Unfolding Secrets

Prologue

I lay on my bed, cold, shivering, crying. My mom was beside me, cradling me to sleep. My stepfather's been drinking again.

"Hoy bata! Naririnig kita dito! Manahimik! Matulog ka na ngang bata ka! Lintik na buhay naman 'to o!", he shouted from downstairs.

I sobbed even harder.

"Ssshhh.. Sshhhh... Tahan na, anak. 'wag ka nang iiyak. Andito lang si mommy. Tayo ang magkakampi.. I won't leave your side.. Matulog ka na anak... Hindi kita iiwan.", mommy said.

"Happy birthday, anak. I love you.", dagdag niya, then she kissed my forehead.

So natulog ako, feeling secure with my mom at my side.

The next morning I woke up. The rooms were wrecked, the furnitures scattered along the floor, and empty of living people aside from myself.

My mom was gone.

I was alone.