuot ng t-shirt?' She pushed that thought aside. Macednus licked his fingers, stained with the blood from her cheek.

Soon, it was dark again.

He was gone.

Ibang boses naman ang sumalubong sa kanya. Ibang nilalang na ang sumasabay sa kanyang paglalakad.

"I hope my brother didn't scare you too much. I have to apologize, Miss Red. Those bastards can't control themselves. I'm Helisson, by the way."

Hindi tulad ng boses ng mga naunang magkapatid, mas kalmado ang tono ng binatang nagsalita. Sa kabila nito, alam ni Red na hindi pa rin niya dapat pagkatiwalaan ang sinuman sa kanila. Hinigpitan niya ang pagkakahawak sa rosas, lalong bumaon ang mga tinik nito sa kanyang balat.

"Pero katulad ka rin nila, hindi ba? Walang rason para makipag-plastikan ka sa'kin, Helisson. A wolf shouldn't be talking to a sheep if he's gonna kill her in the end."

Sandaling katahimikan.

Noong akala niyang wala na siyang kasama sa dilim, muling nagsalita ang binata...

"Hindi batayan ang kung 'ano' ang isang nilalang para makilala kung 'sino' siya. Isa kang tao, pero hinuhusgahan ba kita dahil tao ka? Stop generalizing. Not all wolves are as dangerous as you think."

Kasabay nito, narating na nila ang liwanag ng ikalawang kandila.

Nang masilayan niya ang kausap, agad na napansin ng prinsesa ang maamo nitong mukha. His smile caught her off guard. Helisson wore a royal blue tunic with gold  embroideries over his white dress shirt. All paired with black pants and ridiculously shiny shoes.

An attire fit for a prince.

And, like the castle itself, Helisson looked regal. But there was a sense of gentleness in him Red couldn't put a finger on.

"I hope you enjoy your stay, Miss Red."

For a moment, he grasped one of her bleeding hands and kissed the back of it. Soft lips against her pale skin.

Muli siyang binalot ng kadiliman.

Sa pagkakataong ito, alam na ni Red Ridinghood ang kanyang aasahan. Kaya hindi na siya nagulat nang maramdaman ang ibang presensiya sa kanyang tabi. Ang hindi niya inaasahan?

The man was sniffing her neck.

"What the fuck?! G-Get away from me!"

"HAHAHAHA!"

Pumunit sa katahimikan ang malakas na pagtawa ng binata. She yelled in protest when the guy yanked her to the side of the tunnel, pinning her to the wall. 'A-Ano na naman bang kalokohan ito?!' Lalong naalarma si Red nang magsalita ang kanyang kasama. Ilang metro pa ang layo nila sa susunod na kandila, kaya hindi niya maaninag ang mukha nito.

"Such a foolish girl you are, Your Highness! Bakit ka ba nandito? Gusto mo bang magpakamatay?"

"B-Bitiwan mo ako!"

Sinubukan niyang kumawala sa pagkakahawak nito, ngunit natuod lang sa kanyang kinatatayuan si Red nang maramdaman ang paglapit nito sa kanyang leeg. The madman sniffed her and grinned against her skin.

"Masarap puluputan ng lubid ang leeg mo. Do you want to hang upside down? I bet you'll love it as much as I do! I'll even let you choose the type of rope. I have a 3-strand pre-stretched polyester rope, braided rope, plaited rope, aramid rope---"

"Y-You're fucking crazy!"

"Thank you. Can I wrap a rope around your neck now?"

Nang tuluyan nang makakawala si Red sa nababaliw na binata, she ran as fast as she can. Hindi na niya alintana ang katotohanang nakayapak lang siya. Malagkit ang sahig sa parteng ito ng lagusan, at base sa sinabi kanina ni Macednus, hindi na siya magugulat kung may mantsa na nga ng dugo ang kanyang mga paa. The sooner she gets out of this fucking tunnel, the better! Bakit nga ba siya pumayag sa kalokohang ito?

But just when she approached the next part of her journey, a hand grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

"Leaving so soon,
my little red moon?"

Inis niyang binalingan ang binatang pumigil sa kanya (kahit pa hindi naman niya ito nakikita). Agad niyang binawi ang kanyang kamay. "What, are you gonna sniff me, too? This is stupid! Kung papatayin niyo rin lang ako, bakit niyo pa pinapatagal?"

"If you really want to die,
it's best to stop telling a lie.
You ran away from my brother Carteron,
because you simply want to move on...
Don't tell me it isn't true, my dear,
Or else you wouldn't be right here!"

'Why the hell is he speaking in rhymes?!' Bago pa man ito usisain ni Red, naramdaman niya ang mahigpit na pagpisil ng binata sa kanyang kamay. Sinasabayan na siya nito sa paglalakad.

"If you're wondering why I speak in rhymes,
Let me warn you, my love,
I do this all the time!
Besides, isn't it nice to be a living poetry,
than torment yourself to be someone you cannot be?"

Aliw itong natawa, na tila ba nakikita ang nagugulugang ekspresyon ni Red Ridinghood. Then again, werewolves have extraordinary senses. Baka nga kanina pa nila tinatawanan ang dalaga.

"W-Who are you?"

They stepped into the light of the fourth candle. Sa wakas, nasilayan ng dalaga ang hitsura ng binatang para bang naglalakad na English poetry book. His light brown eyes were the same shade as the bronze lion medallion around his neck.

"My name is Linus, if you must know
'Til we meet again, now off you go!"

Naglaho muli ang liwanag. Sa pagkakataong ito, natatanaw na ni Red ang dulo ng lagusan. Hindi niya alam kung anong naghihintay sa kanya roon, ngunit tila ba lalong nabuhay ang kanyang kuryosidad sa mga binatang ito.

Again, she felt someone walking beside her.

Tahimik.

Masyadong tahimik.

'O baka naman may sira na ang hearing aids ko?'

Huminga nang malalim si Red at hinintay magsalita ang kasama niya. Ngunit, lumipas ang ilang minuto, wala pa rin itong sinabi. Kung hindi nga lang niya naririnig ang ingay na likha ng mga sapatos nito, aakalain niyang wala siyang kasabay sa paglalakad.

When they finally reached the fifth candle, she turned to her silent companion.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Red nang makita ang black satin cloak na tumatakip sa kalahati ng mukha nito.

Of course, she would recognize him!

"I-Ikaw 'yong nagpatulog sa'kin, hindi ba? You used a spell on me... Wait! By any chance, are you a magician?"

Tipid lang itong ngumiti sa kanya. Well, his lips were the only part of his face that she could see, of course. Pero ngayong magkalapit sila (at walang panic attack ang prinsesa), napansin ni Red Ridinghood ang mga anting-anting at ilang mga kakaibang kagamitang nakasukbit sa kanyang sinturon. When the mysterious man noticed her staring, he quickly covered them with his cloak and looked away.

Hindi pa rin ito nagsasalita.

'How can a werewolf be so silent and shy? This is stupid.'

Sa kabila nito, nararamdaman pa rin ni Red ang kapangyarihang taglay ng kanyang kasama. She felt that strange magic in the air, dark and enchanting at the same time. Nang mapagtanto ng prinsesa na wala talaga itong planong magpakilala, siya na mismo ang nagsalita, "Aren't you going to tell me your name? O gusto mong hulaan ko?"

A moment of silence.

"Alberto? Rudolfo? Sa anong letra nagsisimula?"

"..."

"Damn it. At least give me a clue!"

"..."

"Nevermind."

Bago pa man siya tuluyang angkinin muli ng dilim, narinig ni Red ang boses ng salamangkero. Susprisingly, his voice was as strong as his aura.

"Nyctimus."

Napangiti na lang si Red.

But before she could congratulate him for saying his first word to her, pinuno naman ng musika ng pagpito ang katahimikan. Sa pagkakataong ito, pamilyar na siya sa presensiyang umaaligid sa kanya. Red Ridinghood felt his fingers tracing her arms, leaving a tickling sensation on her fair skin.

"Hello there, kitten."

"Lycros."

He chuckled.

"So, you still remember me, huh? Akala ko kinalimutan mo na ako nang makilala mo ang mga kapatid ko."

"Don't flatter yourself. Sa tingin mo ba makakalimutan ko ang pangalan ng kidnapper ko?" Red plainly stated, staring straight ahead. "If I ever escape this castle, I'll have the guards arrange your public execution."

She was half joking.

Sa totoo lang, matapos niyang makilala ang lima sa kanilang magkakapatid, Red admits that it felt nice to walk with someone she, at least, knows. Ngayon, nauunawaan na ng prinsesa kung bakit maraming natatakot sa mga estranghero.

You know what to expect with a monster living inside your head, but not with those you haven't met before.

That's why people choose the lesser evil.

"Kung alam ko lang sanang hindi lang pala isang halimaw ang dapat kong katakutan, sana nagkulong na lang ako sa palasyo."

"Talaga? Pero mas maraming halimaw yata sa palasyo niyo."

She frowned.

"So, all of you can transform into werewolves...?"

"Except Nyctimus," mahinang sabi ng binata. "As far as I know, he hasn't transformed into his wolf yet. Not voluntarily, at least. Ang sabi ni Acontes, baka 'late bloomer' lang daw dahil bunso. Do you believe in that shit? Tsk."

Sandaling nanahimik ang dalaga hanggang sa tuluyan na silang makarating sa ika-anim na kandila. In the warm candle light, she noticed Lycros lost in his thoughts. Sa hindi niya malamang dahilan, tila ba hindi masayang mapadpad dito ang binatang naghatid sa kanya.There was an untold story in his forest green eyes.

Damn her curiosity.

"Bakit mo ba ako dinala rito?"

Dumako ang mga mata ni Lycros sa kanya.

"The alpha will explain everything, kitten. I am in no position to reveal our 'situation'. Try to stay alive, okay? It gets crazier, believe me." Kumindat pa ito sa kanya bago muling naglaho ang imahe nito. Sa isang kisapmata, tuluyan na ring nawala ang binata.

"Lycros?"

Nobody answered.

Once more, Red Ridinghood found herself walking alone in the darkness. Sa pagkakataong ito, wala siyang naramdamang presensiya sa kanyang tabi. Umihip ang malamig na hangin, kasabay ng panginginig ng kanyang mga kamay na nakahawak pa rin sa rosas na ibinigay ni Macednus. Hindi na niya maramdaman ang pagbaon ng mga tinik nito sa kanyang palad.

She saw the flickering fire of last candle, at the very end of the tunnel.

'You're almost there, Red. Just keep walking.'

Maya-maya pa, tuluyan nang nakalabas sa lagusan ang prinsesa. Nilapitan niya ang huling lumulutang na kandila at pasimpleng nagpalinga-linga sa paligid. Hinahanap ang panganay sa magkakapatid. But the chamber was as empty as her heart. Lalo siyang kinabahan. Hindi naman siguro siya aatakihin nito at babalian ng leeg, hindi ba?

Hindi ba?

'Shit. Ano nang gagawin ko nga---?!'

"Were you looking for me, my empress?"

Natigilan si Red nang marinig ang baritonong boses sa kanyang likuran. Nanindig ang kanyang balahibo. Bumilis ang tibok ng kanyang puso dala ng kaba. 'Bakit ba ang hilig manggulat ng mga 'to?' Sinubukan na muna niyang pakalmahin ang kanyang sarili bago hinarap ang itinuturing nilang "pinuno" ng Big Bad Werewolves. Malinaw pa rin niyang naaalala ang maawtoridad nitong aura at ang mapanganib nitong mga mata.

Acontes was a man who can make any human regret they were born into this cruel world.

A personification of danger.

But, right now, Red needed answers.

"Ano ba talagang plano niyong gawin sa'kin?"

Kalmado lang na nakatitig sa kanya si Acontes. Naroon pa rin ang peklat sa kaliwang pisngi nito. Nakakatawang isipin na nagawa pa rin nitong maging presentable sa kabila ng katotohanang mga halimaw sila. As expected, the alpha of the pack was dressed with the finest royal regalia, just like his brothers---except for Macednus who looks like someone who doesn't own a shirt and Nyctimus who just wears normal medieval-styled clothes under his cloak.

He walked closer.

"You're an impatient one, aren't you?"

With one swift movement, Acontes tilted her chin up. The warmth of his fingers against her skin.

"I can't tell the full details of our arrangement. But for now, there's nothing to be worried about, my empress... Hangga't hindi namin nasisiguradong pipiliin ka ng Etteilla, ituturing ka naming espesyal na panauhin sa kastilyong ito."

"Etteilla?"

Acontes smirked. With a snap of his fingers, the fire from the nearby candle disappeared. Kasabay nito, biglang nagliwanag ang silid na kinalalagyan nila. Nang tumingala ang dalaga, doon niya napagtantong nagmumula ang ilaw sa isang "oculus"---isang circular opening sa kisame na napapalamutian ng stained glass. Oddly enough, the image on the glass depicted seven werewolves, with a red-haired maiden at its center.

Nang inilibot ni Red Ridinghood ang kanyang paningin sa silid, noon niya lang napansing nakatayo na pala sa kanyang harapan ang pitong werewolves.

'Kanina pa ba sila nandito? B-But they were all in the tunnel a few moments ago!'

Strange.

"Nine hundred years ago, we were cursed by an evil witch, Princess Rieka Ridinghood. Magmula noon, lumaganap ang 'consequences' ng sumpa at ginising ang mga nilalang na wala dapat sa mundo ninyong mga mortal. Since then, the natural order of this world changed, and its getting worse day by day. You are now inside Etteilla, the forbidden chamber, and our only hope to break the curse before it's too late." The eldest werewolf stated formally.

In the surreal light coming from the oculus, the first rays of sunshine lit the chamber. The glow illuminated the seven stone arches behind every one of them. Sa mga sandaling ito, tila ba nahahagip ng liwanag ang aura ng magkakapatid. Suddenly, Red saw their wolves staring back at her, a vivid reflection of the men standing around her...

The seven cursed brothers watched  her in silence.

She was surrounded by monsters disguised as humans; by ancient archways, curses, chandeliers, moon lanterns, and magnificence. At hindi alam ni Red Ridinghood kung ano ang dapat niyang maramdaman.

"Until we know for sure if you can help us achieve our goals, you will stay inside this castle. I can't guarantee your safety with my crazy brothers around, but you'll still be able to return to your kingdom in one piece...hopefully."

Napabuntong-hininga si Red Ridinghood at tuluyan nang binitiwan ang rosas. The flower fell on the gray stone floor. The crimson petals splattered, transforming into blood. Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang pitong binatang panandalian niyang makakasama sa kastilyong ito.

'Bakit ba pakiramdam ko ay hindi magiging normal ang buhay ko sa loob ng kastilyong ito?'

Then again, she hated herself.

Red Ridinghood hated herself for being torn between fear and excitement.

---

There are cemeteries that are lonely
graves full of bones that do not make a sound,
the heart moving through a tunnel,
in it darkness, darkness, darkness,
like a shipwreck we die going into ourselves,
as though we were drowning inside our hearts,
as though we live falling out of the skin into the soul.

---"Nothing But Death", Pablo Neruda