#DDMS29
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FEUILLE
Five years ago
"MY SWEET little sister . . . "
"While you're under my hypnosis, I want you to do everything I say, and answer everything I ask. Say yes if you understand."
"Yes."
"Tell me . . . What's your name?"
"Folie Gustavo."
"Fol—? Ah, so alam mo na pala . . . Sino ang nagsabi sa 'yo?"
" Si . . . Xildius."
"Oh, that fucking professor? Hahaha."
"Hmm . . . Sa tingin ko, maganda ngang ideya kung bumalik at manirahan ka muna sa kanila."
"Para 'pag nagkita tayo ulit, you can spill to me all the professor's plans—tutal ay kayang-kaya ulit kitang kontrolin. Hahaha. Am I right, sweet sister?"
"You're right, kuya."
"Good. Now, when I say the words 'wake up . . .' You're gonna forget that we met here."
"You're gonna forget that you are Folie, and you'll go back to believing that you are Feuille Guivellnova. Say yes if you'll follow my orders."
"Yes."
"The first thing you'll do is return to Villa Vouganville, just like your original plan."
"Maaalala mong naninirahan ka ngayon doon kasama ang propesor, pero hindi mo na maaalala ang mga detalye . . . ang mga bagay na importante sa 'yo sa bahay na iyon."
"Hindi ko na maaalala ang mga detalye . . . at mga bagay na importante sa 'kin sa bahay na iyon."
"And when you open your eyes, you won't notice us leaving this place. You will give us five minutes, just enough time to leave, before you go back to your senses. Understood?"
"Yes, brother."
"Good. Now . . . Wake up."
***
PAGDILAT ay natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili ko sa kalagitnaan ng isang kagubatan. Sa harapan ko ay isang napakalaking mansyon.
Villa Vouganville.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero tila ba kakaiba ang aking pakiramdam.
Looking at this huge vintage mansion in front of me . . . feels nostalgic, and yet—empty.
Shit. I'm feeling a little light-headed, para bang may kulang. Like something has been taken from me. But I can't seem to figure out what it is. Cell phone? Pera?
Hindi. Tila ba bagay na mas mahalaga nang hindi hamak. Ngunit hindi ko ito matukoy.
Breathing deeply, I tried to recall what happened.
Lumayas ako mula sa mga Guivellnova. Tinulungan ako ni Flume na makatakas, pero ito rin ang dahilan kaya nila siya pinatay.
Flumerys . . . She died for my sake, for my safety. I need to create a grave so I could honor her death. But soon, when it's safer.
BINABASA MO ANG
Danger, Danger, Mr. Stranger
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