Take Me Back

Chapter 4: A Whole New World

RAQUEL

Hinawakan ko ang aking ulo dahil kumikirot ito sa sakit at parang binibiyak. That was the worst dream I've ever had! Huminga ako ng malalim at pumikit at pilit inalala ang masamang panaginip ko kagabi. Bakit parang ang laki ng galit sakin ng lalaking iyon? Well, it doesn't matter since it was just a dream, or should I say, a nightmare.

Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga ko sa kama. I was about to go to the bathroom when I realized that it wasn't in my room. I looked around and noticed that this room was old fashioned, like those old houses I saw in Taal with Thirdy. Speaking of which, where is he? But the real question is.. where am I?

I started walking towards the window and froze when I saw something strange. I mean, everything is strange! It was as if time stopped. Tila huminto ang pagikot ng mundo. Everyone, and everything is frozen. There's some sort of parade and a festival being held, based on my observation. There was a band marching by the road, groups of people smiling and having fun, kids being lifted by their parents to have a nicer view of the band, and many more! But what made my head ache even more, is that everyone was wearing old fashioned clothes! Everything's vintage! It's like I time travelled to the late 1900s! I was still in shock when somebody popped behind me and said, "Raquel... forgive me for bringing you in this mess.." It was Thirdy!

"Thirdy? What's going on? Anong ginagawa ko dito? Nasan tayo? Bakit hindi gumagalaw yung mga tao? Anon-" natigilan ako sa pagtatanong dahil may pumatak na luha sa kanyang kaliwang mata. "Narcisco Felipe, what the hell is going on?" nagaalalang tanong ko habang humahakbang papalapit sa kanya. He didn't answer my question, instead, he shook his head while tears were still streaming down his face.

"Hey, hey.. Stop crying. It's oka-"

"No. This is not okay.. I.. I-I'm sorry.."

Confused, my brows furrowed while I stared at my bestfriend crying. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang lugar na ito, at lalong hindi ko alam kung bakit sya umiiyak. I really hope this is just another nightmare.

"I did this.. I know this was gonna happen so I bought you with me.." he continued sobbing.

"What?"

"I.. I knew that that old guy was gonna do this.. but I can't do anything to stop him."

"Ano? Thirdy, kumalma ka. Wala akong maintindihan sa mga nangyayari! Ano.. anong ginagawa ko dito? Bakit ka umiiyak?  Anong alam mong gagawin nya?" I couldn't help but to freak out. Everything's just so insane!

He gulped before talking. "That o-old man we visited. H-he wasn't just an old hag. He's some sort of a witch or something. Every year, someone in their town goes missing and some rumors say na sya yung dahilan kung bakit nawawala sila..." he was trembling and he couldn't continue what he was saying.

"So you know he was dangerous but you made me tag along? Pano mo nagawa sakin to?" hindi ako makapaniwala. Ang matalik kong kaibigan.. nagawa akong traydurin ng ganito! "I-I'm sorry! If you weren't there, I should be dead by now! I'm j-just aftaid to die!"

"What? You mean you used me? Thirdy, how selfish could you be!" I screamed in anger. Lahat ng pinagsamahan naman noon, parang balewala lang sa kanya. I thought we were good friends, but friends don't do this to each other. Friends would never betray you! "But where the fuck are we? Tangina sumagot ka!" I tried my best to calm down but I couldn't. I don't have any idea on what's happening and where he got the audacity to did this to me! Tangina!

"I don't have time to explain. I just hope you understand why I did this. I have a family waiting for me. I can't leave them this soon. I'm sorry Carter.." he said and tears continued to stream down his face. No. No! I don't understand him pr any of this!