THERE was a 38-years woman who was running through the forest named Angie with 16 years old daughter Stefani. They were already running for five minutes and Stefani was already curious.
“Mom, where are we going?” Stefani asked her mother but Angie didn't answer her. Angie just keeps on dragging her until they stop.
“Stefani, listen. Whatever may happen to us tonight, don't you ever listen to the sound of the coucal birds for they bring accident and sickness to you. Once you've heard their sound, cover your ears and don't mind them, just say ‘may the bad things go way,” Angie said firmly.
“Why are they attacking us, Mom?” Stefani asked.
“I’ll tell you later ‘cause it's a long story,” Angie replied to her daughter.
“Where do we go now?”
“I don't know. But we have to keep going. We need to look for food and shelter.” Angie replied and turn her gaze around to look around to find a path that might lead them to the exit of the forest.
“This way!” Angie exclaimed while pointing at the right side of the forest then she dragged Stefani again.
As soon as they found a small house, they immediately entered and Angie heaved a deep sigh.
“What’s wrong, Mom?” Stefani asked her mother.
“Oh, nothing. It's just that I'm happy that we're safe now.” Angie replied and smiled at her daughter.
They roam their gaze inside the house. Angie felt contented with everything. Aside from that, she was still anxious and at the same time scared of what might happen to them next if those birds will again make a sound. She immediately erased those thoughts and decided to close all the windows, making sure that no one can peek at them after that they cleaned the entire house and then cook something for dinner. After they finished their supper, they sat beside the fireplace and talk for a while.
“Mom, I still don't get it. How did all of these happen? I mean, San Lazaro was just once a quiet and calm place until this incident happened. How did these coucal birds suddenly appear?” Stefani blurted out.
“Listen carefully for I will tell you the story.” Stefani listens carefully to what her mother will tell.
January 02, 2020...
The day before the tragedy of San Lazaro happened, everyone in the village was still celebrating the new year with their friends and relatives. San Lazaro was known to be an ideal place in which everything seems perfect; the environment, the place, and also the people. Many tourists from other countries visited San Lazaro every year and they were all welcome. Other tourists were taking photo opts everywhere, especially the eye-catching home of the coucal birds located at the peak of Mt. Nash. Many travelers and hikers climbed the said mountain just to watch the coucal birds’ home. It was beautifully carved and designed by the ancestors from ancient times with the huge statue of the coucal bird placed beside their home. Some tourists wondered why they can't see the actual bird. So, the barangay officials of San Lazaro put a notice made with glass and then place it below the coucal birds’ home. This is what the notice said:
‘ The Coucal Birds Home also called The Dangerous Coucal was named by the ancestors of San Lazaro a long time ago. They imprisoned the coucal birds because they believe that these kinds of birds are dangerous for they bring bad luck and tragedy to anyone who hears their sound. Based on our research, this kind of bird is rare but no one can explain its identity. To avoid this situation, everyone is forbidden to ruin their home. ’
Some tourists who read this felt goosebumps and chills. But others just laugh. On the other side, a man keeps staring at the coucal birds' home and lets out a devilish smile. Angie caught the man staring intently at the coucal birds’ home. The man was started for a while until he suddenly vanished. She was curious about his action but after a while, she decided to forget that encounter.
It was already six o’clock in the evening and some tourists decided to go home. Angie was about to leave the place with her daughter, but suddenly she felt the lost her phone. Angie told her daughter to wait for her. Stefani nodded and Angie go back to the coucal birds' home.
As she was searching for her phone, Angie suddenly heard footsteps from behind. She immediately hides in the trees and observed what was happening.
She saw a man wearing a cloak with an axe in his left hand, approaching the bird home. She was even more shocked when the man removed the hood of his cloak, revealing his face then she remembered it was the man she caught staring at the bird's home. He let out an evil laugh and destroy the coucal birds' home until it was truly ruined. Suddenly, the sound of the coucal birds echoed on every corner of San Lazaro and the birds escaped from their home.
The man was really scared that he decided to run away and left his axe. Angie decided to leave the place and fetch Stefani so that they could run away. The people panicked after they heard the sound of the coucal birds. The tragedy began.
Vehicles started crashing into one another, some houses are burned with fire, some children got sick, others attempt suicide, some stabbed and shot their enemies and the stars from the sky vanished, replacing the thunders roar that echoed throughout San Lazaro and the whole place was filled with blood and tears.
In the end, no one survived, except Angie and her daughter.
AFTER Stefani heard the whole story, she realized what had happened.
“I know you're already tired. You go first to your bed, I'll follow you later.” Angie said.
“Okay, Mom. Goodnight!” Then Stefani kisses her mother’s cheeks.
They were about to stand up but, suddenly the sound of the coucal birds echoed and there was a knock on the door.
End.
