PROLOGUE (Edited)

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"Takbo...tumakbo ka!" Ani ng tinig mula sa aking likuran. I run, unsure of which direction to take, but I kept running.

Umalingawngaw ang nakakahindik na tinig mula sa paligid. The voice is unfamiliar to me; no signs that it's within my knowledge. But I can feel that it brings danger and wickedness. Hindi ko alam kung saan 'yon nanggagaling, ni hindi ko alam ang dahilan kung bakit may humahabol sa akin. Ang tanging alam ko lang ay nanganganib ang buhay ko.

"Tumakbo ka pa...Tatapusin kita."
I was trembling with fear; I wanted to wail and blare up my fear but I couldn't. I'm terrified but I was not able to ooze off my voice other than my tears. My smeared; greasy toes roved the forest.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagtakbo. The cold forest floor was covered with the softness of thick but wet leaves. My feet was soaked up with moisture of filthy soil. Hindi ko dama ang sakit sa aking talampakan buhat na din sapagkat wala akong sapin sa paa. Running in void, uncertain of the path I'm taking; seems like I'm a lost peregrine.

I trudged in unpleasant emotion. Pakiramdam ko'y malapit na niya akong mahuli kaya't mas lalo ko pang binilisan. A cold sweat is dripping down my forehead. Fear pervaded my eyes, but I keep on running.

Hanggang sa makaabot ako sa tuktok ng isang talon.
The surrounding is grim and dull, giving me an eerie feeling. Nababalot ng makapal na hamog na ulap ang paligid. All I could see is a grayish green shade of the entire place, no other light color is visible aside from the clear water and my white dress. There's no light coming from above either, there's no stars visible and the moon is hidden against the thick gloomy clouds.

Umaagos ang malamig na tubig ilang dipa mula sa aking kinatatayuan. Humakbang ako hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang tubig sa aking paanan.
The cold water is nudging my skin, easing up my already tired feet.

"Hindi ka na makakaligtas." Muling umalingawngaw ang tinig sa kung saan kasabay ng isang matinis na tunog na animo'y tumatawa. The unknown source of wicked laugh echoed, in unison with the cold breeze of wind. Tumingin ako sa baba ngunit hindi ko makita ang nasa ilalim sa sobrang taas ng talon.
A few drop of tears gleaming down my eyes, soaking up my already wet cheeks. Goosebumps grew visible on my entire body. Naramdaman ko ang presensiya niya papalit sa akin.

Not altering my decision, I closed my eyes for the last time before I made the last thing that I could do. Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa, tumalon ako kahit hindi ko tiyak ang aking kahahantungan at naramdaman ko na lang ang pagdilim ng paligid. My vision became blurry, as my other senses became numb; slowly falling from the verge. Hanggang sa tuluyan na akong nilamon ng dilim.

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