Gone in Goroth: a Paranormal Odyssey

Chapter 1: Where Madness Begins

Chapter 1: Where Madness Begins

Miki

Hapon pa lang ay nag-iisip na ako ng mga maaring lutuin mamayang gabi. I thought of adobo at since matagal nang hindi nakakapaghanda no'n ay 'yon na lang ang ini-suggest ko kay Rosalie. Isa sa mga katulong sa mansyon kagaya ko.

"Dito daw mag-aaral ang kapatid mo? Akala ko ba sa West University, Institute of Science & Technology siya magko-kolehiyo?" tumango lang ako sa tanong ni Rosalie.

"Hmp! Ang bruhildang 'yon natunugan siguro na dito nag-aaral 'yong apo ni Senior Filomina. Aynaku! Laging may gulong nangyayari dito sa mansyon tuwing umuuwi siya."

I let out a deep sigh.

Liu, my step sister will arrive here this evening. Noon pa man ay hindi na maganda ang pakikitungo nito sa akin kaya gaya ng nakagawian ay magkukulong na naman ako sa maid's quarter mamaya gaya ng laging utos ni Mrs. Ichida t'wing uuwi ang anak.

It's always chaotic whenever Liu and I were put in the same place. She hates me a lot. Her family was always civil towards me for the past 17 years. But that doesn't cover the reality that I am her dad's mistake. I'm an illegitimate child. Kung swerte man na maituturing ang pagkupkop nila sa akin sa kabila ng lahat, I'm fine with it.

Wala na rin naman akong patutunguhan. Mr. Ichida said that my mom abandoned me after giving birth. That's why I never asked much about her. Wala ring kwenta.

Hindi ko namalayan ang mga oras na lumipas. We cleaned some furniture and changed the curtains. Pinalitan din ng freshly gathered tulips ang bulaklak sa mga vase. New sets of utensils were prepared. Senior Helga, the head housekeeper, was very strict with the cleaning and so we must clean everything twice to assure that the dusts were all cleaned off. Mas naging elegante ang modern inspired mansion ng mga Ichida dahil sa mga chandeliers na nagbibigay liwanag mula sa grand staircase patungo sa living area.

Isa ito sa mga araw na pinaghahandaan talaga ng mga kasambahay dahil isang beses sa isang taon lang tumutuloy dito ang mga Ichida. And it's been 5 years since the Ichida's heir, Liu, has been here.

I am drawn with the housekeeping and cooking to pay attention to the arrival of a Lamborghini in the front yard. Ang mga katulong at katiwala ng mansyon ay magiliw na nakahilera sa living area and some were in the front yard such as Senior Helga to greet the family. Rosalie gave me an apologetic smile before heading outside.

Sumilip ako nang panandalian sa bintana dulot ng pagiging kuryoso. From here, I could see them.

I'm working for this family for 17 years of my life.

Liu in her above the knee yellow dress looks youthful, however, something is off about her today. She's gazing the opposite side and I'm not quite sure to whom she's talking with. Despite of that, she looks like a grown-up lady now. Beside her is her mother, Mrs. Ichida. I couldn't help but envy my stepsister for having the life I've always wanted. I'm not even sure for the kind of like I wanted for myself.

Isa sa mga naka agaw ng atensyon ko ay ang matandang lalaking kasama ngmga Ichida. The old man is accompanied by some maids. He's wearing a brown cape, a hat, and an old-designed monacle while his hand is holding a crane for support. He looks harmless though. Para siyang isang matandang propesor. 'Yon nga lang ay nakakasilaw ang gintong nasa ngipin nito.

Kinausap iyon ni Mrs. Ichida. Nagkatawanan pa ang mga ito until he slowly gazes his eyes to the mansion's direction. It gives me all the creeps for I don't know why. Buti na lang ay inalalayan na ito ni Mrs. Ichida pabalik sa sasakyan at mukhang aalis na ito.