When I woke up, it seemed like I was in a very dark place. So dark that even if my eyes were already opened, I couldn't see a thing. Just pure darkness.
It was frightening. I feel like my life became a horror movie dahil ilang beses ko nang nagamit ang salitang 'yon. Ilang beses ko nang naramdaman ang emosyong 'yon.
Especially right now. It was completely back to where I was right now. I feel like I've been here before. Naramdaman ko na rin ang ganitong pakiramdam. Hindi ko lang maalala.
Ah... I hate this. I hate this feeling. I hate being alone in a place like this.
I sat down in the middle of the darkness. I bent my knees and hugged them close to my chest before I leaned my forehead on them.
I don't want to be here. Ayoko rito. Madilim. Nakakatakot. Wala akong makita.
Am I dreaming? Where is everyone? Where is everything? Where is my Kuya?
"Gray..."
Nag-angat ako ng ulo. I saw someone looking over me. Hindi ko s'ya kilala but... I feel like I know him. I feel like I should know him. Pakiramdam ko ay matagal ko na s'yang kilala.
"W-who... Who are you?" I asked, still staring at him.
He smiled at me. It was comforting. Bigla ay nabawasan ang takot na nararamdam ko kahit meron pa ring natira. I was still in this dark place. But at least I have company now.
The man sat down beside me. Ginaya n'ya ang pagkakaupo ko bago tumingin sa 'kin.
"I'm Gadriel."
I knew that he could see the surprised look on my face. I was really surprised. I thought he was my alter? Only living inside my head? Bakit ngayon ay nandito s'ya sa harap ko?
Hindi mapantayang kaba ang biglang bumundol sa dibdib ko. I was so fucking scared and worried this time.
Don't tell me... I had became an alter too?
"Anong..." Hindi ko malaman kung ano'ng sasabihin ko. "Ano'ng nangyayari?"
Gadriel stared at me.
"Hindi mo ba naalala ang nangyari sa 'yo?"
Ang nangyari sa 'kin? Ano nga bang nangyari sa 'kin? How did I end up in this dark place?
I tried to remember what happened. Ang alam ko, we were about to do a mission. Kuya finally managed to find the one who killed our parents. And we were going to infiltrate the location. Kasama ako sa mga pupunta sa lokasyon na 'yon.
Then... What happened after that? What happened after we got into the place?
I closed my eyes, trying to remember what happened. Hindi ko na maalala. Kahit anong isip ang gawin ko ay hindi ko maalala.
"I can't remember," I said as I opened my eyes.
Napatango-tango si Gadriel.
"It's probably because of Shielder. He was in co-con with you at that time. He thought that memory might trigger your trauma."
I understand... Na-explain sa 'kin ng psychiatrist 'to. That alters were helping with my trauma, the reason why I had this condition. They protect me and would be in charge in case they feel and know that it would be dangerous for me.
My eyes widened when I realized something.
"Zeno?"
He's the persecutor. I know he often switched out when he felt that it was dangerous for me to do something. Like what happened in the bar.
