✔Dating the Undead [Books 1&2]

DTU2: QUADRAGINTA SEX

It was a memory shown in blurred scenes.  

Naaalala noon ni Algea ang paglalaro nila ni Adrien sa bakuran ng kanilang tahanan. The five-year-old girl would often drag her little brother and play hide and seek. Para kay Algea, ang kanyang nakababatang kapatid ang isa sa pinakamamahalagang tao sa buhay niya.

"Ate! Ate! Nandito na si daddy!"

Adrien would often say whenever their dad comes home from ESORC. Naaalala pa ni Algea noon na lagi silang nag-uunahan ng kapatid para sa atensyon ng ama. They love the smell of antiseptic and camomile tea stuck on his laboratory coat. They love their parents.

They love their father with all their hearts.

"DADDY!"

Mahinang natawa si Professor Samuel at pagod na ngumiti sa mga anak. He picked up Algea and kissed her on the forehead. "How's my little princess?"

Algea giggled. "Daddy, good news! Si Adrien pangarap daw maging scientist pag laki niya!"

Ngumiti ang propesor at binalingan ang bunso. He patted Adrien's head. A proud smile on his face, "Talaga bunso? Do you want to be like daddy, too?"

Masayang yumakap ang bata sa ama at tumango. "Yes, daddy! I wanna be a scientist like you!"

"My little scientist. Pagbutihan mo pag-aaral mo ha?"

"Opo!"

Algea and Adrien stared at their father in admiration. Si Professor Samuel Castillo ang taong labis nilang hinahangaan. To Eastwood, he was a genius; but to these kids, he was their hero.

Huminga nang malalim si Professor Samuel. Tinitigan niyang maigi ang mga mata ng mga anak.

Hazel eyes.

"You two have pretty hazel eyes---"

"Just like daddy?" Adrien innocently asked. Alam niyang namana nila ito sa kanilang ama. The same shade of hazel that enchants anyone. Mahinang natawa si Professor Samuel at kinarga ang dalawang anak. "Yes, just like daddy's.. kayo ang kayamanan namin ni mommy, Algea and Adrien. Someday, I want you both to fulfill your dreams and live a long and happy life.. okay?"

Hanggang ngayon ay naririnig pa rin ni Algea ang boses ng ama. Naririnig niya pa rin ang mga bilin nito sa kanila. 'Long and happy life? Thanks for lying, daddy.' Mapait na natawa si Algea kasabay ng pamumuo ng luha sa kanyang mga mata.

It all makes sense now.

Ito ang sikretong matagal nang itinatago ni Levi sa kanya.

'That's why he doesn't want me to get hurt emotionally...'

"A-Algea?" Sinubukan siyang hawakan ni Levi pero mabilis rin niyang kinabig ang kamay nito. Maging si Ethan ay natahimik sa sitwasyon. Algea has a feeling he already knows about this too.

'Kailan pa nila nalaman?'

Adrien.

Adrien Castillo was Marishel's monster.

Nauunawaan na ni Algea kung saan nagmumula ang mga bangungot niya. Somehow, she was connected to Adrien's memories by their blood.. Her nightmare was the night Marishel killed her brother.

"P-Paano...?"

Suddenly, Algea found it difficult to breathe. Nanghihina niyang tinitigang maigi ang zombie sa kanilang harapan. Naaagnas na ang katawan nito at unti-unti nang natutuklap ang pinagtagpi-tagpi niyang balat. Naglalagas na rin ang buhok ng binata at isang makapanindig-balahibong ngiti ang sumilay sa mga labi ng kapatid. Despite his physical appearance being beyond recognition, nakilala pa rin ni Algea ang lalaking ito.