Janice's P.O.V.
MY BODY ACHED from lying on my back, so I shifted to my side. I could hear my Mom's breath; she was behind me, beside me.
It was so cold!
I was shivering!
I tried to curl up to embrace myself, but still, it wasn't enough. I slightly opened my eyes. I saw my phone in front of my face. After that, I blindly felt for it with my eyes closed to see what time it was.
It was 10:15 in the evening.
I felt Mommy move behind me. "M-Mommy, hug me..." I whispered, and I knew she heard it.
Just a second later, I felt her arm drape over me from behind. She always does that, hugging me from behind. And I'm comfortable with that; it makes my sleep even better.
But wait!
Her arms were freezing when I touched them. It's impossible for her to feel colder than me because I'm closer to the aircon. I touched her arm again. It was really freezing cold.
"Mommy? Are you okay?" I asked her.
She did not respond. She must be in a deep sleep. Then suddenly, my cellphone rang. I looked at it. A call from an unknown number?
Who could this be?
But I just ignored it. Instead, I continued my interrupted sleep. "M-Mommy, drape your leg over me..." I commanded her again.
A moment later, Mommy's leg draped over me. I felt her enclose me in her arm and leg. Oohh! I love it.
It's so nice to sleep like this. Then my cellphone rang again.
Darn it!
Who keeps calling and calling?!
I quickly grabbed my cellphone and answered it. "Hello!"
"He+++ Janice!" the voice answered from the other line. I couldn't hear it well because it was choppy.
"Who is this?"
"Janice, I'm+++ going to be ++te." The voice was raspy. Probably because of the signal. "Hello! It's choppy! Who are you!?" I whispered, but it sounded like I was shouting. "Janice, ar++ ++ yo+ ther+++?" The line was still bad.
"What is it?!" At that point, I felt like ending the call. "I said, I'm++++ +++ com+ hom+ l+te!"
"Huh?!" One more time and I'll drop this call.
"I said, I'm going to be late coming home..." The line suddenly cleared up. I could understand what the person on the other line was saying.
Gosh!
Is this real?!
"Oh my God..." My world seemed to stop! "I just borrowed a phone to call because my battery is dead... Janice?"
That was when I started feeling the tremors. The hairs on my body stood up! Tears also began to well up in my eyes. God, please help me!
"Janice? Why?"
I forced myself to speak. "M-Mommy?" "It's me, Janice. Why?"
Shit!!!
Who is this lying next to me?
I screamed and hurriedly got up.
I just felt myself breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Janice! Are you okay?" Mommy asked while holding a glass of water. I just burst into tears.
A nightmare again!
She immediately hugged me. "Janice, what happened? You just suddenly fainted at Ara's wake."
I couldn't speak. Why is it like this? I wanted to tell Mommy everything. I wanted her to know everything. But I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move. I couldn't even speak at that moment.
She pulled away from the hug. "Janice, what's happening? I'm getting worried about you. You're trembling." Extreme worry was evident on Mommy's face.
But why is it like this? I couldn't answer! I couldn't speak! "Janice?" Mommy was already holding both my shoulders.
A moment later, I saw Auntie Madge. She was approaching us. "Janice, are you okay?" She stroked my hair.
I just looked at her. Because I couldn't speak, I just tried to convey what I wanted to say through my gaze.
I tried to speak through my eyes.
But she didn't understand me. She didn't notice it. She turned to Mommy. "Maria, he's here."
Just a few seconds later, someone indeed entered through the door. It was a man, I'd guess an older one. I know him—it's Mang Isko. He's the tenant on the second floor.
Mommy quickly approached him. "Mang Isko." Then she glanced at Auntie Madge.
"Mang Isko is the... crime investigator assigned to Ara's case," Auntie Madge said while seemingly playing with her hands restlessly.
I remembered! Mang Isko is indeed a policeman. I often see him patrolling at night in a police mobile. Who would have thought he's handling Ara's case. "Mrs. Ocampo." Mang Isko shook Mommy's hand.
Mommy caught his offered hand. "We're glad you're the one handling Ara's case. We won't have a hard time... giving a statement."
"T-Thank you." Mang Isko's eyes were very shifty. He couldn't look at me directly.
"Do you have a prime suspect yet, Isko?" Auntie Madge asked. It seems Auntie Madge has known Mang Isko for a long time.
"We have. It's..." He first cast his eyes around the surroundings. "Roli..."
Mommy looked meaningfully at Auntie Madge and then returned to Mang Isko. "Is there any evidence yet?"
Mang Isko bowed his head. "None yet. But..." He caught his breath. "Because he hasn't shown up since the incident. Also—"
"HE was the one who killed her, Mang Isko!" Mommy's voice was trembling.
"But you weren't at that tapsihan when Roli brought Ara's corpse there, right?" Mang Isko couldn't look Mommy in the eyes.
Mommy began to cry, and Auntie Madge immediately hugged her. "I-I chickened out... I knew it would happen, but—"
"Mrs. Ocampo..." Auntie Madge consoled.
"No! It's my fault! If I had reported immediately that it would happen... the police would have caught Roli right away..."
"You did the right thing, Mrs. Ocampo. If it came down to it, you might have been dragged into this case. You could have been accused as an accomplice," Mang Isko explained gently. The truth is, I couldn't understand them. I couldn't understand what was going happening.
All I know is, Mommy knew this would happen. I don't know how. I just know that she approached Mang Isko first. But the problem is, he didn't believe her. Mommy didn't have solid evidence on how to explain how she knew Ara's corpse would be found there before the incident even happened. Until it actually did happen.
Mang Isko's reasoning was that Mommy did the right thing by not reporting it to the police right away. Because if she did, she would likely be among the suspects. But how did she know it would happen?
How did she know Tito Roli brought Ara there? Mommy sobbed. "What are we going to do now?"
"We need solid evidence. And I don't want you involved anymore, Mrs. Ocampo..." Mang Isko looked at me. "And Janice."
I knew it. This old man has feelings for Mommy. These past few days, I noticed his sincere intention to help Ara's family, especially Mommy.
But Mommy just chose to remain silent about the matter, and so did Auntie Madge. I know they also know about Mang Isko. He is a widower. He has a child but they are abroad. It's not impossible that he is deeply longing for love. Of course, there's a big possibility that he has turned his affections toward Mommy. We've been interacting with him for ten years now.
So, why not?
Mang Isko sighed. "I know a paranormal expert..." Mommy and Auntie Madge turned to look at him.
"Are you referring to Ka Pineng?" Auntie Madge asked. The man just nodded.
"I already called him. I already asked for his help. He agreed to help us. It's just that our line got cut off." After Auntie Madge said that, she looked at Mommy. "Isko and I were his classmates in college. He can help us..."
The next day, we went to the person Mang Isko said could help us here in Manila. It wasn't that far from us. We were all determined to see the paranormal expert he mentioned.
According to Mang Isko, he has helped many people, even famous and powerful personalities.
His house was massive; I could even call it a mansion because of its size. We just walked straight inside because the door wasn't locked. Besides, Mang Isko seemed to feel right at home.
The interior of the house was beautiful. It was obvious that expensive materials were used. But despite that, I learned from Mang Isko that only two people lived there.
"It seems no one is here, Mang Isko," Mommy whispered.
"It just looks like no one's here. He's just around," Mang Isko said, looking around.
So we all walked around individually. It was like we were window shopping in a mall. Amidst the vastness and the many pieces of furniture around, a door caught my attention. I was just heading toward it when I stopped.
What was that? I felt like I heard whispering.
I looked back at Mommy and Tita Madge. They were in their own worlds, busy marveling at the surroundings. So I turned back to the door that was just a few steps away from me. I stepped slowly toward it. Why am I hearing things? I'm hearing someone whispering. I can't understand it, though.
I continued to step forward. I walked slowly while my gaze was fixed on the said door. It had a hole in the middle, so I thought of peeking through it.
That hole was only the size of an eye. I didn't hesitate anymore; I quickly peeked through the hole.
It was dark. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't see anything except... What could that be? A pair.
What is it?
I peeked closer and stared hard. Oh my God!
I was suddenly horrified! Oh no!
Here they are again. I'm sure I've seen these before. I swallowed hard while observing it.
Standing!
Yes, they were standing. A FOOT was standing!!! I backed away.
"Janice!" Someone called me.
I immediately turned around. It was a man's voice. Actually, we all turned around.
To my left stood a man. Who is this man? This is the first time I've seen him. How did he know me?
His hair was slicked back. He wore a long-sleeved shirt and shorts. His face was very pale because of foundation, I think, which was obvious. His nose was very prominent and he looked mature. He was just looking at me.
"Ka Pineng!" Mang Isko shouted.
I turned to Mang Isko. He approached the said man. "How are you, Ka Pineng?" But the man didn't look at him. Instead, he turned to Mommy and Tita Madge.
We all looked at each other.
Mang Isko laughed. "Ah... Ka Pineng, by the way, they are—"
"You don't need to introduce them to me." He didn't let him finish.
Our mouths fell open. I couldn't pinpoint it, but there seemed to be something strange here. And I know that even though Mommy and Tita Madge weren't speaking, I felt they noticed what I noticed too.
He looked at me. "This child is Janice." Then he looked at Mommy. "And this woman is Maria Ocampo. A college teacher and Janice's mother." He stepped forward slightly. "Madge?" From his look alone, it seemed he recognized Tita Madge immediately. "You got disconnected while I was talking to you..."
My jaw dropped. How did he know Mommy and me when this was our first time meeting?
Tita Madge stepped forward. "Ka Pineng, this is about—"
"I know why you came here." His forehead creased. "I'm sorry. I cannot help you." After that, he turned his back on us.
We just looked at each other, then they chased Ka Pineng toward the living room. Meanwhile, I slowly looked back at the door I peeked into earlier. After that, I also scurried to the living room.
"Ka Pineng, but you haven't heard our side yet," Mang Isko caught up.
I was already in the living room when Ka Pineng stopped. "I know what happened."
"So you already know. If so, why won't you help us?" Tita Madge said, trembling.
Ka Pineng slowly turned to us. "I don't want to... die yet."
We all almost stepped back from where we stood. We didn't expect Ka Pineng to say that. An eerie wind seemed to envelop the whole house.
"What do you mean?" Mommy asked, looking like she was about to cry.
Moments later, a student popped up behind us, a boy. He was wearing a backpack and looked like a nerd. "Good day. Is Justine here?" he asked Ka Pineng.
Ka Pineng looked at us first before speaking. "Sit down first. I'll just prepare some food." Then he looked at the young student. "Just a moment. I'll call Justine."
The student just nodded in response. After that, I observed his face. I couldn't pinpoint where I had seen him, but his face was familiar to me.
"Justine! Justine!" Ka Pineng shouted. Justine is probably his son. "Justine! You have a visitor!"
But there was no response from his son. With how huge their house was, it seemed impossible for him to hear him from downstairs.
Mang Isko stood up. "I'll call Justine. He might still be sleeping in his room." It seems Mang Isko is also close to Ka Pineng's son.
Before taking a step, he turned to the young student first. "Ah son, what's your name? So I can tell Justine."
"I'm Kenny," he said with a smile.
"Ah Kenny, just a moment. I'll just go to his room." After that, Mang Isko left.
Ka Pineng also left and went to the kitchen. When he returned, he brought some snacks. I think it was hotcakes and soft drinks. With him was a young boy, probably Justine. He smiled at me. "Dad, you have guests."
I know this Justine! My chest suddenly pounded. After he looked at me intently, he went to Kenny.
"Kenny! You're early, bro," Justine greeted. Kenny just nodded.
"Alright! You two go to the room, I have important things to discuss with these guests of mine," Ka Pineng ordered.
Kenny stood up and went to where Justine was. But before that, I saw Justine glance at me first and even gave a wink.
Right! I remember now! He was Ara's and my schoolmate. I know how much of a prankster he is and... It's a long story!
Anyway, when the two were out of our sight, Ka Pineng turned to us. "Did you see that? I am all that boy has for family. If I interfere with this one, with your case... I will die."
Nervousness suddenly gripped my chest. I saw Mommy's eyes turning red. "W-We don't understand you."
"The moment you stepped foot here in my house..." He could hardly speak. "I already have one foot in the grave."
Is this man serious? We were all shaking in fear.
What does he mean? We couldn't understand him. Does he mean we are all going to die? And he doesn't want to get involved? Why? How?
But he already gained our trust. Imagine, he already knew we were coming to ask for help. He even knew our names. Therefore, there's no doubt he could really do a lot if he helped us.
Mommy couldn't hold back her emotions anymore. She burst into tears and hugged me.
"So what should we do?" Tita Madge asked. Annoyance was evident in her tone. "A-Are we going to die? Is that it?" Her voice was getting hoarse too.
Ka Pineng just bowed his head. "I'm sorry." But he immediately raised his head again. "I love Justine, so I cannot help you." After saying that, he left.
Tita Madge hugged Mommy, who just kept on crying. "I knew it, Madge. I had a bad feeling about what's happening..."
"Shhh... we'll find a way. We'll think of a way." Tita Madge was also starting to cry.
Ignoring them, I stepped away to chase Ka Pineng. I have to convince him. But how will I do that? I can't speak. I don't know what I should say.
Ka Pineng was already outside heading to the garden when I caught up with him. I tapped him. He immediately turned to me. "Janice?"
But I couldn't say anything; I couldn't speak. Why? Why did I feel like I lost my tongue?
He bent down and held me by both shoulders. "I know. You can't speak."
Shit! I was getting goosebumps from what this man was saying. How did he know that? I couldn't help but be impressed by him, but I also couldn't help but feel nervous because of his presence.
"Janice, listen..." His face suddenly turned serious. "I'll be straight with you."
After he said that, my heart started pounding fast again. It's this inexplicable nervousness inside me again.
He bowed his head slightly as if unable to say what he wanted to say. Then he faced me firmly.
"YOU will be his first target. You will be the first... TO DIE..."