FUBU

sesenta y nueve

It felt strange but she had this feeling that she is being watched.

After her strange encounter with Elias' mother, she fell into deep slumber. Now she's waking up to the sudden chill and feeling of someone staring at her while she's sleeping.

As she slowly opened her eyes, a shiver ran down her spine as the room's dim light revealed an eerie stillness. The air felt charged with an inexplicable tension. She scanned the room, searching for any signs of movement or the source of her uneasy feeling.

The soft glow from the moonlight seeping through the curtains illuminated the room in an ethereal manner. Shadows danced on the walls, creating a mysterious atmosphere. With her senses heightened, she strained to listen for any unusual sounds or footsteps.

Suddenly, a creaking noise echoed in the room, making her heart skip a beat. Her gaze darted towards the source of the sound. There, in the corner, she noticed a figure, partially obscured by the darkness. The silhouette seemed to blend with the shadows, making it difficult to discern any details.

"I see you've met my Mother." his stone cold voice made her stay still in the bed. His face is covered by the shadow that filled half of the room, but she knows, it's him, Elias. 

"It was an honor." she says with a bit of sarcasm.

"I have always questioned things that my mother has done in the past. Just like any son or daughter would. But growing up, I now understand why she did the things that she did. So much as why I understand the things that I am doing right now."

"Where are the twins?"

He chuckled softly. 

"Didn't you know what happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"They're gone Sari. I told you that every choices you make will determine the faith of those two."

Bigla ay nagimbal siya sa tinuran nito. 

"Please.. I need to know what happened to them."

"They are dead Sari. Not even my assistant could help you. And because of the choice you made, you will forever feel guilty."

"No. Sabihin mo hindi totoo 'yan."

"I am telling the truth. Their bodies are now buried behind the cabin. Unfortunately, you made the wrong choice."

"No." napuno na ng luha ang mga mata niya. It wasn't enough that one innocent woman is dead because of her, now, even her sister's kids are one. All because she chose to side with someone she wasn't supposed to. "Please. Please tell me that is not true."

"I don't lie Sari. I won't get anything with lying."

"Then why am I still here?" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Just kill me too." her desperation obvious in her voice. 

Is this how parents feel when they lose their children?

It's a different kind of agony, something that's more hurtful than losing a parent. 

He stepped closer to her.

"You are here because I chose for you to live. I have always been a fan of desperation especially in people. Now, you are someone who's too desperate to die. And I like that kind of desperation the most. You have no clue what kind of fun I have in store for you."

He walked out of her room silently, as she was left there to sob.

The news of the twins brought more than just desperation to her.

"Shane, I'm so sorry. I am so, so sorry. You didn't even get to hold them. They didn't even get to live their full lives. I'm sorry."

She has shed too many tears in her life and yet these were the tears that would keep her awake for a long time.