Chapter 2: Hunter

Veronica's P.O.V

"Patuloy paring dumadami ang karumal-dumal na pagpatay sa mga inosenteng tao. Ang hinihinalang dahilan ay ang patuloy na pag laganap ng mga bampira  sa karatig lungsod, unti-unti nang nagpapakita ang mga ito sa publiko. Pinapayuhang mag ingat ang lahat kung saan man-" the news suddenly stopped, i roam my eyes and saw dad holding the remote. "Ma le-late ka sa klase," may bahid ng pagpapaalala sa kaniyang sinabi.

Dali-daling tinapos ko ang aking pagkain at patakbong sinundan si Dad sa kaniyang sasakyan, it's been five days since that incident happen and i didn't tell my family about it. "Mamaya ipapasundo kita kay Robert para naman mapanatag ang loob ko, narinig mo naman ang balita kanina. Limitahan mo na ang pag-alis kailangan may kasama ka parati kung saan ka man pupunta." He is so protective as always, while my mom is the hysterical one. "Da, 'wag niyo na po akong ipasundo kay kuya Robert sasabay ako kay Saylor, promise uuwi kaagad kami hindi kami magpapalipas ng gabi."

I know dad will grant me, he always give what i wanted but he also gives me a limit. "Oh sya sige, basta mag iingat kayo," i smile as a response. I didn't tell them what happened five days ago i don't want my parents to worry. I sigh as i remember what happened after he said those words.

"But man, by that facial expression of yours. It gives me more reason to kiss you," lub-dub. I was caught off guard on what he said, my mind is still processing on what just happened. I look at him in shock and mixed emotions, and without hesitation i slap him.

"Aw!" D***g niya. He's pressing his face like it can help to ease the pain, my eyes are burning while looking at him "How dare! You can say it right on ny face, disrespecting a woman means disrespecting your mother. Men would always be cruel and disgusting, that was my mother told me, pity of me i didn't believe her at first." I release a long sigh, i feel like i was drain by the near death incident, and now engaging by the creepy-pervert man in my front. I look at him in anger. My body wanted to collapse but i remain concious, im still not save. I might survived at the vampires but im not sure if this man in my front is also one of them.

"Ang sakit! Ang lakas grabe! I didn't mean to say it loud, im sorry." He jokingly said. I can't believe it, good gracious who is this man? He creep me out even more! How can he change his emotions so fast?! "I really admire your principle, and you didn't change at all," softness and pure genuine can be seen in his face.

Kunot-noo ko siyang tinitigan, what does he mean? "You're creepy and what do you mean by principle? Are you stalker? I don't even know you, so if you'll excuse me i must go home." Slowly the noice of the cars can secure me, we're already at the edge just five step until you reach the street. But this man in my front is blocking my way and he creeps me out.

I was about to step forward when he also step sideward causing to block my way again, im starting to feel nervous. I bite my lips to hide my fear, "Mister. Please can you move so that i can go?" I must keep my cool i won't let him feel my fear, i'm starting to speculate that he's one of the vampires, if he is then i don't know what may happen to me.

Kabado kong inoobserbahan ang lalake, nakakapagtataka ang kaniyang kawalan ng kibo. Kunot-noo ko siyang tinitigan habang siya ay hindi mapakali sa kaniyang pwesto, marahang kinakamot ang kaniyang batok, at palarong kinakagat ang kaniyang labi.

Akmang aalis na ako ng tuluyan siyang nagsalit, "I'm not a stalker or a creep, and don't be scared i mean no harm." Huminga siya ng malalim na para bang nauubusan siya ng hangin, "I just sincerely helped you from the commoners, and if you're thinking im also like them, no. I just really helped you." Parang batang kagat-kagat niya ang kaniyang labi, hindi maka tingin ng diretso at pilit pinaglalaruan ang kaniyang kurbata na nasa kaniyang kamao.

Hindi maipagkakailang nabawasan ang aking kaba sa kaniyang sinabi, well i must say im half survive, i slightly felt secured but i still remain my anger towards him. "You don't need to explain, your actions had already done. Now if you'll excuse me i must go home." Kabado akong akmang maglalakad ng muling natigilan ako sa kaniyang ibinunyag.

"You forgot what happened before the commoners had you," his voice is full of pain and anger. I look at him in puzzle, "What commoners?" clueless on what he's saying, "You were abducted before the vampires had you." Now my full attention was on him, "You were about to get home twenty minutes ago, it was raining so you just take taxi without even checking it. And the rest is history, i conclude you didn't remember it because they use poison on you. Now, you can't report it to the police because you even can't remember." His face is blank but his eyes is full of emotions.

Slowly i was silent by what he said, i keep on recalling on what happened before i saw the vampires. But the memory i had is when my friend and i departed in our own way. The sun was about to set and it was about to rain, so it was twenty minutes ago. I look around and saw the city lights are more define now, the clouds are still gloomy. Fear and worry crept me. He's right, i can't remember any of those. I don't want to believe him but my instinct are saying he's telling the truth.

Tulala 'kong tinitigan ang ilaw ng mga sasakyan, natakot ako sa kaniyang sinabi hindi ko inaakalang masasangkot ako sa ganito. Maraming tanong ang naglalaro sa aking utak, gusto 'kong bumato ng tanong sa kaniya pero parang hindi ko maigalaw ang aking bibig. Sino siya? Anong alam niya? Anong nangyari bago ako nawalan ng alaala? Sino 'yung dumukot sa akin? Bakit niya ako tinulungan?

Naiiyak 'kong tinitigan ang ilaw ng syudad habang patuloy na bumabagabag sa akin ang mga tanong. "I called someone you know to call your residence so that they can fetch you, you must avoid taking public vehicles starting today. We don't know when they take actions." Patuloy siyang nagsasalita, purong babala at habilin. Hindi ko masaulo ang kaniyang mga sinabi para akong nawala ng ilang taon sa hindi kapani-paniwalang pangyayaring ito, patuloy na bumabagabag sa akin ang mga tanong.

Patuloy parin siyang bumibitaw ng mga habilin ng biglang nakuha nito ang aking atensyon. "Listen, what today is terrifying for you, but you must know-" i look at him staright and cut hin off with a question, "Sino ka ba talaga, bakit ang dami mong mga alam sa kanila? Anong lason na pinagsasabi mo? Isa ka ba sa kanila? Kilala mo ba ako? Anong balak mo?" Naiiyak 'kong tanong sa kaniya, i might got crazy i feel so drain and exhausted.

Pinunasan ko ang aking pisngi ng maramdaman kong pumapatak ang aking luha, buntong hininga kong pinagpag ang aking maruming damit at walang buhay kong tinitigan ang lalake na nasa aking harapan. Puno ng sakit, pangangamba at galit ang kaniyang mukha. Nakakapagtataka man ay pilit ko itong binalewala. 

Beep-beep! Natauhan sa ingay ng sasakyan, sinilip ko ito at ng makitang pamilyar ito ay hindi ako nag atubiling lumakad patungo sa kinaroroonan ng sasakyan. Nang tuluyang marating ko ang direksyon ng sasakyan ay agad namang nagsalita ang lalake.

"Burn your clothes along with the coat when you get home, nakatakas sila. Hindi sila titigil hangga't hindi ka nila nakukuha. You already saw their faces and they already know your smell, be careful." Goosebumps crept me, nanunuyo ang aking lalamunan sa huli niyang sinabi. Hindi ko inaasahang may mas bibigat papalang babala ang kaniyang sinabi. 'I thought im already saved.

"But i won't let that happen, i'll help you. I promise. " Lub-dub, butterflies. My mom told me about this feeling of something like butterfly, but why did i felt it? My heartbeat is so fast his words keeps on repeating into my mind, i can feel the sincerity and warm of his words. I was mesmerize by him when i didn't notice he open the door to let me in, and without hesitation i hope into the car seat while he's still holding the door, i was about to shove him when he answered one of my questions, "I'm Hunter."  

And that was the last encounter of me and Hunter.

For the last five days i didn't went to school or even go outside, i was traumatized. The incident is not a joke to me, my body would react sensitively. Even the thunder gives me shiver, at night i was unable to sleep. Thinking someone might come to me when im asleep, i didn't tell my parents about it. I just reasoned out that i needed some rest and they just let me, for the last five days their was no improvment i don't want my trauma take over me. So i take courage to go outside and attend school.

Though im still hoping for the last five days that man will show up into our house to do what he promised, but it might creep me out if he knows. 'Well i guess promises are meant to be broken. I sigh as i remember how chaotic it was.

"You're spacing out again Veronica, nandito na tayo sa school mo." Natauhan ako sa boses ni Dad, i didn't notice that we already arrive. "Bye dad!" Dali-daling bumaba ako ng sasakyan. Kinakabahan man pero pilit itong nilalabanan. Beep! Tunog ng busina ng sasakyan na nagpapahiwatig ng pamamaalam. I wave my hand in response.

I sigh. Yumakap sa akin ang lamig ng simoy ng hangin at init ng sinag ng araw. Sa labas ng unibersedad makikita ang mga estudyanteng nag-uunahang maka pasok sa gate ng skwelahan at ang mga magagarbong sasakyan na dala nito, natatakot parin ako sa maraming tao, baka may biglaang humablot sa akin ng patago. Buntong hininga akong pinipigilang isipin ang mga ganong senaryo. 'I miss this, i smile while seeing how chaotic students are when entering the school. I was busy admiring our school when i felt someone is behind my back.

"Are you sure you're going?" the warm of her breath touches my neck, it almost surprised me, i was about to react by the same incident happen, when i recognize the voice. I gulp as i see the signage of our school, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, i sigh. "I must keep going, Saylor." I left Saylor behind i didn't wait for her to answer, Saylor is my friend and the only one who knew what happened.  I step in our gate and tap my i.d in our security entrance.

"You don't need to force yourself Nica," puno ng pag-aalala niyang sinabi. "I don't want my fear to take over me Saylor, hindi umiikot ang mundo sa akin." Thinking about my situation it's really dangerous, but i don't want to hide and be scared all the time. Though i don't know what will happen but atleast i must continue my life. I heard her loud sigh. "Then i guess i must say, welcome back," i smiled as an answer.

Sa pagpasok ang ingay ng mga estudyante ang sumalubong sa amin, nagkukumpulan sa gitna ng building. "Anong nangyayari?" taka 'kong tanong sa kanya, "Well duh! Sa limang araw mong absent may bagong transferee." Pabalang na sagot nito. Likas na m*****a si Saylor but she's the softess one.

"So?" taka kong tanong, "Well of course, wealthy and handsome girls are drolling over him and boys wanted to be friends with him, for what they call that? Lame? Oh, right! My bad. They call it Fame!" She roll her eyes while saying it. Typical socialites, we walk through the building didn't minding the people who's very chaotic in our side, slowly some of their attentionn was on us, eyes was staring at us the sound of peoples murmuring filled the hallway. Their eyes gives me shiver it's like the memorie of that incident is coming back, im counting on my mind to keep me relax it feels like it takes forever.

"She's back!"

"Ang tagal niyang nawala, what happened?"

"Baka nag bakasyon."

"Yeah possible,"

"I like Saylor's bag!"

"Pricey."

"I envy her!"

Samo't saring komento at reaksyon ang kanilang ipinapakita, balewalang lumakad kami ni Saylor papaunta sa kabilang bulding. Patuloy parin ang ingay at sigawan ng mga estudyante, na para bang sinusundan ang pinagkakaguluhan nila. They are so loud hindi naman sila ganito nuon, we already at the center of the campus when we heard a shout.

"Nica!! I missed you!" Startled by the voice of a man na nangagaling sa kabilang building, dali-dali itong tumakbo patungo sa direksyon ko. Naka suot ng basketball jersey, tagaktak ang kaniyang pawis namumula ang kaniyang balat. Nasisinagan ito ng araw na mas nakaklaro ang kaniyang pagka mestizo. He was about to come into our direction when he bumped into someone, it's like a slowmo they both fall down into the ground, pain can be seen into his face.

I laugh. 'He's always clumsy. I was about to come to them when i saw the man who bumped Steven, i froze. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa aking nasaksihan. 'He's wearing our men's uniform with a backpack. But i don't remember him studying in our school. Im starting to get confused.

Bakas sa kanilang mukha ang pagkatawa sa nangyari. Dali-daling tumayo at pinagpag ng lalaki ang kaniyang damit seryoso itong inaayos ang kaniyang suot at ang kaniyang bag na nagulo. "I didn't see you sorry," he apologize. " 'Di kasalanan ko rin hindi ko nakita." Naiilang na sagot ni Steven. Agad akong natigilan sa aking nasaksihan, Steven would have ignore it if he didn't know that person.

"Hunter is so kind!"

"You're so handsome as always Hunter!"

"Gosh your biceps,"

"He's a full package!"

Ang ingay ng mga estudyante ang nakapagpapukaw sa naglalayag kong utak. That man, the one who saved me, the person who maked promised to help me. I was staring at him, his dark eyes the way he changed his mood while talking to Steven. "It's him," i whispered. Slowly the hope that was already lost came back.

I walked to their direction, my eyes is still on the man it feels like i was mesmerize. "Oh Veronica!" Pagbati ni Steven, suddenly i caught the man's attention.

The man smiled when he saw me, like he was expecting to see me. "We meet again," puno ng galak ang kaniyang pag bati, still shock by the person who's infront of me. Napasinghap ako ng malalim, my heartbeat is so fast, i feel like im loosing oxygen by the way my heart pump. I still can't believe it!

"I need you," he bite his lips preventing himself from smiling. "Ohh! Man my heart fluttered i didn't know that you're that fast, pero hindi naman ako pabebe. Sure you can have me," he winked. I look at him in serious, "You promised." Puno ng pagpapaalala ko siyang tinitigan, slowly his mischivous smile turn into sincerity. He roam his eyes into me, checking if somethings wrong  and when our eyes met, he smiled softly. Lub-dub. Butterflies, his face is so relaxing i can't help but to admire.

"I know and im glad you remember." He smiled.

"How can you help me? This is the first time i went outside after what happen, paano kung habang nag kaklase bigla akong mawala!?" The scenarios is making me nervous, but sometimes i just think the possibilities that might happen, still it gives me shiver.

"Marumi nga sila at marumi rin sila kikilos. Pero hindi sila susulong kung alam nilang mapapahamak sila, they know their place." His eyes darkened his aura suddenly became serious.

"Anong pinag sasabi niyo? Mag kakilala kayo?" Natigilan sa boses ni Steven. I look at the crowd and their eyes were all on us, confused can be seen in their faces, the students started to murmur something.

Buntong hiningang tumugon ang lalake. "Tutulungan kita, pero may kapalit ang serbisyo ko." I was taken off by what he said. "Ha? It's okay--"

"After class, parking lot. Let's meet again." Dali-daling tumalikod ito. I was about to chase him when i was disturbed by the sound of the bell, Ting Ting! What does he mean?

"Kilala mo na pala si Hunter?" Saylor asked, hindi ko napansing nakaabang pala siya. I was confused by her question, kunot noo ko siyang tinitigan. She roll her eyes as she reply. "Hunter the transferee the talk of the town, you didn't tell me you already met him." Questions filled me as i look at the man walking through the hallway. Sino ka ba talaga?

Dumaan ang ilang minuto lumalayag parin ang isip ko, nakatingin sa likod ng lalaking papalayo. Nang unti-unti na itong nawawala sa aking paningin, napabuntong hininga ako. Akmang aalis na ako ng biglang may kamay na pumigil sa aking braso, "What happened to you? May tinatago ka ba sa akin, Maria?" Natigilan sa kaniyang sinabi, he's mad by the tone of his voice. How can i explain it to him? I close my eyes and bite my inside cheek. 'I couldn't tell him the truth.