"YOU KNOW, you should really consider joining the school church band," sabi ni Autumn kay Caleb.
Katatapos lamang nilang magsimba. She and Caleb go to church every Sunday night to attend the Vesper Service. Sa Constantine University Church sila nagsisimba.
"I've thought about it. But, no, wala akong plano na sumali sa church band. Isa pa, I have my own band, you know."
Ipinagpatuloy nila ang paglalakad sa madilim na parking lot malapit sa University Church. Lagpas alas-siyete na kaya lubusang madilim na ang paligid. Ang tanging nagbibigay lamang ng ilaw sa lote ay ang apat na poste ng street light. Nang makalapit sila sa sasakyan ng binata ay agad silang sumakay na dalawa.
"I know you have a band. But it's different when you're playing for God and for other people," she pointed out.
"Okay. Hindi na ako mag-aargumento sa 'yo. I'll think about it again, okay?" Bahagya siya nitong sinulyapan at ibinalik din agad ang tingin sa daan.
"That's good to hear."
Wala na ni isa sa kanila ang nagsalita sa sumunod na sandali.
Pero nagulat si Autumn nang biglang may malakas na kalabog sa bubungan ng sasakyan. Nang iangat ni Autumn ang tingin ay yupi iyon ng bahagya. It's as if someone very heavy landed on the car's roof.
"Caleb!"
"Oh shit!"
Napakabilis ng pangyayari. Sa mga sumunod na sandali ay iminamaniobra pakaliwa-pakanan ni Caleb ang sasakyan. He was shaking off the thing that landed on the roof his car. Ipinagpapasalamat ni Autumn na walang ibang sasakyan na dumaraan. Kung meron man ay baka nakabangga na sila.
May sumunod na ingay. Napauklo si Autumn dahil sa nakakangilong tunog ng pagkapunit ng metal na bubong ng sasakyan. Then she heard a terrifying scream, tearing the silence of the night. It sounded like a wounded wail but at a higher pitch. Dinagsa ng kakaibang takot si Autumn.
Nakita niya sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata ang pagbunot ni Caleb ng isang bagay mula sa compartment ng sasakyan nito. Autumn nearly fainted when she saw a gun. Caleb has a gun!
Hindi na nakatulong ang sunod-sunod na putok na pinakawalan ng lalaki. Caleb was firing bullets at the roof of his car and at the same time, driving to keep 'em alive.
"Call Daniel," Caleb calmly said as he handed to her his phone. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa manibela ng sasakyan. He placed the gun back on his side.
Kahit na ramdam na ramdam ni Autumn ang malakas na tama ng hangin sa kanyang mukha at lubos na takot dahil sa pangyayari ay mabilis niyang hinanap ang pangalan ni Daniel sa cellphone ni Caleb.
Naka-ilang ring ang phone ni Daniel bago ito nakasagot. She handed the phone back to Caleb.
"Dan, I need back up. We're under attack... Yes! Dammit! Vampires... Oak Road. Be fast!"
Hindi maintindihan ni Autumn ang pinagsasasabi ni Caleb dahil tila naestatwa siya sa pangyayari. She was shocked.
Noon niya napansin ang pagtigil ng paggiwang ng sasakyan nila. Tumingin si Autumn sa backseat. Punit ang bubong ng likuran at may tama ng bala ang natitirang bubong ng sasakyan. Tila biglang nawala ang nakakatakot na nilalang na kanina lamang ay umaatake sa kanila.
When Autumn returned her gaze in front, a scream tore out from her throat as two petrifying beings came to sight. The creatures were in its all fours and were as big as a lion. Kulubot-kulubot ang buong katawan ng mga ito. Theirbodies were distorted. Long claws emerged from each of their limbs and were wickedly grazing at the cemented highway. Ang higit na nakakatakot ay mukha ng mga ito. Their long fangs were barred. Brownish goo was dripping from their mouth. Ang mga mata ng mga ito ay nanginginang na pula. In short, the creatures looked deadly terrifying.
BINABASA MO ANG
THE WATCHERS TRILOGY: Caleb (book I)
Romansa"One day, he just woke up realizing that Autumn wasn't just his Mortal Half, she was his other half." Some angels are meant to walk amongst us. Some have a purpose to fulfill; a duty to uphold; and a human to protect. But what will you do if you rea...
