Takipsilim

Chapter 16: The Chase

"Any after school plans?" Hunter asked Katherina the moment their professor dismissed their class.

"Uuwi na ako, Hunter." Katherina answered. "I joined a painting competition and I have to finish my work before Tuesday next week."

"Sounds great." Hunter smiled. "So, gusto mo talagang maging pintor no?"

"Yes, I really do. It has been my dream since childhood." Kath answered. Whenever she talks about being a painter, she cannot help but have sparkles in her eyes.

"Yes, I remember that." Hunter gave a meaningful smile. "But what if, Katherina, you are destined to be someone far greater than a painter...someone who is meant to change the way of things here on Earth?"

"What do you mean?" Nagtataka si Katherina. "Hmmm. If I'm meant to change the way of life of people, I hope it will be for the common good. Gusto kong tulungan ang mga tao, lalo na yung mga naaapi." The girl has loved humans ever since; she has a soft spot for helping others kahit sa mga munting paraan.

Hunter laughed at Katherina. She is so clueless, he thought.

"What's funny?" Medyo nairita si Katherina sa inasal ni Hunter. Seryoso ang dalaga sa sinabi, kaya't nagtataka siya kung bakit tinawanan ng binata.

"Nothing," Hunter answered. "I'm just amused with how innocent you are. That's rare. You purity is rare with our kind nowadays." Makahulugang sabi nito.

"I don't understand. Marami pa rin namang taong gustong tumulong sa kapwa nila-"

Ginulo ni Hunter ang buhok ng dalaga. "See you around, Kath."

Naglakad na ito palayo, leaving Kath wondering what's the meaning behind his words.

-----

"She is still not aware of it." Hunter told Cedric. "I don't get it. Malapit na ang digmaan and yet wala pa rin siyang alam?"

"That weak girl, so shameful." Cedric answered and shook his head. "20 years ago, when we were still infants, Tita Clara begged the elders of our kind to let Katherina live her life as a human. Ipinagpalit niya ang mataas niyang ranggo sa mga Kataha for Kath. Stupid move, in my opinion."

"What?! Why?" Hunter asked.

"I don't know. Mom said that Katherina's father is a human na mahal na mahal ni Tita Clara, and Kath's the only memory of him that she has. Since the girl is almost always ill, Tita literally went down on her knees para makiusap kina Lola na hayaan na lamang si Kath. That is why she rarely attends our family gatherings. Besides, wala rin naman siyang maiitulong. She's weak, and oddly, masyadong malambot ang puso niya sa mga tao."

"Interesting." Hunter said. "But do you have any plans on telling her about the Katahas and the Ahrens?"

"At first, wala." Cedric answered. "I didn't actually want to be associated with her."

Hunter saw how his bestfriend smirked.

"Hindi ko gusto yang ngiti mo." He also smiled at his evil friend.

"But something interesting happened. It turned out Katherina will still be very useful for us in the coming war." Cedric said.

"How?"

"Sorry na lang kay Tita Clara, but I can use Katherina's death to ignite the anger of the chosen Ahren."

"Wala kang patawad, Ced." Hunter was laughing. He is amused with his friend's plan. A true demon, indeed. "Strange, but count me in."