Lethal Lilac

CHAPTER 2

Numb

Nakaupo ako sa gilid ng kama, nakatingin sa malaking bintana ng kwarto ko. The view outside was lifeless—rolling fields of gray, withered trees swaying under the cold breeze. It should’ve been beautiful, but all I could see was how empty it was. Parang salamin ng nararamdaman ko. Wala.

A knock on the door echoed, breaking the stillness of the room. Hindi ako kumibo, hindi rin ako gumalaw. The door creaked open, and a man’s voice followed.

"My lady, it’s time for your orientation," an unfamiliar servant said. His tone was polite, rehearsed even, like he had been doing this for years.

Tumayo ako nang hindi tumitingin sa kanya. I didn’t ask questions; I didn’t even glance his way. My silk green pajamas brushed lightly against my legs as I walked out of the room, bare feet silent against the cold marble floor. He followed behind me, his footsteps heavier, echoing in the long corridor.

“Where are we going?” tanong ko, kahit na hindi ko talaga gustong malaman. My voice sounded hollow, lifeless, just like the air around us.

“The library, my lady,” he answered. “The master has instructed me to brief you on the rules.”

The master. Whoever he was. Narinig ko lang ang boses niya kahapon, pero hindi ko pa siya nakikita. I should’ve been curious, or at least wary. But I wasn’t. Wala akong pakialam.

The corridor stretched endlessly, its high ceilings and dark wood-paneled walls making me feel like I was walking through a void. Chandeliers hung above, their lights dim and flickering, casting long shadows that danced with every step we took.

Napansin ko ang mga paintings na nakasabit sa mga pader—mga portrait ng mga taong mukhang galing sa ibang panahon. Their eyes seemed to follow me as I walked, pero hindi ko ito pinansin. They were just paintings, after all.

When we finally reached the library, the servant opened the heavy double doors for me. The scent of aged paper and varnished wood greeted me. It was a massive room, lined wall-to-wall with bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling. Sa gitna ng silid, may isang malaking mesa na gawa sa dark oak, surrounded by high-backed chairs.

“Please take a seat, my lady,” the servant said, gesturing toward the head of the table.

Umupo ako nang hindi nagsasalita. The servant placed a thin leather-bound book in front of me. Its cover was plain, with no title or markings. He opened it to the first page, revealing a list of rules written in elegant script.

“Rule number one,” he began, his voice steady. “You are not to leave the mansion grounds under any circumstance.”

Tumango ako, kahit na wala akong balak umalis. Where would I even go?

“Rule number two: You are to obey the master’s instructions at all times.”

The mention of the master made something stir in me, but it was faint—barely noticeable.

“Rule number three: The east wing is off-limits.”

The east wing. My eyes flicked toward the far end of the library, where a smaller door led to another corridor. It was the only part of the mansion I hadn’t seen yet. Bakit kaya bawal? The thought crossed my mind but faded just as quickly.

“Do you understand, my lady?” tanong ng servant, closing the book.

“Do I have a choice?” sagot ko, ang tono ko malamig.

The servant didn’t reply. Instead, he nodded and stepped back, his hands clasped behind him.

I stood up and walked to one of the bookshelves, running my fingers over the spines of the books. They were old, some with titles I couldn’t even read. One book caught my eye—a black, leather-bound volume with no visible markings. I pulled it out and opened it, only to find the pages blank.

“Why is this empty?” tanong ko, holding it up.

“That book is not meant to be read, my lady,” the servant replied, his tone unwavering.

“Then what’s it for?”

“The master will explain when the time comes.”

I closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. Wala akong lakas para magtanong pa. Everything felt pointless.

The servant cleared his throat. “If there’s nothing else, my lady, I will leave you to explore the library.”

I nodded, dismissing him without a word. Nang umalis siya, nanatili akong nakatayo sa harap ng mga libro. The silence of the library was oppressive, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket.

I walked to the tall windows on the far side of the room, their thick curtains pulled back to reveal the dark night outside. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light barely illuminating the sprawling grounds. Sa gilid ng paningin ko, nakita kong may gumalaw sa dilim—isang anino na mabilis na naglaho.

But I didn’t feel scared. I should’ve been, but I wasn’t. Wala akong nararamdaman. Not fear, not curiosity, not anything. It was like I was just... existing.

Napatitig ako sa repleksyon ko sa salamin ng bintana. My face looked the same, but something in my eyes was missing. The spark, the life—it was gone.

"Am I frightened?" I whispered to myself, the words tasting foreign on my tongue.

But I already knew the answer.

No.

I wasn’t frightened.

I was numb.