“Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires.If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.” -Anton LaVey, The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth Chapter 1: The incredible strength of a young woman

How on earth did she do it? Either it’s a pure coincidence or the world has gone crazy for a little while.

Tala was sitting in the classroom remembering the unbelievable scene that happened during the Physical Education class.It happened on a sweltering hot Thursday afternoon.The third-year high school class was having a practical exam on volleyball in the gym.Sweat was dripping off the foreheads of the students down their shirts.They felt that their skins were sticky and they weren’t smelling like roses at the moment.

Before the game, the male teacher said, “Alright, class! I will be grading this match.Whatever team wins gets a higher grade.” He looked at his students, his face was serious just like his tone of voice.

“I’m counting on you to do your best.

Play as if your lives depend on it!” The teacher grinned.His name was Mr.Edgar and he has been teaching for 15 years.He was 35 years old, muscular and 5’10.He looked 10 years younger than his age due to his healthy lifestyle.

He ate lots of greens and moderate lean meat.He loved to exercise.He worked out a lot in gym and did a lot of sports such as power-lifting, martial arts, and swimming.

Actually, he even had his own gym and coached in weight lifting and many types of martial arts and gave advice on nutrition.

The man was a beast.

Tala’s and Alice’s teams were chosen as the first batch of the class to play.They were known for this day as the Blue and White teams because of the T-shirts they were wearing.Tala’s team was the Blue team; Alice’s team was the White team.Their classmates cheered them on.

The players did their best.

They showed off their strengths and skills not only to intimidate their opponents but also to have good grades since this was their final exam for the 2nd quarter.Each team made remarkable offenses and defenses.Their aces, kills, digs and rallies were impressive in every set.They were like warriors fighting one another.

Their main weapon was the ball.

The students were not professional players, but they did everything to show a good game and to impress the teacher.

Blue team was leading White team.

But something extraordinary happened during the final set.

Tala spiked the strongest spike they’ve ever seen.When she jumped in the air and attacked the ball, it bounced beyond the boundary line, to the furthest left corner behind White team!

Everyone was shocked, including her.In fact, they were all gaping.

Her classmates said things like:

“What the hell did just happen?”

“The fun has just begun!”

“I didn’t expect that from a girl.”

“Shut up! Girls can do everything boys do.”

“That’s… impossible!”

“Wow, she is very strong!”

She didn’t know where she got that strength.She may be the strongest of the team, but she never spiked like that.She couldn’t believe that she did it.Only a strong and muscular player could do it.She wasn’t strong enough to achieve that spike but she did.It was surreal.

Her teammate Lana praised her.“That was an incredible spike!”

“Yeah, but the ball was out,” said Tala.

She frowned.She was frustrated.

The game grew intense.A fierce rally ensued.Suddenly in the eyes of Mr.Edgar, his students became sensational athletes.White team soared above Blue team.Amanda had 15 blocks, George tossed 24 points, Tamara earned 19 points including 9 spikes, Alice had 23 digs and 25 kills, and Allen had 12 assists and 22 points.

White team won by the scores of 18-25, 25-24, 25-22, 25-17.

But the whole class was talking about Tala’s spike.

After the PE class, the students went to their respective comfort rooms and changed into their regular uniforms.Tala’s female classmates raved about the spectacular spike.They were amazed and still thought she was a great player even though the spike didn’t help to increase her team’s score.If it were a spike contest, she might win.But it wasn’t a spike contest.It was just a typical high school volleyball game.

It’s frustrating that she lost control of the ball because she was too excited to hit it.

Still, they asked her: How did you do that? Where did you get your strength? She didn’t know the answer to these questions and she was shocked by the blunder she made and she hated it.

So, she just kept her mouth shut.

What the hell! Do they want to learn how to lose control of the ball so they have an opportunity to lose a game, she thought.She was surprised because almost everyone, including her teammates, loved that spike.Her teammates should hate it.

But then it was unusual to see it.

Some of her classmates criticized it, though.They told her it was great but next time she should control her excitement and strength so she wouldn’t commit such mistake.Their comment made her feel worse.

“Hi, Tala.” Claudine said, “Your spike was amazing! How did you do it?” Claudine was a petite girl with brown eyes.

“I don’t know.” Tala said honestly as she shrugged.“I just did what any spiker would do.

I’m just surprised that the ball went to the furthest side of the court.”

“We really are surprised, as well.” Claudine said.“You’re like Super Girl,” She smiled.“Please, don’t feel bad just because your team lost.You’re still one of the best players and I think Mr.

Edgar will give you a high grade.” Tala returned the smile.

Tala Dela Rosa was one of the most popular girls in Saint Anne College, a prestigious co-ed school in Manila, Philippines.She’s beautiful, smart, talented and athletic.Her classmates, schoolmates and teachers adored her.

At a young age of fifteen, she achieved a lot.She was kind of happy with her achievements and the way her teachers and classmates treated her.They were very nice and friendly to her.Teachers praised her, boys offered to treat her to lunch which she politely declined, and girls befriended her so they’d be popular too.

Even her jealous plastic haters hanged out with her.Practically, the whole academy worshipped her feet.She was a celebrity in the school.

Despite all this, she was never truly happy with her life.

That was because she never had a chance to share her achievements with her parents.They died when she was three years old.Her grandmother Agatha told her then that her father was killed in a car accident.

***

When she had turned five years old – she learned how to talk at that age – she asked what happened to her mother.But her grandmother didn’t reveal anything.

She only told her in an enraged tone, “Your mama was the ugliest and vilest creature on Earth,” which made Tala both confused and sad.

Why does Nana hate my mother so much? What did she do to make Nana so angry? Tala asked this question a thousand times silently.She knew she wouldn’t get an answer from her grandmother.She also noticed that her Nanaalways made the sign of the cross when the former mentioned her mother.

When she asked for her parents’ photographs, her grandmother only gave her father’s photograph.

Although she loved her Nana , he didn’t believe what she said.Her mother may have done awful things when she was still alive – she didn’t know what those awful things were – but surely, she was not the ugliest and vilest creature on Earth.Mothers are God’s most beautiful gifts.That’s what she learned from the Bible.

So little Tala drew her mother.In her drawing, her mother looked a lot like her, only with a straight nose.

She wasn’t fond of her own upturned nose.It’s not like she despised it.She was fairly pleased with the way she looked.But if she could choose the shape of her nose, she’d prefer a straight one.

She even made a painting: a portrait of her mother and her father.

It looked cute even though it was not perfectly done.It looked like something a little girl like her could do.

When she was done, she touched the portrait of her parents and closed her eyes…

She was talking to her parents about her day in school, about how everybody in it loved her, and her recent achievements.She received honors, trophies and medals every year.Her parents loved listening to her talk and were immensely proud of her.

“I always do my best so you’ll always be happy for me,” she proudly said to them.Her parents embraced her and showered her with kisses.

Then they had trips in wonderful places.They visited parks and admired the surroundings.

They went to beaches and played games in white sands and swam in clear blue seas.They laughed, laughed and laughed…

She opened her eyes and stared at the lonely space of her bedroom.

The furniture and decorations reminded Tala that daydreaming was over.Everything went back to normal.Everything was sad again.Her parents seemed like the stars in the night sky she would never be able to reach.

She would repeat the scene or create a new scene in her mind, but no matter how many times she would do it, her parents would never be with her because they were forever gone.

Seven years passed, her love for both her parents grew and her skill in painting enhanced.

She made exquisite portraits of her parents.The maids showed their admiration when they saw her portraits.Their oohs and ahhs echoed in her bedroom where she usually drew or painted.

On the other hand, NanaAgatha merely shook her head when she saw the portraits of Tala’s mother.Her opinion of her daughter-in-law never changed.For her, Tala’s mother was still very ugly and vile.Nana Agatha believed this until her death.

NanaAgatha had died in her sleep.She was sixty-five; Tala was twelve.The bereaved granddaughter had cried hard.

She had felt as if a part of herself had died, too.

Her Nana, the person who had raised her and showered her with love, had departed from this world and entered Heaven.Although she should be happy because her grandma was finally in a better place, Tala’s heart had been filled with deep sorrow.

***

Tala stopped thinking about the spike.She focused on her classes until they were finished.

She was walking down the hallway; a red handbag was on her arm.While she was walking, a bunch of students watched her as if she were a model on a catwalk; they stared at her admiring her natural beauty in awe.She was so beautiful that she put every girl in the campus to shame.

Her girlfriends approached her.Some of them were her friends since grade school and some she just met.

“Hey, Tala!” A high-pitched girly voice yelled.Tala turned around.

It was her blonde-haired friend Amy.Amy was with their other friend named Cristine.Cristine had brunette hair.

“Do you want to go shopping with us at Univers?” said Amy.“I heard they have rad new clothes and accessories! We can hang out at Starbucks after shopping.” Amy was excited.Cristine was all smiles, secretly hoping that Tala would say yes.

“That would be great!” replied Tala.“But I have to look after my cousin.”

“Sorry, I’ll just make it up to you next time,” she added.Amy and Cristine frowned.

“Oh, that’s okay,” said Amy.

She forced a smile.

“Bye, Tala.” Cristine waved.

“Bye, sis.” Amy said.

“Sis” was her term of endearment to Tala.

“Bye girls,” Tala said.“Have fun!”

They kissed one another’s cheeks.

They exited the hallway.Amy and Cristine went to a nearby mall where Universwaslocated, while Tala went home excited to be with her family.As soon as she got home, she hugged her family.

Chapter 2: Are aswangs and ghosts real?

Am I seeing things? But they seemed real to me.

A year after NanaAgatha’s death, Tala stayed with her rich Aunt Ramona and UncleSebastian and their son Robbie, in a beautiful, spacious and fully-furnished house.

The house was brick-built, with flowers and trees in the front yard and an elegant black gate.In the garage there was a Mercedes Benz which was the family car.Their driver used the car to drive each family member to and from the office or school.

Tala had been part of the family for two years now.She took care of the kid and played with him like a nanny.She never had a problem about it because she was fond of her cute, chubby and smart little cousin.

She also obligingly helped their maids with the household chores.

Three days before Halloween, while sweeping Robbie’s bedroom that was adorned with video game posters and surrounded by video game consoles, she caught him reading a small book called Ghosts, Ghouls and Other Nightly Creatures.

“Why are you reading that piece of trash?” she raised her voice at him.She looked worried.“Robbie, I don’t want you to read that book.You’re too young for that.

You’ll get nightmares!” She snatched the book from him.

“Please, give it back to me,” he implored.“I’m old enough to read it.Besides, I only read it for fun.I don’t take it seriously.I will never have a nightmare.” He said in his childish voice.He looked upset.

“‘I will never have a nightmare!’” she mimicked his voice.

“Of course, you will! If you sleep after reading that book.”

“No, I won’t,” he said defensively.“But can I ask you something?”

“What?” she asked impatiently.

“Are aswangs and ghosts real?” He was utterly curious.

“You said you wouldn’t take it seriously.

Of course not! It’s the 21 st century and you still believe in our folklore,” she retorted.

“But two of my classmates told me they saw an aswang and a ghost.”

He continued: “Brock saw an aswang one windy night while he was walking alone in a dark street.He was hungry while waiting for his parents to come home.So, he went outside and bought Snacku, Cheese Rings, Sweet Corn, and Haw Haw candies from the store.While he was walking home carrying those delicious snacks, he saw an aswang flying in the sky! He said it had large bat-like wings, a woman’s upper body, and it eats humans with its long tongue.

Its favorite dish is a baby inside a mother’s womb.”

The little boy described a manananggal , a mythical creature many people confused with an aswang .Tala shook her head.She didn’t want her cousin to believe in this rubbish and get scared.It’s a mythical creature, for God’s sake!

“He screamed and ran for his life before that aswang could get him!” he said.

“And Samuel saw a ghost while playing at midnight Sonic the Hedgehog on his Xbox inside his bedroom.

He couldn’t sleep well so he decided to play.While playing, he heard a howling wind and felt its coldness.Then, the TV turned off by itself.He saw on the screen a shadow of a hunchback woman passing quickly.”

“After a few seconds, the TV turned on and showed the video game he was playing.

He believed it was a ghost because no one else was in the room and the windows and curtains were closed.So, it couldn’t be a reflection of a person behind him.

He didn’t scream because the ghost passed quickly that it took him a minute to realize it was a ghost.”

Tala smirked.Kids these days, she thought.Then she said, “Your classmates were just inventing stories.Those creatures are not real.They were just figments of the imaginations of writers and storytellers.You shouldn’t read this kind of book because you won’t learn anything from it.” She was holding the book Ghosts, Ghouls and Other Nightly Creatures.

“You should read happy storybooks or better yet text books.

Those are the kinds of books that a kid should read.”

She left the bedroom.He clicked his downloaded copy of Walking Dead and watched it with pure enjoyment.She did other household chores.When she finished doing her obligation, she read Morning, Noon and Night by Sidney Sheldon.She loved easy-to-read realistic novels.

Brock’s story about the “aswang ” – which was really a manananggal – made Robbie curious.

He wanted to know what it looks like and what it does to scare people.So, while his cousin was outside, he began to Google it.He saw various websites that showed articles about the aswang .

He clicked on each website one by one and read on it.As he researched on the subject, he learned that aswang — a term interchangeably used with manananggal — is the equivalent to vampire in Filipino folklore.

It has other names like tik-tik and wak-wak.

An aswang is a ghoulish creature with a monstrous face, pointed ears and a human body.Its powers are incredible strength, speed and shape-shifting.It usually transforms into an animal, but sometimes also transforms into a beautiful woman with long dark hair or an old man to disguise itself.It disguises itself before it hunts its prey.When the victim is oblivious, it pounces and gobbles the hapless human down.

Its usual victims are women, children, and the elderly.

The last sentence sent shivers down his spine.But he continued to read.

Other facts you need to know about this creature:

It spreads a mystical oil called lana all over its body for its transformation; sometimes it has dark red eyes; sometimes when you look into its eyes, your reflection is upside down; and a smelly magic oil boils when an aswang is near.Weapons that can repel or kill it:

Burnt animal horns; a bamboo spear; and a stingray’s tail.He clicked on the word manananggal.It led to an article about it.

The article says that a manananggal is a creature that devours human flesh and drinks human blood.It is the female aswang.

A manananggal has bat-like wings, fangs and claws.It separates its body into half.The upper body flies as it seeks a victim by sight or smell and eats the victim.

The lower body simply stays in a grove and waits for the upper body to come back.A manananggal has a penchant for human blood, fetus, liver, heart and intestines.

Weapons that can repel or kill it:

Garlic; salt; and blessed objects Both creatures eat humans at night with their long tongues and have the ability to shape-shift.By day, they appear as harmless humans to fool their victims.

There are reported sightings of aswangs and manananggals throughout the country especially in rural areas.Some people claim that they have seen these evil creatures and some even claim that they turn into an aswang or manananggal at night.

For instance, there was a 28-year-old man who had an interview on a talk show.He confessed that when the full moon appears, he changes into an aswang and wolfs down humans.He was even crying because he couldn’t control his hunger, thus, couldn’t keep himself from killing human beings.

The man said that one day he wants this curse to end and come back to God.He believed that the devil cursed him to become an aswang.

The talk show host was unhurt after the interview and is still alive today.Some of the viewers believed in the man while others thought he was crazy.

Robbie fell asleep while he was doing his research.

***

Robbie sauntered in a spooky forest.

The sky was so dark, the stars were absent and the full moon was up.Tall trees were looking down on him.They were grinning wickedly.

The grasses were so tall and thick they could trap him inside and keep him in the forest for good.No one would be able to find him.

Frightened, he quickened his pace.His heart beat fast.

Behind him he could hear a faint strange sound.

Tik-tik, it whispered.He turned his back.

He saw a manananggal flying in the sky!

He ran for his life! He ran as fast as he could so the manananggal couldn’t get him! But the faster he ran, the faster it chased him!

The manananggal flew above his head now and reached for it.It lowered its long pink tongue near his head.It was about to take his head but he ducked quickly.He scampered until the monster was gone.

He reached a nipa hut at the heart of the forest.

He decided to stay there for a while until morning comes.

He’s pretty sure that the manananggal couldn’t get him while he’s inside the hut.

He knocked on the door and an old lady with long white hair let him in.The old lady’s hair was very long that it touched her thin butt and was very unruly that it looked like she never washed and combed it.Her face was wizened and her body was bony and weak.She was the ugliest old person Robbie saw.

He told her about the manananggal that was after him a while ago.

“ Hijo , you shouldn’t stay in the forest at night because lots of supernatural creatures and go after the people who roam there,” the old lady warned him.

You seemed hungry from running, son.,” said the old lady.“Come sit at the dining table.

I’ll give you something to eat.” She looked kind and thoughtful.

She gave him a hamburger and a coke.“Thank you, grandma.

You are so kind to me,” he said.

He was on the verge of tears.He was thankful for the hospitality of the old lady and the fact that he escaped from the clutches of the manananggal relieved him.Phew, that was close, he thought.

As he ate his hamburger, the old lady told him, “Didn’t your parents teach you never to talk to strangers?”

“What…” Before he continued to talk, the old lady transformed into the manananggal he was escaping from.Her long black claws grabbed his chubby fair hand.

“H lp!” He screamed.

He felt smooth and gentle hands shaking him.

He was soaked in sweat.

Tala’s hands were wet when she touched the shoulders of her scared and helpless little cousin.Little Robbie woke up and saw his older cousin.She gave him a glass of water which she got from the kitchen.He gulped it down.

“Thanks, cuz” he said.He was glad that his cousin woke him up.

She embraced him.“I told you not to read about scary stuff!” she chided him and said, “Are you okay?”

“Yes Tala,” he said in a trembling voice.If you looked at his face it was obvious that he was still traumatized by the nightmare he had.

“Good.Please stop thinking about aswangs , manananggals and ghosts.

They aren’t real.

They exist in stories just to give people nightmares.”

“Okay, cuz .”

Sweet Tala stroke her little cousin’s back and sang him a lullaby.Her beautiful singing voice soothed him.When he fell asleep, she closed the door and went to her own bedroom.

Three days later, the Halloween party arrived.

It was held in Robbie’s classroom at around 10 am.Tala arrived at the party.She was wearing a dark angel costume.

The students and the teacher were dressed up in different costumes.Most of the students wore scary costumes while some wore funny ones.The teacher who hosted it wore a sexy witch costume.

There were parlor games, an early catered lunch which served sumptuous meals, a wonderful magic show by a famous magician, song and dance numbers by the students, and a costume contest.

“Attention, boys and girls,” announced the teacher.“I know you’re excited to hear who won the costume party.Aren’t you?”

“Yes!” Her pupils yelled in unison.

“Great! It’s time to announce the winners,” she said.

“The third prize goes to Claire!” Claire went in front of the class and smiled.She was in a cute evil fairy costume.A round of applause.

The teacher gave her one box of chocolates and a kiss on the cheek.

“The second prize goes to Robbie!” Robbie did the same thing that Claire did.He was in a scary Dracula costume.

Another round of applause.The teacher gave him two boxes of chocolates and a kiss on the cheek, as well.

“The first prize goes to Takehiro!” Takehiro clapped along with his classmates, went in front of them and beamed.He was in a terrifying Frankenstein costume.The teacher gave him an airplane toy and a kiss on the cheek.

The party ended at 12:00 PM.

Everyone had fun.

Tala was proud of her cousin.

As a reward for Robbie, Tala took him to Timezone .He was happy and excited.They played arcade games and sports until past 3 PM.

She also treated him to ice cream.He enjoyed licking his cookies and cream.When they got tired, they went homeward.They strolled down a longish road.

It was sunny outside.On their way, they saw a group of kids playing, mothers and nanniesaccompanying them, and a group of three tall, slender and mysteriously beautiful girls.

They were awed by the unearthly beauty of these girls.But she noticed something else.The complexion of those girls was abnormally pale.She also felt their auras; they seem to have incredible strengths as if they were as strong as ten muscular men and have otherworldly powers.

It felt so eerie.

For a fleeting moment, the three girls cast shadows of bat wings on the ground and showed fangs when they smiled.Tala’s eyes grew wide in fear.

Then, in a blink of an eye, the shadows of ugly wings and the fangs disappeared.The girls looked normal again.

Tala grabbed Robbie by the arm, dragged him, and together they ran from the girls.

He was confused.He didn’t understand why they were running.

What did his older cousin see that scared her?

“Why are we running?” he asked her simply.

She was dumbfounded by his question.“Didn’t you see what happened to those girls?” was all she could reply.

“No.What happened?”

Since she didn’t want to scare his cousin and make him think she was crazy, she kept silent.She didn’t utter a word until they reached home.

Only the sound of their footsteps was heard on the ground.

Chapter 3: An Afternoon with Amy and Cristine

Everyone is nice to me.But do they really see me as a real friend?

Sometimes, Tala wondered if the people in school liked her for what she really was.She was a consistent honor student, a volleyball player, an editor-in-chief of the school’s magazine, an artist, and a muse.It’s easy to like a queen bee.But what if she was only an average student? What if her IQ and grades were not high? What if she wasn’t good in sports? What if she wasn’t extremely talented? What if she was a plain Jane? Would they still like her? She hoped that they would.She craved for a real friendship and relationship.

She wanted to be with people who would truly love her.

In school, church, and at home, we were taught to admire values over superficial things.But in reality, the world expects a lot from us.Men are supposed to work, provide money for the family, and put food on the table.That’s basically it.On the other hand, women are expected to do the same but to also maintain their beauty and have the qualities of a good wife.

They are supposed to learn how to cook delicious meals, complete the household chores, take care of the children and make their husband happy.If they failed to do all these things, men might be tempted to look for another partner and cheat on their wives, and finally leave them and choose the mistress instead.Women needed to be perfect or else we are disposable.

We needed to be independent but not alone.Strong but feminine.Beautiful and also smart.

Think and act mature but look young.Tall, but not taller than our boyfriends or husbands.Flawless and hairless.Pore-less and acne-free.Makeup-free but filtered versions of ourselves.Marry someone young, handsome, and rich.Be a mother but look childless (get rid of the baby weight, cellulites, and stretch marks).Hey, use this cream to remove all types of scars! Be cool and classy.

Play some sports and video games, but also dress nicely, wear a fruity cologne, put on some makeup to impress the boys! Be wise and wrinkle-free.Be friendly but please, just go out with your female friends and avoid guys.Or else, your boyfriend might leave you.Be slim but have some curves.

Have a thigh gap and legs for days.Work hard but never look tired.

Eyebags should be gone under 10 seconds by putting on a concealer and a corrector.

Apply an eye cream before using a moisturizer.It would make you 10 years younger.But make sure to eat your vegetables, drink water, and sleep 8 hours and more because using money on expensive beauty products is not enough.Use a sunscreen because the sun is the enemy! Your lips are dry? Oh, what a shame.No one will kiss you with those ugly, chapped lips.Here’s the most effective lip balm and it costs 200 pesos! Add the 600-peso ruby lipstick into your cart.

Are you excited on your first date? Yay! Congrats! But please don’t appear too excited or trying hard to impress.Dress casually, but not too casual unless you want to look like a hobo.No matter your usual style is, you should tone it down.So that the guy won’t have the impression that the game is over and he got you.Never eat a steak on the first date.

Just eat salad because they don’t want to have a fat girlfriend.By the way, you are required to look like an Instagram model.

But for God’s sake, do not undergo plastic surgery; it would hurt your boyfriend or husband’s wallet.Plus, admitting that you had plastic surgery is embarrassing and his friends might think you were ugly.Your breasts should be firm.Your nipples should be light pink like azaleas.

Your bum should be big.Do tons of squats, burpees, and deadlifts in order to achieve the almost perfect body.Get toned abs, arms, and legs.

But do not lift weight too much because guys don’t want bulky girls.Be confident, but not too confident.People don’t want girls who know they are attractive.Smile and hide your sadness.Smile and wave at every person you know so you won’t intimidate them.

Show your gorgeous bright pearls but don’t smile too much.A box grin only works for kids and K-Pop male singers.Opt for a closed-mouth smile in pictures – it makes you appear like a sweet, demure girl.Cover your mouth when you laugh.

Don’t guffaw or snort.Avoid that “pig” laugh.Stand straight and walk gracefully.Flip your hair.Don’t look down.

Smize.Smile with your eyes.You get the picture.

The girls who don’t have natural beauty, money for skin care products and cosmetic surgery, and a gym membership have no choice but to get stuck with their anti-bacterial soap and cheap shampoo and listen to subliminals on YouTube (that may or may not work) and positive affirmations to manifest the things they desire.Law of attraction for broke girls.

As someone who won the gene lottery, Tala never had problems like that.You will either love or hate her—there’s no in between.Honestly, I can’t blame you.

When Tala looked in the mirror, a tall and gorgeous girl with shiny long hair appeared.She had a delicate face, high cheekbones, almond eyes, and a sun-kissed glow.

Her long and wavy hair cascaded on her slender shoulders.

At lunch-break, Tala sat with Amy and Cristine in the school’s canteen.“How was your shopping in Univers?” Tala looked and listened to the girls, willing to know about their exciting experiences at the mall.

“Oh, we had a great time! The clothes are fabulous and a bit expensive but worth spending on,” said Amy.“Right, Cristine?”

“Totes!” replied Cristine with a smile.“We bought 10 clothes all in all.

You should have been there so you could buy new clothes that will accentuate your figure.Plus, the ones you wear are so last month.”

“Really?” asked Tala.Amy nudged and glared at Cristine.

“What I mean to say is that you’re pretty and have a hot bod, but you need clothes that will make you look so much better,” Cristine told Tala so the latter won’t get hurt by her previous comment.

“Let’s go shopping after school,” Amy said in a cheery voice.Her eyes widened and her smile brightened.Her hair glowed.

The three girls went shopping in different stores in a nearby mall.

They went inside high-end stores such as Univers, Homme et Femme, Adora, Chanel, Gucci, Mac, Fenty Beauty, and the like.Amy and Cristine picked daring tops, short skirts, and high heels.The dresses that Tala picked were simple and a bit conservative but elegant.

She paired them with pretty accessories and shoes.

When Tala emerged in the fitting room of every clothing store, she looked like a star without trying too hard.The dresses she wore flattered her slim and shapely figure.

The accessories and shoes complemented her look.Her face glowed even without a hint of makeup.Her friends couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

“You look great!” said Cristine.Tala smiled and thanked her.

“You look a little pale,” Amy told Tala.“You should buy this blush.”

Amy gave Tala a powder blush that’s a shade lighter than her olive skin, which would make the latter look dull if she wore it.

“Thanks, but I don’t like that blush,” replied Tala.Amy returned the powder blush to a makeup storage near them.

The three girls paid the clothes in cash and headed to Starbucks.Amy ordered Signature Iced Chocolate while her best friend Cristine ordered Iced White Chocolate Mocha.

Tala ordered Iced Green Tea Latte .The weather was so hot that afternoon they wanted to drink something cool and delicious.

They were seated at a table enjoying their drinks.

“Are you in a diet, Tala?” asked Amy after having a few sips of her drink.

“No,” said Tala.“Why?”

“You ordered a low-calorie drink,” said Amy.

Tala smiled.

“I love green tea.It isn’t too sweet nor too strong.It tastes just right for me.It’s not a popular drink, but I really like it.”

“Oh, now we know why you’re so slim,” Amy complimented her.

Later on, they chatted about their teachers and classmates.It was Amy who started the conversation.

“Mr.Ramon is a terror teacher.He yelled at Carlo because Carlo didn’t do his assignment.He also made him stand on his chair for the whole period of the Algebra class,” said Amy.

“What? He really did that to your classmate?” asked Cristine.

“How awful.” She pouted.

“I know, right? As if yelling at the poor guy isn’t bad enough,” said Amy.She really felt sorry for her classmate.

“Do you know Ben?” asked Cristine.

“He’s a transferee, right?” replied Amy.

“Yes!” said Cristine.“He’s from an international school.

He’s hot! I totally wanna go out with him someday.”

“Do you know who the most annoying girl in school is?” asked Amy.

“Who?” asked Cristine.

“Chloe.

She’s so vain.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“She looks at herself in her pocket mirror every 5 minutes and asks everyone if she looks okay.She’s just fishing compliments from other people.She just wanna hear how good she looks during the day.

She’s very self-conscious and narcissistic at the same time.”

“You’re really mad at her.

I think you’re jealous because she’s pretty.”

“No, I’m not mad at her.I’m just telling the truth.And she’s not pretty.”

These were just the snippets of conversations Tala heard from the two girls.

She didn’t like to gossip so she just kept quiet the whole time they were talking.Despite the boredom she felt, she stared, listened and nodded as her classmates talked.

She was about to yawn but she covered her mouth.In order to stay alert, she pinched herself.When Amy felt that Tala wasn’t interested in their conversations she said, “Let’s go.We got a lot of homework to do.”

Then the three girls left the coffee shop.

They went inside Amy’s BMW.Amy and Cristine sat in the second row, while Tala at the back.

Amy’s driver drove the car.While the girls were inside it, they talked some more about school, the movies they wanted to see, and the celebrities they liked.This time Tala joined the conversation with her friends.

30 minutes later the BMW reached Tala’s home.When she was dropped off, Tala said good-bye to Amy and Cristine and they said good-bye to her.

As soon as the door of the car closed, Amy and Cristine talked about Tala.

“I fucking hate her,” said Amy.

“Why? I think she’s cool,” said Cristine.

“You do not think she’s cool,” replied Amy, emphasizing the word “not” as if it’s a sin to like Tala.Cristine rolled her eyes.

“Look at the way she dresses – she’s different from us.She’s different from other girls.Yet, everyone in school likes her.”

“She’s beautiful, smart, talented and nice.

It’s impossible not to like her.”

“Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you like her, too,” exclaimed Amy.Cristine said nothing.

“You’re not allowed to like her, Cristine,” declared Amy.“You’re my best friend.She’s supposed to be your enemy.”

“Then why are we hanging out with her?” She gave her a puzzled look.

“I have a plan,” Amy stared and grinned.“If you’re really my friend, you would help me with it.”

Cristine sighed.“So, what’s your plan?”

“We’ll make the whole school hate her.We’ll make them think that underneath that beautiful face and other things they love about her is something very ugly.We have to show to everyone that she has a rotten attitude.”

Cristine wanted to say to her best friend that it was not a good idea and that she should just forget about it.

But Cristine didn’t want to disappoint Amy.

Cristine shook her head.“You’re unbelievable, Amy.After all these years, you’re still angry with her.What did Tala do to you?”

Amy curled her lip, “She beat me in everything.”

Chapter 4: A Secret Admirer

It isn’t just any ordinary day.

Today is a gift.

Tala went to her locker.Every day she received many gifts from her suitors.She always got stuffed toys, flowers, boxes of chocolates and love letters.But this time she got a framed portrait of her.

She looked and held the framed portrait for a long time and said “Wow, this is so beautiful!”

“Sure, it is,” said Amy.She appeared beside Tala.“Do you know who gave it to you?”

“I have no idea.The name of the person who gave this portrait isn’t written here,” said Tala.

“Oh, whoever he is, he’s a mysterious and romantic guy.”

“Indeed, he is.”

“Do you wanna know who gave that to you?”

“Yes!”

“Then I’ll help you find out who it was.” Amy smiled a friendly smile.Tala smiled out of excitement.

The boy who drew and gave the portrait was Tristan.Tristan was a person with disability since he was a child.

He may not have legs, but he had strong and creative hands that could draw anything beautifully.

He had a huge crush on Tala because she was very beautiful.He gave the portrait to her as a tribute to her beauty, but didn’t sign it with his name because he wanted to keep it a secret.If the whole campus knew that he gave her a gift, they would think he was courting her.He didn’t want them to think that way because he knew that they would make fun of him, since he believed he had no chance with her.So, he just kept his admiration for her to himself and to the portrait.

Amy knew the gift was from Tristan.

She saw him put it inside Tala’s unlocked locker in a very early morning.

“I suggest that you write a letter to him to show your appreciation,” Amy told Tala.

“That’s great! But how can I give the letter to him? I don’t even know who gave the gift,” replied Tala.She was confused.

“Oh, just leave it in your locker.The guy will see your letter since he gives you a gift every day.”

“Really?” Tala was incredulous.“It seems to me that you know who gave the portrait.”

“Just trust me,” said Amy.

She smiled.She always smiled when she’s up to something which Tala didn’t know of at this moment.

Tala wrote a quick letter:

Dear sender of the gift,

Thank you so much for the wonderful portrait you made for me.I really like it.You are very talented.I’m flattered that you made me the subject of your portrait.I hope you’ll be inspired to make more art.God bless you.

Xoxo Tala

Tala put the letter inside her locker.Then she and Amy left the hallway.

***

Amy went to Cristine’s house.

The girls were in Cristine’s bedroom which was painted in pink and teeming with girly things like stuffed toys and cute modern gadgets.Cristine was busy using Facebook in her pink laptop which had an Eiffel tower cover.

“I want you to write a letter to Tala’s secret admirer,” Amy told Cristine.

“Pretend that you’re Tala.

Copy her handwriting.” Cristine had a talent in copying the handwriting of people and she used that talent to trick others.

“Are you serious?” said Cristine.Cristine looked away from her laptop to Amy.“Why would I do it?”

“You’ll do it because you’ll help me with my plan.You’ll write a fake letter to Tristan.I will give it to him.The fake letter will hurt his feelings.

On the next day, I will spread the news about Tala’s letter.Then, the whole campus will know how mean she was to the poor guy.”

“I’m not very familiar with Tala’s handwriting.”

Amy showed Tala’s real letter to her secret admirer.“Here, you can read it and copy her handwriting.It’s very easy to copy.”

Cristine took the letter and read it.“She’s nice and sweet.”

Amy made a gagging face.

“Okay, I’ll do it.What do you want me to write?”

Amy dictated the words:

Dear Tristan,

Please don’t give me another gift.I don’t like to receive anything from you.

You’re a loser and your portrait is ugly.Don’t think I’m going to end up dating you just because you gave me a gift.It’s never going to happen.I’m totally out of your league.

Tala

“Umm.That doesn’t sound like Tala at all,” said Cristine.

“It doesn’t matter.He’ll believe it was her.”

The next morning Amy handed the letter to Tristan to the hallway.She avoided touching Tristan’s hand while giving the letter to him.

“She knows it was you who gave the portrait,” Amy told Tristan curtly and headed to her next class.

She quickly walked away from him as if he had a contagious disease.

Later at night, Tristan read the letter.After reading it, he cried in his bed.The pillow he was hugging was stained with his tears.“Oh, Tala.Why do you have to be so mean to me?” he said.

He cried himself to sleep.

That night he dreamed he was in a basketball court.A bunch of teenage boys were playing basketball.There was one boy who kept on running and dribbling the ball near him.The boy threw it at him.Tristan fell with his crutches on the ground.

Someone took his hand and helped him get up.He noticed that the hand was beautiful, smooth and olive.He looked up and saw Tala.

Then he woke up.

He was back into his bedroom.

“No, that dream was a lie,” he said.“She doesn’t give a damn if someone hurts me.She herself has hurt me.”

The next day almost everyone in the school hated Tala.Everywhere she went — the hallways, canteen, and corridors — people called her a mean bitch, a narcissistic slut and other bad things.

A girl even whispered to her friend, “She’s so full of herself.”

Tala was confused by all this so she asked her friend Claudine who was beside her the whole time she was walking, “Why are our schoolmates calling me names?”

Claudine answered, “There’s a rumor that you gave a nasty letter to your admirer Tristan.In that letter you told him that you didn’t appreciate the portrait he made and gave for you and to never give you a gift anymore because you don’t like receiving anything from a loser like him.You also said that you’re out of his league.”

Tala was flabbergasted.Then she spoke: “First of all, I didn’t know that the portrait was from Tristan.

Second, I didn’t write that letter.I would never write anything like that.And lastly, someone else wrote it and probably copied my handwriting to convince him it was actually me who wrote it.”

Tala thought about the letter for a little while.Who wrote and gave that letter?

The answer came to her right away: “Amy did it!” she said.

“Maybe she did.

But how can you prove it?” asked Claudine.

They reached Tala’s locker.A piece of paper on the floor just under it caught Tala’s eye.She picked it up.

“This is my real letter!” she told Claudine.“I’ll just talk to Tristan and show this to him later instead.”

Claudine nodded.“That’s a good idea.”

***

Tala talked to Tristan in the gym before her volleyball practice started.She was part of the volleyball team that would represent the school in the upcoming national tournament.

“I know you hate me right now, but I want to give you this.

This is my real letter.The one you got wasn’t from me — somebody else wrote it to fool you and make me appear like a bad person.” She handed her real letter to him.

“I want you to know that I appreciate the portrait you made for me.It’s so sweet of you to do it,” Tala smiled to Tristan.Tristan returned the smile.

He wasn’t mad at her anymore.

“I just want to be your friend, Tala.I admire you because you’re different from other girls.You are so nice.You are beautiful inside out.I want you to see that that’s why I made the portrait.

I know a boy like me doesn’t stand a chance with you.” He looked at his crutches to indicate that it hindered him from having a deeper relationship with Tala – the kind of relationship that every boy in the school dreamed of.

“You’re already my friend, Tristan.

Never look down on yourself.You are a wonderful person.Someday someone else will realize how wonderful, kind, sweet and lovable you are.You’re a beautiful soul.

You’ll meet someone better.”

Her name was called by the coach.She kissed Tristan on the cheek.He was very happy.“I gotta go.

See you around,” she said.She said good-bye to him and approached her team.

***

Tala called Amy on her cellphone later at night upon coming home after the volleyball practice.Amy answered her cellphone after the tenth ring.

“Hello,” said Amy curtly.

“Why did you give a fake letter to Tristan?” asked Tala with no further ado.

“I did that because I want him and everyone else in school to hate you.”

“Why do you want them to hate me?”

“Because I’m sick of the fact that everyone loves you.People admire and praise you for everything you do, even if it’s just a small thing.

You beat me in everything from academics to sports.You’re always number one while I’m number two.You have more friends and admirers than me.”

Tala was surprised to hear this.She was silent for a few seconds then said, “I never think about that.”

“Of course, you’ll deny it,” Amy scoffed at her.

“You got it all wrong.

I never compete against you or anyone else.I just do what I have to do – study hard and play hard to maintain my grades and have a chance to study in Alano University.If there’s one person I’m competing against, it’s myself.”

Amy didn’t reply.Tala continued, “I trusted you, Amy.

I thought you were my friend.I treated you like my sister, but you did an unforgivable thing to me.How could you do this to me? I did nothing wrong to you.I was a good friend to you.

From now on, I will no longer be your friend.”

“Good!” yelled Amy.

Tala hung up.

***

The following day after their classes, Tala and Claudine were at a fish ball stand outside the school on the left side of the street.Tala ordered fish balls while Claudine ordered fried chicken eggs.

The dark-skinned male vendor dipped both snacks in sweet sauce.After having a bite of a fish ball, Tala told Claudine about her conversation with Amy.

“Wow, she’s so jealous of you she did it to hurt you and make herself feel better,” said Claudine.“What a cheap thing to do.”

Tala nodded.“Yes.She shouldn’t have done it.”

“So, you will never ever be friends with her again?”

“Well, we can still be friends if she will change her attitude towards me and stop hurting me.”

A goth girl passed them by.She looked very pretty and innocent even with her heavy makeup and black clothes.

Another girl in uniform who was behind her pushed her hard.The goth girl fell on the ground; the black leather bag she was carrying fell, too.Tala and Claudine saw the goth girl after she fell; the girl who was behind her and a bunch of people in the scene laughed at her.

“What is their problem?” muttered Claudine.Tala didn’t say anything.

She approached the goth girl.She took the goth girl’s hand and helped her get up.

Claudine took the black leather bag and gave it to the goth girl.The goth girl thanked them.

“No problem, Salome,” said Tala.

“If you need my help, feel free to approach me.” Tala smiled at her.Salome smiled back.“Likewise,” she said.

Chapter 5: The Gift of Magic

She was odd and dark.But she was truly beautiful.

Salome Evangelista was Tala’s classmate who was a year older than her.

Salome’s classmates described her as the weird and friendless girl who always sat at the back and liked to draw (sketch, that’s what she would call it) when the teacher was not looking.She’s a loner, a bookworm and a rocker.She loved rock music so much and considered herself a goth girl.She’s fascinated with anything gothic – gothic rock, art, and fashion.

Her parents, especially her overly religious dad who disapproved of rock music, didn’t like her fashion and lifestyle.But they let her be, thinking that was how young people are these days, they love to express themselves through music, fashion, and art.

This goth girl used to be rich, happy and fortunate.

She had loving parents and a cool brother, a hot seventeen-year-old boyfriend who was a car racer (she met him at Lena’s birthday party.He was Lena’s friend), and a rock band named Scorpion Lily .Salome Evangelista had an amazing life with her boyfriend Marco Delos Reyes.They would watch each other’s shows and have movie dates and outings.They had a happy and healthy relationship for two years and six months.Salome’s life was as cool as a rock star’s life.

But something changed all of that a year ago.

One night, she had a terrible nightmare.

She dreamed that her boyfriend died in an accident during his racing.She told him about the nightmare and persuaded him to quit.But Marco told her it was just a bad dream and continued to join the race.

He was leading the race and nearing the finish line until he realized his brakes were not working.

Someone tampered with them.He lost control of his car and crashed into a wall of the Speedway.He suffered from injuries and died.She wailed.

Marco’s memorial service was held three days after the accident.

Two months later, Salome discovered she had an extraordinary gift.She could foretell the future through her dreams.

Everything she foretold happened: Her Aunt Jacinthe topped the bar exam, Uncle Thor won in a casino, best friend Nadine gave birth to a baby boy, and band mate Lai got involved in a gang fight and was almost killed.Her clairvoyant power was fortified.Now she could predict just about anything even if she’s awake.On a boring day, she typed in “Clairvoyance” on Google.Thousands of sites gave information about the subject.She came across a website for a wizardry and witchcraft community.Finding the site ridiculous, she laughed at herself for visiting it.

How could I be stupidly superstitious? Everything that happened was a pure coincidence, that’s all, she thought.

Clairvoyance? In the modern time? I must be crazy to believe I have such power! Ha ha ha!

She posted insults and swear words — both in English and Filipino — on the website.This was what she typed in:

Dear website moderator, can you tell me who killed my boyfriend? Asshole! Tonto!

The website moderator typed in the name of Marco’s rival in the car race.He continued to type in:

Miguel Rosales happens to have a girlfriend named Daphne Lopez who used to be your boyfriend’s ex.The girlfriend wants to ditch him and be with Marco again because he was too possessive.

But Miguel didn’t let her.Miguel loved her so much he couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving him and going out with another guy.He also happens to hate Marco in the racing because it’s hard to beat him.

So that explains the tragedy , she thought.

The explanation seemed plausible enough.

She heard a rumor about that bitch Daphne who cheated on Marco when they were still together and wanted to come back to him when she’s already with Miguel.That whore.But she was really shocked to learn about Miguel’s hatred towards Marco.Miguel was Marco’s best friend.What a fucked- up loser.

How did this web moderator know all of this? Was he really a wizard or a jester pulling a prank on her? Maybe a gossipy neighbor was observing her from her window using binoculars.

Shit, she didn’t know.Maybe this “wizard” was a psycho.

She decided to meet up with the web moderator despite being afraid of him.She wanted badly to know the answers to her questions.

She brought a knife to protect herself – just in case he turned out to be a psycho serial killer.

They met at a nearby Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch and introduced themselves.The web moderator’s name was Silas.He was a tall and handsome bespectacled 17-year-old guy.He was wearing a black T-shirt, dark blue jeans and white sneakers.

Salome was expecting him to wear a hat, a robe and some weird shoes — like the wizards she saw in the movies.

She ordered Hazel Nut while he ordered Espresso Roast .They paid for their drinks, went to an empty table and sat at it.

While waiting for their orders he started the conversation.

“So, you’re here because you discovered your skill in foretelling the future and you want to know everything about clairvoyance,” he said.“And you want to know all the answers to your questions.” It’s not a question, it’s a statement.

“Exactly,” she replied.The waiter gave them their coffees.

Silas sipped his coffee.“Well, you won’t learn all of that in this place.You should come with me to my house to meet the other members of the community.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t rape or kill you,” he smirked.That annoying smirk irritated her.

She controlled her grimace and tried to smile.

“Okay, I’ll go with you.”

They finished their coffees and went outside.

Salome entered Silas’ Tesla.He started the car and drove toward his house.

They were in the house in a private, quiet secluded villa.It is a Victorian-inspired house with a lush courtyard which consists of big trees, lovely flowers, an attractive fountain with a statue of an angel, and a heart-shaped swimming pool.Outside, it looked like a normal house owned by an opulent person but inside, she realized, it hid a dark, haunting, surreal and magical ambience.

He opened the intricate mahogany front door and together they walked inside.

Their eyes adjusted to the dramatic light of the living room.The living room had a gothic feel, with beige paneled walls and a chandelier that was hung on a white ceiling.

Their feet felt the softness of the red carpet.There were sofas, easy chairs and mahogany tables.Lamps were placed on the sides.

Golden framed mirrors and old paintings hanged on the walls.He let her explore the rest of the house.

They walked in the kitchen.An aroma of delectable food wafted in the air.She sniffed it and her mouth watered.

The kitchen had a bright light, white paneled walls and ceramic wood tiles.

The furniture, equipment and supplies were also white.A fat lady cook was cooking turkey on the stove.

They entered the dining room.

It had a modern feel, also carpeted like the living room, with a long black dining table and chairs.A candle chandelier hanged on a sky-image ceiling.

They walked upstairs into the library.Portraits of him and his family members hanged on the walls.In the bookshelves were books devoted to wizardry and witchcraft.It had titles like The Ancient History of Magic, Famous Wizards and Witches, Discover Your Natural Power, White Magic vs.Black Magic , and How to Deal with Black Magic.

Some of these books had hundreds of volumes.She picked Discover Your Natural Power .It was a dusty book with yellowed pages.She landed the book on the table and sat on the chair.Then, she sniffed the book and began skimming through the pages.

“This is interesting,” she said while reading a few pages.She bit a finger when something piqued her interest.

“Yes, it is,” he replied.

He was standing behind her.“It talks about the kind of magic that’s innate in everybody, including the non-magical people.Each and every one of us had been gifted by nature with this kind of magic, since the beginning of time.Some are aware of it and some are not.Those who are aware of it become curious so they want to discover how to properly use it.Do you know that when we think of something all the time, it eventually happens? Like when you think positive, you attract good things.”

“Are you talking about the law of attraction?” she asked.“Like attracts like?”

“Yes, it’s one of the many examples of natural magic,” he replied.He walked in front of her and looked at her face.

He noticed that she had a mole below her left hazel eye.“A lot of people don’t believe in that law but it’s true.”

“Well, I don’t believe in it.I believe that when something happens, it just happens.If a little boy got kidnapped, he didn’t think about something bad before he was kidnapped, did he?”

He was silent.He didn’t persuade her to believe something she wouldn’t.He knew someday she would learn the truth.Explaining how it works would consume the time.He walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Come with me.

I’ll introduce you to the members of the community.” He opened the door.

They headed to the training room.It was stark white with no decorations and furniture.He clicked the light switch.The place became a battlefield in ruins.The sky was gray, a blanket of mist covered the mountains and dew drops covered the blades of grass.

There were wizards and witches in regular clothes practicing various kinds of magic.

A brown-skinned witch was levitating in the air.A light-haired, wizened old wizard conjured flowers in his free arm by using a wand with his other hand and gave them to Salome.He also conjured cute stuffed toys around her.Even though he looked like a creepy, infatuated, dirty old man, she clapped her hands to show her appreciation and enthusiasm.

A vain witch who was also gripping a wand showed her ability to change in a second her hair color and style and dress as many times as a celebrity in an important televised event would.A young, mature-looking witch took Salome’s knife using her mind.Telekinesis , thought Salome.Two young wizards grabbed colorful birds out of their mouths and juggled them.A playful twelve-year-old wizard made magical wands and potions float above his head.A ten-year-old witch breathed ice.It frosted the floor and everything else in sight.She began to ice skate.

But a wizard her age melted it all by breathing fire so it turned into water.Water flooded all over the place.The witch fell and nearly drowned.With the snap of a finger, Silas made the water disappear.

He saved the witch and prevented the havoc the mischievous little wizard accidentally created.The witch was in great pain.Silas helped her to get up.

“That’s amazing!” exclaimed Salome.

“It’s more than amazing.Supernatural or occult powers have helped our lives to be easier.

They have also made our lives complex and dangerous.We wizards and witches should be responsible and extra careful in using our powers.

We should be able to control them and only use a reasonable amount of power during practice, play and especially battle.If we don’t, then these powers could destroy the world.Another thing: We should also use our powers for good things, not for evil things.A lot of witches and wizards from the dark side have died in their foolish attempt to be the greatest of the great and conquering the world or for helping demons, monsters and other evil otherworldly creatures in their deadly schemes.Indeed, good always triumphs over evil.”

Salome was speechless for a moment.She was still astonished by all the magic she saw.

“I want to be like all of you.

I want to be more powerful,” she finally said after a moment of silence.

“You will be.If you become a member of our community.”

“How do I become a member?”

“You must first pass our initiation.Show me your power.

Foretell everyone’s future, including mine.Impress us.”

“Consider it done.”

“Alright, everyone!” Silas said to the wizards and witches.“Meet our new aspiring member Salome Evangelista.She claims to have clairvoyant power.She will foretell each of our future.” Some of the crowd cheered, others shouted insults.

Many aspiring members had claimed that they had supernatural or occult powers but they turned out to be jokes.Silas knew the curious girl had it.He hushed the crowd up.Salome stood still, embarrassed.

“Listen! She will foretell what will happen to all of us in ten days’ time.If her predictions come true, we’ll accept her as the new member of The Keepers of The Light.But first we’ll let her know if all of them came true when she returns in this house after ten days.” Most of the members wished her luck.

Others ignored her.

She foretold the future of all the members.Some of the events she foretold were good while others were bad.

After ten days, she returned to the house to talk to Silas and the rest of the community.

A meeting was held in Silas’ house.

Silas talked to the members of the community who were there.

“I have talked to all of the members of this community and they told me that your predictions for them came true.Your prediction for me came true as well.” He told Salome in a sad, solemn voice.

His Siberian Husky died last night.

He loved that dog so much.

He conjured a medium-sized blue fireball with the snap of his finger.He asked her to touch it with her finger.“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt you a bit,” he assured her.

She touched it.It didn’t burn her finger.But it gave her finger a warm, comfortable sensation.

It glowed and produced a crystal ball.

“That crystal ball does not only reveal you the future.It also reveals the answers to mysteries and the truths behind lies.You are now a member of The Keepers of The Light.The crystal ball is yours.”

The crowd applauded.She smiled before them with gratitude.

Silas trained Salome to become one of the greatest clairvoyants in the community.

She passed the training with flying colors.Now her predictions became more accurate and she learned the new ability to read minds.She became both a clairvoyant and a mind-reader.She promised herself to use these powers to inform or warn her family and friends about the things in the future and protect them.

And she did.Awed by her supernatural powers, they consulted her and followed her pieces of advice.Her predictions helped them prepare for their future and her mind-reading power prevented the occurrence of crimes that might harm them.

However, her dad wasn’t happy about her supernatural powers.

He told her to quit using those powers because he believed they’re the works of the devil.

“All kinds of magic are created by the devil!” he said.“You’ll make the devil so happy if you continue using those supernatural powers!”

“It’s not true.In fact, I’m using these powers to fight evil,” she said.

“My powers have helped my family and friends and kept them from harm.How could you stop me from using these gifts?”

“That’s it! First, I let you do your stupid thing.I let you dye your hair blue, wear outrageous clothes and form a rock band that makes stupid noise.Now you expect me to let you do your magic? What will be your next move? Form a cult? You know what? I’m sick of having a weird, crazy daughter like you! Get out of this house, you child of the devil! I don’t want to see you anymore!”

Hurt with her dad’s words, she started to pack her clothes and things to leave and search for a new home.

This happened in a cold rainy night.

Salome began to live in a dormitory.She worked as a waitress and a student assistant.Her mother still continued to give her money.She deposited it in her bank account (Salome’s parents knew the password of her bank account).

Salome continued to use her supernatural powers secretly.

Chapter 6: Fake Friends

Why is it hard for me to fit in? Oh, wait.I really never wanted to fit in.

Most teenagers look for friendships, and possibly relationships.They hang out with like-minded people and form cliques in school.Cheerleaders, jocks, straight-A students, fashionistas, goths and punks, artists, writers, singers and musicians, nerds, just to name a few.

Salome never dreamed to belong in these cliques.She preferred to be alone.Her name obviously starts with an “s.” S for solitude.She thought Soledad fits her personality.

No man is an island, as the saying goes.Salome chuckled quietly.More like ‘a nomad is in an island and doesn’t want to be disturbed by noisy and nonsense people.

It’s not like she’s anti-social.She was just careful about whom she surrounded herself with.

Ever since someone killed her boyfriend, she became wary of traitors and secret haters.She trusted very few people.

Friendship is overrated.

Besides, we have to admit it.We make friends just so we won’t be alone in the cafeteria and treated like losers.Salome never cared about that.Loser or not, at least she can be herself.

She was content reading Anne Rice and Edgar Allan Poe, writing poems and songs, sketching the trees and flowers in the school courtyard.

At home, Salome wrote her own spells, drew symbolisms, sigils, and chants on a witch’s secret notebook called the Book of Shadows.Inside her room, she burned a sage, smudged the whole place and performed a ritual.As soon as the moon shone, she charged her crystal and prayed for the universe and the gods and goddesses.

She worshipped and thanked them and asked for blessings.

On her altar, a pentacle was on the middle and it’s surrounded by crystals, candles, and stones.There was a rug which has a design of the sun, stars, moons, and planets.

Statues of Baal, Aphrodite, and Hekate stood behind the pentacle.Her room always smelled of sage or incense.Secretly, she smoked a joint to calm her nerves and set her intentions clearly.

Butterfly LED lights were on the walls.A personal computer, a gaming chair, and other gears were on the left side.On the opposite side was a wardrobe filled with goth clothes and shoes, and each set of school and work uniforms.In, her free time, she livestreamed her games.

She played Valorant, some popular games in the 90’s such as Legend of Kage and Contra, Call of Duty, and Warcraft.She even had an arcade machine that has all sorts of retro games.Her games were quite difficult and mostly played by boys, but she enjoyed playing and never had a hard time with them.She never even broke a sweat.Due to her expertise and pretty face, she gained a total of 1.2 million followers.

Despite being quite famous on the internet, she never got a big head.

Aside from that, she also played the piano and electric guitar, created melodies, and produce music on her computer.

She was a metal vocalist, too.She practiced growling and screaming inside her car so the neighbors won’t get irritated.Since, not everyone loves goth and death metal.

On weekdays, Salome worked as a student librarian while on weekends she worked as a waitress in a cheap restaurant near her school.Her life as a high school student was boring, but her life as a waitress was a bit more interesting because everyone there made a fuss over her.

Her co-workers found her to be peculiar not only because of the way she dressed but also because she was always alone.Although she had no friends, she turned heads wherever she went.

She was a very attractive girl.Boys flocked around her and flirted with her.But she ignored all of them.This made her female co-workers envious of her.

Her female co-workers always made nasty comments behind her back.These were just the few things they said:

“What does she have that I don’t have?”

“She’s not even pretty!”

“I don’t like the way she acts.

She’s so boyish!”

“I don’t even like the way she wears makeup and dresses.She looks like a slut with dark makeup and dark clothes!”

“I never liked alt girls.They look so trying hard like that bitch! Yuck!”

But when they saw her, they greeted and smiled at her and complimented on the way she looked and dressed.

“I love your top! Where did you buy it?”

“You look so pretty today! Can you teach me how to apply makeup? No wonder a lot of boys are checking you out.”

But those words meant nothing to her.She smiled back and thanked them.

Their “praises” never made her conceited nor made her feel special because unlike other girls her age, she dressed up for the joy of it.

She went inside the dressing room, stripped off her gothic clothes, and put on a waitress uniform.Then she went outside and began to work.

When Salome was out of earshot, one girl said, “She really thinks she’s pretty! Ha ha ha!” to which her friend replied, “What a perfect example of a delusional girl!

“We should befriend her so we can trick her,” said one of them.The girls agreed to her suggestion.

“Salome, do you wanna hang out with us in Green Light ?” asked Rebecca, a waitress with a fat figure and a loud voice.

Green Light was a bar a few blocks away from the restaurant.

“Sure,” answered Salome.Since then, they went to a lot of bars.The three girls danced, drank beer and wine, and flirted with boys every Saturday night.Salome danced but never drank anything nor flirted with anyone.

Although she never flirted with any boy, flocks of them approached her and introduced themselves to her.The three girls glared enviously at her direction when she wasn’t looking.She talked to the boys just to be nice.What a whore! Her co-workers whispered.The boys asked for Salome’s number but none of them got it.

Salome and her newfound friends also watched romantic comedies and chick flicks in cinemas, ate out in fancy restaurants, and threw house parties.

She had been to the houses of all her friends but none of them had been to hers.“Maybe she is too poor and lives in a run-down house,” Rebecca secretly told her cronies and they laughed at her joke.

Rumors about the blue-haired girl spread like wildfire.According to the whispers of her co-workers in the restaurant, Salome dated tons of guys all at once and slept with them all.

Her dad also disowned her because she had a boyfriend twice her age who was a jobless wino.Rebecca started these awful rumors.Salome became depressed when she heard them.She knew it was the fat waitress who started those rumors because she could read her mind.But she couldn’t confront her because she had no evidence to prove it.

So, she just worked her ass off and ignored the plump girl and her friends.Her so-called friends let her be.None of them cared about the strange “bitch.” None of them talked to her to ask why she kept on ignoring them.

She wanted to take revenge against her fake friends.But what could she do? The powers she had were useless against her enemies.If only I have telekinesis, she thought.But then even if she had that power, she couldn’t use it against them because Silas said she could only use magic to do good things.

She sighed and said to the mirror in the dressing room, “I should be thankful for the gifts that I have.” Her fake friends heard her say these words.

It confused them.

“What does she mean ‘gifts that I have’?” Rebecca asked her cronies.

“Maybe she was talking about her God-given beauty and her ability to whore around a bunch of guys!” said Ellen.She was sporting a short hair and was prettier than Rebecca.

Paige laughed at this.She was slim with a plain face.

A few months later, Rebecca saw her ex-boyfriend Keith and her enemy in deep conversation during their break-time.Keith stopped talking to kiss Salome on the neck but Salome evaded him.She punched him on the stomach and walked out.Keith groaned.

Holding his stomach, Keith ran after her but she slammed the door of the restaurant.The customers were staring at them.

Rebecca stayed put.She swore tomorrow it would be Salome’s last day of work.

It was on a breezy Sunday evening when the manager of the restaurant, Mr.Valdez, lost his wallet.Mr.Valdez was a tall middle-aged man who had a big gut.

This evening he was wearing a stylish black suit.He was sure his wallet was just inside his bag.When the restaurant was closed, he looked for his wallet in every corner of the establishment but didn’t see it.He told his employees to open their bags.They obeyed him.

He himself inspected the bag of every one of them.Rebecca smirked.It’s over, Salome, she thought.

Mr.Valdez opened Salome’s bag.The wallet wasn’t there.Rebecca was utterly perplexed.

How come the wallet isn’t in the bitch’s bag? I just placed it there! She thought.Then, she got nervous.Her hands were shaking.Mr.Valdez opened Rebecca’s bag.His wallet greeted him inside it.

Rebecca was shocked.Her friends were shocked, too.

“You’re fired!” Mr.Valdez shouted at the plump waitress.

This time Salome grinned.“But sir…” Rebecca wanted to explain to him that she didn’t steal the wallet and that someone else stole it and she was framed-up.Tears were coming out of her close-set eyes.

“Get out of my restaurant! Now!” Mr.Valdez yelled louder.

While she was crying, Rebecca got her stuff and left the restaurant for good.

What Rebecca didn’t know was that Salome had read her mind before the former executed her evil scheme.When Rebecca put the stolen wallet inside Salome’s bag, she didn’t know she was secretly being watched by her victim.Salome quickly and cautiously took it when Rebecca left the locker room, and put it in Rebecca’s bag.Simple as that.

After a long day, Salome headed to the dormitory.

She sensed that someone was following her.

It was night, a crescent moon was up and the stars were shining brightly.There was a shadow of a fat girl on the ground.It was Rebecca’s shadow.

She was wearing a dark hoodie.

Rebecca threw a knife at Salome’s back.Salome turned around and dodged it.She focused on the knife and made it move.

It flew back in Rebecca’s direction until it was near her throat.Rebecca was extremely shocked.

“ What are you?” asked Rebecca.

She was astonished by the magic she saw.Then, the answer dawned on her.Her enemy wasn’t merely a strange girl.

“I am a witch.” Salome’s eyes widened.“Did I surprise you?” She tilted her head and then laughed.

“If you mess with me again, I promise you, I’ll stick that knife in your throat.” Salome said, “Am I clear?”

Rebecca nodded her chubby head.“Good,” said Salome.

Salome took the knife away by using her mind and grabbed it with her left hand.Then she went to the dormitory unhurt.Since that night, Rebecca never bothered Salome again.

Two weeks before the wallet incident, Salome borrowed a book about mind power from Silas.She studied the chapter about telekinesis and followed it.

Look at the object.Concentrate on it.Communicate with it thru your mind.Tell it to move the way you want it to move.Make it understand your commandment.Make it obey you.She practiced the exercises eight hours every day to master the magic.She learned it by heart.

Salome knew that what she did to Rebecca wasn’t evil.

She used her power for self-defense.From that moment on, she vowed to herself that she would use her gifts to protect innocent people and herself.

Chapter 7: Beauty and Mystery

Powers can be obtained.It can either be a blessing or a curse.Choose your destiny.

Tala had a terrible nightmare.

In her dream –humans, aswangs and manananggals were having a bloody war in a faraway province one midnight.The monsters had ruthlessly killed many humans with their supernatural powers and strengths.Some of them munched on the body parts of the humans they killed as if they were snacks, others fed on the babies from the mothers’ wombs.The humans who were outside the war field took out garlic and crucifixes and placed them in front of their houses and stayed inside to keep themselves alive.

Needless to say, they were all frightened of aswangs and manananggals.

But a brave young woman went to the war field to fight the aswangs.

She fought them with all her might, dismembered them and killed them using her bare hands.Their mutilated monstrous bodies were lying on the ground.The brave young woman raised a mysterious bracelet up in the air.

The souls of the monsters were sucked inside the bracelet.

The war ended.Humans won the war because of a brave young woman.

She became the heroine of the province.

Tala screamed although her dream had a glorious victory at the end.She couldn’t help getting scared of the nightmare.

She sweated.The bed sheets were drenched with her sweat.

AuntRamona and Uncle Sebastian went inside her bedroom and shook her to wake her up.Aunt Sebastiangave her a glass of water.

She gulped it down.Aunt Ramona fanned her in two minutes.They touched her gently to calm her down.

“What happened? Why did you scream? Did you have a nightmare?” Aunt Ramona asked her.

Tala nodded weakly like a child.She told them about her nightmare.

“It’s only a bad dream.It’s not real.Nothing bad is gonna happen,” Uncle Sebastian assured her like she was a seven-year-old girl.“Now go back to sleep.” They hugged her.

Tala went back to her bed and stayed in it.

She couldn’t go back to sleep.

What on Earth was happening to me , she thought.First, there was a vision of the girls having manananggal wings and fangs and now there was a nightmare of humans, aswangs and manananggals having a bloody war.Why am I having these scary vision and dream? Have I gone crazy because of the stress in school? Maybe I needed to unwind to cope up with the stress.

But the Noli Me Tangere play I was directing is due in two weeks! I had no better choice but to relax and breathe to save my sanity and prevent myself from butchering the play.I have to stop thinking about a lot of things.

Tala took a bath, changed into her uniform, ate her breakfast, combed her hair and put some powder on her beautiful face and lip balm on her luscious lips, and headed to school.She went to the classroom just in time.

Her classes were pretty boring but she focused on them to keep her mind busy and push the scary vision and dream away from her thoughts.She took down notes, solved mathematical problems on the blackboard, and wrote an essay with the little ease she could muster.

The class had a lunch break.Hungry teachers and students went to the canteen with their colleagues and friends.

She was with her friends from the volleyball and Taekwondo teams.While they were eating and chatting, a group of three tall, slender and gorgeous girls approached them.She recognized these girls.They were the ones whom she and Robbie saw.But where were their shadows of manananggal wings and their fangs?

“Hi, boys and girls,” said one of the girls.“I’m Katie and these are Annika and Isolde.

We’re the Santiago sisters.We would like to invite you all to Annika’s birthday party.As you all know, we’re new in this college.We want to get to know our schoolmates better that’s why we’re inviting you to her birthday party.

It will be held at our house next Monday at 8 pm onwards.”

The girl who introduced herself as Katie gave them invitation cards.“The address and directions are written there.I wish you would all come,” she said.She smiled her Colgate smile.

Tala’s friends were excited to go to Annika’s birthday party.But Tala was thinking if she would go.

Her left brain told her not to go if she were afraid of them.There might be trouble.Her right brain told her they might be real manananggals and they might cause havoc, like in her nightmare.

But she wanted to know more about these girls.There was something mysterious about them.

Maybe they were manananggals , maybe they were not.If they were, she could flee.

She could grab her friends and run fast.They could escape the manananggals because they were great runners.Someone interrupted her train of thought.

“Tala, will you go to the birthday party?” Marian, her voluptuous friend from the volleyball team, asked her.

“Of course, I will,” said Tala.She smiled a closed-mouth smile.

“Cool!” replied Marian.

***

A few days later, Annika’s birthday arrived.At 8 pm sharp, her schoolmates came to her birthday party in their favorite fictional character costumes because it was the dress code.

Tala dressed up as Katniss Everdeen of Hunger Games.

Her hair was braided beautifully and her hands were carrying a bow and arrow.She was dressed in her archer costume and looked ready for the games.Tala’s friends dressed up as characters from different movies and comic books.

The Santiago sisters looked lovely.Katie dressed up as Mulan, Annika the birthday girl as Belle and Isolde as Aurora.The three sisters were as beautiful as the Disney princesses.Thanks to their seamstresses who sew their gowns and to their hairstylists and makeup artists who made them more beautiful.

So far, the party looked great, the house was big and beautiful, and there were rich and cool people — perhaps, they were friends with the three gorgeous and mysterious sisters.

Everyone ate expensive and delicious catered meals and chatted about many things.

“Yo, Richard!” A tall guy in a pirate costume said.“How are things?”

Richard was in a blue robot costume, “Just the usual, Etienne, “I just bought a house in Fort Bonifacio.”

“Oh, that’s great man! I now have a Porsche.”

“You’re doing well.I’m proud of you.” These guys are over eighteen years old and both Sophomores in college.

Other rich guys their age also boasted about their new cars and mansions.They also talked about their part-time jobs and businesses.

“Hi, Michelle!” A skinny and fair-skinned girl with blonde pigtails and red and blue ends said.“How are you? It’s been two years.” She curled a small section of her hair with her forefinger.She was in matching tight leather clothes and holding a bat.

“I’m more than okay, bish!” Michelle replied to a “bish” called Mia.

Mia was plump, dark-skinned and wearing almost the same costume.Except her hair was white blonde.

Michelle thought, oh God, why does she always copy my style?

“I’m engaged to Peter!” Peter was a famous DJ.Mia showed the ring on her finger.It was from Tiffany and Co.Michelle tried hard not to show her jealousy.

“I’m so happy for you.” Michelle said in a fake happy voice.

“Oh, you’re so sweet! Thank you!” Mia replied.

“Excuse me, I’m just going to talk to some of my friends, “said Michelle.

“See ya!” She turned her back to Mia and rolled her eyes.She took a martini from a waiter.

Other rich girls talked about their new clothes and shoes and boyfriends.

“Oh, my goodness!” Madison exclaimed.

She was in a sexy nurse costume “Marian Mendoza is here!” Everyone looked at the famous actress.They took pictures of and with her.

Kayla laughed.

She was in a little black dress and a tiara.“Oh, dear Cheska.Is it your first time to see a big star? What hill do you live in? Marian is practically my neighbor!” She smoked with a long cigarette.

“Practically your neighbor?” Blake said.She was in a white dress and blonde wig.

“She lives next door to me.I just ignore her to be honest.I’m used to seeing celebs in my neighborhood.”

“Pft!” That’s a lie!” Bianca yelled.She had long wavy brown hair and was wearing a flowy white dress.“Nobody ignores Marian! I play badminton with her on weekends and people flock around just to see her.” She was a die-hard fan of Marian Mendoza.

“Geez, relax!” Cassidy said.She was in a green sequin dress.“Miss-I’m friends-with-this-celebrity.” She said sarcastically.Some people laughed.

The rich crowd talked about the parties grander than this and the concerts they attended.

Of course, they were in the VIP seats.

Tala and her friends talked about movies, music and books.Some attendees talked about school and their future plans in college.One girl said she would study Political Science and after her college graduation will take up Law.

A boy sitting next to her said he would take up BS Biology and eventually Medicine.Others would take up Mass Communication and Journalism.

Salome was there too.She dressed up as Minerva of Fairy Tail to suit her blue hair .She came across a group of girls talking to the Santiago sisters.She eavesdropped to their conversation.

“This is a really nice party! I absolutely love the theme.

Good job to the three of you,” one of the girls complimented the sisters.

“Thanks,” answered Katie.“It was Annika’s idea.She loves Cosplay.” Katie smiled.Her long dark hair and dark eyes gleamed in the light of the dining hall.

“We will have something special for supper,” said Isolde.Her golden locks flowed like a golden waterfall on her shoulders.

“That’s right,” said Annika.Her brown eyes sparkled and her smile was sweet.Then she exclaimed.“We will have a wonderful feast!” Her brown hair was tied in a chic, high ponytail.

Salome sensed something wrong was going to happen.

She had to prevent it from happening.

Later on, the guests danced to club music and remixes of movie soundtrack songs.

The party was awesome until someone ruined it.

A boy dressed as Dante of Devil May Cry was shouting angrily at a boy dressed as Cloud of Final Fantasy 7 .“Dante” looked drunk.

This was how their nonsense, unintelligent and heated argument went.(Quotation marks were omitted for this purpose.):

Dante: Hey you troublemaker! Why on Earth did you smash my car?

Cloud: I didn’t smash your car, dude.

Dante: Don’t you ever call me dude! We’re not buddies! You smashed my car because you were envious of me.Well, it’s not my fault that I am richer, more popular and got a prettier girlfriend.

Cloud: You’re a prick! How dare you accuse me for something I didn’t do? You’re a rude, shallow and empty-headed asshole!

Dante: You’re the only person who’d do it because you’re angry, envious and insane, and had a small penis that wouldn’t even satisfy a virgin girl.Or boy.

Some people laughed at the last insulting comment.

Cloud remained calm even though he was humiliated.All of a sudden, “Dante” punched him and “Cloud” kicked him.They fought for a long time.

Some watched them fight while others went home.The spirit of festivity was gone because of these two killjoys.The security guards stopped them.

“Why did you let this thing happen? Are you sleeping while on duty?” “Dante” asked the security guards.

The guards did not bicker with him.“We’re sorry, sir,” one of the guards spoke up.“It happened really fast we didn’t even notice someone smashed the car.

When we saw it, it was already destroyed.”

“Dante” laughed.“Incompetent bastards!” He said.

Tala didn’t like what was going on.She wanted to go home already so she searched for her friends.But someone grabbed her hand and put a hand over her mouth.

Chapter 8: Enchanting Heroism

“Hush! This is Salome.Listen to me.

Those people are after you.They will kill you if they hear your voice or see you.”

Tala thought, Why would they do that? She didn’t ask the question aloud.She felt that she should trust this girl and do what she said.She turned her head around and faced Salome.She saw that Salome was wearing a costume she couldn’t recognize.

They ran outside the Santiago residence.

They rode a jeepney and a tricycle to Salome’s dormitory.When they reached her dormitory, they went inside her room.

They were sitting on a sofa in the living room of Salome’s small and simple dormitory room.Salome made two cups of hot chocolate for themselves and placed the two cups at the glass table.They drank their delicious hot chocolate before speaking.

“You certainly don’t have an idea about the world you just entered.The Santiago sisters are after you.They are manananggals who want to kill you because they felt your supernatural power.

They invited everyone so you won’t hesitate to come.They can take you as hostage, tie your hands and feet to a chair, and eat you with gusto.” Salome admonished Tala.

“Why would they do that?” asked Tala.

“Because you are a great threat to them.You’re a powerful witch who can kill manananggals instantly.You may not know it yet, but you possess an incredible strength.

Remember that spike you did in P.E.class? You couldn’t do it before but recently you were able to do it because you have a supernatural power.I have a supernatural power, too.Look,” Salome paused.

She took a glass from the kitchen and broke it without touching it.

“As you can see, I just broke the glass without touching it.I used my mind.My power is called telekinesis.I can control the movements of things, no matter how small or big they are, with my mind.I just acquired this power a few days ago.

It is still rusty.Before, I can only predict the future and read the minds of people.

Now I have telekinesis.I’m a witch just like you.”

“Wow!” was all Tala could say.

She was amazed with the power Salome showed.

“I used my telekinesis to smash the car at the party because I want to get your attention and tell you it’s not okay to be there.You were too busy enjoying the party.I don’t care if what I did was rude and uncalled for.I just want to save your life.

I don’t want you to get eaten by the Santiago sisters.Didn’t you see their wings and fangs?”

“In fact, I did.I saw their shadows of manananggal wings and their fangs while my little cousin Robbie and I were walking home one sunny afternoon.I thought I was seeing things because Robbie didn’t see those manananggal wings and fangs.”

“Only people with supernatural powers can see those kinds of things during the day.

Normal people can see them at night.”

“I know this is a stupid question but why are those manananggals after witches? Why can’t they let them be and do their thing?” Tala was horrified by her last question.She felt like a dunce.

Do their thing? You mean kill humans? I don’t want them to do their “thing.” I don’t want helpless humans to be killed and eaten by those evil creatures .But what will I do to save them?

“I will tell you a story that will answer your question.You might not believe it yet, but it’s true.”

Tala listened earnestly to Salome.“A long time ago, there was a terrible war among humans, aswangs and manananggals in Capiz.

The aswangs and manananggals have killed many humans with their supernatural powers.Some of them ate the body parts of the humans they killed after the war, others ate the babies from the mothers’ wombs.The humans who were outside the war field took out garlic and crucifixes and placed them in front of their houses and stayed inside to keep themselves alive.

They shut all their doors and windows so the aswangs and manananggals won’t get them.”

“But a brave young witch went to the war field to fight the aswangs and manananggals .

She killed them using her bare hands.That was how the war ended.

The humans rejoiced because the province was peaceful once again.The whole province regarded her as a heroine.An aswang and a manananggal who didn’t join the war saw everything that happened and promised to avenge the deaths of their fellows .They told other aswangs and manananggals outside the field about the war.”

“I get it.

Now the living aswangs and manananggals want to kill all the witches and anyone who interferes with them.So, you want me to join you in killing those creatures so we would save humans from them ?” Did she just save me so I’ll help her fight the aswangs and manananggals? Tala wanted to ask this question but she hesitated.

Salome read her mind.

“I saved you because you needed to be saved and because I also want you to help me fight the aswangs and manananggals .As magical people, we are responsible for the safety and peace of other people.We have to save this country from those monsters.”

Tala swallowed hard.She felt uneasy and nervous because of a big responsibility she had been given.But she managed to say: “I believe in almost everything you said.

I believe that the Santiago sisters are manananggals.

I believe in your powers and your story about the war among humans, aswangs and manananggals because I’ve dreamed about it.But I don’t believe that I’m a witch who has a supernatural power.I haven’t seen nor felt it.What happened in P.E.

class was impressive, but it can be done by a regular person.I’m just a regular person with no supernatural power.”

Tala was surprised to say these words aloud.

She used to be skeptical about the things unexplained by science but now she believed in them.People change because of certain experiences.And this was one helluva bizarre experience.

“In time, your special power will be evident to your skeptical eyes and mind.Just be patient.”

Tala ignored what Salome said and changed the topic.“Where are my friends?”

Salome answered: “They’re safe.I saw them go home after they learned from the other attendees that you went away.

Don’t worry about them.The manananggals don’t have a plan to hurt them.Well, for now they don’t.”

After a few seconds, Tala spoke: “Salome, may I ask you something?”

“Shoot.” Salome replied.

“What made you decide to use your powers? If that’s okay to ask.”

“Well, it’s because…”

Salome told her about the accident that happened to her boyfriend.Tears trickled down Salome’s cheeks.

Tala touched Salome’s shoulder to comfort her.Marco’s death was still fresh in Salome’s memory as if it happened yesterday.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Tala said.She hugged Salome.

“To be honest, until now I still can’t believe that Marco is gone.My life revolved around him; he was the reason I wake up each morning.We have happy and sad memories; we faced all our challenges.

We have a loving relationship.We helped each other out.We are happy in photos and in real life.

A bit clingy, but we respect each other’s privacy.Never did we ever check each other’s phones because we trusted each other.We were always together, no one and nothing separated us.Marco was very handsome and kind.”

Salome showed her picture with Marco.He was tall and slim with a chiseled face and curly, dark hair.He wore black leather.

He was handsome and sexy in a rock star way.Salome was wearing her usual goth clothes and looked gorgeous as ever.

The couple was all smiles.

“He was indeed stunning and you are beautiful,” Tala admitted.“You looked great together.”

“Yeah.It’s hard to get over a man that looked as hot as that,” Salome tried to joke.It was as if she was just telling a friend about a horrible breakup.

She chuckled lightly, fighting her tears.

“It’s okay…” Tala said and realized just how stupid that sounded.But Salome didn’t mind.

“I find it hard to trust people nowadays ever since someone killed my boyfriend.”

Tala nodded.It makes sense.“I understand.”

“Only you and Silas, the powerful wizard in our community, know my story.”

“He seems like a nice guy.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Is he the one who recruited you in the community?”

“Yup.”

“I want to meet him and the other members, as well.”

“You will meet them all someday.”

“Although, you might be surprised with what they look like.”

“How so?”

“It’s not like in the movies.

They look like regular people like us.”

“Well, we are not regular people,” Tala joked.Salome smiled.

“Oh, you know what I mean.”

“By the way, have you eaten?” Salome changed the subject.

“Just a bit, why?”

“Oh, nothing.

I guess after all that running, you are as hungry as I am.Are you?”

“Yes.

I am indeed famished.”

“That’s great! I can make a mean spaghetti.But first, let’s hydrate!” Salome got two cans of Coke zero from the fridge and throw one to Tala.Tala deftly caught it.Nice reflexes.

Tala and Salome put the two cokes on the wooden table.

Then, Salome went to the kitchen and cooked the spaghetti with meatballs within thirty minutes.

They ate the spaghetti and drank the Coke Zero.After tasting the spaghetti, Tala moaned.“Oh, my God! This is scrumptious! I guess I never missed out anything on that party.”

“That’s true.And you’re a lot safer in here, too.” Salome said, “I’m glad you like my spaghetti.”

“You are a good cook.You should start a pasta business.”

“Aww, that’s sweet.Unfortunately, I can’t do that.I’ve been juggling a lot of things.”

Red sauce was dripping off Tala’s chin.

Salome offered her a napkin and Tala gently wiped her chin with it.She really liked the food.They finished their meals.

Chapter 9: Full Moon

As the moon shines, the supernatural creatures become wild and free and more powerful as ever!

Many, many years ago, an angel had an affair with a man.God had forbidden this kind of relationship.So, He turned these disobedient angels into loathsome, hideous immortals that need to partake of human blood and flesh when darkness falls in order to survive.They were known as aswangs and manananggals .

Laqueta was a manananggal.She was a lovely woman at day, but a monster at night.

She was so angry with God because of the punishment she received so she rebelled against Him in so many ways.She took advantage of her beauty.

But first, she discovered a power that would help her manage her transformation so she could still appear to be an alluring woman at night.She worked as a prostitute and had many affairs.

She was carrying her child with her first human lover then, but she still continued her trysts with other men.After she made love with a farmer named Tonio, she confessed that she was pregnant and the child wasn’t his.Tonio still accepted her because he was so in love with this bewitching woman.She gave birth to a pretty baby girl.

She named her Katie.

One night, Tonio left Laqueta a note on their bedside table.The note said that he needed to return to his family.But the truth was he left her because a neighbor confided to him that she saw Laqueta with another man while their neighbor was buying fish in a wet market.

Laqueta lamented.

She was very sad and angry when Tonio left her.Evil ate her heart until there was not a bit of kindness left.She decided to put an end to her lover’s life.

The night after, she flew in the farm miles away from her house.When she spotted Tonio, she killed and devoured him with pleasure.

A few weeks after the incident, she met a doctor named Santiago who was a single man.They grew in love with each other, got married (she was able to go to church without burning her body), and had two daughters whom they named Isolde and Annika.They became a happy family for three years.

But the happiness didn’t last when God played a cruel joke.

Santiago was killed by cancer although she knew he never smoked.During that time not a lot of people were aware that you could get cancer through second-hand smoking.Convinced that God won’t let her have a man that would be with her for eternity, she decided to never let a man enter into her life again.She just focused on her duties as a warrior for the aswangs and manananggals.

She fought and won many battles.She killed many intruding witches and feasted on many humans.

But her victory stopped when she was killed in a war among manananggals, aswangs and humans.Her bereaved daughters wept after hearing the news of her untimely demise.

The Santiago sisters were sent to their grandma’s house after the burial to live with her.

Their GrandmaLillian, Santiago’s mother, raised them until she died of old age.But before she died, she told her granddaughters the truth about their mother.

“I knew she was a monster the moment I saw her.But I didn’t disapprove of their marriage because your father loves your mother so much.You will become monsters too when time comes.”

The Santiago sisters didn’t believe her at the time.

Not until one of them reached womanhood.

The first one who experienced the transformation was Katie, who was the eldest.The second one was the middle child Isolde.Two years ago, Annika had a period for the first time.It was her turn to transform.

On a fateful night when the full moon was shining, Annika woke up from a deep sleep; her body was in intense pain.

She screamed in agony.Ugly and large bat-like wings began to sprout behind her back.Her body became more painful as if someone was sawing her apart.Her upper and lower bodies were detached from each other.Then, she felt an intense inhuman hunger and thirst she had never felt before.

Each of these young manananggals went outside her bedroom to see one another.They assembled in their exquisitely furnished living room.Annika’s sisters were pleased to see her transformation.They transformed into manananggals too and altogether they flew outside the house in search of “food.”

Their first victim was a frail-looking woman whom they saw walking along a dark subdivision.

Every house of this subdivision had plants in its courtyard.

The streetlights were all broken.

Katie told her youngest sister: “Annika, since it’s your first day as a manananggal, you’ll be the first one to eat that weakling!”

Annika dug her long dark claws into the body of the frail-looking woman, licked her with a tongue as long as a snake, bit her with fangs as sharp as knives until blood came out, and finally ate her with relish.

“Good, good! You’re doing well.” Katie complimented Annika.

They searched for other vulnerable human beings.Tonight, they feasted on 45 humans.It was a lovely night for t.