The Moonlight Assassin

Facing the Truth

Miguel had packed up his clothes as he prepared for his trip to Sitio San Roque. While settling down, Alexander appeared and spoke through his conscience.

"See, my brother? Being a manananggal is no laughing matter," said Alexander, "You have to bear the intense cravings for flesh and blood. You have to endure the constant pain in your skinny little midsection. But then, you have to appreciate the immense power that is in you: your strong muscular arms, your powerful fangs, your deadly claws, and your agile wings! Yes, my brother! You must accept the fact that we belong to one body!"

Miguel shouted at Alexander's face: "NO! NEVER! You are NOT my brother, and you are NEVER part of me! I am NOT a manananggal ! I am NOT a monster! And especially, I am NOT YOU, ALEXANDER DEL FIERRO!"

Alexander was not fazed, and rather consoled Miguel, "Miguel, calm down. This is just the beginning. Remember, your girlfriend Tabitha still doesn't know that you are really me, the one and only Prince of the Manananggal, and the Moonlight Assassin, Alexander del Fierro. The man, or rather, monster, who has slaughtered hundreds of lives. You're lucky, though, we are not yet caught by any law enforcer, not even your faith healer family."

Upon hearing Tabitha's name, Miguel became furious, "DON'T PUT MY GIRL TABBY INTO THIS!", he shouted, "Tabby is the reason I still live. She is the reason why loving people has been a part of my life. She is why I cannot afford to lose her and the people around her!"

"Well then," Alexander replied, "how did she view you as a monster?"

Miguel then remembered how he encountered Tabby while he was in his manananggal form.

"Well, have you seen how she looked after me after I fought the men who tried to kidnap her last night?", Miguel told Alexander, "She took me away to a street corner, caressed my body, and even sang me a lullaby. A normal woman would fear such a hideous and disgusting monster like me! But she did not! I felt a sense of love from her!"

"That's interesting, my brother," said Alexander, "but how will she feel when she sees you transform in real-time?"

Miguel paused at that moment. As he did not reply, Alexander ignored him and vanished away.

Miguel then turned towards the calendar on the wall. That night was a full moon, and it threatened him as he would go with Tabitha together in San Roque.

Meanwhile, at Unit 2120 of Orange Fields, Tabby had also packed her clothes for the trip. Mommy Miriam became concerned about her daughter.

"My daughter, how long will you be there in Sitio San Roque?", asked Miriam, "I am very concerned about you and Miguel. You know how Miguel might turn out, for tonight's a full moon."

"I got this, Mom," replied Tabby, "All this time, I already knew who Miguel is, yet I still can't tell him that I know this fact. I love so much that I don't want him to become that monster forever." While telling this, Tabby broke into tears.

"Mom, I love Miguel so much," she sobbed. "I love him even if he becomes a manananggal for good. But I just want to protect him, just as he protected me. I owe my life to my babe."

"There, there, Tabby, it's alright." assured Mommy Miriam, "I am sure that your boyfriend is in good hands, and those hands are yours. Bart, Liza, your Daddy and I will be praying for both of you. So go there and keep fighting for the truth!"

"Thank you, Mom. I love you," replied Tabby, hugging her mother tightly.

Miguel rode a taxi to the Orange Fields condo, ready to fetch Tabby for the trip. As he arrived at their condo unit, Daddy Elijah greeted him by the door.