The Moonlight Assassin

Miguel's Anguish

Miguel couldn't bear the pain as he flew towards his lower half. He had to hurry, or his body would dissolve in the sunshine. As he went on top of his lower half, he slowly lowered his upper body, attempting to reseal the bloody, gory gap in between. As sinews of dangling organs, muscles, and bones begin to reconnect, his body slowly returns to its human form. His claws became hands again. His bat-like wings retracted from behind. His long, unkempt hair returned to its normal clean look. His pale veiny skin turned tan and glowing again. His fangs were reduced to normal teeth. The hideously ugly face returned gentle, handsome, and young once more.

Miguel is back in his normal human form. A moment later, he passed out from fatigue after all the fighting he had to do as a manananggal.

The news of the incident spread quickly among the residents of the condominium, and soon, a crowd gathered outside unit 2120, where Tabby and her family lived. Many of her friends and concerned neighbors flocked to offer their support and assistance.

Tabby, however, was overwhelmed by the flood of text messages she received on her phone. Concerned friends, family, and well-wishers were inquiring about her safety and well-being. As she tried to respond to the messages, she noticed a recurring theme: most people believed she had been kidnapped by the manananggal but miraculously saved.

One message from her closest friend, Lisa, read: "Tabby, I can't believe what I'm hearing. Are you okay? People are saying you were kidnapped, then attacked by a manananggal, and someone saved you. What happened? Call me ASAP!"

Another message from her cousin, Andre, said: "Tabby, I just heard the news. Are you alright? People are saying you encountered a manananggal. We're all worried about you. Please let us know you're safe."

Amid the overwhelming messages and voicemails, Tabby felt a mix of emotions. She was relieved that someone had been able to rescue her and bring her to safety. But she also realized that her secret was at risk. The rumors of her hold-up and manananggal attack and her miraculous escape would surely raise questions and suspicions.

As the texts kept pouring in, Tabby decided to respond with a simple, reassuring message: "I'm safe now, thanks to a friend. I'll explain everything soon. Don't worry too much." This message brought a bit of relief to her friends and family, though the curiosity about the identity of her savior lingered.

Meanwhile, Miguel lay unconscious, exhausted from his transformation and the physical exertion it had required. He was filled with a mixture of emotions as he drifted into a dreamlike state. Memories of his time as a manananggal, the bloodlust, and the relentless urge to feed on human flesh flooded his thoughts. He remembered the moments when he had to restrain himself from harming Tabby.

In this dreamlike state, Miguel replayed the events of that fateful night. He recalled how he had lurked in the shadows, watching Tabby from a distance, and how his monstrous side had yearned for her flesh. He remembered the intense internal struggle and his frantic attempt to protect Tabby from the thieves.

As his dream played out, Miguel realized the opportunity he had missed. In his manananggal form, he had saved Tabby but had been unable to reveal his true identity to her. He had kept himself hidden, and the fear of rejection and disgust had prevented him from reaching out to the woman he loved.

With a profound sense of regret, Miguel awoke from his dream. He realized that he needed to find a way to explain the truth to Tabby, to let her know the full extent of his feelings and the extraordinary circumstances he was entangled in. He vowed to reveal himself to her, no matter how daunting the task might be.

As he regained his strength and composure, Miguel knew that he had to confront the rumors and questions that were now circulating. His transformation into a manananggal had brought his secret closer to the surface, and he needed to find a way to address it without exposing his true identity.

After he had regained consciousness, Miguel slowly made his way to the bathroom. His body was still trembling from the shock of his recent transformation back from a manananggal. He felt a deep sense of fatigue and a profound disconnect between the reality of his human form and the terrifying memories of his monstrous alter ego.

As he stepped into the shower, he let the warm water cascade over him, hoping it would help wash away not only the physical remnants of his transformation but also the traumatic memories that still haunted him. The sound of the water and the soothing warmth brought a momentary sense of comfort, but it was fleeting.

As Miguel began to scrub his body, the vivid and gruesome memories of his manananggal transformation rushed back to him. It was as if they were etched into his mind, tormenting him with every passing moment. He could feel the sensation of his skin tearing, his bones shifting, and his body contorting into a monstrous form. The pain was so real that he crouched down on the bathroom floor, overwhelmed by the anguish of his dual existence.

Tears mixed with the showerwater as Miguel questioned the cruel hand that life had dealt him. He whispered to himself, "Why me? Why do I have to bear this burden? What have I done to deserve this suffering?"

With a trembling hand, he turned off the water and wrapped a towel around himself. Sitting on the bathroom floor, Miguel began to ponder the nature of his affliction. He questioned God, not out of anger but out of a desperate need for understanding. "God," he whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of anguish and longing, "why did you choose me to carry this darkness within? Is there a purpose to my suffering? Can I ever find peace and redemption? PLEASE ANSWER ME!"

The questions hung in the air, unanswered, as Miguel grappled with his emotions and the weight of his extraordinary circumstances. He knew that he had to find a way to navigate the complexities of his existence, to come to terms with his dual nature, and to reveal the truth to the woman he loved. But the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, and the tormenting memories of his manananggal form remained an ever-present reminder of the challenges he faced.