Shadow Trails (ONC 2021)

Part Six

The next day, they visited the orphanage. The covenant limits the number of people who can enter the orphanage to two. Since they weren't sure how Manang Sarah would react to a pair of strangers appearing at their doorstep, it was decided that Sassa would go and Yano would stay at home, watching over the others who were reviewing the sensor recordings. Jason volunteered to go with Sassa.

"This is my first time entering an aswang dwelling" Jason said as they got down the car.

"It'll be a different experience from your usual duwende" Sassa said. Jason's family's main charge was the duwende population, tiny creatures that preferred to burrow underground and curse anyone who passes them by without the proper respect.

"This in particular is a special case. We don't usually let the duwende near children, much less run the local orphanage. Having the aswang act as caretakers to children and infants is a pretty weird arrangement, don't you think? Seeing as humans are their food source."

"The covenant itself is weird. But it works. Besides the aswang of the orphanage had long stopped feeding. They are basically immortal. Unless they are forced to transform or are heavily injured, they don't need an outside food source as their bodies are self-sustaining."

"I see" Jason said. Sassa watched him reach for his weapon but she stopped him.

"We don't bring weapons inside the compound" Sassa said, "It's considered as an extension of the forest and the covenant declared it as hallowed grounds"

His eyes widened for a second and then he nodded. Unarmed, he now looked a little lost. Sassa led him to the orphanage. This time, Sassa did not have to enter without permission. Manang Sarah answered the door for them.

Her eyes looked at Sassa and then lingered on Jason. "You've come for the child?" Manang Sarah asked.

"Just to see, Manang Sarah" Sassa said, "Nothing else"

Manang Sarah led them into the living room. It was dark but there was some light from the windows. Sassa heard Jason's sharp intake of breath when he saw Mamay.

"Mano po, Mamay" Sassa greeted her, subtly directing Jason follow her lead. To his credit, he did. Mamay looked at him long after he finished his greeting, not speaking a word.

"Popi took the child out for bit. They should be returning soon" Manang Sarah said, gesturing for them to take a seat. Before they could do so, they heard the back door open. Together, Sassa and Jason peered down the hall to find a baby crawling in. A shadow fell upon it as Manang Popi filled up the doorway.

"Is that it? The Tiyanak?" Jason asked.

Sassa nodded.

"What has it been feeding on?" Jason asked.

"Rats this morning. The other day a wild boar" Manang Popi said. "It's got quite the appetite". Sassa flinched. That wasn't the most comforting thing to say to the council's representative but Sassa was impressed that Jason kept a straight face.

Finally he spoke, "I never expected it to look so human"

"It is an exceptional thing." Manang Sarah said, almost fondly, "Even by its species standard"

Once more, that was not something Sassa thought was helping their cause. So she tried to ease any worries, "But they kept it in the orphanage or the forest. No human comes here. Manang Popi and Manang Sarah knows how to handle it and they cared for its needs well" Jason seemed to be listening but he remained silent.

The visit was short and soon they were headed back to the car.

"What do you think?" Sassa asked finally.

Jason looked at her, "Again, I never expected them to look so human. Not just the baby but the others too"

Sassa could understand his silence now. It was his first time dealing with creatures that looked more human than not. It was impossible to mistake a duwende for a human, the size difference was too great as a duwende can fit in the palm of her hands, "I thought I could tell them apart at least. But I think I'll have trouble even doing that"

"It just takes practice" Sassa said. "You'll know the signs of what to look out for and if they are friendly or hostile, there are ways to tell. The aswang in this orphanage are particular with respect"

"Mamay" Jason said, "she's the oldest recorded one, right?"

"Yes." Sassa nodded. It made sense Jason knew of her, having read the countless books that recorded her longevity. All who enter the orphanage defer to her first, that's what my parents taught me. I've never seen her leave that spot. She can see the gate and the garden from there, so maybe that's why she likes it there."

"I can see why it would be hard to see them as they are." Jason said. "You treat them as if they're humans."

That rubbed Sassa the wrong way and she turned on him, "What are you saying? You think we can't make the right call because we're bias?"

Jason did not deny it. "I can't tell yet. We'll have to see what the sensor says"

Sassa glared at him and walked the rest of the way to car in silence. She was careless to let her guard down. As she thought, it was best to keep Jason at a distance.