INCUBUS

Chapter VI

Chapter VI

He stared at her in the bascinus who silently sleeping. He was tempted to visit her again in her dream.

But how can he? How can he make her dream another nightmare? He shouldn't be feeling this. The feeling of guilt. He should feel nothing but pleasure for taking her inside of her dream.

"Why are you doing this to me...Araceli?" he whispers as he dismisses his fingers on the bascinus.

"Chief..."

Thamuz entered the hall with his two companions.

"The Eight Order is moving again, Chief. One of our members of lower classes was eradicated by the winged men."

"Does his Lordship knows about this?" he asks while contemplating things.

"No, Chief. I thought I'd tell you first." Thamuz answered.

"The winged men...do you know who he is?"

"He belongs to the third hierarchy, chief." he said that made him abruptly glared at him.

"An Archangel?!"

"Not just an Archangel. He is the chief of all angels."

His hands balled with anger. How many centuries has it been since he met him? How many centuries since their last battle?

"How dare you, Michael!" he hissed.

***

Five men were massacred outside the Cagsawa chapel.

Ara cringe her nose as she reads the headline on the newspaper. Kakababa niya lang at galing kuwarto. She's ready for work.

"Evildoers will rot in hell," she heard her father said.

"Good morning, Papa," bati niya saka umupo sa dining table. Tumabi siya kay Mason na busy sa pag-kain.

"Eat your breakfast," sabi nito sa kaniya.

"Si Mama at Tita Belen po?" tanong niya habang kumukuha ng bread toast.

"They went to market early. Gagamitin mo ba ang sasakyan mo ngayon?"

"Opo, Pa,"

"Mmm, Mason. Ihatid mo nga itong si Ara. Paalagaan mo muna si Euki sa Lola mo,"

"Papa, I can drive on my own. At saka ayaw kong maabala si Kuya,"

"It's okay, sis. Mag-co-commute na lang ako pabalik," nakangiting sabi sa kaniya ni Mason.

"Pero Kuya—"

"Delikado na sa labas, Ara. See this?" ipinakita nito ang diyaryo na binabasa niya. "Five innocent men were killed. I just want you safe."

Tumango na lamang ang dalaga. She doesn't want to argue with her father dahil ayaw niyang masira ang araw niya. Mas lalo lamang itong mangungulit.

"Kuya..." tawag niya sa kapatid habang nagda-drive ito.

"Mmm?"

"May crush ako," sabi niya sabay tawa. Pakiramdam niya ay isa siyang highschooler na nagsasabi sa kapatid.

"Sa edad mong iyan may crush ka pa?" natatawang komento ng kapatid niya at nginusuan niya lamang ito.

"Ang guwapo kasi, eh!" she said dreamy. Naalala na naman niya ang nangyari kagabi. Sana hindi iyon ang huling pagkakataon na makita at makausap niya ang lalaki.

"Sino ba 'yan?" nakasimangot na sabi ng Kuya niya.

"Uyy! Si Kuya interesado," pang-aasar niya.