Curse of the Unholy Crystal

Chapter 13: Magic Circle

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Magic Circle

"Two people? What are you talking about, Freddie?"

A child's voice came after. "Nevermind. I'm not in the mood today."

After that, no voices were heard. Hinila ako ni Hunter palayo sa dark smoke at nang makalayo-layo, hinarap niya ako. "Freddie. . . Catalina. . . I hope I heard their names wrong."

"Bakit? Kilala mo sila?"

Tumalikod siya sa akin at hindi na nagsalita. He strolled back towards the city as I trailed with him. We spent an entire silence as we head back and I found myself in a familiar place.

"The bakeshop?"

Bumukas ang pinto at bumungad ang ina ni Hilda na nakangiti. "Andre and er—"

"Yelena."

"Nandito na rin ang mga kaibigan niyo. Mas mabuting dito na kayo matulog, kaysa mag-aksaya pa kayo ng pera sa mga rented room." Lumingon siya sa akin. "Hindi ko pa pala napapakilala ang sarili ko sa'yo. Stella Fler, nanay ni Hilda."

"Commander!"

Biglang bumungad ang mukha nila Cyclone, Gray, North at Droy sa pinto.

"Nagpaiwan nga pala si Claude at Flint para bantayan ang Valerian Tower," sabi ni Gray.

North smirked as he looked at both of us. "You two are close now?"

"No. Never," Hunter and I both replied.

"Pumasok na kayong dalawa," sabi ni Stella.

We went inside. The living room was clean and tidy. Nakaupo sa sofa sina Cyclone, Gray, at North, nag-uusap. Tapos si Droy nagbabasa ng libro.

Hunter went towards North and lightly touched his shoulder. "Bro, let's talk." Tumango si North at nagtungo na sila sa taas.

"Thanks for letting us stay here, Tita Stella," sabi ni Gray.

Ngumiti siya. "Wala 'yon. Parang mga anak ko na rin kayo, nakita ko kaya kayong lumaki. Sandali lang, may gagawin lang ako." Pagkatapos no'n, naglakad siya palabas ng bahay.

"Yelena, come on. I still have to check your arm injury."

I tried insisting, but Droy is serious when it comes to injuries and I don't really have the will to argue as my energy depleted for all the talking and the things I did today. Pinaupo niya ako sa sofa ng living room at sinuri ulit ang braso ko. "Strange. Where did you get this bandage?"