Shadow Trails (ONC 2021)

Part Three

Manang Sarah led to them to the woods at the back of the orphanage. Being in the outskirts of the town, the surroundings were more mountainous with the forest thickening further in. It's been a year since Sassa had paid a visit to the orphanage but everything seemed to be as she last remembered it. There was a certain timelessness to this part of town that seemed to envelope not only the compound and the woods behind it, but also its inhabitants. Mamay seemed to be stuck in time, eternally preserved. While Manang Sarah looks like a typical grandmother. That is if the typical grandmother dressed in full black in summer and took strolls deep in the woods with not even a flashlight to guide her way.

As if to emphasize that they were out if place, Manang Sarah said, "You two have grown." She spoke to Sassa without looking back at her, "You've lost weight. They don't feed children enough these days?"

"You don't have to worry about that. She eats like a – oof" Yano grunts as he received a blow to his side from Sassa.

"I've just been training more" Sassa answers, ignoring a glare from Yano.

Manang Sarah didn't seem to notice anything. "I can see that. You've grown stronger" Manang Sarah confirmed. Sassa felt a slight flush of pride at her words.

"And you boy, have gotten taller." Manang Sarah said, "But you're lacking in power. I hear all children do now is sit and stare at computers. You need to go out more" Yano could make no reply becauseManang Sarah was on point. He has been devoting more of his time on his inventions.

"Have you by any chance seen that sensor I made?" Yano asked, "It should have passed through here."

"You mean that red-eyed fly?" Manang Sarah said.

Sassa laughed as Yano made a face at his precious statue being likened to a bug,

Just then, they reached a clearing in the woods. A clear voice greeted them.

"About time someone showed up" it was Manang Popi. She wore a similar attire to Manang Sarah but her face was covered by a veil. Sassa and Yano had never seen what she looked like underneath.

"Did something happen?" Yano asked.

Instead of a reply, Manang Popi stepped aside as if to present the answer. Lying at the foot of a tree was a baby, bundled up in a blue blanket. In one hand it held a rattle while the other clutched at something that looked furry. The baby looked up at them and hiccupped.

"What is a baby doing out in the woods?" Yano asked.

Sassa thought there was something off about it. Despite being in an unknown environment, surrounded by strangers, the baby did not cry. In fact, it seemed quite at home, nibbling on the furry creature while shaking its rattle. Sassa concluded that it could not be an ordinary baby.

"It's a Tiyanak, Yano"

"Ah I knew the girls are always the more quick-witted of the bunch" Manang Popi had her hands clasped before her, looking like a teacher that was watching a good student at work. .

"I'm guessing it didn't like the crib?" Sassa asked.

Manang Popi nodded, "Being cooped up is not in its nature. It likes the outdoors, the fresh air, the feel of the grass..."

"And luring unsuspecting victims to become their nourishment" Yano muttered.

"Exactly" Manang Popi saind in a tone akin to fondness as she nodded, her veil swishing about her face. "Okay, but why is a Tiyanak here in the first place?" Yano asked.