Takipsilim

Chapter 56: Scars

Warning: This chapter contains scenes that some readers may find disturbing and/or may not be suitable for all, including depictions of abuse. Discretion is advised.

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"Agggggghhhh! Hmmmmnnnng! Uggggh!"

From the deepest basement of a big, white mansion hidden in one of the vast forests of Northern Luzon, came a loud, piercing scream and a cry of misery from Katherina.

"Agggghhh! AAAAAAAAAH!" The young woman felt like her insides were burning and were being ripped apart all at the same time. She screamed in indescribable pain, and she could not fight it for her hands and feet were chained to the bed.

She could no longer see anything for the torture was far greater than her consciousness and sense. The young woman could no longer figure out whose hands were holding her nor could she hear their voices, and she could not care less. All she wanted was for all the pain to stop.

It had been like this for as long as she could remember - a never ending cycle of unconsciousness and horrible pain that intensified immensely as time went by.

The pain started to die down yet again as she felt a tiny prick on her arm. The fire dulled and her heart calmed down as she drifted into darkness.

"I doubled the dose of the tranquillizer. She should be good for now." A doctor told the young woman's companions. Like the rest of the occupants of the room, the doctor was a Kataha.

"Good. Nakakapagod na ring alagaan ang walang kwentang babaeng 'to." Cedric looked at his unconscious twin sister with disgust.

"Ilang araw na lang, Cedric. Don't worry." Lucille beamed at the man she considered her own son. She stared with greedy eyes at Katherina's fallen body, like the sight is a meal and she hadn't eaten in weeks. The curl of her lips was cruel.

"The Ahrens are probably trembling right now." Cedric shook his head and snickered. "Sunud-sunod na ang patayang nagaganap, at iniisa-isa na ng mga alagad ko ang pagpatay sa pamilya ng mga Ahren. The president even declared a state of national emergency!" He mused. "I learned that some of them, including the chosen one, are now hiding in some mountain to prepare for the great war. How cute." Cedric looked at the two elders in front of him with a smug face. "See. Hindi man ako ang nagtataglay ng sugong demonyo sa loob ng katawan ko, ako pa rin ang maghahari dito."

Elder Marius and Elder Ursula glanced at each other.

It's too early for you to say that, Cedric. Don't declare anything until we witness the awakening of the chosen demon. Do not underestimate it. Elder Marius thought, but he did not dare say it out loud for he knew better than to anger Cedric. Baka kung ano pang gawin nito sa dalaga sa kanilang harapan.

Elder Ursula just nodded in response. Magkapareho ang nasa isip ng dalawang matanda.

"Now that Tita Clara is dead, wala nang puprotekta pa kay Katherina dito sa loob." Cedric said in triumph as he walked out the door of the basement. Lucille rallied behind him, smiling, satisfied that finally, the sister whom she envied the most is gone forever.

Not too long after, the two elders left the room as well. "Bantayan mo siya hanggang sa magising siyang muli." They ordered the young man who was left standing by the bed - Hunter.

"Masusunod, Elder Marius and Elder Ursula." Hunter answered like a robot.

He kept a straight, indifferent facade the whole time, most especially when there were other people in the basement.