Catch Me ✔

IV - Eleanor

How did he even manage to.. find this manor? I mean.. it's not that easy.

The place around wasn't visited by people. If there were, they'd do horrible things like... doing drugs, beating up someone, making out, or even.. believe it or not.. have sex.
I don't care what they do. I just chose not to be involved with whatever they're doing.

But once their attention was caught by this manor, they walk away hastily or just run as if they saw something very horrible.

What I hate most is that.. sometimes, a group of people would enter here and claim that this is a haunted house! I mean, why? The manor's in good condition! This isn't a horror house! I'm living in here! I am alive. But in the end, I'll just warn them not to dare enter again because this manor is mine.

"Hey? Mister, wake up! How did you get here? Your condition's not good, I'd better call an ambulance!" I said, nearly panicking.

The man barely moved. His eyes open a bit. "N-no.. please. Just.. just let me rest for a while here." He muttered while slowly closing his eyes.

"Wait.. rest.. what? Rest in peace? You talk as if you want to rest in peace, hey! I'll just.. I'll just treat your wounds. I'll get some first aid. You lie down here, don't move a muscle!" I hurriedly went to the bathroom to get the kit in the cabinet.

As soon as I walked in front of him, his eyes were closed.

My eyes widened. "No, you shouldn't die. Hey! It's... not a good thing to die early." Never a good thing to die young.

I even did a CPR to him and an immediate first-aid. His heartbeat went slower and slower. But due to the CPR, thankfully, it went to normal again.

His body's almost blue due to the bruises. He should lie down in a comfortable bed or whatever.

I cooked a corn porridge so he can eat when he wakes up. I even prepared a glass of orange juice for him.

I waited hours but I was lulled to sleep.

When I woke up, I heard an ambulance driving away and found out that the boy I've given first aid to was in that vehicle.

Would he even recognize this place? Or... me?

Sketching, as my hobby, is the only thing that keeps me sane.

As I sit on a bench in the balcony on a sunny afternoon, I found myself sketching.. his face which I almost memorized his features. I didn't know where he came from, or who is he, or how did he found out this manor.

When I'm almost done of my finishing touches, I saw the pot with a sunflower planted on moved. At first, I didn't gave attention to it, but it went on for three times.. and that's when I saw a little boy standing beside it.

"A-Angelo.. right?" I asked. The little boy nodded.
"Do you.. need anything? How can you see me?"

"Wala naman akong kailangan. Gusto ko lang magpasalamat." The boy smiled cheerfully.

"For..for what?" I asked, puzzled.

"Malalaman mo rin, sa susunod." He smiled.

Angelo. He said that's his name. He also said he's an angel. He's really a cute, little boy but he speaks a bit mature.

I met him years ago but it's just twice. I was a bit surprised when he showed again after years.

He'd just always talk about how he missed his parents, grandpa, and siblings.. and that he missed living as a kid. But he's happy now. He's contented just by looking at them from afar.

And here I am.. just.. feeling lonely. Most of the time, I feel cold. Even if I keep the windows closed and be fully covered by curtains.

"Alam mo, magiging masaya ka lang naman kung matatanggap mo kung ano ang sitwasyon mo ngayon. Kung magiging mapagpasalamat ka lang. Sige, aalis muna ako." He smiled and waved then disappeared.

I sighed then went down to enter the library. My mother's a bookworm but she loved how reading the Bible calms her always.
When she was still alive, she keeps on telling me all of the parables and how we can apply it to our daily lives.

While growing up, I'd always remember the things she told me.
But now that she's gone, and my father, I don't want to think of those. Because.. what's the purpose?

This library is huge. All of my mother's collections are here. My fingers touched the books and I gathered dust.

I got the novel Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to check it out and scan a few pages but the bookshelf opened a small room to something I haven't seen for years.. a room I never wanted to see again.

I returned the book to its original place and the door closed. I didn't know if my eyes responded by its own.. Tears started to flow like hell.
I fell on my knees, lay down and curled up while sobbing.