RETREAT (dropped)

001: Hello Strangers

Spencer

I just woke up from a deep sleep. My head freaking hurts like hell dahil tanghali na naman ako nagising.

Ano bang pinag-gagawa ko kagabi?

Oh right. I was at the party, drinking. Who cares anyway?

Katatapos ko lang maghilamos nang salubungin ako ni Dad.

"Get on the car."

"What?"

"Just get on." And he just walked out.

What is that? where are we going? I haven't even eaten anything yet and- oh whatever. Just follow the boss.

Ngayon ko lang napansing hindi pala ako nakapag-palit ng damit mula kagabi. Mukhang hindi naman madumi bahala na.

"Where are we going?" Tanong ko ulit.

Hindi nanaman siya sumagot. Bahala na nga siya.

*phone rings*

"Oo. Papunta na kami, kasama ko na siya." Who?

Where the fuck are we going and what's with the vibe?

I tried to lean closer to him but he just ended the call and I heard nothing but a sigh.

"Wha-"

"You'll know when we get there." Fine. Looks like he won't say anything so I just decided to stop asking.

My head still hurts. Nevermind. I'll just sleep.

∆∆∆

I woke up. The car already stopped and Dad is outside. Bumaba ako ng kotse at pinagmasdan kung nasa'n kami.

This place doesn't look familiar and I don't know what it is. All I can see is just tall grass and trees everywhere and an endless road. Are we... Lost? or not.

"Dad? where are you?" He's not here when I got out the car.

"Dad?" Walang sumasagot.

Hindi ko alam pang-ilang damo na ang nadaanan ko pero wala parin siya.

I heard the engine start so I immediately ran back to the car but it's not there already.

Did he... left me?

Obviously.

Ito siguro 'yung pinaplano niya kanina nung may kausap siya sa phone.

Ano 'to pinapalayas niya na ako? Dito talaga ako titira sa gubat? Well, I'm pretty sure there's a house here and he planned everything.

I'm not gonna refuse anyways, I prefer to live alone.

∆∆∆

After 15 minutes of walk I finally saw a house. Not bad Dad, I could live here forever if you want me to.

The door is slightly opened that's why I got in easily. Madilim sa loob na halos wala na akong makita. Hinanap ko ang switch sa gilid and finally, I opened the light.

"HI!" What the fuck was that? Bakit may tao dito sa loob?

"Awts gege hindi ako pinansin." He said while getting up from a chair, I looked at him and he look like a 12 year old kid, yes. A kid.

"Why are you in my house kid?" I said in a confused tone watching him licking his lollipop.

"Excuse me, this is not "your house" and I am not a kid." Parang biglang nag-iba 'yung kausap ko kanina dahil nagbago ang tono ng pananalita niya.