Phantom Nightray (Published Under PSICOM)

Chapter 1

Coraline Lazaro, Cora for short. She's been an A straight student from elementary to college. Has never broken any rules and has never dated anyone. Many boys tried to court her but she has always rejected them because she preferred studying than dating—and also, she wasn't interested because she has already reserved herself to the Lord.

Yes, that's right. She wants to be a servant of the Lord that's why after she graduated, she told her parents that she wants to enter the convent and become a nun. Her parents were shocked at first because they thought that she was going to pursue becoming a prosecutor. Nalungkot din sila but they didn't refuse because she had already convinced them that she really wants this—and kind of guilty-tripped them that she's already followed everything that they asked her to do all throughout her life.

"Cora, are you really sure about this?" her Mother popped the question while they're eating their breakfast. She's been asking her that same question ever since she told them that she was going to the convent. She nodded her head and smiled at her mother.

"Yes mama, I really want to serve God." she said. Her parents sighed and forced a smile.

She also feels guilty. She knows that they have high expectations of her but she really wants to be a servant of the Lord, and not a prosecutor.

"Your poor manliligaws are going to cry blood once they found out about this." She chuckled upon hearing her Mother's words.

Obviously, her Mother is trying to guilt-trip her using that but unfortunately, that's not going to work.

They were in the middle of eating their breakfast when her twin arrived.

And yes, she also does have a twin. But unlike any twins, they don't have the same personalities, they're actually the complete opposite of each other. Her twin sister, Caroline, is very outgoing and enjoys partying outside. She has no interest in studying and she dates a lot of boys—like a lot.

While Coraline likes to use simple, long dresses, her twin Caroline likes—no, scratch that, loves wearing outfits that would expose her skin. Caroline is the black sheep of their family.

"Wow, my anghel-anghelan twin sis is still here." She said with a sarcastic smile plastered on her face. Coraline sighed.

She also forgot to add that her twin sister hates her to the core. Well, she wasn't always like this. They actually used to be close until they reached the fifth grade and Caroline suddenly changed.

"I thought you're going to leave today? What about the convent?" Her twin sister said as if she's mocking her.

"Carol!" Our Mother shouted.

"What? I thought she's going to the convent. Are you sad mama? Na magiging madre yang paborito mong anak?"

"Caroline stop talking to your Mother like that!" It was their Father who shouted this time. Coraline sighed and stopped eating.

"I'll be leaving at noon ate Carol." She said and smiled at her. The smile on her twin's face disappeared and she glared at her.

"Let's eat?" Aya niya rito but Carol just rolled her eyes and proceeded to her room.

"She comes home late at hindi pa nagmamano sa mga magulang! You're twins but you're the total opposite of each other!" Galit na sigaw ng kanyang ama.

"Hon, baka stressed lang si Caroline sa school." Their mama said, trying to calm their father down.

"Stressed? Sa school?! She's been skipping school to go to her parties!"

"Papa, calm down... try to understand Caroline, maybe she's going through something. Just calm down, bawal sa'yo ang magalit, masama yan para sa puso mo." She said to her father. Huminga naman ito nang malalim at tsaka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

After finishing our breakfast and after washing the dishes. She was about to enter her room when her twin suddenly blocked the door. Nagtatakang tinignan niya ito.

"You're leaving today right?"

She sighed.

Gusto na talaga nitong umalis ako.

She nodded her head and smiled at her twin.

"Yes."

Caroline rolled her eyes and cringed but that expression suddenly changed. Her twin suddenly grinned at her.

"I have a gift for you sis. It'll be arriving anytime today. Have fun in the... convent..." She said before leaving. Nangunot ang kanyang noo sa sinabi ng kanyang kakambal. Para kasing may pinapahiwatig ito.

She sighed and shook jer head.

Maybe it's just me. Caroline loves to taunt me, maybe she's just taunting me this time.

---

Nagpaalam na siya sa kanyang mga magulang. She was actually planning to say her goodbyes to her sister ngunit nang bisitahin niya ito sa kwarto nito, wala na iyon don.

Ite-text ko nalang siya mamaya.

She was waiting for a taxi nang biglang may dumating na McLaren 570s at nag-park sa mismong kinakatayuan niya. Nangunot ang kanyang noo nang lumabas d'on ang isang lalaking may matipunong katawan at napakagwapong mukha.

She shook herself and looked away.

Ghorl, pa-kumbento ka na, tama na yan.

Akmang maglalakad sana siya papalayo nang bigla nalang siya nitong hilahin. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang bigla nalang siya nitong kinarga na parang sako.

"Ay!"

"You woman! You stole my Lamborghini Veneno Roadster! Pinainom mo ako ng pampatulog para makuha mo ang susi ko sa bulsa ko tsaka mo tinangay ang kotse ko!" He shouted at her nang makapasok sila sa kotse nito.

She stole his car?

Wait...

She doesn't drink and she can't even drive...

Oh no...

"S-Sir, I think you're talking about my twin, she's—" Her words was cut off when he glared at her. Nag-igting ang panga nito at kitang-kita sa mga mata nito ang galit.

She bit her lower lip.

What did her twin do this time?!

"Shut up woman! You're going to pay for that!" He shouted. Bigla naman nitong binilisan ang pagmamaneho kaya't napahawak siya sa nang mahigpit sa upuan tsaka siya nagdasal.

"Diyos ko po, iligtas niyo po kami sa kapahamakan. Pakalmahin niyo po ang lalaking katabo ko ngayon. Kung ano mang nagawa ni Caroline sakanya ay sana'y patawaranin niya na rin ito—Aray!"

"Patawarin?! Do you know how much that car costs?! It costs $9.5 Million!" Napanganga siya nang malaman ang presyo nito.

"You're going to pay for it!"

"H-How? Wala akong pera."

The man glared at her ngunit dahan-dahan itong ngumisi. 

"You'll find out how." 

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NOCTURNALBEAST