SOUL SNATCHERS

CHAPTER 27

Rose's heartfelt words lingered in the air as she pleaded for forgiveness from Karl. She regretted not giving him the opportunity to explain himself, and tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Julius, who had finally stopped crying, embraced Rose tightly.

"Ate Rose, who is he?" Julius curiously asked, observing Rose's affectionate gesture towards the young man.

Rose paused, looking at her younger brother. She took a deep breath, attempting to gather her thoughts and answer his question about Karl, her romantic partner. Wiping away her tears, she finally responded.

"Julius, he's your Kuya (older brother) Karl, my close friend," Rose replied.

Surprised by the term 'kuya' being used in relation to Karl, Julius quickly interjected, seeking clarification from Rose.

"Why did you refer to him as my kuya?" Julius inquired with eagerness. "He's not our sibling, and I don't even know him," he added.

In response, Rose mustered a smile and said, "No, Julius. I call him your 'kuya' because he's my close friend and he happens to be older than you. Whether or not he is our sibling is not relevant. Since Karl is older than you, it is customary to show respect by addressing him as 'kuya Karl'," Rose patiently explained to her brother.

Understanding dawned on Julius as he processed Rose's explanation. "Oh, I see, Ate Rose," he exclaimed, a sense of comprehension in his voice.

Rose nodded, grateful that her explanation had brought clarity to her younger brother's mind. However, their moment was abruptly interrupted by a sudden chill in the air. Both Rose and Julius felt it simultaneously, causing them to draw closer to one another. As they turned to face the source of the disturbance, a dark figure cloaked in shadows emerged before them. With glowing eyes that pierced through the darkness, it sent shivers down their spines. In an instant, Julius let out a piercing scream as a bony, pale hand extended menacingly towards him from behind.

"Julius!" Rose's loud cry shattered the silence, her hand igniting with a brilliant light as she swiftly grabbed her younger brother. The creature recoiled, repelled by the radiant energy emanating from Rose's hand. With fear gripping them both, Rose tightly held her brother in her arms, providing comfort and reassurance.

"I'm here, Julius. I won't let anything happen to you," Rose consoled him earnestly.

The glow in Rose's hand persisted as she embraced her brother, its brilliance drawing attention to the lurking entities attempting to draw closer. Yet, they were unable to approach the siblings as the radiant light served as a protective barrier.

"Dad! Dad!" Rose called out hoarsely, her plea echoing through the air. However, the encroaching darkness multiplied, and ominous figures continued to hover menacingly around them.

Rose felt a surge of panic as she realized the light in her hand was fading, allowing the dark figures with fiery red eyes to inch closer. The fear for their lives intensified, causing Rose to tighten her grip on Julius while desperately murmuring fervent prayers.

"Oh God, take me if you must, but spare Julius, spare my brother," she silently implored, oblivious to the fact that only moments ago, she was sobbing and trembling with fear.

"Mama! Mama!" Julius cried out, his tear-streaked face buried in his older sister's embrace.

At that moment, the floating beings were slowly approaching. The light emanating from Rose's hand was fading, and there was nothing more it could do to protect them.

Suddenly, a chilling scream echoed, spreading fear among the attacking shadows. Their terror heightened as they witnessed one of their own being forcefully severed in half. As its body split, it seemed to be consumed by a radiant light and vanished swiftly. But how did such an extraordinary event occur?