The Perilous Haven

Chapter 13

           

There is a harper plays
Through the long watches of the lonely night
When, like a cemetery,
Sleeps the dark city, with her millions laid each in his tomb.
—John Hall Wheelock

Avercrombe City is a cold, damp, and foggy city. It is mysteriously quiet and dark, and sometimes, it is filled with strange noises and sounds.

The stunning grandeur and heights of gothic architectures towered over the haze that covers the city. The intimidating grotesque sculptures and tall stone gates scream luxury and power. Black tinted cars and trucks with escorts come in and out of those big grand gates. Suit-clad men and women go to and fro.

The title of Vachel Lindsay's poem The City that Will Not Repent are the most appropriate words to describe Avercrombe City concisely. This city is enigmatically silent, but it doesn't sleep. Its eyes watch a person's every move; its ears hear even the faintest sound one makes.

This is the place where I was born and grew up. This is the haven of the masterminds, the bosses, the assassins, and the criminals. This is the shelter of the richest and the poorest, the famous and the anonymous.

The streets and the fallen dried leaves blend together as the cold wind howls in September, hiding small voices from dark corners and alleys.

I tightened my brown coat over my plain black dress against the wind. I was thankful that I decided to wear my black ankle boots in this weather. It's only September, but I could not stop myself from shivering as the supposed warm air blew in the street.

I was going to the Verunda Street to visit the place I used to hangout to. I haven't been in my favorite spot for years. The last time I was there, I was seriously wasted with Zoe.

Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw ng huling punta ko rito.

Making out with random men. Tons of alcohol. Dance. December night. Cold. Alone. The opened gate. The cryptic tall guy. The body lying on the ground. Blood. Death.

I shook my head at the vivid images that are still implanted in my mind. Those two years were like fast-evaporating solvent. They made no difference.

I still didn't forget. I still remember everything. Every single thing.

I still have many question, so many questions. What if I didn't go out with Zoe that night? Would Papa still be alive today? Perhaps, would I have died as well? Who killed Papa? How? Why? Those were left unanswered. It hurts so much that I am carrying this burden.

Napailing ako sa aking mga iniisip. Now is not the time to think about those things.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad at nang makita ko na ang karatula ay saglit akong natigilan. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at pinagmasdan ang nakasulat—Genesis Serpent Club.

Dumaan ang maghapon at napagpasyahan kong magpahatid kay Octavio at ibaba ako sa street na malapit dito. I told him that I'd meet Zoe to run some errands, and he could go home. Alangan siya noong una na iwan ako, subalit nagpaubaya rin sa huli nang binigyan ko siya ng matalim na tingin. Sorry, Octavio, but I need to do this.

I didn't know why I came back to this place. Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin ng Prince of the Underworld kaninang tanghali ay hindi ko na siya muling nakita.

During lunch time, Zoe was trying to press the issue about what happened to me, but I did my best to evade her questions. I didn't want her to get muddled up in the situation. Sinabi ko na lamang sa kanya that I just became a victim of bullying like every other new student, you know, the typical high school drama you see in movies, at hindi ko sinabi sa kanya kung sino ang mga taong nanakit sa akin. I told her na napagtripan lang ako, and I wasn't able to see the culprits' faces because everything happened quickly.