The Nerd that turned out to be Vampire-ish [Wattys2015]

CHAPTER 52: Meeting the other Victoria.

Baguio is one of Philippines most beautiful places, and this is my second time being here. Well this country is a tropical one, so snow is like a myth. But Baguio is the closest one to how it would feel like. It's the coldest city in the country, and sometimes the temperature goes down, that it almost feels like winter.

And today was one of those days.

Its freezing cold, feels like I've never left Japan, though the temperature's a bit toned down in comparison. Now I'm starting to miss the comfort of my coats that I left there to rot. Well not to mention, he also left the plane in an open yet secluded area in the city. Bald man says it's one of his friend's private lot, which is the same situation in Japan. The lot and the car was also a friend's property.

It so happens that bald man is identical to his son, a blabbermouth. Sometimes he answers most of the questions in my head, without me saying it out loud. He keeps talking even though he knows I won't reply to any of his jabbering.

One of the stories he told me was the car chase in Japan. It pegged my interest, and I actually listened to him. Apparently, he was on the second car that chased us, and I've already guessed what happened next – he took care of the problem. I don't know if I should thank him or whatnot, but instead, I laughed, well mentally that is.

As we got down the bus, instantly I felt the slap of the cold yet welcoming wind of Baguio. But unlike the ice-cold feeling in Japan, this one feels like a breath of nature – like I'm facing a deer exhaling or something.

I mean I'm on a mountain top – for crying out loud – so I should've expected this already. Obviously this is normal, I'm probably touching the clouds without knowing it. This is all like part of the package, I guess, though it's sad that unicorns aren't one of it.

My hoodie wasn't enough to keep me warm, so I bought a knitted sweater on a local store we just passed by. Also, a hat and a scarf to pair it with. And now, I look like a 17 year old girl whose fashion sense is equivalent to an old lady.

It was a good thing, I always keep some pocket money up my sleeves, and a credit card in my jeans. Especially with random escapades like this, or should I say kidnapping stunts.

While eating fresh strawberry taho*, we're now walking onto the streets of a small village, of some sort. The houses here weren't grand nor is it made of sticks. It's like those plain old brick ones, that's simple yet steady looking. We passed a couple of mansions, but not the exaggerated ones, it's just bigger than the rest. But neither one of these houses did we rang a bell.

(A.N. Taho, is a street snack in the Philippines.)

And I think we just passed the village itself.

"Where are we going exactly?" I finally asked him, well truthfully because I'm growing impatient.

Bald man simply looked at me and smiled. "You'll see."

Wow. One of my nightmares just turned into reality. He's like Don and Kayla mashed up into one. A blabbermouth who loves to tickle my curiosity bone. My god, I can't imagine, if ever Kayla and Don ends up together. Their kids would probably be twice as annoying as their grandfather. I'm having a headache just thinking about it.

Suddenly, bald man turns into the side of the road, where there's nothing to see but pine trees. I gulped. Hesitation flooded my line of thoughts.

Should I follow him?

"Uhm. Are you going to kill me in the woods?" I asked in a low voice. He wasn't that far, so he heard me clearly.

He laughed and turned. "Silly girl. I told you, I won't lay a hand on you." Then he continued walking. "Let's hurry before dusk comes." I sighed and followed his tracks.

We went deeper into the forest and everything felt like a scene in Twilight where Bella was looking for Edward. Though my situation is different in so many levels. Well, for starters, my companion is more like Dr. Carlisle than Edward himself.

Even though it was still at the afternoon's peak outside, the forest seems like its running on a different time zone, because well, it already looks nighttime in here.

The sun was like an outcast in this place, no warmth, and only a few of its rays was able to sneak in to the leaves of some trees. Also, the cold feeling was different, it has an eerie chill that makes the hair on my spine do its own standing ovation.

Then I tripped. "Ouch." The fall woke me up from my daydream.

Bald man stopped walking and went to my side. "You okay kiddo?" He asked and helped me stand.

I stood up and dusted my pants. "Yeah." He nodded and continued walking again. I started to do the same as well, but every now and then, I would feel a slight tinge of pain on my ankle. But I ignored it, I don't want to do a piggy back ride on Dr. Carlisle.

By the distant I could see an opening, a cliff. And as we went closer, the view from that place was breathtaking, literally. My fear of heights is now starting to kick in, making me halt.

Bald man noticed and turned to face me. "You okay? Got cold feet?" He asked and lightly chuckled on his own joke.

"Uhm. We're not going to do a cliff diving stunt, are we?" He laughed pretty loudly this time.

"No. But let's hurry. Your mother's waiting." He smiled and went ahead.

Oh my god.

Now, I'm literally having cold feet. I inhaled deeply, smelling the sweet yet rustic scent of the forest. This is it. I've come too far for this moment, I shouldn't run away.

I released all my pent up frustrations and jogged towards where bald man is standing, facing the view of the city. I stopped on his side. "So, where is she?"

He looked down and smiled at me, but it was a bitter one. He then tilted his head to the side, I looked, and saw a tomb. Written on it was my mother's name – Victoria W. Hale.