𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏- 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇

CHAPTER 1

"ALESSANDRA..." The haunting voice called again, deep and resonant, echoing through the vast emptiness. "Alessandra..."

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling as she spoke into the void, trying to pierce through the thick, dark nothingness.

"I’m waiting for your return." The words were soft but insistent, filled with a strange, sorrowful urgency.

Her brow furrowed in confusion, her heart thudding loudly. "Why are you waiting? Who are you?" she pressed, but there was no answer, only the faint remnants of the voice.

"I will wait," the voice whispered one last time, fading away like mist in the morning light.

"Show yourself!" Alessandra shouted, desperation rising in her chest as she strained to hear any response.

With a jolt, she shot upright in bed, her heart pounding as her alarm blared into the silence. Six o'clock. She blinked, still disoriented, as the remnants of the dream clung to her like a veil. Shaking it off, she rose, padding across her room to open the curtains, letting the soft morning light spill in. She inhaled deeply, hoping the fresh air would chase away the unsettling feeling.

As she tidied her bed, memories of the dream lingered. The voice calling her name was so familiar, yet distant, as if it belonged to someone she should know but didn’t. For months now, these dreams haunted her nights, always the same voice—a woman's voice, soft but desperate, crying out her name with a sadness that clung to her heart long after she awoke.

She made her way to the bathroom, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts as the warm shower washed over her. Soon, she dressed, brushed her hair until it gleamed, and went downstairs, hoping to lose herself in the familiarity of morning routines. Her father sat at the table, his face half-hidden behind the newspaper, while her mother stood by the coffee maker, stirring sugar into a mug.

"Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom," Alessandra greeted, her voice steady.

Her father lowered the paper and gave her a warm smile. "Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?"

She leaned down, kissing him on the cheek. "Not really," she admitted, making her way to her mother.

Her mother looked at her with concern. "Nightmares again?"

"Not exactly," Alessandra said, pausing to think. "It's just... the same dream. The same voice calling me."

Her parents exchanged a quick, uneasy glance that Alessandra noticed but chose not to question. She sat down, slinging her bag over the back of her chair. Her mother placed a cup of tea in front of her, her brows drawn with worry.

"Maybe you should see someone about these dreams, Allie. They might be stress-related," her mother suggested gently.

Alessandra shook her head, forcing a smile. "It’s fine, Mom. I’m sure it’s just a dream."

At that moment, her twin sister, Maricar, strolled in, yawning as she plopped into a chair, immediately reaching for food. Alessandra stole a glance at her, noting the stark differences between them, despite their shared birthday. Maricar, with her jet-black hair, morena skin, and sharp features, was a perfect blend of their parents. In contrast, Alessandra’s fair complexion, golden hair, and light eyes made her feel like she was from another world entirely.

"Good morning, Maricar," their mother said with a smile.

"Mornin'," Maricar mumbled through a mouthful, barely acknowledging anyone at the table.

Their father cleared his throat. "Maricar, I wanted to talk to you about your grades. You need to be more serious about school."

Maricar scoffed, rolling her eyes. Alessandra felt her sister's gaze turn icy as it met hers, a silent reminder of the years of tension between them. Academics had always come easily to Alessandra, but for Maricar, it was a struggle—a difference that seemed to have driven a wedge between them over the years.

As she took a final sip of tea, Alessandra rose, pulling her bag over her shoulder. "I should go," she said, eager to escape the tension.

"Oh, the perfect daughter," Maricar muttered sarcastically. "You never stick around to watch me get lectured, huh?"

Alessandra ignored her sister’s jibe, making her way to the door. Her father’s voice called out as she left. "Mang Leo’s waiting outside, Allie."

Outside, she spotted Yaya Margie by the pool, enjoying the morning breeze. Alessandra waved. "Good morning, Yaya Marg."

The older woman looked up, smiling warmly. "Good morning, Allie. Take care at school."

As she reached the gate, she saw Mang Leo, their family driver, standing beside the car. "Good morning, Tatay Leo," she greeted him with a smile, opening the car door.

"Good morning, Allie," he replied, his eyes crinkling with a familiar warmth. "Will we wait for your sister?"

Alessandra nodded, glancing back at the house. "Yes. Otherwise, she’ll blame me for leaving her behind."

Just then, a chill ran down her spine as a familiar voice whispered in her ear, soft and haunting. "Alessandra..."

She froze, her hand clutching the car door. "Did you… did you just call my name?" she asked, looking up at Mang Leo with wide eyes.

He frowned, shaking his head. "No, I didn’t."

Her heart pounded as she turned, scanning the quiet street, certain she had heard it. That voice—the same one from her dreams. She swallowed, her mind racing. This wasn’t a dream. Someone, or something, was calling her, and now it had crossed into her waking world.

She climbed into the car, unsettled.