Thirst | Mikhaiah

TWO

AIAH'S POV

It has been four days since I woke up in this dark, musty room. I don't know how I got here. I tried to recall what happened that night, but I only remember walking home, and then everything goes blank. I'm not the only one suffering; we all share the same memory before we got here: walking alone in the middle of the night.

"Pisti, gutom na gutom na ako," I heard Colet murmur in frustration.

She's one of the victims here, and we just clicked together and became friends instantly.

"It will be fine. Makakatakas din tayo ng ligtas," I softly said in the dark as I reached for her hand and caressed it. My eyes were wide open, trying to draw her figure in the darkness. I don't know what she looks like, or the rest of the girls here, not that it matters.

For some reason, I feel a little less sad because I have Colet by my side. She's different from the other girls here. Masungit kasi sila lahat, that's why hindi kami nagkakasundo, but I can't blame them. Baka kasi their attitude was caused by the trauma. Colet is different. She is silent but can be madaldal too. I think she only shows her soft side to those she feels comfortable with. And not to mention, she also has anger issues.

"Going to be fine? Tangina, patawa ka? Ilang araw na nga tayong walang kain, tas wala pang ni anino ng mga tarantadong kumuha sa atin, tas magsasabi ka ng ganyan?!" yelled the frustrated girl at the very end of the room.

She's shouting, but I let her be. I don't want to waste my energy on a nonsense fight, but Colet won't let it pass.

"Hoy, bruha na feeling included sa pinag-uusapan namin ni Aiah, manahimik ka nga," Colet shouted back, her voice thick with annoyance. I could only imagine her eyebrows knitted together.

"Ohhh, bruha daw oh," I heard the other girls tease.

"Colet, stop," I jabbed Colet’s hand, causing the chains to bump against the steel bars, creating a little clicking noise.

"Tsk, fine," Colet hissed while playing with my hands. I think it's her way of calming herself.

A moment later, I was about to sleep when we heard a loud creaking sound coming from somewhere. Colet shifted as she tightened her grip on my hand in a protective manner, and I returned the gesture.

The girls went restless and started to cry for help. They sobbed loudly while others shouted in anger. They're so loud, nakakabingi, but I can't blame them because it's the first time since I got here that we've heard a noise we didn't cause.

Colet was about to shout and join the girls, but I wiggled our intertwined hands to stop her. It's better if we remained composed and just observed, even if it's a difficult situation.

We heard a loud stomping sound traveling through the room, and it stopped in front of my cell.

I roamed my eyes around the room, trying to see in the dark, and I felt a strong feeling that someone was staring. I turned my head to the side and met two red dots glowing in the dark. My breath hitched, and suddenly, I couldn't breathe. Colet tightened her hold, almost gripping my hand. I think she also saw the unpleasing sight.

"Tomorrow marks the day you may become useful. Prepare yourselves for the upcoming full moon, my dear viands," a deep, chilling voice pierced the darkness.

"Let us go! You can't do this to us! You monster!" A girl screamed defiantly—the same girl who fought with Colet—her voice trembling with rage and fear. Others joined in, pleading for freedom.

Their cries were abruptly silenced by a sickening sound, like bones snapping, followed by a shrill, agonized scream that tore through the oppressive silence.