How To Make A Serial Killer

| 35 : Mother |

----- CHAPTER 35 -----

"Ashton, ano yang nasa likod ng tainga mo? Naligo ka ba?"

"Gago ka, Lindsey. Tatlong oras akong naligo para lang mawala lang ang putik sa katawan ko."

Naririnig ko ang boses nina Lindsey at Ashton sa tabi ko, pero nanatili akong nakapikit habang nakahiga sa kama. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagtulug-tulugan, umaasang aalis sila oras na mapagod sila.

I'm sure Selene talked them into visiting me here in this hospital.

"I feel you! I was stuck in a body bag for hours while surrounded by dead bodies! Dalawang bote ng shower gel ang naubos ko!"

"At least, ikaw nasa body bag! Ako, sa mismong ref nilagay ng punyetang Stu na 'yon!"

Dumilat ako ngunit hindi gumalaw, nanatiling nakatitig sa kisame. "Stu was a good person. If he was alive, he would never let George or Bailey harm us like that."

From my periphery, I saw Lindsey and Ashton hanging out on the couch. Lindsey went to me and sat on the edge of my bed. "Sa wakas naman, nagsalita ka na! Sabi ni Selene, ilang araw ka nang hindi nagsasalita o kumakain man lang! They were all so worried, especially Sir Andros!"

"Tangina, Wren! Ba't 'di mo man lang sinabi na magkadugo pala kayo?"

Napapikit akong muli dahil sa sinabi ni Ashton.

"How's Donovan?" pikit mata ko na lamang na tanong.

"Bumuti na raw ang pakiramdam, hinihintay na lang na magising," Lindsey answered, much to my relief.

"A-And Herb?" I was almost voiceless.

I shut my eyes tighter when none of them responded to my question. Their silence is enough of an answer.

"E-Enough about others . . ." Lindsey let out what a shaky chuckle. "Focus on your recovery. Your fans missed you so much. They're looking forward to hear your voice again. Ang tagal mo nang hindi naglalabas ng bagong episode sa podcast mo, eh."

It was my turn to chuckle.

"A-Anong nakakatawa?" Ashton asked hesitantly.

I opened my eyes as I continued staring ahead. "I just found it ironic . . ."

"Ang alin?" Lindsey asked.

"I made a living out of true crime murders. For years I talked about them, divulging on the killers' backgrounds, trying to figure out what made them kill. I even considered myself an expert about monsters who live among people. But then there I was, living with a murderer my entire life."

Lindsey and Ashton fell silent once again. From the side of my eyes, I saw how they both exchanged glances. And then Ashton spoke, "come on, Wren. Even the best fall down sometimes."

"Ashton." Lindsey flashed a deadpan look at him. "That's the lyrics to a Howie Day song."

"Come on, that's still a good one," Ashton retorted with a smug look on his face. "Quotable quotes from Ashtonio Gwapito."

"More like gago . . ." Lindsey murmured.

"Basher," Ashton countered, murmuring.

Annoyed, I grunted and covered myself with a blanket. "Umalis na nga kayo."

"Ikaw kasi, eh!" Lindsey said in a whispery voice.

"Anong ako? Ikaw kaya diyan!" Ashton replied.