As the morning came, the sun rays coming from the outside pierced through the window and it woke her up. It was a long rest and she realized something that had happened, but she couldn't remember it all. It was a blur. Napabangon kaagad si Stella sa pagkakahiga mula sa kama. Napansin naman niya ang nakatusok sa likod ng kamay niya at dumadaloy ito sa nakasabit na dextrose sa tabi ng kama niya. Ully heard the noise Stella made and woke him up from being dead-asleep on the couch.

Dali-daling dinaluhan ni Ully ang kanyang kaibigan. Natauhan rin siya bigla dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang magiging reaksyon ni Stella pagkagising nito.

"You're awake, Stel. Please, lay down. Baka kung mapaano ka pa," utos nito sa kanyang kaibigan.

But she shook her head, hindi niya alam kung bakit nandito siya sa hospital. "What happened, Ully? Anong ginagawa ko rito?"

"Don't you remember? You were missing last night, Stels. We searched for you. Called your phone but you weren't answering until we found you near the fountain in the centennial park. Now I'm gonna ask you, what happened?" Ully asked.

"I-I don't know..." she stuttered, trying to remember what happened last night. And she looked back at Ully with clueless reaction. "I don't have any idea what happened, Ully. Biglang nag-blanko ang utak ko. Would you care to explain to me?"

Ully nodded. "Sure... but please lay back down. So you could rest further. Hindi pa natin sigurado kung maayos na ang kondisyon mo."

He started to explain everything to Stella but somehow she couldn't recall all of it except for the fact that she's going straight to the bathroom. Naiihi na siya at kailangan niyang magbanyo para hindi na ma-interrupt pa ang interview niya kay Chieftain Sanguine and then everything after that washed out of her mind.

"How did I end up in the fountain?" she asked Ully, kabado.

Ully shrugged off. He doesn't have the answer to her question. Kung alam niya lang ay kanina niya pa sinagot ang dalaga. Wala siyang idea kung anong nangyari kay Stella that time. But he feels like something put Stella in the park. He might not be sure about it pero naniniwala siyang lahat ng mga bagay na walang kasagutan ay lumilitaw sa tamang panahon.

Natigil ang dalawa sa pag-uusap nang pumasok ang nurse to check Stella's condition. Kasunod ng nurse ay ang pagdating ni Chieftain Clements. Umayos naman nang pagkakaupo si Ully at hinarap ang lider. He asked about Stella's condition and the nurse told them that she's finally okay and that she can leave the hospital now.

When the nurse left, Chieftain Clements talked to both of them in a serious matter. Hindi niya ito mapapalagpas. It's not normal for these events to occur. There could be yearly victims but this is a different issue. May mga security din na nakabantay sa labas ng room para masigurado lamang ang kaligtasan nila—ni Chieftain Clements.

"I want the both of you listen to me," Chieftain Clements demanded, Stella and Ully put their attention to him. "When you finally checked out of the hospital, packed your things, and get out of my town. Leave as soon as you can. I'm not talking just because what happened to you could erupt as a controversy, but a normal citizen living in the town. If you stayed, this won't be good for both of you me, to me, and to the town."

"What are you talking about, sir?" Ully questioned, creasing his forehead.

"Yeah. Why can't we stay? Hindi naman kami naparito para gumawa ng gulo. In fact, look what happened to me. We're journalists. We seek stories and if this town has a crazy story to tell, then we'll stay," paninindigan ni Stella.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Chieftain Clements uttered, his tone came in horror. "If the both of you would stay for a few days, at gaya nga ng sabi mo, look what happened to you. So it's better for both of you to leave. I hope that made sense. It would help to maintain peace in my town."

"Wait, Chieftain, wait." Stella said, confusion sets on her. Her hands washed her face, trying to understand what's going on. "It doesn't make any sense, sir. We're here because we want to see the town and you just can't make us leave because I ended up in this situation. We're also journalists, we can lie."

"I agree," Ully nodded.

"And what about the interview? Will we be able to get that?" tanong ni Stella.

Chieftain Clements sighed and shook his head. "About the interview, I'm sorry but I won't entertain it. After what happened, I guess it's safe for all of us to not get close with each other again."

Natatanga sina Stella at Ully sa sinasabi ng chieftain. They wanted to follow his order pero dahil may subject na sila to achieve their goal ay hindi na nila aatrasan ang bagay na 'yo. If this job also means dying, gagawin nila 'yon. Stella believed that the chieftain was hiding something na ayaw nitong banggitin. Or he's just afraid to speak about it.

"I'll tell you this again, leave my town and don't wait until I called my people and forced you out of my town. Just don't let that happen. See you never, Mr. Harwell and Miss Escott."

When he left the room, mas namuo ang mga tanong sa isip ng dalawa. Sobra-sobrang pagtataka nila dahil biglang nagbago ang pakikitungo ng chieftain sa kanilang dalawa. Sila na nga itong nalagay sa alanganin, sila pa itong binantaan. At sa isip-isip naman ni Ully ay pilit niyang ipinagtutugma ang mga nangyari kagabi.

"We're not leaving Freymount, yet," determinadong tugon ni Stella.

Nilingon siya ni Ully. "And what should we do with the chieftain's order?"

Napangisi naman si Stella sa kanya. "Are you afraid of him, Ully? You shouldn't be. Kung natatakot ka sa kanya, maybe you shouldn't be here in the first place. We came here with one goal at hindi tayo aalis ng hindi natin nakukuha 'yon. We must always carry the courage and if it persists, break the rules. Susukuan mo na lang ba 'to, Ully? I was the one who ended up in a crazy situation but please, we're a team. We don't back out. Naiintindihan mo ba ako?"

Tinapik ni Stella ang pisngi ni Ully saka ito tumango.

"I know what you're trying to say but if he wanted us to leave, there could be some secrets he doesn't want to be exposed and I'm trying to lean on some possibilities that there are big chances na meron nga." 

Muli namang napangisi si Stella. "Meron 'yan. That's why we're here, Ully. To expose them. With his actions, alam na kaagad na may tinatago siya sa atin. He even threatened us so it's a hundred percent sure na may tinatago siya. Or maybe, just a hunch, he could be the one who started all of this mess. So, our goal is to find that out—everything this town has."

Ully nodded. "Our big break."

"Nasapol mo, Ully!" Stella said. "And once we get what we wanted, we can leave the town. Hindi pa nga lang sa ngayon kahit pinapaalis na tayo. But do you think may kinalaman siya sa nangyari sa akin kagabi? I couldn't remember a thing if that's what you're trying to say. Gusto kong malaman kung anong nangyari sa akin. Are you up for it, Ully?"

"Of course!" Ully gallantly responded. "What happened was a lot for me to take in pero hindi naman ako nalilihis sa mismong goal natin. So, yeah, we'll stay in Freymount hanggang makuha natin ang mga kasagutan."

"That's the attitude, Ully! That's why we're perfect to do this project. You'll see that you're more than just a person who holds his camera" Stella said. "But I think, for now, I need to get some rest..."

Muli namang bumalik si Stella sa pagpapahinga niya habang inayos naman ni Ully ang mga gamit ng kaibigan niya. When he's fixing her things, he found out something on the pocker of her backpack. Kinuha naman niya iyon at mariing tiningnan ang bagay na nakuha niya sa bag ng kaibigan. It is a kind of herb or a purple flower he wasn't familiar to. Ipapakita niya sana ito sa kanyang kaibigan pero mahimbing na ang pagpapahinga nito. Inilagay na lamang niya ito sa kanyang bulsa, hindi dahil puno ng kuryusidad ay naakit siya ng mga ito.

Past six in the evening when Stella woke up from her rest. Napansin naman nitong wala ang kanyang kaibigan sa couch kaya kinuha niya ang phone sa kanyang backpack para tawagan ito. She checked him inside the bathroom but he's not there. When she tried to contact him, may tumunog namang phone sa kanyang kwarto, and that only means, he left his phone. Stella grunted and rolled her eyes as if, Ully was nowhere to be found. 

She hastily removed the dextrose from her hand and landed her feet on the cold floor. Binalewala ni Stella ang lamig ng sahig at tuluyan naman siyang naglakad palabas ng kanyang kwarto. Dahan-dahan niyang binuksan ang pinto, sa kakaunting uwang ay sinilip ni Stella kung may tao ba sa labas ng kanyang kwarto kaya nang wala siyang nakita ay tuluyan niya iyong binuksan. Tiningnan niya ang magkabilang hallway kung saan sobrang tahimik at dilim ng paligid. Nagtindigan ang balahibo niya sa katawan. Hindi niya alam kung bakit bigla niyang naramdaman 'yon.

"Ully!" she tried to call him through the hallways pero echo na lamang ng boses niya ang nangingibabaw.  She walked out of her room just to look for him even though she can wait for him. But she thought something bad could've happened as well.

She knew how stupid to wander around the hallways of the hospital. It's quiet and creepy. She turned to the right hall and shouted for Ully's name and still, no one answered her. She roamed around the hallway at kapag may makikitang nurse ay bigla-bigla na lamang ito napapatago. She doesn't wanna be found.

"Hay, naku, Ully!" she grunted.

Nang mapadaan naman si Stella sa isang vending machine, she craved for the assorted chocolates. Wala naman siyang dalang pera para makakuha ng pagkain doon ay kaya sinbukan niyang katukin ang salamin baka sakaling mahulog ang chocolate. But she took a deep sighed when her efforts didn't do any change.

"I think I can help." Someone behind her spoke. She was about to turn to see her.

"Oh, gosh, thank you—" but before Stella could see the person who wanted to help her. She lost her consciousness when the girl suffocated her using a cloth. And for a second, they were gone in a blur, and just like that, it looked like nothing happened.

Mayamaya lang din ay dumaan si Ully sa hallway kung nasaan ang vending machine. He scratched his head and thought he heard Stella's voice from that hallway. Naagaw din naman ng laman ng vending machine ang kanyang atensyon kaya naman naglabas siya ng barya para bumili ng chocolates para sa kaibigan.

Nang makuha ni Ully ang chocolates doon ay bumalik naman siya sa kwarto ng kaibigan. He just came from the billing desk, hindi na niya nahintay pang magising si Stella at inasikaso na lamang niya ito. When he's about to reach Stella's room, he noticed that the door was slightly opened.

Nagmadali naman kaagad itong puntahan ang kwarto at sa kanyang inaasahan, wala nga doon ang kanyang kaibigan. He immediately page some nurses and guards to find Stella. Mabilis din naman ang tugon sa kanya at hinanap ang nawawala niyang kaibigan.

Not again, Stels. He thought inside his head.

Sumama naman si Ully sa paghahanap sa kanyang kaibigan. He iwsn't sure what was happening. Ang basta lamang na tumatakbo sa kanyang isipan ay ang mahanap ang kanyang kaibigan at masigurong ligtas ito. From the first time na nangyari iyon kagabi, hindi niya inaasahan na mangyayari pala ulit.

Kung saan-saang parte na ng hospital hinanap ni Ully ang kaibigan pero hindi pa rin niya ito nakikita. The guards roam around outside the building baka sakaling makita nila doon si Stella. Even the chieftain heard about the situation. Mabilis na inalam ni Chieftain Clements kung anong nangyari at ang agad niyang pinagpa-utos ay ang makita ang CCTV. When he watched the video, he restricted everyone to get a sight on it. Even Ully who just wanted to find his friend.

Mas lalong namuo sa utak ni Ully ang kung ano mang itinatago sa kanila ni Chieftain Clements. Chieftain Clements was angry about the same situation that occurred today. Gustong-gusto na niyang paalisin sa kanyang lugar ang dalawa dahil mas gumagawa ng ingay ang mga ito at hindi niya iyon nagugustuhan. He wanted to maintain peace and prosperity but having these two individuals in his town, it wouldn't be the same.

Until Ully decided to search alone for his friend. Until someone ambushed him.

Sa bilis ng pangyayari, narating na lamang nila ang staff room at hindi maipaliwanag ni Ully kung anong nangyari. Hindi rin niya maalis ang gulat sa taong hawak siya ngayon sa leeg. This hooded person filled with anger. Ully couldn't see his face clearly.

"Put me down! You're choking me!" Ully tried his best to shout. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"You stole one thing that could protect your friend," his deep voice scared him—a lot.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" he stuttered, he was inches above the ground, just keeping up by hanging him. And his face is turning into a different color.

"It could protect her. You're so stupid," he hissed.

"What the fuck is it?! I don't know what you're talking about!"

Mabilis namang kinuha ng lalaki ang herb mula sa bulsa ng pantalon ni Ully. Ininda naman nito ang nararamdaman matapos hawak ang bagay na 'yon. Pinakita ng lalaki iyon sa pagmumukha ni Ully at hindi pa rin niya maintindihan kung anong meron doon. Binitawan niya rin naman si Ully at muling lumapag sa sahig ang kanyang mga paa at hinabol ang kanyang hininga. Hinagis naman niya kay Ully ang maliit na pirasong halaman na 'yon.

"That little thing could protect her and you stole it."

Umiling naman si Ully. At sumagot nang mabawi ang hininga, "I didn't steal it! Hindi ko alam na mahalaga pala ang bagay na iyan... I was just fascinated with it. Ipapakita ko rin sana iyon sa kanya pero nagpapahinga siya kaya itinabi ko muna sa akin."

"But now she's missing, and it's your fault."

I shook my head. "No, it's not..."

The hooded guy smirked. "Yeah, it's your fault. I just want to remind you, kapag hindi mo gamit, don't take it," he ordered and Ully didn't even see him walk away, just like a flash that the person who was harassing him vanished in front of him. Pinulot naman muli ni Ully ang herb at tiningnan kung para saan ang bagay na iyon. Napahugot siya ng malalim na hininga at inisip kung anong kahalagahan ng bagay na nakuha niya.

Saglit lamang ay narinig niya ang ibang guard na nakita na raw nila si Stella. Mabilis namang tumakbo si Ully kung nasaan si Stella ngayon. At laking gulat na lamang niya ay nakabalik na ito sa mismong kwarto niya. Tinanong niya sa mga guard kung paano nangyari, hindi rin daw nila alam kung paano basta lamang ay nakita na lamang nilang nasa kwarto na muli si Stella.

Agad na niyakap ni Ully ang kaibigan niya at tinanong kung anong nangyari sa kanya. And this time her answer was the same, hindi ko alam... bakit ba kayo nag-aalala? At lumipad na lamang sa isipan ni Ully ang nangyari kanina. He slipped down the herb back into his pocket and this time, Ully felt something different. And he can confess that this town wasn't just a normal town. It's more than that.

Does Vampire exist? Hindi ako nagkakamali... this town has its own dark secrets. He thought in his head and many of it was still lingering. They just didn't found it yet... but somehow, secrets never stay as a secret.