Lethal Lilac

CHAPTER 15

Terrified

The faint light of the waning moon slipped through the gaps in the heavy curtains, painting the room with shades of silver and gray. Everything felt still, suffocatingly quiet, maliban sa mabigat kong paghinga. My mind screamed for clarity, but all I could focus on was the erratic rhythm of my heartbeat. Something wasn't right.

My feet stayed rooted near the window, muscles taut and trembling. I stared into the darkness, each shadow morphing into ominous shapes. Naalala ko ang tunog ng pintuan kanina. It creaked, softly but deliberately, like an unwelcome whisper in the silence.

Who was there? Was someone watching?

I swallowed the lump in my throat, gripping the cold windowsill for support. Sa dulo ng paningin ko, may gumagalaw na anino, halos hindi ko maaninag. It wasn't just my imagination-something was lurking.

"Who's there?" My voice, barely louder than a whisper, cracked with fear. Walang sumagot. I bit my lip, trying to silence the whimper rising from my chest.

A sharp movement caught my eye. The figure was closer now, emerging from the shadows with an air of menace. I stumbled back, bumping into the table, causing the lamp to rattle noisily.

"Stay back!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the stillness. But the figure only paused momentarily before moving closer, deliberate and unyielding.

Biglang dumapo ang malamig na kamay sa pulso ko, mahigpit ang hawak at walang balak bumitaw. I gasped, clawing at the gloved hand, but it felt like gripping steel. "Let go of me!" I screamed, pero parang bingi ang estranghero.

And then it happened-a sharp prick on my arm. Naramdaman ko ang karayom na tumusok sa balat ko, kasunod ang biglang paglaganap ng hapdi sa buong katawan ko.

"Ano... anong ginagawa mo?" I stammered, my voice barely audible as my vision blurred. The pain was spreading fast, a burning sensation consuming my limbs.

I fought against the pull, pero unti-unting nanghina ang katawan ko. Every attempt to resist felt weaker than the last, my strength fading like a candle in the wind.

For the first time in years, I felt something real-pain. Ang hapdi na matagal kong hindi naramdaman ay parang nakakabingi.

"Why does it hurt?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face. The figure chuckled, their laugh low and menacing.

"You're not as untouchable as you thought," they murmured, their voice sending chills down my spine.

Then, I was yanked forward, my feet dragging helplessly across the floor. Hindi ko na kaya. My vision swam, the world tilting dangerously before succumbing to the consuming darkness.

---

When I regained consciousness, a blinding headache greeted me. The rough surface beneath me scratched at my skin, cold and unforgiving. The faint scent of rust-no, blood-hung heavily in the air.

Nagpilit akong gumalaw, pero parang bakal ang bigat ng mga kamay ko. My wrists were bound tightly, the coarse rope biting into my skin.

"W-where am I?" my voice cracked, barely louder than a whisper. Walang sagot, pero may naririnig akong yapak na papalapit. Each step echoed ominously in the desolate space.

The dim light above barely illuminated the room. Bare walls surrounded me, their concrete surfaces lifeless and gray. Sa kaliwa ko, anino ng mga kagamitan-metal tools that gleamed faintly.

"Who... who are you?" I croaked, my voice trembling.

A figure emerged from the shadows, their face obscured, but their presence was suffocating. Their silence was more terrifying than any words they could have said.

"You'll find out soon," sagot nila, malamig ang boses na tila bumalot sa buong paligid. I tried to inch away, pero mahigpit ang tali. My back hit the wall, trapping me further.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, desperation dripping from my voice. My breathing was shallow, my pulse erratic.

The figure crouched before me, leaning in close. Amoy ko ang kanilang mabigat na hininga. "You're the key. Your pain unlocks what's been hidden too long. Finally, she'll have to face me."

Sino siya? Sinong "she"? I couldn't even think straight as their words rattled in my head. Bago pa ako makasagot, naramdaman ko ang malamig na talim sa leeg ko.

My breath hitched as the knife pressed lightly against my skin, a silent promise of danger. "Don't scream," they whispered, their tone dripping with amusement. "Unless you want things to get messy."

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I willed them not to fall. Gusto kong maging matapang, pero nanginginig ang buong katawan ko. Fear consumed me, and for the first time, I couldn't pretend to be numb.

I was terrified.