SHEA'S POV

Tumakbo ako palabas ng office not minding the gazes they were throwing at me. Naghalo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko. Gulat, lungkot, inis at galit. They are all mixed up and if I let this all out, it's probably the end of the world. The end of it, literally.

"Watch where you're going ugly."

Di ko namalayan na may na bunggo na pala ako. And when I looked at him, napatigil na naman ako.

"Paxton..." I unconsciously said. Iritado syang nakatingin sa 'kin kaya ako na ang unang umiwas. I ran as fast as I could.

Natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa labas ng campus at dumiretso sa river bank malapit dito. This is where I met Drew, the brother of Paxton and also where I found my weapon accessory. Dito nagsimula ang lahat. Kung saan nabago ng tuluyan ang buhay ko.

I'll pay a visit to my parents after class. Di pa nila alam na nakauwi na ako.

"We are all involved here because we work as team. We are here for a mission and not to adjust for you just because you can't handle stupid situations like this. If you can't control your emotions just because your familiar can't recognize you, then you're too weak as a Queen. And too weak to be called an Alpha. Don't call yourself a Disciple if you can't handle simple problems like this. Shame on you to be here and shame on the Goddess who trained you."

I sighed.

I hate you Kiyan. I hate you so much that I want to cry right now. Alam ko namang may mali ako eh. But do you have to be that harsh? After all your actions towards me bigla ka nalang gumanon?

Guys are really complicated.

He's right. Seraphina put her life in the line while she's training me. I almost killed her several times dahil palagi akong nadadala ng emosyon ko yet I'm here, crying over Paxton because he already can't remember me. Nadamay ko pa ang Alpha. Alam ko naman na mangyayari 'to eh. Pero masakit parin. Minsan lang ako magtiwala, at alam kong kasalanan ko rin kung bakit sya nagkaganito ngayon.

"Hi miss. Ikaw lang ba mag-isa?" naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang may tumawag sa 'kin.

Heh. Alam ko na ang mga ganitong klaseng tao. Tumingin ako sa likuran ko and a group of college boys ang nakatingin sa 'kin. Seven of them. I can tell them by their uniforms. Nasa may tabing ilog kasi ako and there's a slope bago sila makarating sa position ko. Sa taas ng slope ay sidewalk na, kung saan sila nakatayo. I enhanced my senses and there are devils on their left side. Mabuti at ginagawa nila ng maayos ang trabaho nila.

Takot silang tumingin sa 'kin but I signaled them to continue. Palihim akong napangisi nang may naisip ako.

Muli kong tinuon ang atensyon sa harap pretending I didn't see those boys na halatang walang matinong magawa.

"Pwede mo kaming samahan gumala. Sigurado akong magiging masaya 'yun." a guy whispered behind me.

Tumayo ako at inayos ang salamin ko. This is going to be fun.

"Aalis ka na? Sungit mo naman." sabi nya at hinarangan ang daraanan ko. Bumaba ang mga kasamahan nya at pinalibutan ako.

Walang gaanong dumadaan dito kasi school route lang 'to at lahat ay nasa kani-kanilang classroom na. So they are free to do things because no one can see us.

Nanatili lang akong nakayuko. Seeing their faces makes me want them to throw in hell right away.

"Excuse me." I said attempting to get out from the scene.

"Sumama ka muna sa 'min."

"A-ayoko."

"Wag ka matakot miss. Di ka naman namin sasaktan basta sumama ka lang sa 'min." seryosong sabi ng isa.

"P-paalisin nyo ako! Kung hindi s-sigaw ako!" nanginginig kong sabi.

Yumuko yung isang kasama nila upang makapantay ako. He glared at me as if he's already killing me.

"Subukan mong sumigaw kung ayaw mong makita ang katawan mo dyan na palutang-lutang." he said pointing at the river.

Di na ako nagsalita which gave them the signal that I surrender. Two of them grab my arm upang hindi ako makatakas. "Subukan mong kumilos ng masama at malilintikan ka sa amin."

Umalis na kami and they walk casually na tila barkada lang nila ako. But there's a knife pointing at my back. Dumaan kami sa masikip na eskinita kung saan walang gaanong tao ang dumaraan. We stop at an abandoned shop at marahas akong tinulak papasok.

I almost kissed the floor dahil sa lakas ng tulak nila at natapon pa ang salamin ko. Mabilis ko 'tong kinuha at sinuot. I can hear their laughter as soon as they closed the door.

"Di naman 'yan chicks pre. Ang panget!"

"May choice pa ba tayo?"

"Sus pwede na 'yan. Hahaha!"

"Sinigurado nyo bang walang nakasunod sa atin?"

"Oo. Nandon si Mike sa labas. Sya ang lookout."

"Hoy! Tirhan nyo ako ha. Hahaha!" rinig kong sabi ng kasama nila sa labas.

"Parang awa nyo na! Pakawalan nyo ako dito!" I said while crying. Siniksik ko ang sarili ko sa tabi while I'm hugging my knees habang takot na takot na nakatingin sa kanila which makes them laugh even more.

"Pakakawalan ka naman namin miss eh. Matapos naming mag enjoy. Hahaha!" tumawa sila ng tumawa. Wala namang nakakatawa.

They are just a bunch of bastards who were succumb by evilness. The devils are dominant over angels within them.

"Itali na 'yan!" utos ng mukhang leader nila.

They all cheered. Isang lalaki ang naglabas ng lubid at marahas akong hinila mula sa pagkakaupo. I scream and cried for help. But no one seems to hear me.

"No! Please don't do this to me! Parang awa nyo na!" sigaw ko at halos mapaos na. My tears won't stop falling and my body won't stop shaking habang sila ay tawa lang ng tawa.

Napasigaw ako nang hinigpitan ng lalaki ang pagkakatali ng kamay ko sa poste. Parang mapuputol na ito anytime. Tinali nya ito pataas at wala akong nagawa kundi ang umiyak.

"Scream baby! We want to hear it. Hahaha!"

"I-Ibibigay ko sa inyo ang pera ko. Just get me out of here please!"

They stared at me with full of lust. Now you are going to be welcome in the second circle of hell if you continue like that.

"Di namin kailangan ng pera. Dahil ikaw lang sapat na."

Lumapit sa 'kin ang leader nila. He remove my glasses at ngumiti sya nang maramdaman nyang nanginginig ako. Panay naman ang tawa at cheer ng mga kasama nya.

"Wag kang mag-alala, liligaya ka naman sa amin."

Lumapit sya sa 'kin at biglang inamoy ang leeg at buhok ko. Fudge, ang baho nya. Mukhang mga high nga ang mga 'to. Ilang beses nyang hinawakan at inamoy ang buhok ko at patuloy parin sa panginiginig ang aking katawan.

"Pangit ka nga pero bawing-bawi naman sa amoy." bulong nya.

Ilang pulgada nalang ang layo ng mukha nya sa 'kin at alam ko na ang susunod nyang gagawin. Biglang pumitik ang dibdib ko which makes me grin. Panandalian syang nagtaka sa insal ko.

"You're dead."

The door slammed open revealing their lookout. Bigla silang tumahimik at doon napunta lahat ang atensyon.

"Hoy Mike! Anong nangyari?"

Laking gulat nila nang bigla na lamang sya natumba at nawalan ng malay. Mas lalong lumapad ang ngisi ko dahil ang nilalang sa likod nya ay ang syang inaasahan kong dumating.

"Paxton..."

Gulat syang nakatingin sa 'kin and I know that he doesn't even know why he's here.

"Pucha! Sino ka?!" sigaw ng isa.

Hindi pa nga nakapagsalita si Paxton when all of them attacked him at once. Ngunit isa-isa nya lang sila pinatumba using only his bare hands. He punched the guy 1 on the stomach and elbowed him on the nape which sent him to sleep.

Sinuntok nya ang isa pa na si guy 2 sa mukha at inuntog ito sa kasama nya na si guy 3. Another guy throws a dagger at him pero naiwasan nya ito kaya dumiretso ito sa kasama nya sa likod. Guy 4 scream in pain kaya ginamit ni Paxton ang pagkakataon na 'yun upang patulugin sya with his massive blow on his stomach.

"Gago ka!" another guy with a dagger who was about to thrust it to him pero napigilan nya ito. Paxton twisted the guy five's elbow at sinuntok ito sa mukha which put him into knock out. Tumakbo si guy 6 sa labas dahil sa takot.

Looks like he didn't even get a single sweat. Tumingin sya sa direksyon ko at sa leader nila na tinutukan ako ng patalim. Such a coward.

"Wag kang lumapit kung ayaw mong tapusin ko 'tong syota mo." nanginginig ang kamay nyang may kutsilyo na nakatutok sa 'kin.

But syota? Lol.

But he didn't even say a word. Nakatingin lang sya sa amin at di ko alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa utak nya.

"Aaahhh!" their leader scream na tila napaso kaya nabitawan nya ang patalim na hawak nya. Di ako ang may gawa 'non.

Paxton charge towards him and kick his balls. Napayuko ang lalaki sa sakit so he got the chance to grab his hair and repeatedly kick him into his stomach until he spitted blood.

I never thought he was this brutal.

"T-tama na 'yan!"

Daig ko pa ang artista sa pag arte. I knew it. He came. Our attachment is still on kaya nararamdaman parin nya kapag nasa panganib ako. The Goddess chose him after all kaya kahit anong mangyari, familiar ko parin sya. That was the best idea to summon him after all.

"What did you to me?!" Lumapit sya sa 'kin habang nanlilisik ang kanyang mga mata.

"W-what do you mean?" The acting doesn't stop here.

"I've been worried for no reason so I came and found out that you're the one in danger. What did you do?" kalmado ngunit may diin nyang tanong.

Bigla nalang tumulo ang luha ko, "I don't know! Di ko alam kung ano ang sinasabi mo. Can't you see that I've almost been raped?! I-I'm scared. Di ko na alam kung ano ang gagawin ko kanina but I was relieved when you came. Pero yung mga tingin mo parang ako pa ang may kasalanan."

I was crying again infront of him. Ilang beses na ba nya akong nakitang umiyak? But he probably didn't remember all of those.

Hindi na sya nagsalita at naramdaman ko nalang na wala na ang tali sa aking mga kamay kaya naibaba ko na ito.

Laking gulat ko when he slowly lift his hand and wipe my tears using his thumb. Napatigil ako sa ginawa nya. I can also see that he's also surprised of what he did at napatigil rin. Bigla syang umiwas ng tingin at tumalikod.

"Tara na. Ihahatid nalang kita."

Palihim akong napangiti. Kahit wala syang maalala, nakikita ko parin sa kanya na nag-alala sya.

Kayang-kaya ko naman sila kaninang patumbahin eh. But I did that acting because I know that he'll come. At tama nga ako. The way he fights, I saw the Paxton I once knew. Ang Paxton na walang inisip kundi ang kapakanan ko although he behaves like a jerk most of the times.

"Put your glasses on. You look hilarious." sabi nya mula sa harapan.

Nagmadali akong hanapin 'yon at agad sinuot. Sumabay ako sa kanya sa paglalakad and he wears that bored look on his face na parang walang nangyari kanina.

"Thank you." bulong ko pero di nya pinansin.

"Where's your house? I'll see you home." masungit nyang sabi.

"W-wag na. Papasok nalang ako. I'm fine."

Kung nakaalala lang sya ngayon baka pinagtawanan nya na ako at sasabihing ang pangit kong umarte.

"May sugat ka."

"H-huh?"

Dahil maikli ang uniform nila dito ay kita ko agad ang sugat sa tuhod ko. Dahil 'to sa pagkasubsob kanina nang tinulak nila ako.

"Ayos lang 'to. Gasgas lang naman."

Hinawakan nya ang braso ko at tinignan ito. It's bruised dahil sa mahigpit na pagkakatali ng lubid kanina sa 'kin. Hinawakan nya ito at napa-aray ako sa sakit.

"Who's fine now?" he smirk.

Ayos nga lang ako kasi gagaling rin naman 'to agad. Hayyy.

"Pero ayokong umabsent sa first day of class."

"You're already absent. And so as I. Thanks for your stupidity wandering outside the school campus when it's almost class hours."

Palihim nalang akong napairap dahil sa kasungitan nya. Noon ang yabang nya, ngayon hinigop nya yata ang lahat ng sama ng loob doon sa impyerno.

"Wala naman akong sinabi na iligtas mo ako." I countered in a serious tone. Mukhang nagulat sya sa biglang pag-iiba ng pananalita ko but he then ignored it.

"Then I shouldn't have saved you then."

"Well you already did." I smirk.

"Tss."

Patuloy kaming naglakad without talking. We are heading back to school dahil sigurado may magagalit na naman kapag hindi ako magpakita sa kanila. Baka pabalikin pa ako sa Myrrh Academy ng wala sa oras. Kompleto na ulit ang pakiramdam ko. I once again feel secured dahil nandito na ang familiar ko. I wonder what he feels right now? Ngayong nagkita na ulit kami.

But our contract hasn't been sealed for him to be mine permanently. Do I need to perform that ritual again? No way!

"You're a lucky fan to have me by your side. Di mo alam kung gano kasikat ang kasama mo ngayon." pagmamayabang nya.

He never changed.

"Don't care. And I'm not your fan."

"Yes you're not. You're an obsessed being who will do anything just to get me. Am I right or am I right?" tumingin sya sa 'kin.

"Nah."

Nauna akong maglakad sa kanya dahil baka masuntok ko pa sya at mabalik pa sya sa realidad. Malapit na kami sa gate nang bigla nya akong pinatigil.

"What?" I asked irritatedly.

"Sarado na ang gate."

"Then open it."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"No I'm not." I answered back in sarcasm.

"You are already getting into my nerve ugly, obsessed nerd." he clenched his jaw at halatang naiirita na sya sa 'kin.

"Then that's great. Which means I'm already getting into you. Should I consider myself lucky because of that?"

"Cut with the crap or I'll be the one to shut your mouth up."

Tumahimik nalang ako. Alam ba nya kung ilang taon na sya? He's an old hag so I understand why he behaves like that. He's a complete opposite of Kiyan. Mainitin ang ulo nya while Kiyan is a cool-headed jerk. Yeah, he's also a jerk and a pervert.

Speaking of Kiyan, di ko sya papansinin mamaya. Bahala sya.

Nakapasok na kami dahil kinausap ko si manong guard. Of course kilala nya ako.

"Don't go near me. I don't want to get myself involve to an ugly and crazy being. Malaking gulo 'to pag nagkataon."

Muli nalang akong napairap, "Whatever."

"Wow. You're welcome miss whoever-you-are-but-I-don't-care. It's my honor to save a creature like you."

I smiled back at him sarcastically, "Of course you should be honored Mr. Ren Paxton Montero. You just saved the daughter of the owner of this school. Slow clap for that."

He glared at me like I was already being murdered by him several times in his mind. Tsk. Short-tempered as always.

"For f-ck sake can you stop calling me Paxton?! It's Xenon! Xenon Leonheart!"

"Xenon eh? Nah, you're still Paxton. By the way, I'll introduce myself for the second time. Shea Alysia Valdemore. Owner of Valdemore High." sabi ko at tumalikod na while a grin was carved on my lips.

"I never asked for it!" Iritado nyang singhal pabalik.

He may not remember me. But I was satisfied of what happened today.

♚♚♚

"I'm so tired." sabi ni Ezra as soon as we arrived at the condo na pagmamay-ari namin.

Tapos na ang klase at wala naman kaming masyadong ginawa dahil first day palang. I remember my first day at M.A and it was way more thrilling compared here.

Malaki ang unit na kinuha namin to accomodate us all. Thanks to them they were VIPs at naintindihan ni aunt ang sitwasyon namin ngayon. Sinabi sa 'kin ni Fire ang pinag-usapan nila kanina and I'm impressed that she's pretty prepared. This unit was the most expensive one kaya buhay hari at reyna sila dito. Of course sponsored ng M.A ang stay namin dito. Malulugi ang business nila Dad kapag hindi sila nagbayad lalo na at luxury unit ito.

"Aalis muna ako." sabi ko sa kanila.

"At saan ka na naman pupunta?" tanong ni Alzena habang nakataas ang kilay.

"I'll go visit my family."

"No."

Biglaang sabi ng isang malamig na boses. I glared at him pero sa labas lang sya nakatingin.

"We are on a mission and not on vacation. If you want to leave, leave. Just don't come back here anymore."

That's it.

"What is wrong with you?!" sigaw ko. I'm fed up. Nakakainis na talaga sya.

"U-oh. I'm outta here."

"Me as well."

"Matutulog muna ako. Just don't blow up the whole unit."

Sabay-sabay silang nagsialisan at pumunta sa kanya-kanyang kwarto. Ngunit sya ay nanatiling nakatingin lang sa labas while drinking a cup of tea.

"What?" he asked casually na nakapag painit ng ulo ko.

"What's what? Why are you like that? Why can't you even let me visit my family? I've lost my familiar, yet why can't you let me deal with him? Yes, we are on a mission and I'm doing my best to help you with this. But why can't you let me do something I need even just this once?"

He took a sip of his tea at humarap sa 'kin. His eyes met mine.

"Oh. Did you?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong nya, "What?"

"We had already found the Princess. And we're bringing her back tomorrow."

Ano? Nakita na nila? Ganon lang yun kabilis?

"We had accomplished the mission while you are busy with your business outside. Thanks for your help." Napaka dry ng boses nya. But I know that it was pure sarcasm.

Tumayo na sya at mukhang aalis na rin. This day can't get any worse. I never feel so humiliated and insulted in my entire existence. Yes I've been bullied. But that was nothing compared to what I'm dealing right now.

"Kiyan"

He stopped.

Nakuyom ko ang kamao ko. Why did I call him? Why do I feel so sad and disappointed? Why do I feel so useless? Am I hurting? Ganon na ba ako kasama para tratuhin nila ako ng ganito? I was only trying to retrieve my familiar. I only wanted to visit my family because we haven't met each other for a long time. Was that too much to ask?

Ganito ba nila lahat tratuhin ang mga nanggaling sa kadiliman? Ganon na ba talaga kasama ang tingin nila sa pinamumunuan ko? Are they discriminating me? Is darkness really that evil?

Kusa nalang gumalaw ang mga paa ko at tumakbo palabas ng unit. Why am I even here? He's right. I don't deserve to be part of them. Because in the first place, I never deserve to be here.


I left the building without knowing where I should go. Masyado nang marami ang nangyari sa araw na 'to. I've had enough. I'll call my aunt later to process my papers. Bukas na bukas, aalis na ako dito. There's no point in staying here and be treated useless. I'll stay in the Underworld for good at hihintayin nalang ang laban namin ni Kiyan. Dadalhin ko si Paxton and I don't care if he has no memories. He is still a familiar. And we belong there.

Dinala ako ng mga paa ko sa park malapit dito. Marami na ang inimprove ng lugar dito. Mas maganda at attractive na compared sa huli ko itong nakita.



I hear screams.

Blood.

Dead.

People.

"I'll kill them. Every single one of them."

"Shea, sana mapatawad mo ako. Patawad, patawad anak ko."



I immediately gasped for air. Ilang segundo ay parang nakalimutan kong huminga. Right now, w-what was that just now? Why do I see myself as a child holding a knife? Why are those people dead? And who is that woman? Why is she crying? She doesn't look like mom.

Nanghina ang tuhod ko. Umupo ako sa bench malapit sa kinatatayuan ko. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko at ang bigat ng paghinga ko. Was I dreaming?

"Shea."

Tumingala ako para tignan ang tumawag sa 'kin only to meet his pair of blue eyes.

"What are you doing here Ice?" tanong ko.

"I was just checking if you're okay. Nag-iisa ka kasi."

"I'm always alone. You should have known that."

"Right. Sorry hehe." napakamot sya sa batok nya. He let out those dimples that probably attracted tons of girls.

"May ipapakita ako sa 'yo." sabi nya. Tumingin ako sa kanya.

Tumayo sya at inaya akong sundan sya. Although I'm not really sure of what he is about to do, still I followed him. Mabait naman sila because they were chosen by the King. Well, assuming he is.

Napunta kami sa may bandang likod ng park kung saan wala gaanong nagpupuntang mga tao dahil sa nagtataasang halaman. Nagsimula na akong magduda. He acts strange.

"What are you going to show me Ice?"

Ngumiti sya at may kinuha sa kanyang bulsa. "Here."

Kumunot ang noo ko. It was like a pixie dust shown in a fairy tale. Nakalagay ito sa maliit na container. It was a pile of golden dust and I'm not familiar of it.

Bigla nalang akong nanghina at nanlabo ang paningin ko. I fell to the ground. Parang hinigop lahat ang lakas ko at ni kamay ko ay di ko maigalaw. What just happened?

"Who are you?"

Huh? Who am I? In situation like this, why do you still ask my name?

"I said who are you?!"

Ginamit ko ang natitirang lakas ko para tignan ang pinanggalingan ng boses na 'yun. Stupid. Why are you asking my name? I finally saw that person but he's not facing me. Nakatingin sya kay Ice at tanging likod lang ang nakikita ko.

But base on his voice, I can clearly recognize him before I fainted.

"Kiyan..."

👻👻👻👻