Discovering Summerland

Chapter 18

Bloodline
Jerastus 13, 2196
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GEORGIA
Georgia Kaye Alas

Nakatakas ako mula sa mga kawal. Nagsimulang lumakas ang kabog ng pusa ko sa bawat segundong nanatiling tahimik ang paligid. I never thought I'd fear being around the execution tower. But then, I guess this reminds me of a near-death experience.

Now, now. Where will I find them? Pamilyar na ako rito, ngunit nag-aalala ako kung saan sila naparating. Hindi naman nila alam ang mga lugar dito, at hindi ko rin naman naisip na bigyan sila ng mapa- ah, hindi nga pala nila alam na isa akong soulless.

I sighed in frustration and worry. Inuna ko munang makalayo sa execution tower, at naglakad patungo sa marketplace. Pero makakarating lang ako sa bukana no'n. Hindi ko na kakayanin pang maglakad nang higit sa isang oras.

While on my way, I felt a strange sensation, as I was not used to the cold chill I got accustomed to all my life before Summer.

It worried me that I had to doubt my identity... or is it possible that Fall has really gotten colder over the time I was not here? Then, I realized, after two months, I'm already back in my homeland.

I'm not recognized here. I can live my life again, and without discrimination after adapting a new identity and name. Lucianna Sariel.

But then, heaven knows my conscience wouldn't let that happen. Aeryn's life is at stake, so I need to help her.

"So you're back. I assume, you're Georgia," ani ng isang lalaki na kaagad kong nakilala ang boses. My head turned to him sharply, and there, I saw the man who had framed me.

Haden Zorell.

His then long dark hair was cut short, but hell, I could cut it shorter for him- pulling every hair of his until he becomes bald.

"You're going to kill me," he implied.

Hindi ko naman siya sinagot at tiningnan lang siya nang masama. Hah, the phantom or whoever it is must have notified him that we're planning to go here.

"So Summer hasn't changed you. Still the same as before. Reserved, quiet, but... deadly," dagdag niya at napailing nang ilang beses. "You wouldn't be able to seduce the crown prince like that."

The wooshing sound of the dagger whirling around my hand calmed me down, but one more word from the shadow, I might have him strangled by this. He seemed to have caught the cue, so he shut up and beckoned his head sideward- opposite to the direction to the marketplace's life.

I particularly had not entered this side of the place. The black market. Everyone was aware of its existence, but even the knights didn't dare meddle. It's better than letting monsters run free. I had remembered people pushing me here, saying I can live without discriminations here- because everyone else was alike to me.

But as I look around here, I could immediately tell that I would not have survived. Mabilis kong tinago ang dagger bago pa makaagaw ng atensyon.

I wasn't sure what I expected to see. There was something strange in the lack of activity here. Though I enjoyed solititude, the atmosphere here is suffocating.

"What name are you using again?" Tanong ni Haden nang pabulong. "Malamang ay hindi mo magagamit ang pangalan mo, 'di ba?"

I nodded and answered through telepathy. "Lucianna Sariel."

"Hm. Nice name, but how many vowels is that? Five? You can use it as a full name, but at least shorten it for a nickname," aniya nang pabulong at natatawa pa.