Guontiveros: Vivid

Chapter 8

A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! Thank you so much for your continuous support and thoughtful comments. I apologize for the slow updates; life has been quite busy lately. I promise to do my best to upload new chapters and assure you that I am committed to finishing this story. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

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Alice hastily stood up and ran towards the door, her heart pounding with each step. She heard her uncle calling her name, his voice echoing through the hallway, but she didn’t dare to look back. The weight of her betrayal to Theresia hung heavily on her shoulders, and the mere thought of facing her uncle filled her with a deep sense of dread. She knew that her dream had been more than just a figment of her imagination—William was indeed one of the suspects.

Once in her bedroom, she slammed the door shut and leaned against it, trying to catch her breath. Anxiety clawed at her insides, threatening to overwhelm her. Desperately, she rushed to her drawer, her hands trembling as she rummaged through it to find her medicine. She dry-swallowed the pill, not bothering to get a glass of water, her throat constricting around the bitter tablet.

The medicine slowly began to calm her frayed nerves, but a sudden throbbing pain erupted in her head, causing her to faint. When she came to, she felt a cold wind caressing her face, pulling her from the depths of unconsciousness. She stood up slowly, realizing she was still on the farm. However, this time, an overwhelming sense of sadness permeated the air, and the absence of Theresia was a palpable ache in her heart.

Alice walked alone, her feet carrying her to the familiar road. She saw the same car speeding down the lane, but this time, no one was following behind. The car hurtled towards a post and crashed, exactly as she had read in the articles and newspapers. Theresia's father emerged from the wreckage, his head bleeding, but he managed to pull his wife and daughter from the vehicle. They left their belongings behind and ran towards the tall grass where Alice was hiding. She watched as they passed by, clearly unable to see her.

Theresia's father urged them to run faster, his voice filled with panic. Alice followed them, her presence unnoticed, and was surprised to find that she could interact with the physical world. She used this ability to give them clues on where to hide. Theresia, sensing someone following, turned around and spotted a well-hidden bunker camouflaged in the grass. The door swung open, seemingly by itself, and she took it as a sign, convincing her father to hide there.

Alice watched as they entered the bunker and closed the door. She did her best to cover it with more grass and dry leaves, ensuring they were well hidden. Inside, Theresia and her parents were confused, hearing someone outside camouflaging the bunker's door and seeing a shadow flit past.

"Thank you for helping us," Theresia whispered softly.

Alice smiled but didn't respond. She walked back to the road, only to find herself trapped in another loop. This time, she saw the car crash again, but Theresia's parents were shot to death, surrounded by five armed men wearing masks. Theresia was nowhere to be seen, and a mix of relief and confusion washed over Alice.

The men efficiently cleaned up the scene, erasing any evidence of the crime. Hours later, the road was spotless, and they drove off with the bodies of Theresia's parents. The police arrived at dusk, their investigation confirming that it wasn’t just an accident. Reports of threats against the Hontiveros family and the statements of witnesses who had seen them distressed before they fled painted a clear picture of foul play.

Alice returned to the bunker and opened the door. She found Theresia curled up on the cold floor, her face stained with tears.

"Theresia?" Alice called softly.

Theresia slowly opened her eyes. "Alicia?"

Alice was taken aback. "Alicia? It's me, Alice. Do you remember me?"

Theresia blinked, confusion clouding her eyes. "You're Alicia. You told me to hide here. I thought you would never come back."

Theresia tried to stand but nearly collapsed. Alice caught her, pulling her into a comforting embrace as Theresia’s body shook with sobs.

"Sshh... It's okay, you're safe now," Alice whispered, gently caressing Theresia’s back, offering comfort to calm her.

After Theresia calmed down, the silence between them was heavy. Alice watched as Theresia fiddled with her
slim fingers, her head hanging low. It was then that Alice remembered
Theresia calling her Alicia.

"Theresia?" Alice's voice was gentle.

Theresia looked up, meeting Alice's gaze, but she remained silent.

"Why did you call me Alicia?" Alice asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Because you're Alicia. Who else would you be?" Theresia answered, her voice tinged with confusion.

Alice was about to respond when a voice, eerily similar to her own, called Theresia's name. She quickly turned around, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw a girl who looked exactly like her.

Alice seemed to fade into the
background as Theresia's eyes lit up upon seeing the real Alicia.

"Alicia! I thought you'd never come back!" Theresia exclaimed, rushing to grasp Alicia's hand as they hurried outside the bunker.

Alice trailed behind them, a sense of loss washing over her as she watched Theresia and Alicia run hand in hand. It reminded her of the bond she once shared with Theresia.

Suddenly, Alicia stumbled and fell to the ground. Theresia dropped to her knees beside her, her face contorted in shock as she noticed the stab wound in Alicia's stomach, blood seeping out.

"Alicia! Oh my God! This can't be happening!" Theresia panicked,
pressing her hands against the wound in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding.

"Theresia, listen to me," Alicia said, her voice strained with pain. "You need to run and hide. I know who's after you, and you have to save yourself."

"I can't leave you here!" Theresia cried, trying to help Alicia stand.

"Please, go, Theresia! I couldn't save your parents, but I can save you! If I survive, I'll find you, okay?" Alicia's breathing grew more labored.

Alice watched from a distance,
increasingly perplexed by the unfolding
scene.

Alicia leaned forward and kissed Theresia on the lips, a gesture that shocked Alice.

"I love you, Risa... Now, run!" Alicia urged.

"I-I love you, A-alicia," Theresia replied through her sobs, finally turning to run without looking back.

Alice watched as Theresia disappeared from view. Alicia stood weakly, her legs trembling before she collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach.

Alice was about to rush to her aid when
a man with a blurred face appeared, standing over Alicia and pointing a gun at her head.

"You betrayed the family, Alicia," he said coldly.

Alicia laughed bitterly, pressing her forehead against the barrel of the gun.

"Yes, I did. But even if you kill me now, I'll still get my revenge," she spat, her eyes dark with determination.

The man pulled the trigger, and Alice watched in horror as Alicia's lifeless body fell to the ground.

Alice stood frozen, unable to react. The man holstered his gun and began dragging Alicia's body away. It was then that Alice noticed a tattoo on his wrist, identical to the one her uncle had.

Alice now felt that revenge was in her own hands.