Midnight Angels: The War

Chapter 9

'Switching Bodies'

Zia had been staring at the mirror for way too long. She wanted to wake up but the poison insisted she stay asleep. "Wala akong mapapala kung matutulog lang ako." Aniya at tumingin sa salamin.

Her reflection on the mirror smiled at her.

"Mas mapapahamak ka kung gigising ka. They'll know your location." Sagot nito kaya ikinuyom na ni Zia ang kamao niya. "Unless.. unless I'll use the body first." Kumunot agad ang noo ni Zia dahil sa sinabi nito.

"Kasi kapag ikaw ang gumising, malalaman nila kung nasan ka pero kapag ako ang gumising, you'll be incognito." Pagpapaliwanag nito sa kanya. Zia just scoffed. "The last time I let you use the body, you almost killed my family." Sagot ni Zia kaya napanguso naman 'yung reflection niya.

"Whatever. Then let your Uncle Jayden leave. You know they're fighting right now, right?" Nagtiim-bagang agad si Zia dahil sa sinabi nito at napapikit nalang. She was about to agree to the mirror's wish when she heard another voice in her head.

Saglit siyang tumingin sa salamin para alamin kung ang lason ba ito o hindi. But it was another voice.

"Child.." Kumunot agad ang noo ni Zia dahil sa narinig niya at lalo na nung bigla nalang naglaho ang salamin sa harap niya at bigla siyang napadpad sa isang silid na puno ng mga kandila. Nilibot niya ang paningin niya pero wala siyang makita.

"Are you alone, child?" Pag-uulit nito. Hindi siya sumagot at napaatras lang nung may babae siyang nakita na naglalakad papunta sa kanya. Her face was familiar, her aura was familiar.

"Miss Time?" Takang tanong ni Zia. The lady in front of her flashed a smile and indeed, she was Time.

"You're really a bundle of surprises, huh? Calling me, Miss?" Tanong ni Time sa kanya at napakagat naman ng ibabang labi ni Zia. "Uhh.. Ma'am Time?" Agad na natawa si Time dahil sa tanong ni Zia.

"No wonder why Hades is so fond of you." Natatawang sabi nito sa kanya. Napangiti lang si Zia. Isang totoong ngiti. Time looked at her. "And that smile.." She trailed off, looking at how sweet Zia's smile was.

"That smile that captivated the hearts of many. You are just like your mother." Mahinahong sabi ni Time sa kanya. Zia thought for a while why she was here.

"A-Am I.. am I dead?" Tanong niya dahil naalala niya ang kwento ni Xin kung paano nito nakilala si Time. Xin died before she met Time and Zia was thinking the same. Napahawak agad si Zia sa dibdib niya pero lumingo-lingo lang si Time.

"Oh, no, child. I just brought you here because I need to tell you something." Sabi nito. Inihilig lang ni Zia ang ulo niya sa kanan at nakinig rito. "I promised your mother a pleasant life. It's a shame to know she's having a hard time right now." Time said.

Napayuko lang si Zia at bumuntong-hininga.

"She's having a hard time because of me." Aniya habang nakayuko. Dahan-dahan namang hinawakan ni Time ang pisngi niya kaya iniangat na ni Zia ang tingin niya rito.

"You are born with a gift. Just.. a very complicated one." Nakangiti nitong sabi sa kanya.

"I have something to show you." Time guided Zia towards a certain wall. Sumunod lang si Zia sa mga kilos nito at inutusan lang siya ni Time na tumingin lang sa pader. After seconds of looking at a plain rock wall, the wall started changing.