A Sun-Kissed Stone

Prologue

15 Years Ago

The sunlight filters through the leaves of the towering trees casting shadows on the brightly colored playground equipment. Children are engrossed in different games. Laughter rings out as they chase each other around the swings but there is a kid who's crying her eyes out.

"Aly, Aya, Yesha, Shang-Shang, stop crying. You're hurting my ears." A 7 year old boy called the little girl in all of her nicknames, he closes his eyes then he opens it again. He covers his ears with his little hands coaxing the little girl.

"Sage, he stole my candies and chocolates. Please get it back for me." The 6 year old girl cries sitting on the ground of a playground. Tears streaming down her, disheartened.

"Look at you, so whiny and pouty." A light irritation appears on his emotionless face.

The little boy tries his best to calm the little girl without changing his facial expression. He is caressing her back and patting her head but his hand is clearly trembling, it's either due to nervousness or anger. No one knows. The sun is going down yet she haven't stopped crying.

"I'll just replace them, I'll buy many candies and chocolates for you. Wag ka nang umiyak, ang ingay mo." He said with authority.

"Are you mad at me?" She is still crying.

"No, but you have to stop crying." he pats her head again.

"Okay, okay." She pouts and stands up from the ground, dusts her dress off and faces him.

"Are you going to promise that you will buy me candies and chocolates?" She asked eyeing him.

"Okay, okay. I promise but we really have to go home now, we just sneaked out this afternoon. Mapapagalitan tayong dalawa." Reassuring her and convincing her to go home.

The sun already went down. It's the month of November so the night is longer than the previous months, It's already dark. They noticed that there are no more children playing in the playground and the laughter died down.

They were about to walk out of the playground when suddenly, three figures emerges and blocked their way. They are tall men with menacing grins their eyes scanning the playground.

The little boy squeezes the little girl's hand tighter. He senses the danger in the air and pulls her behind him shielding her from harm. They step back.

"Mga bata, gabi na ah. Bakit nandito pa kayo sa labas? di ba kayo hinahanap ng mga magulang nyo?" The tall one asked and gave them a creepy grin.

Then she peeks from behind looking at the creepy guy. The boy holds the side of her head and pushes her at the back but she doesn't budge.

"Pauwi na po kami, mister." She said while removing the boy's hand on his face.

"Don't talk to her, Yesha. He's a bad guy." He said and glares at the man.

"Why? Sabi ni mommy, pag may nagtanong need sagutin politely." She reasoned out.

"Yeah, but your mommy also said don't talk to strangers." He replied.

"Ilang taon na ba ka--?" Asked the other guy who's wearing a cap.

"Six po ako, siya po seven." She answered immediately without even letting the other guy finish his question.

"Yesha, will you close your mouth just for a minute? Ang daldal mo." He reprimanded, thinking of ways how to escape from those guys.

The guys look at each other like they are talking and understanding through their eyes. They nod, then smile and look at the two kids, a guy crouching down to their level.