The Moonlight Assassin

Fighting the Urges

Tabby, with a determined look in her eyes, stepped forward, positioning herself between the manananggal and the terrified bus driver. "Miguel, remember who you are!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the silent night. "You're not a monster. You're not Alexander. You're Miguel, and I know you're still in there."

The manananggal paused, its menacing gaze softening as it looked at Tabby. For a moment, it seemed as if Miguel was fighting back, trying to regain control. The bus cabin was filled with a tense silence, everyone holding their breath, waiting for what would happen next.

Suddenly, the manananggal let out a guttural growl, its wings flapping violently. But instead of lunging at the bus driver, it flew out of the bus, disappearing into the night sky. The passengers heaved a sigh of relief, their faces pale from the horrifying ordeal.

Tabby, however, was far from relieved. She knew that the real challenge had just begun. She had to find Miguel, or rather, the manananggal he had become, and help him regain his humanity. As the bus resumed its journey to Sitio San Roque, Tabby couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. But one thing was certain - she was ready to face whatever came their way, for Miguel's sake.

And so, their journey into the unknown continued, under the watchful gaze of the full moon. The road to Sitio San Roque was long and fraught with danger, but Tabby was determined to save Miguel, no matter what it took. The story of Miguel and Tabby was far from over; it was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

As the trip continued, the bus cabin was then filled with a nauseating stench, the smell of raw flesh and blood emanating from the lower half of the manananggal. The passengers recoiled in disgust, their faces contorted in horror.

"Miss, this is unacceptable!" one of the passengers exclaimed, covering his nose with a handkerchief. "We can't travel with that... that thing in here!"

Tabby, clutching the plastic bag covering Miguel's lower half, turned to face the passengers. Her eyes were filled with determination, her voice steady despite the chaos. "I understand your concerns," she began, "but please understand that Miguel is not a monster by choice. He's a victim of a curse, a curse that we're on our way to break."

The passengers exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion. "But why bring him on a public bus?" another passenger asked, her voice trembling. "Couldn't you have found another way?"

Tabby sighed, her gaze falling on Miguel's lower half. "We didn't have a choice," she replied. "We needed to get to Sitio San Roque as soon as possible, and this was the only way. I assure you, we're doing everything we can to control the situation."

The passengers fell silent, their eyes still filled with fear but also a hint of understanding. Tabby knew it wouldn't be easy to convince them, but she also knew she had to try. For Miguel's sake, and for the sake of all those who were cursed like him.

As the bus continued its journey, Tabby couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Despite the fear and uncertainty, she believed in Miguel, in their love, and in their shared determination to overcome the curse. And with that belief, she knew they could face whatever lay ahead. The road to Sitio San Roque was long and fraught with danger, but Tabby was ready to face it all, for Miguel and for their future together.

High above the ground, Miguel, now in his manananggal form, was locked in a fierce internal battle with Alexander, his monstrous alter-ego.

"Miguel, give in to your hunger," Alexander's voice echoed in his mind, a sinister whisper that sent chills down his spine. "You know you want to. It's in your nature."

"No, Alexander," Miguel retorted, his voice filled with determination. "I won't let you control me. I won't become a monster."

Alexander laughed, a sound that was as cold as the night air. "You're already a monster, Miguel. You just don't want to admit it."

Miguel felt a surge of anger. "I'm not like you, Alexander. I won't let my hunger control me. I won't hurt innocent people."

Meanwhile, on the ground, Tabby clutched Miguel's lower half, her heart pounding in her chest. She could only hope that Miguel was winning the battle against Alexander.

Back in the sky, Miguel could feel his control slipping. The hunger was overwhelming, almost unbearable. But he thought of Tabby, of her unwavering faith in him, and he found the strength to resist.

"Alexander, I won't let you win," Miguel declared, his voice echoing through the night. "I will find my lower half. I will regain my humanity. And I will protect the people I care about."

With that, Miguel turned away from the bus and flew off into the night, leaving Alexander's laughter echoing in his mind. The battle was far from over, but Miguel was ready to fight, for his humanity, for Tabby, and for their future together. The journey to Sitio San Roque was just beginning, and Miguel knew that he had to win this battle, no matter what it took.

As the bus pulled into the terminal of Sitio San Roque, Tabby felt a chill run down her spine. The town was eerily quiet, its silence only broken by the occasional hoot of an owl or the rustling of leaves in the wind. The public square, usually bustling with activity, was deserted, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

Tabby disembarked from the bus, clutching the legs of Miguel's lower half. She could feel the eyes of the townsfolk on her, their expressions a mix of fear and disgust. Whispers filled the air as she walked past them, their words a harsh reminder of the burden she carried.

Suddenly, she was stopped by a group of police officers. "Miss, we received reports of a disturbance on the bus," one of them said, his gaze falling on the strange pair of legs in her arms. "We need to ask you some questions."

Apprehensive, Tabby hugged Miguel's lower half in despair not to let go, even if it has been a gut-wrenching affair for her. All of a sudden, the police grabbed the legs of the lower half, trying to separate Tabby from the disgusting thing. She screamed, "No! Stop! This is my boyfriend! I need to find him! Please spare my life! Spare his life! No!!!"

As she let go of Miguel's legs, Tabby could not help but cry. She is then led to the local police station for questioning.