Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 34: A Nightmare

"Galit parin ako sa'yo," My voice croaked. I hate how he hides things from me.

"You can be mad, and I'll take care of you at the same time."

Crying won't solve things, but we don't cry to resolve. We cry for release. So I cried while he took care of me. I cried while he brushed my hair with shampoo, while he lathered my skin with soap, and while he dried me with a towel.

How they took care of me was a blur. Hera passing her clothes, the doctor stitching my thighs while TJ held me tightly, and him depositing me in a bed while he hugged me tightly all night.

Bakit ba ako nasama sa gulong 'to?

Who am I?

How do I survive in his world if I don't even know myself? Is it really because I'm his girlfriend, or am I just deluding myself? Because I know and feel there's something bigger at play here.

All these chaotic questions never left me the entire night. I thought about Ate Beauty and Nana in the hospital.

I thought about college and the things that had been burned in the fire.

I thought about... I thought about the fact that I'm much more disturbed that I killed someone and not that TJ is a killer.

It's all crashing down on me. I don't know how to stop it—or if I can stop it. It's all so suffocating. As if I don't have control over my life.

"Don't be a shell, my Hope." I hear him whisper as I feel my lids grow heavy.

~~~

Nagising ako sa isang malambot na higaan at sa sakit ng buo kong katawan. Sumabay na rin ang bigat ng mga mata ko dahil sa walang sawang pag iyak ko kagabi—Hindi nakatulong ang liwanag ng kwarto dahil sa araw na lumalagpas sa kurtina.

TJ is nowhere in sight, but muted conversation is carried through the closed door. I crept towards it, the door not betraying me by its silence as I opened it. The people talking were across the hall, and I walked slowly as their conversations grew louder.

My skin prickled in anticipation of eavesdropping because the last time I did, I learned about the existence of Itasaki and found out about the fact that they had been looking forward to their attack.

I hissed as my injury burned, holding my breath as I peered around the corner, hoping to hear some of what was being said before I announced that I was present.

Natigil ang pag-uusap, at natigilan ako sa pag-aalalang gumawa ako ng ingay na nakabisto sa akin.

"Scarlet." Sir Archie's voice echoed up to me. "You don't have to hide."

Nag init ang aking mukha. Shet pano niya nalamang andito ako? Lumabas ako, determinadong hindi ipapakita sa kanila kung gaano ako hindi komportable.

Napatingin ako sa mga tao sa sala. Sir Archie, Kuya Jupiter, Hera, TJ—na magaling magtago ng emosyon, pero kitang-kita ko ang inis sa mukha niya. It's the slight strain in his forehead and the grit of his jaw. He doesn't like what's happening.

May dalawang tao rin na hindi ko inaasahan na nandito—Isang random na lalaki at si Madame Kristine.

Sir Archie looks up from where I am, his gray hair slicked back. "Sit."

Umupo ako sa isa sa mga stool sa tabi ni Hera. Nakatayo si Kuya Jupiter at TJ, pero hiwalay sa isa't isa.

Hinila ko ang t-shirt at pajama pants na pinahiram ni Hera. I must look shitty right now. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mga pasa sa mukha ko at ang namamaga kong mata dahil sa pag-iyak.

Umupo ako sa tapat ni Sir Archie, habang si Madame Kristine at ang lalaking kasama niya ay nasa couch sa kaliwa ko.

I folded my hands in my lap, trying not to gnaw on my lower lip while I waited for him—or anyone else to start talking. I glanced at TJ for a lifeline, he had a strange expression on his face.

"Scarlet, I believe you know Kristine Yoshikawa? This is her husband, Ayahiko."

Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Sir Archie habang sinusuri niya ako. Bumuntong hininga siya at tumingin sa idol ko at sa asawa niya. "Let's rip the bandaid off... Yoshikawa?"

Tumango si Madame at mangiyak-ngiyak na tumingin sa'kin, "We're your parents, Scarlet."

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