Monika

Prologue

Prologue

I sat on the dirty floor, watching people pass infront of me as they give me a stare that shows their disgust. I hear their footsteps, the buzzling noises coming from different mouths, the clinging noises of bells and the sound of sacks being smack roughly in the ground. It's very noisy but one noise that I hear the most is the rumbling tune that my stomach makes.

I'm starving.

How many days have passed?

Four days? Five days?

"Tignan n'yo may baliw dito!"

Napunta ang atensyon ko sa mga bata na papalapit sa akin. Ilang segundo lang ay may naramdaman akong basa sa noo ko. I slowly touch it and saw it's my blood. These kids throw stones at me. I wan't to fight but even lifting my feet makes me tremble.

I bend down my head to hide my face but before that another stone hit my left eye. I flexibly flinch from the pain. Andrenaline rush in my veins as I lift my hands to cover the damage. I gather my strength to lift my head only to see the vivid laughter and joy showing in their faces.

"Isn't that the daughter of Baron Hervel?"

"Yes, don't even think of helping her. That bitch deserve that. She stole the fiance of her sister that's why she was exiled."

"Umalis na tayo baka mahawaan pa tayo ng sakit niyan at tayo pa pagtripan ng mga batang 'yan."

I covered myself with my both hands hoping that it would at least protect me from those stones. I shivered because of pain I feel throughout my body. But it frustrates me why what felt the most pain is not my body.

But my heart.

I feel it tighten as I resist my sobs from escaping. Right now I just want to hurt myself even more for being so helpless. I want to pull my hair and slap my face.

I fucking loathe myself.

"Ah, baliw!"

The kids left after they threw the last big stone which hits my head. It hurts so much. I want to scream. I heard a continuous beeping noise in my head, but I can hear clearly their giggling noises along their footsteps fading away.

This is it.

This is the last straw.

Tapos na akong magpanggap na matapang. Hindi ko na kaya. Gusto ko na mamatay.

I lay down and closed my eyes on the hot and dirty surface, waiting for my bittersweet death. I can feel it.

I'm going to die.

I remember when I was 6 years old. I used to cowered behind my mother saying that I hate death. Then she would reply that death won't befall on me as long as I'm a good girl.

She died right after that day at the hands of my father. I saw how the sharp sword penetrates her heart. I can still hear the blood splashing into the body of her beloved murderer.

My father said something but I can't hear it. As I read his lips, it shocked me to silence.

"Monika, look at us clearly. This is what happen when you're a good girl." he grinned devilishly and left me shuddering on the floor.

Funny how my mother died with that in her mind.

"Silly mother, you died because you're a good girl. Why did you lie to me?" I laugh unconsciously.

"Can you share what is funny?"

Napalingon ako kung saan nanggaling ang boses na 'yon. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na may isang tao sa harap ko. I can' t see with my left eye but even if I can see with both, wala ring kwenta. Hindi ko siya makilala dahil nakasuot ito ng itim na robe at naka-mask. The only thing that I can see is her blue eyes and long curly blonde hair.

"I can't. Even though I want to, there's not enough time to tell you."

"Why?"

Hindi ako umimik. Wala akong balak makipag usap. Lalo na't masakit ang buong katawan ko. Gusto kong humiga ng walang disturbo.

"Hmmm, I see. You have only one and a half hour before you die. I can see your core fading."

She can see my core? Then she must be a respected mage or an individual who has a great amount of anima.

"Say, do you desire to live?" she giggled while she look at me closely. I can see the amusement in her blue eyes.

"No." I firmly declined.

Para ano pa? Wala na rin naman akong babalikan. Iniwan na nila akong lahat. Lahat ng gusto kong protektahan ay naging ahas na siyang tumuklaw sa akin.

"Seems like you've misunderstood my question. I asked if do you desire to live but you answered unselfishly." she said while swirling her hair.

How can she say? I want to ask her that question but I quickly pause since it's no use. I'm going to die anyway. She then leaned very closely towards me, expecting for a response but quickly understood that I changed my mind.

"It's a pity and amusing how you still not selfish in the brink of your death." she grinned and let out a laugh.

I didn't mind her again. I look at the clear blue sky, it's so calm that it warmed my heart. If only my life is like the blue sky, peaceful.

"Then in your stead, let me be selfish for you." she then puts her hand inside her robe as if looking for something.

This piqued my interest. I look at her blankly. I want to show how baffled I am but I couldn't move the muscles of my face. I'm starting to feel numb.

"Eto na, nakita ko na." she happily yell.

I saw that she took out a small vial. I don't know what it is but it has a glowing violet liquid inside. It's the first time I saw something like it.

She undoubtedly open it and put it in my dry lips as she poured down the liquid content into my mouth. I've got no choice but to drink it. She smiled like a mad scientist. I can see the excitement in her eyes. She look at me like a rat being expiremented on.

Ilang segundo lang ay naramdaman kong bumibigat ang talukap ng mga mata ko. Bago ako mawalan ng malay, narinig ko ang huling sinabi niya.

"Suffer with me."