Chapter Nine

“I'M sorry.”

Alvin eyed Tennyson na nakahiga sa tabi niya; her head pillowed on his arm habang ang isang kamay niya ay mahigpit na nakayap sa baywang nito; not allowing even an inch sa pagitan nilang dalawa. “For what?”

“That you have to see… that—all of it. I’m sorry na ganito ako.”

Saglit na natigilan ito bago nagkibit balikat; muling idinaan ang mga daliri sa likuran niya. “That’s not true.”

Iniangat nito ang kamay nito na ngayon ay  malinis na. After their intense lovemaking, he proceeded with bathing her. “We’re both blind—again. Mavvy won’t be happy.”

“I don’t care about Maverick, Tennyson. I only care about you—I don’t care kung ano pang sabihin ng ibang tao. They’re all wrong about you.”

“It’s the truth, Alvin. I stabbed my sister. Walang aksidente doon—I nearly killed her. Mavvy is right. Just because may shield ako, it doesn’t mean na kaya ko ng… i-contain kung ano ang nasa loob ko—kung ano ang nasa kaibuturan ko. I am a psychopath.”

“True enough. You’re dark and dangerous. You have the mind of a killer. Ngunit sinisikap mong kontrolin ang mga iyon. A psychopath—a serial killer—is someone who lacks empathy for his or her victims. Hindi ka ganoon, Tennyson. I realized I didn’t really care about anything as long as napapasaya kita—at nakakatiyak na ligtas ka.” Ng mapansin niya ang paghikab ni Tennyson ay dinala niya ang dalaga sa dibdib niya at hinagkan ang ibabaw ng ulo nito. “Sleep, darling. Masyadong nakaka-stress ang araw na ito. You need to rest.”

“I would have been sleeping already kung hindi mo ako pinagod.”

Alvin chuckled darkly. “Sorry about that, babe. But when it comes to you, I am insatiable.” Ng hindi na sumagot ang dalaga ay maingat na niyuko ito ni Alvin. He stared at her gorgeous face, lips were swollen due to the savagery of his kisses at ilang parte ng katawan ay namumula dahil sa mga markang iniiwan niya. 

His fingers trailed down on the valley between her exposed breasts bago bago bumaba iyon sa tiyan nito. Muli ay hindi niya maintindihan ang paglatay ng init sa katawan niya habang minamasahe niya ang tiyan nito. He didn’t even know why he had imagined her heavy with his… with his child. An old image he painted in his mind appeared before him na siyang ikinabigla niya. Matagal na niyang kinalimutan ang imaheng iyon dahil hindi siya ang tipo ng lalaking umaasa na magkakaroon siya ng pamilya.

Damn, he didn’t even know if he would be a good father dahil sa mga karanasan niya sa buhay but damn it all. Hindi niya alam kung bakit nai-imagine niya si Tennyson na buntis at dala ang mga anak niya… dala ang pangalan niya.

He’s a ruthless bastard. He would justify all of his actions kahit pa may maapakan siyang tao. He’s obsessive and determined na makuha ang mga bagay na gusto niyang makuha. But everything seemed to have faded away ng dumating si Tennyson. She changed everything about him in her own ways sa ilang araw pa lang na pagkakakilala nilang dalawa. Women would declare their love for him and it was already a common declaration for him. But Tennyson… hindi pa sinasabi nitong mahal siya nito but he was still on edge. 

He wanted to hear her say that with her own mouth.

And he wanted her—wanted her like hell—even if the woman is a living hell… someone deranged—someone who thinks like a frickin’ killer. 

“Alvin…”

Bumaba ang mga mata niya sa dalaga na mahimbing na natutulog. A small smile graced her lips as she unconsciously placed a light kiss against his chest. Muli na namang nag-init ang puso at sulok ng mga mata niya doon. Ngayon ay naiintindihan na niya kung ano ang nararamdaman niya para sa dalaga.

To hell with everything but he’s falling for Tennyson!

—

“YOU will protect my family, right, Alvin?”

Kunot noong bumaling si Alvin kay Tennyson. Their abilities haven’t returned yet kaya naman mas pinili nilang dalawa na manatili muna sa flat niya. He’d called Maverick and told him na ito muna ang tumingin sa crime scene just in case the man would see something he’d missed.

Lalo pa ngayon at parehas silang bulag ni Tennyson—psychically speaking.

“Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

“I don’t feel so good, Alvin.” Si Tennyson bago pinag-krus ang braso sa dibdid; her automatic defense mechanism. “Pakiramdam ko ay may… mangyayaring masama—kung kanino ay hindi ko alam. Last night, I have a dream about my family. They’re all dead… maliban sa akin. What if I killed them?”

“Panaginip lang iyon, Tennyson.”

Marahas na umiling ito. “No, Alvin. I don’t usually have dreams—I have visions. I told you—and alam mo iyon.”

Alvin sighed. Naniniwala siya sa dalaga but right now, she’s more vulnerable dahil sa nangyari dito at sa kapatid nito. Regardless, he decided to pacify her. “Alright. I promise to protect your family, Ten.”

“From me, Alvin.”

“You won’t hurt them.”

“What if I did? Nagawa ko sa kakambal ko, what would stop me from doing it to them?” wala sa loob na inihilamos ni Tennyson ang kamay sa mukha. “Heck, ni hindi ko alam kung paanong nangyari iyon. Dammit, wala akong maalala.”

“Don’t try to remember it, Ten.” Tahimik na inabot ni Alvin ang kamay ng dalaga at mahigpit na hinawakan iyon. “We don’t know what happened at minsan ay mas maganda na ang gayon. We both know na wala kang kasalanan.”

“You’re being biased.”

“I’m not. This is me thinking like a psychic.”

“We’re not psychic now.”

“Temporarily.” Binitiwan niya ang kamay ng dalaga bago tumayo at nilapitan ito; pulling her seat so she could face him bago hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi nito. “You’re not a killer, Tennyson. You’re not evil. You’re…”

Isang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ng dalaga. “Mentally disturbed?”

“Talented.” He offered; bahagyang napangiti ng sa wakas ay magtawa na ito. “And smart. Can be annoying sometimes… but smart.”

“But my request still stands, Alvin. Take me down—kung kinakailangan—kung sakali mang may gawin akong bagay na… hindi ko dapat gawin.”

Alvin didn’t want to resort to that. Hindi niya kayang isipin na sasaktan niya ang dalaga. He couldn’t bring himself to hurt Tennyson regardless if she had a very dangerous… mind. 

Bago pa mabasa ng dalaga ang hesitasyon niya ay mahigpit niyang niyakap ito. Nangangako siyang poprotektahan niya ang pamilya nito… and at the same time, protect her from the person she’s slowly—and possibly—turning into.

A ruthless and mindless killer.

—

SHE stared at her reflection in the mirror; noting the shadow under her eyes.

Tennyson’s actions had surprised her—caught her off guard. Hindi niya inaasahan na aatakihin nito ang kakambal nito. And the… attack gravely weakened her. Kung bakit iyon ginawa ng dalaga ay hindi niya alam. Diana’s existence is equally important as Tennyson’s. The two are connected in so many ways possible kung saan kapag mahina ang isa ay mahina din ang isa. 

Muli ay pinakatitigan niya ang sarili sa salamin; staring at her reflection and saw nothing but her own exhaustion—and pain. She was in pain—in extreme pain. Nanghihina siya at hindi siya makagalaw ng maayos. At dahil sa kambal siya kumukuha ng lakas, it also means na nakukuha niya ang mga nararamdaman ng mga ito; even the physical injuries.

Dahan-dahang bumaba ang isang kamay niya sa sikmura; gently tracing her stab wound and wincing slightly. Gusto niyang isumpa si Tennyson sa ginawa nito kay Diana. Because of what she did to the other twin, she was suffering as well. Muli ay hinimas niya ang sikmura. She had no other choice but to tap on her reserves or else, hindi niya magagawa ang mga plano niya. She’s running out of time at alam niyang mahuhuli siya ni Tennyson… if the woman decided to look deeper… to delve deeper sa connection nito sa kakambal nito. 

That bitch is going to pay sa ginawa niya sa akin.

Focusing her energy on her also wounded stomach… she started to heal herself.

—

THE first wave of cold dread wrapped around her like a blanket.

Marahas ang ginawang pagbangon ni Tennyson mula sa kama at agad na nagpalinga-linga. She was still inside Alvin’s flat at hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog na siya habang nasa sala silang dalawa.

But it wasn’t enough to calm her.

Something odd is happening and worst, may pakiramdam siya na dapat ay wala siya ngayon sa condo ng binata. Grabbing the clothes na ipinakuha nito mula sa bahay nila ay agad siyang nagtungo ng banyo at isinuot ang mga damit niya. She didn’t have money kaya naman nagtungo siya sa isa sa bureau sa silid ng binata and search for something na maari niyang magamit. She’d made a mental note na bayaran ito oras na makita niya ito.

She was quick to head to the door ng makatiyak siyang walang tao sa unit ng binata. Her guts were telling her something was wrong—that something is happening. And it was telling her na nangyayari na iyon ngayon na. Ng makalabas siya sa building ay dali-dali siyang tumawag ng taxi at binigyan ng instructions ang driver patungo sa address ng bahay nila. 

Tennyson was on the edge of her seat habang nasa byahe at ng makakita siya ng hospital ay naalala niya agad ang kakambal.

Cold dread swept her off the seat kaya naman agad siyang bumaling sa driver. “Manong, sorry. Pwede bang dumaan muna tayo sa hospital?”

—

ALVIN wasn’t sure kung bakit mabilis ang naging pagtibok ng puso niya.

He glanced at his diver’s watch bago binalingan ang katawan na nasa harapan niya. There had been a new murder in Tennyson’s university kaya naman kahit hindi niya gustong magpunta ay wala siyang nagawa kung hindi puntahan iyon—under Maverick’s watch dahil hindi ito komportable na MIA ang mga abilidad niya.

And once again, he got an earful from the man about professionalism.

“This is beyond brutal.”

Muling bumalik ang atensyon niya kay Maverick na nakatitig sa katawan ni Analyn Guevarra. There was an obvious struggle in the room at kahit saan siya tumingin ay puro dugo ang nakikita niya… and the broken pieces that were left of Analyn Guevara. And despite the fact that the rest of her body had been brutalized… her face remained perfect… untouched. 

Alvin sighed. “It is brutal.”

“Any idea kung may kaaway siya?”

He smirked at the question. “Are you talking about Tennyson or the vic?”

“We both know na walang maaring maging kaaway ang biktima. She’s an exceptionally smart student; a member of different clubs and mostly liked working as a volunteer. She has an advocacy for animal rights. Who would hate her?”

“Had.” Pagtatama niya at muling ibinalik ang mga mata sa dalaga… and to the only clean part of the room sa likuran kung saan ipinatong ang ulo nito… where a creepy message was written in her blood.

I’m coming for you next, Tennyson.

“Tennyson said this was a message for her.” Si Maverick sa gilid niya. “Any enemies you got from her, Al?”

Umiling siya. Despite their mind connection ay wala siyang makita na naging kaaway ng dalaga; or anyone she may have unconsciously hurt enough upang magtanim ng galit dito. But there was… darkness. Pure, solid darkness to the point of substance. The woman had unmistakable darkness in a part of her mind; something that is beyond the reach of light. At kung ano iyon, ng subukan niyang puntahan—delve deeper into her—her shield suddenly activated itself and kicked him out of her mind. 

A natural defense mechanism. 

 Maverick sighed. “She could be in danger, Alvin. Kung siya talaga ang target ng taong ito—kung para sa kanya ang mga mensaheng ito,” itinuro sa kanya ni Maverick ang katawan na nasa harapan nila. “—then, it means the killer is expecting a response from Tennyson; a reaction.”

“That’s the problem. Hindi alam ni Tennyson kung anong sagot ang ibibigay niya.”

“Certainly not with a body.”

Pinukulan niya ito ng masamang tingin. “She’s not a killer, Mavvy.”

“Need I remind you about Diana?”

Umikot ang mga mata niya doon. “She didn’t know what she’s doing back then, Mavvy, Kung nakita mo lang kung gaano siyang natatakot. She even told me this morning na protektahan ko ang pamilya niya—and take her down if things get… out of the hand.”

Nagkibit balikat ito. “I have nothing against Ten. She’s very interesting. Pero kung magkakatotoo ang kinakatakutan niya—if she finally gets derailed and down to a killer’s path—I will take her down, Alvin.”

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi nito. “Was it true na na-discharge na si Diana?”

Mavvy nodded. “I was surprised as well. Pero ayaw niyang manatili sa hospital at nagpumilit na lumabas. Her vitals were all good along with the rest of her. Ngayon ay gusto niyang makita si Tennyson—said they needed to talk.”

“Back in their home?” 

Ng tumango si Maverick ay mula niyang sinipat ang relo. He’s just in time for dinner at kung hindi pa gising ang dalaga ay gigisingin na niya ito upang ayaing umuwi sa bahay nito; at least, para lang makausap si Diana. After that ay muli niyang dadalhin ang dalaga sa condo niya. 

He still thinks that the twins are better off separated—for a while.

“Gather whatever evidence na makukuha ninyo sa lugar na ito and then bring down her body to the lab para makapag-proceed tayo sa autopsy. I’ll go get Tennyson upang maibalik siya sa kanila.” 

“Alright. I’ll meet you sa mansion ng mga Montessa—along with the few guards you requested. Alam na ba ni Chief Montessa?”

Umiling siya. 

He had requested personal bodyguards lalo pa at kumpirmado na nila ngayon na may tuma-target sa bunsong anak nito. And if the threat behind the letter is real, may posibilidad na maaring madamay ang pamilya ni Tennyson sa gulong kinasasangkutan ng anak. He got his phone upang tumawag sa condo niya; hoping Tennyson would answer and frowned instantly ng makitang patay ang cell phone niya.

“Dammit.” Pabulong na sambit niya bago tuluyang lumabas ng crime scene at dumiretso sa sasakyan. 

—

TENNYSON was stumped to realize na na-discharge na ang kapatid.

Dali-dali siyang lumabas ng hospital at muling tumawag ng taxi upang magpahatid sa bahay nila. She tried calling Alvin ngunit hindi niya ito ma-contact. She tried calling home as well ngunit nagriring lang ang telepono.

She cursed the maids in their house dahil hindi ginagawa ng mga ito ang mga trabaho nito. The traffic had been heavy palibhasa’y rush hour na and it wasn’t helping take the edge off her system. Ilang beses na siyang tinanong ng driver kung okay lang ba siya dahil tila siya hindi maihing pusa sa kinauupuan niya.

“I’m fine, thank you.” ang nakangiting sagot niya sa driver kahit pa alam niyang hindi ito naniniwala sa kanya. Despite not having her extra senses, she was extra jumpy today. She tried contacting Alvin through their connection—the only ability na gumagana sa kanilang dalawa when their other abilities are MIA—but his door, as usual, was tightly sealed once again. 

Some use you have, Alvin Montemayor; ang hindi niya maiwasang isipin dahil hindi pa rin siya pinapapasok ng binata sa isipan nito—still wary and cautious around her. But then again, hindi niya masisisi ito.

It was almost eight in the evening ng makarating siya sa kanila at mas lalo siyang kinabahan ng makita na patay ang lahat ng ilaw sa bahay. At bagaman nakasara ang gate, the front door had been opened. Despite the cold terror slowly covering her ay walang hesitasyon siyang pumasok sa loob ng bahay; suddenly hypersensitive na baka may nanonood sa kanya. 

And she learned enough not to go into war ng walang hawak na pananggalang. At palibhasa’y police ang ama ay nagmamadali siyang nagtungo sa private study ng ama at kinuha ang isa sa mga libro doon which serves as a hideout for a small pistol. Sinipat niya ang safety niyon bago ikinasa and was quick to direct it to the darkness, feeling somewhat relieved dahil may gamit na siya upang pam-proteksyon sa sarili. She flips every switch na madadaanan niya… and would frown dahil hindi gumagana ang mga iyon. Most of the lightbulbs had been busted and the generator wasn’t working as well.

“Dammit…” ang pabulong na sambit niya at unang nagtungo sa kusina—where she encountered the first body.

Dali-dali niyang sinipat kung buhay pa ito but the blood on the maid’s throat signified otherwise. Tennyson resisted the urge to wash her hands. She had always, always hated blood on her. Two more bodies were revealed behind the counter at lahat ng mga ito ay may mga malalalim na hiwa sa lalamunan. She also saw her father’s personal guards at pawang may mga tama ng baril sa noo. Tennyson cursed once again bago tuluyang lumabas ng kusina; her gun still pointed to the darkness—ready to pull the trigger kung sakali mang may aatake sa kanya. Kaya naman laking gulat niya ng mula kung saan ay dalawang kamay ang agad na humawak sa baril niya; preventing her from firing it bago pumaikot ang dalawang malalaking braso sa baywang niya.

Before she could scream ay agad nitong natakpan ang bibig niya.