Chapter Eight: Curious little thing
- Enzo Alexander -
"Fuck off Asher, stop bothering me." Enzo sighed while watching his twin walk away. He wanted to smack Asher dahil kanina pa siya nito pinipilit pumunta kung saan.
Kababalik lang nila sa Academy at napagdesisyunan niyang lumayo muna dahil napagod siya sa shopping, or more like following, escapade nila kanina. At least his sister was happy, that was enough for him.
He has some unfinished business to do, ngayon lang siya nagka oras para gawin ito.
"Kararating lang natin aalis ka agad? What the eff man?" Angal agad ni Asher. Hindi niya ito pinansin at dumiretso palabas ng Dawn. Alam naman niyang tutungo rin ito sa Sinclaire Cemetery kung saan naroon ang kanyang kambal, si Seige, at Flame. Uuwi pa kasi si Zeus dahil hindi ito nakapag paalam sa kanyang Mama at kailangan pa nitong sunduin si Aiane. Or maybe Asher will take a detour dahil ayaw nitong maki hang out sa girls, ayaw kasi nitong nag iisa lang. It makes him feel gay.
Enzo only rolled his eyes. Asher can do whatever he wants.
Alam niyang naka tuon sa kanya ang atensyon ng mga students na nasa parking lot ngayon. He really couldn't care less.
His fist clenched upon thinking about the thing he has to deal with. Kailangan niyang maayos ang gusot na ito bago pa magkanda leche ang lahat. He knew what the Vampires around him are capable of, he knew what they can do to get what they want.
He grew up with Protectors, kaya natuto siyang kabisaduhin ang galaw ng kalaban.
And right now, Audrina Calista Hemlock is the enemy.
He got in his car and drove out the SA private road. He knew where she's staying at alam niya rin na nag iisa ito, and probably waiting for him.
She made a bold move by showing up at La Patisserie yesterday, he never expected that. Of course agad na kumulo ang dugo ng kanyang kambal.
His jaw tightened once he entered the Patridge Manor. Matagal na itong walang tao dahil halos lahat ng Patridge ay wala na sa bansa. His Papa told him the Manor was under the name of Audrina Patridge. Celeste Patridge's sister.
The girl Audrina Calista was named after.
He knew Audrina Patridge's story, he just can't imagine Callie was named after such a bold and loving girl, while she, Callie, was twisted as a freaking rope.
Enzo knew na kasalanan niya ito. Kasalanan niya kung bakit masyado itong attached sa kanya.
He stopped and got out. He took a deep breath before entering the old Manor, and as he expected...Callie welcomed him with open arms.
- Zeus Achilles -
Zeus knocked three times before entering his sister's room. He saw her sitting on the veranda's floor, enjoying the wind.
He sat next to her and handed her the book.
"What's this?" She asked, picking it up.
"I dunno." He shrugged.
After Seige left, he picked it up and bought it immediately. He got curious kung ano ang laman nito but he wasn't sure kung gusto ba niya itong basahin.
Stormborn.
The word Seige used to classify him, she's right. He is a Stormborn but he didn't know na may ibig sabihin pala ito.
"This used to be written in Varsyione. Saan mo nakuha 'to, Kuya?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Aiane after examining the book.
"The old bookstore." His answer was clipped. "Read it for me."
"Why?"
"Just do it."
"When I said I want something interesting I didn't mean na ibili mo ko ng libro about sa hundred year old place and dialect!" Napakamot ng ulo si Aiane. "Do you know how hard Varsyione is? Ang tagal ko na kayang nagpapaturo kay Papa 'non yet I still can't get the hang of it!"
"Translated na 'yan diba?" He rolled his eyes at his sister.
"Oo nga pero may mga term pa rin dito na hindi ko maiintindihan. I'm not a child genius." Aiane snorted but then sighed. "Come to think of it, matagal na kong curious about Mermont. It used to have a colorful history like Hangrove but the Society focused on our place than there."
"What are you two talking about?" They both jumped at the voice of their Mother.
"What do you know about Mermont, Mama?" Tanong agad ni Aiane nang maupo ito sa tabi niya.
"Well, Sa mg school, including Sinclaire Academy, hindi tinuturo ang history ng Mermont and also Varsyione. Some say it's because of what happened to the place, it was so tragic na ayaw nang balikan ng iba so the next generation, ours and yours, know less about it. I don't really know much because wala namang mahahanapan na kung ano about sa Mermont, meron namang books but I think they don't sell those stuff anymore."
"But have you ever been to Mermont, Mama?" Tanong ni Zeus.
"No, but yung Papa mo ata naka punta na don. Explorer yon e."
"Where's Papa?" Tanong agad ni Aiane.
"Curious little thing, aren't you?" Tawa ni Adrianna sa anak. "Andon sa kwarto namin, tawagin mo."
Aiane dashed and a second later she's back with their Father behind her.
"Is this a meeting?" Natatawang tanong ni Senri nang makita si Zeus at Adrianna na naka upo sa lapag ng Veranda.
"I want you to tell me about Mermont, Papa." Aiane said. Zeus silently listened. He knew Aiane's curiosity can lead to somewhere, hihintayin nalang niya ang mga malalaman nito.
They went home that night, nakaligtaan na nga ni Zeus na kailangan pala nilang bumalik ng Academy. He had to carry a sleeping Aiane to their dorm. It was already 9 pm, halos lahat ng students ay naka balik na. He wondered what the others did habang wala silang magkapatid.
Nang lumabas na siya ng kwarto ni Aiane he immediately headed to a room na pinagbawalan siyang dayuhin but he couldn't help himself. He stopped in his tracks when he felt that no one was inside, he didn't have to open the door to confirm his theory.
Where was Flame?
He went to Asher's room instead ngunit wala rin ito. His forehead creased, bago pa man siya mag isip ng kung ano ay dumiretso siya sa kwarto ni Ezra at tulad ng dalawa ay wala rin ito.
"They're at the cemetery."
He jumped when he heard Seige's voice.
"Is it your hobby to sneak up on everyone?" Zeus said landing his hand on his chest dahil totoong nagulat siya rito. Ilang beses na kasi nitong ginawa ito sa kanya and it always gets him everytime.
"You're a Vampire." Seige raised her brow at him. "I just caught you off guard."
"Where are you heading?" He asked her instead.
"Cemetery. Ezra requested my presence."
She sounded like a servant but Zeus shrugged it off. He got used to her voice.
Kung naroon rin naman ang kanyang mga kaibigan, doon na rin siya pupunta. He wasn't really tired, si Aiane lang talaga ang napagod dahil sa kakasalita at kakatanong. Para nga silang nagkaroon ng mock debate, they were talking about History. It was very unusual yet fun. Their Father won of course, much to their Mother's charging. Aiane learned a lot and that's all that matters. He did learn a few things too but had to dig some more kung gusto niya talaga malaman ang tungkol sa Mermont. It was a place off limits after all. Kahit sa mapa ay wala na rin ito.
Naisip na naman tuloy niya ang kanyang kapatid. How her eyes lit up when their Father told them about the history or the Kenettra Family.
Aiane had a wandering mind. Zeus wanted to retort that she is a child genius ngunit alam niyang aangal ito.
Athena Adrianne had a different way of seeing life. She believes in experience, because according to her "Experience is greater than Academics" kaya nga kung papayagan itong pakawalan nalang then he wouldn't see her for a long time, ngunit mas gusto ng kanilang magulang na makatapos sila ng pag aaral.
Aiane is slowly adjusting to the Academy life but he knew she's having fun.
Zeus silently walked with Seige hanggang sa makarating na sila sa cemetery.
"Oh too slow Flamy," Asher laughed while running around using his Vampire speed. Flame was trying to catch him.
"Try again, little red head."
"You great lummox! Bring back my phone!" Flame screamed.
"What's a lummox?" Ezra asked in a whisper.
"A clumsy, stupid person." Seige answered.
Ezra silently laughed under a tree while watching the two. Zeus tried to find Enzo ngunit wala ito. Nang nilingon niya ang kanyang tabi ay wala na rin si Seige, naka upo na ito sa isang tree branch ng puno na hinihiligan ni Ezra.
Zeus eyes winded when a black ball started growing on Flame's hand and then slammed directly at Asher.
Asher got hit at tumilapon ito sa di kalayuang puno.
Ezra stood up in shock habang nanatili namang naka tayo roon si Zeus.
Asher groaned but immediately got up, facing Flame. Katulad nila ay gulat rin ito.
"That was so freakin awesome! Where'd you learn to do that?!" Asher exclaimed in shock and excitement.
Ezra rolled her eyes dahil sa walang hiyang reaksyon nito.
"Let's try again! Come on Flame!" Asher's voice dripped with excitement before running around the cemetery habang nawala naman ang gulat ni Flame at hinabol rin ito.
Napailing si Zeus sa nangyari. When that happens, that means Flame is close to her limit. Sadyang mahaba talaga ang pasensya nito kay Asher dahil sabay silang lumaki, she knew how to handle his energy.
He suppress the urge to sigh. Hindi naman alam ni Flame kung gaano kahabang pasensya ang binibigay niya para dito. At least wala na silang hide and seek ngayon but it's still sad because their time is still limited. He really wanted to have her alone but wala naman siyang mahanap na maayos na tyempo.
"Where's Enzo?" Zeus asked, naupo na siya sa tabi ni Ezra.
"I dunno, haven't seen him since we got back." She shrugged before sighing.
"I wished we had the twin connection thing like Mom and Tito Cain."
"Maybe he just took a stroll." Zeus shrugged too, he didn't like it when Ezra will turn sentimental over Enzo. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she loves her brother very much to the point na ayaw niyang may kahati sa atensyon nito. They may not have the so called 'Twin bond' but their twin game is still strong.
"With that stroll baka naikot na niya ang buong Hangrove kasama pa Kenettra." Ezra snorted.
He didn't know kung gaano na katagal wala si Enzo but judging on Ezra's reaction mukhang matagal na.
"He should be back now." Seige said, sitting comfortably on top of them. "I saw him leaving the Academy."
"Anong oras?" Ezra looks up at her.
Asher's laugh and Flame's shrieks can be heard from the distance ngunit wala na ang dalawa sa paningin ni Zeus.
"Exactly when we got back."
"Ano yun? When we got out of the car he drove away?"
"No. He got out too, after you said you guys will head to the cemetery Enzo turned his back when walked away. He even told Asher to fuck off." Seige informed in a monotone. Mukhang wala lang dito ang sinasabi. Zeus thought she sounded like a robot.
"You watched him walk away?" Ezra smiled, an evil one. "Looks like lurking behind the shadows is your forte, Seige."
Hindi ito sumagot.
Zeus had an inkling where Enzo could be. He didn't know any of his plans, wala naman talaga siyang alam tungkol sa dalawa. Callie left as soon as Zeus could figure out what's going on between the two, Enzo cleared it to him. What they have is nothing yet Callie's actions tell otherwise. Enzo wanted to keep it a secret so he did but he knew sooner or later malalaman rin ito ni Ezra and things will get messy.
"I want you to keep an eye on Enzo, Seige."
- Athena Adrianne -
Athena woke up in a jolt. She just had a dream, it wasn't weird or anything, just enough to wake her up. She still wasn't used to seeing different colored walls and paintings, this was her new room. She'd rather be in her old room but she had no choice.
She had a light sleep but it was long, alam niyang binuhat siya ng kanyang Kuya patungo rito. She glanced at her digital clock and saw that it's 3:54 am.
Naisipan niyang matulog muli ngunit lumulutang sa kanyang isipan ang napag usapan nila kanina. She groaned before jumping down her bed and searched for the book her brother bought.
Naisip niya na napaka talino siguro ng nag translate nito, or Varsyione was his/her mother tongue but that's close to impossible.
Varsyione already died.
Her Father told her no one knew how to speak Varsyione sa panahon ngayon. It can be learned but using it to converse is hard. She knew a few words and how to write a few words down courtesy of her awesome Father who made time to teach her some things.
But she wanted to know more.
Her Mother dubbed her as a "Curious little thing" because that's how she is. She wants answers to her never ending questions.
Sa unang linggo ay nalibot na niya ang buong Academy. She even got to tour Hangrover too for the whole summer, she wanted to go out of town ngunit hindi naman siya pinapayagan umalis nang hindi kasama ang kanyang Kuya. It's either him or a group of Protectors. She'd pick her Kuya everytime.
Blake had it easy dahil ito ang pinaka bata sa kanilang tatlo but he wasn't as equally curious as she is.
Athena knew her curiosity can lead to somewhere, it can even lead her to danger but her parents wouldn't allow that. Pumayag lang naman ang mga ito na wag nang magdagdag ng Protectors sa Academy because of her brother's wish. Now that she's here, mas kokonti ang oras na kasama niya ang kanyang magulang. With her wandering heart and mind, mag aalala talaga ang mga ito dahil kung saan saan talaga siya nakakapunta but thanks to her Kuya Zeus who assured the both of them will be safe under his watch.
She's got Asher too, she really didn't know if Enzo cared for her. Kay Gianna lang naman ito may pakialam. She didn't want to sound bitter because what she felt for him is simply attraction. She got to see how boys are base sa tour niya rito sa Academy, and Enzo wasn't like other boys.
She knew her curiosity about Enzo Heath will not falter. She didn't want to dig deep to unveil his mystery dahil alam niyang may rason ito kung bakit mas pinili nitong manahimik nalang. She would sometimes catch him listening to conversations kahit na he appears to be asleep, that's how sly he is. His silence equals secrets. At siya lang ang nakakapansin 'non. Gianna was oblivious.
She sighed before opening the book she's holding, alam niyang hindi dapat ito ang kanyang isipin because it will trigger something in her again. She will want to unlock him again, she wanted to crack his code for so long ngunit hanggang ngayon hindi niya kaya.
Athena stared at the open book, some of it are translated in English yet there are deep words she can't understand. Majority of the words are still Varsyione, mukhang hindi ito binuklat ng kanyang Kuya.
She dropped it with a sigh. Maybe she'll try to figure it out but not now. Naisipan nalang niyang pumunta sa common room to buy some snacks. The vending machines are always on and fully stocked kaya pwede siyang dumayo roon ng kahit anong oras.
After buying treats, she sat comfortably on the sofa. But she was tempted to go outside dahil malayang naka bukas ang pintuan ng common room. The Main Lobby was already pitch black, hindi naman ito ang unang beses siyang lumabas ng kwarto ng ganitong oras.
She liked to wander, not matter what time it is.
With a chocolate bar in her mouth, Athena walked out of the common room and waltzed through the dark lobby slipping out of Dawn. She skipped down the steps hanggang sa makalabas na siya ng tuluyan sa gates.
Her brother will go ballistic pag nalaman nito ang kanyang night escapades but he's right there in his room sleeping like a baby. She's helping him sleep soundly at night by not telling him.
She skipped to the field while munching on her chocolate bar, kabisado na niya ang oras ng patrol ng Night Watchers rito kaya walang makakahuli sa kanya.
She threw the wrapper of the chocolate bar in an empty bin, nasa parking lot na siya ngayon. Sa dami ng pwede niyang puntahan sa Academy ay dito pa siya napadpad. The parking lot was less interesting because it was full off well...cars.
Different kinds of cars though, it would be a car lovers heaven but sadly wala siyang interes sa mga ito. Ni hindi nga niya alam kung ano ang model ng sasakyan ng kanyang Kuya. Her Father and her Tito Cain liked to collect sports cars. Nakikita niya ito sa garahe nila sa Rosehill at may iilan rin sa Manor.
She was about to walk away nang may maaninagan siya.
A car's approaching.
She quickly dashed to the nearest tree and climbed up para makita niya ito ng maayos and also be hidden.
It was dark, malayo sa lamp post ang puno kaya hindi talaga siya makikita ngunit kitang kita niya ang pasok ng sasakyan mula sa kanyang kinatataguan.
She may not be familiar with cars but she knew who owned a Black BMW i8.
Tumigil ito sa parking space na para sa Heath Twins at katulad nga ng kanyang inaasahan, Enzo Heath got out of the car. She bit her lip, she studied him for a second. He had dishelved hair but he didn't look tired at all. Mukhang may pinuntahan ito ngunit bakit ngayon lang ito nakabalik?
Inisip niya na kaya niyang hulaan kung saan ito pumunta but his appearance didn't give anything away.
Enzo casually walked out of the parking lot with his hands in his pockets hanggang sa mawala na ito sa kanyang paningin.
She wondered kung bakit nasa labas pa ito ng ganitong oras.
Maybe he had errands to run?
She immediately cursed herself upon thinking that. Who would run an errand in 4 in the freaking morning?
Athena was about to jump down ngunit natigilan siya when a figure stepped out of the shadows. She inhaled a deep breath, grabbing firmly on the branch para hindi mahulog.
The girl trailed her eyes to the direction Enzo went to, showing no emotion or whatsoever, before walking away like nothing happened.
Athena knew her.
The blond girl with violet eyes.
Seige.