Puppet Town (Cold Case Series 3)

Chapter 12: Her Puppeteer

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I easily get attached to everything— except my childhood home.

My memories of it were distorted. I always imagine its walls painted red, the air in the scent of beer, invisible eyes always watching, and the difficulty breathing in it. Hindi ko na gustong bumalik pa. But here I am, being a silhouette to my mother's moves.

For a moment, I was a bird flying free. And now, I'm a puppet whose movements rely on my master's strings.

Akala ko, pupunta kami sa terminal. Ngunit ilang minuto na ang lumipas at naglalakad pa rin kami. Hanggang sa huminto kami sa tapat ng isang bahay. My Mother opened the gates and motioned me to follow.

"You... live here?" Natanong ko ngunit nakadirekta ito para sa 'king sarili.

"Natatandaan mo pa ang mga kuwento ko sa 'yo no'ng ika'y bata pa?" Tanong niya pabalik.

I nodded, even though my childhood was nothing but a blurry memory.

"Ito ang lugar na 'yon, ang bayan kung saan ako nanirahan bago kita ipinagbuntis. Crazy, isn't it? How I kept on finding you but you're just closer than what I think."

The hope I tried so hard to store has left my system. Simula't sapul pala ay talo na ako.

My Mother read the realization on my face. She hugged me. "Didn't I tell you? We were meant to be together. Forever."

I believed in that, too, since my Mother served as a comrade, a friend during my father's abuse. She was the light I kept on seeking. But meeting Eli made me realize just how dangerous my mother's light is. I lived as a moth drawn to her flame. And it burned my wings.

"What did you do to Nanay Lucy?" I wanted to ask her, but the words just won't roll in my tongue. Natatakot ako kay Mama... at sa ano mang magiging sagot niya.

Nang makapasok kami, hinanap agad ng mata ko si Nanay Lucy. I expected her to be in a cage or something. But the house was eerily silent. I can't even hear the noises outside. It was like I'm in a new world trapped with a monster I desperately tried to hide from.

"Finally, we've reunited my Lovelace. Wala kang ideya sa takot na naramdaman ko habang hinahanap kita. Bawat araw na lumilipas napapaisip ako, baka ano nang nangyari sa 'yo." She played with my hair. Her breath touched my nape like a serpent.

My body moved on its own. Lumayo ako sa kaniya ngunit agad din itong pinagsisihan. What have I done? Baka kung anon ang isipin niya. Agad din akong bumalik sa puwesto at mariing napapikit, hinihintay ang kirot na madarama sa kung ano mang parte ng aking katawan.

She did nothing but giggle. My hands curled into a fist. I've been away for more than a month and yet my body still remembers everything. The strings she attached has always been there, like it's already a part of me.

"I thought you were defiled by all the influences the outside world can give. But I'm glad that you never changed." Muli niyang inayos ang buhok ko.

I bit the insides of my lips and kept my silence. She forced a certain object on my palm. Nang tignan ko ito, nanginig agad ang kamay ko.

"You know what do, hmm? 'Wag kang matakot, minsan mo na itong nagawa at naniniwala akong kaya mo muli itong gawin." sabi niya habang nakatingin sa kutsilyo na ipinilit niya sa kamay ko.

My environment changed, and I was taken back to the time when I was standing on the edge of a mall's rooftop. The harsh wind tries to encourage me to do the final deed as it seems to push my body off the remaining land.